When I read the headline, I guessed you were going to write about Kanye West.
We have proven to be too enamored with celebrity. Someone famous gets saved, and two days later we are hanging on their every pronouncement. If I was seated at a restaurant at a table next to Tom Brady or Jennifer Lopez, I wouldn't be disrespectful, but I would make a point of ignoring them. I have zero infatuation with celebrity. (Although I recognize and respect merit, skill, or excellence in any field.)
I was a huge fan of Ravi Zecharias , reading several books and listening to many of his talks repeatedly over decades. But in retrospect, I have to agree with John Piper, who said he shared a platform with Ravi several times, and always had a reservation in his spirit about the integrity of Ravi himself. Many of his stories were too fantastic. At the time I just thought it was God especially blessing him. But in retrospect I think there was some made up stories designed to dazzle the audience. I admire deep thinkers and gifted communicators like A W Tozer, Francis Schaefer, and C S Lewis. But knowing the line between good and evil runs through the center of my own heart, no matter how intelligent any speaker is, their inner integrity has an inherent effect on their trustworthiness. Leonard Ravenhill, who mentored many good Bible teachers, always cautioned them to guard your heart. No matter how popular of a leader you are, if you allow any inner corruption, your ministry will be harmed and the Kingdom will be reflected on poorly.
So I dumped all my Ravi Zecharias books. There's enough dependable apologetics materials available that I don't want the stress of trying to decipher Ravi's good from suspicious.
Let us all proceed with humility. The most common prayer I pray is Lord, preserve me from myself.
Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall, is written to us all, celebrity or commoner.
Your article is well written, I appreciate the message and clarity you provide through the comparison of the two individuals. I admired and listed often to Ravi...I have been listening to David Wood and am a fan. However, I see Ravi as a psychopath just as much as David Wood describes himself....after all, how could one lie and carry out such sinful behavior (whilst advising other's against sin) for so long and believe in his own message to "millions" of people without having an internal morality check or having some "built in" accountability from those around him? "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" No one really knows the heart of man.....except God, the creator of the universe and humankind.
That's a great point, Mike! It didn't even dawn on me that Ravi was also a cold, calculating manipulator of people. I think you're exactly right. This is a tale of TWO psychopaths!
This was a very interesting and thought provoking article. However, I am wondering if psychopath is the correct diagnosis. The description sounds more like sociopath. Ravi Z was brilliant, yes, but seriously sin sick and perverted.
Based on your comment, I believe psychopath is the correct term for two reasons. First, psychopaths are cold, calculating and manipulative while sociopaths are impulsive and unpredictable. David Wood is described more by the former.
Second, psychopath is the term David Wood uses to describe himself.
Okay. It’s been a long time since I studied Psychology. Both personality disorders are dangerous. I remember that. David Hall is fascinating because I guess I never heard of a psychopath who actually recognizes the disorder and copes successfully in society.
While I agree with you, I'm not sure how this verse applies to the post. The verse you cite in John 10 is part of a larger passage that speaks of Jesus' call to salvation. The sheep he's talking to are OUTSIDE the pen. The story of David Wood and Ravi is about be wary of listening to the voices of men.
Thanks Bob. I should have clarified, my sharing the verse was to point to listening to Jesus as the Good Shepherd who guides His people rather than men.
When I read the headline, I guessed you were going to write about Kanye West.
We have proven to be too enamored with celebrity. Someone famous gets saved, and two days later we are hanging on their every pronouncement. If I was seated at a restaurant at a table next to Tom Brady or Jennifer Lopez, I wouldn't be disrespectful, but I would make a point of ignoring them. I have zero infatuation with celebrity. (Although I recognize and respect merit, skill, or excellence in any field.)
I was a huge fan of Ravi Zecharias , reading several books and listening to many of his talks repeatedly over decades. But in retrospect, I have to agree with John Piper, who said he shared a platform with Ravi several times, and always had a reservation in his spirit about the integrity of Ravi himself. Many of his stories were too fantastic. At the time I just thought it was God especially blessing him. But in retrospect I think there was some made up stories designed to dazzle the audience. I admire deep thinkers and gifted communicators like A W Tozer, Francis Schaefer, and C S Lewis. But knowing the line between good and evil runs through the center of my own heart, no matter how intelligent any speaker is, their inner integrity has an inherent effect on their trustworthiness. Leonard Ravenhill, who mentored many good Bible teachers, always cautioned them to guard your heart. No matter how popular of a leader you are, if you allow any inner corruption, your ministry will be harmed and the Kingdom will be reflected on poorly.
So I dumped all my Ravi Zecharias books. There's enough dependable apologetics materials available that I don't want the stress of trying to decipher Ravi's good from suspicious.
Let us all proceed with humility. The most common prayer I pray is Lord, preserve me from myself.
Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall, is written to us all, celebrity or commoner.
I agree with your decision, Mark. But I guess I'm just saying I don't think it's obligatory.
Your article is well written, I appreciate the message and clarity you provide through the comparison of the two individuals. I admired and listed often to Ravi...I have been listening to David Wood and am a fan. However, I see Ravi as a psychopath just as much as David Wood describes himself....after all, how could one lie and carry out such sinful behavior (whilst advising other's against sin) for so long and believe in his own message to "millions" of people without having an internal morality check or having some "built in" accountability from those around him? "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" No one really knows the heart of man.....except God, the creator of the universe and humankind.
That's a great point, Mike! It didn't even dawn on me that Ravi was also a cold, calculating manipulator of people. I think you're exactly right. This is a tale of TWO psychopaths!
A very eye-opening and powerful post Bob!
This was a very interesting and thought provoking article. However, I am wondering if psychopath is the correct diagnosis. The description sounds more like sociopath. Ravi Z was brilliant, yes, but seriously sin sick and perverted.
Based on your comment, I believe psychopath is the correct term for two reasons. First, psychopaths are cold, calculating and manipulative while sociopaths are impulsive and unpredictable. David Wood is described more by the former.
Second, psychopath is the term David Wood uses to describe himself.
Okay. It’s been a long time since I studied Psychology. Both personality disorders are dangerous. I remember that. David Hall is fascinating because I guess I never heard of a psychopath who actually recognizes the disorder and copes successfully in society.
Thanks for sharing, thankful for Jesus as the one and only King. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27
https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.10.27.NIV
While I agree with you, I'm not sure how this verse applies to the post. The verse you cite in John 10 is part of a larger passage that speaks of Jesus' call to salvation. The sheep he's talking to are OUTSIDE the pen. The story of David Wood and Ravi is about be wary of listening to the voices of men.
Thanks Bob. I should have clarified, my sharing the verse was to point to listening to Jesus as the Good Shepherd who guides His people rather than men.
Thank you, Bob, for this great article! Very insightful and a good reminder to not put our hope in any man. Ever.