This is an unpleasant book to read. This was probably a very unpleasant book to write. And yet, as much as it pains me to admit, this is book well worth reading. In some Christian circles, this book should probably be required reading! Hank Hanegraaff walks through almost all the most popular "name it and claim it" faith movement figures of contemporary America and exposes their theology and practice for what it is and what it is not. While sometimes Hanegraaff's criticisms seem unduly harsh, petty and reaching, once he finishes his arguments, the reader cannot help but agree that Hanegraaff is completely correct in his concerns. Many of the most popular figures in today's "faith" movement are not just colorfully strange and eccentric believers to be tolerated within the church. They are spiritually dangerous and sometimes openly destructive folks whose thinking and practice must be resoundingly rejected. Hanegraaff does so.As a general rule, I dislike this kind of book. As an overly critical person already, I usually avoid this kind of reading because I don't need any help moving in this direction. But I'm sadly glad I read this book. I do have a few suggestions however...
First of all, thinking of a man in my former church who never spoke to me unless he had a word of criticism, I would like to see a more balanced approach to the people and ideas being skewered. While I agree with the conclusions, I would still like to see at some passing recognition of the good these people occasionally do. Not all snake oil salesmen are evil, nasty people - some are just selling bad products.
Secondly, I would have appreciated a simpler focus and more concise book. Cut the book in half and simply spend one chapter on each figure being considered. It would have been much easier to wade through. Many of the people who most need to read this book will probably not be willing to wade through 400 pages. But they might be willing to scan through and read the chapters on at least a few of their personal heroes.
Third and finally, I thoroughly hate the title! While Christendom and religion might constantly be under attack and dealing with crisis, the true Christian faith will never be in crisis. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world! If we dial back the crisis language, work in a little more grace and thin the conversation down to the real essentials, the objectives of this book might be better accomplished.
I wish this book weren't necessary. But sadly, that isn't the case. It truly saddens me to see what passes for wisdom in American religious life. May this book be an encouragement to all its readers to get back into the Bible for themselves so these kinds of foolish ideas will have no ignorant soil in which to take root. Thanks for all your work, Hank. I do appreciate it.
