|
Hungry For More of Jesus -- David Wilkerson Preface to Pastor Thorpe's Book Review Trying to Understand When I discovered the non-Evangelical ideas that were being put forward at Mount Zion School of Ministry, I wrote Dave Wilkerson and in doing so I had full confidence that he would move on the situation. However, I received no reply. UPDATE! What could Dave be thinking? I had read many of his books and had no reason to suspect that he would agree with the bazaar Theology being taught at his School. I was certain that he would not agree with the arch heretic Hannah Hurnard. Still, my registered letter generated no response. How could this be?Gathering Storm Recently, I happened upon a book that my son had been given while attending Mount Zion. This book was David Wilkerson’s own Hungry for More of Jesus. In Dave’s book I found many statements that seemed to indicate his leaning toward Hannah’s Quaker-like Theology of personal suffering as the path to inner holiness and union with Christ. These ideas are also put forward by many Roman Catholic writers but are certainly not consistent with the Gospel message. Why does Dave lean toward suffering unto holiness in one message and righteousness through the cross in another? What is happening? The answer may be surprising! Apparently, Dave is on a complex Theological journey from one house to the other. In Hungry for More of Jesus, Dave has moved toward a Quaker-like Theology which causes him to look favorably upon Hannah Hurnard’s teaching of cleansing though personal suffering. (Theology scholars would classify this as a moved toward Western Mysticism.) Dave’s move in that direction is an unfortunate turn. Remember, one deception breeds another! In our other pages, we document how that Hannah Hurnard’s false Theology, of cleansing though personal suffering, paved the way for her final fall from grace. Please be careful Dave! One of Dave’s chapters that particularly trouble me was entitled "Winning Christ" in which he describes the process by which "we win His (Christ’s) eternal Love" and "win His heart."1 This thinking reflects the Mysticism that we mentioned above. I will not attack Dave’s spiritual experience. This would not be possible and by the same token I will not try to impress you with mine. Every experience must bow to the Word of God! Furthermore, any young child can understand that God’s love is unconditional and unfailing. He seeks to win our love and not the other way around! This true Gospel is simple enough for a child to understand. (John 3:16)Brother Dave, Pray For My Special Request Although, Dave still prays for the sick, in his book Hungry for More of Jesus, he describes sickness as God’s will and our blessing. Therefore, we are left wondering, why pray to be delivered from a blessing? If our sickness is sent to bring cleansing, would it not seem improper to take medicine or seek any relief? I am glad that I can both pray and pay. Pray for healing and pay a doctor. I know the Lord is pleased with a positive outcome in either case! How could a Pentecostal preacher put forward a doctrine that values the enduring of sickness more than the gift of healing? In Dave’s own words there are "Two of Me" and today, one part of Dave is moving in new directions of Theology. As Dave makes his Theological journey, he is leading the young people at Mount Zion School of Ministry into a Mysticism which empowers our personal suffering above Christ’s and ultimately may value inner revelation above the direction of Scripture. Ironically, Dave once led many people to Evangelical faith. May God intervene in this situation. We love you Dave.Hungry For More of Jesus -- David Wilkerson Chosen Books 1992 ISBN 0-8007-9200-9 A Book Review Our Source of Holiness and Enduement for Service First let me state, that when we trot off into sin, God will come to find us! Yes, prophets will speak and judgments will fall. Hopefully, we will repent and begin to live righteously. (Heb. 12:11) However, there is second reason that trouble comes our way. Satan attacks us, when we are not hardening ourselves against God, and that is when our spiritual weapons must be employed. When Satan advances mighty prayers must be offered! Satan’s attacks are not to be viewed as blessings from God but as assaults on God’s kingdom. If we receive Satan’s onslaught as God’s scourging or God’s will, we shall have missed God’s call and mission for the hour. Hebrews 12:6-15 does not apply to Satan’s attacks, because, under such circumstances God is not chastening us. Rather, we are being given an opportunity to cast down our enemy! Please don’t fail in your calling! In Dave’s Hungry for More of Jesus our bad circumstances are categorized as: (1.) chastening of God and (2.) attacks from the Devil.2 Unfortunately, Dave ascribes every bad circumstance to God’s will and plan. Dave asserts, "Every affliction" including sickness "is intended for my spiritual benefit and growth, and to equip me to sympathize with others in need."3 He further says, "My suffering may be grievous and painful. But if I’ll accept it, afterward it will bear the fruit of holiness and pure love for God."4Could holiness be a product of personal suffering and physical affliction? When did the gifts of the spirit (GIFTS OF MINISTRY) become something we attain though affliction? We see that Dave5 like Hannah Hurnard,6 feels that various types of affliction produce both ministry and holiness. We affirm that holy living and ministry always spawn persecution. We do not believe that our personal suffering can ever replace or add to God’s free gifts of salvation or Holy Ghost enduement for service. The sufferings that we continue to endure do not destroy us because, we are already hiding in Christ and have his help! Eph. 2:13, Col. 1:20-22, Hebrews 13:20-21 "... Through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Wilt Thou be Made Whole? While reading the Gospels I have always thrilled to see the miracles that Jesus did for the suffering and diseased. How wonderful that he never refused those that came in faith. What glory God received in their testimonies of deliverance! In our next citation from Hungry for More of Jesus we are given the impression that enduring sickness produces more good and righteousness than being touched by the healing hand of Jesus. That’s strange -- My Bible indicates that Jesus’ suffering brought us righteousness. (Heb. 2:9-10) Dave says, "It is no great testimony to be able to say, ‘God gave me special faith. I spoke the Word, and all my troubles and sufferings and sickness ended. Praise God, I am free from all pain and affliction!’ The much greater testimony is to be able to say, ‘No matter what lies ahead, no matter what the trial or affliction, God has proven Himself faithful. He has produced in me life out of death. . . And then even in the midst of our pain, we will be able to offer true comfort to others -- a sacrificial comfort that brings delight to the heart of Christ"7 Dave further describes physical illness as "healing afflictions."8 Dave’s ideas are not new, in Set the Trumpet to Thy Mouth, Dave said, "It is possible to move into a resurrection realm that places us beyond time, beyond the thinking of this world, beyond the bondage of health, security, and death itself."9 Therefore, Dave seems to be asserting that suffering physical sickness is God’s best and if we hope for, or have faith for healing -- this is bondage!Foul! Foul! Dave is not preaching the Gospel of Jesus! (Luke 4:18) Never did Jesus say that your sickness is for your good! Jesus healed for God’s glory and for the highest good of the seeker. Christ prophetically foresaw the suffering that we believers must endure as persecution against the Gospel. The true nature of Paul’s thorn is most debatable and Timothy’s upset stomach cannot negate the ministry of healing and the glory that it brings to God. When you see me scratch an itch, take an aspirin, or drink antacid, be assured that God is not seeking to produce holiness thereby. No! Furthermore, to die from Cancer gives no Glory to God. Rather, Healing -- healing -- yes, healing; God is not glorified in sickness but in healing! (Matthew 9:8, Mark 2:12, Luke 5:26, Luke 7:16, Luke 13:13, Acts 4:21) Believe the Scripture! Thy Will Be Done ? God’s will concerning our physical healing was written in the stripes on Jesus’ back. God’s will concerning our Salvation was impressed upon Jesus’ hands and side. The Scripture tells us why we are not healed (Matt. 13:58) and if this verse hurts than we may need a twofold healing. Let God’s Word stand preeminent above all human experience or opinion. Sin is still sin and the fruit of unbelief should never be viewed as God’s will. Notice: I disavow any affiliation or contact with today’s "WORD" teachers. I do not posses any of their books. However, I do read the Word of God and simply believe what I read. I am financially poor by the standards of man. Yet, I am rich in what everyone wants. I am sometimes sick but I am often healed and best of all I am still alive. Glory to God for healing! Physical death remains the inescapable curse of Adam and most likely my destiny. (Maranatha) When I die of natural causes, my death will be a precious homecoming to God in which I will find great relief. Think about it -- In Glory I will no longer be required to review these horrible books. What a wonderful deliverance! Hope to see you there. The Final Word John 10:10-11 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." Isaiah 53: "4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
1. Hungry for More of Jesus, --David Wilkerson. Chosen Books, Copy 1992 ISBN 0-8007-9200-9, pp. 30-31 2. ibid., p. 168 3. ibid., p. 163 4. ibid., p. 163 5. ibid., 160 - 161 6. Hinds’ Feet on High Places, -- Hannah Hurnard, Living Books, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0-8423-1429-6, ministry - p. 60, holiness, p. 11, also 240 and 242 7. Hungry for More of Jesus, --David Wilkerson. Chosen Books, Copy 1992 ISBN 0-8007-9200-9, p. 164 last paragraph 8. ibid., p. 136 9. Set the Trumpet to Thy Mouth, -- David Wilderson, World Challenge, Inc. , 1985, p. 164
|