Pulpit Crimes: The Criminal Mishandling of God's Word [Paperback]

James R. White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 23, 2006

James R. White, author of THE GOD WHO JUSTIFIES, and numerous other titles turns his attention to the Christian Pulpit in this hard-hitting book. It is the contention of the author that the pulpit in the average church is a place in which crimes are committed every week. White writes with a desire to expose false teaching but also seek to write in a way that will encourage those who are seeking to be faithful to God's Word each week. This is a must read for all who are called to stand behind the pulpit, as well as those who are called to sit each week and listen.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Solid Ground Christian Books (October 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159925090X
• ISBN-13: 978-1599250908
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #541,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Exhaustive but still good read..., March 20, 2007

By 

Seth McBee (Maple Valley, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pulpit Crimes: The Criminal Mishandling of God's Word (Paperback)

This book reminded me a lot of the style that was done in Steve Lawson's book, Made in Our Image. Meaning, James White hits a lot of topics without going into a lot of depth. Which is fine, because that was his intent, just don't think you are going to get a thorough look at each "Pulpit Crime" in this book.

James White hits topics such as expository preaching, worship music, seeker churches, pluralism, homosexuality, mishandling of the ordinances, women "pastors" and others. I really enjoyed White's discussion on those who water down the Gospel to being nothing more than "a" plan instead of "the" plan of salvation. He really makes sure the reader understands the danger of not preaching the absolute truth of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The one topic that he covered that I really enjoyed was his chapter on, "Felonious Eisegesis." It went through the dangers of not only the word faith movement, but also those traditions that are held so close to the vest by a lot of us in our denominations or doctrine. He did a great job of allowing the reader to understand that we all have "traditions" that can sometimes guide our exegesis of Scripture. When looking at a sub-heading called, "Tradition Trafficking," you would expect that to be a chapter about the Roman Catholic church, but the entire part of this chapter was devoted to our protestant traditions allowing our interpretation of Scripture. I found this very interesting and he used the story of him and Dave Hunt to show his arguments for his case.

The one thing that I did not like at first, but understood by the end, is that James White does not "name names." He does this so that the book doesn't become "dated" because of the names mentioned. We have seen this happen with MacArthur's "Charismatic Chaos" when in actuality the book is very much for today, but gets little mention because it is "dated because of those mentioned." I mentioned above, Dave Hunt, but James White does not name his name but I am very familiar with his discussions in the past so I was able to pick up the "unmentioned person" that Dr. White was talking about.

Again, very good book as a "fly-by" on a lot of topics. If you would like an in depth book on the exegesis of preaching itself, I would recommend Lawson's "Famine in the Land" instead. But, that was not this books intent and for that I can definitely recommend and probably will read again sometime in the future.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book!, January 27, 2007

By 

[e-mail] "[e-mail]" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Pulpit Crimes: The Criminal Mishandling of God's Word (Paperback)

Dr. White has penned an outstanding work with Pulpit Crimes. He plainly discusses many of the issues that plague the western church. Dr. White does so in a loving manner, effectively rebuking those guilty of the crimes with Scripture as we are called to do. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who sees the professing Christian church as a rainbow of beliefs and positions. There is a reason for that, and as Mr. White correctly points out, it is due to a low view of Scripture.

It's a quick read (about 150 pages), and Mr. White's style, as with his other books is one that is entertaining, and pleasing to read. He explains any technical terms he utilizes, which always makes things easier.

A great book of warning for new Christians, and a source of tremendous insight to those who look at the church, either from the inside or out, and wonder what is going on with orthodoxy.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This will make you think., January 15, 2007

By 

Sandra A. Rice "Old Movie Buff" (Centralia, Ill USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pulpit Crimes: The Criminal Mishandling of God's Word (Paperback)

This is the first book of this authors that I have read. I really enjoyed the book. I appreciate the author's candor about the abuses in churches right now. This book shows how different the church is from what God intended it to be according to His word. This would be a good read for all Christians. As a Christian, we should be more interested in pleasing God than in pleasing man. This book makes that point plainly.