This is a MODERATED Forum. Your post may have to be approved before it is posted. In order to post a new topic, you must be registered and logged in. The links to register or log in are at the bottom of any page on this website. Although we often allow controversial topics to be posted, we urge you to follow the spirit of Matthew 5:23-25, Matthew 18:15-22, and Ephesians 4:29-32. We reserve the right to remove posts we feel are offensive.
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
| Author |
| |
Messages |
Sort: |
|
night sky
Posts:10
|
|
Posted:10/21/2007 8:16 PM |
|
Do the Pastors and Elders have any guidance about the Book / DVD "The Secret".
Also, other such books: "The Hidden Messages in Water"; "As a Man Thinketh"; "Beyond Positive Thinking"; "The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity"; "The Prosperity Secrets of the Ages"; and "The Prospering Power of Prayer" by Catherine Ponder.
I often wonder what Jesus meant when He said, "I have many more things to tell you..." but He didn't and He seemed to indicate that the Holy Spirit would later. In our modern era, with Christians expecting the world to become future doom and gloom, is the Holy Spirit speaking through these books?
It's not all about money. Paul said the "love of money/riches is the root of all evil" and 'they that desire to be rich...fall into snares'. It seems more about finding that "abundant life" Jesus spoke of, and taking on his "yoke" that is light and His burden easy--boy that would be a nice change (don't know how that reconciles with daily picking up your Cross?); finding and living His purpose.
thanks ***
|
|
| keliset (guest) |
|
Posted:10/27/2007 11:28 AM |
|
Hello. I've been wondering the same thing. I have a couple of girlfriends that I talk to about things like this. Are there God messages embedded in some books and even movies that have come out recently? I think if they serve to further Jesus message about love, unity, helping one another it has to be Spirit inspired. My neighbor and I exchanged books the other day--I gave her "If you want to Walk on Water you have to get out of the boat" and she gave me The Secret.
I think focusing on "more" money and wealth divides ones attention from God. Also, it furthers the imbalance of resources. I pray we all get and share the love and peace we need.
Assurance of Answered Prayers:
"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive so that your happiness may be complete."
|
|
gfike
Posts:237
|
|
Posted:10/30/2007 2:51 PM |
|
|
Having just looked at it on the internet, The Secret appears to be another "new age" teaching along the lines of "prosperity" teaching. The secret is: the Universe is just waiting for you to ask it how it can serve you. It's a variation of the positive thinking movement, and it personalizes the universe rather than relying on the biblical God. I will investigate it further, but it sounds like the same old egocentric philosophies that have been popular for years.
|
|
| Night Sky (guest) |
|
Posted:10/30/2007 6:19 PM |
|
gfike,
Thanks for the response.
I have a brother-in-law who pastors a church north of Austin. They are conservative, but believe and practice the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He denies ascribing to the "prosperity gospel", but does believe that our thoughts and self-talk are often negative, chaining us in guilt and shame. He feels that we tend to focus on our past failures, present reality of low estate, and project that onto our futures. As such, Christians do not take risks, do not assume roles of leadership, are not pro-active, lack resources, and end up ineffective.
So while he does not ascribe to new age-ism, he does believe Christians need to renew their minds, break the mental schemes of the enemy, and establish new patterns of thinking. (books, "As a Man Thinketh --james allen", "Telling Yourself the Truth -william backus")
He thinks books like the Secret contain truths hijacked from Scripture (truths we should start practicing) but which are twisted to address only material wealth and, as such, these books are too readily tossed aside by Christianity.
#[ when you're living a life in a stressful occupation, in the doldrums, loss of family time, impotent Christian influence, feeling stranded, and financially behind, you keep wondering, "what am I doing wrong?":
Baptism (check);
God time (check);
Bible reading (check);
Prayer/Fasting (check);
Tithes/Offerings (check);
Confession (check);
... then every sermon and book seem to present their own "secret formula" as an answer,
... am I to accept these past many years as "my lot", "God's tough love", "consequences", "a (long) season", "testing", "the dungeon of Joseph", "a dark cavern", "a cocoon", "my cross"
... with Jesus as my Brother and Savior, Holy Spirit as my Advocate, and God as my Father, their toughest 'answer' is --silence. ]#
|
|
gfike
Posts:237
|
|
Posted:11/20/2007 1:51 PM |
|
|
"The Secret" is going to be addressed in a teaching series at the start of 2008.
|
|
| guest, but member of brcc (guest) |
|
Posted:12/23/2007 11:20 AM |
|
|
IS it going to be addressed in a positve or negative light?
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
ActiveForums 3.0
|
|