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 monolog to dialog. 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 his up. You can learn more about why journaling, and listening 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.
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