Please note, this article is a resubmission, previously published on this blog.
Discernment:
Gateway to Excellence in the Christian Life
By Rev. Wes Pinkley
For God is my witness,
how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray,
that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere
and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of
righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:8-11
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very year it
seems there comes a flood of pseudo-Christian books to bookstores
everywhere. Recently I had been asked my
opinion and review on one of these tomes, The Shack by William P
Young. In all good candor I must share
that when it comes to The Shack most of my opinion has been influenced
by friends who have read it, and by reading book reviews from reliable
sources. I find reading a spectrum of
books to be good for growth, we all need to read books. But what alarms me is how often people read
without discernment. Several have used the term “Have an open
mind”. But according to scripture we are
to be quite wary of the influences upon us.
God often said to flee sin. He
destroyed Israel
Some books must be read, some should
not, others should be feared, and still some need to be read with the
understanding that they require greater discernment. The only alleviating factor in reading some
of the “bad” books suggested to me may be that many read and instantly forget
what they have read. The alarm remains
though, that although we may not remember what we have read, we are subtly
influenced by everything. That being
said, I again emphasize, we must read with discernment.
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hink of these
books, The Shack, The Purpose Driven Life, Your Best Life Now, Christless
Christianity, 90 Minutes in Heaven, 28 Minutes in Hell, Experiencing God, The
Prayer of Jabez, Desiring God, Knowing God, The Left Behind Series, and The
Pursuit of Holiness. Now, which ones are
overtly Christian? Which have Heresy? Which
ones do you question? Which are man centered and which are God centered? All of them have sold thousands if not
millions. Which ones give you a sense
that something is just not right? Which
ones are using scripture? Which ones use
scripture correctly and not in the authors bent of context?
As a sidebar, we are talking of
books here, but the same rules apply to advisors, television, and other forms
of entertainment. I an shocked at the
reviews that Christian friends are giving the latest Iron Man II movie. A quick review of it at pluggedin.com reveals
it is full of cursing and sexual innuendo.
How much blasphemy can we tolerate before it becomes offensive to God?
Discernment should run the same
course as common sense and intersect at many points with pure wisdom. The problem that I am responding to is that
many do not consider these needs before reading or being influenced somehow. They read based on suggestion, opinion, and
top ten lists. I find this to be in
itself a lack of discernment. Paul in
writing to the Philippians (1:8-11)
Prayed that the church would have two things, Love and discernment. Discernment is key to holding fast and not
being swayed by pop culture pseudo-Christianity. We must be like the Berean brethren who held
even Paul accountable. We need to see if
something is excellent, not just good.
We need sincerity and be without blame, that is being pure and without
fault. We are at fault if we believe
lies that we should have known better, just ask Eve.
That being said, I am still going to
peruse The Shack. But rather than
a full fledged book review, I believe it is more prudent that we take time to
discuss and explore spiritual discernment.
At the end of this article I will note some great websites for reviews of
The Shack and other books, as well as giving a short bibliography on qualified
books regarding discernment.
How to Read a Book While
Being on Guard
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hen we are
instructed we should ask ourselves “Is a teaching good, bad, a faithful use of
our limited time”? Why are there Christian
books that come out annually that become the rage? Pundits and friends alike tell us “you have
to read it”, and they are even supported by the secularists. That alone should be caution one according to
these verses:
Secular bookstores seem to promote
“Christian” books at a surprising rate.
I have seen displays in Borders that would make you think that revival
had broken out. However, based on the
scriptures, if a non-Christian falls in love with a book that purposes a
Christian theme, it is most likely either for money, for a false teaching, or
both. Two scriptures support this 2
Timothy 4:3-4 and John 15:18-19.
For
the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to
have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in
accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth
and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
"If
the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you
are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the
world hates you. John
15:18-19
Let us further consider what was
written by the writer to the Hebrews and what Paul wrote to the Romans on
spiritual growth.
For though by this time you ought to
be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary
principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid
food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of
righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who
because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Hebrews 5:12-14
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will
of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I
say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith
that God has assigned. Romans 12:1-3
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y fear is
that too many settle for milk. The
church today is at a loss for lack of discernment. We are given over to fads, trends, schemes,
marketing, and kitsch. The book of Acts
had none of this. So why are we trying
to do things with man’s methods? I think
the answer lies in the lack of discernment.
We fail to pray (Which is a form of seeking discernment) and to wait
upon God. Thus I believe than many
pastors, professors, and parishioners have settled for whatever means work for
Coke a Cola must work for the church.
The worlds methods creeping into the worship of God is what plagued the
Hebrews of the Old Testament, can we not see it happening to us today?
Renewing your mind in Romans 12 and the
text of Philippians 4:8 do not give room for The Shack. These verses were given for our
sanctification. They are given for us to
look to the glory of God in Spirit and in truth rather than the syncretism we
find now.
Questions To Consider
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ere are a few
questions we ought to ask ourselves about the things we are taught by pastors,
books, TV Preachers (and radio for that
matter), teachers, websites, and well meaning persons. And as an aside, what do we discern of the
hymns and praise choruses we sing with at church or on the radio?
- What is the author saying?
In The Shack, the author is trying
to deal with God and grief. In his
artistic license is he really portraying God in a way that is in the image of
God or in a man made image of God? This
is crucial. The 3rd commandment
is that we not make any graven image.
But the context is that we not make God out to be of our own design and
limitations. This robs God of His glory. I believe that this is only part of what
William Young has done.
- In the authors methods portraying
God in Spirit and in truth? (John 4)
Remember, God is jealous for His
name. He commands that we fear Him. To play fast and loose with the reverence we
ought to have for God is serious ground to tread.
- Do not ask “Not what is wrong
with it, but does it glorify God”?
Had Eve asked this question, she
might not find herself in the trap of sin.
I also remember Jesus’ warning that “a little leaven (yeast) leavens the
whole batch of dough”.
- Are there any prohibitive
commandments pertaining to the teaching at hand?
We need to know our Bible. People who have brought me such books like
The Shack are often legitimately looking for answers, but fiction is a
shortcut. I love the Chronicles of Narnia
series, and Pilgrims Progress. Their
allegorical tales help us to remember to be God focuses. But even these are not a substitute for
scripture, especially when it comes to doctrine.
- Are there any endorsements in the
scriptures to this matter?
Again we need to know our bibles,
and their contextual settings. If we do
not know our bible, why should we look for meaning in other things? If a child can not do multiplication why set
her about the work of calculus? Eve was
tempted by Satan as he twisted what God had said. When Satan tempted Christ he again used
scripture, but scripture in the wrong context.
We must be aware of this pattern and flee.
- What are the implications if you
continue to follow this trail of reasoning?
When you read Why Bad Things
Happen To Good People you get the idea that God can not do everything due
to limitations. The implications then
run further that He is weak, therefore His promises are simply allegories, and
thus they are not a true help or hope,
thus we are really on our own, and therefore have no need of God. It further implies that God is not God by the
fact that He can not keep what He has promised, it compromises holiness and
righteousness. The whole of Christianity
then falls.
So when we read, what the author
says has greater impact than just the topic that may be at hand. A good book bases itself on the supremacy of
God.
- Are there any secondary or
implied teachings in scripture as to this thought or teaching?
This can find a good example in the
next question I ask. But let us also
recon to understand this question but looking at Why would God kill Achan in
the Old Testament, or Annanias and Saphariah in the New? The implication is that their situation
taught much about interfering with the work of God. We do not have a direct black and white or
red letter explanation of the text, but enough is there around the story to
settle the issue. When a teacher teaches
something that is not directly addressed, they must have a clear support for
what they are stating. I once heard a
sermon where the speaker said the storm against the disciples on the Sea of Galilee was caused by Satan. I questioned him on what scripture supports
that, and all he could remark was that “If I knew as much as him about Satan I
would understand”. The argument here
fails not just on proof texts but on shifting blame. We must be aware of this same response or
support in teachings that are not clearly proved.
- Is there any scriptural precedent
at all to this?
For example, I have been asked about
the book 90 Minutes in Heaven. Here we have Don Piper giving us a revelation
or interpretation of what he says he saw in Heaven. Now scripturally we find two persons who saw
heaven, Paul and John. As you read the
bible, you will see their not being allowed to speak of what they saw. Thus I ask the question, why should Don Piper
be any different?
- Does it properly identify God in
spirit and in truth? Or is it man’s
interpersonalization, making God in man’s image as described in the second
commandment?
- Is this a new teaching? Is it an old teaching that has been
controversial or rebutted?
If it is it
must be approached with caution. Two
thousand years of church history has a precedent for anything “New”. For that matter, if we hear a new teaching it
behooves us to research similar teachings in the past and how it was treated
doctrinally. This is precisely why we
have things such as the Apostles Creed and the Westminster Catechism.
- Is the teaching man centered or
God centered?
To answer
this we should ask “Who gets the glory”?
Is God and man seen more equally or in greater contrast? Is man sharing God’s glory? Herein we may be able to save ourselves a lot
of time and research on a teaching. If
it is man centered we should disregard it, for it will never be gospel driven.
- Does God seem limited or more
humanistic? Or Is it fiction that takes an artistic license to stress an
author’s point while negating others?
Here is my
biggest problem with the shack. Mr.
Young, tries to give his viewpoint while negating all precedent of God as represented
in the scriptures. He tries to
illustrate a point, but in his taking artistic license to the points as he does
he fails miserably at upholding the redemptive nature of God. The very tenants of the Christian faith are
held in question, God is presented and a doting mother rather than the Almighty
Holy Holy Holy God. I found Michael
Youseff’s article, as noted in the appendix, to answer this question with great
justice.
- Does the author have any other
teachings that are controversial or biblical?
We should
always consider the source. It also must
be noted that many good authors will have a bad book, but they will
overarchingly have good books the give them credibility above a bad one.
- If you go back to the early
church fathers and their teachings, is this an issue that is in contrast
to the things they themselves taught?
As stated
above, new teachings have already been handled, there is no new teaching. Take time to enrich yourself in church
history before accepting anything new.
Consider the teachings of Athanasius and Pelagius, their stories give a
great background as to how the church ought to handle heresy.
- Is there a “comfort” to just be
human or a stark contrasting teaching that we need the cross of Christ?
We should
wonder, how is God’s person treated?
What about His holiness and sovereignty, his justice and wrath, His
grace and at what cost?
Once the
above questions are asked and answered, we can simply ask these more simplistic
ones before making a final decision:
- Does this teaching require us to
deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him?
- If the world accepts it, should
we? If the sages of the world are
not offended by it does it then fit with scripture that the world will
oppose the things of Christ?
- If a teaching or book passes
these tests, is there still a better book or teaching that has gone on
before that better glorifies God thus nullifying the use of this book?
- How does this promote
sanctification, and is it like eating meat that has been offered before
idols?
A Practical Question of
Discernment
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s a pastor I
regularly get all sorts of e-mail forwards.
These range from stories, jokes, and heart rending photos. But if you have email you have almost
certainly have received a forward that tells a long story only to be concluded
with “Email this forward if you truly love Jesus, otherwise you don’t”. It has all the love of a snail mail chain
letter. Folks, let me say that our
salvation is based on faith through the grace of the cross. Sending that e-mail amounts to a works
righteousness, and that itself is wrong.
You will not lose your salvation for deleting it.
Now, I say all this as an example of
the use of discernment. Some will fear
and pass it along. It will only serve to
accomplish a work of entrapment for the person sending it, and also give the
world fodder for calling us fools. The
world mocks us when we fall prey to such easily discerned snares. With that in mind, I want to address how
easily we fall into accepting new teachings. Let us not be so quick to accept a
teaching that “We have never heard before”. Often a good speaker can dazzle us. Good speakers should. But in a country that is always moving on to
the next best thing we must be mindful.
Often you could equate what comes from books and pulpits with what comes
on infomercials and slick presentations.
This is especially true when it comes from a source that has yet to gain
credibility. To gain our trust a false
teacher or even a wayward good one may utilize marketing and appealing to our
selfish core.
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onsider what
Paul wrote to the Galatians in their trial of discernment:
You were running well; who hindered
you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls
you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.
Galatians 5:7-9
It is my hope that you do not
perceive this as an over reaction to a simple question. Again, as a shepherd of a congregation I am
only following suit with what the apostle Paul did when he discipled a church
that lacked discernment. When you think
about it, many of the epistles were written with a correction of false doctrine
in mind, and in encouragement not to give in to poor discernment.
Paul was urgently writing to the
Galatians. They were falling into a
false doctrine regarding circumcision.
They had begun very well, but now a “new teaching” came along and
ensnared them. In verse nine we have a
clear understanding; a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Christ Himself gave warning to beware of the
leaven of the scribes and Pharisees. So
I now must ask, not on my authority, but upon that of the bible, the word of
God, be discerning.
What are the results of failure to
be discerning? It seems that as we
continue to read Galatians five we find them, it is a falling captive to the
works of the flesh. Discernment follows
the Holy Spirit and leads to spiritual fruit, evidence of God in you. Otherwise we walk in the flesh, can not
please God, and remain in our sin.
What is Going on in Churches
Today? The Problem and the Solution Surmised
For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and
warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: "Do not call
conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they
fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let
him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and
a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel , a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem
And when they say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the
necromancers who chirp and mutter," should not a people inquire of their
God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? To the teaching
and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is
because they have no dawn. They will pass through the land, greatly distressed
and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak
contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward.
And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom
of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness. Isaiah 8:19-22
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hese verses
bring to mind what we see happening in the church today. The church (and I use the term loosely here)
has rejected the fear and word of God and has become like the world. They listen to Oprah, Phil, and others. The distressed and hungry and enraged can
often be a description of the church.
Their ears are dull of hearing; they can not perceive the word of
God. We are not to fear what the world
fears. (Reading 1 Peter when it comes to
fear and politics can give God’s assurance)
God is to be our sanctuary.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of
God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Let us return to the word of
God. It is here we gain competence. Competence comes however with the experience
of using the word of God, by applying it in all types of situations. God again calls us to listen to His wisdom
and search the word of God for answers.
True the Bible may not help you with Algebra II. But, He is the maker of Algebra II and when
we study this mathematical discipline in awe of God it give us a greater
appreciation for Him and therefore becomes an act of glorifying worship. The essence is this, God’s word does pertain
to every aspect of life, He seeks to give us the right fitting desires of our
heart, when we acknowledge Him, even abilities in Algebra II.
So what makes
a good book or teacher?
A good book is one that upholds the
sovereignty and holiness of God and in the end brings me a sense of awe in His majesty.
Appendix
Websites for book reviews and The
Shack
http://www.discerningreader.com/book-reviews/the-shack
http://www.leadingtheway.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sto_TheShack_13heresies
http://heidelblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/the-shack-and-the-atonement/
Books on Discernment
How to
Read the Bible for All Its Worth,
Gordon Fee
The
Discipline of Spiritual Discernment,
Tim Challies
A Call For
Discernment, Jay
Adams
Christianity
and Liberalism, J Gresham
