Jesus calling
Young speaks of “shimmering hues of radiance In some ways, the devotionals remind me of fortune cookies: they are vague enough that I can see how many readers would exclaim, “Wow, this fits my situation perfectly!” The main adjectives that kept coming to mind as I read were “New-Agey” and “mystic.” According to this book, our biggest problem is worry and stress-not treason against our Creator. When they did finally crop up, they were mentioned infrequently and in passing. “Sin” is mentioned seven times, I believe (p. In 365 readings, I counted only two that mention the word “repent” (p. Young’s emphasis is not on our sin but on our tendency to worry and take on too many of life’s burdens ourselves. One thing I noticed very early on was how odd it was that a book claiming to help readers enter and enjoy Jesus’s presence should say so very little about sin-the true barrier between us and Christ-and repentance, the only way that barrier can be removed. I can sit with a pen in hand and write down thoughts that align doctrinally with Scripture, but that doesn’t make those thoughts inspired by God. How does she know, really know that she was not making up these messages out of her own head?
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But did Jesus really speak this message directly to her? I know that Young includes Scripture references at the end of each reading that correlate to the theme of that day’s message, but this does not make those messages divinely inspired. Okay, that is true and based on Ephesians 3:20–21. Whether or not the content is benign in itself, the claim of divine revelation remains.Īnd much of it is benign, like “I am able to do far more than you ask or imagine” (p. Whether reworded Scripture or Young’s own statements as from Jesus, everything in the book must be seen in the light of her staggering claim that it’s directly from God. By this test alone, Young’s claims of divine revelation fail, as I’ll demonstrate. We cannot say “thus saith the Lord” without considering the incredible weight of that responsibility, the closed canon of Scripture, and the fearful judgment promised to those who falsely claim to speak for God or add to His Word ( Jeremiah 23:25–32 Revelation 22:18).Īll other considerations aside, we know that if God *does* send a message to someone, it will be complete without theological error. Whether or not you formally place those messages in the same category of Scripture, she is claiming to be a modern prophetess, receiving the Lord’s word and transmitting it to others.įriends, this is dangerous. There is simply no way around it: Sarah Young is claiming to have received these messages directly from God. While she acknowledges that “I knew these writings were not inspired as Scripture is” (xii), she still desired “to share some of the messages I have received” (xiii). I felt awkward the first time I tried this, but I received a message… I have continued to receive personal messages from God as I meditate on Him. I decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever I believed He was saying. I knew that God communicated with me through the Bible, but I yearned for more” (xii). This is more than just stylistic it is a very deliberate choice based on how Young perceives her book’s inspiration. Jesus Calling is written in the first person as if Jesus were speaking directly to the reader using personal pronouns to refer to Himself. I want to communicate my thoughts graciously yet without compromise.
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Jesus Calling by Sarah Young is a difficult book for me to review, not only because of its complex issues but also because I have many dear friends who love it deeply.