Advice please on a book

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MaryM

Well-known member
#1
Nov 25, 2022
506
301
63
#1
A friend has mentioned and recommended to me a book that she is greatly enjoying at present, called ' Home with God' by Neale Donald Walsh.

I've looked it up and am immediately suspicious of this author. I always check author's background etc before spending any money and time on any book. I believe in being highly discerning.
From an initial glance, I gather that this author appears not to mention Jesus, Christ, nor does he base his book on the Bible. He says he speaks directly to and hears God.

Can anyone clarify please - I would like to advise my friend with sound advice. I think she is being led astray.
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#3
#3
MaryM said:
A friend has mentioned and recommended to me a book that she is greatly enjoying at present, called ' Home with God' by Neale Donald Walsh.

I've looked it up and am immediately suspicious of this author. I always check author's background etc before spending any money and time on any book. I believe in being highly discerning.
From an initial glance, I gather that this author appears not to mention Jesus, Christ, nor does he base his book on the Bible. He says he speaks directly to and hears God.

Can anyone clarify please - I would like to advise my friend with sound advice. I think she is being led astray.
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Avoid it like the plague
 
BonnieClaire

BonnieClaire

Well-known member
#4
Jul 1, 2021
379
394
63
#4
MaryM said:
A friend has mentioned and recommended to me a book that she is greatly enjoying at present, called ' Home with God' by Neale Donald Walsh.

I've looked it up and am immediately suspicious of this author. I always check author's background etc before spending any money and time on any book. I believe in being highly discerning.
From an initial glance, I gather that this author appears not to mention Jesus, Christ, nor does he base his book on the Bible. He says he speaks directly to and hears God.

Can anyone clarify please - I would like to advise my friend with sound advice. I think she is being led astray.
Click to expand...

What you just wrote here should be "sound advice" for your friend . . . so give it to her the way you gave it to us, and buy her a bible to read.
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#5
Jul 31, 2013
37,844
13,558
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#5
It's worth finding out what is being taught in these books, what kind of doctrines the author is teaching your friend, so you can have informed conversations with her - but I would not spend a dime on it.

Find out what she likes so much about it, see if you can help her discern truth from deception.
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#6
Apr 21, 2021
8,313
3,618
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#6
MaryM said:
From an initial glance, I gather that this author appears not to mention Jesus, Christ, nor does he base his book on the Bible. He says he speaks directly to and hears God.
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People don't hear directly from God. Hebrews 1:1-2 says: "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things," Jesus' words are recorded in the Bible, as are the words of His appointed messengers. God speaks to us through the Bible, not direct revelation.

I'd be careful to choose your words wisely with your friend if you don't want to alienate her. Mabey just respectfully decline reading the book and if she asks why, tell her you're not comfortable with the author; speak about your own views, don't tell her what you think she should do.
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#7
Apr 21, 2021
8,313
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#7
The first two sentences of Walsch's Home With God:

"This is the word-for-word transcription of a holy conversation. It is a conversation with God about being Home with God."​

If Walsch was actually given divinely inspired words directly from God, that would make his book on a par with the Bible. Walsch implies this when he says it's "a holy conversation."
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
#8
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
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#8
Just wondering is your friend a Christian?

I remember a friend recommending or trying to give me a copy of some Indian guru book. Like she was trying to get rid of it. Im like no thanks.

Also, one time a church member tried to donate some mormon books to the church library lol.
 
M

MaryM

Well-known member
#9
Nov 25, 2022
506
301
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#9
Thanks to all. It confirms my suspicions.
I have been honest with my friend but carefully. She goes to church and I don't want to alienate her. So I have explained that this is not a good book in my view, not a sound Christian one at all. I've recommended she speak to the vicar at her church for more expert guidance than I can provide. She didn't much like my lack of enthusiasm but appreciated my honest views.

People often believe they are Christians but never look very deeply into things, not even the Bible which should be always the reference. Amazingly, such books mislead sincere but vulnerable ignorant people who are happy to lap up complete but comforting rubbish. The author of this nonsense book is deluded and I certainly shall not spend time or money on his books. It is a one size fits all and pleases all book. The truth is of course that Jesus is the only way, the truth and the light.

My first rule is to check if such a book is Bible based, Christ centred and that the author has integrity. This fails all criteria.
 
P

Papermonkey

Active member
#10
Dec 2, 2022
724
257
43
#10
MaryM said:
A friend has mentioned and recommended to me a book that she is greatly enjoying at present, called ' Home with God' by Neale Donald Walsh.

I've looked it up and am immediately suspicious of this author. I always check author's background etc before spending any money and time on any book. I believe in being highly discerning.
From an initial glance, I gather that this author appears not to mention Jesus, Christ, nor does he base his book on the Bible. He says he speaks directly to and hears God.

Can anyone clarify please - I would like to advise my friend with sound advice. I think she is being led astray.
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If you respect and trust your friend, I'd say read the book.

Only you know what it means to you. If it speaks to you.
Others opinions cannot speak to or for that.
 
S

Sipsey

Well-known member
#11
Sep 27, 2018
1,481
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#11
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
 
Blade

Blade

Well-known member
#12
Nov 19, 2019
1,779
624
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#12
I found this
at about 4min in they start to talk about him and..well listen and you will get a clearer picture for sure
 
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Papermonkey

Active member
#13
Dec 2, 2022
724
257
43
#13
May be better to hear from Neal Donald Walsh himself than from those who talk about him.

 
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