The commandments, designed by popular evangelical preacher J John, have been praised by religious leaders for bringing practical advice to modern congregations.

Using short, simple language interspersed with slang, the new rules have now been released on a DVD called “just 10 for churches”, aimed at providing guidance. (Online source)

A couple of Scriptures come to mind concerning “popular evangelical preacher” J John. People will be lovers of self (2 Timothy 3:2) and in particular:

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

There’s perhaps no bigger myth than to believe man can alter the inspired Word of God. So you’ll know, J John (below) is involved with something called Philo Trust:

John’s bio actually reads kind of like a Joel Osteen:

J.John is a creative Christian speaker with an appeal that transcends gender, age, race, culture and occupation. His much-loved art of storytelling helps people to discover spiritual meaning in a way that makes sense of everyday life…

John believes that contemporary society is showing many alarming signs of having turned its back on God,,,[and] that the loneliness and anxiety and broken relationships that trouble many people are often symptoms of this separation.

J.John believes that a lot of people’s understanding of Christianity is a misunderstanding. In his own inimitable style he enables his listeners to understand that Christianity is not only reasonable, but relevant and vitally important. (Online source)

Just as Osteen, what’s missing in the message is the Gospel of repentance and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ Name. And lest you think that J John is only out on the fringe, he’s got enough pull for an upcoming interview of squishy contemplative evangelical author Philip Yancey:

(Online source, button 4 as of this writing)

Returning once again to John’s mythology concerning the 10 Commandments, Telegraph reporter Hannah Furness now gives us yet another ridiculous example of these new commandments of men:

The tenth commandment, for example, has altered the Biblical “thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s” to just “find contentment.” (Online source)

This is a very serious subject, the rewriting of God’s Word. It’s one thing to offer a commentary upon it; certainly commentaries from insightful Bible teachers often prove very helpful. Of course, the Bible will shed much light upon commentaries.

In this case, and by no means am I suggesting John does so on purpose, by his unfortunate logic concerning changing the tenth commandment to simply “find contentment” we end up with real reason for concern due to his man-centered approach.

He opens the unregenerate to be able to ask: What if I want these things because that’s what will bring me contentment? As a matter of fact, this is actually what the sinful nature desires, and what that commandment is addressing.

For those he’s supposedly evangelizing, J John’s lack of clarity can end up turning this commandment precisely backward. Finally, in my opinion, what’s also sad is the lack of discernment by alleged ministers of the Gospel to point these things out.

Furness goes on to share that:

The Reverend Paul Roberts, 54, vicar of St John the Evangelist in Old Coulsdon, Surrey, which dates back to 1210 AD, is among those using the new commandments.

He said: “It’s basically a way of presenting the Ten Commandments to help people connect with them in a positive way.”…

Wayne Dulson, 40, minister of Loughton Baptist Church, Essex said: “People really engaged with the Ten Commandments in a new and fresh way.”…

Steve Jenkins, spokesman for the Church of England, said they supported new ways of communicating and added: “The Book Of Common Prayer is very clear that the faith needs to be taught afresh in every generation.” (Online source)

Something like this ends up being a criticism that God was wrong to write any Commandments in the negative.

See also:

BEWARE OF THOSE WHO ONLY SAY THEY LOVE SCRIPTURE

ECCLESIA CHURCH WITH LENTEN CHALLENGE: GET A TATTOO

SAY NO TO WOMEN PASTORS