A Closer Look at Have Heart - bridging the gulf between heaven and earth

Articles, Book Reviews and Concerns from Pastors, Teachers and Christian Apologetics Ministries

 

Introductory Notes on Commentary and Article Compilation

 

 

Please note that this page is a listing of materials and brief commentary, which format and length is subject to change and be added to as time permits. Like our SRN The Shack - Exposing New Age Pagan Teachings in THE SHACK archive page, and our SRN Todd Bentley Heresies and Violent Spirituality page, which have changed over time, so too, this page wiil be updated and expanded. We recommend linking to this page, instead of cutting and pasting it - as it will grow in the future.

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It is to be noted that ONLY ONCE in all of Scripture is communication with the dead seen, and this one time instance in Scripture (1 Samuel 28:7-20) is a clear condemnation directly from God's prophet Samuel, of living humans trying to communicate with the dead. God condemns this outright! God brought judgment upon Saul and the witch (i.e. spirit medium, spiritist) of Endor, for attempting to traffic (communicate) with the deceased - with the dead. God allowed the real Samuel to be "brought up" in this instance in order to condemn any and all attempts to contact or dialogue with discarnate (deceased) human beings.

 

According to God's Word, attempting to contact the dead (communicate to and with them) was banned in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:11) and all who do so become defiled (Leviticus 19:31). This includes praying to departed loved ones, no matter who they are!

 

"When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you. (Deuteronomhy 18:9-14)

 

Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:31)

 

It is not deceased people who are ultimately being contacted via the seance', Ouija Board, or prayers to spirits, but demonic spirits masquerading as deceased family members, personalities, etc. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

 

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

 

Furthermore, there are at least 150 passages of Scripture in the Bible which address to some degree or another involvement with the eight different categories of occult (the hidden things) practices - and the condemnation thereof. This fact alone should concern any Christian who reads Have Heart and sees the closeness to familial spirit contact (spiritism, spiritualism, mediumship) that this author(s) is describing - and according to the book has personally experienced. Like the Bible, the author condemns necromancy (Have Heart, p. 94-96), but also almost outright endorses it, saying he/they still speak to their deceased son (Have Heart, p. 125.) See quotes below. This not only creates a mass of confusion for the reader, but can very easily lead the undiscerning straight into spirit contact which God condemns - whether one is a Christian or not!

 

Previous to creating this webpage, numerous people have expressed their own concerns to the ministry of SRN about Chuck Missler (K-House) and Greg Laurie's (Harvest Christian Fellowship) endorsements within the first pages of Steve Berger's book. Growing numbers of people who have been influenced by the ministries of Chuck Missler and Greg Laurie are in dismay over the lack of discernment that has been displayed by their endorsements of this book. Dr. Missler's and Pastor Laurie's endorsements, along with William P. Young (Author of New York Times Best Seller, The Shack), James Robison (Founder and President, LIFE Outreach International), and Senator Bill Frist's (M.D. and Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader) are on the first two pages of Have Heart (Have Heart, p. ii-iii). The fact that heretic William Paul Young is in this list is a huge cause for alarm, and Chuck Missler's name is right above Young's name. Young believes in Universalism and outright rejects the full penal substitutionary atonement of Christ on the cross. Certainly this will be a cause of great concern for many who believe in Christ and seek to faithfully obey the Word of God.

 

For those who are upset upon reading the foregoing, you may do the research too, and arrive at the same concolusions. The Bible is clear that we must all as individuals and as the church, test all things, regardless of the popularity of the pastors, teachers and book endorsers.

 

Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thess. 5:20-22)

 

One more important thing needs to be mentioned before reading further. Former spirit mediums, witches, New Ager's, occultists, yoga gurus, etc, who are now Christian preachers and researchers/authors are seeing clearly the subtleties and craftiness of the New Spirituality (New Age) deception invading the church. Why do so many other Christian leaders refuse to see this, and/or refuse to listen to God's warnings through those who were once steeped in the darkness, and are now as committed Christians warning against these things? Repackaged New Age spirituality is couched in Christian nomenclature. Many fail to see it and many in the church are being deceived by it. Christian leaders are supposed to warn about such things, not see how close they can get to it in the name of intimacy with God and "closeness" to our deceased loves ones..

 

The shepherds and the doorkeepers [watchman] are supposed to work together, yet in many cases the shepherds are rejecting the watchman (doorkeepers) and the undiscerning sheep are being led astray into great danger.

 

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper [watchman] opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:1-3)

 

- SRN 

 

(Updated initially after contacting K-House on January 12, 2012. Updated again on March 23, 2012. Please see comments below.)

 

"Wrapped in creative brilliance, The Shack is spiritually profound, theologically enlightening and life impacting. It has my highest recommendation. We are joyfully giving copies away by the case."

(Steve & Sarah Berger, Have Heart: bridging the gulf between heaven and earth, Front Matters.)

 

[SRN note: To read about the heretical teachings found throughout William P. Young's The Shack, click here.]

 

"The Bergers dutifully remind their readers: “Remember, anything we think God is saying or revealing [through personal experiences] must line up with the Word and the nature, character, and will of God.” (HH, 44) But the book contains material which does not agree with this assertion."

(Larry DeBruyn, Have Heart: A Review and Commentary - Part 2. The “Canaanization” of the Church, Do the Dead Communicate with the Living?)

 

God's Warning Against All Eight Forms of Trafficking in the World of the Occult

 

"There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up [i.e. prays to, or consults a medium on behalf of] the dead."  (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)

 

Warning Against Giving Heed to Deceiving Spirits and Doctrines of Demons

 

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith,

giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons..." (1 Timothy 4:1)

 

Definition of Clairaudience (hearing/listening)

In the field of parapsychology, clairaudience [from late 17th century French clair (clear) and audience (hearing)] is a form of extra-sensory perception wherein a person acquires information by paranormal auditory means. It is often considered to be a form of clairvoyance.[25] Clairaudience is essentially the ability to hear in a paranormal manner, as opposed to paranormal seeing (clairvoyance) and feeling (clairsentience). Clairaudient people have psi-mediated hearing. Clairaudience may refer not to actual perception of sound, but may instead indicate impressions of the "inner mental ear" similar to the way many people think words without having auditory impressions. But it may also refer to actual perception of sounds such as voices, tones, or noises which are not apparent to other humans or to recording equipment. For instance, a clairaudient person might claim to hear the voices or thoughts of the spirits of persons who are deceased. In Buddhism, it is believed that those who have extensively practiced Buddhist meditation and have reached a higher level of consciousness can activate their "third ear" and hear the music of the spheres; i.e. the music of the celestial gandharvas. Clairaudience may be positively distinguished from the voices heard by the mentally ill when it reveals information unavailable to the clairaudient person by normal means (including cold reading or other magic tricks), and thus may be termed "psychic" or paranormal. 

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clairvoyance)

 

Definition of Clairaudience or "Clear Hearing"

 

Clairaudience or "Clear Hearing", is usually defined as the ability to hear the voices or thoughts of spirits. Some Mediums hear as though they are listening to a person talking to them on the outside of their head, as though the Spirit is next to or near to the medium, and other mediums hear the voices in their minds as a verbal thought.

(http://www.spiritual-research-network.com/divinationforbidden.html)

 

God's Judgment on Saul for Enquiring of the Spirit Realm

 

So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. (1 Chornicles 10:13-14)

 

 

 

RESEARCH ARTICLES, BOOK REVIEWS AND CONCERNS ABOUT 'HAVE HEART - BRIDGING THE GULF BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH'

 

POSTED IN JANUARY 2012

 

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CHUCK MISSLER'S PUBLIC STATEMENT ON FACEBOOK REGARDING HIS PERSONAL ENDORSEMENT OF HAVE HEART

The following is presented here after personally calling the ministry of Koinonia House in order to clarify how Chuck Missler's endorsement landed in the front pages of Have Heart.

On a different note, the fact that Chuck Missler did not read Have Heart in its entirety before endorsing the book has caused great confusion among believers. Why would a man do such a thing. This no doubt is a learning lesson for all.

It should be noted that even though a public statement has been made from Chuck Missler, for which many are grateful for, it does not change that fact that some of the content of what the Berger's have written in Have Heart is far to close too, if not outright condoning, Clairaudience - hearing and sensing the presence of (allegedly deceased) discarnate spirit beings.

Steve and Sarah Berger's Have Heart book (pp. 94-96) and their Have Heart FAQ website page (Accessed on Jan 12, 2012) both state that they do not endorse necromancy, divination, or sorcery through séances or spirit mediums (channelers).  However, there is another term that is not used in the book, that clearly defines what the Berger's appear to be advocating by saying we can communicate with our deceased loved ones.  That term is what is known as Clairaudience.

Clairaudience is a practice in which oneself clearly receieves communications (auditory, sensory, or mental messages) from the realm of the spirit world (alleged deceased loved ones, etc.). Clairaudience is similar to clairsentience and clairvoyance, but clairaudience specifically deals with receiving messages, impressions from the spirit world.

But what about Christians? Christians that have previously been psychic, or have family members that are involved in spiritism, cults,  or any form of energy channeling, energy work, and the like, are much more prone to be clairaudient than those with no family history of such. Christians should reject any and all attempts from spirits if they are hunted and contacted by them. The Christian should communicate with God only, never the spirits, "For [even] Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14)." To not reject these spirit realm initiated communications, one simply opens themselves up to spirit mediumship as well as a world of deception and confusion.

Please continue to read the following to confirm that this is not just our opinion.  The words presented on Have Heart FAQ website pages (Question/Answers 2, 3, 4, and 5) like the book, display hardcore double-speak in no uncertain terms.  The message is loud and clear, 'Don't utilize seances, mediums and channelers...communicate with your deceased loved ones yourself, etc.'

As shown below, from the Berger's www.haveheart.net Frequently Asked Questions page, Q & A answer number four states clearly, "Just remember, God forbids us to try to contact our departed loved ones through mediums or séances (Deuteronomy 18:10–12)." 

However, in the same breath they say that you can talk to your loved ones all you want.

4. Can I talk to my loved one who has passed?

Answer:
You can talk to your loved one all you want. It won't satisfy the depth of communication you long for, but it will bring some comfort. Just remember, God forbids us to try to contact our departed loved ones through mediums or séances (Deuteronomy 18:10–12).

In Matthew 17 we see Jesus walking up a high mountain with Peter, James, and John. Jesus is transfigured (changed) right before their eyes, and then Moses and Elijah (who had been in Heaven for fifteen hundred and six hundred years, respectively) show up. Scripture says, “Moses and Elijah appeared to them [Jesus, Peter, James, and  John], talking with Him” (v. 3). While we can’t see our loved ones face-to-face, we believe it’s perfectly fine to talk to them.

http://www.haveheart.net/answers/faq/

They also answer that departed love ones "can see us, hear us, and even be involved, not only in our lives but also in the lives of his friends. We have too many accounts and stories of Josiah’s involvement from many different people to doubt this reality."

3. Can my loved one hear me when I talk to him or her?

http://www.haveheart.net/answers/faq/

The Berger's also clearly state on their FAQ page regarding departed loved ones that "We may get “signs” of their presence. They are alive, they are well, and they are with God, doing what He wills for them to do both in Heaven and on earth."

5. Is it possible for my loved one to visit, or do you believe in the possibility of getting signs?

Answer:
We do believe in signs. In our book, Have Heart, we refer to them as “God Nods.”  God, in His mercy, allows them to help comfort us and give us hope. They are spontaneous, unexpected, and used by God to say, “Hey, pay attention to this.”

Ultimately, however, we need to find our comfort in God's truth about eternal life in Heaven and in God's love for us and our loved ones who are with Him in Heaven right now.

In an earlier question we discussed Jesus’ Transfiguration in Matthew 17 and the conversations with Moses and Elijah. The event is repeated in Luke’s Gospel (9:28–36). Here we see more details of their visit and conversation. Luke records that they talked about Jesus’ departure (the Greek work is our word for “exodus”). So these saints, who were on a mission from Heaven, understood not only current events but the future as well.  We may get “signs” of their presence. They are alive, they are well, and they are with God, doing what He wills for them to do both in Heaven and on earth.

http://www.haveheart.net/answers/faq/

The conclusion in all this to the reader should be quite clear.  While Steve and Berger state outright "Just remember, God forbids us to try to contact our departed loved ones through mediums or séances (Deuteronomy 18:10–12)," they at the same time say that our loves ones are around us, can hear us, are involved in our lives and our friends' lives, and that we can talk to departed loved ones all we want.

If you at this point are confused on this issue as to what the Steve and Berger are saying, read through their own statements again, or buy the book and compare what the Berger's are saying with over 150 biblical warnings about the occult, spiritism, necromancy, sorcery, etc.

 

Any form of contact with deceased humans, with the exception of what is found in Scripture (Jesus, Moses, Elijah, and Samuel pronouncing judgment on mediumship) is an abomination. Why? Because doing so involves another mediator other than Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5).

 

According to the Word of God, any and all communication with deceased loved ones and the spirit world is condemned outright. Samuel was allowed to be brought back from the dead, only to pronounce God's everlasting judgment on such a practice as necromancy - initiating another mediator in an effort to contact the deceased (1 Samuel 28). Furthermore, God killed King Saul for his disobedience of trying to contact the dead.

 

So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. (1 Chron. 10:13-14)

 

The only difference between going to a spirit medium (spiritist, spiritualist, necromancer, channeler, psychic) or praying to and contacting the dead oneself, is that when one utilizes a spirit medium the spirit medium contacts the dead (demons impersonating deceased loves ones) for someone else, hence there being called a medium (a mediator, a go between). If you attempt to pray to and/or contact the deceased on your own - you yourself become the medium, the go between between, the necromancer, the conjurer, between the realm of the living and the realm of the dead.  As previously mentioned, this arena of spirituality and communication is trafficking in the dimension of the devil and is one-hundered percent forbidden and condemned by God.

 

Be it known unto you that if you delve into this arena you are playing with fire and you shall surely get burned. Trafficking in the fields of spirit contact and communication is walking right into the dimension of the the devil.  Doing so can no doubt very quickly lead to spirit contact, possession states, Christian demonization (influence, affluence), and all forms of evil and mayhem. There is a dimension that God has warned that we should not enter, and that dimension, is the world of the occult and contacting the dead.

 

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MORE CONCERNS ABOUT THE LACK OF DISCERNMENT PERTAINING TO GRACE CHAPEL LIEPERS FORK AND STEVE BERGER'S MINISTRY

 

STEVE AND SARAH BURGER AT CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL

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