Developing a Discerning Spirit that is Biblical and Purposeful

Transcription

1 Developing a Discerning Spirit that is Biblical and Purposeful 1. In the Old Testament, two Hebrew words most often translated as "discern" give us insight into the meaning of this concept. *2 Samuel 14:17, 1 Kings 3: The word "shama" means "to hear intelligently, to perceive, to understand." *1 Kings 3:9, Ezekiel 44:23, Jonah 4:11--The word "yada" is translated "to know, to ascertain by seeing, to have understanding, to recognize." 2. The New Testament concept of "discernment" expands these concepts using three additional Greek words. *1 Corinthians 2: The word "anakrino" means "to scrutinize, to investigate, interrogate, determine, question, to examine and to judge." *Hebrews 4:12--The word "kritikos" refers to being "decisive, discriminative," and our word "critical" comes from the root of this word. *Hebrews 5:14--Finally, the word "diakrisis" brings the added meaning of "judicial estimation, disputation." 3. Important basic principles of discernment can be learned through the scriptural use of these words. 1. At its foundation, discernment is a distinction drawn between good and evil. (2 Samuel 14: 17; Jonah 4:11) 2. It is always predicated upon purposeful listening to what is said. (1 Kings 3: 11-12) 3. Biblical discernment leads to a correct and decisive judgment based on the justice of God and not my own opinion. (1 Kings 3:9; Isaiah 5:20-21) 4. In the Old Testament days, God sovereignly gave the ability to discern to kings, to priests, and to prophets. (1 Kings 3; Ezekiel 44:23, Jeremiah 1: 4-19; 23:22) 5. Through the New Covenant relationship, discernment is a work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer. (1 Corinthians 2:12) 6. Biblical discernment requires that we analyze everything, and question and make an appraisal of every word. (1 Corinthians 2: 13-15) 7. The only standard of truth by which we judge and evaluate everything is the Word of God, the Scriptures. (Hebrews 4:12, Acts 17: 10-12) 8. Being discerning is evidence of maturity as a Christian, having developed this discipline through continual training in the Scriptures so that the intellect, the emotions, and the will are subject to the Lord and to His revealed Word. (Hebrews 5:12-14; 2 Timothy 3: 16-17) 4. There are certain questions you should ask when you are seeking to discern the words written by any author who claims to be a Christian. (Note: "The Baptist Faith and Message" also lists these basic doctrinal truths, with scriptural references. These questions may not be exhaustive, but they will quickly reveal the intent and theological stance of the author.)

2 1. How does this book view who God is? *Is He portrayed as the Only True and Living God? *Is the concept of the Holy Trinity (One God in eternally existent in Three Persons, each equally worthy of our obedience, our awe, and our worship) presented biblically: God as Father, God as Son in the person of Jesus Christ (born of a virgin, God in human form), God as Holy Spirit, but as One in essence? *Is God given credit as the Creator of all that exists? *Is He seen as "Holy," with none above Him and none like Him? *Are all of His attributes on display? --He is Sovereign Ruler over all. --He is eternal, self-existent, and infinite. --He is omniscient, knowing everything. --He is omnipotent, possessing all power. --He is omnipresent or present everywhere. --He is immutable, or never changing. --He is perfectly righteous, with no sin in Him. --He is just, judging fairly. --He is absolute truth. --He epitomizes love! 2. What is the view of Scripture? *Are the Scriptures viewed as the inerrant (true without any error) and infallible (cannot fail, perfect) and true words of God? *Are they considered to be "God-breathed" in their inspiration and thus being the written revelation of God to man? *Is the Bible the sole basis for the rule of faith and practice? *Is there a high view of Scripture as absolute truth? 3. What is the view of man presented here? *Is man seen as being created by God and in His image? *Is it clear that people are created for the purpose of living in fellowship and relationship with God, being obedient to His will, and bringing glory and honor to Him? *Is there recognition that when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, all people became guilty and were thereafter born in sin with no ability to recover or redeem themselves? 4. How is sin viewed? *Is sin seen, as it is in the Scriptures, as: --disobedience to the commands of God, --all iniquity and evil activities --immorality --falling short of and missing God's standard of perfection --pride --independence --unbelief? *Is it recognized that it is sin, both by nature and by choice, which separates a person from relationship with Holy God?

3 *Is it conveyed that sin results in spiritual and physical death and causes a person to be subject to the wrath of God and eternal punishment of everlasting separation and hell? 5. How is salvation understood? *Is it seen that salvation comes from God alone and is given through His grace, and is a total supernatural work of the Holy Spirit? (Watch out for legalism or universalism!) *Is it clearly understood that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ-- that He suffered in the body, was buried, and arose from the grave alive and victorious-- and that He is the only way to heaven? *Is it recognized that God grants forgiveness of our sins when we repent and believe by faith and through His grace and that forgiveness is possible only through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross and that we are justified by His resurrection? *Do you understand that once you are saved and redeemed, God will keep you forever? *Is it clear that one who is saved is called to a holy standard of living, repenting of the former way of life? 6. What is the teaching concerning the church? *Is the church defined as the "Body of Christ" into which every believer is baptized immediately upon salvation, and that Christ is the Head? *Is the church also known as the "Bride of Christ" for whom Christ will return to receive to Himself? *Is the significance of local churches recognized, as taught in the New Testament, with its mission to glorify God, to share the Gospel with the world, and to disciple all believers? 7. What is the view of angels? *Angels are not humans, but are created beings who were made to serve God (sometimes as messengers or as spiritual warriors) and to worship and praise Him in Heaven. *Angels who rebelled against God were cast to the earth where they tempt people toward sin, but will one day be cast into hell for eternity. *Satan is a real being, the chief of fallen angels, and an avowed enemy of God who introduced sin into the world. But, his fated day of judgment (also to be cast into the lake of fire) was sealed when Christ died and rose again. 8. What is the view of the Last Days and of Judgment? *Does it clearly teach that even as Christ came the first time, that He will come a second time to release judgment upon the earth? (I believe that He will "rapture" or take His church suddenly from the earth before this begins.) *Does it communicate the absolute victory of our Lord over all His enemies: Satan, his evil cohorts and fallen angels, and death? *Does it reveal the ultimate Great White Throne Judgment when Christ will commit all who have rejected Him to eternal separation from God and continual punishment in the lake of fire?

4 *All those who have truly been redeemed by Christ will spend eternity with Him and will never be separated from Him. Heaven will be a place of complete healing, everlasting joy, and unending praise and service to our King. Let us apply these questions to the popular book entitled The Shack, by William P. Young. Main Characters: Mackenzie "Mack" Phillips; husband and father who grew up in a religious but abusive home, almost 56 years old, has a "love/hate relationship with religion and maybe even the God that he suspects is brooding, distant and aloof." (p. 9) Nannette "Nan" Phillips; his wife of 33 years; sees things as black and white, has common sense, and "has a deep relationship with God." (p.11) In her prayer life, she calls God, "Papa." The Phillips children: Jon, Tyler, Josh, Katherine (Kate), and Melissa (Missy). The abduction and murder of the youngest Missy while Mack and Josh and Kate are on a camping trip forms the basis for the plot and causes Mack to face the reality of evil, unspeakable pain and suffering (called "The Great Sadness"), and question the love and presence of God. Willie: his friend, observer, and storyteller who describes the story that occurred 3 years ago. He has been asked by Mack to "ghost-write" the story for "Nan and the kids" (p. 12) for the purpose of expressing his love and "to help them understand what had been going on in his inside world." Papa, Jesus, Sarayu: These are the names given for God in three forms. Papa is portrayed first as a large, warm African American woman and later as an athletic woodsman-type grandfather. Jesus is a Middle-Eastern carpenter. Sarayu is the name given for the Holy Spirit figure who is an Asian "ghost-like" spirit shimmering around. 1. How does this book view who God is? Of all the questions we must ask, this is the most important, and the place where this book fails the most. While there is an attempt to explain the Trinitarian relationship between the three Persons mentioned, (For example, when Mack asks which one of the three is God, all three in unison say: "I am." (p. 87)), it fails overall in the depictions. (Other statements of Trinitarian theology are made on pages and rightfully explain that we "can't grasp the wonder" of His nature, nor can we fully comprehend it.) The concept of the submission of Christ to God the Father ("Your will be done, and not Mine.") is totally dismissed in the discussion of "chain of command" or "great chain of being" on pages The concept of The Three-In-One God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who are separate but One in essence, is not portrayed correctly throughout the book.

5 Some observations on each follow: The Father: The name Papa is given to God for it is "Nan's favorite name for God and it expressed her delight in the intimate friendship she had with Him." (p. 22) While that is not a problem for me, it is a problem that the portrayal of God as a black woman (and this is not a racial nor a sexist issue) is just not scriptural. We learn that God the Father presents Himself/Herself to Mack in this form because he hates his own earthly father and it has colored his view of God. Also, Papa tells Mack, "I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature. If I choose to appear to you as a man or a woman, it's because I love you...simply to mix metaphors, to help you keep from falling so easily back into your religious conditioning." (p. 93) Later, when he has forgiven his earthly father, God appears as a Father figure. The even more bothersome things are the conversational words coming from the lips of Papa that portray Him as common. These offensive words are attributed to God the Father, the one we know as "Holy Other": "Well, Mackenzie, don't just stand there gawkin' with your mouth open like your pants are full..." (p. 88) Throughout the book, only the love of God is presented. I do appreciate it when Papa says: "The God who is--the I am who I am-- cannot act apart from love." (p. 102) However, He is exceptionally approachable, all-accepting, and irreverent. I have only touched the surface of the problems with this representation of God the Father. The name Elousia is also used and is stated as being God's favorite name for Himself/Herself. Jesus explains on pp that it is "a wonderful name. El is my name as Creator God, but ousia is 'being' or 'that which is truly real;' so the name means the Creator God who is truly real and the ground of all being." This does refer to His role as Creator of all that is living. But, as Mack returns from this encounter, He refers to God as "truly God, my servant." (p ) This is not insignificant error! Al Mohler says, The theorized submission of the Trinity to a human being or to all human beings is a theological innovation of the most extreme and dangerous sort. The essence of idolatry is self-worship, and this notion of the Trinity submitted (in any sense) to humanity is inescapably idolatrous. Jesus: He is portrayed as a man in his thirties, a Hebrew from the house of Judah, called Yeshua, Joshua, Jesse, or Jesus. (p. 86) The fact that Jesus was spoken into existence by the 3 is an expression of an ancient heresy called modalism (that God is One person and exists separately in 3 modes, one at a time.) (p. 99). This is also seen on page 96, which includes the concept of the Father suffering with the Son on the Cross. That is not biblical. Holy Spirit: He is called Sarayu, an Asian woman who calls herself "Keeper of the gardens." (p. 87) Jesus explains that "She is Creativity; She is Action; She is the Breathing of Life; she is much more. She is my Spirit." (p. 110) The name Sarayu means "common wind." His portrayal of the Holy Spirit is wholly inadequate and more mystifying and ethereal than a true expression of the Godhead.

6 2. What is the view of Scripture? There is no mention of the Bible, except in passing excerpts. God's revelation through His Word is not important in the story. In fact, the main references to the Bible are it being used by his church elder/closet drinker/abusive father to beat him down spiritually as he was beaten physically. The book presents the Bible as a legalistic set of rules and regulations and religious expectations. Bible citations usually come from Mack who seems to find only the passages that portray God's wrath and His judging power. The "word of God" in this book is contained not in the Scriptures but in a typewritten message found in a single envelope by Mack one freezing March day. It said: "Mackenzie: It's been a while. I've missed you. I'll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together. Papa" (p. 16) Listen to this alarming excerpt: "Try as he might, Mack could not escape the desperate possibility that the note just might be from God after all, even if the thought of God passing notes did not fit well with his theological training. In seminary he had been taught that God had completely stopped any overt communication with modern, preferring to have them only listen to and follow sacred Scripture, properly interpreted, of course. God's voice had been reduced to paper, and even that paper had to be moderated and deciphered by the proper authorities and intellects...nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book. Especially an expensive one bound in leather with gilt edges, or was that guilt edges?" (pp ) Sarayu (name for the Holy Spirit) later tells Mack correctly "The Bible doesn't teach you to follow rules. It is a picture of Jesus. While words may tell you what God is like and even what he may want from you, you cannot do any of it on your own. Life and living is in him and in no other." (pages ) 3. What is the view of man presented here? Unfortunately, the theology presented here is strictly man-centered. Papa says to Mack when He/She first meets him: "Not ready?...that's okay, we'll do things on your terms and time." (p. 83) Later, as Mac is looking at the beauty of a starry night with Christ, the book states: "In the silence that followed, Mack simply lay still, allowing the immensity of space and scattered light to dwarf him, letting his perceptions be captured by starlight and the thought that everything was about him...about the human race...that all this was all for us." (p. 113) Instead of man being seen as sinful and depraved without Christ, the book portrays man as simply "misunderstanding" God and what He desires in relationship. He is fully accepted and allowed into the presence of God despite the presence of sin. Papa even states this: "You, on the other hand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were unloved is a limitation... And if left unresolved (referring to the pain of the Great Sadness) for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place." (p. 97) Shockingly, Jesus says this: "Submission is not about authority and it is not obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect. In fact, we are

7 submitted to you in the same way." ((p. 145) By the way, I must mention that the scriptural understanding of what it means to be male and female and of the marriage relationship has no room for any God-given, biblical structure for the home, according to this book. (see pages ) 4. How is sin viewed? There is never a clear definition given for sin, except to distance its meaning from the breaking of rules into the foundation of living independently from God and His love. Sin does not need to be judged, according to Papa, for "sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside." (p. 120) Also, the entire issue of "rules and regulations" along with "expectations and responsibilities" are dismissed completely as independence from God and control by religious systems. While legalism is certainly not the path of salvation, even Jesus Himself said in the Scriptures, "This is my commandment...". (Example: John 15: 12) However, as the book shows, it is only through the life of Christ living in us by His Holy Spirit that any of these commands can be obeyed and fulfilled. 5. How is salvation understood? These words attributed to Jesus state this: "I am the best way any human can relate to Papa or Sarayu." (p. 110) This is far from saying: "I am the ONLY way." Later in a scene with Mack observing the starry night, the book states: "Jesus reach over and hugged him, shaking from his own spasms of mirth, and Mack felt more clean and alive and well than he had since...well, he couldn't remember since when." (p. 113) Is this his "salvation?" In the chapter entitled "Here Comes Da Judge" (beginning page 151), there is remarkable evasion to the question of the judgment of sin and evil men who have died without Him, leaving the impression that Christ's sacrifice has brought forgiveness and salvation from hell for all created people. This is universalism. Later, when Jesus shocks Mack with the statement that "I'm not a Christian" and that He has followers from every system that exists, he asks: "Does that mean that all roads will lead to you?" The response from Jesus is: "Not at all. Most roads don't lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you." (p. 182) Later, as Mack meets his deceased father, there is a scene of beautiful forgiveness released from each one. But the question must be asked, "Is this a depiction of salvation of his father?" It does leave one wondering (pp ). Later, as Mack is asked to forgive the man who killed his daughter, Papa says: "for you to forgive this man is for you to release him to me and allow me to redeem him." (p. 224) While it is an amazing and deeply spiritual thing to "forgive our enemies" as Christ has taught us, is the implication that this man is redeemed through the extension of Mack's forgiveness?

8 6. What is the teaching concerning the church? There is a definite bias against any organized church institution. ALL of them are seen as stifling the true expression of God's love and full of doctrinal legalities. An entire section is devoted to intimating that any organized church with any building, any meeting place, any "program" is just seeking to exercise control and power over individuals in order to maintain their existence. (See pages 198 and 205) To its credit, the book does emphasize that obeying the law (legalism) through a religious affiliation will not result in salvation and intimate relationship with God. 7. What is the view of angels? No significant reference to angels is included. 8. What is the view of the Last Days and of Judgment? No reference to the Return and Second Coming of Christ is mentioned. And, it is made clear that God is not "into" judgment. There is no belief in accountability for sin and certainly no place of eternal judgment, as seen earlier. There is a reference by Mack to the Great Tribulation in Revelation when he says: "But if you are God, aren't you the one spilling out great bowls of wrath and throwing people into a burning lake of fire?" (p. 119) The response of the God-figure "Papa" is telling: "I am not who you think I am, Mackenzie. I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it." (p. 120) This is absolutely unscriptural! Later, a beautiful Hispanic woman who is seated as a High Court Judge and is later called Sophia (personified Wisdom), asks Mack to judge both God and the world, specifically his own 5 children. He is unable to do so and comes face to face with this understanding stated by the Judge: "...judgment is not about destruction, but about setting things right." (see pages ) These final words from Papa toward the conclusion of the book are rather alarming: "I don't do humiliation, or guilt, or condemnation." (p. 223) The Bible is clear that God condemns sin and judges those who reject Him. A Personal Note from Janet It is because I have been asked continually for my own personal evaluation of this book that I attempted this project you have before you. I have encountered quite a few Christians who have read this book and their responses have been on both ends of the spectrum. They either love it or hate it. (You will soon note my own response.) Those who love it are not only reading the book, but are giving it out to others. It is the topic of conversation among many, and I learned from several women that their churches in other areas are conducting "Bible studies" related to reading this book.

9 It has been my personal observation that those who have read it and "love it" are those whose lives have been touched by very poignant personal tragedy. Indeed, the tragedy that happens in this book is truly an evil and grotesque crime, especially when perpetrated against a little girl (the youngest daughter of the protagonist Mack) and I was brought to tears as I read it. While it would never be my objective to remove any comfort you might have received, I would be remiss and eternally accountable to God if I did not point out what I consider objectionable, faulty, and absolute and complete heresy. Those of you with broken hearts receive my most loving concern and I ask the Holy Spirit to bring His eternal comfort and hope to you, especially through the words of His Book. I know others will meet this discussion with objections and some with defensiveness. Some will simply say to me, "But, I loved the story and it is only fiction!" Two things I would say to you: Your standard of discernment and evaluation is never your personal preferences or your emotional reactions. It must be the unwavering standard of the Word of God. Secondly, the author and those who promote it do not hide the intent of the book to promote their own brand of theology when it is called a "kind journey to the very heart of God" or that the book "reads like a prayer" and even that it "teaches powerful theological lessons." Another gushed: "I understand Father, Son and Spirit for the very first time in my life." One man, listed as the editor of some magazine called the "Plain Truth," says the insights found in the book are "not just captivating, they are biblically faithful and true." A statement at the end of the book states that a "team of us who have read and been touched by the book and believe this book deserves a reading across the broadest reaches of our culture" have organized "The Missy Project." It is an invitation to get this book out everywhere you can, even listing "creative ways" to accomplish this. This doesn't sound like "just fiction;" it sounds like a "movement" to me! To be fair to those who have read it and are asking for my opinion, I have read every word of the book, including those on the cover! In fact, several told me that I should not judge it until I had finished it. Please know that though I was tempted to stop the reading, I persevered for you! I must quickly add that the author, Mr. William P. Young (the son of missionaries to New Guinea), is a very creative and very clever writer and purportedly writes from a time of "great loss" in his own youth. But, the basic belief system that he promotes is peppered with provocative and seductive false theological assumptions. While I cannot address every single thing with which I disagree biblically, I have chosen specific points to touch upon some very basic but serious problems with this story. For additional insight, I would point you to Dr. Al Mohler from Southern Seminary (www. albertmohler. com), Janet Parshall ( and Chuck Colson (short commentary from "BreakPoint. Please receive this with my love and concern in Christ.