The Hyles Effect: A Spreading Blight documents the life and ministry of Jack Hyles, who pastored First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, for 42 years, and Jack Schaap, who took over the pastorate of the church when his father-in-law died in 2001 until he went to prison in 2012 for having a sexual relationship with a minor and transporting her across state lines for that purpose. But the book is not merely about two men. It is a warning about a cultic model of ministry that has spread very far. Hyles set the pattern for errors that remain rampant. The book is a positive call to build biblical churches. A major motivation in writing it is to challenge young preachers not to be man followers and man pleasers, to walk in the fear of God rather than the fear of man, to be serious Bible students and Bereans, to be passionate for Christ and Truth, and to reject pragmatism: whether it be contemporary church growth pragmatism or emerging pragmatism or fundamental Baptist pragmatism. The book is a warning about Quick Prayerism, promotionalism, big numbers-ism, the abuse of pastoral authority, blind loyalty to man, cover-up and deception and rampant immorality, the neglect of church discipline, and unrepentant heresy. Chapter titles include the following: The Latest Saga, A Personal Testimony, It’s Not Enough to Criticize, A Word about Robert Sumner, Jack Hyles, Jack Schaap, Shooting the Wounded and Other Silly Arguments. 159 pages. Available in print and free eBook editions.
(Friday Church News Notes, December 18, 2020, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org , 866-295-4143)