Review of "Schizophrenic Sermons: An Analysis" - by Jeri Massi

I recently read a second book by Jeri Massi entitled Schizophrenic Sermons. While it probably will not cause a stir like her previous book among the IFB community, is it certain to give the reader pause with where the movement is heading. Much of the material is based on previous work posted on Ms. Massi's blog and in podcasts, which can be found at http://www.jeriwho.net. The book's goal is to document instances of blasphemy, heresy and deceptions contained in notable sermons preached by prominent independent fundamental baptist (IFB) preachers, past and present. The sermons discussed in the book include:

"Fresh Oil" - by Jack Hyles
"Crank It Up" - by Jeff Owens
"Why Are You Here" - Jack Schapp
"A Soldier That Stands" - by Lester Roloff
"A Young Fundamentalist" - by Jeff Owens
"Falling From Your Steadfastness" - by Bob Gray
"Duty" - by Jack Hyles

Chapters 1, 5, 10 and the Appendix provide some useful insights into fundamentalism, its culture and beliefs, which are certainly useful to a reader not familiar with the movement. For example, Massi notes in most IFB churches, Bible reading is encouraged but a systematic study of scripture is not generally part of the culture. Judging by her analysis of the above sermons, this aspect is not only observed with the laity but apparently with its leadership as well. Another IFB cultural aspect is in the preponderance of oral tradition within the movement, and its impact encompassing not only the movements perceived history, but its key doctrines, how it defines roles of the sexes, and the positional power of its key leaders. Just these two aspects of culture alone have had tremendous impact on beliefs and doctrines ascribed to the movement ranging from dress to participation in culturally normative activities (dating, movies, etc).

It may have been useful to have this information in its entirety at the start to give one new to the IFB movement a clearer picture, but the background information is timely placed as is. In these chapters, material is drawn from Massi's observations as well as from James Ault's, "Spirit and Flesh: Life in a Fundamental Baptist Church".

For the remaining chapters 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9, an IFB sermon is discussed in each. Massi follows a general format of an introduction to the message (with links providing where one can hear the message first hand), and an overview of the scripture text with her analyis supplemented by the Mathew Henry Commentary. This is followed by notes in some cases of the opening prayer, followed by how the preacher addressed the noted text and an analysis. She approaches this discussion along the lines of point-by-point, rather than line-by-line. Given this, I would certainly recommend to the reader that they listen to the sermons first hand so as to gain a better feel of the message and Massi's analysis.

At least three of the sermons themselves were associated with either youth conferences or that mecca of IFB, Pastors School in Hammond Indiana. The others may have been likewise associated with special events, but this was not clear from Massi's descriptions. I only mention this because some of the criticisms noted in the book stem from the crowd's responses, which are unique to IFB generally and are an almost must-have with these venues in particular. I would also like to note at this point that the sampling of sermons addressed by the book is small and it may be inappropriate to define an entire movement by such a sampling, but given the prominence of these leaders in the movement, one would certainly have expected the messages to be more solid than they appear to be.

Overall, the single most consistent criticism of these sermons as noted by Massi is the preachers' inability to properly exegete the noted text. Massi notes that what little Bible reading is performed is done more to serve the sermon, which at times only serves a given preachers decrees, rather than being used as verification to support the sermon. The charismatic men standing in IFB pulpits and the messages they carry are clearly at times more important than the text itself. When the text is addressed, it is almost as a side bar to be gotten out of the way so the real message the preacher wants to present is expounded upon, whether it is related to the given scripture or not, and whether there is any scriptural support anywhere for it or not.

They rely far more on sermons, on sayings of well-known preachers, on moralistic application of distinct pieces of the Bible rather than a theological comprehension of the text of the bible as a whole. - Jeri Massi, pg 96-97 - Schizophrenic Sermons

Overall, I recommend the book although some of the comments made by Massi seem to come out of left field unless one has read her previous work entitled "Schizophrenic Christianity". These comments refer to abuse issues discussed in the previous book and in this writer's view, while they are important questions, had little direct bearing on the sermons in this book. Other comments are almost funny, if it were not for the seriousness of the subject; the Word of God.

Sometimes, to get an accurate assessment of a particular group or movement, it is necessary to listen to feedback from someone outside. Some on the FFF have contended that Ms. Massi is approaching both the alleged abuse scandals and sermon analysis with bias rather than objectivity. While this could be in some cases, clearly the movement has issues it needs to address, but so far the FFF seems more concerned with whether these books have been self published or not, what the writer's drinking habits are, and where she stands on yoga and new age philosophy. If this group is the last best hope for America and/or the world as many in the movement believe they are, God help us.