It is always a risk to share concern over something beloved by many. And if it has helped or encouraged many, maybe is it better just to leave it alone? The Jesus Calling devotionals by Sarah Young concern me, yet that does not mean I am totally opposed to them.
There is no need to re-invent the wheel, and I found 3 reviews that share my concerns well. If you are interested, here they are with a brief summary of their focus:
- Tim Challies has a review of Jesus Calling here. Challies does an exceptional job of focusing on the issue of how Sarah Young claims to be getting direct messages from Jesus. The theological concerns shared in this review are similar to the concerns I voice in my recent series of posts entitled “How Does God Speak to us Today?”
- This review (which is very diplomatic) does a good job of voicing the concern that the devotionals seem to be primarily therapeutic, affirmative, nurturing – as well as self-centered. Yet, is this balanced? Jesus also had hard and challenging things to say as well.
- Finally, in this review on Amazon, the reviewer succinctly shares 4 reasons he cannot wholeheartedly endorse the Jesus Calling devotionals. Again, we can see well worded concern that the “therapeutic” Jesus of these devotionals says only a limited range of things compared to what is actually taught in the entirety of the Bible.
This does not mean that Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling devotionals should be thrown in the trashcan! Her style and approach could be very helpful and healing to women going through certain difficulties or from abusive backgrounds. (Note I say women. I honestly could not see many men appreciating these devotionals.) There are also those who have a very hard time believing that there is a God who loves and cares for them. These devotionals could be very helpful in these circumstances as well.
So…I think these devotionals could be okay for a season of time in an individual’s life. I would not broadly recommend or suggest the Jesus Calling devotionals to a group of women, especially without the above caveats. I’d be more likely to recommend on an individual basis if I knew, for example, that because of a particular woman’s circumstances these devotionals could benefit her.
My primary concern would actually be this: Never “moving on” from these or similar devotionals. Women, in particular, can be drawn almost exclusively to nurturing and relational things. This can be a strength but it can also be a great weakness. I’m reminded of something Dorothy Sayers said: “We have de-clawed the lion of Judah & made him a house cat for pale priests & pious old ladies.” – Jesus also roared like a lion and did not mince words! Balance is needed in what we consume – and a spiritual diet needs more than the therapeutic approach of Jesus Calling.
Women also need to hear hard things, be challenged, and encouraged to go deeper in their knowledge of the faith. Women need to be exposed to more objective teaching that is not purely from a relational or nurturing perspective. I’m drifting into another topic, but here is a post (Be a Woman of Depth who Leads the Way) where I expound on this more.
Thanks for listening. And I hope everyone really “heard” that I am truly not against these devotionals, but simply rather have some words of caution.
I would like to ask the writer of this article if he is familiar with God Calling which influenced Sarah Young … in her book Jesus Calling the introduction states that she was inspired by God Calling and asked God to speak to her in the way He did to the ‘listeners’ in God Calling…
Hi Sally. Thanks for your comment. I’m Laura, the author of this blog and this post on Jesus Calling. About 10 yrs ago someone gave me a copy of “God Calling” that Sarah Young refers to in her introduction. Back then, God Calling troubled me – how the authors claimed to be getting direct messages from God. But my biblical and theological knowledge was not as developed then, and even though it troubled me I could not really explain why. My concerns now would be the same as for Jesus Calling. Tim Challies (the first link) does a good job covering the problem of getting “direct messages” from God (and my related series of posts too).
Sorry I referred to you as ‘he’ …. This is the first time I have used this method of communication and did not know who you are….. I was looking into Jesus Calling because it reminded me of God Calling and I wanted to know if others are disturbed by the correlation… i refer you to Christian Research Institute to look up their article on God Calling Article ID: DG100 by Edmond C. Gruss and I think you will find what you could not put your finger on before. I would be interested in your response. Thanks, Sally
Wow. The background for God Calling (the influence of AJ Russel) is disturbing. But this quote from the God Calling authors is not very comforting either! : “We were being taught, trained and encouraged day by day by HIM personally, when millions of souls, far worthier, had to be content with guidance from the Bible, sermons, their churches, books and other sources.” Again, wow. Their personal guidance is better than the Bible and the church? Oh my! Thanks for sharing this article with me.
To give Sarah Young some credit, she does emphasize that her words are not Scripture, nor on par with Scripture. Yet, she is treading a thin line and makes me uncomfortable. I think I’d outright condemn God Calling, but would just recommend caution with Sarah Young.
Since God Calling is referred to in the introduction to Jesus Calling people may buy God Calling due to their confidence in Jesus Calling… If she is opposed to the occult practice of automatic writing she would not allow reference to God Calling in her book! The enemy lurks in beautiful places…how masterful he is , however,” greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world!”
Hi Sally! I agree. I’m really glad you’ve added all these thoughts to the discussion. Ya know, when I wrote the post I really wanted to slam Jesus Calling but it is a big and popular seller, and I find that ripping something to shreds often doesn’t help – people think you are too critical or just nutty. So I decided to be diplomatic and advise caution and share concern, but not outright condemn it. Maybe I should have been more forthright and condemned it.
As diplomatic as I think my review is, I got an e-mail from someone saying that my review was insulting, condescending, and arrogant! If I had decided not to be diplomatic, what would they have thought of my review?! haha! Thanks again Sally.
Hi Laura…this is so out of character of me to be even commenting on a blog like this…really didn’t even know what a blog is actually until recently…this subject put a check in my spirit that I could not deny so I looked for confirmation or not…we cannot change the world nor take a best seller off the list…we never have enough information to judge another human beings motives, etc…perhaps this author is totally unaware that people question God Calling at all! Hundreds of authentic Christians love and recommend the book…I went to three different book stores…read much of it each time and could not purchase it…so, as for me, I am concerned about it but do not want to drag anyone’s name through the mud or try to prove them wrong…I just followed up with the check in my spirit which led me to your blog…I will now put it to rest…I have said what I have to say about it and I pray God will shine the light on this if He so chooses to expose it…..I am utterly convinced the origin is in the occult but God can take anything and make something good of it…..may blessings abound and may you continue to seek after the truth…Sally