Posted on 06/14/2024 5:25:17 PM PDT by Morgana
Unlike the milquetoast SBC, which spent the last week kicking its members in the spiritual gonads by repeatedly shutting down every good amendment and resolution at their annual convention, members at the Presbyterian Church in America’s annual convention did the Lord’s work by approving a resolution that would investigate the impact and influence of Sarah Young’s egregiously awful book “Jesus Calling,” setting the stage for it to be potentially banned.
This is welcome news! Published in 2004 by the now-deceased Sarah Young, a member of the PCA, Jesus Calling has 45 million copies in print. It is one of the most recognizable devotional books in recent history. It has spawned a multitude of spin-offs, all the while being one of the most dangerous books released in the last twenty years for its espousal of mysticism, speaking for God, extra-biblical assertions, automatic writing, and rejecting the sufficiency of the scriptures.
Passed by a vote of 947 in favor to 834 opposed, the resolution would have the Committee on Discipleship Ministries, which is “charged by the Presbyterian Church in America with the task of equipping and discipling the churches of the denomination” to investigate further and report back on the book’s “appropriateness for Christians in general,” to “outline its reasons for withdrawing the book from its inventory previously and not offering it for sale since.
Further, they have tasked and Mission to the World, a PCA missions ministry that both Sarah and her husband were heavily involved with, to investigate the book’s influence on the group and determine what sorts of actions/steps the General Assembly should take “in light of this study of the book and of the agency’s relationship to it.”
Notably, Sarah’s husband Stephen spoke against the overture, describing the amendments as “potentially divisive” while falsely insisting:”
“The Jesus Calling brand has ministered to millions of people around the world…Sarah was a humble servant of Jesus who did not seek self-glory…Her writings do not add to Scripture but explain it. She would stand with Martin Luther and declare that her conscience was captive to the Word of God. The majority of the PCA famiy and friends have been positively impacted by Sarah’s books”
Not true at all
In a widely shared book review by Tim Challies, he explains most of the major problems with this book, with these two being the most prominent:
“1. She speaks for God. Far and away the most troubling aspect of the book is its very premise—that Sarah Young hears from Jesus and then dutifully brings his messages to her readers. Jesus Calling makes the boldest, gutsiest, and, to my mind, most arrogant claim of any book ever to be considered Christian. The publisher describes the book in this way:
“After many years of writing her own words in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to be more attentive to the Savior’s voice and begin listening for what He was saying. So with pen in hand, she embarked on a journey that forever changed her—and many others around the world. In these powerful pages are the words and Scriptures Jesus lovingly laid on her heart. Words of reassurance, comfort, and hope. Words that have made her increasingly aware of His presence and allowed her to enjoy His peace (bold mine).”
There is no way to avoid her claim that she is communicating divine revelation, a claim that raises a host of questions and concerns, not the least of which is the doctrine of Scripture alone which assures us that the Bible and the Bible alone is sufficient to guide us in all matters of faith and practice.
2. She proclaims the insufficiency of the Bible. Jesus Calling only exists because Sarah Young had a deep desire to hear from God outside of the Bible. In the introduction she describes the book’s genesis:
“I began to wonder if I … could receive messages during my times of communing with God. I had been writing in prayer journals for years, but that was one-way communication: I did all the talking. I knew that God communicated with me through the Bible, but I yearned for more. Increasingly, I wanted to hear what God had to say to me personally on a given day.”
In those few sentences she sets up unnecessary competition between her revelation and what we are told of the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Biblically, there is no category for what she provides as the heart and soul of her book. Biblically, there is no need for it and no reason we should expect or heed it.”
No but I can believe the PCA would give it the boot.
The only time I have heard a preacher call abortion murder was when I went to a PCA church.
I have her other daily devotional “Jesus Listens.” I’m not PCA but certainly not interested in mysticism or false doctrine. Sigh.
It worked for the seventh day adventists…
I recall hearing her name online or on the radio, but never saw it recommended by other Christians. She died but her website still looks active:
https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/a-tribute-honoring-the-life-of-sarah-young/
I was gifted a copy several years ago. Read a few days passages and just realized it was kind of like reading a fortune cookie insert except it was Christian intended.
We Baptists started attending a PCA church back in April. I’m always listening for things that would trouble me, and there are a few, but we do like the conservative stand they take on social issues.
MOTION: AFFIRMATIVE AS AMENDED
Therefore be it resolved that the General Assembly request reports to be returned to the 52nd General Assembly from the permanent committees of the two agencies most connected with the Jesus Calling book.
From the permanent committee for the Committee on Discipleship Ministries, a brief report that will:
1. Examine the history of the CDM’s relationship with the book and outline its reasons for withdrawing the book from its inventory previously and not offering it for sale since.
2. Assess the book’s appropriateness for Christians in general and PCA members and congregations in particular with special regard for its doctrine and method.
3. Provide recommendations (if needed) for remedial materials, advisory statements, or General Assembly actions concerning Jesus Calling.
And from Mission to the World, a brief report that will:
1. Examine MTW’s relationship with the book, knowledge of its content, and any counsel given to the author.
2. Consider actions that MTW and the General Assembly should
take in light of this study of the book and of the agency’s
relationship to it.
Thanks for posting. Yes, a friend gave this book to my mom. My wife and I read some things in it. The author, is a heretic (whether she knew she was or not) and the book has the usual christianized eastern teachings portrayed as something new. She was hearing from someone - but it wasn’t Jesus or the HS.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
I Tim. 4:1
“Anyone here even heard of this book?”
A while ago there was a morning show (American Sunrise) on RAV just before War Room with Ed Henry and Karyn Turk. She used to read insipid drivel from some book, and I think it was this one.
It was as gag worthy as crap by Maya Angelou.
I’ve seen it in various shops and stores from time to time.
The book is everywhere…sams club, Costco….Christian bookstores in prominent places. I was looking for a gift and looked at her books. I didn’t care for her writing. It seemed unbiblical…felt kind of off…more about her and not God focused.
I have heard of it. It was popular with Women’s Bible study groups a few years back. I don’t know if it still is.
Someone shared a page or two out it with me once. In my opinion it sort of had a Max Lucado feel to it. No heavy theology and intended to be encouraging. It was pleasant, but she definitely was writing as if the Lord was speaking to the reader. I found that disconcerting, but what little I read wasn’t heretical.
Dr R.C. Sproul was a PCA pastor and it’s good to see the PCA is continuing to be highly discerning like he was.
Biblically, there is no category for what she provides as the heart and soul of her book
I know nothing of this book, but I do know there are the phenomena of a word of wisdom and a word of knowledge, both being listed as gifts of the Spirit. I also know that the Bible has several instances of people being warned in a dream and visions. As long as these extrabiblical instances line up with the Word of God, I do not have a problem with them. And those who say that these phenomena were only for the early Christians have never convinced me that that is the case.
totally agree
very popular book and received with enthusiasm by the biblically illiterate
there is only one Truth and Sarah Young is not it
No. But it sounds like she is the opposite of Luther.
The thing creeps me out, to read. Like an occult book.
I knew this overture was out there, hadn't heard how it did.
Yes, I have been hearing about it for years. It has been thoroughly discredited by various discernment bloggers and solidly Christian pastors. In the first edition of the book, Sarah Young claimed she was simply writing the words of Jesus as he revealed them to her. In other words, she was claiming direct inspiration. If that is true, then we should add her book to the canon of scripture. Later editions removed this description.
To someone who is familiar with the actual words of Jesus, the messages in “Jesus Calling” bear little resemblance to the true article. It is heavy on feelings and introspection and very light on sin, holiness, and sacrifice.
Watch this video by Tim Challies:
https://youtu.be/NDZW3Oj9WV8?si=hJu4atjnQJJnzqAI
We are joined by PCA teaching elder Benjamin T. Inman who has written two articles and a pending overture calling the PCA to repentance over what may be the best-selling Christian book in history Jesus Calling which was penned by a now-deceased PCA member and missionary. Read his articles here:https://www.knotsbetter.com/post/jesus-calling-pca-lament-repent and here:
https://www.knotsbetter.com/post/the-pca-ga-corporate-repentance-and-jesus-calling
View the show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9vj3pMy20s
Part of the issue is, how did this thing slip under the radar? Answer is, probably, it was seen as just another pop women's thing.
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