My mother-in-law recieved "A Course in Miracles" this Christmas. My father-in-law (they are divorced btw) recieved the DaVinci code along with my sister-in-law.
My mil's husband asked me of the Course of Miracles, "What do you think?" Now I'd never even heard of it before that night and was still reading through it. I just said, "It looks interesting". After that point I had to double check if the book was a JW or mormon production. I read plenty of garbage, but the key heresy was that Christ is not God. At least as I skimmed. The DaVinci code I'd already read and foamed at the mouth about.
Now when the stepinlaw asked me what I thought I replied honestly. Had he asked me five minutes later he'd have gotten the truth then as well. Which would have been a large portion of my mind.
Does anyone have any advice on how to maintain a civil and polite relationship with these people? My present method is to evade all discussion of theology, but quite frankly that is unrealistic.
"There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God." - Jonathan Edwards
My mother-in-law recieved "A Course in Miracles" this Christmas.....My mil's husband asked me of the Course of Miracles, "What do you think?"
Now when the stepinlaw asked me what I thought I replied honestly. Had he asked me five minutes later he'd have gotten the truth then as well. Which would have been a large portion of my mind.
Well I wouldn't recommend you give away any portion of your mind. You might just need it later. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />
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Does anyone have any advice on how to maintain a civil and polite relationship with these people? My present method is to evade all discussion of theology, but quite frankly that is unrealistic.
I would like to suggest that you turn the questions around on your in-laws and ask them what they are looking for in this material. What attracts them to this and what do they hope it will do for them? Rather than evading all theological discussion you might want to point out that "A Course In Miracles" is New Age junk and "The DaVinci Code" is pure heresy. Neither one has a clue what the Bible is all about. Here are some links which will help you understand the depths of depravity in ACIM.
"ACIM defines sin as a lack of love and since love is all there is, sin in the sight of the Holy Spirit is a mistake to be corrected rather than an evil to be punished. ACIM attempts to deal with sin by saying that the world is not real and that there is no reality behind separation and guilt. Death is an illusion and Jesus' death on the cross was not to pay for sin but to show that sin and death had no effect on him. Salvation is the result of overcoming the illusion of sin, death, sickness fear and pain and is accomplished through forgiveness and undoing the belief in the reality of separation and guilt. ACIM promotes acknowledging Christ in all "brothers" and recognizing His Presence in man."
You may want to engage them in theological discussions when you realize that they are sincerely asking your opinion. After you study a little bit of this material on "A Course In Miracles" you may want to encourage them to be more selective in their reading material. These two books are off the mark and useless. It appears that you are the only one who is discerning these errors.
My advice is to pray for them and remember the verse you post on the bottom of your messages. "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18
Wes
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
Check out these articles on the Da Vinci Code here.
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
Does anyone have any advice on how to maintain a civil and polite relationship with these people?
Paul said, "in so far as it depends on you, be on good terms with all men", implying that being on good terms depends in part on us in that we have a responsiblity to be kind, civil, courteous and sensitive, but at the same time, to be honest and to speak the truth in love, especially to those who claim to be brethren, but also to all men. As such, it would seem that we will not always be liked or received well, even if we do this perfectly. Christ of course did it perfectly and was crucified.
Jay Adams has some sound advice on how to handle some of these situations and I believe that he helps dispell some of the popular "myths" of our culture about speaking truthfully about the Christian faith to others, family and otherwise.
