| John Eldredge | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 6, 1960 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | author, activist |
| Website | |
| http://www.ransomedheart.com | |
John Eldredge (born June 6, 1960) is an author, counselor, and lecturer of Christianity.
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Eldredge describes himself, "I’m 51. I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. My wife Stasi and I have three sons. My graduate degree is in counseling. Professionally, I’m a writer and a speaker. I don’t pastor. I’m not a preacher. I don’t have a church that I lead." [1]
While living in Los Angeles Eldredge was looking for a "worldview." After exploring other religions, Eastern mysticism, Lao-Tzu, and New Age spirituality, he discovered the writings of Francis Schaeffer, whom he calls one of the best philosophers of the 20th century. Through Schaeffer, Eldredge came to Christ and later to the church. He eventually got a master's degree in counseling and practiced in Colorado Springs before working for Focus on the Family.
John received his undergraduate degree in theater from California Polytechnic University (Pomona) and his MA in biblical counseling from Colorado Christian University under the direction of Dr. Larry Crabb and Dr. Dan Allender. Prior to joining Focus on the Family in 1988, John served for five years on the staff of Sierra Madre Congregational Church in Southern California.
In July 2000, John left Focus on the Family to launch Ransomed Heart Ministries, a ministry devoted to furthering Christian spiritual life. A sought-after speaker, John travels extensively in the U.S. and abroad. John, his wife, Stasi, and their three sons live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
In 2003, Eldredge's book Waking The Dead was published. On page 54 of the book, Eldredge teaches: "There is a widespread belief among Christians today that the heart is desperately wicked – even after a person comes to Christ. It is a crippling belief. And it is untrue." [2] Instead, Eldredge teaches on page 67, "And you have a new heart. Do you know what this means? Your heart is good." [3] On page 70, he declares "This is the lost message of the gospel..." On page 75, he quotes Jesus, "Remember the mission of Christ: “I have come to give you back your heart and set you free.” On page 75, he wrote, "Our destiny is to come fully alive. To live with ever-increasing glory. This is the Third Eternal Truth every good myth has been trying to get across to us: your heart bears a glory, and your glory is needed… now." [4] Also on page 75, Eldredge makes the distinction that Christians have "good hearts", "Christians talk about themselves “I’m just a sinner, saved by grace.” … It’s also unbiblical." On page 79, he wrote about human glory, "You’ve been given a new heart. Now God is restoring your glory [The glory Adam lost when he fell]." On page 81, he wrote, "I am not making this up-though I have been accused of making the gospel better than it is." Clearly a huge fan of Braveheart, Eldredge wrote, "Taped across the top of my computer, just above the screen on which I am now typing this sentence, I’ve pasted another: “Ego numquam….” It’s in Latin, for those of you, like me, who don’t know their Latin, a line from the movie Braveheart. Translated, it means “I never tell lies, but I am a savage.”" [5] On page 104, Eldredge gives Pentecostal preacher Jack W. Hayford credit for the ideas in the second half of his Waking The Dead book, "…[Jack said] “All the streams are coming together now in the church-Healing, Counseling, Deliverance, and Discipleship.” My heart leapt. Yes! That’s it! That’s what we need in order to see people come alive-to see them set free." [6]
The contents of Eldredge's books have led many Christian leaders to question his perspectives and style. In 2004 Rut Etheridge III described Eldredge as having an "alarmingly unbiblical worldview."[7][8]
Eldredge appeals to allegory and popular culture more than to credible scholarship. For example, Eldredge writes, "Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, the Incarnation of grace, meekness, and love is not Mister Rogers with a beard! He is more like Maximus in the movie Gladiator or William Wallace in Braveheart."[9] Eldredge's references to Gladiator and Braveheart have also been criticized as part of his portrayal of Christian masculinity being focused on warfare and violence.[10]
Although he does not promote criminality, Eldredge has also received criticism because Wild at Heart has been used by the "pseudo-evangelical cult" and Mexican criminal cartel La Familia Michoacana.[11][12][13]