Max Lucado is an influential megachurch Church of Christ pastor and author whose positive-oriented and influential books are quite popular amongst Evangelicals, Protestants, and Baptists. He is also a popular speaker at a wide range of heretical and unscriptural conferences, including Promise Keepers, National Religious Broadcasters, National Association of Evangelicals, etc. Lucado admits to changing the name of their church in 2003 to escape the numerous heretical stigmas associated with the Church of Christ denomination. But it doesn't appear as if the heresies and damnable heresies of the Church of Christ have left Lucado. By all appearances, Lucado simply prettied up the pig with lipstick and a makeover, but that hasn't changed his nature (Phil 3:2; Matt 7:6; 2 Pet 2:22). He is still the same false teacher (Matt 7:15; 2 Pet 2:1-3), but it does help explain why he is so popular amongst apostate Christian groups today. Had he kept the label, that might not have happened. Less labels and more ecumenicalism pays big bucks, but at the cost of selling your soul to the devil and his promise of the kingdoms of the world (Matt 4:7-10; 16:26). We further know that he continues to align with the doctrines and beliefs of the Church of Christ considering that he praises God for them in his book In the Grip of Grace.
The more I read about and looked into Max Lucado periodically over the years, the more I came to realize what a complete and utter heretic this man really is. How dangerous of a wolf this wickedly compromised, and thoroughly apostate servant of Satan and great deceiver, really is. No, I cannot overemphasize these things and few words can accurately describe how evil Max Lucado truly is. Only those who have habitually been pandered to, their itch scratched and ears tickled, will see these facts as "harsh," as "unloving," as "unkind," or some other world-driven of flesh-driven platitude, but that makes no difference to us. We deal with such complaints over here.
What did the Lord Jesus Christ say about popular teachers, which would be manifold further relevant in our day of almost complete apostasy?
"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Lk 6:26)
Lucado claims to have sold over a staggering 140 million of his books, which makes him a multi-multi-millionaire (at minimum). People bragging that Max Lucado hasn't taken a church salary since 1990 is utterly ridiculous. Does it matter when you rake in a billion dollars for your published books? But what does Lk 16:13 say about these wealthy wolves in sheep's clothing (which, by the way, is the only means whereby you can get wealthy with the label "Christian"—you certainly won't get wealthy preaching the truth):
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Anyone can write dozens of books which employ Bible characters and stories and be successful in that endeavour, yet not be teaching the genuine truth about Christianity. Such is the case with Lucado, and the rest of the mainstream "Christian" leaders.
At the root cause is money and fame, regardless of their denial of such. Actions and facts speak louder than mere words, and most of his words also bewrayeth him. Lucado is a servant of mammon, not God, and no one can be a servant of both. Not only because of the wealth accumulated on the back of false Christianity, but because he is a prototypical heretic and wolf in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15; Rom 16:17). He is an apostate in the very sense of the word, and a benchmark. He exploits the Bible to make a buck and gain popularity, but has no actual sincere and genuine non-hypocritical single-minded interest in teaching people the truth of God's Word. If he did, then he would be teaching the truth, not error, heresy, and compromise. No Christian preacher becomes famous and filthy wealthy unless he is a dirty compromiser and heretic.
Thus, Lucado is a "vain talker and deceiver," and his "mouth must be stopped" because he "subvert[s] whole houses, teaching things which [he] ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." (Ti 1:10-11). That is one of our objectives here.
From the small sample of reasons listed below, it is easy to ascertain that Lucado does not serve Jesus Christ but his own belly (Rom 16:18), and those that embrace his heresies, flattery, good words and fair speeches are simple minded and unregenerate just like him (Rom 16:17-18). They are the blind being led by the blind (Lk 6:39; Jn 9:39-41).
1. Lucado the Wolf Preaches a False and Perverted Gospel.
(a) The false gospel of baptismal regeneration. Max Lucado is an ecumenical false prophet, who teaches the Church of Christ's false doctrine that salvation is sealed by baptism. In other words, he believes that baptism is necessary for salvation, which is commonly known as Baptismal Regeneration. This is a damnable heresy. Lucado deceitfully claims that he doesn't believe in Baptismal Regeneration; yet he teaches that water baptism is essential to be signed and sealed:
"Baptism effectively seals our salvation, uniting us to him and his body. Christ’s death becomes my death. Christ’s resurrection becomes my resurrection. . . . In baptism God signs and seals our conversion to him." (Source)
Very clearly Lucado is advancing the heresy here called “Baptismal Regeneration,” which he apparently denies to believe any longer. He makes it sound like that in his statement of faith, while he writes his books where it is required. Okay, wow, a case of “Christian” schizophrenia by all appearances. Baptismal Regeneration teaches that water baptism is required to be regenerated (born again). It is adding the rite of baptism to the grace of Christ for salvation, which is adding works to the gospel (Rom 11:6; Eph 2:8-9). This is standard Church of Christ error, and it is a very serious matter for it constitutes a false gospel. Like most false prophets, he speaks with a forked-tongue. While on the one hand he will say that water baptism is not necessary to be saved, out of the other side of the mouth he says that water baptism is the saving mechanism of faith, sealing of salvation, and partaking in Christ's death and resurrection. By these means he keeps both audiences and that is always how false teachers and wolves roll in their pursuit of popularity and wealth.
The Bible however paints a completely different story and rapidly places this in the basket of false gospels, which is a damnable heresy. Salvation is only through God's grace by repentant faith apart from any form of works. The Holy Spirit is the sealer of our salvation, which takes place at conversion, NOT baptism (2 Cor 1:21-22; Eph 1:13 4:30, "ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, . . . And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."). Furthermore, it is at conversion that we die with the Lord Jesus Christ, are buried with Him, and raised to newness of life with Him (Rom 6). NOT at baptism. Period. Baptism is a reflection of what occurred at that moment of conversion.
Lucado has never renounced Church of Christ heresy, evident by his false gospel but also because of his ongoing close relationship with Pepperdine University and Abeline Christian University, both staunch Church of Christ institutions and both purveyors of a false gospel, amongst other heresies.
(b) The false gospel of losing salvation, and denying eternal security. Lucado, like the Church of Christ denomination, also believes in the "damnable heresy" (2 Pet 2:1) of losing salvation. Lucado also claims that the doctrine of eternal security of salvation is not an issue in the church and the people are free to accept it or reject it. This is the compromise of a false teacher and its significant. The Scriptures are clear, Losing Salvation is a False Gospel Propagated by False Teachers. Attempting to separate salvation from its nature, which is eternal, is like attempting to separate God from Jesus. Its impossible. Those who believe that a true Christian can lose their salvation do not understand the true gospel and have almost certainly never been born again. There is no salvation without eternal security thereof. The heresy of losing salvation is very, very serious, for iit'sthe product of a false gospel. There is no salvation without the doctrine of eternal security of salvation. When God saves someone, He saves them eternally, not temporally. This heresy is also significant in exposing a persons unsaved estate and the wolf-character of those who are preachers and teachers.
In the article Biblical Reasoning Why Salvation Can Never Be Lost — The True Gospel of Eternal Life and Security, we give 17 clear reasons how we know that true salvation is impossible to lose. These reasons are:
Salvation can never be lost because it is a free gift of God's grace that cannot be mixed with works (Eph. 2:8-10; Ti. 3:3-8; Rom. 3:19-24; 4:4-6; 5:12-21; 11:6).
Salvation can never be lost because it is by imputation and substitution (Rom. 4:5-8; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20; Heb. 9:10).
Salvation can never be lost because it is an eternally new position in Christ, a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 2:10-15).
Salvation can never be lost because of Divine election and predestination.
Salvation can never be lost because of redemption and Christ's blood (Rom. 3:24-25).
Salvation can never be lost because salvation brings immediate eternal perfection and sanctification.
Salvation can never be lost because of the circumcision of the heart and flesh.
Salvation can never be lost because of Christ’s Advocacy and High Priestly prayer (Jn. 17) and ministry (Hebrews), which guarantees eternal security and the continual sanctification of all believers.
Salvation can never be lost because of the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit, who indwells the inner man of every redeemed believer (Eph. 3:16), and is "the power that worketh in us" (Eph. 3:20).
Salvation can never be lost because once one is filled with the spiritual water that Christ gives he will never thirst again (Jn. 4:13-14).
Salvation can never be lost because of glorification and Rom 8:28-39.
Salvation can never be lost because of the New Covenant.
Salvation can never be lost because of the Greek perfect tense (aorist) moods and verbs regarding justification/ salvation.
Salvation can never be lost because of the things that WE KNOW, that are absolutely sure and God has revealed them and promised them to His redeemed.
Salvation can never be lost because so many passages abundantly clarify this.
Salvation can never be lost for very many reasons other than those mentioned above and also because of all the soul-saving doctrines directly connected to eternal security that further describe salvation.
Salvation can never be lost not only because of all those hundreds of passages that teach we can't lose it but also because there is no passage of Scripture that says we can.
(c) The false gospel of universalism. Lucado is also laden down with other damnable heresies such as claiming salvation apart from personal repentant faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the book Max on Life the following question is asked on p. 222:
“What about the people who have never heard of God? Will God punish them?”
Lucado replied with:
“No, He will not. Heaven’s population includes throngs of people who learned the name of their Savior when they awoke in their eternal home.”
Yet another dangerous "damnable heresy" and "doctrines of devils" (1 Tim 4:1) by this "false teacher" (2 Pet 2:1), and this one likely worse than the others.
No one can be or will ever be saved apart from true repentant faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel. This is the ONLY "way" to the Father, through Jesus Christ, and ultimately heaven (Jn 14:6). People that have not heard the gospel and die in that state, have not responded to the light that Christ gives to every man born into this world (Jn 12:35-36), for Christ, "the true Light . . . lighteth EVERY man that cometh into the world." (Jn 1:9). In another place, Jesus makes a similar promise extremely clear, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL men unto me." (Jn 12:32). Jesus was indeed lifted from the earth, which then means what? All men have opportunity.
People that die without the new birth, without the redemption of Jesus Christ, do so against the will of God, Who grants repentance to every sinner (Rom 2:1-5). No one will ever enter into the glories of heaven without being covered by the blood of Christ and thus their name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. The Lord Jesus Christ makes this plainly clear in Scripture:
"It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. . . . And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev 21:6-8, 27)
(d) The false gospel of easy believism and quick prayerism, with false repentance.
In his booklet “The John 3:16 Promise” (“3:16—The Numbers of Hope” pp. 57, 129), he states:
“'Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in' (Eph. 3:17 MSG). Say yes to him. Your prayer needs no eloquence, just honesty. Father, I believe you love this world. You gave your one and only Son so I can live forever with you. Apart from you, I die. With you I live. I choose life. I choose you. If you aren't sure you've told him, you haven't. We can't get on board and not know it. No stowaways permitted. Christ followers go public with their belief. We turn from bad behavior to good (repentance). We stop following our passions and salute our new captain (confession). We publicly demonstrate our devotion (baptism).” [emphasis original in italics]
The first thing we note is his quotation of the exceedingly blasphemous and evil Message (MSG) perversion of Scripture. Only a very serious heretic and wolf in sheep’s clothing would approve of this evil corruption of Gods Word. More on that later.
Secondly, this is the very essence of easy believism and quick prayerism. Nothing in Scripture even hints at this dumbed- and watered-down corrupted version of neo-evangelicalism's gospel. True salvation is much different that what is being proclaimed here on the back of John 3:16, which he corrupts. Our gospel tract, "How A Sinner Can Be Saved and Have Eternal Life" gives a clear explanation from Scripture on how sinners can be genuinely born again, and it differs greatly from what this wolf in sheep's clothing is purveying to countless numbers of people, corrupting the little understanding they probably have of the gospel and making them two-fold more the children of hell than himself.
The false gospel that Lucado is promoting here aligns with "The False Gospel of Self-Fulfillment" rather than "The True Gospel of Self-Denial and Self-Abandonment."
Thirdly, "Apart from you I die"?! What does that even mean?! Everyone dies, whether part of Him or not! If this heretic was referring to the second death in the lake of fire, he probably should have said that. But of course he wouldn't because he is WAY, WAY to compromised, and irregardless, he likely rejects hell anyway.
Fourthly, salvation is so dumbed down and made irreverent by Lucado, one only needs to only make sure to tell Him that you've chosen Him, even though He hasn't chosen you, because "If you aren't sure you've told him, you haven't." Yikes. Hells gate slams wide open in anticipation of the reunion of such wicked wolves as this. God chooses whom He saves, and that is those whom will genuinely repent and believe in His Son, surrendering to His Lordship, and this happens to be available to every single soul born into this world (Rom 2:1-5; 1 Tim 2:4; Jn 3:16, 36; 2 Pet 3:9; etc). But false teachers like Max Lucado reject the truth because they want to have the preeminence and the glory.
Fifthly, Lucado doesn't have the first clue what true Biblical repentance really is. The way he describes repentance is more in line with reformation, at best. In the article Repentance — The Foundation of Salvation we explain the importance of repentance and here that Repentance is a Major Element of the Gospel and Must Always Be Preached, Including Its Description, and in Repentance is Not Just a Change of Mind repentance is detailed according to Scripture in what it truly means according to the underlying Greek and Hebrew words translated as repentance (and synonyms) or in principle, while in the following report we Debunk False Arguments of the False “Change of Mind” Repentance Position. Yes, The Bible does Teach that Sinners Must Repent of Their Sin to be Saved, along with Salvation Requires Surrendering to Jesus Christ as Lord, seeing that their is direct connection between repentance and surrender.
Six, what is all missing in his abominable "plan of salvation" reflects further his rejection of the truth, and does reveal how horribly heretical this wicked wolf really is. Lucado never mentions many important elements of the gospel, including the death, burial and resiurrectiom of the Lord Jesus Christ as briefly summarized in 1 Cor 15:1-4. But the True Gospel is More than 1 Cor 15:3-4, and Repentance is an Important Component of It. The true gospel includes the sufferings of Christ (Is 53:5-7; Lk 24:46; 1 Pet 3:18); the shedding of Christ’s blood (atonement) for our sins (1 Jn 2:1-2; Is 53:4-12; Heb 9:14-22); the fear of God (Ac 13:6; Rev 14:7; Ps 66:16; Pr 1:7; 14:27); the judgment of God (Ac 17:30-31; Rev 14:7); repentance of sin/self and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ps 2:12; Mk 1:1-4; Matt 4:17-23; Ac 20:21,24; Lk 24:44-48; 1 Cor 15:1-2); worshipping God in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:23-24: Rev 14:7); glorifying God (Rev 14:7; 16:9; Gal 6:14; Eph 1:6,12-14); the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Phil 2:10-11); and receiving an eternal inheritance (Heb 9:15) and eternal life (Jn 3:15-16,36; 5:24). Again, we further detail these gospel elements in the link above. This is the good news that brings salvation if you receive it as payment for your sins, but what Lucado is propagating only brings damnation and eternal torment in the furnace of fire.
This is but one example of his "gospel." His writings, preachings and more, are absolutely loaded with corruptions of the gospel and perversions of Scripture, easily discernible by anyone that has true, real discernment through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
(e) The false gospel of self-fulfillment and self-glory.
On his website, home page, he proclaims,
"Looking for hope? You'll find it here."
Yet nowhere can one find any reference to the gospel/salvation, never mind the true gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no link to the gospel, never mind the true gospel, anywhere on his website. Instead, its all about self-glory, from one end to the other. Instead of sound doctrinal truth, one finds lame article after article promoting humanistic psychology. Of course there is an easy explanation for that. Lucado does NOT serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but his own belly, as Scripture says all false teachers do (Rom 16:17-18). Everything he does is for self-fulfillment and self-gratifying purposes. His number one man is himself, so blatantly and painfully obvious when combing through his material, espeically his webpage "About Max Lucado." The "hope" he wants you to be looking for on his site is not in the truth and the Lord Jesus Christ, but in Max Lucado. That is the real truth and why there is zero exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ in his public website and instead, everything about self.
The "gospel" that Lucado purveys is"another gospel" (2 Cor 11:4) of self-fulfilment and self-righteouness, a bastardized and adulterous psychologized "gospel" that will not and cannot save anyone. We examine this false gospel in comtrast to the true one, in the following report: The True Gospel of Self-Denial and Self-Abandonment vs The False Gospel of Self-Fulfillment.
This point alone concerning perversion of the gospel condemns Lucado as a wolf in sheep's clothing, condemning him as "accursed" (Gal 1:6-9).
2. Lucado the Wolf Adores Perverted Versions of God’s Word.
As documented previous point, Lucado has no qualms whatsoever about quoting from the seriously corrupted, damnable and blasphemous Message “Bible” (MSG), which is one of hundreds of seriously perverted "Bibles" of end-time, New Age "Christianity." The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language was created by the wicked and blasphemous new ager and reprobate freak Eugene H. Peterson, and published in segments from 1993 to 2002. The Message is a non literal rendition (not translation) and paraphrase of the original languages of the Bible, and it being horribly perverted would be a serious understatement. It says everything and nothing. Peterson was a universalist, a promoter of Catholic contemplative mysticism and worshiped a false god of his own making, all of which is reflected in MSG. This wolf unsurprisingly recommended terribly wicked and blasphemous book with its non-judgmental god/goddess, The Shack, and also recommended Rob Bell’s universalistic book Love Wins (where Bell writes that hell is in this life and most men will eventually be saved). Peterson took the Word of God and bent and twisted it like play-dough. Let us consider a few examples in particular order, and word of warning, you might want to be sitting when you read these passages from the MSG. (By the way “MSG” ironically also stands for something called “Monosodium Glutamate,” a very bad unhealthy preservative that gives a lot of people side effects like headaches. Well, the MSG perversion will give you more than a headache; it will send you straight to Hell since it is virutally impossible to be saved through this horrible perversion, and will only corrupt and destroy you).
Matthew 5:3 from the MSG,
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule”
What does "end of the rope" have to do with "poor in spirit?!? Kingdom of heaven completely omitted. Nothing here has any resemblance to what the passage actually says.
What Matthew 5:3 actually says from the KJV:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
John 3:5 from the MSG,
“Jesus said, You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation--the ‘wind hovering over the water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life--it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom.”
Wow, what on earth is that?!? A crude and irreverent perversion of God's words. Absolutely nothing to do with the new birth but a rendering into something new age and also advocating a works gospel of baptismal regeneration. Peterson’s “translation” gives the baptismal regenerationists the best support they have ever had. Roman Catholics would also love this perversion.
What John 3:5 actually says from the KJV:
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
John 1:18 from the MSG,
“No one has ever seen God, not so much of a glimpse. This one-of-a-kind God-expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day.”
To translate “the only begotten Son” as “this one-of-a-kind God-expression” is not only heretical; it is absurd and blasphemous.
What John 1:18 actually says from the KJV:
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
Acts 8:20 from the MSG,
“Peter said, ‘To hell with your money!’”
Peter wasn't still cussing in the book of Acts. His cussing was temporarily, but Peterson has never stopped cussing.
What Acts 8:20 actually says from the KJV:
“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee...”
Matthew 11:28-30 from the MSG,
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.”
🤪 Seems like Peterson belonged in a home for psychos. He sounds more like an iron tonic television commercial here.
What Matthew 11:28-30 actually says from the KJV:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
These are but a mere few examples. Practically the entire MSG is filled with similar perversion and corruption and blasphemy, and some examples are so vulgar and vile, you can’t even read them to your children. To omit and add to the words of Christ (cf. Rev 22:18-19) in these strange and demonic manners, reveals Peterson had ZERO fear of God. Well that isn't the case no more. His lack of fear has been replaced with a new and terrible fear. Now, as he is tormented with weeping and gnashing of teeth in the eternal furnace of fire, he realizes that he should have feared God instead of mocking and blaspheming and hating Him. But its all for nought, much, much to late, since that time of his departure to that eternal state beyond the grave.
Max Lucado is not the only spiritual reprobate and wolf in sheep's clothing that embraces this wicked perversion of God's Holy Word. It is in fact widely recommended by many well-known so-called "Christian" leaders, such as the apostate Billy Graham who printed his own edition of “The Message: New Testament.” The heretic and false teacher Warren Wiersbe, whom we expose here at 20/20, stated the following in keeping tradition with his love for every new translation and paraphrase to appear since the RSV: “The Message is the boldest and most provocative rendering of the New Testament I’ve ever read.” Yikes. Wow. Rick Warren loves the MSG and quotes it frequently in his writings, five times in the first chapter of heretical and unscriptural The Purpose- Driven Life book alone. The ungodly liar and Calvinist heretic J.I. Packer, with his charismatic ear tickling oration, says, “In this crowded world of Bible versions Eugene Peterson’s blend of accurate scholarship and vivid idiom make this rendering both distinctive and distinguished. The Message catches the logical flow, personal energy, and imaginative overtones of the original very well indeed.” Others that have endorsed this blasphemy include the following ungodly heretics and apostates, all of which are wolves in sheep's clothing: Jack Hayford, ungodly CCM muscian Michael Card, Leighton Ford, Joni Earckson Tada, Amy Grant, Benny Hinn, Bill Hybels, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Chuck Swindoll, Toby of DC Talk, Gary Smalley, Gordon Fee, Gordon MacDonald, Jerry Jenkins, John Maxwell, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys, Phil Driscoll, Rebecca St. James, Rod Parsley, Stuart and Jill Briscoe, Tony Campolo, Bono of U2, Vernon Grounds, to name a few.
Any man who endorses this blasphemous caricature of God is immediately deemed a "dog" and "evil worker" (Phil 3:2), "deceitful worker" and servant of Satan masquerding as a "minister of righteousness" (2 Cor 11:12-15). Period. End of story.
Of course Lucado endorses and embraces any and every perversion of Scripture, but never the true Word of God in English, that of the King James Bible, and that is certainly no shock. This is a common trait amongst wolves. To understand Why Modern Bible Versions are Corrupt, and the King James Version is Not, click on that link. There is a reason why all modern Bible perversions are compared to the Anvil that has stood the test of time, the Authorized Version of 1611, the King James Bible.
In following suit with the wicked compromise of modern Bible perversions whose intent concerning the translation is to steer away from “sectarian bias” (info readily found in many of their preface's) to avoid ecumenical conflict with any number of denominations, Lucado will not come right out and make any sort of dogmatic statement about what he believes concerning the Doctrine of Christ and other doctrines. The "Bible" perversions do it for monetary gain purposes, but so does Lucado (selling books, which equals big bucks in the billions). The modern perversions invite all the different religious denominations and ask them what to add or remove so they'd buy their new and improved Bible. In other words its all about making money—marketing a product that will sell. Lucado didn't have to invite the heretics and apostates to see what they want added or removed to his books; the modern perversions had already done that for him, therefore as long as he follows suit, he should be in the clear as far as "offending" anyone. It looks like its working out for him.
I cannot imagine the hot and blood boiling wrath of God on these "liars, evil beasts, slow bellies" (Ti 1:12) who at will butcher, mutilate, misuse and abuse the life giving words that He inspired for the love of mankind.
The eternal judgment of these "evil beasts" (Ti 1:12) and "natural brute beasts" (2 Pet 2:12) that butcher the Bible to make it more marketable to an apostate generation of ungodly false professing "believers" and heretics, is only lingering and cannot happen fast enough. The gates of hell are slammed wide open in the anticipation of their reception.
When you choose this day whom you will serve, whether Satan or the true and living Triune God of the Bible, this choice includes such critical areas as the Bible. In fact its central to this choice, because God inspired and preserved every word in the Word of God, the Bible, and He says His Word is greater than His own name (Ps 138:2).
You cannot remain neutral in your beliefs without totally selling out, sinfully compromising and joining Satan's broad path of destruction. There is no middle-ground in true Biblical Christianity. There are Only Two Sides and You Have to Choose One - You Can't Straddle Both. Lukewarm "Christians" are pretending to be hot (saved) while in fact they are cold (unsaved), which then equates lukewarm (still unsaved, but falsely deceived). Fence straddlers are "lukewarm." We cover this subject here: Labels Misused Towards Professing Believers that Only Apply to False Professing “Believers." And if you've never been truly and genuinely born again, you already belong on that broad and destructive and undiscerning path (Matt 7:13-14), so the whole bible perversion issue won't require to much brain energy from you.
3. Lucado the Wolf is Loaded with Heresies Galore and Ungodly Practices and Beliefs.
Rejects Absolute Truth. Lucado does not believe that doctrine is very important. This then consequently means that he doesn't believe the truth or the Bible to be important, because doctrine is simply truth, and the Bible is God's Book of Truth, or doctrine.
Embraces False Unity. Like typical wolves in sheep’s clothing, Lucado calls for “unity” and claims that unity creates belief and is the key to evangelism. No it doesn't. These are bald-faced lies. Heretics love ecumenical unity and hate biblical separatism. They also want the “unity” for popularity, followers, and money.
Lucado would have people ignore false teachings, errors, and heresies for the sake of unity, and that is nowhere taught in Scripture. We are to mark and avoid false teachers (Rom. 16:17) and avoid those who “have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:5).
"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; . . . [is a man] of corrupt mind, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." (1 Tim 6:3-5)
We cover this subject in greater detail later.
Loves Ungodly, Worldly, Carnal "Worship." He is as closely associated with unBiblical and ungodly CCM music as one could get, absolutely embracing and loving it, including within their church services, which subject we expose here:
He even tours with the unregenerate worshippers of strange fire and the golden calf:
Notice also that its 'World Vision" that is sponsoring this sordid event, an extremely unBiblical and ungodly and apostate organization.
Contemplative Mysticism. Lucado is a contemplative mystic apostate. If you still weren't sure up to this point as to Lucado's spiritual condition, this one should leave no doubt. But is contemplative mysticism worse than a false gospel? I don't think so, but people overlook corruptions in the gospel because it is so incredibly common in our day, and becasue the gospel has been dumbed down so much, with the knee jerk reaction of anything to deep into repentance or Christ's Lordship is a works gospel. And most people are the product of it as well.
Lucado supports and embraces contemplative spirituality/mysticism through many different means. He participates in contemplative mystic conferences, such as Group Publishing's KidMin Children’s Ministry Conference in 2017. Lucado also quotes New Age mystic Martin Buber’s The Way of Man and promotes Buber’s New Age blasphemous heresy that every man has a “divine spark.” In his unBiblical, ungodly and dangerous book Cure for the Common Life he quotes Catholic “saint” Thomas Aquinas, Eugene Peterson, and Richard Foster (who is likely the most prominent popularizer of Catholic mysticism today), and quotes/promotes the Buddhist-Catholic monk Thomas Merton who taught panentheism and universalism and contemplative mysticism. Merton connected the east and west through yoking eastern religion such as Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Taoism and Vedanta (Hinduism) with Christianity. Merton claimed: “I see no contradiction between Buddhism and Christianity. The future of Zen is in the West. I intend to become as good a Buddhist as I can” (David Steindl-Rast, “Recollection of Thomas Merton’s Last Days in the West,” Monastic Studies, 7:10, 1969, source). Unsurprising in light of this, Merton used the terms God, Krishna, and Tao interchangeably. He adopted the heresy that within every man is a pure spark of divine illumination and that men can know God through a variety of paths.
Thomas Merton was an unregenerate and Christ-rejecting ungodly servant of Satan and for Max Lucado to positively quote him or any of the other men above (which is only a small sample of false teachers and mystics that Lucado admires) without warning or criticism is wicked and unBiblical to the core and is evidence that he has made a total commitment to contemplative mysticism, regardless of his two-faced speech or deceptive excuses (for instance: claims Catholic contemplative mysticism is innocent, not mystical and a Scriptural evangelical practice). It is also evidence that he is absolutely a wolf in sheep's clothing, leading people to slaughter and eternal damnation.
Lighthouse Trails Research Project has a number of articles revealing Lucado's contemplative spirituality.
Tongues Speaking. Lucado is there for everybody, the "peacemaking" antichrist that connects with and brings together all sects and religious groups on some level, even the Charismatics, helping Satan bring his one world apostate church together in unison for the last days and Antichrist. Lucado reveals on a podcast, after many prayers to a spiritual identity that he refers to as "Lord" but in all reality was Satan, how one morning he started speaking in "tongues." A "heavenly language" that no one understood or could interpret, and that he couldn't recreate at any other time. Yet another demonic manifestation of this wicked wolf in sheep's clothing, which seems to be extremely common today in Christendom's completely infiltration of false teachers and wolves in sheep's clothing, and the people love to have it so. What Lucado calls tongues speaking is far removed from God's Word. Its actually Satanic gibberish, and in the following article we cover How we Know Modern “Tongue Speaking” is Unbiblical, and Satanic Deception.
We'll leave it at this, though we are only scratching the surface here concerning Lucado's heresies, ungodly practices and beliefs. The horrendous perversion and corruption and wresting of Scripture and the advancement of unsound doctrine is so common in Lucado's preaching, teaching, and writing, that it literally infiltrates everything, virtually every page and even sentence. To expose it all would take a considerable amount of time and paper, the length of an encyclopedic volume of books. Below are a few other such items that demand there own point.
4. Lucado the Wolf is Woke and Pro-Sodomy.
Lucado is a embracer and promoter of the lie and falsehood of white supremacy, critical race theory and wokeness. This point alone, again, makes it clear that this "liar, evil beast, slow belly" (Ti 1:12) is indeed a ravening wolf in sheep's clothing.
The wicked and diabolical wokeness and compromise to the evil spirit of the age by Lucado was on full display in August of 2020 when Lucado asked forgiveness for Christian white supremacy. This came amid the evil and destructive "Black Lives Matter" wicked and criminal protests, and Lucado naturally spoke about the invisible “sin” of racism in and outside of Churches. The event was an ecumenical rebellion against God's Word.
He should be resiging for a thousand other
more important reasons.
On Feb. 11, 2021, Lucado published a letter apologizing to the "LGBQT" sodomite reprobate community for not only not preaching in support of homosexual marriage but preaching a sermon in opposition to that position, in a sermon on the topic of homosexual marriage preached in 2004. This apology was given after 1,600 people signed a petition protesting the Cathedral’s decision to host Lucado again in 2021, citing the earlier sermon in which Lucado called homosexuality a “sexual sin” and said “the Bible never minces words regarding God’s feelings toward homosexual activity." But apparently God must have changed His mind, because Lucado recants what he said (No God hasn't changed, but the wicked wolf in sheep's clothing is only letting out a bit more of his wolf and pig nature). Here is what he wrote to the evil and reprobate sodomite crowd in his attempts to appease their demonic wrath:
“I now see that, in that sermon, I was disrespectful. I was hurtful. I wounded people in ways that were devastating. I should have done better. It grieves me that my words have hurt or been used to hurt the LGBTQ community. I apologize to you and I ask forgiveness of Christ. Faithful people may disagree about what the Bible says about homosexuality, but we agree that God’s holy Word must never be used as a weapon to wound others. To be clear, I believe in the traditional biblical understanding of marriage, but I also believe in a God of unbounded grace and love. LGBTQ individuals and LGBTQ families must be respected and treated with love. They are beloved children of God because they are made in the image and likeness of God.”
Wow. 'Hurts Me Not' Neo-Evanjellyfish 101. This is so heretical and ungodly on so many levels. It's absolutely disgusting to the core. Lucado is clearly a spiritual reprobate (2 Tim 3:8-9), but maybe even an immoral one (Rom 1). This is the typical evil compromise of big Eva heretics and the perverted view of God’s Word (“God’s holy Word must never be used as a weapon to wound others”) by “evangelicals.” It is wickedness to the core. Unsaved people are never called children of God in Scripture, especially NOT wicked reprobates (Rom 1:28-32)! Lucado is patently evil. One must be born again through repentant faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be a child of God. To preach what the Word of God says about homosexuality or any other sin is not unloving or harmful. Paul was not unloving or hurtful when he preached the truth about the evils of homosexuality in Rom 1, calling it “uncleanness,” “dishonoring their own bodies,” vile affections,” “against nature,” “burning in lust,” “unseemly,” “not convenient,” and “a reprobate mind.” Though God does have a form of love and grace to the unsaved, the God of love is a God of judgment and wrath, and if His gospel is rejected and man refuses to repent, the wrath of God will surely fall. The Lord Jesus Christ twice warned, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Lk 13:3, 5). Christ often warned of the danger of hell fire, 9x in one sermon (Mk 9:43-48). He described hell as “the fire that never shall be quenched.” Emphatically he proclaimed all that are unsaved are already condemned and under His wrath:
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (Jn 3:36)
Neo-evangelical perverts of God's truth also corrupt the critical subject of love, which we cover here concerning What is True Biblical Love?
Lucado, the Andy Stanley of Texas (given his prominence in unBiblical worldly megachurches and pro-homosexuality) lends himself to the ungodly, unBiblical and extremely heretical “He Gets Us Movement” (which even had major $100 Million ads during the superbowl) with a book titled He Gets Us, which clearly portrays a false Jesus and false god and false gospel, as he engages the wicked culture of our world in his satanically deceptive way.
5. Lucado the Wolf is Ecumenical which is Heresy.
The community alliance of churches that Lucado started in his hometown includes women pastors, charismatics, and others, while desiring that in the future Catholic priests would also attend. Wow, only transgressing about half the Bible in that one sentence. In his book In the Grip of Grace, he praises God for the Church of Christ, Pentecostals, Anglicans, Southern Baptists, Presbyterians, and Roman Catholics. Lucado was a signer of the deceptive and wicked “The Gift of Salvation” agreement between evangelicals and Catholics in Nov 1997. This declaration was also known as “Evangelicals and Catholics Together II." Lucado's ungodly ecumenicalism and heretical view of Biblical unity was evident years ago already when he would speak at the 1996 Promise Keepers Clergy Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. According to Promise Keeper leader Dale Schlafer, priests, bishops and pastors were present from every denomination in America. In fact, Promise Keepers had a Roman Catholic director for a couple of years, and Catholic priests have spoken at Promise Keepers events. Lucado’s compromised and unBiblical message at the Clergy Conference dealt with “Denominational Harmony: From Bondage to Freedom.” Lucado said,
“I submit myself to the Word and there are core beliefs. However, for too long we have allowed our differences to divide us instead of our agreements to unite us.”
No, he is actually not submitting himself to the Word of God but to his own personal lusts. He is a wicked scoffer that walks after the imagination of his natural and unregenerate heart (2 Pet 3:3). In this conference he urged the men to subscribe to the ungodly and heretical premise, “In essentials unity--in non-essentials charity,” which false teaching we deal with in this report: The False Practice of Ranking Doctrine into “Essentials” and “Non-Essentials” is Phariseeism. In Atlanta, this heretic claimed that “the sin of disunity causes people to go to hell!” Wow, what a brave man. He could say "hell." I wonder if he even believes in hell. I doubt it.
Lucado has no issue at all in associating with, and being in fellowship with, or even "ministering" together with the Great Whore Roman Catholicism and her harlots, the heretical and apostate Anglican Church, apostate and wickedly woke Southern Baptist Convention, unregenerate and ungodly Charismatics or Pentecostals, Reformed Calvinists Presbyterians, and many others. He has no boundaries except maybe those who he would coin as fundamentalists, like us here at 20/20.
Lucado has heaped praises on the New Age, extremely heretical and ungodly entertainer Roma Downey production, "A.D. The Bible Continues" (2015). Downey is the Roman Catholic co-creator with husband Mark Burnett of the History Channel’s popular but unBiblical and blasphemous The Bible miniseries and The Son of God movie. She calls Pope Francis “a new pope of hope” (“Roma Downey,” Christian Post, April 4, 2013). She says, “I have prayed to Mary and loved her my whole life” (“The Bible: An Epic Mini-Series,” source, Feb. 28, 2013). She promotes the use of the rosary as a meditation practice by which she prays to Mary as the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God, whom she believes to be sinless, can hear and answer the prayers of every petitioner, thus having the divine attributes of mediatorship, omnipresence, and omnipotence. But Downey’s heresies exceed those pertaining to Rome’s papacy, sacramental gospel, and communion with a demon masquerading as Mary. She holds a graduate degree in Spiritual Psychology, which is described as the study and practice of the art and science of human evolution in consciousness, and its benefits include “experiencing enhanced spiritual awareness through knowing yourself as a Divine Being” and “learning to relate to yourself with greater compassion and awareness of yourself as a Divine Being having a human experience.” (from the University of Santa Monica where she graduated).
Promoting movies that make an image of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, is just as blasphemous as the ones actually creating the wicked entertainment. Lucado is guilty of blasphemy, a subject we cover in this report on "The Chosen" — Unscriptural, Heretical, and Blasphemous; Yet Enjoyed by Many Professing Christians."
Rather than giving effusive praise he should be warning about Downey’s apostasy. That is what a true teacher of Jesus Christ would do, but Lucado, as we know, is far removed from the truth. He is found in passages such as Rom 16:17-18, Matt 7:15, Ac 20:29-30, 1 Tim 4:1, 2 Jn 1:9-10 and more. Only a very heretical, deceptive and evil false teacher would claim to be a Christian while recommend movies produced by an extremely ungodly and unBiblical, apostate New Ager. The Bible commands separation all over scripture, such as in 2 Cor 6:14, but Lucado actually rejects the truth of God's Word.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14)
In his book In the Grip of Grace, Lucado thanks God for Pentecostals, Anglicans, Southern Baptists, Presbyterians, and Roman Catholics. Wow. He thanks the god of his imagination for wicked, ungodly, heretical and apostate groups and false teachers, which is what all these groups actually are, one blanket condemnation. These ear tickling platitudes are so wickedly and fatalistically wrong. He would have people ignore false teachings or unsound doctrine for the sake of some kind of unity, which isn't actual, true, genuine Biblical unity at all. He would have them love false teachers more than they love God and truth. This is precisely how false teachers roll in our present world.
In an article where he corrupts and misuses what Jesus said about unity, Lucado calls for Christian unity as the key to evangelistic success. He claims,
“On the last night of his life Jesus prayed a prayer that stands as a citadel for all Christians [i.e., Jn 17:20-21] . . . Unity creates belief. How will the world believe that Jesus was sent by God? Not if we agree with each other. Not if we solve every controversy. Not if we are unanimous on each vote. Not if we never make a doctrinal error. But if we love one another. . . .The world will be won for Christ when the church is one in Christ” (“Max Lucado: Jesus Prayed for Unity,”Christian Post, Nov. 2, 2016).
Even true Biblical love becomes a casualty in this heretics unscriptural philosophy, which heresy is also extremely common in our present apostate age of the last days. Essentially every single mainstream "evangelical," reformed calvinist," and others of similar flavour, speak forth the exact same forms of heresy. It really doesn't change. Tolerate. Unity. Love. Fellowship. Niceness. Rejection of Sound Doctrine and Separation. No wonder Lucado calls for "unity." Heretics love ecumenical unity and hate biblical separatism.
The Bible condemns those who associate with and yoke with ungodly wolves in sheep's clothing as being of the same stripes (Am 3:3). We are commanded to mark and avoid false teachers (Rom. 16:17) and avoid those who “have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:5), not associate with them. We are exhorted to fight against the perverted and profane "common salvation," and to "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints" (Ju 1:3), and it is impossible to earnestly contend for sound doctrine while striving for ecumenical unity at the same time. Paul didn’t seek unity with heretics; he reproved them sharply (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:35-36; Gal. 5:7-10; Col 2:8).
The way of ecumenicalism ALWAYS reflects the nature of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Truly saved people and thus true teachers of God, do not associate with heretics, apostates, false churches, false groups of apostate denominations. They are a separate people, because salvation requires separation (2 Cor 6:14-18; Pr 9:6), and so that all who are genuinely born again, which is very, very few (Matt 7:13-14), will characteristically live a life of separation. We cover the doctrine of separation here: The Biblical Doctrine of Separation and Unscriptural Forms of Separation.
Separation is intimately tied in with unity. We don’t tolerate error to have “unity,” to stay together. There isn't one example in the NT of a church that had more than one doctrine and practice. When this happened, it created division, they were reproved for it and they (mostly) repented (e.g. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 and 2 Cor. 7:10-11). Scripture is clear, so plain that even a child can understand (2 Tim. 3:15). In all whom God indwells, which are all the saved, He makes “know[n] the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee” (Pr. 22:20-21). There is only one Holy Spirit, and He teaches every born again believer the truth, not lies (1 Jn. 2:20-21, 27). Denying, or ignoring, or rejecting separation, is a lie. Its not the truth. You can never have true unity without sound doctrine, and actively practicing separation. The communion of the church is one doctrine and practice, the same kind of fellowship that Jesus has with the Father. The fellowship is that of walking in the light together even as He is in the light (1 Jn. 1:6-7). So if there is doctrine and teaching contrary to God’s Word, it must be dealt with immediately, and separated from (if its not corrected). Correction or separation is how God puts it (e.g. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 4:2; Rom. 16:17; 2 Jn. 1:9-11; Gal. 2:4-5; 2 Th. 3:6). That might appear “harsh” and “intolerant” to the effeminate snowflakes with their pink ties, but it’s actually very loving to God, and even to that person (or church, or organization, or author, etc), for “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Pr. 27:6).
Unity in the church has been perverted in definition to allow for tolerance of false doctrine and practice. Unity has become getting along, despite differences. This is not the unity in scripture. They had the same doctrine and practice and not just “major" or "essential doctrines” (a seriously perverted teaching of most churches today). The standard was scripture, everything God said. With this new unity, the false one, the better person, the elevated person, is the person who tolerates error and doesn’t separate and reprove. He sees something wrong and instead of reproving it and separating from it and them, he tolerates it and maybe even embraces it. Not disagreeing or agreeing to disagree is the highest value in the false new diabolical way. This is not biblical unity, but it is what many men are left with, and it has become accepted in churches. I understand that not everyone will agree on everything all the time. However, that is the standard, and anything less should be rejected. For certain, where the Bible doesn’t speak either explicitly or implicitly, there is liberty. Discord shouldn’t come from areas where someone has liberty. However, where God speaks, there needs to be same mind. The Bible itself is plain. It can be understood, even by children. There is only one doctrine in Scripture, but many applications. Acceptance of anything less than the truth is not in accordance with God. He is the standard. Not only has He told us what He wants to believe and do, but He’s given us the grace and strength to do it. We help one another and bring each together according to the truth of God’s Word. This is the sanctification that Jesus prayed for in Jn. 17. Jesus Himself was the perfect example by always submitting to the Father and then praying for us to be sanctified in the same way (Jn. 17:17). We cover True Biblical Unity, What the Bible Requires, Vs Fake Unity, the Most Common Today at that link.
God commanded the prophet Balaam (Num 22) NOT to allow the Israelites to yoke together with unbelieving children of the world. Balaam the false "believer" is known as the infamous “prophet for hire,” because in exchange for the good life he disobeyed God and brought the righteous together with the heathen, thus polluting the land with idolatry, wickedness and apostasy.
Like Balaam, and Judas, Lucado has sold out Christ for his 30 pieces of silver, all for the good life Satanically promised to him (Matt 4). He would have people ignore false teachings for the sake of some kind of fake unity. He would have them love false teachers more than they love God and truth. Yet, we are to mark and avoid false teachers (Rom. 16:17) and avoid those who "have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof" (2 Tim. 3:5). We are to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Ju 1:3), and it is impossible to earnestly contend for sound doctrine while striving for ecumenical unity at the same time. Paul didn't seek unity with heretics; he reproved them sharply (e.g., throughout Acts; 1 Cor. 15:35-36; Gal. 5:7-10; Col 2:8; etc). That is maybe one of the last things Lucado would ever do.
Conclusion
Hundreds of religious groups and denominations today support Max Lucado and purchase his books. There is a reason for it. Lucado is so wishy-washy and sinfully compromised as a so-called "Bible" teacher that even the globalists and NWO loves him. The world loves him, as it does false teachers:
"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Lk 6:26)
Lucado is a writing and walking heresy factory. The gospel of Lucado is "another gospel" (2 Cor 11:4). The Jesus of Lucado is "another Jesus" (2 Cor 11:4). The spirit of Lucado is "another spirit" (2 Cor 11:4), an evil spirit. Max Lucado is an evil, deceptive wolf in sheep’s clothing. He is a minister of Satan while masquerading as a "minister of righteousness" (2 Cor 11:12-15). This is who he is, regardless of the few strands of truth that he may teach. All false teachers teach some truth. Thats what makes them attractive, mixing truth with error, tolerating many forms of heresy. They win people over with "good words and fair speeches" (Rom 16:17-18), while catering to the fleshly and emotional needs of the people.
Max Lucado is very clearly a false teacher roaming about as a wolf in sheep's clothing, of whom the Bible warns frequently, including here by the Lord Jesus,
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
The mask has been unveiled, but that doesn't stop people from reading this wolf in sheep's clothing. How many more points of heresy and damnable heresy does a person really need to see before they acknowledge that Lucado is a heretic and wolf in sheep's clothing? What does it take for an evangelical preacher to stop reading this man's ear tickling garbage and warn his audience of this wicked wolf in sheep's clothing? Clearly they are not using Scripture as their measuring standard and guide, even though truly born again people always do,
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and alight unto my path." (Ps 119:105).
I can't begin to understand how people can read his garbage. It is so shallow, watered down, anemic, and contrary to Scripture and spiritually dead, one becomes nauseous and chokes back barf, and we've only made it to page 2. Its worse than poison.
If you read or listen to this man favourably, without complete criticism and disgust, and not casting his materials into the fire pit, you are an urgent need of the new birth. You have no true discernment, and have deceived yourself, just like Lucado deceives you.
You know when Christianity is almost completely apostate—the end-times completion of the whole leavening of the flour (Matt 13:33) and the construction of the great mustard tree, filled with demonic birdies, that formed out of the least of all seeds (Matt 13:31-32)—when you see that Max Lucado, a very obvious wolf in sheep's clothing is dubbed “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, and “The Best Preacher in America” by Reader’s Digest. This is so bad and silly, it would be rolling on the floor laughable if it wasn't so damning and serious.
The picture of Lucado in the beginning of this report, makes him appear strange and like a spiritual reprobate. This is what he looks like, a fair assessment considering much of what our language speaks is based on our appearance, but this report makes that assessment 100% accurate. He is the type of person in reference when Paul the Apostle penned the inspired words of God in 2 Tim 3:8-9,
"Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was."
And 2 Tim 3:5,
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
So turn away from these wicked wolves in sheep's clothing and unto the truth, in obedience to God's Word, if you are truly born again, and you will be blessed of the Lord like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that prospers Biblically and bringeth forth his fruit in his season:
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Ps 1:1-3)
But if you are a false professing "believer," thus of the "ungodly," you will not do so, and here is your reward:
"The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Ps 1:4-6)
However, if you are unsaved but desire to be right with God by conversion/the new birth through the Lord Jesus Christ, then...
"Forsake the foolish [neo-evangelicalism, and men like Mac Lucado], and live; and go in the way of understanding." (Pr 9:6)
The "way of understanding" starts with understanding who God truly is, who you truly are, and how the gospel of Jesus Christ can save you from yourself, from God (His wrath), and from an eternity in the lake of fire where you deserve to go--all of which is found in the Word of God--and into a personal relationship with His precious and beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ through repentant faith, which you can read about here: How A Sinner Can Be Saved and Have Eternal Life.
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