Has anyone read...

Has anyone read [i]Driven By Eternity[/i] by John Bevere? (Not to be confused with Rick Warren's book, [i]Purpose Driven Life[/i])

KrispyKrittr wrote:
...never heard of it. Please enlighten.

Krispy

You aren't asking an easy thing of me, brother. Those two words, "Please enlighten," stopped me in my tracks. I know it must sound goofy, but they did. A few tears, too. I'll try to give a very brief explanation...

Leaving the Word of Faith movement years ago also caused me to stop going to church altogether. I didn't trust anyone anymore. I didn't even trust myself to find Godly churches, pastors or teachers.

Two years ago, I discovered John Bevere's books. [i]The Fear of the Lord[/i] and [i]Drawing Near[/i] were healing to me. They renewed my hope and my dry, lifeless search for Truth again. I was careful (and still am) not to become a follower of a man, but I began to trust someone's teaching again. Keep in mind, I was still believing that the sinner's prayer was how to be saved.

Since I've been saved this January, I put aside all books and have read only the scriptures. But, I can't stop wondering if John Bevere's teachings are true. It's not that I doubt them, it's just that this one, [i]Driven by Eternity[/i] has a small hint of prosperity teaching to it, [i] but not how you may think.[/i] I'm having trouble discerning right now if this book is true or if it's just me flinching at the mere mention of rewards.

The Bible [i]does[/i] speak of heavenly rewards and that's what John is talking about. He's [i]not[/i] a prosperity teacher. This much I believe. He's spoken against it. He's talking about living eternally minded and about heavenly rewards. I am not wise and I don't want to be deceived again. I don't want to speak ill of anyone and I don't want to follow or worship anyone. But, I feel I'm too close to this teaching to see it objectively as truth or deception.

That's why "Please enlighten" causes me to take a great pause. I find I can't review this book objectively. The best I can do is quote the blurb from his book, which is [i]full[/i] of scriptures backing up what he says. But I'm lacking the discernment, in this case, to know if they're being used correctly.

If someone is actually familiar with John and his teachings, that would help me more than someone simply making an assessment from a mere blurb from his book. He's written many books and is definitely not seeker-sensitive.

Here's the book blurb:

YOU'VE SETTLED WHERE YOU'LL SPEND ETERNITY… BUT HAVE YOU CONSIDERED HOW YOU'LL SPEND IT?

Making Your Life Count Today and Forever.

We were made for eternity. This life on earth is but a vapor. Yet too many live as though there is nothing on the other side. Scriptural laws and principles may be applied to achieve success on earth, but are we prepared for eternity? Have we failed to remember we will all stand before the Great Judge of Heaven and Earth?
Scripture tells us there will be various degrees of rewards for believers ranging from those who watch as all they accomplished is devoured in judgment to those who are awarded the privilege to reign with Christ. These judgments will determine how we spend our span of eternity.

Included in this book is a riveting allegory. It takes place in a world similar to our own, yet different. Lord Jalyn is the ruler of the Kingdom of Affabel. You will journey with six of his subjects through their lives, witness their judgment, and see how and where they will spend the rest of their lives. The teaching of this book revolves around the lessons learned from their lives.

The purpose of this book is to reveal an eternal perspective, motivate believers to labor for what endures, as well as, to draw seekers to Salvation and Kingdom living.

One final point to bring up now, because someone is bound to bring this up later from a Wikipedia search, and I want it to be mentioned rightly. John Bevere and I have a similar background in that we both have a past with the Word of Faith movement and Benny Hinn (not at the same time) and later ran far away from having anything to do with him. Again, John has spoken against Hinn's type of theology, but he does it (to the best of my knowledge) without mentioning names or "exposing" people. He confronts the theology without slamming specific people.

Ok. I've done my best to present this neutrally. I'm just asking in advance that anyone who participates in this thread try to do the same, especially if they aren't familiar with John Bevere's teachings. I'm not trying to protect him, but I'm not looking to berate him either. I want to be respectful. No pedestals and no rotten tomatoes.

reformer wrote:
Have you ever listened to John Bevere?

Yes. I've heard him teach and read several of his books.

Hi brother,

It has been a long time since I read him. Wish I had something to offer but am struck by the parrells and similarites again in your expression and experience, it's like looking in a mirror. Really the reason for responding here however is just to say I appreciate the way you have gone about it, your honesty and integrity.

Years ago I read John Bevere...His book, The Bait of Satan re: Offense.
I read others of his books and heard him speak in person a few times.
I really admired and respected him and his ministry.
God greatly used him to speak into my life at that time.
However,
Many years have passed and I have not heard him speak or read any of his latest books.

In the more recent years, I have read more of such as Finney, Mueller, Murray, Redpath,Wilkerson, Spurgeon etc....
so,
I think my opinion may be different now in reading some of the more recent books available in Christian literature.

I will say that as you continue to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and keep your self in the Word,Walking in obedience, praying continually and being ever mindful of the Presence of God in your life, you will not have a difficult time discerning Truth from Error.
There will be a hint of caution that will rise up in your spirit and you will not "drink in" what He rejects.

looking back I see that God used so many people and materials, sermons and messages, to direct me and fill me with His Spirit...yet today, I would not so much as pick up one of those books to even inquire of the content.

From Glory to Glory He is Changing us...keep moving forward in His Spirit and Strength.
It is exciting isn't it????

Bonnie

Hi Keith,

Although I know the Bible has things to say about rewards, I am very careful when anyone teaches about this, because it usually leans towards being accepted by God in some way by our own works.

John Bevere preached this message at my church last January (2007) and I also read the book. I have always appreciated his “in your face” style of preaching and Driven by Eternity had a profound impact on my life at that time. I didn’t come away from it feeling like I needed to be motivated by the rewards I would receive in heaven, although to the best of my remembrance this was a component of the message. But it did impress upon me the reality that one day I will stand before the Lord, so the things I do here on this earth are important, as far as making sure that I am obedient to His direction for my life and not doing my own thing. God forbid that the Lord Jesus Christ should have a people whose motivation for serving Him is what they will get. If what we have already received - His precious blood poured out for our salvation – is not enough to induce us to love and serve Him, seems to me that something is wrong.

Danielle

Danielle...
that was an "excellent" response to Keith's question!
Bonnie :-)

Sorry, posted in wrong thread

Have you asked the Lord that you might grow in His school? Have you been praying recently for grace and a greater understanding of His ways and knowledge of His will? Usually when we do this, God sends a greater sense of self-abhorence our way.The mirror of His Word becomes all the more clear, and thus, our [i]ugly reflections stare back at us all the more grotesquely[/i]. The little things we could get away with before are suddenly no longer permissible. The brighter the light of God's Word begins to shine in us, the more we begin to see acne and blemishes where once we thought was a flawless surface. [i]The deeper we go with God the more we'll despise ourselves[/i], and this is a great truth to learn.

how true..till we look to Christ's beauty..we need to see our grotesqueness, no more..what blessed hope

thanks for sharing your learning, brother Paul

Brother Keith,

I have read only one of his books, the very one you are speaking of,[u]Driven by Eternity[/u] . One of the teens in my church asked me to read it before he did because he did not want to ingest something that would be bad for him. I will have to say that as far as I could tell and remember the book was scripturally sound and very challenging. I know nothing about any of the rest of his books. I appreciate the input from BrokenOne from hearing him in person. But as for that one book, I believe it would do us all well to ingest the truths in it. Living for Eternity in every word and deed, aware that all that we do here in this very short life has an eternal impact, and the fact that it is this short life alone that has any impact on our eternal destiny, his illustrations of the brevity of this life upside eternity are just plain good.

I realize that you, like many of us, are learning to absorb what is true and spit out the rest in any man’s teachings. Study of the original is still the best safeguard against accepting anything counterfeit; and relying upon the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth as He interprets the written word to our hearts.

Clint

[b]Brother Mike[/b],

Thank you for your encouragement. It really is all glory to His name, isn't it? As for honesty, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. When you're eternity is on the line and the Alpha and Omega tells you that He's made provision for you to be rescued from hell to live with Him forever... suddenly reputation means nothing.

by Talkn2u on 2008/2/21 1:32:31

Years ago I read John Bevere...His book, The Bait of Satan re: Offense.
I read others of his books and heard him speak in person a few times.
I really admired and respected him and his ministry.
God greatly used him to speak into my life at that time.
However,
Many years have passed and I have not heard him speak or read any of his latest books.

In the more recent years, I have read more of such as Finney, Mueller, Murray, Redpath,Wilkerson, Spurgeon etc....
so,
I think my opinion may be different now in reading some of the more recent books available in Christian literature.

Sister, your post could have been written by me! Since I've been saved, I've regarded the scriptures and the "saints of old" as my references. Honestly, I've saturated myself in them.

Isn't it odd, when you do that, that you begin to regard anything recent with great caution? I'm fascinated by that. I'm sure there are good Bible teachers and preachers of today, but the Spirit quickens us with caution.

I think what I'll do is continue in the Word and stick with a few of the old saints for awhile and [i]then[/i], once the Word has had an opportunity to renew my mind even more, I can go back and re-read brother Bevere's book. I believe at that time the Holy Spirit will provide the discernment I need. I'm already beginning to see the effects of this happening.

BrokenOne wrote:
Hi Keith,

Although I know the Bible has things to say about rewards, I am very careful when anyone teaches about this, because it usually leans towards being accepted by God in some way by our own works.

Hello Sister and thank you for responding.

I agree that in this age of prosperity teaching that great caution and discernment is necessary for wisdom and balance. It's important to not shy completely away from our understanding of rewards because they are scriptural and they do exist. But caution and discernment are a must to protect us from wrong motives and going overboard.

John Bevere preached this message at my church last January (2007) and I also read the book. I have always appreciated his “in your face” style of preaching and Driven by Eternity had a profound impact on my life at that time. I didn’t come away from it feeling like I needed to be motivated by the rewards I would receive in heaven, although to the best of my remembrance this was a component of the message. But it did impress upon me the reality that one day I will stand before the Lord, so the things I do here on this earth are important, as far as making sure that I am obedient to His direction for my life and not doing my own thing. God forbid that the Lord Jesus Christ should have a people whose motivation for serving Him is what they will get. If what we have already received - His precious blood poured out for our salvation – is not enough to induce us to love and serve Him, seems to me that something is wrong.

Danielle

As I wrote my post last night, I learned that he was in Minneapolis last night, too. He will be back at the end of February and I'm praying about attending his meetings.

I agree with you. At the time of my reading [i]Driven By Eternity[/i], it changed my life drastically. I do believe the book is a wake-up call and that brother Bevere has a bit of the old saints in him. I don't think anyone would be harmed by reading this book. However, I'm going to set this issue aside and continue soaking and renewing my mind in the Word.

This book contains very interesting concepts that I do wish more people here have read. It would be a conversation of great interest and, I believe, end up pages and pages long!

broclint wrote:
Brother Keith,

I have read only one of his books, the very one you are speaking of,[u]Driven by Eternity[/u] . One of the teens in my church asked me to read it before he did because he did not want to ingest something that would be bad for him. I will have to say that as far as I could tell and remember the book was scripturally sound and very challenging. I know nothing about any of the rest of his books. I appreciate the input from BrokenOne from hearing him in person. But as for that one book, I believe it would do us all well to ingest the truths in it. Living for Eternity in every word and deed, aware that all that we do here in this very short life has an eternal impact, and the fact that it is this short life alone that has any impact on our eternal destiny, his illustrations of the brevity of this life upside eternity are just plain good.

I realize that you, like many of us, are learning to absorb what is true and spit out the rest in any man’s teachings. Study of the original is still the best safeguard against accepting anything counterfeit; and relying upon the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth as He interprets the written word to our hearts.

Clint

Brother, I appreciate your post so much. It's great talking to people who have read the book. When I read it, I was floored. I bought copies for everyone. Sadly, none of those people have read it. Some got part of the way in it and it scared them so they put it back on the shelf. (I'll never understand that concept - ignore it and it won't be true anymore.)

It's just that I read it while I was "sinner's prayer saved" and, if the book turned out to be a false teaching, I would have several people to go back to and apologize to. This is one of the reasons for my concern.

As for his other books, from everything I've been able to see, they are just as scriptural and eye-opening. I've heard him teaching on DVD. Actually, I have the curriculum course he offers for [i]Driven By Eternity[/i], complete with 12 one hour teachings.

I haven't touched them in awhile and will probably be awhile before I do again. I just want to continue soaking in the Word and have my foundation shake-proof. I've been deceived for far too long to do a shoddy job on it now.

Keith,
I heard John Bevere preach the sermon of "Driven by Eternity" in Holland, a couple years ago. I heard nothing in his message that encouraged believers to serve God out of what you will get out of it. ie.. a mansion, several crowns,etc.

It seemed to me that he was encouraging believers to seek God's will in every area of their lives in order to bring Him Glory.

Have you heard the audio version of Affabel? I've listened to it several times and it moves me each time to be more heavenly minded.

The day will come when our deeds are judged. The scariest thought for me is that when I get to heaven, and it is time to cast crowns at HIS feet, I won't have any...what a sad testimony that would be.

MSeaman wrote:
Keith,
I heard John Bevere preach the sermon of "Driven by Eternity" in Holland, a couple years ago. I heard nothing in his message that encouraged believers to serve God out of what you will get out of it. ie.. a mansion, several crowns,etc.

It seemed to me that he was encouraging believers to seek God's will in every area of their lives in order to bring Him Glory.

Have you heard the audio version of Affabel? I've listened to it several times and it moves me each time to be more heavenly minded.

The day will come when our deeds are judged. The scariest thought for me is that when I get to heaven, and it is time to cast crowns at HIS feet, I won't have any...what a sad testimony that would be.

Yes, I bought the curriculum to [i]Driven By Eternity[/i]. Affabel was especially affecting.

I'm so relieved others are finding this teaching scriptural because I couldn't find fault with it, and John Bevere is the first teacher I trusted again after so many years.

Quote:

ginnyrose

Ginnyrose :}

Sorry for the confusion!

That was a quote from PaulWest's "erroneously" post posted onto this thread, then edited. It came from...uh..I'm lost now. Brother Paul, if you're reading this, can you please let Ginnyrose know where's the rest of your post?

Thx