52 Lies Heard in Church Every Sunday by Steve McVey

Sometimes we hear a word from the pulpit that sounds so good but is, oh, so wrong.

Steve says he knows about these lies because he used to preach them himself. That was before he truly understood grace. His desire is, “...that all of us would embrace and express the true grace of God.” (8)

Lie #1 Salvation is giving your life to Christ. No, says Steve. “Grace revolves around what He has given us, not what we give to Him!” (9) “Salvation is God's work. Our response to Him is because He initiated the whole thing.” (10,11)

Other lies include, the abundant life, rededication, how to rightly pray for unbelievers, being out of fellowship with God when we sin, finding God's will for your life, revival, being depressed, Lordship salvation, being disqualified by sin, positional righteousness, and being blessed because you tithe, to name a few.

I really appreciated his comments on the proper rules of biblical interpretation. Some claim that the hearts of all people are evil, even Christians, citing Jeremiah 17:9. Steve notes that this is from the Old Testament. “While the whole Bible is written for us and is profitable for our study, not every word can be accurately applied to new covenant believers.” (158)

Elsewhere he writes about the sayings of Jesus. “Not everything Jesus said it to be applied to you personally. That's because everything changed at the cross.” (192)

One of the lies in this book is that God will not forgive you if you don't forgive others (based on Matt. 6:14,15). Steve writes, “The idea that if you don't forgive others God won't forgive you is an old covenant teaching, even though we hear it from the lips of Jesus.” (195)

I like what Steve says. He has certainly stimulated my theological thinking. In my view, he is pretty much right on! I would encourage you to read this book and compare what you've heard from the pulpit with what the Bible really says.

Steve says there are actually 101 lies he has identified but that was too many for this book. If you would like to see them all, go to www.gracewalk.org. You'll also find other resources, like the video series that covers all 101 lies.

Harvest House Publishers, 245 pages.