Jesus Calling - For a few years something has greatly burdened me and I havent talked about it in an open forum like this. Ive shared with friends that have brought up the topic, but at this point, as I watch the end caps of store aisles fill with this book for stocking stuffers and gifts, as I see Christian book stores send out their flyers with it plastered all over the front covers hoping for this highest grossing book to bring them even more revenue at this time of the year, Ive decided to say something. Please understand - Im not one of those people on a witch hunt, searching for a demon behind every bush. Nor am I a Facebook troll that likes to critique and criticize everything around me. But, as I see more and more Christian friends and ministers quote from this book and share it with others as their encouraging gift of choice, I am more and more burdened. Years ago, when I was first given this book by a dear Christian friend, I was excited to see what new daily insights I was going to glean as I had heard so much about it being the best daily devotional ever written. But, I started with what I wonder if most people skip right past - I read the introduction. Right off the bat, the introduction tells of the writers moment of coming to Christ. Actually, thats being generous with my wording. There actually isnt any reference to her coming to Christ - her relationship with Jesus began when she felt a warm mist come over her and she was inspired to say the name of Jesus. Right then and there, she knew she was saved. My heart sank. The introduction was several more pages. Surely there was going to be more where she explained that a warm mist and a good feeling werent what secured her eternity in Jesus Christ...surely the atoning blood of His salvation that was the only thing sufficient to cover all sin was going to come up... But it never did. The introduction continued to speak of the way she would sit quietly and listen for words that flowed from the relationship born of this warm mist and good feeling. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. This title - Jesus Calling - this was her version of a new word from God to the world. Her pen was claiming the authority of the original writers of Scripture, words proclaiming that they were coming straight from the mouth of God as an addition to His word simply because, as her introduction clearly stated, she longed for more than just Scripture itself. She was speaking for God - not a message expounding on His infallible Word, but a new word based on her feelings and experiences. And this, dear friends, is dangerous. I understand that there are many entries in this book that arent unbiblical in their wording. I understand that the book is near and dear to many because of its unique ability to warm hearts. But, I would not be doing my job as a Christian teacher if I continue to stand silent because of a few good qualities blended with inherently dangerous doctrine. The blend of a lie with just enough truth to make it look believable has always been the sneakiest tactic of false doctrine and religion - this is no different. If one does not understand the gospel of Jesus, one cannot speak for Him. And no one, in this day and age, has the authority to speak directly from His mouth. Any claim to do so needs to send shock waves through the reader - and through the church - in protest based on true Scripture. I cant tell you what to do, but I am accountable to draw attention to fallacy, at the very least, so that we can each be accountable for what we have become aware. Its time that we dont fall prey to something that may make us feel good while we endanger our spiritual integrity simply because we didnt pay close enough attention to notice...
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 13:15:06 +0000
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