Sarah Young's Jesus Calling

[webdog]

Have you read this book, and if so, what are your thoughts. It appears to be extremely new age, and quite open about it.

The ministry I am looking to start in my area (its an existing ministry) employs this book in each of the daily devotionals, but I don't see how I can use it with a clear conscience.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

My wife has a copy a friend gave her three or so years ago. I see nothing "new age" about a book that centers itself on Jesus. Every day's devotion is written as though spoken directly to the reader by Christ Himself. Today's devotion is a case in point:

Bask in the luxury of being fully understood and unconditionally loved. Dare to see yourself as I see you, radiant in My righteousness, cleansed by My blood. I view you as the one I created you to be, the one you will be in actuality when heaven becomes your home. It is My Life within you that is changing you from glory to glory. Rejoice in this mysterious miracle! Than Me continually for the amazing gift of My Spirit within you.

Try to depend on the help of the Spirit as you go through this day of life. Pause briefly from time to time so you can consult with this Holy One inside you. He will not force you to do His bidding, but He will guide you as you give Him space in your life. Walk along this wondrous way of collaboration with My Spirit.

Psalm 34:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:25​

I don't know of any "new age" book that would attempt to speak from Jesus' personal perspective. It may be more milk than meat, but it most assuredly is not "new age." I would venture a guess that anyone thinking it so hasn't looked at it -- at all.

 

[Revmitchell]

Just because someone says they are talking about Jesus and use His name doesn't mean they are. I have just heard about it. And from what i read it is in the vein of the book called "The shack". It is more mystical than anything else.

 

[annsni]

Is it Jesus' actual words? If it is, then it must be inerrant and the author is mistaken by saying it is not.

If it is not Jesus' actual words, then is the author attributing to Jesus words that are not His? That's blasphemy.

Interestingly enough, the author started seeking extra revelation because the Bible wasn't enough for her. That is concerning to me.

 

[Allan]

Is it Jesus' actual words? If it is, then it must be inerrant and the author is mistaken by saying it is not.

If it is not Jesus' actual words, then is the author attributing to Jesus words that are not His? That's blasphemy.

Interestingly enough, the author started seeking extra revelation because the Bible wasn't enough for her. That is concerning to me.

I simply call it heretical.. and I rarely ever use the word.

 

[Jerome]

http://www.lifeway.com/n/Contributor/Young, Sarah

Sarah Young is quietly leading millions of men and women worldwide on a journey of intimacy with Christ. Her devotional books include the #1 bestseller Jesus Calling and the top sellersJesus Calling for Kids, Dear Jesus, and Jesus Lives. Sarah and her husband have traveled extensively around the world planting churches and counseling. They are currently ministering to Japanese people and helping establish an international church in Australia.

 

[preacher4truth]

Amazingly if someone personally uses it, then it is OK because they use it and pass them out to others? That's pure pragmatism, pure silliness and plain wrong. And people can't discern that this book is error by having developed biblical discernment (as per Heb. 5:12ff)????

Here's some info on her book and her objective and source:

In the introduction to her first book, Jesus Calling, Young writes, “I knew that God communicated with me in the Bible, but I yearned for more.” Why would God’s word be seen as insufficient in delivering the spiritual nourishment God Himself claims it offers?

And:

Following the pattern in God Calling, and seeking something beyond Scripture, Young decided “to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever I believed He was saying. "She determined that this message was “short, biblical, and appropriate,” so she wrote it in her journal. Declaring that her journaling “had changed from monologue to dialogue,” she writes that “messages began to flow more freely” and she bought a special notebook in which to record these words.

Aware that she might be charged with equating these messages with the Bible, she notes, “I knew that these writings were not inspired as Scripture is.” One is compelled to ask, why not? Are these words from Jesus or not? (Young uses the term “God” but the book titles use the word “Jesus” and the messages are made to sound like they are from Jesus). In her book, Dear Jesus, she claims she wrote

n the same listening-to-God mode that I used with Jesus Calling. I’ve continued to write with the help of Christs’s Spirit, who guides my thinking while I listen in His Presence. I believe the Bible is the only infallible Word of God. My writings are based on that absolute standard, and I try to ensure they are consistent with Scripture.

All the above is unorthodox, dissident and then she tries to justify it. I'm not fooled (and neither should anyone else be fooled) because droves of people use it and like it. God predicted these things would take place.

More on this can be found here: http://www.solasisters.com/2013/09/jesus-calling-by-sarah-young-wui.html

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Let me ask you all to review my post, #2.

Now tell me, is there anything there that you would find objectionable? Unbiblical? Or, (really?? ... "heretical"?

It is no different than Henry Blackabee's writings in the Experiencing God or any other biblical commentator or Christian author giving his/her impressions of God's word. She just puts it Jesus' first person.

Before being able to criticize, you have to familiarize. I don't think any of you have.

 

[preacher4truth]

Let me ask you all to review my post, #2.

Now tell me, is there anything there that you would find objectionable? Unbiblical? Or, (really?? ... "heretical"?

It is no different than Henry Blackabee's writings in the Experiencing God or any other biblical commentator or Christian author giving his/her impressions of God's word. She just puts it Jesus' first person.

Before being able to criticize, you have to familiarize. I don't think any of you have.

I'm certain many of us have reviewed it and didn't buy it hook, line and sinker. You need to look beyond what you've said and the quote you've given.
Ask yourself how would Satan advertise his works? With a nice supportive blurb? With justification of extra-biblical maneuvers?

You have personal stock in this issue so you won't be objective. You most likely won't listen to reason nor will you look at the evidence and source (via something akin to automatic writing mind you) a diminishing of the eternal and all sufficient value of the revealed Word of God and looks for outside sources and says it comes from 'Jesus'. Should we get the book that has shown Scripture as being insufficient and from an author who believes the same?

Show Scripture where this was to be practiced by the NT church. I don't see the Jesus of Scripture doing this, nor via the Holy Spirit.

 

[Revmitchell]

Before being able to criticize, you have to familiarize. I don't think any of you have.

We certainly need to get the book. But the contents of the book are available. Some of us have had other discussions on FB on this already. We know more about this than you think.

 

[webdog]

Let me ask you all to review my post, #2.

Now tell me, is there anything there that you would find objectionable? Unbiblical? Or, (really?? ... "heretical"?

It is no different than Henry Blackabee's writings in the Experiencing God or any other biblical commentator or Christian author giving his/her impressions of God's word. She just puts it Jesus' first person.

Before being able to criticize, you have to familiarize. I don't think any of you have.

From today's devotional, I didn't read anything too alarming. When you start calling God the Presence, being one with nature, emptying your mind, and seeking special revelation contrary to 2 Timothy 3:16, then you delve into new ageism.
It sounds like she got the idea for her book using contemplative prayer, the equally new age way of receiving special revelation that is becoming popular.

 

[Yeshua1]

Just because someone says they are talking about Jesus and use His name doesn't mean they are. I have just heard about it. And from what i read it is in the vein of the book called "The shack". It is more mystical than anything else.

seems to be more like "contemplative musings" almost like a eastern approach to visualizing Jesus and Him talking to you directly!

 

[evenifigoalone]

*hasn't read entire thread yet*

I have this devotional, and personally I love it. It's helping to keep me in the Word more often than I would be otherwise, and often God speaks to me through it.

Multiple verses are cited after each entry. It's obvious that the devotional's words itself are not Jesus' literal words--anyone with a brain should know that without being told.
In my experience God can speak to a person in multiple ways--through sermons, through other people, through songs, or through devotionals. Those aren't God's literal words, either, but He still uses them.

Is it a replacement for deep study of God's Word? Definitely not.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

You have personal stock in this issue so you won't be objective.

Personal stock? How so? I don't have an investment in the publication of the book, I don't use it myself, and my wife no longer uses it. You're being ridiculous.

You most likely won't listen to reason nor will you look at the evidence and source ...

Oh, for the love of ...

Total nonsense. "Reason"? I see biblical truth being given in what I've already stated a presentation that is more milk than meat, but the devotional was designed for what are essentially new Christians anyway. My wife, at the time she received it, was hardly a new Christian, but her friend meant well.

The bottom line is, you have all criticized the devotional with statements regarding it's alleged shortcomings, such as this utterly foolish statement:

... a diminishing of the eternal and all sufficient value of the revealed Word of God and looks for outside sources and says it comes from 'Jesus'.

Statements like this an others on this thread prove that neither you nor the others have really read the devotional, only the reactionary criticism of it. One such critique I found on line is the thumbnail of "an answer" to Young's book:

"Christian Rebuttal to Sarah Young's 'Jesus Calling' "[/URL​

A Christian Rebuttal to Sarah Young's Jesus Calling by Robert Alan King is a booklet with over 7,100 words. King discusses Young's erroneous method of placing her own personal reflections and meditations from her quiet time with God into the mouth of Jesus, infusing them with a false divine authority that will mislead her readers. The booklet will also go over the false teachings and incorrect theological concepts that have been presented to the world under the guise of approval by Jesus. Robert Alan King is an ordained minister through Calvary Chapel.

"False divine authority"? Young states emphatically on the jacket of her first printing that her words are not inspired, and represent what she felt Jesus was telling her in her morning meditations. She states that the content should be measured against Scripture, and if the reader doesn't feel it lines up, he/she should then reject it.

This is not to say I don't have problems with it. I sometimes feel Young is trying to romanticize Jesus from a feminine perspective. He sounds like a female motivational speaker, always wanting to hold us close, in His powerful, wonderful, tender, presence. He always wants to give us peace as we seek His face in the morning, in the quiet, in the still of our hurried hearts. Don’t try to hide from Him, because He will pursue us in tender but strong ways, until His beauty grabs hold of us and captures us and enthralls us.

But so what? It's her perspective. You don't like it, don't read it. I don't. My wife doesn't. But it hasn't done any harm, either.

 

[preacher4truth]

Hello tnd,

Look, when I said you have personal stock in this issue and see that you cannot discern what I meant by that statement (in which I was referring to your first post here) then there is no need to really go on much further as what I meant is quite apparent.

So I will finish with this statement as it is necessary to do so; That you dismiss her refusing to see Scripture as all sufficient and delving into other revelations, and actually seeking them, and are in fact endorsing and defending that, and at the same time rejecting the Biblical stance of sufficiency of Scripture, then I will have to simply turn away from you and the rest of this conversation.

 

[annsni]

I started to read some of it and felt a real worry in my spirit. There was just something so "off" about it but I wanted to like it since so many people I know like it. But then I started to read of other's reserves about it as well and now I know it's not just me.

http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2013/11/did-jesus-really-say.php

http://www.redeemer.com/news_and_events/newsletter/index.html?aid=414

http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/03/05/review-of-jesus-calling/

http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/jesus-calling

 

[evenifigoalone]

Where is all this idea of Young wanting extra-Biblical revelation coming from? Only from her saying that she wanted more than just reading the Bible, or something else that I'm not aware of?

Because, honestly, in my experience, I wanted more when reading the Bible, too. As in, I wanted to delve deeper into it, get closer to God and the Holy Spirit, have Him reveal even more to me through His word--because after all, the Bible is practically inexhaustible with the Holy Spirit guiding you. The description at the back of the book (and I have the book, so I have read the description) could simply just mean that as far as we know, unless you are pulling information from other sources.

 

[annsni]

Where is all this idea of Young wanting extra-Biblical revelation coming from? Only from her saying that she wanted more than just reading the Bible, or something else that I'm not aware of?

From her own words.

“I knew that God communicated with me through the Bible, but I yearned for more. I wanted to hear what God had to say to me personally on a given day."

Because, honestly, in my experience, I wanted more when reading the Bible, too. As in, I wanted to delve deeper into it, get closer to God and the Holy Spirit, have Him reveal even more to me through His word--because after all, the Bible is practically inexhaustible with the Holy Spirit guiding you. The description at the back of the book (and I have the book, so I have read the description) could simply just mean that as far as we know, unless you are pulling information from other sources.

You want more THROUGH His Word. She wants more BESIDES His Word.

 

[evenifigoalone]

From her own words.

“I knew that God communicated with me through the Bible, but I yearned for more. I wanted to hear what God had to say to me personally on a given day."



You want more THROUGH His Word. She wants more BESIDES His Word.

But I wanted to hear from God directly, too. And in my experience God can and does talk to you directly. At least He did to me. I'd talk with Him much like I'd talk with a friend.
It was God talking to me directly that confirmed His existence to me--He told me, directly, that He did exist. And if He hadn't, I might not even be a Christian anymore today.

So I guess the general idea of the style of the devotional doesn't seem that foreign to me.

 

[annsni]

For anyone who wants to read the book, I had searched on a few sentences that someone had posted on Facebook and low and behold, the book! Here is my search results and you can easily move around from November 9th to see the actual book and not just hear others talk about it.

http://books.google.com/books?id=W7...fusing the Light of My Presence into"&f=false

OK - I see it's not the whole book but you can absolutely see quite a bit of it to get an idea of what it is.