Beware Of Max Lucado's False Gospel

By David J. Stewart
July 2012 | Updated October 2016

       I like Max Lucado as a speaker. He's really great at writing and a gifted orator. However, he's also a perfect example of the dangers of ecumenism. Max Lucado desperately tries to HIDE what he believes about the doctrine of Christ.

I walked into a local Christian bookstore not too long ago and there it was in my face—a giant life-sized image of Max Lucado with that big cheesy smile on his face! Next to the big advertisement were hundreds of his books stacked high.

I kindly mentioned to the Southern Baptist lady (who owns the store with her husband) that Max Lucado is a Church of Christ minister who believes a corrupt plan of salvation. (He changed the name of his church years ago to hide his religious affiliation.) When I mentioned that Max Lucado was a false prophet, it was like I dropped a bomb in her Christian bookstore. I was only being honest and I couldn't have been friendlier about it. She put on a fake smile and smiled until I walked out the door and then I heard the door aggressively lock behind me. I told her the truth and she was offended. What was she supposed to do with her giant pile of Max Lucado books? Throw them away? Yes, throw them all away!!! I'd burn them and have a nice hotdog cookout... don't forget the ketchup and mustard please (oh, and lots of grilled onions).

I was recently startled while researching the Jehovah's Witnesses cult at Watchtower.org, to find that JW's believe in Lordship Salvation. Check it out and you'll discover that JW's believe faith is not enough to be saved. They require works as well. This is exactly what John MacArthur, Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron and Paul Washer teach. Likewise, Max Lucado teaches numerous heresies. He perverts the meaning of repentance unto salvation. He perverts the Gospel message. He perverts the plan of salvation by adding works. Well, see for yourself...

In Max Lucado's booklet “The John 3:16 Promise” (adapted from his book “John 3:16: The Numbers Of Hope”), he states on page 57:

“'Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in' (Eph. 3:17 MSG). Say yes to him. Your prayer needs no eloquence, just honesty.

Father, I believe you love this world. You gave your one and only Son so I can live forever with you. Apart from you, I die. With you I live. I choose life. I choose you.

If you aren't sure you've told him, you haven't. We can't get on board and not know it. No stowaways permitted. Christ followers go public with their belief. We turn from bad behavior to good (repentance). We stop following our passions and salute our new captain (confession). We publicly demonstrate our devotion (baptism).”

SOURCE: “The John 3:16 Promise”, by Max Lucado; adapted from his book, “John 3:16: The Numbers Of Hope”; Thomas Nelson Publishers, ISBN: 978-0-8499-1919-0

There are numerous problems with Max Lucado's plan of salvation as you just read:

  1. Lucado never mentions the DEATH, BURIAL and RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ. 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 defines the Gospel as Christ's death, burial and resurrection three days later. This is the good news that brings salvation if you receive it as payment for your sins.
  2. In Max Lucado's sinner's prayer, the Gospel is not mentioned. My friend, faith in Jesus is not the Gospel. Salvation is not a sinner's prayer. The Gospel is not making a commitment to Christ, nor is it forsaking the world nor amending one's ways. Ye must be born again! (John 3:5)
  3. Max Lucado says “NO STOWAWAYS PERMITTED,” which he explains by saying, “Christ followers go public with their belief.” This is a false Gospel. Lucado is ADDING requirements to salvation that the Bible does not add. There is no mandate in the Scriptures to confess Christ before others to be saved. The Bible says that many of the chief rulers and people believed on Him, but secretly for fear of the Jews (John 12:42).  Joseph of Arimathaea was a secret Christian for fear of the Jews (John 19:38). Confession is NOT a requirement for salvation. Max Lucado is a false prophet!!! Peter was scared and denied Christ, cursing the name of Jesus and then he quit the ministry.
  4. Max Lucado has an incorrect understanding of what it means to repent. Mr. Lucado errantly teaches that repentance is “turning from bad behavior to good.” That's not what repentance concerning salvation means. Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The word “repent” in Mark 1:15 is the Greek word metanoeo and means “to think differently.” Hence, Biblical repentance is to think differently and believe the Gospel. Repentance is a change of mind, not a change of life. The object of repenting is believing the Gospel, not changing one's lifestyle.
  5. Max Lucado says to be saved “we stop following our passions and salute our new captain.” This again is a false understanding of what it means to repent.
  6. Lucado says to be saved “we publickly demonstrate our devotion (baptism).” Church Of Christ require water baptism for salvation. Max Lucado says that water baptism is not required for salvation in his statement of faith, but then writes his books like it is required. Max Lucado says no stowaways are permitted and then he lists all the requirements to be a legitimate passenger. Max Lucado is teaching self-righteousness and a false plan of salvation.

The Damnable MSG Bible Max Lucado Quotes From

I was glad to be sitting down when I glanced through the MSG version of the Bible.

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language was created by Eugene H. Peterson and published in segments from 1993 to 2002. It is a non literal translation, tending towards paraphrase, of the original languages of the Bible.

SOURCE: The Message (Bible) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here's John 3:16 in the MSG Bible. (By the way “MSG” also stands for “Monosodium Glutamate,” a food preservative that gives a lot of people headaches. Well, the MSG Bible will send you to Hell).

Here's some shocking comparisons between the MSG verses the inspired and precious King James Bible Bible. The street jingo, hip hop, Ebonics, “Get down and go daddy, yo hubba bubba” language of the MSG is irreverent to God (not to mention as heretical as can be)...

The Message (MSG) King James Bible (KJB)
John 3:16 — “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Genesis 1:1-2 —  “First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.” Genesis 1:1-2 — “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
John 1:12 — “But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves.” Joh:1:12 — “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
Acts 16:30-31 — “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?" They said, "Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you'll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!” Acts 16:30-31 — “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
Matthew 7:21-23 — “Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'” Matthew 7:21-23 — “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Acts 2:38 — “Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 — “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Romans 10:13 — “Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help.” Romans 10:13 — “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Isaiah 7:14 — “So the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She'll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us). Isaiah 7:14 — “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

ISAIAH 7:14 - Can you believe how Satan has butchered the Bible? Notice that the MSG version attacks the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14. Instead of saying that a virgin shall conceive, the MSG says that a woman who is a virgin will get pregnant. THAT'S WHAT ANY VIRGIN WHO HAS SEX DOES! There's a 100% difference between a virgin conceiving verses a virgin getting pregnant. Notice how subtle the wording is. They butchered Matthew 1:23 (which quotes Isaiah 7:14) the same. There's a big difference between a virgin conceiving verses a virgin getting pregnant. The reader is not led to believe in the virgin birth of Christ by the poor wording of the MSG version.

ROMANS 10:13 - Notice how the Devil butchers Romans 10:13 in the MSG. Instead of trusting upon the Lord Jesus, now it's just asking God for help. Instead of being saved, now it's just getting help. How lame. They've taken away salvation.

ACTS 2:38 - The MSG version has butchered Acts 2:28 teaching the heresy of Baptismal Regeneration. The word “for” in the King James Bible is the Greek word eis and means “a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time”; hence, the Bible commands us to repent and be baptized because your sins have ALREADY been forgiven. You've already reached the point of salvation; therefore, now you ought to be water baptized because your sins are already forgiven in Christ.

MATTHEW 7:21-23 - The MSG version perverts the Scriptures, teaching that the way of salvation is “serious obedience.” In sharp contrast, the King James Bible teaches in John 6:40 that God's will to be saved is TO BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! Serious obedience is a matter of discipleship, not salvation. Eternal life is a free gift, which is freely received without any obligation.

ACTS 16:30-31 - Instead of being saved, now it's just living the life you were meant to live.

JOHN 1:12 - Notice that the MSG version adds the requirement of doing what he said to be saved. The King James Bible simply says to receive the Lord, but the MSG version says you must also do what he said (implying works salvation). Also, notice that the phrase “to them that believe on His name” is removed completely.

GENESIS 1:1-2 - This is just weird how the MSG version renders the Scripture passage. They added the word “bottomless.” No where does the Bible say that the world was bottomless!

JOHN 3:16 - The MSG version totally denies the Biblical teaching of eternal life. They says that those who believe on Christ can have a whole and lasting life. What? Any unsaved heathen can live a whole and lasting life. Look at Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who has lived one of the most fulfilling, pleasurable and trouble-free lives in history. Hugh is 86-years old in 2012 and shacking -up with three sisters, having sex with all of them. He's a filthy rich multi-millionaire. In fact, he has hundreds-of-millions. Hefner was dating 7 women at one time, but Hebrews 13:4 warns “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” ...

“Hefner then began to move an ever-changing coterie of young women into the mansion, even dating up to seven girls at once, among them, Brande Roderick, Izabella St. James, Tina Marie Jordan, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson. The reality television series The Girls Next Door depicted the lives of Madison, Wilkinson and Marquardt at the Playboy Mansion.”

SOURCE: Hugh Hefner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ecclesiastes 8:12, “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him.”

My friend, the precious King James Bible promises us EVERLASTING LIFE. The way the MSG is written subtly speaks only of this earthly life. Words are powerful and the arrangement of words is critical to meaning. The MSG version rearranges words in such a way that the Bible is no longer appears divine, but humanistic and manmade.

Also, please note that the MSG version contains all the same corruptions as the New International Version (NIV) and a bunch more. The MSG is a paraphrase from Hell. John 3:16 removes the word “begotten,” claiming that Jesus is God's one and only Son. That's a lie! John 1:12 says that every believer is an adopted son of God. My friend, if you have an MSG version, throw it in the garbage. Pour maple syrup all over it so no one else picks it up to read. Rip it up! Burn it at a barbecue! Get you a King James Bible, which are God's inspired Words!
 

Buyer Beware!

Remember, the best place to hide a LIE is between two TRUTHS. Max Lucado is a gifted writer and eloquent in speech, but the very fact that he dropped the mention of “Church of Christ” from his church's name shows that he's being deceitful...

Pastor Max Lucado Exposed!

Max Lucado will not come right out and make dogmatic statements about what he believes concerning the Doctrine of Christ. The reason is to avoid conflicts with ecumenical denominations. Read the preface to any modern corrupt Bible in front and you'll discover that the intent of their translation is to steer away from “sectarian bias.”

In other words they invited all the different religious denominations and asked them what to remove so they'd buy their new and improved Bible. It's all about making money—marketing a product that will sell. It makes God's blood boil when evil people butcher the Bible to make it more marketable to an apostate generation of unbelievers. You can have a Bible assembled by unsaved heathens and homosexuals if you want; but for me there's no other Bible than the inspired King James Bible. Amen and Hallelujah!

You cannot remain neutral in your beliefs without totally selling out, sinfully compromising and joining the Devil. God commands us to take sides and not remain lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-16). There is no middle-ground. Apostates like Max Lucado who attempt to straddle-the-fence are going to get splinters in their rear-end. Max Lucado has wood sticking out his posterior area from riding upon the fence for so long. Remember my friend, if you drive in the centerlane of the highway you're going to cause accidents. God wants us hot or cold, in or out, on or off according to Revelation 3:15-16.

Max Lucado is pulling on the same rope as the Devil. Go view his website at maxlucado.com and you'll find a bunch of lame articles promoting psychology instead of doctrinal truth. Hundreds of religious groups and denominations today support Mr. Lucado and purchase his books. Lucado is so wishy-washy and sinfully compromised as a Bible teacher that the New World Order loves him. Lucado rakes in millions of dollars each year from his book sales (and has been for decades).

Anyone can write dozens of books which employ Bible characters and stories, and yet not touch upon the Doctrine of Christ. That's what I hate about The Picture Bible for children. They don't teach the Godhead, neither the virgin birth, neither the importance of the blood of Jesus, nor any of the doctrines of Christ. The Doctrine of Christ is very important, for it is the only thing which separates genuine Christianity from false religion. Authors like Max Lucado exploit the Bible to make a buck, but they have no sincere interest in teaching people the truth of God's Word. If they did they would do so. No preacher becomes worldwide famous unless he is a dirty compromiser!

God give us more Billy Sundays and “THUS SAITH THE LORD!” type preachers like Isaiah and John the Baptist!!!
 

Frankenstein Ministers

Today's ministers are sadly resemblant of Dr. Frankenstein, who took body parts from various dead corpses and assembled them into one zombie, calling it life. Today's Modernists and liberal preachers take quotes from different dead Bible perversions and assemble them into Frankenstein-like New York Times Bestseller books, falsely claiming they'll change your life. I'm not interested in body parts from different corrupt Bible versions. The parallel is disturbingly accurate. Today's ministers are like Dr. Frankenstein, trying to create life from the butchered dead. You can't take body parts from dead Bibles and attempt to create spiritual life in a church congregation.

The bottom line is that you'll starve to death spiritually reading Max Lucado's book; but worse, you'll be led into the sinful Ecumenical Movement that yokes born-again evangelicals with unsaved Roman Catholics. God commanded the prophet Balaam (see Numbers chapter 22) NOT to allow God's children to yoke together with the Devil's children in the world. Balaam today is known as the infamous “prophet for hire,” because in exchange for the good life he disobeyed God and brought the righteous together with the heathen, thus polluting the land with idolatry, wickedness and apostasy.

Any unsaved Roman Catholic would feel at home reading one of Max Lucado's books, or listening to a sermon preached by Mr. Lucado. Read the following sinner's prayer that Max Lucado uses to lead a person to receive Christ...

“Father, I believe you love this world. You gave your one and only Son so I can live forever with you. Apart from you, I die. With you, I live. I choose life. I choose you.”

SOURCE: “3:16—THE NUMBERS OF HOPE,” by Pastor Max Lucado; Nelson Publishers, pg. 129, 2007

That's it? That's what a person needs to pray to be saved? Well, first of all, no prayer can save a person. According to 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 we are saved by believing in our heart that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead, and trusting upon that (THE GOSPEL) as payment for our sins. Jesus paid it all! That's Biblical salvation. We are saved by grace through faith PLUS NOTHING!

Max Lucado is a prophet for hire, as is Billy Balaam (Graham), attempting to unite different religions through watered-down, milquetoast, apostate mumbo-jumbo sermonettes and shallow books that don't take a stand for the doctrines of Christ (such as the virgin birth, Christ's deity, Godhead, Jesus' literal blood sacrifice, bodily resurrection, sinless life, et cetera).

Mr. Lucado also horribly fails to explain what he believes about repentance unto salvation, because it is clear that he is a Church of Christ minister, still. The church may have changed their name, but Max Lucado has NEVER renounced his Church of Christ beliefs and faith. The Church of Christ is sincere, no doubt; but they are of the Devil and sincerely on their way to Hell in a false plan of salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith PLUS NOTHING!

Who is that man behind the curtain? What does Max Lucado really believe? In order to maintain international superstar status, Mr. Apostate must continue to remain secretive and hide his true views of the doctrines of Christ. For to take any stand means criticism from one or more groups. It's tragic that a minister can wallow like a pig in apostasy, never take a stand on core doctrinal issues, and people will give him more money for teaching vague but widely accepted cute Bible stories. 2nd Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” And so it is with Max Lucado, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Pat Robertson, Benny Hinn and other fakes on television and in the bookstores. Who next, the Antichrist?

You know, Christian books are priceless; but Max Lucado's books in my opinion are dangerous, because they steer clear of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith.

I knew a Church of Christ (COC) minister years ago. We debated frequently over the Bible. The man DIDN'T believe in either a literal heaven nor hell. He believed a wrong view of repentance which teaches a 'change of lifestyle' to be saved; instead of simply a 'change of mind' as the Biblical Greek teaches in Mark 1:15.

The minister also denied a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ during the Millennium. And of course he didn't believe in a Rapture either. Church Of Christ, Churches Of Christ, United Churches Of Christ, International Church Of Christ... they're are messed up!

Church Of Christ followers are taught that you have to try really hard to stop committing sins to be saved, as does Ray Comfort and Paul Washer. This is their false understanding of what repentance really means. This is not Biblical repentance unto salvation; but rather, self-righteousness of ther worst sort (deceitfully repackaged as truth). Max Lucado is a wolf in sheep's clothing, wrapping his false views on repentance, baptism and salvation in basic Christian principles.

Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again! Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith. God will not save anyone who is trying to be saved, He will only save those who are trusting to be saved.
 

No Book Can Substitute For THE BOOK!

Picture of an old BiblePlease don't misunderstand, no Book compares to our beloved and inspired King James Bible. No book authored by man is inspired. Only the Bible is INSPIRED (God-breathed). Literally, God made sinful men holy in order to prepare them to be PENS to write His Words. God is the divine Author. For a much better explanation on this subject please read, HOW WE GOT GOD'S WORD. No book ought to be compared nor elevated with the GOOD BOOK!

Albeit, God has blessed us with the wisdom and knowledge of Christian men who've diligently studied the Word of God. The great DANGER is becoming dependent (reliant) upon books written by man instead of doing our own homework and study. Many people are being led astray these days by corrupt Bible-teachers that arrogantly pervert the truth into a lie.

The big problem with contemporary corrupt Bible-scholars is that they all use contemporary corrupt Bibles. I just wrote an article exposing the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), which is published by the apostate Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). It is based upon the same corrupt Alexandrian Greek manuscripts of Westcott and Hort as the New International Version and Good [Bad] News For Modern Man. If you have a corrupt Bible revision, then all the fruit will be corrupt. The ONLY Bible that you can trust is the precious and inspired KING JAMES BIBLE (often called the 1611 “AUTHORIZED VERSION”). The most priceless Holy Book is our believed King James Bible. Only the King James Bible faithfully uplifts, honors and exalts the Lord Jesus Christ, His deity, virgin birth, sinless perfection, preeminence and the Godhead!

I've devoted my life to the distribution of books, Bibles and tracts and anything that will help to further the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The reading of good Christian books is one of the best ways to challenge and encourage Christians.” Larry Harrison (Christian Book Gallery)

The Gospel In Just One Minute
(by Pastor Max D. Younce)


"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
—2nd Thessalonians 1:8

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