Library

Library of Spiritual Literature
from the Early Church to Modern Classics.

Disclaimer: By offering these resources, I do not advocate every concept or belief represented by this compilation. I do personally recommend many of these documents, but like all theological, spiritual, or doctrinal writings, I recommend that you be a "Berean" (Acts 17:11) and search out the Scriptures for yourselves "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Cor. 2:13).

There are many bones to be spit out of even the best Christian writings: things that get in the way of receiving spiritual nourishment. Even something technically correct can be written or spoken in a way that brings death and not life.

Take a look at what Jesus says to Pharisees in Matthew 23:3-5. "Whatever they tell you to observe,that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."

I believe that only the Canonized Scripture is infallible; written by men through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Other writings will inherently include opinions, bias, weakness, but this does not invalidate the measure of revelation and impartation available to us through reading and receiving.

Bones may include, but are not limited to:

1. Anti-Semitic bias or replacement theologies. Found frequently in Christian writings throughout history, specifically 300's AD well through the Reformation and the writing of Martin Luther, and into Evangelistic writings or the 19th & 20th Century. These kind of "bones" usually surface applying prophetic promises for Israel found in Scripture to the Church, or in past centuries, to the United States as the "new Israel", and in disqualifying Israel as God's chosen people.

Scripture is undeniably clear that God's purposes for Israel are not over. Any subtle insinuations otherwise need to be boldly confronted in our hearts, no matter how respected the author or historic the writing.

2. Greek Mindset. In reading various writings through Church history, it is important to identify whether the writer was operating in a Greek Mindset or a Hebrew perspective. The Greek Mindset manifests in many valuable and significant writings, specifically beginning around the time of Augustine, and echoed throughout history. This perspective creates stumbling blocks for us. One example is Madam Guyon's refusal of treatment for smallpox so that her beauty would be disfigured. She believed that destruction of the physical brought her closer to the spiritual; a symptom of Greek dualism or separation between the spiritual and material. The Hebrew perspective, in contrast, the spiritual and material are "inextricably intertwined." This is a brief overview of a pervasive mindset with far-reaching implications. For a more eloquent overview of Greek Dualism versus Hebrew mindset, read Nancy Scott's article: Dealing with Dualism or download the Greek vs Hebrew pdf.