Anchor Bible Church

Articles of Interest

What about Jesus Calling?

by Susan Pietzke

 

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o you read Jesus Calling? Do you enjoy it? Do you maybe even ‘love’ it, as so many say they do? If so, do you love God’s Word more?

Would you agree that God gave us His Word by inspiration1 and it has been preserved2 in the Bible? Do you believe it is sufficient for our needs today?3 Do you know that God warns us not to add to or remove from His Word?4

In Jesus Calling, author Sarah Young tells us she received “messages”5 which she claims came directly from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the book, she wrote these messages in the first person—as though He spoke through her directly to us.6 Do you believe Jesus Christ spoke to Sarah Young—giving her messages for us? If He had, wouldn’t the words she received be the inspired Word of God? And, if so, shouldn’t they be added to the Bible?7

Challenging questions, yes, but if you’re thinking about them, you’re on the right track. You’ll no doubt want to “test the spirits” 8 to see if Jesus is truly calling in this popular book.

(Before continuing, please note that there are substantial differences between the original 2004 edition and the subsequent 2014 edition due to unexplained changes made by Sarah Young and publisher Thomas Nelson.)

 

Testing the Spirits

Q: Would the Lord Jesus Christ ever be wrong? Make a mistake? Need to be corrected?

A: Of course not! Jesus was perfect—sinless.9 He has never been, nor will He ever be, wrong about anything! However, the ‘Jesus’ in Jesus Calling had to be corrected in the January 28 journal entry. (Also see the October 15 entry):

  • I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS. These are the last words I spoke before ascending into heaven. (2004)
  • I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS. I spoke these words to My disciples after My resurrection. (2014)

Q: Did Jesus accuse Abraham of undisciplined emotions? Or of idolatry for worshipping his son Isaac?

A: Hardly! Rather, He commended him for his faith.10 However, the ‘Jesus’ in Jesus Calling, did just that on August 23; but, the entry changed dramatically in 2014.  (Note the names of the people involved in each of these two entries; underline added):

  • . . . I took Isaac to the very point of death to free Abraham from son-worship . . . Both . . .  suffered terribly because of the father’s undisciplined emotions. I detest idolatry . . . (2004)
  • Joseph and his father suffered terribly because Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons . . . I detest idolatry . . . (2014)

 

Q: Did Jesus ever feel sorry for Himself—and try get us to do so also? Did he complain about the night He was born?

A: Obviously, it is nonsense to think Jesus would act this way; however, the ‘Jesus’ of Jesus Calling has no qualms about it. The December 25 entry has him stating:

  • Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby . . . under the most appalling conditions—a filthy stable. That was a dark night for Me . . . (2004)
  • . . . —a filthy stable. There was nothing glorious about that setting . . . (2014)

 

Q: Is God alone Creator? Or are we ‘co-creators’ with Him?

A: Only God can and did create everything. By and for Jesus was everything created.11 In the December 11 entry, Sarah Young introduces a key New Age term when the ‘Jesus’ of Jesus Calling calls us “co-creators” with him. (Also see June 7.)

  • I, the Creator of the universe, have deigned to co-create with you. (No change from 2004 to 2014 editions)

Conclusion

What’s your conclusion? Does Jesus Calling pass the test? Is it from the Spirit of God? It doesn’t appear so, does it? There are many more examples in Jesus Calling in which Sarah Young has her ‘Jesus’ using words and concepts not found in the Bible and which are completely foreign to God’s character.

Christian, beware the warning of God and avoid such things. Heed Peter’s words when he tells us the Bible is sufficient for our needs today and always.12 Don’t yearn for more as Sarah Young did. 13 Stick with God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible Word. He’ll bless you for it!

Harry Ironside warned about the dangers of mixing truth with error:

“Error is like leaven of which we read, ‘A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump’ (Galatians 5:9). Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking and, therefore, more dangerous.”

References

  1. 2 Timothy 3:16

  2. Psalm 12:6-7

  3. 2 Peter 1:3

  4. Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19

  5. Jesus Calling, 2004 Edition, Introduction; pages VIII, XI, XII, XIII, XIV

  6. Jesus Calling, 2004 Edition, Introduction; page XIII

  7. 2 Peter 1:21

  8. 1 John 4:1-5

  9. 1 Peter 2:22

  10. Hebrews 11:8, 17

  11. Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17

  12. 2 Peter 1:3

  13. Jesus Calling, 2004 Edition, Introduction; page XII