Christianity in Crisis is an educational look at the contemporary leaders in today’s faith movement. Hank Hanegraaff exposes the lies that have invaded the modern church and duped so many unsuspecting souls. In the first section of the book, Hanegraaff looks at the teachings and how they have been taken from scripture but then abused. He compiles the teachings of various leaders into a creation account. I found it to be revolting and yet this is what is being taught in many churches around the world. Hanegraaff also gives a “cast of characters” with detailed research into what each person’s particular slant is with quotes from the pulpit. This is very helpful if you have a friend or neighbor that is reading some of these authors and you can show them exactly what is wrong with their theology.
Hanegraaff extensively deals with all the components of the broken down gospel as it is being portrayed today. A big characteristic is the idea of “faith in faith”; that there is this force that we can call into being. Another aspect is that we are “little gods”; that since we are created in the image, we are actually gods in and of ourselves.
The fourth section deals with “atonement atrocities”. So much of the teachings in modern leaders attack the essence of who God is when they take away from the work that God did on the cross. The fifth and sixth sections of the book deal with further misconceptions of faith. “If you truly had faith, you would be wealthy and healthy”. This has to be one of the most hurtful components to the average person. Being poor, suffering or being sick is a sign of doubt and lack of faith. In reality, we know as Christians, that we were promised suffering and pain. Yet another way that the devil attacks the work of Christ.
Hanegraaff ends with a reiteration of the true gospel of Christ and reminds the reader of Truth. A very informative look at the destructive teachings prevalent in today’s ‘church’.