52 LIES HEARD IN CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY
Author STEVE MCVEY
Publisher HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
ISBN 978-0-7369-3864-8
Someone recommended this book to me, in fact they organized that I should receive a copy and I am glad that they did. The title is certainly arresting and its subtitle “and why the truth is so much better” completes it well. Here are fifty-two short chapters, usually of no more than four or five pages in which the grace of God that has appeared in Jesus Christ towards all mankind is clearly explained and magnified.
The author is president of a discipleship-training ministry based in the southern states of the USA the title of which is “Grace Walk Ministries.” I note that this particular book is plugged strongly on the website of New Creation Church of Singapore the pastor of which is Joseph Prince. His particular ministry goes over the top in some aspects, so many would say, but this particular book evidences none of those extremes. Each chapter first specifies the particular ‘lie’ preached in some churches, test it by the scripture, then a section showing the truth of the matter and a short paragraph or two entitled “Clarify your thinking” completes the subject.
It seems that these things were first spoken on youtube videos and then formulated into this book. They are valuable, in particular because they are not contentious, instead, they are scriptural, often contrasting most helpfully the Old Covenant from the New and always focusing on the Person of the Lord Jesus. There is a humble tone throughout; this writer confesses that he himself taught all these ‘lies’ in his earlier years of ministry. He indicates that he did so sincerely and only later came to understand that they were untruths failing to bring hearers into the liberty that is in Christ Jesus. Perhaps the word ‘lies’ is over strong; often the word ‘distorted’ better describes some of the matters he deals with.
Obviously a legalistic religious evangelicalism, really Old Testament ways dressed up in Christian talk constitutes most of these lies and distortions. The amazing thing is how they are commonly embraced and taken as the norm in so many churches. They result in self-effort and people becoming worn out in their endeavors to be Christians and to serve the Lord. Instead of relationship with the Lord Jesus, and receiving in Him the riches of salvation the emphasis is upon what we can do for God. It is ‘us’ laboring rather than “Him” living within. This is truly a ‘grace’ book. To some it will be a healthy reminder of the good things that have been given to us from God.
A personal relationship with Him Who provides all that we need in His Son so that we can live to His praise. To other readers a careful reading of these chapters will bring fresh light from God that will chase away the darkness of the misconceptions they have embraced in their churches. Is salvation giving your heart to Jesus or is it He giving His life to you? Are our sins simply covered by the blood of Jesus or are they taken way? Do we constantly need to obtain a fresh anointing or are we to live day by day in fellowship with the Anointed One? Are we to befriend unbelievers with the ulterior motive of winning them for Jesus or are we to love men and women? If we pray long enough and hard enough we will get the blessing or what? There are a host of things covered here and it is wonderful to read the message of God’s grace so simply, kindly and straightforwardly stated.
