Gary Gilley on Lent

Lent is the word used to denote the forty-day fast preceding Easter. In modern times it is usually observed from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday (approximately six weeks). Its traditional purpose is to prepare believers for Easter through various forms of prayer and sacrifice. During Lent, many will participate in selective fasts or abstinence from luxuries or some types of food. (Joan) Chittister covers Lent in her chapter (from the book, "The Liturgical Year") entitled "Asceticism" and says, "Lent revolves around sacrifice.... We must be prepared to give up some things if we intend to get things that even are more important. Lent draws from the asceticism of early monasticism:

Ardent Christians, monastics, left the cities where narcissism held full sway to live as solitaries in the desert in order to do battle with the enemies of the soul. They practiced harsh penances and purged themselves completely of all worldly pleasures in order to witness to a life beyond this life, a life beyond the gratification of the body to the single-minded development of the soul.

Chittister is happy that the extremes of asceticism are a thing of the past; nevertheless, she applauds the goal of the ascetics which is to conquer themselves and develop their souls.". Asceticism is the idea that by putting our physical bodies through deliberate suffering and hardship we will master our inward passions. It is "through acts of asceticism, we learn the most difficult thing in life: we master the gift of self-conquest. We are no longer prey to our own excesses. Now we are in control of the most difficult material we'll ever confront—ourselves." The problem with asceticism is both that it doesn't work and more importantly, it is unbiblical. Paul clearly torpedoed the whole ascetic movement when he wrote in Colossians 2:20-23:

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Deliberate asceticism, harsh treatment of the body and abstinence from acceptable activities, actions, and food, may have the appearance of spiritual activity but have no effect on our souls, nor do they enhance our spiritual development. Lent is a hold-over from ascetic practices of the past that have no direct spiritual value.

Adapted from Out of Formation: The Infiltration of the Spiritual Formation Movement and Its Impact on Evangelicalism by Gary E. Gilley

Gary Gilley on John Mark Comer

John Mark Comer was just a name on a few books that I have come across with no interest in reading. Lately, he has been in a series of discussions regarding his beliefs in Penal Substitutionary Atonement that has caused some red flags to be raised.

Are there concerns regarding John Mark Comer that Christians should take note? Gary Gille, pastor of Southern View Chapel in Springfield, IL, has written a few articles on Comer and his theology:

John Mark Comer and the Comerism of Christianity

John Mark Comer: Practing The Way

John Mark Comer's Theology

John Mark Comer Takes on PSA

Book Review: Out of Formation by Gary E Gilley

There is nothing to mature in your faith nor wanting to be disciplined in the faith. However, there are some practices that have crept into the church that have come from questionable source. Some have accepted them as Christian because it has the endorsement of popular Christian authors including those who preach. In his book, Out of Formation: The Infiltration of the Spiritual Formation Movement and Its Impact on Evangelicalism, Gary Gilley breaks down the modern Spiritual Formation movement and shows us true spiritual formation from the Word of God.

In the first part of the book, Gilley addresses the history of the modern Spiritual Formation movement and who supports it. He mentions that this movement focuses more on the individual's experience rather than the Biblical truth. It is more philosophical than Biblical. A lot of the "disciplines" from the modern Spiritual Formation movement are based on the teaching of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy which are not Christian dominations. Both of these religions teach mysticism. 

Gilley addresses the "disciplines" of the modern Spiritual Formation movement that have not Biblical support such as Contemplative Prayer and Lectio Divina. He even dives into what the charismatics and other religions believe about worship, prayer, and fasting. He also shares those in this movement believe that God speaks outside of the Bible and does not question it. Those involved in the modern Spiritual Formation movement have no discernment and they do not encourage it to their followers. 

In the second half of the book, Gilley into true discipline in the Christian life. Those are speaking to God in prayer. Laying our requests to Him while giving Him praise. Second, allowing God to speak to us from the Bible. Third, grow in our fellowship with fellow believers. Finally, living the transformed life as a result of the Spirit of God working in you. 

Colossians 2:8 says that we are not to let any "philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world " take us captive yet there are some Christians who have been taking captive by these things and are teaching them in the church whether behind the pulpit, in a podcast, or the books they write. Gilley's book exposes these dangerous disciplines and where they come from. Highly recommend this book

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Is That You, Lord? by Gary Gilley

 

There are many in the church today who believe that hearing God's voice is crucial to the Christian faith. Some would even say it is required. Others have said that give assurance to the believer that they are saved.  There are some Bible teachers that claimed to need to hear the voice of God when it comes to making major decisions like who to marry, where to go to college, or what job to take.

Is it true that Christians need to hear the voice of God apart from the Bible? Gary Gilley tackles this issue and others in his book, “Is That You, Lord?” Hearing the Voice of the Lord: A Biblical Perspective. Gilley is the pastor of Southern View Chapel in Springfield, IL, where he served there since 1975. 

The book begins with a look at pietism which I thought was a little strange at first, but as I continued in the chapter, I was seeing that pietism was embraced by Christians that resulted in joyless Christianity and made them want to have an experience in the area of worship and in their relationship with God.

Gilley goes to address hearing the voice of God based on the teaching of Henry Blackaby, Wayne Grudem, and others. Blackaby advocates for Christians to hear the voice of God as the heart of the Christian experience as well as a requirement for faith which turns into a Galatians 1 situation. Gilley writes on Christians wanting new revelation outside of scripture which Grudem does support even he believes that modern day prophecy can be fallible which goes against God's Word in Deuteronomy 18.

Gilley addresses following the will of God which many Christians believe that God has a specific will for each individual which is true as we see in the Bible, but God does not open the door of heaven and say what you are supposed to do. Yes, we do know God has a sovereign will over the universe and has a general will for how the people of God are to live in this world. Many Christians want God to lead by impressions or nudges over scripture. We can also put out feelings in that category. 

Gilley addresses objections and answers them biblically when it comes to the voice of the Lord. He gives practical advice for anyone trying to discern the will of the Lord. He believes that Christians need to stop looking for extrabiblical communication for God, but rather to rightly handle the word of truth.

One final note, Gilley did address prayer in this book. Many think than prayer is a two-way form of communication, which the Bible does not support. God speaks to us in the Bible, and we speak to God in prayer as "the communication of the heart and mind of the believer to the Lord " (page 87).

I wish this book was available during my early days as a Christian because I have fallen into the trap of relying on extrabiblical means of God speaking to His people which caused a lot of grief. Not saying God deceived me because God can do no evil, but I was the one in error. I highly recommend this book for all Christians to read for themselves and even with others.

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review.