The first time I heard of John Eldredge it was for Wild At Heart his book about manhood. Though I am interested in biblical manhood I didn't read it. Why? Unfortunately it came out just after the theological controversy over Open Theism had rankled our denomination in the late 1990s. It was pointed out to me at this time that the author - though denying he was doing so - entertained many of the concepts of this heresy in his book and I just couldn't see putting up with it.
So when this book, Walking With God, by the same author was handed to me I was reluctant to spend any time on it. However, on a personal note, I am now dealing with cancer and am being driven to draw nearer to God in the process. The subtitle to the book: "Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really" was what I wanted - so I began reading.
Now I have to say I really enjoy the man's style of writing - very informal and engaging. It's as if you're sitting with him. Second, I am interested in much the same things he is - the outdoors, hunting, fishing, trucks and machinery - typically manly things. Third, I think I would get along greatly with this guy. I told my wife I liked him when he expressed his disdain for modern computerized automobiles designed for suburban housewives and old people - "The last thing I need is a woman's voice telling me where to turn...", etc. Couldn't agree more. I have one of these "nanny-mobiles" - a minivan. Give me a '78 Toyota Land Cruiser with a manual transmission anytime.
Having said that, I'm convinced the author has failed to make his case. His thesis is that "an intimate, conversational walk with God is available, and is meant to be normal...[and] if you don't find that kind of relationship with God, your spiritual life will be stunted" (7). By conversational the author means that God speaks to His people, beyond the scriptures; that God's people can hear His voice in their heads (in their minds? in their conscious awareness?) on any topic they care to pose to Him; and God wants us to speak to Him on all manner of things.
To prove this he cites numerous examples from the scriptures where God in the Old Testament and the incarnate Son in the New Testament interacts verbally with people. He says once you accept this it then takes time to learn, but this view of the Christian life is vastly superior to that life that believes God's speaking is confined to scripture.
What follows in the rest of the book is a narrative of his conversational intimacy with God. Unfortunately, the examples do not paint the picture of a conversational God. His first examples are basically Yes and No questions. "Is it yes, you want us to go? Pause. In my heart I'm trying it on, letting it be as though this is God's answer. We should go? Pause and listen. Or is it no, you want us to stay home? Pause and let this be his answer. We should stay home? Pause and listen again..." (32). I'm sorry - but the first picture that comes to mind is of kids hovering over one of those Magic 8-Balls waiting for the little answer thingy to pop up.
Not to worry however, more in-depth conversation follows with the author asking about his personal Bible reading. "What would you have me read today?" And God's answer? "At first I simply heard John. So I open my Bible to the gospel of John, and as I turn there I ask, Where in John? And God says, Ten" (44). Umm... ok.
Finally, he says "Often... I'll turn my heart and thoughts toward God simply to ask him, What are you saying Lord? ... For the past two months at least, what God has been saying in return is My Love" (75). Extraordinary! Not only was I underwhelmed by this example of conversational intimacy but the author seems to betray the same reaction saying, "Every time I've stopped to listen I've heard, My Love. And I've wondered why... I haven't really known what to do with this" (76). I'm sorry but God doesn't seem any more chatty with the author than He is with me.
Here's my take on John Eldredge: he seems of a Pentecostal persuasion but is typical of today's evangelical who's opted for a non-doctrinal, subjective form of Christianity based on emotion, intuition and self-expression. Where the Bible says, "In these last days God has spoken to us through His Son..." Hebrews 1:2, Pentecostals historically and evangelicals recently, by setting aside the great truths of the gospel and reflection on them, have lost the ability to "hear" God.
To this crowd God's intimacy is not His great work of drawing near and making His dwelling among us in Christ but about my personal, private conversation with God as I go about my happy life. Historically, believers' conversation has been in terms of worship. God has spoken in His Son; and as believers have heard this Word with greater understanding they have responded in various forms of praise. Eldredge reduces the conversation to a crude game of charades with us guessing at whether God would have us wear the red socks or the blue ones today.
The author also doesn't acknowledge the fact that though Jesus was accessible to all His disciples, there were differing degrees of intimacy with Him. Bartholomew was just as much loved by Christ but he did not enjoy the intimacy that Peter, James, and John did. I suggest further that this was not their choosing but Christ's. Why?
Because in the gospels we read that out of the multitude He choose twelve and appointed them as apostles (Luke 6:13). On another occasion from among the twelve He chose three, Peter, James, and John, and went up to the mount of transfiguration (Mark 9:2) - and of these three John seems to have had the most familiarity with Jesus. My point is, even under the new covenant some may receive special grace for special intimacy while others may not. Eldredge, on the other hand, is typical of an evangelicalism that is much too egalitarian to accept this sort of discrimination by the Lord.
Here's another thought. Eldredge's intimacy may be a form of what's called "over-realized eschatology." The Bible is clear that we are not in our heavenly home, that we are on a journey to it. While on this journey "we see in a mirror but dimly..." 1Cor.13:12. Even the apostles had trouble discerning the will of the Lord (think of Peter in Acts 10 and Paul in Acts 16). It's only when Christ returns that we shall see "face to face" and know Him, even as we are fully known. In the meantime, Paul says, we have "faith, hope and love" (1Cor.13:13) not detailed conversation. While I resonate with the author's desire for greater intimacy with the Lord it may be that what he advocates is not for this age but the next.
