A Book Review by Christa Blakey...pastor's wife at Compass
I’ve just finished reading the popular John and Stasi Eldredge book, Captivating. This book is designed to address the life of a woman and the role she has to play. It was written to do for women what John Eldredge’s Wild At Heart did for men. It also says that God longs to have a personal relationship with us. However this book misses the mark in making these two points. Here are some of the problems that make this book spiritually unprofitable–
-Generalizations. In the first chapter the Eldredge’s state that “every woman in her heart longs for three things: to be romanced, to play and irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty.” In the rest of the book they attribute why women don’t get these three things to the fact that their “Question” hasn’t been answered. They say that every woman is asking the question “Am I lovely?” Stasi seems to take her personal experience and personal desires and attribute them to every woman. She comes from a troubled past of depression, eating disorders, abuse and sexual promiscuity–this helps the reader understand some of where she is coming from, but for her to make her own experience out to be the problems with all women is not accurate by any stretch.
-Problems with Proverbs 31. Several times this book voices a problem with Proverbs 31. Speculating about “church women” and their model for femininity, they say,
“We’re all living in the shadow of that infamous icon, ‘The Proverbs 31
Woman,’ whose life is so busy I wonder, when does she have time for
friendships, for taking walks, or reading good books? Somehow she
has sanctified the shame most women live under, biblical proof that
yet again we don’t measure up. Is that supposed to be godly–the
sense that you are a failure as a woman?” (p.6)
The truth is that we are failures, all of us, men and women alike. That’s why we need Christ to save us and make us new creations (2 Cor. 5:17), set apart to do His good works (Eph. 2:10). We don’t need to feel good about ourselves or our efforts to measure up, that is the whole reason we need Christ–we don’t measure up. As believers our time on this earth is a life-long pursuit for Christ likeness. If we think the Proverbs 31 woman makes us feel bad to compare ourselves to, how do we feel when we look at ourselves compared to Jesus, who is perfect? We shouldn’t be resentful toward God’s Word, but should humbly accept what God calls us to and strive wholeheartedly to that end.
-Movies. Conclusions drawn from feelings/emotions and movies seem to be more valid than Scripture. I was surprised at how many movies they used for examples and illustrations for their points rather than looking to women in the Bible. Not only that, many of the movies they reference seem inappropriate.
-Taking Scripture out of context. The Eldredges constantly refer to the book Song of Songs to make their points. Even though this book clearly and specifically accounts Solomon’s relationship with the Shulamite maiden, this book uses verse after verse as God speaking to women.
For example, in the introduction of chapter seven Stasi tells of a walk she took one night in which she admired creation and complimented God saying, “It’s beautiful, Lord! The stars are amazing!” Apparently she “heard” a response, “I’m glad you like it, my Darling.” Stasi continues with her narrative, “I stopped dead in my tracks. I blushed. Did the God of the universe just call me ‘Darling’?” She tells how later she was reading Song of Songs and was amazed to have some sort of confirmation in chapter one verse fifteen, “How beautiful you are, my darling.”
Many other times the Eldredges make big statements without any Scriptural foundation at all. Two of the more troubling ones are:
“For the root of all holiness is Romance” (p. 113)
“You. You are meant to fill a place in the heart of God no one and nothing else can fill. Woah. He longs for you.” (p. 120)
-Confusing Biblical love with romance. Biblical love is defined as: patient, kind, not having envy, not proud, rude or selfish, doesn’t get upset easily, doesn’t think evil but rejoicing in truth, love bears all things, hopes and endures. Romance can be defined as: an emotional attraction, excitement, adventure and seeking to gain one’s favor with flattery.
-Assuming our desires are good. Throughout this book, the Eldredges seek to address women’s desires, may they be for acceptance, beauty, adventure or romance…they assume that all desires we have are God-given. They talk much about the core of a woman’s heart and the longings and desires that are there, but they never address the reality that our hearts are wicked and terribly deceived. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” At one point Proverbs 4:23 is quoted which says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” The conclusion they make from this verse is that,
“Your feminine heart has been created with the greatest of all possible
dignities–as a reflection of God’s own heart. You are a woman to your
soul, to the very core of your being…When he created you as his woman
–that journey begins with your heart. Another way of saying this is that
the journey begins with desire.” (p.8)
I can have lots of desires that are self induced longings for things that God may not want there. Proverbs 3:5 gives a similar exhortation on this matter of the heart and desires: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding…” We should never assume that we have anything good in us and especially not that our own desires for things are somehow right simply because they exist. That is why I’m exhorted to guard my heart with diligence, it isn’t right or good, but deceitful and wicked.
-Vague on sin and salvation. The Eldredges do talk about God and mention salvation, but fail to do so in a clearly defined or Biblical light. In chapters three and four we are given an account of the creation and the fall where sin or salvation are referred to as “fallen Eve” or “redeemed Eve”. Sin is often referred to vaguely as having “fallen from grace”, “goes bad”, “fails” or is not “not measuring up”. The distinction of a woman being spiritually alive or spiritually dead is unclear. The Eldredges state that Satan hates women, because of her “beauty and power” (p. 85) making it seem as though the spiritual battles we face are between Satan and his evil forces and specifically women rather than believers. Another particularly troubling part claims that Christ has saved us so we can be ourselves.
“Now the Son of God has come to ransom you, and to heal your
broken, wounded, bleeding heart, and to set you free from bondage.
He came to restore the glorious creation that you are. And then set
you free…to be yourself.” (p. 95)
I’m very concerned about this claim, because Biblically the whole reason we’ve been set free from sin and death specifically is so that we can not be ourselves, but instead be like Christ. That’s why in 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says that “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” There are so many other issues in this book that I could address–assaulting spirits, taking medication for depression, Christian psychology, and the chapter called “Arousing Adam.” But the fundamental problem with this book is that it is woman-centered rather than God-centered. The Eldredges try to exalt women to a position that is nowhere found in Scripture.
“She is the crescendo, the final, astonishing work of God. Woman.
In one last flourish creation comes to a finish not with Adam,
but with Eve… Given the way creation unfolds, how it builds to
ever higher and higher works of art, can there be any doubt that
Eve is the crown of creation? Not an afterthought. Not a nice
addition like an ornament on a tree. She is God’s final touch, his
piece de resistance… Look out across the earth and say to yourselves,
‘The whole, vast world is incomplete without me.
“There is something uniquely magnificent and powerful about a woman.
We tried to reveal the immeasurable dignity, the holiness of your
feminine heart by showing that it is God who longs for Romance…
it is God who reveals beauty as essential to life. You are the image
bearer of this God. That is why you long for those things too. There
is a radiance hidden in your heart that the world desperately needs.” (p. 42)
“But most especially, he [Satan] hates Eve. Because she is captivating,
uniquely glorious, and he cannot be. She is the incarnation of the
Beauty of God. More than anything else in all creation,
she embodies the glory of God. She allures the world to God. (p. 84)
“You see, ultimately, a woman invites us to know God.” (p. 137)
This book tries to make God out to be a “lover” and our “Romancer” rather than teaching us to love Him with all our heart. If you are looking for a book that can help you grow as a godly woman, I would recommend several other authors whose books present a Biblical study of what God calls us to as women: Elizabeth Elliot, Elizabeth George, Martha Peace and Beth Moore. Some books that I’ve enjoyed in my pursuit to being a godly woman would include: Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney, Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur, Attitudes of a Transformed Heart by Martha Peace and Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock. I would encourage you to read any of these books and stay away from Captivating. The heresy the Eldredges are teaching in this book is not edifying for anyone to read. If you know someone who is reading this book, I would encourage you to talk with them about these problems. We need to exercise Biblical discernment and enjoy the relationship with God that He defines in His Word.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
catch up
I thought it was about time I posted something of meaning on this blog...pictures are always a good thing and a lot of fun, but there really is no substance in that...just captured memories.
Recently, at Compass, we have been going through a series called "Developing a Closer Relationship with God". Pastor Mike has been teaching through Hebrews for almost 45 weeks now, and we are at the end of Hebrews 10.
"19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."[e] 31It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. " -HEBREWS 10:19-34
Wow you are thinking...that was a big chunk of scripture. But this passage in Hebrews is a great blueprint or a set of instructions as to how we as God's children can gain that 'closer' relationship with Him.
I highly suggest you visit http://compassbiblechurch.org and listen to the podcasts from the past 4 weeks of study.
Anyways, other then that, God has been SOOO faithful in my life personally. I feel like each day, each breath I take, is a gift. And God is the giver of GOOD gifts. It has been absolutely amazing and so encouraging to see God work through the hardships in my life and prove Himself faithful over and over and over again. I have embarked this year on a study of all the scriptures...yup thats right I am reading through the entire Bible this year. This is probably my fourth or fifth attempt, and I have realized that the times before I have tried to do it in my own strength and haha wasn't successful! But I am depending on the Lord this time to get through it and so far going strong. God's word is LIVING and ACTIVE and so transforming. I am amazed at each word.
We truly do serve an indescribable Heavenly Father.
Recently, at Compass, we have been going through a series called "Developing a Closer Relationship with God". Pastor Mike has been teaching through Hebrews for almost 45 weeks now, and we are at the end of Hebrews 10.
"19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."[e] 31It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. " -HEBREWS 10:19-34
Wow you are thinking...that was a big chunk of scripture. But this passage in Hebrews is a great blueprint or a set of instructions as to how we as God's children can gain that 'closer' relationship with Him.
I highly suggest you visit http://compassbiblechurch.org and listen to the podcasts from the past 4 weeks of study.
Anyways, other then that, God has been SOOO faithful in my life personally. I feel like each day, each breath I take, is a gift. And God is the giver of GOOD gifts. It has been absolutely amazing and so encouraging to see God work through the hardships in my life and prove Himself faithful over and over and over again. I have embarked this year on a study of all the scriptures...yup thats right I am reading through the entire Bible this year. This is probably my fourth or fifth attempt, and I have realized that the times before I have tried to do it in my own strength and haha wasn't successful! But I am depending on the Lord this time to get through it and so far going strong. God's word is LIVING and ACTIVE and so transforming. I am amazed at each word.
We truly do serve an indescribable Heavenly Father.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Do You Want To Be Closer to the Lord?
We are ten days into the new year and studies show that most people break most if not all their new years resolutions within the first week of the new year. Why you might ask? Because it is hard to change...believe it or not, change isn't something that our bodies or our minds like or sign up for on a regular basis...in fact we would rather stay stagnant doing the same ole' routine over and over again because it is just easier.
Now most people make resolutions about loosing weight, excercising more, being a nicer person, being more honest, and the list goes on, but for Christians I guarantee that we all had one new years resolution in common..whether or not you called it that or not. But that was to draw nearer to the Lord. Now physically can we be any closer the the Lord then we already are? No, obviously not...but let me use this example. Lets say you are in a dating realtionship, your boyfriend or girlfriend moves out of the state. Is it possible for you to get closer despite the 2000 mile physical distance? Of course it is! You see our relationship with Christ can get closer, stronger, and better. When you go to meet your maker one day, dont you want it to be as if you had been sitting there at His feet all along? Definitely! But how do we do it? How can we get closer to the Lord this year. Pray more? Read my Bible more? Involve myself in a new bible study? It takes work! Yes boys and girls, we are going to have to work at it...your life is going to have to change. That means the two hours you spend watchinig TV or sitting on the computer each day, gets cut in half, or that movie that you just have to see on Friday, might have to get postponed. Priorities will change...no doubt about it.
Here are 6 Tips from Psalm 73 to get you started...
1. Be Mindful of His Presence vs 23
If God is #1 in our life, He should ALWAYS be on our mind. Lets go back to the whole dating relationship thing...or prior to that even, if you have a crush on someone you are probably thinking about them quite often right? Or if you are in a relationship with someone, they are ever-present in your mind whether or not they are with you or not. It should be the same with your Father in heaven, your groom
2. Be Deferential to His Counsel vs 24
What? If you love someone you take their advice right? You value their opinion? Value the Lords, take heed to His guidance and counsel in all things in your life.
3. Be Desirious of His Blessings vs 25
No Im not saying pray every night for an hour for God to deliver that new sports car, or that new handbag, but we should desire the blessings of the Lord. He likes to bless us.
4. Be Dependent on His Help vs 26
Someone once said that we have to depend on the Lord to depend on Him...I agree with that. It is not in our own strength but in His. We need His help in everything...in fact, dont you realize that the times you slip and fall are the times you tried to do it all on your own?
5. Be Fearful of His Absence vs 27
Have you ever prayed for someone's safety because you had a dream that they got hurt driving home? The fear of not being with the Lord should drive us to our knees. Im not suggesting that you think about this every second, but you should remind yourself of what life would belike without Him...the truth is, when you think about life without someone...God in this case...it draws you to a closer relationship with that person because you desire them more.
6. Be Proud of His Accomplishments v 27
Glorify the Lord. IN all things we are to bring glory to His name. He shows His glory in all things, from the mountains He created, to the bed he provided for you...be proud of the Lords work in your life and in others. Share the good news...share His love, share His glory with ALL you meet.
This year, whether you have made a list of resolutions or not, make this your prayer...that you would "Hold unswervingly to the hope you profess, for He who is promised is faithful!" *Hebrews 10:23
Draw closer to Him in 2007...you see your walk with the Lord is NEVER stagnant...you are either moving forward or back...dont move back this year!
Now most people make resolutions about loosing weight, excercising more, being a nicer person, being more honest, and the list goes on, but for Christians I guarantee that we all had one new years resolution in common..whether or not you called it that or not. But that was to draw nearer to the Lord. Now physically can we be any closer the the Lord then we already are? No, obviously not...but let me use this example. Lets say you are in a dating realtionship, your boyfriend or girlfriend moves out of the state. Is it possible for you to get closer despite the 2000 mile physical distance? Of course it is! You see our relationship with Christ can get closer, stronger, and better. When you go to meet your maker one day, dont you want it to be as if you had been sitting there at His feet all along? Definitely! But how do we do it? How can we get closer to the Lord this year. Pray more? Read my Bible more? Involve myself in a new bible study? It takes work! Yes boys and girls, we are going to have to work at it...your life is going to have to change. That means the two hours you spend watchinig TV or sitting on the computer each day, gets cut in half, or that movie that you just have to see on Friday, might have to get postponed. Priorities will change...no doubt about it.
Here are 6 Tips from Psalm 73 to get you started...
1. Be Mindful of His Presence vs 23
If God is #1 in our life, He should ALWAYS be on our mind. Lets go back to the whole dating relationship thing...or prior to that even, if you have a crush on someone you are probably thinking about them quite often right? Or if you are in a relationship with someone, they are ever-present in your mind whether or not they are with you or not. It should be the same with your Father in heaven, your groom
2. Be Deferential to His Counsel vs 24
What? If you love someone you take their advice right? You value their opinion? Value the Lords, take heed to His guidance and counsel in all things in your life.
3. Be Desirious of His Blessings vs 25
No Im not saying pray every night for an hour for God to deliver that new sports car, or that new handbag, but we should desire the blessings of the Lord. He likes to bless us.
4. Be Dependent on His Help vs 26
Someone once said that we have to depend on the Lord to depend on Him...I agree with that. It is not in our own strength but in His. We need His help in everything...in fact, dont you realize that the times you slip and fall are the times you tried to do it all on your own?
5. Be Fearful of His Absence vs 27
Have you ever prayed for someone's safety because you had a dream that they got hurt driving home? The fear of not being with the Lord should drive us to our knees. Im not suggesting that you think about this every second, but you should remind yourself of what life would belike without Him...the truth is, when you think about life without someone...God in this case...it draws you to a closer relationship with that person because you desire them more.
6. Be Proud of His Accomplishments v 27
Glorify the Lord. IN all things we are to bring glory to His name. He shows His glory in all things, from the mountains He created, to the bed he provided for you...be proud of the Lords work in your life and in others. Share the good news...share His love, share His glory with ALL you meet.
This year, whether you have made a list of resolutions or not, make this your prayer...that you would "Hold unswervingly to the hope you profess, for He who is promised is faithful!" *Hebrews 10:23
Draw closer to Him in 2007...you see your walk with the Lord is NEVER stagnant...you are either moving forward or back...dont move back this year!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Monday, January 01, 2007
out with the old in with the new
ringing in 2007...more pics click to the right ---->
It has arrived...2007! Can you believe that it has been 7 years since we worried about Y2K, 7 years since we elected Bush as president, and 7 years since we entered the 21st century! Time flies.
As we reflect back on 2006 we are able to see the pitfalls and the triumphs, the mistakes and the grace, the blessings, the memories, and the joy we experienced. Whether your year was the best ever or one that you wish was different, we serve a mighty Father who has wiped out anything you may regret from 2006 and has given you a clean slate to start over...a new beginning in a sense. Now of course we have that abundant grace and mercy available to us every day, but a new year is a reminder of that.
Let this year be a year that you become spiritually fit. That you are transformed by Christ! Let it be a year that you live conformed to holiness and set apart from this world
Romans 12:1-2 says "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "
Be a living sacrifice for our mighty King. Let 2007 be a new year, and a new beginning with a willingness to be more like Christ
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