Sarah Mitchell
Some Catholics have expressed concerns about reading the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, a Presbyterian laywoman. The book is a devotional containing one year's worth of short reflections on the Christian faith, which Young claims are direct messages she received from Jesus Christ. This type of private revelation is typically scrutinized within the Catholic Church before it is recommended to the faithful. Critics argue that the book promotes the idea that hearing words directly from Jesus and sharing them with others is the normal Christian experience, potentially elevating this over other spiritual disciplines. However, some Catholics find the book inspirational, and it has a high positive review rating despite the controversy. Ultimately, the decision to read Jesus Calling depends on individual Catholics' discretion, ensuring that the content aligns with their faith and values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Sarah Young |
| Author's religious background | Wife of a missionary to Japan and recipient of a post-graduate degree from a Presbyterian seminary |
| Book's religious background | Christian |
| Book's genre | Devotional |
| Book's format | One year's worth of short reflections |
| Book's inspiration | God Calling |
| Author's inspiration | Wanted to experience the Presence of God |
| Automatic writing | A form of occult art |
| Author's claim | Direct messages from Jesus |
| Author's intention | To inspire people |
| Book's popularity | High positive review rating |
| Book's controversy | Elevates hearing words directly from Jesus over all other experiences |
| Book's controversy | Written in the voice of Jesus |
| Book's controversy | Contains New Age references |
| Book's readership | Read by Catholics |
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What You'll Learn
The book's inspiration from 'automatic writing'
The book "Jesus' Calling" by Sarah Young is a devotional book containing one year's worth of short reflections on the Christian faith. Young claims that these reflections are direct messages from Jesus Christ, similar to the messages received by the anonymous authors of the book "God Calling". Young discovered "God Calling" and was inspired by the way the authors had received their messages through automatic writing.
Automatic writing is a process of writing that does not involve the conscious thoughts of the writer. It is often described as an occult practice, and some Christians consider it to be dangerous and even satanic. The authors of "God Calling" received their messages by waiting quietly in God's presence with pencils and paper, recording the messages they received from Him. Young was inspired by this method and sought to experience the same "gift", which resulted in her book "Jesus' Calling".
In her book, Young describes her process of automatic writing: "One night I found myself leaving the warmth of our cozy chalet to walk alone in the snowy mountains". She claims that her writings are not inspired and are not meant to be seen as new revelations from God. Instead, she says that they helped her grow closer to God and that the Bible is the only infallible and inerrant Word of God. However, some critics argue that by claiming to receive messages from Jesus, Young is putting herself on the same level as the prophets in the Bible, which is inappropriate and presumptuous.
While some Christians may find "Jesus' Calling" helpful and encouraging, others are concerned about the way it elevates personal revelations from God over Scripture. They argue that the Bible is the only authoritative source of God's Word and that we should be cautious about claiming to receive new messages from Jesus. Additionally, some reviewers have pointed out theological errors and New Age phraseology in the book, which they consider to be problematic.
Overall, the inspiration for "Jesus' Calling" comes from Young's desire to experience God's presence and her belief that automatic writing is a legitimate way to receive messages from God. While some may find her method intriguing, others within the Catholic Church recommend avoiding the book due to its controversial nature and potential theological issues.
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The author's intention to inspire
The book "Jesus' Calling", written by Sarah Young, has been a subject of debate among Catholics. The book is a devotional containing one year's worth of reflections on the Christian faith. Young claims that these reflections are not just her own thoughts but direct messages from Jesus Christ. She was influenced by the book "God Calling", whose authors claimed to have engaged in automatic writing, a method through which the book was authored by God through them. This practice is considered an occult art, raising concerns in the Catholic community.
Despite these concerns, some Catholics find the book inspirational. They believe that Young's intention was to inspire people and bring them closer to God. The book has an exceptionally high positive review rating, indicating that many readers have been deeply touched by its content. Young describes her spiritual journey and her desire for a closer relationship with Jesus, which resonates with readers seeking a deeper connection with their faith.
However, others in the Catholic community disagree and recommend avoiding the book. Their concern is not primarily with the theology presented but with the way it elevates the experience of hearing words directly from Jesus above all other spiritual disciplines. They argue that while there are many Catholic books containing messages from God, none of them were produced through automatic writing. The book's endorsement of this practice is seen as a potential danger, especially for readers who may not have the theological background to discern whether the messages align with Catholic doctrine.
Ultimately, the decision to read "Jesus' Calling" is a personal one. While some Catholics find it inspiring, others believe it promotes an experience that is not in line with traditional Catholic spiritual practices. Catholics are generally advised to exercise caution when engaging with literature that makes extraordinary claims of divine revelation, ensuring that such works do not contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church.
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The book's controversial nature
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young is a devotional book containing one year's worth of short reflections on the Christian faith. The book has sparked controversy among Catholics due to its claims of direct messages from Jesus Christ and its endorsement of automatic writing as a means of divine communication.
In the book, Young describes her spiritual journey and her desire for a closer relationship with Jesus. She introduces the concept of "automatic writing," which she believes allowed her to receive messages directly from Jesus. This practice, considered an occult art by some, involves individuals acting as listeners or channels for divine messages. While Young's experience may resonate with some readers, it raises concerns within the Catholic community, which typically subjects such claims of private revelation to rigorous scrutiny.
The book's endorsement of automatic writing as a legitimate means of receiving divine messages is a significant point of contention. Critics argue that presenting this practice as a normal Christian experience sets a dangerous precedent. They emphasize that while the Catholic tradition includes writings containing messages attributed to God, none of them were produced through automatic writing. This distinction is crucial, as it calls into question the nature of divine inspiration and the role of human agency in spiritual communication.
Another controversial aspect of "Jesus Calling" is its format as a non-fiction work. While Biblical fiction and fictional accounts of Bible heroes often put words into Jesus' mouth, they are understood to be imaginative explorations of Biblical themes. In contrast, "Jesus Calling" presents itself as a record of direct revelations from Jesus, blurring the line between fiction and non-fiction. This approach may be off-putting to some readers, particularly within the Catholic context, where the interpretation of divine messages is carefully navigated by recognized authorities.
The book's impact on readers with varying levels of theological understanding is also a concern. Some Catholics worry that readers without a solid theological background might inadvertently absorb ideas contrary to their faith. This concern arises from personal experiences where individuals, especially the impressionable youth, have been influenced by non-Catholic literature that employs similar language but promotes divergent theological concepts. The potential for misinterpretation and the challenge of unlearning false teachings further contribute to the controversy surrounding "Jesus Calling."
Despite these controversies, "Jesus Calling" has garnered a dedicated following, with some Catholics finding it inspirational and deeply meaningful. The book's positive review rating attests to its resonance with a significant number of readers. Ultimately, the decision to engage with "Jesus Calling" involves navigating complex considerations of personal faith, theological interpretation, and the nature of divine communication.
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The book's popularity
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, written by Sarah Young, has become a highly popular book since its first release in 2004. According to Publishers Weekly, the book sold 15 million copies as of 2015, and this number had risen to 45 million copies by 2023. The book offers a 365-day personal spiritual journey, encouraging readers to live in God's presence and listen for His voice. It has spawned a Christian brand that includes a quarterly magazine, a TV show, and a podcast.
Secondly, the book has been effectively marketed and promoted. Thomas Nelson, the publisher, partnered with the Salem Media group to broadcast 60-second daily messages on Eric Metaxas' show, which is carried on more than 100 stations nationwide and worldwide on SiriusXM Radio. The Jesus Calling radio devotional alone reaches more than 500,000 people each day.
Additionally, the book has received endorsements from notable figures. For example, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker read from Jesus Calling to more than 1,000 people at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition event in 2015. Similarly, Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards distributed copies of the book to women prisoners at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in 2017.
Despite its popularity, Jesus Calling has also sparked controversy within the Christian community, particularly among Catholics. Some critics argue that Young's writings should not be seen as new revelations from God, as they could be equated with or even supersede the authority of the Bible. There are also concerns about the book's inspiration, as Young was influenced by the book God Calling, which was authored through the occult practice of automatic writing. Despite these objections, Jesus Calling continues to maintain its popularity, with an ever-growing number of units sold each year.
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The book's theological implications
The book "Jesus' Calling" by Sarah Young is a devotional book containing one year's worth of short reflections on the Christian faith. The author claims that these reflections are not simply her own devotions, but direct messages from Jesus Christ. Young was influenced by the book "God Calling", whose authors claimed to have engaged in automatic writing, or a form of occult art, to produce their book. Young's introduction to "Jesus' Calling" mentions prayer journaling, and the devotional is meant to be used as if Jesus is talking to the reader.
Theologically, some Catholics take issue with the idea of automatic writing as a means of receiving messages from God. While some may view this as a legitimate way to experience God, others argue that it is not in line with Catholic tradition. Catholic teaching holds that private revelations, such as those claimed by Young, are subject to great scrutiny before they are recommended to the faithful.
Another concern is the potential elevation of hearing words directly from Jesus over other spiritual disciplines, such as reading Scripture. Some Catholics worry that this could set a dangerous precedent and lead to a normalisation of direct messages from Jesus as the standard Christian experience. This could, in turn, cause readers to question their own spiritual practices or feel pressured to seek similar experiences.
Furthermore, the book's non-fiction nature sets it apart from Biblical fiction, which also often puts words into Jesus' mouth. This raises questions about the appropriateness of attributing words to Jesus in a non-fiction context, especially when done by an author outside of the Catholic tradition.
Despite these concerns, some Catholics find the book inspirational and deeply touching. They view it as a way to draw closer to God and to be inspired in their faith. Ultimately, while "Jesus' Calling" may not align with traditional Catholic practices and teachings, individual Catholics must decide whether the content resonates with them and aligns with their own beliefs.
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Frequently asked questions
'Jesus' Calling' is a devotional book containing one year's worth of reflections on the Christian faith. The book is written in the voice of Jesus and is based on the author's spiritual journey and her desire for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
Some Catholics consider 'Jesus' Calling' controversial because it claims to contain direct messages from Jesus. In the Catholic faith, private revelations are subject to scrutiny before they are recommended to the faithful. The book's author, Sarah Young, was influenced by the book 'God Calling', which was written through automatic writing, a practice considered an occult art by some Catholics.
There is no consensus on whether Catholics should read 'Jesus' Calling'. Some Catholics find the book inspirational and acceptable as long as it does not contradict Catholic teachings. Others recommend avoiding it due to concerns about its claims of direct messages from Jesus and the potential for readers to inadvertently adopt non-Catholic ideas. Ultimately, it is up to individual Catholics to decide whether to read the book, preferably with enough background knowledge to recognise thoughts contrary to their faith.
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