Manna for the soul? No, thank you!

On By In Topical, Idolatry

Recently, someone sent me a page from the new Reading and Listening Guide (Summer 2017). In a box is a number of editions from various publishers that I'm sure will do well again. "For the Soul" is written above.

 

Above and beyond: be warned!

Of course you may read books, gladly even! But let them be good ones. The Preacher knew about it and writes:

“The words of the wise are like goads and nails, driven deep by masters of gathering. They are given by one Shepherd. What goes beyond, my son, be warned! There is no end to many books (…)” (Ecclesiastes 12:11-12)

According to the preacher there are two kinds of books:

  • Words of sages, which give you stability and security on your ascent to the top, just like prods and deeply driven nails offer the mountaineer a hold and security on the way to the top. These are books in which there are words that constantly point us to the Wisdom, our Lord Jesus Christ and make us grow in the knowledge of Him.
  • Words that go above and beyond. Those are books that go beyond the Scriptures and thereby release the truth of God's Word and mislead people in wrong ways.

You might be surprised at the amount of books that appear time and again on the shelves of the evangelical/Christian bookstore. Even at a time when people are reading less and less and the bookstores are complaining, what the preacher has already said is true:There is no end to many books to make” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). But unfortunately most of what appears is of the 'second preacher category'. Books that are contrary to what the Bible teaches us and that take you further from home as far as faith is concerned.

For the soul?

Take a look at whether the books in the box are good reading:

  • Paul Young's book. He is also the author of “The Invitation”, in which, among other things, the biblical image of God is overthrown (review see here). This new book continues on the path previously taken, proclaiming that all people are saved and that God is in every person and in everything. Pure gnosticism and contemplation. It will undoubtedly be written very quickly and fascinatingly, but it is poison for the soul!
  • Three titles come from Arrowz publishers, which also already published Randy Clark's book (see here) has issued. On the site of Arrowz It is undisguised that they publish charismatic publications, especially aimed at children. After all, they too mustlearn to live in God's supernatural power”. We need not say much more about the three editions mentioned in the box: Dreams, visions, miracles are the things these writers are about. So no food for your soul!
  • I will not make a statement here about the book that is about the release of manic-depressive life patterns. But I really wonder if "inner healing" is the solution for manic-depressives.
  • After all, nowadays if you want to participate a little, you have to decorate your bible with drawings and embellish it with all kinds of texts. 'Bible journaling' it's called and it's totally in. We have already written about 'Coloring for adults'  and now you can unleash your creativity on your bible too. It seems very harmless, but it isn't. Your thinking is influenced and you come to rest. Again the same recipe for a special 'soothing experience', which is also addictive. You open yourself to influences from the realm of darkness, thinking it comes from God or His Spirit! God has given us the mind to know Him. Bible journaling is not the way to get to know God and His Word better. So unhealthy food!
Be alert!

You are amazed at how all kinds of books that you, as a believer, would not want to read, reach everywhere – even in the most orthodox circles. Unfortunately, there is little distinction between what you should and shouldn't read and what you do or don't want others to read. I don't know of a Christian/Evangelical bookstore that consciously doesn't want to sell the books that are charismatic and/or contemplative. If there are, I'd love to hear about it!

In the webshop of Het Zoeklicht, for example, the book 'A thousand thanks' by Ann Voskamp simply for sale. While the brothers of the Searchlight in the last issue of the monthly magazine (yes, I am a subscriber) just call to be vigilant in these end times!

Unfortunately, this is not the only book from the webshop that I would advise against. I see names of writers who proclaim unbiblical teachings and practices. Examples are Sarah Young, Leanne Payne, David Sörensen, Henk Stoorvogel (among others 'Jesus life' see here), Richard Foster (‘Prayer'), Hanneke van Dam ('Hearing God's Voice'), Max Lucado and others.

It is a great pity that good and bad books are offered indiscriminately.

Are there any good publishers?

There are publishing houses that - as far as I can tell - are trustworthy in the sense that they exclude charismatic and contemplative thought from their assortment. I will name a few:

Maybe there are more, I'd love to hear about it.

Let us distinguish in what we read and give others to read: 'Words of the wise' or 'Words that go beyond'. Be alert!

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