Okay… So today I am going to write a blog about an individual who makes a living by “judging” others. This man’s name is Tim Challiies. Many of you have heard of him and many of whom I highly respect! However, I have a HUGE problem with this man and his attempt at tearing down and critiquing other brothers and sisters in Christ. Come to think of it, I have never read anything from him where he has actually critiqued himself! So…. Here is my first attempt at “critiquing” an individual on my blog.
First I would like to point out a “VERY IMPORTANT” scripture in the Bible…
Mathew 7:1-5,
7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
The most important point I would like to make on this blog post is…
Mr. Challies is dis-honoring God’s word by… “Making a living; Judging others.” Hmmm???
I never read an article where Tim Challies critiques himself in the same “all too often” “heartless” manner he critiques others. Yes, I found one article, where he apologizes to Anne Voskamp, for “heartlessly” critiquing her best-selling book, “One Thousand Gifts”, he states,
“Having said all of that, something happened inside me when I saw Ann’s name in my inbox, and that’s what has compelled me to write this little article. Seeing her name brought a sudden and surprising realization and with it a twinge of guilt and remorse. It has happened to me before, this strange feeling that comes when I suddenly realize that the name on the front of the book—“Ann Voskamp” in this case—is not some cleverly programmed, unfeeling robot that spits out blog posts and magazine articles and books, but a person. A real person. That should have been no great revelation, yet there have been too many times over the years that I have had to remind myself of this simple fact. I try to remind myself before posting a review; sometimes it only comes later.
As I read back over my review of One Thousand Gifts I could see that I had neglected to remind myself while writing it that Voskamp is a real person and, not only that, but a sister in Christ. As a writer myself, I ought to remember that words are meaningful and revealing and in some way a part of the person who writes them. Every word comes from somewhere deep inside. Every word of One Thousand Gifts is a part of Voskamp just like every word I write is a part of me. There are no idle words in her book, no words that aren’t felt and meant. Yet in my review I had treated her as if her words mean less than mine, as if I was free to criticize her in a way I would not want to be criticized.”
Here is the link to this article is… http://http://www.challies.com/articles/in-which-i-ask-ann-voskamps-forgiveness
However, I have yet to read an article where he “really” critiques himself, in the manner a God-Fearing Christian is humbly called to “admit our failures” before the throne.
First, let me share my personal experience with Anne Voskamp’s book… I LOVED Anne Voskamp’s book, “One Thousand Gifts”. As a woman, wife, mother, friend, and a graduate student seeking a master’s degree in Christian Counseling, I have found so much healing in her book. I have known many women whom God has utilized Anne’s book to aid them in their healing process. Anne’s book is “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy” in action. What a concept… A biblical concept at that… “A challenge to write down 1,000 gifts. Focus on the good, the beautiful, and the admirable acts of God himself.” An old hymn comes to mind, “Count your blessings name them one by one, Count your blessings see what God has done.” “Mr. Challies, please fill me in… How is this concept of being thankful unbiblical?”
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
Friends, the Bible is ABSOLUTELY filled with verses regarding being thankful, because being “thankful” to God is the key to living a “Victorious Life” in Christ.
Back to Tim’s apology to Anne…
He admits in the link above, that he was reminded that Anne is a person, a sister in Christ, and that he needs to remember this fact when critiquing others. Yet, he continually goes back to “heartlessly” bombarding brothers and sisters in Christ in his articles. I ask myself one important question…
“Did Time Challies really experience true repentance from his “heartless” critique of Anne’s book, or did he just feel embarrassed and guilty when he “suddenly” saw her name is his mailbox “tenderly” inviting him and his family to their home for dinner?”
Right now… I have goose bumps… If ever I have admired Anne, none more than at this moment. She was blasted by this man who publicly ridiculed her “personal journey with Christ”, and what did she do… Luke 6:29 “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” I am a woman, I have had my feelings hurt many times, but to immediately dry up those tears, and send an e-mail inviting the abuser to your home for dinner. Wow! What a God-Fearing woman!!!
Back to my question…
Did Tim Challies really experience true repentance from his “heartless” critique of Anne’s book, or did he just feel embarrassed and guilty when he “suddenly” saw her name is his mailbox “tenderly” inviting him and his family to their home for dinner?
First, I think we need to understand the definition of Biblical repentance… 2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
It seems to me that if Mr. Challies had experienced true repentance, he would not be continuing to “heartlessly” critique others in the same manner.
However, every article I read it’s more of the same pattern…
For example… This article a very dear friend posted on Facebook today. His recent critique of “Heaven For Real?”.
This article angered and disturbed my spirit. Why? Because I think these book are profound truth and nothing is wrong with them? Of course not, I feel there is an element of truth to them but the story has been embellished, “You know to make it a great book and movie!”
Few quotes from Mr. Tim’s critique of “Heaven Is For Real”, that disturbed my spirit…
“You will probably not be surprised to learn that this is not a good book.”
“The story is told with short chapters and grade school-level writing. Fine literature it is not.”
“If you struggle believing what the Bible says, but learn to find security in the testimony of a toddler, well, I feel sorry for you.”
Really??? These quotes are simply rude… mean spirited… and certainly not like the Christ I know and have read about in the scriptures.
Here is the link to Tim Chalies’s critique of Heaven Is For Real…
It’s not about his critique of books, people, or movies… What is it about?
It’s all about his attitude! The “narcissistic” “pharisee” and overall “judgemental” attitude exhibited by Mr. Tim Challies. As a believer, his overall demeanor, his “heartless” words REALLY stir up my spirit, and his overall Un-Christlike demeanor rubs me the wrong way.
Friends,
I am not one to critique, especially not in a “heartless” manner. But, I have a real problem with an individual gaining HUGE popularity in the Christian world, by people I truly admire and respect for they’re Christ-Likeness, when the individual’s character is nothing like that of Christ Jesus. Mr. Tim Challies’s character, his words, and his demeanor is absolutely NOTHING…. Nothing like the Christ I know! The Christ who gently convicts! The Christ who saved me… The Christ who gently walks me through my pain… The Christ who said, John 8:7 “Let those who have no sin, cast the first stone!”
Seems to me Mr. Tim has gained respect, admiration, and attention for being the very thing Christ calls us not to be… For his pharisee mindset, his judgemental attitude, and his narcissistic tendencies… For being the first one to cast stones!
The scriptures calls us to become more Christ-like, “1Thessalonians 5:11, Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”, “John 15:12, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
Friends, This is my personal opinion! The God within me has real problem with Mr. Tim Challies’s un-Christlike character. It is your choice and your right to have your own personal opinion. However, I ask one thing… “When it comes time to gently rebuke me, speak truth into my heart, or help me to see God’s mindset on a particular book or movie, DON’T USE TIM CHALLIES’S WORDS AS A TOOL!!!”
Blessings,
Crystal
The Flame Within 
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