I recently gave a recommendation to Donald Miller and his book Blue Like Jazz (featured in the picture).It was featured under the blog I entitled: "7 out of 13." It caused a stir from several because of my recommending a book that gave references to recommending a writer who some beleive is abandoning Christianity as we know it today, and trying to more closely align with the actual teaching and life of Christ.
I am re-tracting that recommendation and blog post for two reasons:
1. While I do not fully agree with those who agrue that Miller is preaching a different Gospel, there is enough within the book that can be misuderstood, that it is not worth the risk of those who look to me, being led astray toward a gospel message different that the Truth of God's Word. For those who challenged me, I appreciate your efforts to check what I am recommending according to the Word of God. It is the same as the Berans of the new Testament, and as my brothers and sisters in Christ, I respect your calling me to account.
2. I also broke with a rule that I have held to when I suggest or recommend reading and resources that are more edgy and challenging. I did give to the reader some "pre-conditions" and state that I did not go along with all that is said. In the past, I have offered disclaimers when I know that things could be misuderstood and even more the opnion of the author, as opposed to truth.
I will read more widely than maybe most. The reason is not to embrace that which is not the truth, but to listen to what is being said, and how God wants us to take the Gospel into the discussions of the culture. My 40+ years as a Christian hase given me a fairly good filtering system.... in that I can embrace what I see to be the truth, while letting that which borders the truth, go.
But I do realize, and now re-enforce that truth that not all have that desire, or years of experience. So on both counts, I apologize if in anyway I have caused you to be misled by Miller's writings, and it the days ahead will work to hold to the two safeguards that I shared above.
Blessings.
Terry
5 comments:
Although there are several areas where Don Miller and I agree, a lot of his views are frightening, especially from someone who is seen as a "Christian leader," such as "not mentioning sin and judgment, because it might offend some people." I completely disagree with that mindset. We should always look to make a connection with people we are ministering to, but NEVER withold the truth of sin and judgment. The gospel is not good news (grace, mercy, peace, joy) without the bad news (sin leading to death).
May I also say that Mr. Miller has a "self" complex (yes, we all do at times). His new book is coming out soon, in which he says: “It might be the greatest book ever written. I don’t think anybody is going to read a book again after they read my new one. I think God is proud of me. I am going to make a killing off this thing and I’m going to use the money to go to space.”
I am concerned over the endorsement of this emergent leader.
To see the dangers of this emergent thought, please read the book Why We're Not Emergent, by Two Guys Who Should Be.
To find that a very dear old friend of mine is recommending a book from a clearly new agey, emerging type leader is disturbing to me. I have spent alot of time lately researching the teachings of these kind of people, most of it goes against the basic truths of the gospel. What happens in someones mind to turn them onto this "other path"? I would like to know.
To those who are worried and concerned... especially Fernando, Anonymous and Traci...
NO, I have not deserted the faith by recommending Blue Like Jazz...
I know there is much dialog and fervor out there about writers that people are lumping into the "emergent movement."
YES, I still fully embrace the Gospel which includes a belief in the presentation of sin, judgment and a clear presentation of truth...
NO I have not wavered in any way terms of my commitment to Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture.
YES... it is faith alone, and confession of sin, and belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior that sets a person free. And that alone.
What I do feel is that we are surrendered Christians, and who trust is Jesus Christ alone, need to come to terms with the isolation that most Christians have from the world and the very people Jesus came to seek and to save. It is time for us to go to them.
We need to engage in discussion and dialog with this growing darkness in the way that Christ did. Rather than to turning in and hiding behind the truth, Jesus left the Fahter, entered their world (Matthew 9) and presented the Gospel with them, on their turf, even when the religious would not have it.
I do believe that taking the Gospel to the non-believing world, is a call for us to act like those who have served missionaries have around the world. They invest time to understand where the people they seek to reach are, and then help build bridges required to take them where they need to be... a life surrendered to Christ. Even if it risks being misunderstood.
NO... not so far to compromise truth... But YES far enough to make sure that we are holding to truth alone, and not our preferences as Christians. It is being willing to (like Paul) to become all things, to all men, so that some might believe.
There are things that have been said by the likes of Chuck Smith, John MacArthur, Chuck Swindoll and other leaders that I have not completely agree with in my growtha s a Christian. John MacArthur has written off those whole of the charismatic movement. I still do consider each of these men as brothers in Christ, and though I do not agree, they have sharpened my faith and challenged me to grow.
I accept your challenge to me regarding Blue Like Jazz. I read it, was impacted by it, and did not evaluate it to offer any other truth than that which is not according to Scripture. O... I was challenged, and yes I did not agree with all his methods.
I will go back, review the book, and if I find that which is not according to the Gospel, I will offer correction to where I think Miller is off, and not recommend it. In terms of Miller's new book, I will wait until it comes out.
What I sense (and I could be wrong) is that more than interacting with error in teaching, it is the challenge to his methods and approaches to the non-Christian world.
Please do NOT in ANYWAY hear that as I chosen to forsake the truth, but rather choose to be willing to have allow the practice of my faith to be challenged and sharpened by those I do consider as still as brothers in Christ.
I really am glad you felt strong enough to dialog with me. Let's choose to not assign to each other a belief that we either of us have walked away from the faith, or are even off without a chance to truly hear where each other is coming from.
Blessings.
Terry
As for the "Blue Like Jazz" book by Donald Miller, there is a review that is insightful...the following is from the website for the ministry "Lighthouse Trails:" (http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/ bluelikejazz.htm)
(Quote Begins)
Miller shares the same spiritual outlook as other emerging leaders (even in Blue Like Jazz, which has sold over a million copies and has gained enormous influence in the evangelical church). That is why atonement-denier Brian McLaren said there is "no better book than Blue Like Jazz to introduce Christian spirituality." McLaren said this about Miller because he recognizes Miller as a soul mate of emerging spirituality.
The following quote by Miller (in BLJ) reveals much about his spiritual propensities:
For me, the beginning of sharing my faith with people began by throwing out Christianity and embracing Christian spirituality, a nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced but not explained (p. 115).
When Miller says that "Christian spirituality" cannot be explained, he means that solid, unchangeable biblical doctrine and theology do not exist. When Miller says "Christian spirituality" can only be "experienced," this is referring to mysticism. That can be substantiated when Miller says: "You cannot be a Christian without being a mystic" (p. 202). He has echoed mystic Karl Rahner's words who said the Christian of the future will be a mystic or he will be nothing. Some may say that Miller is merely defending ideas like the trinity or eternity (which he refers to in BLJ) as being mystical. But putting in context Miller's statement above, he is actually defending "Christian writers" who embrace "mysticism." These are two different things. When the "Christian" mystics speak of mysticism, they are referring to altered states of consciousness (the silence) reached during mantric-style meditation. And while Miller doesn't mention contemplative or mantras in his books, he helps condition people to see mysticism as a legitimate and valuable practice.
(Quote Ends)
I am not here to judge your personal faith—that is between you the LORD; I do question the danger of promoting a book that propagates such spiritually dangerous ideas. Books teaching such emergent ideas detract or at least confuse the uninformed public about the teaching of the full Gospel of Christ.
In this case—discretion is the better part of valor!
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