Posted on 06/16/2005 8:01:41 AM PDT by sionnsar
The Barna Group, one of the pre-eminent polling firms--particularly on religious matters--has now released a new survey on The Books and Authors That Have Most Influenced Pastors. This is of great interest to me because of the authors mentioned as well as the types of books that were cited. I can't say I am surprised that The Purpose-Driven Life was cited by so many pastors, as it has been perhaps the top-selling religious book of the past year. But I am saddened by this:
When the books designated as the most helpful were categorized, there were three types of books that pastors found to be most profitable. A majority of pastors (54%) listed at least one book regarding discipleship or personal spiritual growth. Books about church growth, congregational health or ministry dynamics were the next most prolific, listed by 23% of pastors. Leadership books were equally valued, identified by 22%. No other category was cited by at least 10% of the sample.Note that theology, prayer and preaching combined totalled less than "leadership" and the category including "church growth." Unfortunately there can be a great deal that is unedifying about "leadership" and "church growth"--and if a pastor or rector has neglected his theological studies, he may not be able to detect this. Dr. J.I. Packer wrote this about the role of theologians:
Less influential types of books included those about theology (9%), evangelism and outreach (6%), pastoring (6%), and prayer (5%). Books regarding charismatic perspectives (5%), trends and cultural conditions (4%), and preaching (3%) also generated noteworthy interest.
What use are such people? Is there a particular job that we should look to them to do for us? Yes, there is. By the lake in a resort I know stands a building grandly labelled "Environmental Control Center." It is the sewage plant, there to ensure that nothing fouls the water; its staff is comprised of water engineers and sewage specialists. Think of theologians as the church's sewage specialists. Their role is to detect and eliminate intellectual pollution, and to ensure, as far as man can, that God's life-giving truth flows pure and unpoisoned into Christian hearts. Their calling obliges them to act as the church's water engineers, seeking by their preaching, teaching and biblical exposition to make the flow of truth strong and steady; but it is particularly as disposers of spiritual sewage that I want to portray them. They are to test the water and filter out anything they find that confuses minds, corrupts judgments, and distorts the way that Christians view their own lives. If they see Christians astray, they must haul them back on track; if they see them dithering, they must give them certaintyl if they find them confused, they must straighten them out.Do you see why this Barna survey makes me uneasy? If pastors and rectors do not study their theology, if they do not know their Bible, their doctrine--how will they be able to stop theological sewage from reaching their own hearts, to say nothing of the hearts of their parishioners?
--from Hot Tub Religion by Dr. Packer, pages 12-13
The Bible???!!!!!!!!
I agree. I think when people read the question, they thought, "What NEW book in the last three years influenced me to do something NEW?"
However, my friend, there is no way one can focus on family or community unless one's "ME" has a surplus to share and give in abundance.
God has a way, but secular schools and virtually no religions teach how to get "ME" out of that rut-soon-to-become-a-grave...
Great point, Ff--150
Well, think about it: if you hadn't taken care of ME, then how could you could have taken care of your family, livestock, and most important your Bamboo when those rain storms blew nine months ago??
Sounds like what happened. Thanks.
I had noticed the Oswald link and thread. He is a favorite. Though I may not always suggest that depressed people read him. He can be tough on all of us.
Ah well, fishing as a 'fisher of men' hopefully with Holy Spirit's help, makes that an easy choice.
Thanks.
Answer:
.....Charles Darwin's....'British-Theologies'?
.....'The 9-11 Koran'?
.....everything by Chuck Colson and W. Mark Felt?
.....everything by Martin E. Marty?
.....everything by Ron Rhodes?
.....everything by Dave Hunt?
.....everything by Sid Roth?
.....everything by Amos Oz?
.....Nothing by Sam Keen?
/sarcasm
Reverend Ike, Bob Tilton, Jim Bakker (& Tammy Faye)....
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5 KJV)
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6 KJV)
Ah yes and how many people you've changed the views of ;)
I would probably follow that up with Ray Stedman and Walter Martin and J Vernon McGee.
I answered the question that was asked.
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