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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing but Necessary, February 19, 2009
This review is from: Christianity In Crisis: The 21st Century (Hardcover)
I found the book to be well-researched, disturbing, frustrating, saddening, discouraging. I think it's a needed book, a timely book. But I also think it is a book with power. I have no doubt that Hanegraaff will infuriate some readers. He has that way about him. A no-nonsense, tell-the-truth manner about him. He isn't seeking popularity. He isn't seeking flattery. He doesn't care if you "like" him. He has a job to do: expose the truth. And the truth he reveals is both sad and infuriating. Sad in that these false teachers and preachers have been accepted and applauded within the Christian community--within Christian bookstores--within mainstream America without a question, without a second, third, or fourth thought. It's extremely sad and discouraging to go to a Christian bookstore and see such rubbish on the shelves. Much of it prominently displayed. Sad that no one else seems willing to take a stand. Infuriating that these preachers are deceiving people, people who are being misled by what sounds good, what sounds nice. Which would you rather hear? That God has promised unequivocally to bless you and prosper you. That you can demand health and wealth from God. That he's there to grant all your wishes and desires. There to play Santa and genie all in one. Or that God has told us "in this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world." Time and time again--in the gospels and the epistles--we're told that we're to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, follow Him even if it means suffering, persecution, discomfort. God never promised us heaven-on-earth. He never promised us a comfortable life. He wants to conform us, transform us. Sure the health, wealth, prosperity gospel sounds nice enough in theory. But is it true? No! If you believe the Word of God is God's Word. That God is the author of all 66 books. Then you should take care that you're not deceived by folks who proclaim another gospel, another God, another Jesus. Preachers and teachers of this movement can and do twist and contort, abuse and misabuse, warp Scripture.
Hank Hanegraaff provides ample proof. He uses their own words--both written and spoken--to present his case against them. Not just a quote or two. Both in the text and in the end notes he shows just what these preachers and teachers have said, have preached, have believed, have promoted.
Hanegraff doesn't just argue that these preachers and teachers are wrong because he says they are, because he dislikes them, because he'd like to take them down a notch or two. No, he uses Scripture again and again and again. He righly points out the meaning of Scripture. He presents their message. Then presents proofs as to how their interpretation cannot be the correct one. Hanegraaff's message is rooted in Scripture.
One of the most shocking things I learned while reading this is that there are a handful of preachers out there saying that Christians should not pray the Lord's Prayer. That it is wrong--unbiblical--spiritually damaging to pray 'if it's according to your will' or 'in God's will' etc. That was just one of the shockers in the book.
His argument is never that the people who listen to these messages are stupid and foolish. That they're to blame, at fault, guilty. He's not attacking the listeners. He's attacking the message itself. He is moved--quite passionately so--to undeceive the listeners, to try to alert folks to the situation. He wants to wake people up--both in and out of the movement--so that they find the true gospel, that they find comfort and relief in the truth. He's actually trying to do them a favor: the whole the truth will set you free.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you've experienced this theology, read this book!, February 20, 2009
This review is from: Christianity In Crisis: The 21st Century (Hardcover)
I grew up with these teachings. As an adult, I had to heal from a lot of spiritual abuse. Both the Billy Graham organization as well as Focus on the Family recommended 'Christianity in Crisis'. So much of that book was so familiar to me. I've seen the word-faith teachings evolve since my childhood several decades ago. This book captures that evolution perfectly. Mr Hanegraaff's book is a must-read for anybody touched by these teachings. I still have family seduced by this theology. I wish they'd read this book.
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32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Foolishness Exposed, February 22, 2009
This review is from: Christianity In Crisis: The 21st Century (Hardcover)
This is an unpleasant book to read. This was probably a very unpleasant book to write. And yet, as much as it pains me to admit, this is book well worth reading. In some Christian circles, this book should probably be required reading! Hank Hanegraff walks through almost all the most popular "name it and claim it" faith movement figures of contemporary America and exposes their theology and practice for what it is and what it is not. While sometimes Hanegraff's criticisms seem unduly harsh, petty and reaching, once he finishes his arguments, the reader cannot help but agree that Hanegraff is completely correct in his concerns. Many of the most popular figures in today's "faith" movement are not just colorfully strange and eccentric believers to be tolerated within the church. They are spiritually dangerous and sometimes openly destructive folks whose thinking and practice must be resoundingly rejected. Hanegraff does so.
As a general rule, I dislike this kind of book. As an overly critical person already, I usually avoid this kind of reading because I don't need any help moving in this direction. But I'm sadly glad I read this book. I do have a few suggestions however...
First of all, thinking of a man in my former church who never spoke to me unless he had a word of criticism, I would like to see a more balanced approach to the people and ideas being skewered. While I agree with the conclusions, I would still like to see at some passing recognition of the good these people occasionally do. Not all snake oil salesmen are evil, nasty people - some are just selling bad products.
Secondly, I would have appreciated a simpler focus and more concise book. Cut the book in half and simply spend one chapter on each figure being considered. It would have been much easier to wade through. Many of the people who most need to read this book will probably not be willing to wade through 400 pages. But they might be willing to scan through and read the chapters on at least a few of their personal heroes.
Third and finally, I thoroughly hate the title! While Christendom and religion might constantly be under attack and dealing with crisis, the true Christian faith will never be in crisis. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world! If we dial back the crisis language, work in a little more grace and thin the conversation down to the real essentials, the objectives of this book might be better accomplished.
I wish this book weren't necessary. But sadly, that isn't the case. It truly saddens me to see what passes for wisdom in American religious life. May this book be an encouragement to all its readers to get back into the Bible for themselves so these kinds of foolish ideas will have no ignorant soil in which to take root. Thanks for all your work, Hank. I do appreciate it.
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