There appears to be another relatively new book out there, about which I haven’t heard. Ali, over at A Watchman on the Wall, has some interesting thoughts about “Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul,” by John and Stasi Eldredge, as well as a few other dangerous books. These supposed “Christian” self-help books are spiritually dangerous and yet sell by the thousands to gullible, non-discerning Christians.
More bad teaching from Tim Keller: a booklet titled, “The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness.” The review posted at The Reformed Traveler’s Research exposes the book as nothing but unbiblical psychobabble drivel. Don’t waste your time with it. [link gone by 1/2/16]
Steven Furtick’s Elevation Church has received approval for expansion. This large mega-facility already promotes more false teaching than meat from the Bible. Just what the Christian faith needs - a larger goat pen.
I often expose teachers who claim God speaks personally to them, and one the main ones (besides Word of Faith heretics) I get chastised for exposing is Beth Moore. Moore’s false claims as to direct revelation from God is the same thing which way too many teachers are doing nowadays. This is dangerous for those who listen to them, thinking they are getting better teachings because the teachings come from God! Elizabeth Prata examines this issue.
The Mormon Church sometimes really gets me shaking my head. For all their conservatism, and claims to be Christian, they have no problem with the Boy Scouts ending a ban against openly homosexual members. I guess it should really not be surprising, since that cult has historically been wrapped around sexual immorality.
Speaking of the Mormon Church, I find it interesting how they have to revise history to make it appear Emma Smith, Joseph’s wife, was in a great relationship with her husband and even approved of polygamy. Rather than confess that she left the church over such nonsense, and refused to go to Utah with Brigham Young, the LDS church makes it appear she remained in Illinois for family reasons. For those interested in Mormonism, I recommend the article at Mormonism Research Ministry’s blog.
One last thing about the Mormon Church: There is an excellent graphic at Mormon Infographics demonstrating some of the conflicting accounts of Joseph Smith’s “First Vision” - the vision which is supposedly the foundation of the LDS faith. I recently discovered this site, and find it to be an excellent resource on the Mormon Church.
An interesting, and thought-provoking article, examines a socially acceptable sin - gluttony.
Another book review worth following is on Elizabeth Prata’s blog. A new book by Jen Hatmaker is “7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess,” and it appears to be another money-maker for book stores who could care less about the spiritual danger to those who purchase it. Elizabeth has two parts of this review posted so far.
14 comments:
Hi Glenn,
Great post. Eldredge's - just weird. Years ago, I read 2/3 of one of their books (sadly recommended by a friend), and that was it for me. Praise God He delivered me from such goofiness.
I won't ever chastise you for exposing Beth Moore. I am thankful for all the believers who have - and thanks to that work of Christ, I can happily say I have never done a "Beth Moore" study and never will. She's way off the mark.
I laughed at your comment about Hinn- yes! He should practice what he preaches. He should sow some "seed faith" money out of his own pocket, and won't "god" then give him his 100-fold to pay off his debt?
Prata's article on that "7" book was BRILLIANT. I never heard of that particular book, but have encountered similar "try harder" / mysticism based ones. Elizabeth really hit the nail on the head. Thanks for the link.
Grace and peace to you in Christ,
Carolyn
A friend sent me a youtube video link of Benny Hinn marrying his former wife Suzanne; complete with all the pomp and circumstance one would expect from the Hinn clan.
BTW - the video can be purchased for $25.00.!!!.
As the return of the LORD daily draws closer, the sheep and goats are being separated by His righteous right arm. Until then, we MUST keep sounding the alarm and speaking truth to any and all who ears to hear and eyes to see.
Maranatha.!!!..
Who in the world would want a video of THAT!?!?!
The article on gluttony does not list a single verse to define this supposed sin.
A quick look at a concordance shows me several verses which discuss gluttony (NIV):
Ezek.39:19 talks about eating until glutted.
Matt. 11:19 and parallel Luk 7:34 discusses a person being a glutton and a drunkard.
Prov. 23:21 talks about drunkards and gluttons
Prov. 28:7 talks about having gluttons as companions being a disgrace
Titus 1:12 points out that gluttons are lazy
Prov. 23:2 says you should put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
Perhaps the author assumed Christians - to whom the article is addressed - knew their Bible.
It is very apparent by context that gluttony has to do with over-eating. I think the obvious evidence one over-eats is that they are overweight, although that isn’t necessarily so. One actually overeats any time he feels very full after a meal.
None of those verses condemns it as a sin. And in any event, you are missing the point of my comment above. It does no good for you to try to come up with your own verses, after the article offered none of its own.
Drew,
How many sins are actually "defined" in the Bible, rather than just having the word? The word is defined by common usage. Do you think it is not a sin to be a drunkard? Yet where does the Bible define what a drunkard is, or where does it call it a sin?
If being a drunk or a glutton is not a sin, the why are they condemned? Does the Bible condemn things which aren't sinful?
You had two points that I understood - that there were no passages in the article and that it was a "supposed" sin. My point is that if the article was about adultery and yet never cited a Bible passage, it is because the author expects the reader to know his Bible. My point also is that it IS a sin to be a glutton because it harms the temple of the Holy Spirit - it is a health hazard to overeat. And it makes food an idol (or as Paul says, it makes the stomach an idol.)
Surely you aren't insisting that there is nothing wrong with gluttony, when the Bible condemns it in every mention?
Drew,
You might want to take a look at this article:
http://counselingoneanother.com/2013/05/17/exposing-the-sin-of-overeating/
I don't believe that everything listed in Proverbs as harmful, is actually sinful. Proverbs says that gluttony leads to poverty. But as long as you don't mind poverty, there is no problem with gluttony.
I do think that the Bible condemns "drunkards" in 1 Corinthians 6:10. I am not entirely sure whether all drunkenness is sin, or just habitual alcoholism (being a "drunkard"). But either way, the Bible defines drunkenness in Proverbs 23:33-35. Drinking to the point described in those verses constitutes drunkenness.
But for gluttony, we don't even have a definition. Where did the idea come from that eating beyond hunger is gluttony? That is a basically modern concept.
Proverbs 28:25
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be MADE FAT.
Proverbs 11:25
The liberal soul shall be MADE FAT: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
In Ecclesiastes 10:17, it does say that having leaders who eat "for strength" will benefit a country. But it is possible to overindulge and still become strong, and to overindulge without "drunkenness." So regardless of whether gluttony is a sin -- which I don't think it is -- I would not say that simply eating large portions constitutes gluttony. In that particular verse, gluttony would be eating in such a way that saps your strength. However, I would point out that most of the reason people are obese today is not from overeating, but simply from not moving.
Drew,
The context of the Proverbs discussing gluttony is the same as discussing drunkenness - it is something which is wrong to be doing because it brings harm.
“Habitual alcoholism” doesn’t exist. “Alcoholism” doesn’t exist. The term was invented to take away personal responsibility. The proper term for “alcoholic” is “drunkard.” If you are a habitual drunkard, that means you drink too much and you refuse to control yourself. In the same way, if you are a glutton, you refuse to control yourself. Paul says such people worship their stomach (Phil 3:19), so gluttony is idolatry.
You keep excusing gluttony from sin because you can’t find a definition of gluttony in the Bible. The definition of gluttony does not have to be in the Bible when the people writing and reading the word understand its meaning! Is “drunkard” defined in the Bible?
You do know how to look up a word in a dictionary, don’t you? How about this for a definition: “One habitually given to greedy and voracious eating. Gluttony was associated with stubbornness, rebellion, disobedience, drunkenness, and wastefulness (Deut.21:20). A more general meaning for the Hebrew term as a ‘good-for-nothing’ (Prov.28:7 TEV) is reflected in some translations: wastrel (Deut. 21:20 REB); profligate (Deut.21:20 NIV; Prov.28:7 REB) riotous (Prov.28:7 KJV). When Jesus was accused of being a ‘glutton and wine-drinker’ (Matt.11:19; Luke 7:34), it was in this expanded sense of being one given to loose and excessive living. The Bible knows gluttony makes one sleepy and leads to not working and poverty (Prov.23:21)” Holman Bible Commentary
Your idea that, gluttony being eating beyond hunger is a modern concept is totally without foundation. I have no idea where you would even find that! Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines a glutton as “one who indulges to excess in eating,” and gluttony as “Excess in eating; extravagant indulgence of the appetite for food.” Matthew Henry (1662-1714), in his famous commentary, said a glutton is an “excessive eater.” Or is that still to modern of a concept for you?
Your claim that overeating is not the reason for obesity flies in the face of medical facts. Even with lots of exercise, if one takes in more calories than any exercise can burn, one will add fat, until the time comes when they are so obese they cannot exercise and then it builds more rapidly.
If God, via the Bible, condemns a behavior such as drunkenness and gluttony, explain to me how it is NOT therefore sin?
God only says that it leads to poverty. Leading to poverty and sin are not the same. But it doesn't look like you read what I wrote. If your mind is made up already, so be it.
I read what you wrote Drew, but it doesn't appear that you read the last article I linked to.
God does not just say it leads to poverty - that is only one thing mentioned, not that it is the only thing. Gluttony is idolatry - worshiping the stomach, worshiping food. It will lead to poor health.
Nowhere in Scripture is glutton noted as anything but being wrong.
It isn't that my mind is "made up" - it's that the Bible condemns gluttony. Your "mind is made up" claim is the same thing I get from homosexuals.
Perhaps it is YOUR mind which is made up that you don't want it to be a sin.
The reference to people "whose god is their belly," I doubt is even referring to gluttons. (The article does not actually quote any verse, but that verse seems to be what the article is referring to with its reference to idolatry.) Rather, the verse is referring to false teachers who are selfish and materialistic. The point is that these people do not serve any external noble purpose with their lives, but only serve their own physical desires. Such people may or may not be obese. Obviously, if your "god" is actually your belly, then I agree it is sinful. But I consider that fairly different from just overeating.
I believe that Christian teachers often place extrabiblical rules upon Christians, by simply labeling various activities as "idolatry." In the article you cited, almost every single one of the verses mentioned in that article, does not even refer to food. The verses just refer to sin generally. Then once the teacher has labeled an activity as "idolatry," then he has a whole multitude of verses with which to condemn the activity. Such recklessness with scripture makes me mad every time I see it.
Drew,
I think the passage about their belly being their god has everything to do with extravagance in eating, as well as perhaps anything else. False teachers are very often extravagant and voracious eaters.
You seem to want glutton to not have anything to do with over-eating, yet the very definitions of the word have to do with that practice.
I don't think it is "legalistic" to point out sin, especially when people don't really think about it. There is a difference between pointing out something being sin and harping on it, or being judgmental about it. I would say smoking and taking recreational drugs are also sins because they harm the body, the temple of God. But we don't harp on these sins.
Anytime you put something first in your life in front of God, it is idolatry. If you are focussed on getting drunk rather than leading a righteous life, that is idolatry. If you are more interested in stuffing your belly in an unhealthy manner (which gluttony is) rather than considering your body as a temple, then that is idolatry.
The author was making a point as to how gluttony becomes an idolatrous practice. That is not abusing Scripture.
The point is this: Is gluttony sinful? Since everywhere in Scripture in which gluttony is mentioned it is condemned, then it is sinful. There is no way around that fact.
As for it being idolatry, there is good teaching demonstrating that indulging in any sin is a form of idolatry, because one is satisfying themselves - pleasing themselves as if they are more important than obeying God. And when we put anything above God, it is indeed idolatry.
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