Reaction to the book "A Christian Rebuttal to Sarah Young's 'Jesus Calling' "

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Sarah Young wrote a successful book titled "Jesus Calling." The book's blurb states,

After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever she believed He was saying to her.  It was awkward at first, but gradually her journaling changed from monologue to dialogue.  She knew her writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but journaling helped her grow closer to God.  Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her messages.  They are written from Jesus' point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling.  It is Sarah's fervent prayer that our Savior may bless readers with His presence and His peace in ever deeper measure."

I reviewed Jesus Calling here, and here. 

"Journaling" is a new kind of activity that the New Agers are calling a spiritual discipline. Beth Moore does it, that is, she listens for God and accepts the force that comes and guides her very hand into writing things that are not from her own brain. I am not making this up. You can learn more about why journaling to listen for God, is not a spiritual discipline but in fact is a false spiritual activity.

In any case, this blog entry is not about Sarah Young's book. It is about reaction to criticism of Sarah Young's book. Pastor Robert Allen King wrote "A Christian Rebuttal to Sarah Young's 'Jesus Calling'" and released it on Kindle. A slim volume, the book goes through

"Young's erroneous method of placing her own personal reflections and meditations from her quiet time with God into the mouth of Jesus, infusing them with a false divine authority that will mislead her readers. The booklet will also go over the false teachings and incorrect theological concepts that have been presented to the world under the guise of approval by Jesus."

The reviews were immediately negative, and oh so familiar in content and tone. Here are the titles of each review. The content of each review goes on in similar vein as you'd imagine from reading its  heading:

"Another person trying to kill hope"
"Arrogant and Jealous"
"How Dare You?"
"So Very Sad"
"A "Christian" Rebuttal?," [Note the scare quotes around the word Christian]
"How sad for you"
"What a ***"
"Pray for Alan King! He needs to hear the voice of God through Sarah Young's Jesus Calling!"
"stop the criticicizm" [sic]

The reviews ran 2-1 against.

Chris Rosebrough posted the following tonight:

I have no further deep theological insight into this, other than to remark that this is to be expected and to encourage you all.

First, the bible:

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, (2 Timothy 4:3)

This verse has always been true since they were written 2000 years ago. It is no different today. Except it is.

In terms of speed with which the tide has turned, I've never seen it pile on faster than it is now, and today it is piling on faster than yesterday and tomorrow will be faster than today. Each day the heated rhetoric and the hate against Christians from people who call themselves Christians is getting hotter and hotter, higher and higher. Daily, it seems, the vitriol against speaking the truth in love is rising. No one seems to be allowed by the liberal or false element to judge, discern, criticize; nor to compare a speech, sermon, or work to scripture. None of that. We are supposed to accept anything and everything as long as the name "Jesus" is attached. Unquestioningly and wholly.

"They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions." (Isaiah 30:10)

Please never stop preaching the truth in season and out of season. Please never stop comparing works to scripture to see if these things are true. Please never stop speaking up FOR Jesus, and His truth which He died to offer to the saints once for all.

Expect vitriol, but that is no matter, because Jesus is coming soon. And then, expect glory.

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 25, 2013 at 4:05 AM

    Still a "child" when it comes to the bible, but I remember reading the above verse and thinking that it described our culture very well.

    This article reminds me of this verse as well: Isaiah 5:20 (NIV)" Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." I say this only because once upon a time, truth was valued and people would rather not be lied to but these days it seems like what was up is down. Everything is just so backwards.

    Thank you for your vigilance!
    Marrell

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  2. Glenn E. ChatfieldJuly 25, 2013 at 12:20 PM

    I recognize those critical comments!! They are just like the ones I got on my posts about Beth Moore!

    It's as if these people are cult leaders the way their fans idolize them and refuse to look at their teachings in a discerning way.

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    1. Elizabeth PrataJuly 25, 2013 at 12:23 PM

      Exactly, Glenn! I got my dose of them in the Rachel Held Evans thing. Goodness, they fail at discernment and that is such a loss to them. Their lives would be so much more sweet if it was more Christ-honoring instead of flesh indulging

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  3. CarolJuly 26, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    Hello. I am so very thankful for all that you write on your blog and I am continuing to learn so much. So first of all I would like to express a BIG "thank you" for taking the time that you do to share the truths of Jesus Christ. It is very refreshing and much needed.
    Please know that this is not a criticism or anything negative, but I would appreciate some clarification if that's ok ? You mentioned that journaling is a new age activity and not a spiritual discipline. Sometimes I write out my prayers and then when, or if, the Lord answers these prayers I write answer at the side. I would refer to this as journaling what the Lord has done. Is this ok to be classed as a 'spiritual discipline'?
    Hope you don't mind my asking.

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    1. Elizabeth PrataJuly 26, 2013 at 2:26 PM

      Hi Carol,

      Thank you for asking! I have been mulling this all day- it is such a good question. I decided to make a whole blog entry about it in length and depth. But to answer your good question here in succinct form, no, I do not believe your activity is a negative or false discipline.

      At the link I'd used referring to the Sola Sisters blog about journaling, what I'd said was, "You can learn more about why journaling, and listening for God, is not a spiritual discipline but in fact is a false spiritual activity." The key is 'listening for God.'

      Journaling can become a negative thing in two cases:

      1. When someone says that journaling is a spiritual discipline that's mandated. It is not. The Sola Sisters take issue with the phrase “spiritual disciplines,” because "it is a term from Roman Catholic monasticism which indicated a salvation by works. I question the idea that certain Christians can define disciplines for other Christians" they write and it is a really good article. I recommend you click on it to see the full essay
      http://solasisters.blogspot.com/2013/07/spiritual-disciplines-some-thoughts.html

      2. Journaling is dangerous when it is an activity used as a mechanism to hear back from God. When someone journals, and waits with pen in hand to 'hear back from God' a la Beth Moore or Sarah Young, it easily becomes a demonic activity. See the series at the right hand menu, titled "Examples of Channeling Christians, like Beth Moore".

      We hear from God when we read the bible, not audibly or internally and then write down what we think He said in a journal. That would mean that a journal is inspired scripture and is in fact a bible, and no one wants *that* to happen!

      Using a journal to keep track of prayer requests or as a way to honor God by remembering how He blessed you in an answer, sounds fine!

      Thanks again and I hope this answers your question

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  4. Elizabeth PrataJuly 26, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    I am going to edit the sentence, "You can learn more about why journaling, and listening for God, is not a spiritual discipline but in fact is a false spiritual activity." to

    "You can learn more about why journaling to listen for God, is not a spiritual discipline but in fact is a false spiritual activity."

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    1. UnknownJanuary 18, 2015 at 7:37 PM

      I'm sorry, this is just very disheartening for me as a Christian. I have never thought of Beth Moore or Sarah Young and demonic or putting words into the mouth of God. I'm pretty sure their intent was to show GOD'S LOVE, which, to be frank, you do not do here. Like the pharisees, you stamp your feet and call out rules from the bible to refute what these women are trying to do. Help people!! Sarah's thoughts do not go without verses in the bible for us to refer to. Beth Mores 'Breaking Free' required more reading of The Word than most church sermons I attend. I am so sad that such good intentions have taken such a negative twist in your hands. Just like Jesus healing on the Sabbath, and being scorned by the temple rulers. If i may speak truth in love, how can I not find your behavior and your words in this blog to be the same as these rulers? You too have used your bible to squash the good
      intentions of others. And to say they put words into the mouth of God? Again, in love I say, don't be so foolish.
      Only a fool would think that the bible has not changed many many times since it first came into existence. The most educated theologians would not even be so foolish. King James himself (the very bible I'm sure you read!) completely reworded the bible from Hebrew and Greek and it's FACT that complete books were left out and meaning was lost. Anyone with a sound education in these languages and in the bible would know this. So I am confused by what your problem is with these authors.
      Oh, journaling...and using journaling to get answers from God? Perhaps I've misunderstood and if so I apologize. However, it's accepted to most true Christians that in the quiet moments is where God speaks. Be still and know...
      Journaling is prayer with pen and paper.
      Does God not answer prayer? Of course when people look back at these thoughts can they not see and appreciate how God has come through? How God has answered prayer?
      Anyone with a heart for God will find Him. Who are you to act like God and say you know the hearts of these women and thus judge them based on what you think you know?

      Did Jesus himself, claiming to be Son of God, not interpret the scriptures to send his OWN message? I remind you of John 6, I'm sure you're well educated on the chapter. How ironic for me that the attitude of the non believers seems very similar to yours now. They didn't believe Jesus because he took the scripture and made it HIS. HE was the bread of life.
      To use God's word to teach His love is all I've ever received from women like Beth, Sarah, Ann Voscamp, and Joyce Meyer. Perhaps you feel theu are all a hoax, or perhaps you have taken a self-appointed position in God's kingdom to judge and decide for us which authors are acceptable and which are not? So this must also include Max Lucado and Rick Warren? Shame, shame, to anyone that would say that Celebrate Recovery is a hoax simply bc it rewords verses for people to see them in a different light. What bible translation do you follow? Doesn't matter. ALL OF THEM are made, remade, edited and published into 20-30 different versions.
      But you have the authority to say what is what? Sad to read your blog.
      I accept we all have different views on the bible. I am not remotely intersted in changing your views, but I sincerely hope that all reading this blog will educate themselves more and discern for themselves what truly is wrong in the eyes of God.
      Your list of verses is helpful, unfortunately I could very easily make a list of verses that use the words of Jesus to condemn your behaviour as being that of a religious ruler. I encourage your readers to do this before making final conclusions about your said opinions
      God bless

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    2. Elizabeth PrataJanuary 18, 2015 at 9:36 PM

      Katy, you say, "Only a fool would think that the bible has not changed many many times since it first came into existence. The most educated theologians would not even be so foolish. King James himself (the very bible I'm sure you read!) completely reworded the bible from Hebrew and Greek and it's FACT that complete books were left out and meaning was lost"

      Are you sure you're a Christian? If you have such a low view of the bible, which is God's revealed word, that it has been changed, that there are other books rolling around out there, then of course you accept that Moore and Young add to the bible by hearing God speak to them. However the bible is the word of God, all true and not to be added to or taken away from (Rev 22:18-19)

      You spend a lot of heat but no light chastising me by not using the word to do so. You said you could make a list of verses that show Moore and Young to be true teachers and not false? Go ahead.

      You mention the false teachers' "intentions" a lot. You know what the road to hell is paved with. It isn't enough to be sincere. You have to be right. There is only one truth. John 14:6.

      Katy, Jeremiah 14:16 says that people who follow false teachers will have their own evil poured back onto them. This means you. Please, for your own sake, look into why I and many, many others call Meyer, Moore, Young, Warren, false. It's your soul we're talking of, and that is LOVE. As was wisely said on twitter,

      "Calling out false teachers is not a witch hunt. It is a rescue mission ordained by God to protect His sheep."

      Here are some links to dispel your devastatingly wrong views of the bible-

      What is the canon of scripture?
      http://www.gotquestions.org/canon-of-Scripture.html

      How and when was the canon of the Bible put together?
      http://www.gotquestions.org/canon-Bible.html

      "How do we decide which books belong in the Bible since the Bible does not say which books belong in the Bible?"
      http://www.gotquestions.org/canonicity-scriptural.html#ixzz3PEMSjCU2

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  5. UnknownNovember 30, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    Elizabeth Prata, who gives you the authority to judge Beth Moore and Sarah Young?

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    1. Elizabeth PrataNovember 30, 2013 at 7:20 PM

      Cheralyn, the bible does, which means the Holy Spirit. The bible says to judge teaching against the word, and mark those who fail the test. It is to your detriment to absorb any and all teachings without testing that they are from Jesus, first.

      Here is the authority:

      1 John 4:1
      Matthew 7:15
      2 John 1:10-11
      2 John 1:7
      Colossians 2:8
      Matthew 7:16
      Matthew 7:1-5
      2 Timothy 4:3-4
      Romans 16:17-18

      Plus many more. I have RefText enabled so if you put your mouse over each verse you can read it. Better yet, read them in context in the bible. Best of all, pray to the Spirit to give you wisdom and He will, without reproach. It is important to test the teaching from Sarah Young and Beth Moore, because they are not good food for you, and hopefully the Spirit will deliver wisdom to you on these matters, so you will see clearly what they are really teaching you. Blessings,
      Elizabeth Prata

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  6. AnonymousNovember 4, 2014 at 3:24 PM

    This article/blog annoyed me so much I couldn't finish it. So what if it is fictional, take away the point of the story instead of nit picking every aspect. There's a million churches out there just like that one, cold and indifferent to others outside their circle

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