Norman Vincent Peale

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The biblical books of Proverbs, Sirach, Ecclesiates do not speak of God, and may only do so rarely. If anyone quotes from them as self-helps to wisdom, could it be said therefore, that these are to be rejected because Jesus and God are not referenced? Many of these verses could be considered as “positive thinking.” I’m beginning to think that labeling NVP as satanic because he wrote a book on this, or that these helps [even if they might not mention God specifically] are not worth one’s consideration, may border on excess rigorism. :eek:
 
Joysong said:
The biblical books of Proverbs, Sirach, Ecclesiates do not speak of God, and may only do so rarely. If anyone quotes from them as self-helps to wisdom, could it be said therefore, that these are to be rejected because Jesus and God are not referenced? Many of these verses could be considered as “positive thinking.” I’m beginning to think that labeling NVP as satanic because he wrote a book on this, or that these helps [even if they might not mention God specifically] are not worth one’s consideration, may border on excess rigorism. :eek:
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Good point. But, I personally get more out of meditating on New Testament writings.

I wouldn’t label NVP satanic, but people who depend on “self help” books and make such books their total spiritual direction can be subtly led away from fully focusing on Jesus our Lord.
 
Hi Dorothy,

I agree with you, but many are not there yet, spiritually. The awesome reality is that God’s Holy Spirit is present even with those who read secular self-help books, because they are unconsciously seeking some type of improvement, whether or not they realize their need of God in order to accomplish it. I trust that He loves all, and will “deliver them from evil” if their intention is pure.

There are many highlighted verses from Proverbs in my bible, and I refer back to them often. Such wisdom! May we trust the Lord who is the unseen guest in our reading choices … may He enlighten us always to eternal Truth!
 
Joysong said:
Hi Dorothy,

I agree with you, but many are not there yet, spiritually. The awesome reality is that God’s Holy Spirit is present even with those who read secular self-help books, because they are unconsciously seeking some type of improvement, whether or not they realize their need of God in order to accomplish it. I trust that He loves all, and will “deliver them from evil” if their intention is pure.
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Well said, Carole. I totally agree with you. Your viewpoint is very Catholic! And I am happy to find your thoughts and mine are often on the same path as I take you as one of my good spiritual friends.
 
Hi InLight,

I have received many lights from your words, too, and I thank Our Lord for this opportunity to share our thoughts and strengthen one another in spiritual friendship. The Unseen Guest who moves each of us as we read is truly awesome! He confirms us often interiorly and I have noticed how similar is our thinking. Amen!

Carole
 
Joysong wrote:

<<There are many highlighted verses from Proverbs in my bible, and I refer back to them often. Such wisdom! May we trust the Lord who is the unseen guest in our reading choices … may He enlighten us always to eternal Truth!>>

Amen!
 
InLight247 said:
You have a good point about “Jesus”. Many New Age stuff talks about God but not Jesus. It could be deceiving and misleading.
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i have a friend who always talks about God, but never uses the name of Jesus. He doesn’t go to church anymore, doesn’t want to hear about the Catholic Church (well, if he does, you’d never know it) yet thinks (seems to) that he’s in good with God… His attitude is getting worse as he gets older (doesn’t seem to really care about the people in his life… just my opinion…long story). I don’t know why he can’t see that he is lacking something. Or if he does see, he doesn’t talk about it… Anyway, i think he’s an OK person but it bothers me when people don’t wnat to use the name of Jesus… I mean, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the life… Scripture says that the will of God will be accomplished through HIM… not God, the Father alone…

I believe the wrath of God abides on us when we are not in Christ. I read the Scripture readings for Mass for (i think) Monday. God gets very angry at Miriam and Aaron for oppossing Moses… and makes Miriam a leper…

God hates sin. Jesus is the only “thing” that can save us from the wrath of God…
 
He doesn’t go to church anymore, doesn’t want to hear about the Catholic Church (well, if he does, you’d never know it)
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This is a contradiction. :confused: Do you really know?
yet thinks (seems to) that he’s in good with God… His attitude is getting worse as he gets older (doesn’t seem to really care about the people in his life… just my opinion
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This is very hard to follow, Distracted. Seems to, and just your opinion? This wording doesn’t suggest that it is factual.
I don’t know why he can’t see that he is lacking something. Or if he does see, he doesn’t talk about it…
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You lost me again.
Anyway, i think he’s an OK person but it bothers me when people don’t want to use the name of Jesus…
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Since you are vacillating on everything else about this person, it doesn’t surprise me that you might not hear him speak of Jesus. That is not proof that he is in the wrath of God, as you outlined below. We cannot know another’s heart based solely on lack of church attendance or not saying Jesus’s name. You may want to rethink this and try to see him in a less judgmental light. This person is not the point of the discussion, anyway, is he?
I believe the wrath of God abides on us when we are not in Christ.
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Now you are getting closer to the topic. Reading between the lines, I get the feeling you think that NVP is not godly because he may not have mentioned Jesus’s name in his book. Have you read it or are you going by hearsay? Can you know the state of his soul before God? I don’t mean to sound harsh, but just as you believe people incur God’s wrath for not being “in Christ” — so also do people incur His wrath for opinions that are subjectively formed of others.
 
Joysong is right about not being judgmental.

I think about one discussion with my spiritual director.
He said we should not have a narrow, single-thread (this is my word) view about things. And this discussion about NVP falls into the category. Once I asked my SD about people who seldom attend Mass but receive Communion. He said we don’t know people’s heart, never judge anybody. Judgment is God’s business. He gave the example of famous designer Versace’s funeral. We all know about Versace’s homosexual life, but Church still gave him a Catholic funeral Mass, didn’t deny his right.

And by the way, NVP did mention the name of Jesus in his book as I posted earlier. I won’t deny the truth in his teaching just because he might be a Freemason. If today a death penalty criminal wrote a book about the earth is round, would you say he is lying?😃
 
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