Final Letter to Bruce Wilkinson Re: “You Were Born for This” – part 3 of 6
(Click here to download the first chapter of Bruce Wilkinson’s book, You Were Born for This.)
(Click on the following to read my earlier posts on the text: Title & Table of Contents, Table of Contents addendum, Testimonials, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, the final grade for the text, and my initial public challenge to Bruce Wilkinson.)
Dear Bruce,
Happy Tuesday! By now, you may think that this is some kind of personal attack or something. While it’s true that I’ve spent a lot of time and effort writing about your book, You Were Born for This, I assure you (and your co-author, your publisher, and anyone else reading) that this is not personal in the least. An apologist must dig into a matter, lovingly and unapologetically. (Pun intended.)
Yesterday, I wrote about the fact that, since we can’t really have a conversation unless I personally hear from you, the best I can do is careful conjecture. I then proceeded to address “question #1,” which had to do with the problem of writing so generically that your text applies to both non-believers and believers. (The obvious problem? God’s Word is always clearly writing to unbelievers or believers, and never muddies the waters in between.)
One question down, four to go!
2) Your definition of a “miracle,” which is the main topic of your text, is not biblical. What you describe as miracles in your book are defined as good deeds in the Bible. Why change the terms when the Bible (and 2,000 years of solid Christian teaching) has always understood the clear difference between miracles and good deeds?
Probable Reason: Sell more copies. (Yeah, I know. I wrote that as a reason for yesterday’s question, but it applies here, too, I’m afraid.) Think about it, though.
Good deeds seem so…boring. God can use me to do His good deeds. Sounds almost passé in a way, next to miracles! WOW! When I think of miracles, I think of Moses parting the Red Sea and Jesus bringing Lazarus back from the dead. You’re saying I can be part of God’s miracle delivery system? Where do I sign up?
Premise: You Were Born for This teaches that we can be used by God to “deliver miracles” in the lives of others.
Problem #1: You’re violating the clear warning found in Revelation 22:18-19. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (KJV)
I wrote extensively about this weeks ago. Look at the number of times that pastors and teachers and religious leaders take a biblical term and twist it so far out of context that it means something completely new and different. Typically, a big hullabaloo results, as the fellow believes he has now uncovered some new revelation or some new profound teaching that gets many people interested and excited. Unfortunately, we know that the end result is always the same: man jumps on yet another religious bandwagon, leading him further and further away God, all the while offending the very God he believes he is serving.
Back to Rev. 22:18-19. If you don’t perceive replacing the term “good deed” with “miracle” as the same as “taking away” and “adding,” (which is what Rev. 22 speaks about), then your very souls are on dangerous ground. Please repent of these teachings, Bruce, for they are more dangerous than you realize.
Problem #2: This particular reworking of the definition of miracle will undoubtedly result in people being drawn to power in the same way that way bees are drawn to honey.
Bruce, why are the cults so popular with people? Because the leaders draw people in with the promise of seeing God’s mighty power at work in their lives. Satan has used, over the last two millennia, countless religious programs to entice non-believers and believers alike to jump aboard the Powerful Works Express.
It literally blinds them to the truth, which (by the way) is so unlike the true power of the Holy Spirit, who quietly calls and draws out those who would respond to the things of God unto salvation. It’s so unlike God’s ways and His program for this human race that one has to ask if you’re even familiar with this particular trap that has afforded Satan so much success.
You’re a very influential and respected Bible teacher, Bruce, yet you write as though this particular concern is off your radar completely. How is this possible?
Chris
PS Newcomers should at least take the time to read my initial public challenge to Bruce, along with some of the links to individual page analyses at the top of this post. Always be thorough and responsible in your reading, writing and speaking!
PPS For new readers, my earlier analyses of Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile (by Rob Bell and Don Golden) is available for free download. Simply click on my title, Clear as a Bell, and decide for yourself whether or not Bell’s teachings match those found in God’s Word.
