Predators in our Pulpits
A Book Review:
The
title of this little book says it all. It is a warning about false
teachers in our churches, placed there by the devil himself. If this
book were written by a man who was noted for exposing various
conspiracies or other forms of demon-chasing, then I would not recommend
it for serious readers. But, this book was written by the author of
"A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" and "A Layman Looks at the Love of
God" - not what you’d call whistle-blowing epistles.
And yet, there it is, a book written by a solid Christian brother against the worst predators there are: Christian preachers and teachers. In his own words: “We have preachers, evangelists, teachers, educators, radio broadcasters, publishers, authors, television personalities, and a score of other spokesmen who claim to speak for Christ while actually destroying His people with diabolical deception” (pg. 72). A person who claims to speak for Christ is ordinarily a Christian, is he not?
You may not be interested in this book, you say, because it is just another attack against a loving spirit that must be nurtured by Christians no matter what they believe. Once again the author: “Contrary to what most might consider a negative emphasis, this is in truth a most positive appeal for a lofty life of loyalty and love for Christ” (pg. 15). The book is broken down into two parts. Part I is the warning of what to look for in false prophets. Part II is the call for repentance by a true prophet.
The value in this book is that it clearly identifies current false teachings in the church, and the marks of false prophets (their fruit). It does so in a very few pages, so as not to tire the reader with high theology. If the reader has understood Part I and agrees with the prognosis, then he can go on to Part II, which offers the cure. He calls the cure “sacrifice” which seems appropriate. His main point is that the false prophets teach that self-indulgence of any kind is not only O.K., but to be earnestly contended for. Having established that by example after example, he contrasts that with the Bible teaching of self-sacrifice.
The first subject he tackles is that of the tendency of man to follow the leader (of his or her own choice). He points out that men do not usually follow leaders that call them to face their sins and die to self. They usually seek for themselves leaders who have “personal charm, eloquent speech, academic credentials, or organizational ability” (pg 27). He goes on to say, “It is almost as if they were advertising for a business executive to run a commercial corporation rather than searching for God’s spokesman. Little wonder that they frequently end up with predators in their pulpits!” And, “…people come for food, fun, and fellowship. God’s work in the world is not advanced, but the people are deluded to believe the opposite. They are deceived and know it not.”
Chapter 2 uncovers the wickedness behind “the success syndrome.” He denounces our educational system for making success the goal of life. He applies this to the church. “The basic idea [of the successful church program] is to provide something so sensational and appealing that it attracts crowds and stimulates a substantial increase in attendance” (pg 30). If we have been so successful by buying into these never-ending gimmicks for success, then “Why do not 55 million so-called Christians in North America make it one of the truly righteous regions of the earth instead of one of the most corrupt?” (pg. 33). The author reasons that there is a cover up of leadership because they want so badly to be seen as successful. They are willing to exaggerate or just plain lie about their success. He contrasts this with the life of our Lord Jesus.
Chapter 3 is named “Misplaced Faith.” We are shown that in the attempt to be successful, the leadership has the followers buy into some concept or another, and this is called “faith.” By misusing Scriptures regarding the true faith in Jesus our Lord, the predators lure the unwary into a relationship with a god called “mammon” by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 4 warns against the trap of self-love, so admired by today’s Christian counselors. Once again, the “success syndrome” rears its ugly head. There is a beautiful quote in this chapter I just can’t pass up: “In many areas of Christian activity and teaching the common people have been seduced by their leaders to believe that it is imperative to turn to psychology or psychiatry or other social programs for mental or emotional healing. Because those in the pulpit do not themselves know the life of the Risen Christ in their own experience, they lead their followers to try to find help in the ways of the world…the broad, barren paths that lead ultimately to self-delusion and self-destruction” (pg. 50).
Chapter 5 is titled “The Decadence of the Western World.” If you don’t know about this already, then I suggest you read this chapter first. Comfort is king and the modern church, itself in decadence, exonerates evil. The modern church is afraid to be labeled legalists so “The current concept is that Christians should be so warm, so loving, so sweet, so tolerant that almost anything goes” (pg. 58). “They [their leaders] live in abject fear of being despised or rejected of men as was the Master” (pg. 59).
Chapter 6 is “Peace, Peace – at Any Price.” I will quote the author thusly, “Read carefully John 14” (pg. 73).
Chapter 7, “Emotional Experience Versus Disciplined Obedience,” is the last chapter in Part I and discusses the ever present danger of false spirituality. The makeup of man is such that he will gladly participate in gross fleshly entertainment for stimulation and then goes to a religious revival for the same sort of stimulation. This cannot be spiritual. He receives stimulation from the same source: His carnal desires. The author likens it to flies hovering over a rotten carcass. They come searching for something to satisfy their souls; they leave having been “deceived into believing that they have been touched by God’s Spirit when in fact it was largely a sham and a show” (pg. 77).
The author makes a most important statement in this chapter. If you have been involved in any sort of pastoral counselling, then I urge you to listen carefully:
“Many who are in positions of influence prefer to have their followers become devotees of themselves. They love to bask in the affection and adulation which others lavish upon them for one reason or another. One of the most insidious and widespread means used to this end is the current craze of pastoral counseling which has swept through the church. Again, it is a page lifted from the casebook of the psychologist or psychiatrist. The intimate personal encounter, the increasing dependence on human interaction, the sympathetic ear and the inevitable emotional involvement – all these cater to the self-interests of both the parishioner and pastor” (pg. 81).
Part II of the book goes on to urge “laypersons” to personal devotion to Christ. If you have read the preceding with some interest, then I suggest you buy the book, or at least read the Bible where it admonishes us to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. At any rate, I hope you have decided that there are indeed predators in our pulpits and that you shouldn’t believe everything they say. Certainly, do not follow their pernicious ways. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:13-15.
- Chris Simonson
We encourage you to email the author to prove or disprove, from the Scriptures, the intent, meaning, purpose or doctrine of this piece. email Chris