84 of 87 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful but flawed, February 24, 2001
This review is from: The Bait of Satan : Your Response Determines Your Future (Paperback)
Having now read "Bait" for the third time in three years, I understand it better than before, and would like to comment on it.
John Bevere indeed has written a very powerful, very insightful book, one which claims to be a prophetic word to the church. However, it is a book with flaws, and for some readers, potentially fatal flaws.
Bevere expounds powerfully on the nature of betrayal and offense, using foremost the Biblical examples of Joseph's betrayal by his brothers, and David's persecution by Saul. Here he does an excellent job, and I highly recommend this section for anyone who has experienced abuse from loved ones or authority figures.
However, it is afterward, when the book turns to the topic of "Spiritual Vagabonds", that serious problems arise. Bevere shows so very well that those who are stumbled by a church or ministry often leave embittered and become spiritual wanderers, never putting down roots, never bearing fruit. This point is all too true and a very timely issue in today's church, and it needs all the attention it can get. But the central problem of this book is that the reader comes away from this section with a strong sense that it is always incumbent upon the one who is hurt or offended to be fully reconciled to the offender.
Not nearly enough effort was spent by Bevere mitigating the hurt or offended person's responsibility toward those who remain unrepentantly abusive. In every case we must fully purge our hearts of unforgiveness and all "overflow of bitterness", and we must love our enemies with God's love, just as the scriptures command, but we CANNOT be manifestly reconciled to those who continue in sin. There are degrees of possible reconciliation, depending on the willingness of people to deal with issues. Our responsibility is simply, "if possible, as much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men". And sometimes to "shake the dust off your feet and let your peace return to you" is all that is actually possible.
This simple balanced and Biblical truth is lacking in "Bait", and it is very possible for the reader to come away feeling unjustly condemned. Bevere does give a bit more balance later on, so that in taking the book as a whole, especially the third time through, it ends up doing somewhat better in this regard, but nonetheless the balance comes late and is insufficiently drawn, and its lack is deeply disturbing.
As another reviewer here alluded, extrapolating Bevere's stress on unqualified reconciliation and submission to flawed authority raises a very compelling ecclesial question. For if his doctrine is true then the Body of Christ's integration into a single organization headed by Rome was, though flawed, a natural progression sanctioned by God. If there are no issues of doctrine or practice serious enough to justify leaving, if positional authority always must be respected despite serious flaws and abuses, then Bevere really is implicitly arguing for the return of all branches of Christianity to the Roman fold. Yet I doubt that we will be seeing Mr. Bevere at Sunday Mass.
The implications here are enormous. In my estimation, Bevere needs to devote much more time to the subject of the legitimate ground for leaving authority. Otherwise his prophetic word to the church has veered into authoritarian bondage. We know from Scripture that the letter of the law brings death.
Bevere cites Samuel's continued submission to the compromised Eli as grounds for his teaching. He chose the right book, for the overriding theme of 1 Samuel is time and again shown to be dealing with unjust authority. But in that book's by-far most important example, even while never attacking Saul's person or position, David FLEES Saul for dear life! Though for years he goes through hell on earth, David remains in God's favor and protection. Now why doesn't Bevere deal with that most eminent fact? Because it doesn't agree with his basic premise, that we should always "go out with joy"? David certainly didn't. This shows the danger of cherry-picking scripture to prove an unbalanced point.
The issue that must be addressed here, and that Bevere does not address, is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Are there no modern-day Davids who have come up against Saul in ecclesial authority? Why aren't such ones justified in following David's example by leaving? And why weren't groups of Christians such as the Eastern Orthodox or Protestants justified in fleeing Rome's abuses? Were Paul and Barnabus wrong to go their separate ways? Assuredly the manner of their separation was unfortunate, but the issue that divided them was important. Then as now, the important thing is to forgive, let go of bitterness, and move on in peace. Indeed, it is the Lord's mercy that included this thorny episode in the Bible, so that we would be prepared for such things in the real world.
I need to emphasis that "Bait" truly is an excellent book in many ways. I have spent my time with these criticisms because they are crucial. If Bevere would develop more balance on his subject, he indeed would have a classic treatise on offense.
I'm not saying we're justified in running off at any little offense. Clearly, we're not. That would be immaturity if not licentiousness. Often the Lord wants us to "tough out" difficult circumstances - but usually there are limits, and there can be a time for leaving. I am merely making the case for a lot more nuance and balance than Bevere has provided. Let's get our biases out of the way, so we can hear the Holy Spirit's leading clearly. The same Holy Spirit that can say "Stay" can say "Go".
This is a 7/09 edit of my original review, and if I could change my rating I would give this book a flat 3, with a strong warning against unjustified condemnation. Tragically, those harmed by bad authority are often vulnerable to unbalanced teaching that actually extends the abuse. It is crucial that such a one clear his conscience, forgive, and reaffirm the Lord's goodness and presence in his life. Then he can put the condemnation down, restore his peace, and press forward to apprehend all for which he has been apprehended by Christ. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; do not submit again to a yoke of bondage." His good plans for you have not changed (Jer 29.11-14). Seize them!
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forgiveness-The Way to Remain in God's Will!, October 14, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The Bait of Satan : Your Response Determines Your Future (Paperback)
To remain in God's Will which is His Protection and Blessings upon our life; we must understand THE BAIT OF SATAN, his traps, tricks, and tactics. His bait includes every offense that we do not release, let it go, let it drop, forgive and forget. This pulls us out of the Will of God. Satan knows how easy it is for mankind to hold on to grudges. He will do everything in his power to remind us of all the injustices done to us, real or imaginary. He knows fully well that when we allow an offense to remain in our hearts, it allows him room to move in. When we become offended we are trapped and don't even know it. Unforgiveness is costly. It puts me in prison, takes away the protection of God, and blocks the power of God in my life. It is true that the world needs more love. However the world will only experience more love when the world experiences more forgiveness. Every book that John Bevere writes will be a blessing to all who read it and apply its principles to their lives.
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