This is the print version of  The Message: Who Endorses & Promotes Eugene Peterson's Opinion of the Bible > http://www.SeekGod.ca/themsgendorsements.htm

 

The Message: Who Endorses & Promotes Eugene Peterson's Opinion of the Bible 

 

Titus 2:1,7,8 

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:...:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you

NavPress is the publishing arm of The Navigators. On their website list of their various ventures, the promo for NavPress is: "This ministry of The Navigators publishes books, Bible studies, periodicals and The Message Bible to enrich the spiritual walks of some four million people annually." 1

Although it is recorded by Zondervan Bibles that Eugene Peterson was the only translator for The Message, "Number of Translators: Eugene H. Peterson" 2,  NavPress noted this information in their various promotions:

 9. How do you make sure The Message is accurately translated?
A team of exegetical consultants, distinguished professors from various seminaries and colleges, review the text to ensure that it accurately communicates the original Hebrew and Greek. Here is a list of both the New Testament and Old Testament consultants:

NEW TESTAMENT CONSULTANTS > **hotlinks to some of the SeekGod.ca articles that discuss some of these:

OLD TESTAMENT CONSULTANTS

[Gordon College> [see: Harold Ockenga See also CNP's Paul Maurer; John G. Talcott Jr.; Rockefeller ;George Eldon Ladd ]

[More on Marvin Wilson also See: MJAA Inroads of The Hebrew Roots "Fringe"; Mainstreaming The "Fringe"; MJAA Executives & The Hebrew Roots " Fringe"  ; Jacob Prasch & The Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research]

Mr. Peterson is someone who most would say they do not even know, nor have any idea of what he believes. So why the embracement of a book paraphrased, or put into his own words and bias?

From the sleeve of The Message, we note these endorsements:

" Opening The Message is like reading the Bible with fresh eyes. Whether you've read the Scriptures through a hundred times or are just starting out, The Message is a wonderful tool for understanding God's Word!"
--Bill McCartney, founder and president of Promise Keepers

"There's a translation of the Scriptures that this guy Eugene Peterson has undertaken. It has been a great strength to me. He's a poet and a scholar, and he's brought the text back to the tone in which the books were written."
--BONO, lead singer of the music group U2

"There is so much that is fake about our society. My generation is craving something that is real, honest and true. The Message is straight up! It's modern, relevant, and direct."
--Rebecca St. James, recording artist, author.

Very obviously, Rick Warren endorses The Message, as it is one of the source of "Bible" quotes in his various Purpose Driven writings. For example, he cited it eighteen times in The Purpose Driven Life, with the actual reference, but used quotes without showing the reference about sixty more times. The change in wording would cause some to suggest that the reference is eliminated so people won't be drawn to investigate what the actual verses say and mean in a real translation, compared to what Mr. Peterson decided they mean.

Dr. Billy Graham also endorsed The Message and stated, "The Message is one of the most dynamic recent versions of the New Testament that I have seen ... Children can easily understand it, and veteran Bible readers will see Christ's words in a fresh light."

Billy Graham even authorized a special edition of The Message to be distributed by his Evangelistic Association. It contains "... many explanations that I've written to help you understand what the New Testament says." It is rather ironic to need to have the New Testament explained by Billy Graham, when the selling point of The Message is that it's "raw and earthy" language is so easy to understand, even someone with no prior knowledge of any Bible version could understand it. And, Billy Graham stated "children can easily understand it."

A perusal of the BGEA website revealed that particular 'bible' is no longer being sold on Billy Graham's site, nor is there an endorsement of the current The Message writings. A query to the organization by this author in 2004, concerning whether Billy Graham still endorsed Eugene Peterson's, The Message, has never been responded to. 

The Message is also endorsed by Christianity Today, which was started as the mouthpiece for New Evangelicalism. [See also the The Fuller section, as well as Charter Members.] It is also endorsed by Leighton Ford- Billy Graham's brother in law (who also endorsed Richard Foster's writings), Joni Earickson Tada and many, many more. It has also been widely endorsed by such diverse readers as rock musician Bono of the group U2. 

As noted above, Bill McCartney, founder and president of Promise Keepers endorsed The Message. In fact, not only was it endorsed by Promise Keepers at the Promise Keepers Pastors & Leadership Conference held February 18–20, 2003, NavPress gave a copy of “THE MESSAGE: The Bible In Contemporary Language” to all who attended. That was about 9000 pastors or church leadership. For more on this please see: PK, MJAA, UMJC & Toward Jerusalem Council II from the series > The Spreading Hebrew Roots and sub-series Toward Jerusalem Council II

Those who have endorsed Eugene Peterson's The Message, either as accurate, or as a Bible, and in the NavPress promotion of The Message included,

"11. Who endorses, recommends, or uses The Message?:

"In this crowded world of Bible versions Eugene Peterson's blend of accurate scholarship and vivid idiom make this rendering both distinctive and distinguished.
The Message catches the logical flow, personal energy, and imaginative overtones of the original very well indeed." —J.I. PACKER, author of Knowing God and professor of theology, Regent College

  

"The Message is the boldest and most provocative rendering of the New Testament I've ever read. If you've become so comfortable with your Bible reading that the Scriptures no longer excite you, then this book is what you need."  —WARREN W. WIERSBE, author of The Integrity Crisis, Be Joyful, and Be Real

 

"The Message is certainly destined to become a devotional classic—not to mention a powerful pastoral tool." —JACK W. HAYFORD, pastor of The Church on the Way, Van Nuys, CA

 

"We should thank the Lord for the ministry Eugene Peterson has performed in The Message. He has given the church an opportunity to read the Bible afresh."

—CHRISTIANITY TODAY

 

"The Message is exegetically sensitive yet speaks in the language of today—with the special flair for English style that has come to mark Peterson's work." —GORDON D. FEE, author of How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth and professor of New Testament, Regent College

 

"I thank God for The Message. In it Eugene Peterson gives a fresh and authentic voice to the Scripture. I recommend it highly." —RICHARD J. FOSTER, author of Celebration of Discipline


"Eugene Peterson's language makes the Bible exciting and strong, sweet, sharp, persuasive, painful, personal, contemporary, kind, and dramatic—and available to every reader of this age." —WALTER WANGERIN, JR., author of The Book of the Dun Cow and Mourning Into Dancing

"At last, a translation of tone. I read not only the words, but I hear a voice behind them speaking—as, in fact, all these documents were originally experienced. Peterson's translation transforms the eye into an ear, opening the door of the New Testament wider than perhaps it has ever been opened." —MICHAEL CARD, singer, songwriter, and author of Immanuel: Reflections on the Life of Christ

"Eugene Peterson's rendering of the New Testament strikes me as wonderfully alive. It is full of surprise and excitement and the ring of authentic human speech and feeling." —FREDERICK BUECHNER, author of The Son of Laughter and Godric

"The Message is so good it leaves me breathless. Eugene Peterson has done for the U.S. and the late 20th century what J.B. Phillips did for Great Britain and the middle of the century—and even more!" —MADELEINE L'ENGLE, author of A Wrinkle in Time and A Circle of Quiet

"If the New Testament were written today, this is what it would sound like." —LEITH ANDERSON, pastor of Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie, MN

"Time and again I would read a verse and think, 'Oh that's what it meant.' Eugene Peterson has given us the gift of a lifetime." —REBECCA MANLEY PIPPERT, author of Out of the Saltshaker and Hope Has Its Reasons

"Eugene Peterson's work is the freshest, most dramatic treatment of Scripture since The Living Bible. I look forward to reading it regularly." —JERRY B. JENKINS, coauthor of the Left Behind series

"In The Message the ideas of the New Testament writers seem to take on flesh and blood, personality, and three-dimensional authenticity, striding into our minds and speaking to us with a startling vigor, authority, and clarity. I want all my friends to get The Message." —LUCI SHAW, author of God in the Dark and Horizons: Exploring Creation

"The Message will help many to transfer God's eternal truths to their contemporary lives." —LEIGHTON FORD, president, Leighton Ford Ministries

"I am confident that many people will find the New Testament alive in a new way after reading The Message." —JAY KESLER, president, Taylor University

"The Message added so much to my special retreat with the Lord. I am continuing to read it at home in my quiet time and can't wait until it is published to share it with others." —, book buyer, Vine & Branches Bookshop, Naperville, IL MARILYN POLLITT

"WOW! What a treasure The Message is. I am going to carry it with me. This is a treasure that I will want to use wherever I am." —JONI EARCKSON TADA, author   4

NavPress also included a lengthy list of "Message Readers" in their promotion.

"WE HOPE WE CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THIS LONG LIST OF MESSAGE READERS:

Amy Grant, Benny Hinn, Bill Hybels, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Billy Graham, Brock and Bodie Thoene, Carol Kent, Chuck Swindoll, Cynthia Heald, Dan Quayle, Dave Dravecky, Toby-DC Talk, Don Moen, Duffy Robbins, Frederick Buechner, Gary Chapmen, Gary Smalley, Gordon Fee, Gordon MacDonald, Harold Fickett, J.I. Packer, Jack Hayford, Jay Kesler, Jerry Jenkins, Jerry Savelle, Jim Burns, Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, John Maxwell, Joni Eareckson Tada, Joyce Meyer, Kathy Peel, Keith Miller, Kenneth Copeland, Leighton Ford, Leith Anderson, Luci Shaw, Madeleine L'Engle, Max Lucado, Michael Card, Michael W. Smith, Mike Yaconelli, Newsboys, Patsy Clairmount, Pat Williams, Phil Driscoll, Rebecca St. James, Richard Foster, Rick Warren, Rod Parsley Ron Kenoly, Stuart and Jill Briscoe, Tim Kimmel, Tony Campolo, Tremper Longman, Bono of U2, Vernon Grounds, Walter Kaiser Jr., Walter Wangerin, Warren Wiersbe, Wayne Rice, Wellington Boone." 5

For those unfamiliar with some of the names, in brief, a perusal of the reputation, credibility or importance of these endorsements. Some of these individuals will be discussed in other sections, such as the Chrysostom Society. These are leaders of organizations or seminaries, pastors, youth leadership and so on. 

Anderson, Leith >> Leith Anderson > ecumenical pastor of Wooddale Church, has a broadcast ministry called Faith Matters, author.

Bono of U2, rock singer

Boone, Wellington >> Wellington Boone >PK speaker; apostolic, ecumenical, founder and bishop of The Father’s House in Atlanta; founder and chief prelate of the Fellowship of International Churches and founder of Global Outreach Campus Ministries, The Making of Champions, and the Boone Institute for Leadership Development; board member of March for Jesus, Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA) and Gospel to the Unreached Millions. He currently pastors the First International Church of Atlanta.

Briscoe, Stuart and Jill >> Stuart and Jill Briscoe > NavPress published author, pastor; formed Telling the Truth. Jill is Executive Editor of Just Between Us, a magazine for ministry wives and women in leadership. She serves on the board of World Relief and Christianity Today, Inc. Stuart was Senior Pastor of Elmbrook Church

Buechner, Frederick >> Frederick Buechner > author, studied at Princeton University , attended New York's Union Theological Seminary where he studied under theologians Reinhold Neibuhr, Paul Tillich and James Muilenburg, ordained as an evangelist in George Buttrick’s church; taught a semester of literature at Wheaton College, his first exposure to Evangelicalism. While there he attended nearby Episcopal church of St. Barnabas, “an extraordinary church,” he writes in his memoirs, “…full of shadows, full of secrets.” Gave his manuscripts to Wheaton college ; his literary favorites, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien , G.K. Chesterton, George MacDonald et al.  Speaker and supporter of Laity Lodge, a project of Howard E. Butt, which is also connected with TheHighCalling.org.

Burns, Jim >> Jim Burns > author, his show YouthBuilders became HomeWord in September 2004, with Jim Burns' as President.

Campolo, Tony >> Tony Campolo > kingdom now theology, teaches about 'our divinity'; see: Institute for Global Engagement & Eastern College ; member of the "board of reference" for "Christians for Biblical Equality," a group of Christians that advocate that the Bible teaches complete equality between men and women in both home and ministry. Other board members include Gordon Fee, Richard Foster, Vernon Grounds, David Mains et al, with endorsements coming from such as Ron Sider and representatives from a myriad of backgrounds, churches, seminaries and so on.

On Renovaré's Board of Reference and speaker at Renovaré events, and endorsed Richard Foster's Celebration of Disciplines.

Card, Michael >> Michael Card > musician, performing artist, and songwriter >Navpress published

Carter, Jimmy and Rosalyn >>Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter > former President of the US and wife.

Chapman, Gary >> Gary Chapmen > singer

Clairmount, Patsy >> Patsy Clairmount > Author

Copeland, Kenneth >> Kenneth Copeland > word-faith, false prophet and teacher whose heretical and false teachings have misled many.

Dravecky, Dave >> Dave Dravecky > former major league baseball pitcher, started Outreach of Hope for cancer patients., speaker; Dave and his wife Jan are authors of eight books. Publish The Encourager, a national magazine;  general editors, along with Joni Eareckson Tada, of The Encouragement Bible, a specialty version of the NIV Bible

Driscoll, Phill >> Phil Driscoll > composer and writer, trumpet player, connected with TBN. November 2005, pleaded not guilty to a federal charge of using tax-exempt ministries to evade income taxes. Driscoll, his wife, Donna Lynne Driscoll, and his mother-in-law, Annie Christine McDonald-Blankenship, all of Cleveland, pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to report music business income of more than $1 million and funneling money through tax-exempt Mighty Horn Ministries, Phil Driscoll Ministries and Spirit of Freedom Foundation. Phil Driscoll is auctioning off his house and 20 acres of land in Cleveland, Tennessee. [ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Fee, Gordon >> Gordon Fee > ordained minister of the ecumenical Assemblies of God (AG) and identifies himself as Pentecostal, even though he has written articles disagreeing with a few of the AG's fundamental Pentecostalism-specific doctrines; speaker and supporter of Alpha courses. Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Regent College where he has taught for seventeen years. His teaching experience also includes serving schools in Washington, California, and Kentucky, as well as Wheaton College in Illinois (5 years) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts (12 years). BA, MA (Seattle Pacific University), PhD (University of Southern California). 

He was a member of the editorial board that composed both the New International Version (NIV) and the gender accurate Today's New International Version (TNIV) translations of the Bible. He is a member of the "board of reference" for "Christians for Biblical Equality," a group of Christians that advocate that the Bible teaches complete equality between men and women in both home and ministry. Other board members include Tony Campolo, Richard Foster, Vernon Grounds, David Mains et al, with endorsements coming from such as Ron Sider and representatives from a myriad of backgrounds, churches, seminaries and so on.

Serves as the general editor of the New International Commentary series and is on the NIV revision committee. Besides Dr. Fee's ability as a biblical scholar, he is a noted teacher and conference speaker, having spoken at the 2005 Vineyard USA National Conference. He has given the Staley Distinguished Christian Scholar lectures on twelve college campuses as well as the annual NT lectures at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, North Park Seminary, the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, the Canadian Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Golden Gate Baptist, and Anderson School of Theology.

Fickett, Harold >> Harold Fickett > has been published by NavPress, member of the Chrysostom Society, author, is a co-founder of Image Journal. Former evangelical turned agnostic turned catholic; contributing editor of www.godspy.com (traditionalist catholics), where he contributes columns on world Christianity and spirituality; writes for TheHighCalling.org and serves on the advisory council. Laity Lodge is the adult ecumenical Christian retreat center for the HighCalling org., a program of the H. E. Butt Foundation, and is where the Chrysostom Society often meets.

Ford, Leighton >> Leighton Ford > Ecumenist, Billy Graham's brother in law--who also endorsed Richard Foster's writings; served 31 years with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and is Honorary Life Chairman of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. Endorsed  Richard Foster’s ‘Celebration of Disciplines,’ in the “Spiritual Disciplines” (Second Edition, pp 203-210)

Foster, Richard >> Richard Foster > Quaker, Fuller Seminary graduate and founder of Renovaré and the Chrysostom Society, mentioned in other articles with regards to the Temple of Understanding, the Episcopalian 'mother' church-- the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which is Madeleine L'Engle's 'home church'. Member of the "board of reference" for "Christians for Biblical Equality," along with Gordon Fee, Tony Campolo, etc. Speaker/endorser at Alpha National Conferences.

Contributor to The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible, a project launched by Renovaré founder Richard Foster and his associate Dallas Willard.

Gaither, Bill and Gloria Gaither >> Bill and Gloria Gaither >Christian singers

Graham, Billy >> Billy Graham > ecumenical universalist  See: Fuller >Billy Graham ; Deceptions... ; Lausanne ; Lying Signs and Wonders

Grant, Amy >>Amy Grant > contemporary Christian singer who divorced and remarried

Grounds, Vernon >> Vernon Grounds >  joined Denver Seminary in 1951 as dean and became its second president five years later. Retiring from that position in 1979, he became chancellor of Denver Seminary, continues to teach in the areas of ethics and counseling, and is the Cauwels Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Care and Christian Ethics; contributing editor of Christianity Today. Endorsed Richard Foster's Streams of Living Water, stating , "If you want your own spiritual life challenged and deepened; if you want to become acquainted with some of the most insightful, inspiring, and influential of Christ's followers; if you want to learn (authoritatively but painlessly!) about main currents of Christian history across the centuries, this is your book.— Vernon Grounds, Chancellor, Denver Seminary Denver, Colorado"  [Source: Renovaré Perspective October 1998 - Vol. 8, No. 3 - page 3]

Member of the "board of reference" for "Christians for Biblical Equality," a group of Christians that advocate that the Bible teaches complete equality between men and women in both home and ministry. Other board members include Gordon Fee, Tony Campolo, Richard Foster, David Mains et al, with endorsements coming from such as Ron Sider and representatives from a myriad of backgrounds, churches, seminaries and so on.

Hayford, Jack >> Jack Hayford > hyper-charismatic pastor of The Church on the Way, The First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys, California. President—International Church of the Foursquare Gospel;  Pentecostal and believes in 'private prayer language", and has taught the "little Gods" heresy. [See EJECCT, The 'god' in Every Man, and many other articles in waves and throughout the SeekGod.ca articles]

Heald, Cynthia >> Cynthia Heald > author,  published by NavPress, full-time Navigator staff member

Hinn, Benny >> Benny Hinn > charismatic/word-faith false prophet and teacher whose heretical and false teachings have misled many.

Hybels, Bill >>Bill Hybels >ecumenical senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, who began the marketing of 'seeker' sensitive megachurch concepts via giving the people what they think they want based on the views of the unsaved; mentored by Robert Schuller , endorses catholicism which according to him, holds minor differences which make no difference. Hosts conferences with Contemplative spirituality speakers such as Larry Crabb and New Age pastor Brian McLaren of the Emerging Church movement. Also hosted the 2004 the Ken Blanchard Lead Like Jesus Leadership Conference.

Jenkins, Jerry >> Jerry Jenkins > co-author of the Left Behind series with CNP's Tim LaHaye;  Jenkins and  LaHaye were on Amazon's Top 10 List for book sales over the last decade. The authors were honored at a special concert event. The fifteen authors inducted into the Amazon Hall of Fame sold the largest numbers of books at Amazon.com in the ten years since the webstore opened online July 16, 1995. Jenkins has authored over 150 books; former vice president for publishing and currently writer-at-large for the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; has been awarded two honorary doctorates, in Humane Letters from Bethel College, and Letters from Trinity International University; former editor of Moody Magazine, with his writings having been in Time, Reader's Digest, Parade, Guideposts, and dozens of Christian periodicals.

Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye were profiled in a May 24, 2004 cover story in Newsweek magazine entitled "The New Prophets of Revelation."  Jenkins helped Billy Graham with his memoirs, Just As I Am, also a New York Times bestseller. He owns Jenkins Entertainment, a filmmaking company in Los Angeles; owns the Christian Writers Guild, which "aims to train tomorrow's professional Christian writers and has nearly 2,000 members worldwide". The Christian Writers Guild holds an annual conference at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. Featured speakers and bestselling authors have included  Bruce Wilkinson (Prayer of Jabez), Francine Rivers, Anne Graham Lotz, Joni Eareckson Tada, Philip Yancey (member of Chrysostom Society), Gloria Gaither, Frank Peretti and many more.

Viewed as a marriage and family author and speaker, he has  been a frequent guest on Dr. James Dobson's Focus On the Family radio program. Jerry Jenkins wrote the nationally syndicated sports story comic strip, Gil Thorp, from 1996-2004.

Kaiser Jr., Walter >> Walter Kaiser Jr. > Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. is the Colman M. Mockler distinguished Professor of Old Testament and President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. [see: Harold Ockenga] For many years he served as professor of Old Testament and as dean and vice president for education at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Kenoly, Ron >> Ron Kenoly > charismatic, praise and worship leader turned pro.

Kent, Carol >> Carol Kent > author and speaker, president of Speak Up Speaker Services, a Christian speakers' bureau; books published by NavPress, articles published by Focus on the Family etc.

Kesler, Jay >> Jay Kesler >President Emeritus of Taylor University, former President of Youth for Christ, and a nationally-known author and speaker

Kimmel, Tim >>Tim Kimmel > NavPress published author; speaker,  president of Family Matters, featured speaker with Focus on the Family’s “Life on the Edge” Tour. ; hosts Tim Kimmel Live!

L'Engle, Madeleine >> Madeleine L'Engle > see: Renovaré & The Christian Mystic ; Member of the Chrysostom Society. Mystic and gnostic Madeline L'Engle is librarian of the Episcopal 'mother' church, St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York, which also houses the multi-faith Temple of Understanding. Speaker at Laity Lodge.

Longman III, Tremper >> Tremper Longman, III > NavPress published author; Westmont College's Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies and the chair of the department. He came to Westmont in the 1998-99 school year after teaching for eighteen years at Westminster Theological Seminary; one of the main translators and serves on the central committee that produced and now monitors the New Living Translation; served as a consultant on other popular translations of the Bible including the Message, the New Century Version, and the Holman Standard Bible. 

Contributor to The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible, a project launched by Renovaré founder Richard Foster and his associate Dallas Willard.  

Lucado, Max >> Max Lucado > ecumenical pastor of the Oak Hills Church of Christ;  author; served as general editor of the  New Century Version The Inspirational Study Bible, which is also written in "everyday language"; Lucado's 15-minute radio program, UpWords, is heard daily in 47 states on more than 1,000 stations.; teaches the Church of Christ's false doctrine that salvation comes only after baptism; PK speaker; Speaker on an instructional DVD on Contemplative Prayer called "Be Still" which includes Renovaré's Richard Foster and Beth Moore, founder of Living Proof Ministries for Women.

Maxwell, John >> John Maxwell > former pastor, founder and chairman of The INJOY Group for secular and religious leadership, author and speaker; chairman of  Global Pastor's Network. Billion Soul Campaign is a global project of Global Pastor's Network (GPN), which was founded by Bill Bright. Before his death, Dr. Bright asked that John Maxwell "succeed him at GPN" as its chairman.

MacDonald, Gordon >> Gordon MacDonald > pastor and author for more than forty years. Published by Thomas Nelson.com. Presently he serves as editor-at-large for Leadership Journal and as chairman of World Relief.  Leadership Journal is part of Christianity Today's ventures.

McKeehan, Toby >> Toby-DC Talk > DC Talk was known for rap/hip hop/pop/gospel/pop-rock music; Toby McKeehan, professionally known as "Tobymac," was the founding member of the group. Other members were Kevin Max and Michael Tait.

Meyer, Joyce >> Joyce Meyer >Pentecostal preacher , word-faith

Miller, Keith >> Keith Miller > author and speaker, member of TheHighCalling.org. First director of Laity Lodge, speaker there.

J. Keith Miller is the author of more than 20 books, beginning with A Taste of New Wine. He is a speaker and consultant on renewal in the church. He and his wife, Andrea, also a bestselling author, live in Austin, Texas. Andrea is a member of the Chrysostom Society, which means he also attends the meetings, which are normally held at Laity Lodge.

The Chrysostom Society incorporation record from January 1996, reveals that Philip Yancey was the original registering agent, with the original directors being, Andrea Miller, Shirley Nelson (her husband Rudy Nelson is also a member) and Philip Yancey. Shirley and Rudy Nelson are also members of theHighCalling.org.

Moen, Don >> Don Moen > singer, songwriter, Executive Vice President of Integrity Incorporated. serves as executive vice president, creative director for Integrity Media. He is responsible for producing and directing hundreds of projects on the company's Integrity Music, Hosanna! Music, Vertical Music and Integrity Gospel labels. Served as worship leader for the ecumenical National Day of Prayer and the Global Pastors Network WorldCast.

Newsboys > Christian rock group comprised of Peter Furler , Phil Joel, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Bryan Olesen; from Australia

Packer, J.I. >> J.I. Packer > who amongst many others listed, signed Evangelicals and Catholics Together; see also Institute for Global Engagement & Eastern College; Jay Grimstead

Parsley, Rod >> Rod Parsley >World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio, dominionist, extreme pentecostal/Charismatic, that combines Toronto 'blessing', Pensacola/Brownsville, word faith and removal of the word of God for feelings and manifestations. Calls himself the high priest. Connected with TBN, Benny Hinn, etc.

Peel, Kathy >> Kathy Peel > NavPress published author, started Family Manager Inc. company, Contributing Editor of Family Circle Magazine; author of eighteen books;  has appeared on television and radio programs, including Oprah, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and CNN’s Daybreak and Focus on the Family Radio.

Quayle, Dan >> Dan Quayle > US politician

Rice, Wayne >> Wayne Rice > founder and director of Understanding Your Teenager, an organization providing resources and training for parents of teens and pre-teens. He was cofounder of Youth Specialties in 1969, along with the late Mike Yaconelli mentioned below, and author of several books.

Robbins, Duffy  >> Duffy Robbins > Chairman of the Department of Youth Ministry at Eastern College, Staff member of Youth Specialties, writing curriculum, speaker at youth and Youth worker events, serves as a consultant to the United Methodist Publishing House on issues pertaining to youth and youth ministry. Through his column, "The Next Generation," Duffy is a regular contributor to Good News Magazine, a semi-monthly magazine committed to scriptural Christianity within the United Methodist Church.

Has written curriculum for David C. Cook Publishing and Scripture Press, as well as numerous articles for Youth Worker Journal, Youth Worker Update, Good News, Campus Life, Group, and Youth Teacher and Counselor. His column "YO DUFFY!" is read by over 90,000 teenage guys each month in Focus on the Family's BREAKAWAY magazine.

Duffy Robbins and his wife, Maggie, wrote Enjoy the Silence (Zondervan/Youth Specialties) to show high school students the ancient spiritual discipline of lectio divina (sacred reading), which is part of the contemplative prayer movement and aligns with new age practices. His book, This Way to Youth Ministry (Zondervan/Youth Specialties) is being widely used as a youth ministry textbook in colleges and seminaries. [Spirit Magazine http://www.eastern.edu/welcome/Spirit_Fall05.pdf]

His biography at Eastern College mentions:

The 'Major in Youth Ministry' at Eastern, which Robbins heads, lists the following as their mission:

Our mission involves training disciples of Jesus Christ to raise up fellow disciples of Christ through a program which emphasizes:

Eastern College promotes Youth Specialties as one of the ministry links from the Youth ministry department. As noted, Duffy Robbins is a Seminar leader for Youth Specialties, with other member leaders of Youth Specialties mentioned in these, The Message, endorsements. It is ecumenical, and focuses on the spiritual disciplines promoted by many such as Renovaré, which include pagan, mystic and new age practices and understandings.

Savelle, Jerry >> Jerry Savelle >  Jerry Savelle Ministries International , a Word Faith teacher

Shaw, Luci >> Luci Shaw > very briefly, Episcopalian;  Vice President, 1997—2000, and charter member of the Chrysostom Society, which was founded by Richard Foster. Member of TheHighCalling.org ; Writer in residence (adjunct faculty), Regent College, Vancouver, Adjunct Faculty, New College Berkeley.

English stylist for Eugene Peterson's The Message: Psalms, and The Message: The Books of Wisdom, NavPress, 1994-96; Stylistic consultant, The Message: The Psalms, and The Message: The Books of Wisdom, Eugene Peterson, NavPress, 1994-95

English stylist for gender-neutral language, the Committee on Bible Translation, Today’s New International Version, 1993-94; Stylistic consultant, Committee on Bible Translation (NIV revision), 1993, 1994; Member, Board of Directors, Living Bibles International (U.S.), 1986-91;

Visiting Fellow, The Milton Center, Friends University, 1987; Member, Board of Directors, Image, Journal of Arts and Religion, 1989—  ; Chair, 2001-- ;

Member, Board of Governors, Regent College, Vancouver, 1991—2000, 2001--  ; Executive Committee, 1998—2000, 2003--, Presidential Search Committee 1999—2000 ;   Member, International Board of Directors, International Bible Society, 1992-1999 ; Advisory Board, 2002-- ;

Co-writer of several books with Madeleine L'Engle and other Chrysostom Society members such as Eugene Peterson and has contributed to many magazines and written numerous books. Husband, writer John Hoyt is also a member of the Chrysostom Society.

Smalley, Gary >> Gary Smalley > NavPress author, focuses on counseling, most writings exclude the use of Scripture and focus on humanist psychology and often contrary to Scripture ideas to deal with relationships. Smalley conducts family seminars through his Today's Family. Smalley has been a leading proponent of right-brain/left-brain pseudoscience aka myth, which claimed to describe personality types by brain hemisphere dominance. Disproved by neuroscientists as well as zero scriptural basis, it claimed to give insights to male/female communication effectiveness.

The popularization of this 'stuff' was due to The Language of Love, co-authored by Gary Smalley and fellow psychologist, John Trent and which was published and promoted by Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family Publishing. Smalley and Trent have been frequent guests on Dobson's radio program. In Winning the War Within, Smalley and Trent endorsed an even more widely accepted myth, that of low self-esteem as being the cause of most of our problems. Apparently "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" is not really the issue to be concerned with. Gary Smalley has been a frequent speaker, promoter and writer for Promise Keepers.

Smith, Michael W. >> Michael W. Smith > Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter and promoter of Contemplative prayer

St. James, Rebecca >> Rebecca St. James > rock/contemporary Christian singer

Swindoll, Chuck >> Chuck Swindoll,> ecumenical president of Dallas Theological Seminary since 1994, author. 1990, Swindoll also promoted the Living Bible, saying: “The Living Bible is like a stream of sparkling water wandering across life’s arid landscape: intriguing, refreshing, nourishing, comforting. My thirsty soul is often satisfied by this invigorating wellspring” (Charisma, December 1990). Author of “So, You Want to Be Like Christ? Eight Essentials to Get You There”, which is about Contemplative Prayer.

Tada, Joni Eareckson >> Joni Eareckson Tada > author, singer and artist; general editor, along with Dave and Jan Dravecky, of The Encouragement Bible, a specialty version of the NIV Bible

Thoene, Brock and Bodie >> Brock and Bodie Thoene, > writers, both secular and religious works.

Wangerin, Walter >> Walter Wangerin > writer, member of Chrysostom Society.

Warren, Rick >> Rick Warren > ecumenical pastor of 'seeker sensitive', Saddleback Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life/Church, which is not to be confused with Jesus Christ's Purposes found within the Word of God.  Endorser of Alpha Courses.

Wiersbe, Warren >> Warren Wiersbe > ecumenical pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. He served for ten years as General Director and Bible Teacher for Back to the Bible. Dr. Wiersbe is author of more than 80 books, board member of the National Religious Broadcasters.

Williams, Pat >> Pat Williams > motivational, inspirational,  speaker, has addressed employees from most of the Fortune 500 companies. Has been a featured speaker at two Billy Graham Crusades in Chicago and Syracuse. Has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Readers Digest, Good Housekeeping, The Wall Street Journal, Focus on the Family, New Man Magazine, plus all of the major television networks, The Maury Povich Show and Dr. Robert Schuller's Hour of Power; attends First Baptist Church of Orlando and hosts a weekly radio show.

Yaconelli, Mike >> Mike Yaconelli > (deceased 2003) Navpress author; liberal speaker, and youth ministry leader;  co-founder of Youth Specialties which came out of the Jesus Movement, whose stated logo is, "exploring spirituality and contemplative practices in youth ministry."; cofounder and longtime editor of the satire magazine The Door (formerly The Wittenburg Door), which sought to poke fun at evangelicalism while encouraging Christians in their faith. 20 years as a pastor of a small church in Yreka, California.

Among their many ecumenical youth ventures and promotion of contemplative spirituality practices, "Youth Specialties offers a Labyrinth experience at each of their National Youth Workers Conventions. They have also hired a full-time spiritual director, and they offer free spiritual direction at the conventions. They offer numerous Sabbath retreats every year for youth workers to take some time for silence and learn some spiritual disciplines. ... SoulShaper line...“By using historic contemplative practices and fleshing them out in the context of modern youth ministry, we’re not just connecting kids to God in real and tangible ways—we’re also connecting kids to God’s unfolding story.” > The Anglican Church in England has hired Jonny Baker, inventor of the Labyrinth Experience..." One youth leader assigns his students a 'chapter a week from Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline. The students "almost always rise to the challenge of practicing each particular discipline." www.youthspecialties.com/linker/index.php?id=4869  Their books are published by Zondervan

2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

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Footnotes

1. http://home.navigators.org/us/index.cfm?Entity=24&Department=1&Dept_Order=1&This_TopicOrder=1&This_SubtopicOrder=1

2. http://www.zondervanbibles.com/translations.htm

3. http://www.navpress.com/BibleProducts/History_andFAQs.asp?mscsid=VGGFM029KP6V9NDSCCNRG0TE2VD21N83

4. www.navpress.com/BibleProducts/History_andFAQs.asp?mscsid=VGGFM029KP6V9NDSCCNRG0TE2VD21N83

5. www.navpress.com/BibleProducts/History_andFAQs.asp?mscsid=VGGFM029KP6V9NDSCCNRG0TE2VD21N83

 

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