The validity of the book He Walks Among Us

[Christopher Thompson]

I found this book while searching my name, Christopher Thompson. It is called He Walks Among Us. As the author had the same name as me I downloaded it and read it. I don't know what to make of it. Is this a load of rubbish or is there some truth to it. Does anyone have any ideas.

 

[Eugene]

I found this book while searching my name, Christopher Thompson. It is called He Walks Among Us. As the author had the same name as me I downloaded it and read it. I don't know what to make of it. Is this a load of rubbish or is there some truth to it. Does anyone have any ideas.

Welcome to CF.net. Does the book match scripture? There are many tales, tradition, and other sources available describing Jesus' walk upon this earth which have no validity whatever; many dreams and out of body experiences seemingly fit into these categories.

We read of certain ones going to heaven or seeing glimpses of hell and returning to tell of it, and yet when the Apostle Paul was caught up into paradise to have the gospel revealed unto him, he said there were not words available to describe what he saw.
2 Cor 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2 Cor 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2 Cor 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Ecc 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Eugene is right, as usual. The NT warns of false teachers, false doctrines/heresy, people twisting The Good News to exploit others and enrich themselves, "proclaiming a form of godliness, but lacking the power thereof," etc.

I think its frustrating, particularly for Baby Christians. I mean, even the commentary in my (excellent, helpful, much appreciated) Bible is slanted, you know? Different people have different interpretations. Even the experts, who are generally familiar w/ the languages The Bible was written in initially, have different opinions. I used to think that false teachers, wolves in sheep's clothing, etc. were all just looking for profit and other obvious benefits. Now...I think of Rob Bell, I think of Rick Warren, and I think...a lot of people, even a lot of Christians who have been taught traditional, sound doctrine...go their own way and try to re-shape The Lord and His message for other, less obvious reasons.

I'm just now learning to read The Bible first, and then other books about Christ, Christianity, etc. as a supplement to my Bible reading. Mankind is fallen and we all bring our own outlook to the table, so its easy to be misled, particularly when you're young in the flesh.

 

[Christopher Thompson]

I found this book while searching my name, Christopher Thompson. It is called He Walks Among Us. As the author had the same name as me I downloaded it and read it. I don't know what to make of it. Is this a load of rubbish or is there some truth to it. Does anyone have any ideas.

What concerned me about the book was that the author told a chilling tale about a person he had met that was utterly evil, to the point that he thought that it was the Antichrist. I was just wondering whether anyone thought there could be some validity to this tale.

 

[Eugene]

Dear Christopher Thompson, there are ever those crying wolf, but we look for the appearance of Jesus for us; not the antichrist.

1 Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
As a Christian, I personally have no thought of being present during the reign of the man of sin.
2 Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Mat 24:15-16 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (Supposing to elevate himself to be God) . . . flee.

 

[Willie T]

This is what is said concerning this book on Amazon
**********
God sees the poor as blessed. Rich and Reneé Stearns show us why.
We often separate ourselves from people who are different from us, sometimes even intentionally. This book is a great reminder of all the things we share in common—hopes, dreams, heartaches—and most important of all, it reminds us that He walks among us. All of us. This book offers great perspective from our brothers and sisters around the world.
Rich and Reneé Stearns have traveled the world visiting the most poverty-stricken habitations imaginable, and they’ve discovered an amazing and common occurrence among the people who live there: joy can be found no matter how dire your circumstances. He Walks Among Us is a 90-day devotional giving readers an up-close and personal view of Christ in the lives of mothers, fathers, and children who have so little, yet are so rich in His spirit and love. Christians who are interested in or committed to missionary outreach will encounter the transforming power and courage needed to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Spiritual lessons include: The Choice to Believe—No Matter What; Our True Identity Is in Christ; Discovering Joy in Unexpected Places; Having Unshakable Hope in the Power of God; Our Circumstances Don’t Define Who We Are; We Become Transformed When We Invest in Others; and Remaining Faithful to Your Calling No Matter the Obstacles.
He Walks Among Us features the award-winning photography of World Vision® photographer Jon Warren.
*****************
I don't really understand what you are questioning.... unless the book is NOT about this.

 

[ezrider]

I found this book while searching my name, Christopher Thompson. It is called He Walks Among Us. As the author had the same name as me I downloaded it and read it. I don't know what to make of it. Is this a load of rubbish or is there some truth to it. Does anyone have any ideas.

I know nothing of the book, but I guess you will get out of the book what you put into it. If you are looking at the book so that you might know and believe that God walks among us, then you are looking for the book the teach you how he walks among us, and thus requires the scrutiny to prove whether or not it aligns completely with the scripture.

But, and I say this with a BUT; if you already possess the faith that God dwells in our hearts and that he truly does walk among us, then you would not be looking at the book in the same manner. You would no longer be scrutinizing it to prove its truth, you would read the book to simply hear someone Else's testimony and leave it at that. If they said something that stirs a though in your mind, then it is simply something that you that you will meditate on and let the Lord reveal to you his truth.

I think we do a huge disservice to ourselves and to each other when we feel the need to over analyze ever single word that someone says because it blinds us to the spirit of the message, and we do nothing but discredit and diminish someones testimony of God working in their heart and in their lives.

What would it make me if I felt the need to shout down or discredit the testimony of someone who in their own way was just sharing their walk with the Lord and glorifying God?

The title of the thread reminded me of the Footprints in the Sand poem.
http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com/index.php?page=Poem/Poem.php

 

[Willie T]

NOTE: I see now, that there are two books with the same title... different authors. I doubt I would bother to read the one you were talking about.

 

[ezra]

I found this book while searching my name, Christopher Thompson. It is called He Walks Among Us. As the author had the same name as me I downloaded it and read it. I don't know what to make of it. Is this a load of rubbish or is there some truth to it. Does anyone have any ideas.

you better be careful what you download not only can it be humanism junk .but you can also infect your computer which can be pain to clean up and expensive

 

[Christopher Thompson]

Thanks to everyone for all their helpful comments.

I downloaded it onto my kindle, so there shouldn't be any danger of malignant software. I am an avid reader, so I should maybe take what I read a little less serious, the book just seemed a little too real (for want of a better word) for my liking.

 

[Willie T]

Yeah, we DO have a tendency to seek out the juicy and sordid.
I think we have been trained too effectively by the media.

 

[Kim McLendon]

I know nothing of the book, but I guess you will get out of the book what you put into it. If you are looking at the book so that you might know and believe that God walks among us, then you are looking for the book the teach you how he walks among us, and thus requires the scrutiny to prove whether or not it aligns completely with the scripture.

But, and I say this with a BUT; if you already possess the faith that God dwells in our hearts and that he truly does walk among us, then you would not be looking at the book in the same manner. You would no longer be scrutinizing it to prove its truth, you would read the book to simply hear someone Else's testimony and leave it at that. If they said something that stirs a though in your mind, then it is simply something that you that you will meditate on and let the Lord reveal to you his truth.

I think we do a huge disservice to ourselves and to each other when we feel the need to over analyze ever single word that someone says because it blinds us to the spirit of the message, and we do nothing but discredit and diminish someones testimony of God working in their heart and in their lives.

What would it make me if I felt the need to shout down or discredit the testimony of someone who in their own way was just sharing their walk with the Lord and glorifying God?

The title of the thread reminded me of the Footprints in the Sand poem.
http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com/index.php?page=Poem/Poem.php

 

[Kim McLendon]

As a Christian Writer myself, I have to agree with EZ Rider on this one. It's a book. Read it, study it if you like, but of course use common sense and evaluate what is being said. It isn't the Bible, so it isn't the pure word of God, but it may help you to understand how this author relates to God. It may even help you in your own walk. Christians, just like everyone else, must develop critical reading skills. Do you believe everything you see on the news, or hear in a political speech? Of course not, but it is still valuable to listen, and consider the overall sincerity of the speaker or writer. I have not read the book, but I can tell you that writing a Christian book, especially one of an advanced nature can be a very daunting task. The writer may be very sincere, but wrong about a certain point, right about all the others. It doesn't hurt his overall validity as worth being heard.
When I was writing my own recent book, "Help Me Jesus I need a Miracle, A Guide to the Spiritual Quest"
I found the responsibility was on me, to provide accurate content. I felt called to write a book. I prayed that God would guide my fingers as I typed, and that he would call to my attention what to include, but in the end, It's my name on the cover and I have to accept responsibility for what I said.
I hope that people read it with common sense, and realize that I am just a human being trying to help people move forward in their Christian walk, not someone who wants to lead them to believe something strange. My beliefs are grounded in scripture, but like everyone else I have my own way of understanding. Everyone has their own take on things, and I find it helpful to listen to the views of others, not so that I can carbon copy everything they believe into my own belief system, but so that I can improve my understanding in a more general way.
Many Christians have visions, dreams and other kinds of experiences. The Bible says we will in the last days, so that part isn't strange. Sometimes we have visions we should tell the world about, but most of the time they are personal, and the specific content of such a vision is of a limited use to others... still it is valuable to know that others have experiences, and what they are like. Sure it is hard to explain a vision, but that is no reason not to try to explain it to someone. Yes, there are no words, but we find some words usually. Have you ever read the stammering words of the anonymous monk who wrote "Cloud of the Unknowing." He proceeds with great uncertainty, but he never the less speaks and what he says is valuable, difficult as it is to read his labored writing.
People can glean truth from a variety of sources, but you do have to glean. That means separating the wheat from the chaff. That doesn't mean the whole book is wheat or the whole book is chaff. See what speaks to your spirit, and ignore the stuff that doesn't. I say take the chance and read a book. Take what you need and leave the rest. If you decide he's nuts, OK, but it still broadens your perspective. It is a good idea to learn something from everyone, even if it is what not to do.

 

[hoghead1]

There has been considerable misunderstanding about the term "Antichrist." The stereotypic image is of some huge demonic figure. However, that is in the public eye. Actually, in the Bible, there are only a couple of passages using the term "Antichrist," and what hey are taking about are individuals who have trouble accepting the humanity of Christ, Many believers, then and now, actually see Christ as a kind of God in a man suit, not really or fully human. Many of the major confessions do this in their concept of the two natures of Christ, whereby Christ has a human nature, which suffers, and a divine nature, which does not.