Is David Benner Teaching Biblical Truth?

His books have gained popularity in seminaries and counseling sessions. But is David Benner teaching biblical truth? The short answer is no. But it’s complicated — truth muddled with lies. He embraces Jesus as the Way, but rejects His identity as the Truth. Which is a different way altogether.

Join me as we unearth Benner’s uneven foundation of interspirituality and panentheism.

 

BENNER ON KNOWING GOD VERSUS JUST KNOWING STUFF ABOUT HIM

 

David Benner’s books are marketed as Christian Spirituality. So it’s fitting for us to ask:

What are David Benner’s beliefs?

As it turns out, he’s not very keen on sharing them. Odd, right? Take a look at his article Beyond Belief. It’s a response to the same question I’m asking:

“David Benner, what do you believe?”

At first read, it’s thoughtful. In place of stating core biblical truth, he insists that “knowing God” cannot be captured by a simplistic statement of faith. David describes a longing to follow The Way (Jesus), and he chastises Christians who get hung up on doctrinal beliefs but miss the heart of Christ.

Okay. But not okay.

Belief matters! An authentic relationship with Jesus Christ begins with simple tenants of truth about Him. Our Savior boldly declared Himself to be the Truth! This Spirit-led living Benner seeks flows from knowing the real Jesus.

Is David Benner teaching a different Jesus than the One revealed in Scripture?

 

IS DAVID BENNER TEACHING BIBLICAL TRUTH?

I’ve decided to provide the short summary first with 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.
• Yes. When sharing the desire to live out his beliefs (as opposed to mere intellectual acknowledgement of 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? He has written many books, including The Gift of Being Yourself, Surrender to Love and Living Wisdom. After much reading and research, I’ve identified several beliefs which shape his world-view:

1. Interspirituality (all paths lead to God)
2. Panentheism (God’s Spirit is infused into matter)
3. Depth Psychology (a study in its own right)

Do these philosophies lineup with biblical truth? It’s a deep dive, so here we go.

 

1. WHAT IS DAVID BENNER TEACHING? INTERSPIRITUALITY.

 

 

 

What Does This Mean?

Interspirituality teaches that all religious traditions are rooted in truth, that they come from one pure singular origin. Dear reader, if you take the teachings of Jesus to heart, you know this is a lie for the ages. The Savior’s claims are very exclusive.

 

i. Benner Seeks The Way, While Rejecting The Truth and The Life

David embraces only some of Jesus’ revealed identity while rejecting other aspects entirely. He invites readers to follow The Way. Then do! But don’t follow Benner’s way. Jesus says 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 Jesus Christ. Follow Him. Only He can save you. His claims exclude all others.

 

ii. Interspirituality Renders Jesus’ Atoning Death Pointless

 Interspirituality implies that Jesus’ sacrifice for sin was unnecessary since people don’t need to be saved. All paths lead to God.

This claim insults both our Savior and Almighty God (whose holy wrath against sin required a perfect atonement). If Jesus’ precious blood didn’t need to be shed for your sins to be washed away, then He came for nothing.

Another possible way to be saved? Listen to Jesus’ 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. There was and is no other way.

 

TEACHING HIDDEN IN 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 (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 the 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 neglected to share earlier.

 

2. WHAT IS DAVID BENNER TEACHING? PANENTHEISM.

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 even 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. 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 Panentheism, proposing God’s spiritual infusion into the things He created.

Contrary to biblical truth, Benner purports that the Big Bang was the:

First Manifestation because it was the point when God first materialized and revealed the God-self.” (his book Living Wisdom)

 

Yet, nowhere does the Bible describe God as inseparable or indistinguishable from His creation. This is Panentheism. It’s a crucial difference in belief, which (back in the day) set the Israelites apart from their pagan neighbors (who worshiped idols, trees and rocks). In stark contrast, the God of Israel revealed Himself as distinct from the work of His hands. This truth goes for humans too.

Adam and Eve fell from grace by trusting Satan’s temptation to disobey, seek earthly knowledge, and become “like God”. Notice the nuances here. Indeed, humans are made in God’s image, but we are not God Himself.

Contrary to what David Benner teaches, there is no “Christ-self”. In fact, you are called to repent from sin and die to self. Becoming a new creation in Christ is His work in you. It’s not something accomplished by self-actualization.

 

DAVID BENNER ON THE SELF

Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of self talk in Mr. Benner’s books. And though he does offer some helpful insights, his foundation is skewed.

After all, how well can you know your self without first knowing the One who created you, then gave all to redeem you?

I even tried viewing David’s writings through the lens of sanctification — as post-salvation advice spoken to a born again believer. The psychology makes a bit more sense, but not consistently. Do his “true self” and “false self” terms work as modern tags for the “new self” and “old self” discussed in Ephesians 4:20-24? Also see Romans 6:6 and Colossians 3:8-10.   Not after careful study.

No, Mr. Benner isn’t teaching biblical sanctification. He’s teaching Jungian Psychology.

This leads to the most important question of all …

 

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.

 

BENNER’S VIEWS PROMOTE SELF SALVATION

In the second part of Benner’s discussion 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, there’s still a war between flesh and spirit. But 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 DAVID 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.

………….

I hope you’ve found my article helpful. I’d love to hear your comments or questions below.  Blessings, Ali 🙂