What would you do?

[Amy.G]

What would you do if you found books in your church library that were written by know false teachers?

I found books by these authors:

Benny Hinn

Joyce Meyer

Kenneth Hagin

The subject of each of these books was the Holy Spirit.

 

[Revmitchell]

What would you do if you found books in your church library that were written by know false teachers?

I found books by these authors:

Benny Hinn

Joyce Meyer

Kenneth Hagin

The subject of each of these books was the Holy Spirit.

They would be immediately removed.

 

[Marcia]

What would you do if you found books in your church library that were written by know false teachers?

I found books by these authors:

Benny Hinn

Joyce Meyer

Kenneth Hagin

The subject of each of these books was the Holy Spirit.

I would go to the person in charge of the library and/or the deacon or pastor in charge of the library. If they see no problem, I would tell that person that I was going to bring it up with the pastor, and then do that.

Don't let this go, Amy. The authors above are all heretical. I have known of this issue in churches and in each case, someone went to the pastor (in one case, the church was so small that the pastor was the only person to go to - people just dropped off books and no one was in charge).

 

[Johnv]

What would you do if you found books in your church library that were written by know false teachers?

I'm uncomfortable with the idea of censoring books in a libary, even if it's a church library. Better that the church teach discernment than conduct removals. I remember a person asking for the removal of the book "The Hiding Place" because Corrie Ten Boom was a calvinist. Dont' get me wrong, Ten Boom wasn't a false teacher. But if the church members had sound teaching, the books in question wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Marcia]

I'm uncomfortable with the idea of censoring books in a libary, even if it's a church library. Better that the church teach discernment than conduct removals. I remember a person asking for the removal of the book "The Hiding Place" because Corrie Ten Boom was a calvinist. Dont' get me wrong, Ten Boom wasn't a false teacher. But if the church members had sound teaching, the books in question wouldn't be an issue.

But if the church members are not grounded, the above books are going to further mislead them. A pastor is commanded by God to guard the flock. Any pastor that allows such books as the ones above - truly heretical authors, iow -- to be in a church library is not doing his job.

 

[Johnv]

You make a good point. Removing them and dealing with concerns about censoring is likely a better alternative than keeping them and having ungrounded churchgoers take them as valid. I shoudl probably add that it also depends on the book.

 

[Aaron]

I wouldn't worry about it. If they're there, they're probably there as references. If I were worried about it, I'd paste a warning or disclaimer on the inside of the front cover, or create an "Unorthodox Reading" section.

 

[Johnv]

I wouldn't worry about it. If they're there, they're probably there as references. If I were worried about it, I'd paste a warning or disclaimer on the inside of the front cover, or create an "Unorthodox" reading section.

I like that idea very much. Not a bad idea at all.

 

[Zenas]

I agree that heretical material should not be in the church library. We're talking about a CHURCH library, not a public library or a university library. For the most part when people go there, they expect to find materials that set forth the faith in a way consistent with what that church believes. I am not completely comfortable with the fact that we have a copy of the Book of Mormon in our library. Since it's in a Baptist church, however, I don't think anyone would be confused that we believe it. Books by the likes of Benny Hinn are a lot more subtle in their content and message and they could mislead an unsuspecting reader.

The more difficult question is who gets to decide what is heretical. Maybe Bitsy, a/k/a mcdirector, would like to weigh in on this thread.

 

[OldRegular]

What would you do if you found books in your church library that were written by know false teachers?

I found books by these authors:

Benny Hinn

Joyce Meyer

Kenneth Hagin

The subject of each of these books was the Holy Spirit.

Amy

The fact that you found these books in your church library demonstrates why pastors should bring these heretics to the attention of the congregation warning about their heretical beliefs. Many of the letters in the New Testament [and possibly the Gospel of John] were written to combat heretical teachings. We are at a point in the life of the church where pastors and people are afraid to condemn heretical teachings. We don't to be accused of judging but Scripture teaches:

1 Timothy 4:1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1 John 4:1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

 

[Amy.G]

I wouldn't worry about it. If they're there, they're probably there as references. If I were worried about it, I'd paste a warning or disclaimer on the inside of the front cover, or create an "Unorthodox Reading" section.

The woman that set up the library and takes care of it, has had some weird doctrines since I've know her. Now I know where she got them. The stuff these false teachers teach is exactly what I've her try to teach at church. I feel sure she is the one who put the books in the library, but I won't know for sure unless I ask her.

And these books are in the section entitled "Holy Spirit".

 

[AresMan]

I wouldn't worry about it. If they're there, they're probably there as references. If I were worried about it, I'd paste a warning or disclaimer on the inside of the front cover, or create an "Unorthodox Reading" section.

This is what I had in mind, too.

 

[Amy.G]

Amy

The fact that you found these books in your church library demonstrates why pastors should bring these heretics to the attention of the congregation warning about their heretical beliefs. Many of the letters in the New Testament [and possibly the Gospel of John] were written to combat heretical teachings. We are at a point in the life of the church where pastors and people are afraid to condemn heretical teachings. We don't to be accused of judging but Scripture teaches:

1 Timothy 4:1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1 John 4:1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

I agree and it is really upsetting to me that the pastor has allowed it. A few red flags have been going up lately for me. Such as, the pastor has mentioned in a few sermons that he watches T.D. Jakes. The woman who set up the library has been teaching some unbiblical stuff in a SS class she started. Now I find these books in the library. There may be more, but I found these pretty quickly. The pastor's wife sits next the the woman who started the library every service. The pastor is good friends with her and her husband.

I don't want to start trouble and haven't mentioned it to anybody yet, but I think I'm going to talk to my SS teacher first because he hates false teaching as much as I do and has actually confronted the woman running the library just recently about the stuff she was teaching in her class.

 

[Amy.G]

I wouldn't worry about it. If they're there, they're probably there as references. If I were worried about it, I'd paste a warning or disclaimer on the inside of the front cover, or create an "Unorthodox Reading" section.

I disagree. Would Paul have allowed books written by Hymeneus and Philetus in the church?

 

[Jim1999]

As a pastor, I believe very much in censorship of books and literature exosed to the people in the name of the church.

These books and related literature is misleading and misdirecting the people, and I would stand as guilty before God for allowing this to happen.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Marcia]

I wouldn't worry about it. If they're there, they're probably there as references. If I were worried about it, I'd paste a warning or disclaimer on the inside of the front cover, or create an "Unorthodox Reading" section.

This might make some people more interested! It also raises the question, "If the church says this is unorthodox, why is it here?" There is no need to have such a book there.

One must also think of younger people and new beleivers - or even unbelievers - who may not be discerning.

 

[Marcia]

I agree and it is really upsetting to me that the pastor has allowed it. A few red flags have been going up lately for me. Such as, the pastor has mentioned in a few sermons that he watches T.D. Jakes. .

Amy, I have to say that if this were my pastor, I would have to ask him what he thinks of T. D. Jakes' theology and if he is aware that Jakes teaches Word Faith beliefs as well as denying the Trinity. If the pastor doesn't know this and doesn't care, or knows and doesn't care, I could not stay in such a church.

The woman who set up the library has been teaching some unbiblical stuff in a SS class she started. Now I find these books in the library. There may be more, but I found these pretty quickly. The pastor's wife sits next the the woman who started the library every service. The pastor is good friends with her and her husband.

This may be why the books are there and not being taken out. But that's not a good sign. The pastor should care more about protecting his flock from false teaching than his friendship with this couple.

I don't want to start trouble and haven't mentioned it to anybody yet, but I think I'm going to talk to my SS teacher first because he hates false teaching as much as I do and has actually confronted the woman running the library just recently about the stuff she was teaching in her class

That's a good start.

 

[OldRegular]

The woman who set up the library has been teaching some unbiblical stuff in a SS class she started.

No one should be allowed to establish a SS class without the approval of the church. It appears that you have a bigger problem than the books; the pastor!

 

[Marcia]

No one should be allowed to establish a SS class without the approval of the church. It appears that you have a bigger problem than the books; the pastor!

From what you say, Amy, I tend to agree with OR.

 

[Amy.G]

Thank you Marcia, OR and Jim. I agree with all of you. I just want to be sure to handle it correctly. My pastor preaches awesome sermons and they are always biblical, so it is confusing that this is going on. But I cannot just ignore it.