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What would you say, as a Christian, is the only effective remedy for going through trials in this life as the years go by?
Let's narrow things down to something a few of us can relate to. For example, for the parent who has ever had a sick child in the middle of the night or a teenager who rebels as the years go by - what offers the only hope for such parents to turn to? Like the ones who go through trials raising teens, who have learned to give that prodigal to the Lord...to sacrifice their 'Isaac' to a God they can trust?
Okay...just try to put yourself for a moment in this scenario...
It's 3:00 am. You are wide awake and nearly out of your mind with concern, having not heard from your son or daughter for 2 weeks, after noticing frightening patterns that suggest drug use. You are sick with worry, your stomach is in knots, you haven't been able to eat for days. There is no where to turn. As a Christian, what do you do?
Do you...
- Open your spiritual discipline handbook that you got from your spiritual director and practice your breathing exercises and do a slow reading, a Lectio Divina, centering prayer, a visualization exercise, the Ignatius Examen, or enter into the silence?
- Sit still in a chair with your back straight in a comfortable position and listen to your breathing relax while you repeat a mantra?
- Prostrate yourself before God, cry out to Him, and call on His Name for help?
"Those who write about the Christian life often report that it gets harder, not easier, as the years go by. At such times the spiritual disciplines offer the only effective remedy." p. 232 Reaching for the Invisible GodSay what? The only effective remedy for when you go through trials in your Christian walk is offered in the spiritual disciplines?
What?
Okay. True, our walk is not easy, but the born again Christian (the one who has turned from their sin and trusted in Jesus alone for salvation) learns to rely on the Lord's strength by reading His Word, abiding in the vine, walking in His power, trusting in His name, running to Him in times of trouble, crying out to Him and hiding under the shelter of His wings. Yes, times will get hard, trials will come and the valleys are deep, but our Shepherd goes through them with us. The person who believes that "spiritual disciplines offer the only effective remedy" for tough times is trusting in religious practices. The truth is, it's not what we do that gets us through these hard things, it's Who we know and trust in - because of what He has done, and will do. He is faithful, and gets us through it. Yet here we have one of the most popular, highly acclaimed Christian authors of our day writing on page 232 of his book Reaching for the Invisible God, that "spiritual disciplines offer the only effective remedy" for our trials.
But then, the author of this book admits he is not a parent, and therefore I suppose he may not have learned that spiritual disciplines are not the remedy for the difficulties and trials of Christian parenting such as whooping cough, broken legs and curfews and teenage rebellion. Since we discover so much about our heavenly Father through being parents ourselves, I suppose we must extend grace to any author who has not had the privilege of going through this life changing experience. Granted, one (rather depressing) chapter in this book (Ch. 4) begins by looking to examples of parents who pray, but even these do not provide much hope...
"I have a file drawer filled with letters of earnest Christians who pray - for their child with a birth defect, for an inoperable brain tumor, for reversal of paralysis - who seek anointing with oil and follow every biblical admonition, and yet find no relief from suffering, no reward for their faith" (p.51)The chapter continues with more unanswered prayers, sufferings and questions, and doubt instilling suggestions. Such as, "Christians often read the Bible in such a way that exaggerates God's promises, setting themselves up for later disillusionment" (p. 57). The author admits he hesitates to write about faith, and does not want to encourage anyone's simple faith. So he hovers over Kierkegaard's "unbalanced view of faith," Larry Crabb's seeds of doubt that undermine his basic trust in God, a tragedy here and there, and ends the chapter with a quote from Madam Jeanne Guyon about life being a journey of unknowables, "unanswered questions, enigmas, incomprehensibles, and most of all, things unfair." (p. 61)
No wonder the author of this book suggests that spiritual disciplines are the only effective thing amidst all that hopelessness. Going into a daily centering prayer trance with a mantra would surely be an escape, I suppose, from such a depressing faithless state of mind.
Oh, but the spiritual disciplines Yancey means on page 232 is just prayer, you say. Well let me show you exactly what kind of spiritual disciplines the author means, since this is discussed so much in the previous few pages, just before the part about the only remedy for trials being spiritual disciplines...
"Today, I still feel unqualified to give anyone specific instructions in spiritual disciplines. Rather, I recommend recent works by Eugene Peterson, Dallas Willard, and Richard Foster; Thomas Merton's instructions of a generation ago; and the detailed program set out by Benedict and Ignatius in past centuries....Before conversion, Merton says he squandered his freedom...Merton ultimately chose to invest his freedom by entering a monastery, praying for hours at a time, and living in silence and solitude...As I study people like Merton, Benedict...Charles de Foucauld, Mother Teresa, I see in these disciplined souls...spontaneity and even joy."Joy? After she died it was discovered that Mother Teresa had experienced a lifetime of oppressive darkness. Freedom? Merton died thinking that all paths lead to God. The Bible says the wide road leads to destruction, not freedom. Oh, and I didn't even mention the reference (p. 231) to Joan Chittister, a modern Benedictine prioress, in regards to the Rule of Benedict as a "guidepost,' or way of life (this is a monastic rule of fixed hours of prayer). What's so hopeful and freeing about having to follow fixed hours of prayer all day and night long? [Oh, and by the way, Chittister (www.benetvision.org) is one of the 'top 5 spiritual heroes of 2009,' here: http://www.topspiritualheroes.com/report2009.html]
-Yancey, 230,231, Reaching for the Invisible God
~heavy sigh~
Is the author of this book purposely leading people away from truth and hope into bondage and rules by saying these things, and pointing to these sources?
The title of his book suggests that God seems invisible, but our God is not invisible to those who love Him and know Him. He is real, He is at work, He hears us and answers our prayers. And His yoke is easy, and His burden is light! He does not require us (or even recommend for us) to do spiritual disciplines and follow monks or Buddha down the monastery path!
It is quotes and things like these which have made me the owner of the opinion that there is little hope offered in the pages of this book by Philip Yancey. I don't know what his other award winning books are like, but from what this one reveals about his beliefs (and doubts), I would never be able to recommend any of them - even if the back of one of his books is endorsed by Billy Graham (who said “There is no writer in the evangelical world that I admire and appreciate more.”)!!!
Even Yancey himself admits he is plagued by doubts, and says:
"I write books for myself...I write books to resolve things that are bothering me, things I don't have answers to...for those who struggle with my books, I just say, 'Then, you really shouldn't be reading them.' But some people do need the kinds of books I write."Which is another reason why endorsements of Reaching for the Invisible God, like the following one, make me really wonder...
-http://www3.zondervan.com/features/authors/yanceyp/bio.htm
“This passionate book, unflinching in its honesty, will build your faith by helping you wrestle authentically with your doubts. Join Philip Yancey in this quest and you’ll come closer still to our invisible but very real God.”
Lee Strobel, author of The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith
(???)
Go figure. How will this book build your faith in God? There are more references to mystics and worldly philosophers in it than there are to the Bible. Kind of makes you wonder if the endorsers ever really read the books they are endorsing. It also makes me wonder why RBC Ministries uses Yancey in so many of their Bible courses [eg. Old Testament Foundations Volume Three - Personal Enrichment Study Level (with Philip Yancey)] and in Our Daily Bread devotionals. Not to mention that he's in the Day of Discovery DVD about "the thorny problem of unanswered prayer" (Prayer and the Silence of God). I can only imagine all the hope filled answers in those. NOT.
And thus ends my long dreary rant of the week, but do not be dismayed, for without a doubt, the truth is that we do have a remedy for trials as the years go by! It's the only effective remedy, and I can attest to the fact that it's got nothing to do with the things we do - our hope is in the Lord and the promises in His Word...
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psalm 130:5
Psalm 130:5
In the end, you don't need best selling, doubt filled books and musings of authors who don't have answers to teach you to find God. Come on, people. Do you drive all the way to that Christian book store to pay money for a book to help you find and experience God while your Bible sits at home collecting dust? Do you attend an adult Sunday School class where they teach Yancey's books and DVDs instead of the Bible? What's with that? Isn't it time to study the Bible and fill your minds with God's promises? He is faithful to His Word and has promised that it will not return void! He will reveal Himself to all who will call on His Name and seek Him with all their heart!
On that note, after reading those Yanceyful things, I must cleanse my mind and refresh my soul, while I finish my tea and listen to one of my all time favs. All is well, God is good...
~ ~ ~
Related reviews and things:
PHILIP YANCEY
“turning the grace of God into lasciviousness” Jude 4
www.takeheed.net
What's So Amazing About Grace?
By Philip Yancey
A Review By Greg Gilbert
www.9marks.org
The Jesus I Never Knew
By Philip Yancey
A Review By Greg Gilbert
www.9marks.org
Philip Yancey "Addicted" to the Recovery Movement?
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Philip Yancey - Amazing Grace?
www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com
Yancey - Influenced by Mystics
10 comments:
Thanks for the link to Sons of Korah,lovely! I hadn't heard of them before. I suppose that's why Christian book shops are teeming with books.None really satisfy like the Bible and there's always the next one to try.Also scripture isn't always easy to understand and we want someone else to do the work for us instead of digging ourselves.Your blog posts are great sermons sometimes!
this is one!
Oh dear Philip is into eastern practices? Someone needs to talk to him about it!
Amen! We cannot go through trials without the only true source of power, calling out to the LORD God Almighty. No books or man made practices will ever give us true peace, joy, and power, only Jesus Christ.
To those who enjoy reading this particular work by Yancey I would say "misery loves company". Kind of like a support group that goes nowhere!
This was an encouraging essay, Carla. I always come away blessed when you write from your heart. So glad you posted it.
Very good post, Carla. I actually understand the hopelessness that he was talking about...the kind of thing you know is most likely not going to change or get better in this life. Sometimes life is filled with hopelessness when you know things aren't going to get "better" and circumstances are not going to change. I and all four of my kids have a nerve and vascular disease that is degenerative. It is classified as a "suicide disease" in the way that it causes intense burning pain that is untouched by usual pain meds. I have to see my kids in pain, unable to walk at times, crying for me to cut their hands off, and I can do nothing. Last time we were at our specialist at the Mayo Clinic we were told that unfortunately all research had stopped on this rare disease and it would only go downhill from here.No pity party here...that isn't my point. But we live in a country where people want to hear only good news. The church is full of a feel good, touchy feely, warm fuzzy Jesus has a wonderful plan for my life gobbledy gook. They don't want people like us around....it is too much a slap in the face, a shock of reality when they want to be surrounded by healed people. Nobody talks about long term suffering. Suffering sermons and books act like we may go through a trial or two, but it will end and then we will look back when it is over and be so thankful that God brought us out of it. I have noticed, though, that the mystics do talk about suffering, Rob Bell's latest book is about suffering, and sound preachers and teachers are not giving us a biblical alternative to understanding long term suffering.
Believe me, when my soul is crying out and I can't take my children's crying anymore, and their sadness of all they have lost and their pain I can do nothing about, when I am in horrible pain myself and all alone, then contemplative prayer and meeting a "comforting presence" in solitude sounds wonderful. When you are so sad and lonely and the church is too busy talking about having great sex and "all this and heaven, too" and "Your best life now" it can get really hard to stay on the narrow way and not run to all these things like labyrinths and candles and incense and things I can feel and touch and experience.
I think that is at least a small part of what is leading so many people into this. For humans today to be so "connected" via Facebook, Twitter, texting, you name it, there is supposedly never before such large numbers of people who say they are lonely, depressed, and disconnected! And the church is too busy playing the Easter Bunny with their basket of goodies for us all. Since it is cotton candy with no substance a hurting person will go elsewhere...in this case, go East, to the mystics and the nuns and monks who talk about suffering and being alone, and making your suffering and sadness count for something, since these hours of contemplation are supposed to be so productive.
How absolutely from the pit of hell is the idea, though, that it is the only way through suffering. How wicked, how WRONG. He has been there for me, walking beside me, ministering to me and the children, and my husband who has to watch it all and can do nothing. He comforts us with scripture and with the reality of heaven. For I know that any "comfort" a person might feel via contemplative practices would be short lived. You wouldn't meet Jesus in the silence, Jesus isn't in any of it. The darkness and evil that would soon surround you wouldn't be worth the small amounts of euphoria you might get.
Thank you so much for this post. I know I am not the only suffering saint out here....and we need the true Word of God, not spiritual disciplines that sound so "good".
Wow Janie, thanks for that heartfelt comment.
Now to everyone who reads this, could you PLEASE hold Janie and her family up in prayer? I don't mean just once, I mean daily.
We will understand everything some day, but for now, may He be with you in the valley.
Romans 8:18-28 for you Janie, and for your children...
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22
Janie, I am truly humbled by your comment, and sincerely apologize for my off-the-cuff, insensitive remark that "misery loves company", as it surely could be misunderstood in this case. I hope it's understood that I was referring to the typical junk that comes from the emergent/contemplative side, in that it's truly hollow and empty, much like Mother Teresa's tragic life, although filled with tremendous activity. Frankly, it's outright rebellion, since they obviously read their bibles (to some extent), and it's hard for me to feel sorry for a group of people who consistently spit in the face of Christ by slicing, dicing or outright rejecting His words as revealed in scripture, yet all the while bemoan the emptiness they feel.
I'm so glad you wrote. You brought up many thought-provoking points, with which I agree entirely as they touch very close to home.
I also will keep you and your family in our prayers. I wish I could do more.
Yes, Janie, I too am glad you wrote what you did to. Made me realize what an ungrateful wretch I am...as tears rolled down my cheeks. Thank you.
Janie you truly represent the scripture...
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I pray that the Lord comfort and that He continues to strengthen you and your family. You truly are persevering in the Truth of God's Word. May God be with you always.
Sincerely
Vee
Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments and prayers. My entire family appreciate it.
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