In regard to "But to remain on constant alert for dark forces entering the home through, for example, some unidentified etchings on the handle of a dagger..." I've often wondered why some Christians give power to or instill fear of the "dark forces" of false idols or objects made of wood, metal or stone. These objects can't think, see, hear, talk, or walk. God's Word says idols are powerless. Also, it really irritated me to give this article a star rating or I could not submit a comment. Since I have not read John's book so I could make my own judgement, I clicked one star

Being a Calvinist does not require one to embrace God only through the intellect and not have an active prayer life and the leading of the Spirit. I agree with Scott and Roger: Eldredge is such a pathetic example of a narcissist who pulls down the Triune God into his ego, making God say what John wants to hear, allowing him to live out his fantasies. Wild at Heart was a book for nerds who fall in love with the heroes of non-historical epics like Braveheart and Gladiator, and buy swords and go camping, living out their fantasy football version for a weekend. What's sad is how many androgynous pastors jump on that bandwagon and rally the pasty-skinned plump couch potatoes of their congregation to shell out money to do the same. People complain about the emergent church as compromising with postmodernity - but Eldredge is a prime example of popular evangelicalism's being run with it through and through - as I mentioned above, he baptizes pomo narcissism and calls it the Holy Spirit.

I would encourage everyone to read Bruce Waltke's book 'Finding The Will Of God: A Pagan Notion?" and to heed the wisdom of Proverbs 28:26. Most Christians who look for the warm fuzzy feelings to decide of they should "go fishing for the day" typically ignore the 66 volumes of Scripture God has spoken to them already. Eldridge's mysticism is as dangerous as his psychological self-help methods, even though I believe that he is a genuine "nice guy." Unfortunately, 'nice' and 'wrong' often coexist in the same individual.

Eldredge deserves regular re-reading! If we would truly seek God's guidance, of course we should seek Him in our prayers. Regular prayers, private prayer, small group prayer, congregational prayer, in the stillness of the night or the early morning, whenever we need Him, and indeed, whenever we think we don't. That a clear voice, call, letter, email, telegram, or knock on the door must soon deliver transforming words you need to hear is not the issue-- seeking Father God in faith and expectant listening is. Most likely, after fervent prayer and patience, each believing sender should expect what Eldredge does: God's transforming wisdom for that special insight intended for each receiver. Surely scripture affirms that, "we are invited into a conversational intimacy with God"- not as equals --but as stumbling, wide eyed, trusting, loving children eager to know the will of Abba Father.≈

I admit that I have not read the book, but the approach described is not at all uncommon - and 20 years in the ministry of counseling 20-somethings confirms the reviewers observations about it being a paralyzing approach to God's will. God has promised wisdom in decisions, not verbatim instructions - and there is not a single passage of Scripture to support the "asking God if I should fish today" view of what it means to walk with the Lord. Direct revelation is always related to specific tasks and never about living the minute-by-minute Christian life. We are to learn the principles that the Lord has given so clearly to those who will but study His Word - and then take personal responsibility for acting on those principles. Like many things in the Charismatic tradition, it leaves believers thinking and acting like children, rather than mature disciples who live a truly spirit-filled life. It is so unfortunate that this childish way of being relational with God is so very unspiritual.