Devotion to Caution
The problem I have with reading Oswald Chambers is that he is too weak on doctrine to avoid being occasionally confusing. He was strong on exhortation upon specific areas of the bible, but because he insufficiently makes comparisons of scripture with scripture, he can at times distort the big picture.
As God says in 1 Corinthians 2:13, the Holy Ghost teaches us when we compare spiritual things with spiritual. The less we do as those noble Bereans, in that “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11), the more likely we can become “conditioned” into accepting false doctrine.
Oswald Chambers’ writings are rarely critiqued with spiritual discernment. His ministering style is almost hypnotic in effect. I didn’t notice some ever so subtle inconsistencies of his preaching until reading The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers. The more that I read that’s in that book, the more apparent the need becomes to sort out what’s true versus what’s a distortion.
Truth demands consistency. That’s why it is always safe to study the bible, provided that the King James Version is used as the ruling guide over our modern English translations.
There is nothing wrong with having help to understand God’s word, but no matter who the person is that’s ministering His word, it is always crucial to remember that no human being is capable of flawless preaching. With spiritual maturity comes an increased awareness whenever something isn’t quite fitting appropriately with all of what’s said in the bible.
Chambers came to Christianity in his teen years under the ministry of Charles Spurgeon. Chambers is best known for his devotional My Utmost for His Highest. What’s less known about Chambers (and is probably the reason he is as popular as he is) is that his theology is based on John Wesley (an Arminian). Charles Spurgeon’s preaching, however, was Calvinistic. That would explain why Spurgeon’s devotional God’s Treasury: The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith is less confusing and more consistent.
Calvinism and Arminianism are basically opposite. Only one of the two is true doctrine. Either God is glorified or self is. Either we are saved by sovereign grace or we are saved by something we do. Either we wait for God or God waits for us. Either God gave every human being that ever lived, lives, and is yet to be born, to Christ or He gave only a remnant to Christ. Either our salvation is secure or we can lose it.
I won’t get into mentioning the bible verses that apply to the two opposing doctrines. They can be found in the bible, on the internet and in many books. It’s not my intent to create division or to argue. I only want to bring awareness to the importance of always exercising caution when reading devotionals and theology books.
After having accumulated and read many books by great theologians, I can’t say they’re not beneficial. But, at the same time, there is a risk involved.
Here are a few others who advise caution when reading Oswald Chambers:
