Beware of John Eldredge and Ransomed Heart Ministries
by David Cloud
John Eldredge, the co-founder of Ransomed Heart ministries and author of The Sacred Romance and Wild at Heart, is a dangerous spiritual guide. He promotes psycho-babble, spending a lot of time talking about “father wounds.” One of his mentors is psychologist Larry Crabb, and he worked with Focus on the Family for 10 years.
He teaches that Jeremiah 17:9 doesn’t apply to a believer and he can therefore follow his heart:
“Too many Christians today are living back in the old covenant. They’ve had Jeremiah 17:9 drilled into them and they walk around believing my heart is deceitfully wicked. Not anymore it’s not. Read the rest of the book. In Jeremiah 31:33, God announces the cure for all that: ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ I will give you a new heart. That’s why Paul says in Romans 2:29, ‘No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly, and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit.’ Sin is not the deepest thing about you. You have a new heart. Did you hear me? Your heart is good. … The Big Lie in the church today is that you are nothing more than ‘a sinner saved by grace.’ You are a lot more than that. You are a new creation in Christ. The New Testament calls you a saint, a holy one, a son of God. In the core of your being you are a good man. Yes, there is a war within us, but it is a civil war. The battle is not between us and God; no, there is a traitor within who wars against the true heart fighting alongside the Spirit of God in us” (Eldredge, Wild at Heart, pp. 133, 134, 144
It is true that God puts a new heart or nature into the believer, but it is not true that the old heart or nature is eradicated. Nowhere does the New Testament say that the believer’s heart is good. The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed that the heart is the source of evil (Mark 7:20-23), and Paul understood that the old nature and propensity to evil is still very much present in the Christian life (Rom. 7:18). The New Testament warns that the heart can be tempted by Satan (Acts 5:3), can be evil and unbelieving (Heb. 3:12), and can be deceived (Jam. 1:26). All of those passages refer to Christians. The only way for the believer to know the right way in life is to follow the Scriptures rather than his own deceptive-prone heart. Everything must be carefully tested because there are great spiritual dangers (Acts 17:11; 2 Cor. 11:1-4; 1 John 4:1).
Eldredge teaches that if church attendance becomes a burden, it can be dropped. “You might even need to give up going to church for a while or reading your Bible” (Eldredge, The Journey of Desire). He claims that a year that he stopped attending church was “one of the most refreshing years of my life.” This is open disobedience to the clear teaching of Scripture (i.e., Acts 2:41-42; Heb. 10:25).
The facilitator’s guide for small-group leaders who use Eldredge’s Wild at Heart videos urges them not to allow any man to dominate the group and to beware of “the doctrine cop” who is zealous about doctrinal purity. This is contrary to Acts 20:27-31; Rom. 16:17; Eph. 4:11-14; 1 Tim. 1:3; Titus 1:9, and many other Scriptures that require teachers to protect the flock from false doctrine.
Eldredge teaches men to listen for God’s leading apart from the Scripture. He claims that God speaks even through carnal, worldly things:
“God is intimately personal with us and he speaks in ways that are peculiar to our own quirky hearts–not just through the Bible, but through the whole creation. To Stasi he speaks through movies. To Craig he speaks through rock and roll. … God’s word to me comes in many ways–through sunsets and friends and films and music and wilderness and books. But he’s got an especially humorous thing going with me and books. I’ll be browsing through a secondhand book shop when out of a thousand volumes one will say, ‘Pick me up’–just like Augustine in his Confessions. Tolle legge–take up and read” (Eldredge, Wild at Heart, p. 200).
This is a recipe for deception and spiritual disaster. Eldredge’s wrongheaded advice leaves men defenseless against the wiles of the devil, “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2).
It is the Bible alone that is the believer’s authority; the Bible alone is the voice of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Peter urges the believer to take heed unto the Scriptures as unto a light in a dark place (2 Pet. 1:19). The dark place is this present world, controlled by the devil and filled with spiritual delusion and danger.
Further, the New Testament repeatedly warns against a love for this present evil world (Rom. 12:2; Titus 2:11-12; Jam. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17), but this counsel is glaringly absent from Eldredge’s teaching. He has little or no warning about such things as rock & roll, Hollywood, and this world’s literature.
Eldredge’s thesis is that man needs to find his heart and then live by its dictates, but we find absolutely nothing like this anywhere in Scripture. To prove his points he quotes wildly undependable versions such as The Message and consistently misinterprets the Scripture, taking it out of context and reading his own doctrine into it. The Lord Jesus Christ has given believing men their Commission in this present world; it is not to find their hearts but to surrender to His perfect will as it is described in the New Testament Scripture (Romans 12). Christ’s Great Commission is world evangelization (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Lk. 24:44-48; Acts 1:8). This is what we see in the book of Acts.
“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26).
Glamorizing, Romanticizing the Gospel
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God Himself personally sends a “strong delusion” to all who do not love His truth so that they WILL believe lies. He greases their pole to hell. That’s how personally He takes it when people call Him a liar by not believing His Word.
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Notice “of God” and “NOT of God”
“He that is OF GOD heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are NOT OF GOD.” John 8:47
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Jose was given a stack of JESUS tracts after he said he wanted to evangelize.
Brother Juan passes by where Jose works for work daily and so that connection and fellowship is being put in place.
A FEW DAYS AGO: Sister Maria called for more JESUS tracts. She ran out as she is distributing hundreds per day. So our dear sister, thanks to you who are praying and supply…. was given a new jacket to keep her warm (pictured), food and drink to bring home for her living quarters, a fresh supply of JESUS tracts, some cash (Mexican pesos), and some Scripture that she as usual read out loud and devoured as I brought them up on my cell phone from the Spanish Bible (Reina Valera). God is good saints. May He be glorified in all you are doing to see the beloved people of Mexico reached with His bless-ed Gospel! You are refreshing His beloved saints.
LORD willing, I will be meeting again with our dear brother Juan this week to refresh him in fellowship etc.
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27
Mexico: The Land where the Gospel of Jesus is Freely Received
“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8
As we truly follow Jesus He makes us fishers of men.
“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17
This was the sweetest couple ever as you can tell by the picture. They were overjoyed to receive the preaching of our LORD’s Gospel and were told how to be saved – repentance and faith in Christ, and showed the prayer on the back, etc. They were directed to the prayer on the back and exhorted to pray in repentance and faith and receive eternal life. When asked they said they’d welcome your prayers for them.
On the streets today in Mexico ministering our LORD Jesus’ Gospel to many. As usual the name of Jesus was preached in Christ’s love and it was readily, eagerly received by most who thanked us for giving them the Gospel. SMH. It’s no even fair!
A man name Jose was ministered to, received the Word, and prayed in repentance and faith to be saved! Would you like to lift our new brother in Christ in prayer? Jose Patron is his name and we are connected and he’s already been given more Scripture and added to the Spanish WA group.
Jose just sent me a voice recording saying Thank you to Mark and I for ministering Jesus’ Gospel to him and that he wants to do the same thing we are doing, minister to others our LORD’s Gospel.
Here’s a clip of brother Mark ministering.
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
“The food looks healthy. Just this morning I was thinking that it is unfathomable, in my mind, to comprehend what the Lord is doing in Mexico. I watched the video of Mark passing out Jesus tracts and everyone was so receptive. That stuck in my mind, because I recently watched a video of a man preaching the gospel on a train. Zero response! Everyone kept looking at their phones and never once looked up. This is the true state of America. We have need of nothing and especially not Jesus. Rev 3:17. As opposed to the precious people of Mexico who know they are poor in spirit and are in need of the Lord to save them. They know something is missing in their lives. When Mark was passing out those Jesus tracts people were very happy and joyful to receive them, here they are rejecting the Savior.” Karen Cochran
We went to a colonia, to a street where no one was outside at the moment, Brother Mark said “God sent us this way for a reason, for someone.” 30 seconds later we came upon Jose! Boom.
Then came the Gospel explosion!
Upon ministering Christ’s Gospel to him, Jose Patron excitedly shared with brother Mark and I about how God had saved him from dying. He simply needed the opportunity to repent and be saved – and that’s exactly what JESUS did. Thank you for lifting our beloved brother Jose in prayer.
Jose just sent me a voice recording saying Thank you to Mark and I for ministering Jesus’ Gospel to him and that he wants to do the same thing we are doing, minister to others our LORD’s Gospel.
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
Gospel blessings abounded on the streets in Mexico ministering our LORD Jesus’ Gospel to many. As always the name of Jesus was preached in Christ’s love and it was readily, eagerly received by most who thanked us for giving them the Gospel.
It’s no even fair to have the privilege to minister to the beloved Mexicans! SMH.
A man name Jose was ministered to. He received the Word, and prayed in repentance and faith to be saved! Would you like to lift our new brother in Christ in prayer? Jose Patron is his name and we are connected and he’s already been given more Scripture and added to the Spanish WA group.
Jose just sent me a voice recording saying Thank you to Mark and I for ministering Jesus’ Gospel to him and that he wants to do the same thing we are doing, minister to others our LORD’s Gospel.
Thank you for lifting the salvation of the people of Mexico in your prayers. | Mexico Mission
“I love this brother! May God continue to provide and increase his fruit in the lives of the disciples in Mexico, in the Philippines, in Pakistan, in Kenya, in all his earth for his glory! Amen.
I was reading Psalm 8 and John 10. Beautiful beyond understanding is God’s love poured out in Christ Jesus toward us who hear his voice!
Much love to the body of Christ in Mexico and throughout the whole world. Jesus is coming!
Love brother Jon.”
“EVERY person you meet, or stand next to in line, is an opportunity to share the Good News. Do not miss the opportunity to bring another into the Kingdom.
I thank God everyday that this happened to me 5 years ago.” Targeted Christian Girl, RN
Let us be blessed to preach Christ’s Gospel this day.
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]
Upon having the Gospel of Jesus preached to her, beloved Laura informed me that she is a born again saint!!! After fellowshipping she took a stash of JESUS tracts. Would you like to pray for sister Laura?
Man reading a JESUS tract.
Your prayers coveted for the people of Mexico to be saved (Ps 2:8).
After receiving the ministry of God’s Word, Antonio was asked if he wanted you to lift him in prayer. He eagerly accepted and is glad you will pause to lift his life to the LORD in prayer. | Mexico Mission
ON THE TOPIC OF MEXICO
The Mexican people never handed their country over to the government so that the government can take it away the government cannot take it away because
Historically and presently the Mexican people find a way to circumvent the government. They never let the government have control and therefore the government can’t take their freedom away – because the people recognize their freedom coming from God.
The tax money of the people is a large way that the government controls the people they are empowered by the riches of the people through taxes in order to control and exploit them endlessly. Your tax money fuels your slavery….
Mexican people have a very healthy dis-trust for government. This is unlike many Americans. Many Americans it seems, haven’t learned that the promises candidates make before an election, will nearly never carry them out when elected. It seems the “We’re going to release the epstein files” was a mere ruse to cover those secret files. “It’s all a big club, and you’re not in it.” George Carlin
Thank you for praying for this man, Juan. He received ministry today and is in need of being saved.
Clip of brother Juan ministering to this lady.
“Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly (the poor), than to divide the spoil (riches) with the proud.” Proverbs 16:19
More Mexico Mission Action here.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
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Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
The concept of a “daily cross life” with Jesus is the way of living that involves submitting ourselves to Christ daily, perpetually, and living in sacrificial service to God and His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). This is based on the Bible verse Luke 9:23, which says, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:23-24).
In short, the cross gets you, me, out of the way so Christ can reign. Selah.
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
How do we walk in victory after Jesus saves us? By participating in the daily cross life.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
HOW could we possibly, vainly believe we are going to overcome the sins that prevent us from eternal glory without the daily crucified life? Not going to happen.
The cross is essential—the crucified life. Read Romans 6 in prayer each morning.
Death and burial must precede resurrection. There will be no resurrection in your personal life—no divine raising you up out of sin and into victory—until you lay down your life, until you die.
The Bible says we have been FOOLS:
“Thou fool, that which thou sowest (plant) is not quickened (made alive), except it die:” 1 Corinthians 15:36
How could we have ever believed that God is going to raise us upward into His victory, out of sin, until we died? I can tell you why—it’s because we weren’t honestly studying and obeying His Word for ourself but rather following false teachers (Philippians 3:18-19).
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:10-11
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:11-13
The original Gospel is a cross Gospel. Any gospel that does not have the cross front and center, is “another gospel,” a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Reading Romans 6 prayerfully each morning is a blessing.
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, I love You and thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die for my sins and the sins of the whole world. We are not worthy but You bought us with the very life blood of Christ, back to Yourself from a life of sin, to be Your sons and daughters. Please forgive all my sins afresh LORD. Into Your holy, mighty hands I now submit my spirit. Bless this life to be crucified with You dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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JMuff
May 25, 2023 at 1:06 am
You should read on 4 phases of christian spiritual maturity. I believe you are in Phase 2 :). Everything is black and white. It gives you stability :). Ignore the difficult passages of scripture and cling to the clear cut. Nice and straightforward. 3 comes with frustration and wildrness (often dissulusionment) hang in there! Keep pressing into God.
4 comes with freedom and digging into the deep things of God/Christ and appreciating those who have still to come through those phases. And you will read your article in hindsight perhaps a bit differently. Context becomes far more important.
Maybe there will be a 5th one day… who knows 🙂 The 4th stage is ok with unknowns and some grays. God is the greatest mystery of all. We see in part, one day we shall see in full.
Blessings
Todd
May 25, 2023 at 12:56 pm
I didn’t write that article. A man named David Cloud wrote it. Also, for you to suggest that God is going to change His own Word and add a fifth level of maturity is suspect. Not good. Ps 89:34; Mark 13:31