No More Old Dry Bones
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ANS) -- Christian author and publisher Mike Shreve is concerned about the approach used by many believers when they tell committed followers of non-Christian religions about Jesus Christ.
Mike Shreve, in a recent article, he illustrated his point. He said, "If you see a dog gnawing on an old meatless bone, don't try to pull it out of his mouth. He will fight you for it (well, he might). Instead, plop down a juicy steak. Any intelligent dog will automatically leave the dry bone behind, and sink its teeth into the far more scrumptious meal provided."
Shreve said soon after he became a Christian, he learned the truth of this principle as it relates to soul winning.
"Followers of non-Christian religions are starving spiritually, emaciated, often desperate for truth, gnawing on spiritual 'bones' that have never given them proper sustenance," Shreve said. "But if our primary approach is criticism of their belief system - jerking the bone out of their mouths - they will be more prone to a ... defensive posture, fighting to keep control of the 'bone.'"
Shreve said that a hard-hitting presentation of the gospel many times brings this sort of response. While it may have its place, Shreve said, there is an alternative.
He said, "I am convinced that a more loving and gentle approach will bring much better results in this post-modern world. In no way am I suggesting that we compromise the gospel, but rather, make the meal more appealing."
In 1970, Shreve was a teacher of yoga and meditation at four universities and running a yoga ashram. He was steeped in New Age and Far Eastern mystical thought. A former student of yoga who had found the Lord presented the gospel to him. He understood the need to make the gospel appealing.
Shreve said that during his initial conversation with this individual, Shreve made statements like, "'I can't believe the Bible is really the inspired Word of God,'" or 'I will never believe in a literal hell,' or 'I can never give up my belief in reincarnation.'"
Shreve said the man's response was, "'Don't worry about that. Just try Jesus! If you have an encounter with the Lord, all of that will take care of itself.'"
The man's response worked for Shreve. He said, "The man didn't throw a 'juicy steak' in front of me (I was vegetarian at that time - it wouldn't have worked); but it was a plate of tantalizing tofu. I accepted the offered meal, ate it up, and my heart, life and belief system were radically changed. And once my heart was transformed, my doctrine fell into place and I switched sides on all of the issues just mentioned."
Shreve said that too many times we try to convert people's minds before their hearts are transformed from above, yet once a spiritual rebirth takes place, the mind automatically begins going through a "renewal" process.
With that in mind, Shreve said, "Let's get seekers to Jesus first, then after they are spiritually regenerated, we can jerk 'them old dry bones' out of their mouths (and minds)."
A New Concept in Christian Publishing
Shreve said about seven years ago he was unable to find a suitable book in a Christian bookstore to give to someone of his former spiritual mindset.
He said, "All the books dealing with comparative religion were hard-hitting exposes of the false doctrine promoted by other belief systems (often referring to them as 'cults'). Followers of those religions would instantly be offended by this kind of language (remember the 'dry bone' story). So I set about the task of doing something different."
As a result, Shreve founded Deeper Revelation Books. He said the company's mission statement is to produce spiritually sound and encouraging teaching materials for the body of Christ, as well as publish loving presentations of Biblical truth to followers of other world views.
The first book published by Deeper Revelation Books using this softer, kinder and yet still absolutely Biblical approach was authored by Shreve and called "In Search of the True Light."
Shreve said it is a comparison of over 20 religions, and a chronicling of his own spiritual journey from Far Eastern religions to the Biblical world view he now embraces.
Shreve said he never uses the world "cult" when referring to a non-Christian belief system. Rather, he said, he treats followers of other world views as "seekers after truth." The response has been positive.
Shreve said, "Many have expressed deep gratitude that they now have a book they can unashamedly give their friends and loved ones who are delving into yoga and Eastern religions."
And in the works, Shreve said, is a partnership between Deeper Revelation Books and Grizzly Adams Productions to produce a series of 14 one-hour films based on the book, which will air on a number of religious and secular television outlets.
Deeper Revelation's second book is the recently released "Authentic Enlightenment" by Vail Carruth.
Shreve said Carruth was a teacher of Transcendental Meditation (TM) when it was first introduced to America.
Shreve said the book recounts Carruth's journey from TM to Christianity by weaving together a number of heart-warming stories from her past. He said that she presents the information in a manner that is appealing to both Christians and non-Christians.
He said, "So if you have friends or loved ones who have been exploring TM, Buddhism, yoga or some kind of meditation process to find peace of mind, get them this book too. You won't wince inwardly wondering how they will receive it. The cause of Christianity is presented with great love and great kindness, reasoning with the reader instead of bashing non-Christians with an apologetic club."
Deeper Revelation Books, Shreve said, is an idea whose time has come.
For more information about Deeper Revelation Books and Mike Shreve go to: www.deeperrevelationbooks.org
Jeremy Reynalds
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ANS) -- Christian author and publisher Mike Shreve is concerned about the approach used by many believers when they tell committed followers of non-Christian religions about Jesus Christ.
Mike Shreve, in a recent article, he illustrated his point. He said, "If you see a dog gnawing on an old meatless bone, don't try to pull it out of his mouth. He will fight you for it (well, he might). Instead, plop down a juicy steak. Any intelligent dog will automatically leave the dry bone behind, and sink its teeth into the far more scrumptious meal provided."
Shreve said soon after he became a Christian, he learned the truth of this principle as it relates to soul winning.
"Followers of non-Christian religions are starving spiritually, emaciated, often desperate for truth, gnawing on spiritual 'bones' that have never given them proper sustenance," Shreve said. "But if our primary approach is criticism of their belief system - jerking the bone out of their mouths - they will be more prone to a ... defensive posture, fighting to keep control of the 'bone.'"
Shreve said that a hard-hitting presentation of the gospel many times brings this sort of response. While it may have its place, Shreve said, there is an alternative.
He said, "I am convinced that a more loving and gentle approach will bring much better results in this post-modern world. In no way am I suggesting that we compromise the gospel, but rather, make the meal more appealing."
In 1970, Shreve was a teacher of yoga and meditation at four universities and running a yoga ashram. He was steeped in New Age and Far Eastern mystical thought. A former student of yoga who had found the Lord presented the gospel to him. He understood the need to make the gospel appealing.
Shreve said that during his initial conversation with this individual, Shreve made statements like, "'I can't believe the Bible is really the inspired Word of God,'" or 'I will never believe in a literal hell,' or 'I can never give up my belief in reincarnation.'"
Shreve said the man's response was, "'Don't worry about that. Just try Jesus! If you have an encounter with the Lord, all of that will take care of itself.'"
The man's response worked for Shreve. He said, "The man didn't throw a 'juicy steak' in front of me (I was vegetarian at that time - it wouldn't have worked); but it was a plate of tantalizing tofu. I accepted the offered meal, ate it up, and my heart, life and belief system were radically changed. And once my heart was transformed, my doctrine fell into place and I switched sides on all of the issues just mentioned."
Shreve said that too many times we try to convert people's minds before their hearts are transformed from above, yet once a spiritual rebirth takes place, the mind automatically begins going through a "renewal" process.
With that in mind, Shreve said, "Let's get seekers to Jesus first, then after they are spiritually regenerated, we can jerk 'them old dry bones' out of their mouths (and minds)."
A New Concept in Christian Publishing
Shreve said about seven years ago he was unable to find a suitable book in a Christian bookstore to give to someone of his former spiritual mindset.
He said, "All the books dealing with comparative religion were hard-hitting exposes of the false doctrine promoted by other belief systems (often referring to them as 'cults'). Followers of those religions would instantly be offended by this kind of language (remember the 'dry bone' story). So I set about the task of doing something different."
As a result, Shreve founded Deeper Revelation Books. He said the company's mission statement is to produce spiritually sound and encouraging teaching materials for the body of Christ, as well as publish loving presentations of Biblical truth to followers of other world views.
The first book published by Deeper Revelation Books using this softer, kinder and yet still absolutely Biblical approach was authored by Shreve and called "In Search of the True Light."
Shreve said it is a comparison of over 20 religions, and a chronicling of his own spiritual journey from Far Eastern religions to the Biblical world view he now embraces.
Shreve said he never uses the world "cult" when referring to a non-Christian belief system. Rather, he said, he treats followers of other world views as "seekers after truth." The response has been positive.
Shreve said, "Many have expressed deep gratitude that they now have a book they can unashamedly give their friends and loved ones who are delving into yoga and Eastern religions."
And in the works, Shreve said, is a partnership between Deeper Revelation Books and Grizzly Adams Productions to produce a series of 14 one-hour films based on the book, which will air on a number of religious and secular television outlets.
Deeper Revelation's second book is the recently released "Authentic Enlightenment" by Vail Carruth.
Shreve said Carruth was a teacher of Transcendental Meditation (TM) when it was first introduced to America.
Shreve said the book recounts Carruth's journey from TM to Christianity by weaving together a number of heart-warming stories from her past. He said that she presents the information in a manner that is appealing to both Christians and non-Christians.
He said, "So if you have friends or loved ones who have been exploring TM, Buddhism, yoga or some kind of meditation process to find peace of mind, get them this book too. You won't wince inwardly wondering how they will receive it. The cause of Christianity is presented with great love and great kindness, reasoning with the reader instead of bashing non-Christians with an apologetic club."
Deeper Revelation Books, Shreve said, is an idea whose time has come.
For more information about Deeper Revelation Books and Mike Shreve go to: www.deeperrevelationbooks.org
Jeremy Reynalds
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