AliIs David Benner teaching biblical truth? His writings have gained popularity in the Christian community. It’s different terminology, but does he mean the same things written in Scripture? Sometimes yes but usually no.
I was recently introduced to David Benner’s teachings through a friend who shared some quotes with me. I know her as a follower of Jesus, so I took her perspective to heart. The short passages sounded comforting, yet vaguely off. The author mentioned terms like “true self” and “false self” and never mentioned Jesus by name (though the word “Christ” was used). The book’s title was The Gift of Being Yourself. Sounds wonderful, right?
As she shared, I found Benner’s terminology confusing. I tried matching his words with the Bible’s teaching on “old self / old man” and “new self / new man” (Colossians 3:1-15). This didn’t line up. Was Mr. Benner teaching sanctification to believers, I wondered? Not really, I learned later. He was teaching Jungian Psychology.
Knowing God versus Just Knowing Stuff About Him
Here’s the problem. Benner’s books are marketed as Christian Spirituality. But, is the Bible compatible with Carl Jung’s insights and David Benner’s depth psychology?
What are David Benner’s beliefs? As it turns out, he’s not that keen on sharing them when you get right down to it. Take a look at his article titled Beyond Belief.
It was after reading this article that more red flags popped up. And yet, I also felt a resonating empathy as he expressed a longing to follow The Way (his title for Jesus). Benner’s article is in response to a Christian asking just want I’m asking: “David Benner, what do you believe?”
His response is perplexing. In an unexpected turn, Mr. Benner casts “beliefs” by the wayside, insisting that “knowing God” is far more meaningful than a simplistic statement of faith. He still won’t answer the question.
What does this contemplative teacher mean? What does “knowing God” mean to David Benner?
For someone marketing books to Christians, this question needs addressing —
IS DAVID BENNER TEACHING BIBLICAL TRUTH?
I’ve decided to provide the short summary first and the details following. Here’s the bullet version:
- No. When it comes to the core beliefs of salvation, the nature of God, and the nature of the human soul, Benner’s teachings aren’t biblical.
- Occasionally yes. When sharing the desire to live out his beliefs (as opposed to mere intellectual acknowledgement of certain facts), he echoes the biblical truth that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17-20)
So exactly what are David Benner’s foundational beliefs? What teachings or philosophies have shaped his world-view?
- INTERSPIRITUALITY (all paths lead to God)
- PANENTHEISM (God’s Spirit is infused into matter)
- Jungian and depth psychology (studies on their own)
How do these world-views conflict with the Bible’s teaching? Read on.
1. WHAT IS DAVID BENNER TEACHING? INTERSPIRITUALITY.
What Does This Mean?
For anyone seeking to follow Jesus Christ and adhere to His teachings, Interspirituality is an obvious deal-breaker. It renders Jesus’ atoning death on the cross pointless. If the cleansing of Jesus’ precious blood is unnecessary for the forgiveness of sin, why did He come? Interspirituality (with the same roots as Perrenialism) teaches that all religious traditions are rooted in truth — that they come from a pure singular origin. Dear reader, if you take the teachings of Jesus to heart, you know this is a lie for the ages. Listen to Christ’s prayer to the Father, while facing imminent crucifixion:
My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)
The cup did not pass. Jesus drank it to the dregs. To say, as Interspirituality implies, that His sacrifice for sin was unnecessary, is a huge insult to both Savior and Almighty God (whose holy wrath against sin demanded it).
Yes, it’s true that all religious traditions deal with similar concepts. An understanding of right and wrong has been written on our souls. The quest to know God and understand your self is central to the human condition. Indeed, there are places where biblical teachings intersect with those of other traditions. But where they come in direct opposition, we cannot blur the lines. Jesus says so. No other spiritual teacher is God-in-the-flesh — the One who created you, and died for your sins.
God as the Source of All Wisdom
David Benner often calls God “the Spirit of Wisdom”. He is right to do so. This truth permeates Scripture – God is the source of all wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 states this many times, most famously as:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
This truth echoes throughout the Bible: any so-called wisdom apart from a reverent awe for, and submission to YHWH (the God of Scripture), is folly.
Therefore, the spirit of “wisdom” to which Benner guides his readers is none other than earthly wisdom – mystical and human-centric. How so?
Benner Seeks The Way, While Rejecting The Truth and The Life
I have found some of Benner’s writings to be useful, where his teachings overlap with biblical wisdom. Alas, so far he’s embraced only bits and pieces of Jesus’ revealed identity while rejecting other aspects entirely.
Benner invites his readers to follow The Way. By this he refers to Jesus’ self-proclaimed identity.
Then do! But don’t follow Benner’s way. Jesus says to you in John 14:6:
I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
This is the full package – The Way, The Truth, The Life – as revealed by our Savior. Follow Him. Only He can save you. Only He loves you with Divine love.
Benner’s Discussion Questions
David Benner’s teachings are woven right into the fabric of his discussion questions. Here’s a short example from his Beyond Belief article I linked to earlier. Benner asks his readers to contemplate:
“Where would trust lead me if I followed my desire to live more fully aligned with the Spirit of Wisdom, who inhabits all of creation and is my truest and deepest self?”
Mr. Benner offers this question for reflection, right after his article where he laments being asked to explain his beliefs. It’s amazing to me that in the wording of just one question, he reveals the unbiblical world-view he refused to share earlier.
2. WHAT IS DAVID BENNER TEACHING? PANENTHEISM.
A DEPARTURE FROM BIBLICAL WISDOM
David Benner’s first error here is stating that “the Spirit of Wisdom inhabits all of creation”.
Yes, this is partially true. Creation, even in its fallen state, is covered with God’s fingerprints. Colossians 1:17-18 states that:
“all things were created through [Jesus] and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
The very atoms were created and are held together by God’s power.
Yet, nowhere does the Bible call God inseparable or indistinguishable from His creation. This is panentheism. In fact, this was one of the major differences between the Israelites and their surrounding pagan neighbors (who worshiped idols, trees and rocks).
In stark contrast, the God of Israel is distinct from what He has made. As part of creation, this truth goes for humans too.
Adam and Eve fell from grace by believing Satan’s temptation to disobey, seek earthly knowledge, and become “like God”. Yes, we are made in God’s image, but we are not gods. There is no “Christ-self”. In fact, we are called to repent from sin and die to self. Becoming a new creation in Christ is His work. It’s not something you can accomplish by self-actualization.
Salvation — Can God Dwell In You?
As humans, you and I have a God-shaped void in our hearts. We are not born with God’s Spirit dwelling in us, but rather with an awareness something’s lacking. The Bible makes it clear that when the water of your mother’s womb broke and you came into this world, His Spirit was not in you. Jesus reveals more of this to Nicodemus when He says:
Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:5-8)
Jesus continues:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
To believe in means to put your trust in – full force! Lean into Jesus. Put feet to your faith. Repent of sin and know that His blood shed on that cross paid your penalty. It’s when you’re born again that the Holy Spirit — the Third Person of the Trinity — comes to dwell in you.
Scripture declares that God is everywhere, all-knowing and all-powerful. There is nowhere you can hide from his Presence. But this is not to be confused with pantheism and panentheism, proposing that God is spiritually infused into the things He created.
Contrary to biblical truth, Benner proports that the Big Bang was the:
First Manifestation because it was the point when God first materialized and revealed the God-self.” (Living Wisdom)
Benner also speaks of the “pouring out of the God-self into the universe” as being “the first infusing of spirit within matter.” Not so. The God of the Bible dwells with His creation, but He is distinct from it.
Benner’s Writings Promote Self-Salvation
In the second part of Benner’s question he refers to God as “the Spirit of Wisdom, who … is my truest and deepest self”. It sounds good at first read, but no — it’s a subtly disguised lie. The Bible states that when you are “in Christ” you are a new creation – but only when you’ve trusted Jesus for salvation are you “in Christ”. There are numerous New Testament references for this.
Be clear, my friend: if you are not born again, you are not in Christ. Once you’re saved, even in the believer’s life there’s a war between the flesh and the spirit. Only now, you have an edge – the Holy Spirit! He’s the one who dwells in you and helps you follow Jesus. In contrast to Benner’s statement, God’s Word is adamant: the Spirit of Wisdom does not indwell a non-believer, and He is not your “deepest self”.
IS BENNER TEACHING BIBLICAL TRUTH? — No. He’s missing the mark.
David Benner’s teachings of Interspirituality / Perennialism (there are many ways to God) and Panentheism (God’s Spirit infused into matter) are not only unbiblical — they are anti-biblical. They go against the teachings of the Bible.
To David Benner (and others who share his convictions):
I invite you to put your full weight upon Jesus – lean into His complete identity, and stop diluting or altering His message. He is The Way. He is also The Truth. As a follower of The Way, I desire to learn more of my Master day by day, and to grow in wisdom. I invite you to follow the same path, discovering His will for your life — moment by moment.
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I hope you’ve found my article helpful. I’d love to hear your comments or questions below. Blessings, Ali 🙂