WHILE LISTENING IN THE SILENCE
Does God speak to us through the settled Scriptures, or is the Bible one of many revelations of our Lord? If there are extra-biblical revelations of Christ, can we know they are trustworthy? This review will aim to answer these questions unequivocally as we “stand firm in the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 3:8), on “sober alert”, resisting our “adversary, the devil” (1 Peter 5:8), “destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5)…in God Calling.
As Christians, we have a responsibility, according to the Bible, to defend the Holy Scriptures as commanded in Jude 3. As we “contend for the faith once handed down to the saints”, we don’t judge the Bible; we let the Bible judge us. The “spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2; Galatians 5:1) offers freedom to sin. The holy God of the Bible offers freedom from it. (John 8:32-36).
An orthodox view of evangelical Christianity includes the teaching of Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), meaning the Bible is all sufficient. In Paul’s second epistle to Timothy chapter 3, verse 16, he writes, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
The Bible warns us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), because not every spirit is from God. In God Calling, a listener states:
“But with my friend a very wonderful thing happened. From the first, beautiful messages were given to her from the Lord Himself, and every day from then these messages have never failed us. We felt all unworthy and overwhelmed by the wonder of it, and could hardly realize that we were being taught, trained and encouraged day by day by Him personally, when millions of souls who are far worthier, had to be content with guidance from the Bible, sermons, their Churches, books and other sources.” [Page 10]
This is an extraordinary claim—that Christ Himself penned these new revelations through channeling. These open minded, spiritual seekers were certainly correct when they said they had compiled “no ordinary book”:
"So to us this book, which we believe has been guided by our Lord Himself, is no ordinary book." [Page 12]
What the "listener" is describing here is nothing short of automatic handwriting, a common practice in the occult. Furthermore, we see that this revelation could have never been from “our Lord Himself,” because what they heard and wrote down goes against God’s Word in Scripture. In Galatians 1:8, we read in the Bible that an “angel” bringing such a message is cursed. The Bible clearly warns of signs and wonders from darkness masquerading as light. (See 2 Corinthians 11:14-15). God takes seriously those who would be disobedient to Him through mystic worship. (Leviticus 10:1-3, Numbers 3:4, Joshua 24:20).
The listeners write:
“Totally unexpected interpretations of His own words were given.”[Page 11]
As fantastic as it sounds, such “unexpected interpretations” are nothing new. (Ecclesiastes 1:9; Galatians 1:9). As a matter of fact, our Lord Himself warns His own through the Apostle Paul that these “interpretations” are not so unexpected after all according to the Bible:
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel.” (Galatians 1:6)
“…who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1)
Why would God (surprisingly, in the year 1932) give a different interpretation of Scripture? Peter cautions us about twisting Scripture:
“Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Peter 3:14-17).
Indicative of psychic phenomena (forbidden in Scripture in Isaiah 47, Deuteronomy 17, 18, Acts 16:16), God Calling dares the spirit world to unmask “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4) through visions.
The listener states:
“An adverse verdict on seeing visions of Himself, which we had hitherto thought granted only to the saintliest and , most strongly stressed of all, the immense power given to two souls praying together in close union and at one in their desire to love and serve Him.” [Page 11]
In dealing with demonic apparitions, once again, we are encouraged and protected by the Holy Bible:
“So the other disciples were saying to him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’ After eight days His disciples were again inside and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand, and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see and yet believed.’” John 20:25-29 “Now Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 “And He said, “See to it that you are not mislead; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He, and The time is near.’; Do not go after them.” Luke 21:8
A STRANGER IS CALLING
In the Bible, Jesus is described as a Shepherd to His own sheep who know Him so intimately that “a stranger they simply will not follow…” He says, “I am the good Shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me.” (John 10:1-14)
Unless a Christian is familiar with New Age/occult terms such references in this book may not be obvious. For example, channeling is defined from The American Heritage Dictionary as: The act or practice of serving as a medium through which a spirit guide purportedly communicates with living persons.
God’s Holy Word forbids this in Isaiah 8:19. No doubt, a stranger calls in the following mystical experiences from God Calling (See John 10:5).
“Be Channels [sic] both of you” [Jan. 3] “Uproot self- the channel blocker” [Jan. 4] “Be just a channel of helpfulness to others.” [Jan. 13] “You are channels and though the channel may not be altogether blocked, fret and impatience and worry corrode, and in time would become beyond your help.” [Jan. 17] “Any block means My Power diverted into other channels. Pour forth-pour forth-pour forth-I cannot bless a life that does not act as a channel.” [Jan. 26]
SOURCE OF POWER
The book describes a power. The listeners explain it as “fearful,” but this initiated encounter is far from the omnipotent power of the Prince of Peace. (Ephesians 2:14). No wonder the Bible warns Christians to “renounce the hidden things…adulterating the word of God” in 2 Corinthians 4:2. Though defeated at the Cross, the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) is ever at work in the spiritual realm (Job 1:7) as “god” calling…
“Discipline and perfect yourselves at all costs. Do this for soon every fleeting thought will be answered, every wish gratified, every deed used. It is a fearful Power, almighty [sic] Power. Oh! Be careful that you ask nothing amiss-nothing that is not according to My Spirit. All thoughts harmful must be turned out. Miracle-working power can become witchery in wrong hands. See how necessary I have made the purity and goodness of your own lives to you. That is why. Soon, very soon, you shall ask and at once it will come. Welcome the training. Without it I dare not give you this Power. [sic] It would do harm.” [Jan. 6]
This is a blasphemous statement, suggesting that any power derived from the Holy, pure and perfect God could do harm and be witchery! If this one statement is flawed and untrue then the entire premise of this book being written or inspired by the true Jesus Christ must be thrown to the wind.
Satan is called the “god of this world” in 2 Corinthians 4:4. It would be just like a demon to call on anyone willing to listen to a mockery of the Gospel of Jesus and His power.
[Note: there are 7 more examples of “power” in God Calling on the accounts of ‘Jan 18, Jan. 23, Jan. 24, and Jan. 26.]
THE “FAMILIAR” SPIRIT OF GOD CALLING
It is no wonder that many believers have been duped by the counterfeit spirit of God Calling. In spiritism, which is forbidden by the Lord, the Bible warns that a demonic spirit may seem “familiar.” (See Leviticus 20:27; Isaiah 8:19, KJV). These spirits are “familiar,” because demons even know the Bible well enough to quote it (especially out of context.) Yet, Satan cannot counterfeit God’s peace in the heart of a believer, nor can legions of devils defeat the power of Jesus living in the heart of a Christian. Though they war against Christ, demons believe in Jesus and even tremble at His name:
“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and tremble…” (James 2:19).
God Calling teaches:
“You must learn poise, soul-balance and poise, in a vacillating, changing world. Claim My power. The same power with which I cast out devils is yours to-day. [sic] Use it. If not, I withdraw it.” [Jan. 15]
But, this is confusing when compared with Scripture. How could God withdraw His power when His power comes from the Holy Spirit indwelling His children who are “sealed” in Jesus forever according to the Bible? (See Ephesians 1:13). He would have to deny Himself, and the Bible says He cannot:
“…the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man…” (1 Samuel 15:29).
The Holy God defies the capricious, demonic realm as He promises in the Bible in His righteousness:
“’I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’ Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:5-8
In contrast to the Law-Giver of the Bible who is perfect in justice and holiness (Psalm 119), God Calling introduces the seeker to a panentheistic, universal spirit:
“Do not be too ready to do, just be. I said, “Be ye therefore perfect” not “do” perfect things. Try and grasp this. Individual efforts avail nothing. It is only the work of the Universal Spirit-My Spirit that counts.” [Jan. 7]
“True it is, I wait in many a heart, but so few retire into that inner place of the being to commune with Me. Wherever the soul is, I am. Man has rarely understood this. I am actually at the centre [sic] of every man’s being, but, distracted with the things of the sense-life, he finds Me [sic] not.” [March 16]
A MOTHER-GOD CALLS
Then, we come to January 19 in the book where we are introduced to Mother God:
“The Anticipatory Love of God is a thing mortals seldom realize. Dwell on this though. Dismiss from your minds the thought of a grudging God; who had to be petitioned with sighs and tears and much speaking before reluctantly He loosed the desired treasures. Man’s thoughts of Me need revolutionizing. Try and see a Mother preparing birthday or Christmas delights for her child-the while her Mother-heart sings: ‘Will she not love that? How she will love this!’ and anticipates the rapture of her child, her own heart full of the tenderest joy. Where did the Mother learn all this preparation- joy? From Me – a faint echo this of My preparation – joy. [sic]”
To feminize God is a very dangerous idea. The Bible states the Truth – “Pray then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Matthew 6:9 “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;” Genesis 1:26. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.” Genesis 9:6. (For more Bible verses against calling God “mother” go to the Lighting the Way Worldwide web site here.)
THE MESSAGE: “YOU ARE GODS”
Just like Satan in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:5), the whispered message of the God Calling is “your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God”:
“To dwell in thought on the material, when once you live in Me, – is to call it into being. So you must be careful only to think of and desire that which will help, not hinder, your spiritual growth. The same law operates too on the spiritual plane. Think Love and Love surrounds you and all about whom you think, Think thoughts of ill-will and ill surrounds you, and those about whom you think. Think health – health comes. The physical reflects the mental and spiritual.” [January 20]
This theme is much like the imagination/visualization techniques described in The Spiral Dance by Wiccan author Starhawk: “four basic abilities: relaxation, concentration, visualization, and projection.” [Page 62]
No wonder this book has had such resurgence with the 21st century’s unprecedented interest in reincarnation and “listening prayers” and “secrets” about knowing God. Even demons know their day of judgment is coming, and there is no such thing as reincarnation! (See Matthew 8:29). We are warned in the Bible to fear God, who will destroy both body and soul in hell. The true God never communicates through the “transmigration of souls” despite the marketing of the media. (See Matthew 10:28). “Familiar” spirits come at people to deceive (Galatians 5:7-8; Revelation 17; 21:8, 27) them away from the true and living Savior. (See John 14:6). The enemy of our souls wants people to believe it is the true God calling with a different Gospel (Galatians 1) when all along it is the “ruler of the world” and the “father of lies” (John 8:44; 14:30) masquerading a dangerous, dark spirit as Light. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)
THE JESUS OF GOD CALLING
The “Jesus” of God Calling demeans the death of Jesus of Nazareth in the January 22 entry. (2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:6-12):
“My death upon the Cross was not only necessary to save a world, it was necessary, if only to train my disciples. It was all a part of their training: my entering Jerusalem in triumph; My washing the disciples’ feet; My sorrow-time in Gethsemane; My being despised, judged, crucified, buried. Every step was necessary to their development – and so with you. [sic]”
The real Jesus was the unblemished Lamb, the only perfect sacrifice to make restitution for the sins of mankind. He is not the ‘christed energy’ of the occult with seducing spirits to make people feel more comfortable in their sin and bedrocks of humanism. And He is not the god of God Calling.
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For, am I now seeking the favor of God, or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-10
“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons…” 1 Corinthians 10:21
Obviously, when the women—the morning “listeners”—sat in silence as the dawn of these messages were compiled in this book via automatic handwriting, the messages were coming from the ‘god of this age’, the ‘prince of the power of the air.’ The God of the Bible was never calling.
Dwayna Litz and Charisse Graves
