Ruckman’s twisted view of God

Few fundamentalists would dispute that we are living in an age in which a “positive gospel” is frequently being preached in which little or no mention is made of the wrath of God. However, what is needed is not the opposite extreme, but rather a balanced approach. In my journey wading through Ruckman’s books, I was sensing what I’m calling a “twisted view of God.” References to God’s love and goodness were rare and overshadowed by an unusual concentration on the subject of God’s wrath in the manner in which a bitter atheist might be expected to describe the God of the Bible whom he rejects. The following are two examples of what I am referring to:

That means when the Babylonians were taking Jewish babies and knocking their brains out (Psa. 137:8-9), God was having a good time. He said he rejoiced over a thing like that. When Titus crucified 500 Jews on the roads leading into Jerusalem in A.D. 70, God “got a kick” out of that. When King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella threw all the Jews out of Spain in A.D. 1492 (after the Spanish Inquisition had decimated their ranks), God was happy about that. And when Hitler sent six million of them to the furnaces, that was God shouting “Amen!” and “running the bases,” proverbially. I didn’t say that; God Almighty said that. (Ruckman, Peter. The Book of Romans. 2003, p. 185)

You see, when I called the God who is "love" a "TERRORIST," not one Hebrew or Greek scholar in Laodicea, nor one Bible teacher or Bible revisor [sic] since 1800, took me seriously; he thought I had blasphemed God. (Ruckman, Peter. General Epistles. Vol. 2, 2004, p. 144)

After having read dozens of Ruckman’s books, I finally had the opportunity to read his 1996 book God is Love. As I picked up the book, I thought that just maybe he would stick to the subject of the title of his book and present God in a more loving manner. It did not take long to realize that his book was mistitled. Notice these examples:

…the Holy Bible, reveals that it is “hate literature” par excellent. (Ruckman, Peter. God is Love. 1998, p. 61) Modern Christians (and especially Fundamentalists and Evangelicals), who talk about “the love of God,” are hot air experts, bullshooters…(Ibid., p. 71)

The God of the Bible is the God of carpet-bombing, enfilade fire, the naval encounter, the ambush, the frontal attack, the blitz, the counterattack, the siege, the cavalry charge, and the thermonuclear bomb. (Ibid., p. 93)

Ruckman's view of God the Son fares no better. Observe the following example from another book:

Deceived apostates find it impossible to believe that the Lord Jesus would be sarcastic, vicious, vengeful, insulting, unkind, or deceptive. Like nuts in the nut house, they are optimistic all the time, and fashion a god after their own “powers of positive thinking.” “I the Lord have deceived that prophet” (Ezek. 14:9) (Ruckman, Peter. Ruckman’s Bible References: Personal Notes on Salient Verses in the Bible. p. 65)

We don’t need more unbalanced “positive” preachers like Joel Olsteen and Robert Schuller, but in the same manner we don’t need the exact opposite either.

 

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12 Responses to Ruckman’s twisted view of God

  1. Anonymous says:

    In my opinion, Ruckman presents a side of God (i.e., judgement, primarily) that has been so neglected in this country that it seems to most people an abomination to even broach the subject, let alone lambaste folks with it, as Ruckman does. With some temperance Ruckman could be an (more) effective soul winner. It is true that given his caustic approach one can’t help but wonder if he must have had a very brutal earthy father. However, only a person not familiar with the old testament (or who believes it has been invalidated somehow) can deny the less politically correct characteristics of a Holy God. Modern society cannot/will not tolerate this, and perhaps this contributes to attacks on people like Ruckman. Indeed, where is your website axcoriating Joel whats-his-name, who today so widely represents western “christianity”? I would ask, what has this modern watered down gospel of “love & tolerance” wrought? Which message is the more dangerous, is also a fair question. When men of God in times past preached the ENTIRE council of scripture entire sities were brought to repentance. Where is revival today? Where is the national repentance we so desperately need? Is personal responsibility and holiness on the increase? Or is exactly the opposite the case? I’m digressing. So while Ruckman is clearly lopsided in his approach, I would submit his preaching is not entirely without merit. But the fact remains, “A false balance is an abomination with God”, and Ruckman only seems capable of discerning the harshness of God; and is therefore out of balance. Oh how I wish Ruckman could temper his message, because this nation needs to understand God did indeed love us enough to send his Son, but is also holy enough to send perfectly “nice” people- who reject Gods unspeakable gift- to a place called hell. And like Ruckman or not, this is the truth. There is simply no way to parse it. Yet we do, don’t we? Unfortunately, Ruckman lays it on so thick that the imbalance of his message has opposite the desired effect. He is, in short, no Jonathan Edwards, and a pretty poor fisherman. In conclusion, let us who profess to be followers of Christ pray for this brother, that Gods will would be done in his life, rather than resorting to an internet based crusade to destroy him. That is as unchristian as anything you’ve accused Ruckman of.

  2. Webmaster says:

    In your comment, you admit that "Ruckman is clearly lopsided in his approach," and is "out of balance," yet you strangely end it saying that those of us who try to keep Ruckman accountable are "resorting to an internet based crusade to destroy him. That is as unchristian as anything you’ve accused Ruckman of." Your last two statements do not make sense, as you agreed Ruckman was wrong. Just because we are to pray one for another does not mean that those who like Ruckman have a very public ministry should not be publicly held accountable. See my article Ruckman, his defenders, and the issue of accountability.

  3. Anonymous says:

    You my brother are a blithering idiot. I don’t know you and I don’t want to know you but thank you for allowing me to state my mind. the bible says if a man be ignorant let hime be ignorant. I’m sure all the time you spend trying to tare apart a man that stands for truth is just so affective in your soul winning and public ministry. Wait. . . you probably don’t have a public ministry because that might offend someone. Don’t be upset because a man is not afraid to state his opinion about about scholastic blunders that have just about destroyed people doctrinaly and in doing such bringing confusion into the home. and now there children won’t have any thing to do with God or the bible. Because they were never given any roots in truth and in the book. A man that can’t except the truth about his self usually is in denial to the truth about other things too. Usually leaning primarily on doctor so and so’s teaching; “because he’s DOCTOR he would know” type crap. AKA Get a life. and do something for God and not to puff your philthy rotten flesh.

    • What a paragon of Christian grace! Behold the fruit of the Ruckmanite cult!

      • Gabs says:

        Im not ruckmanite. Im an Argentinean who thought of being a nun before I got saved my God. Believe me when I tell you that the gospel of preaching (love) alone is contratry to the Bible. Jesus never said, God loves you come to heaven. His message has always been "repent". Love is also shown in correcting a child (even with a rod). What'smore the world just laugh at us and our "hippie" Jesus with long hair talking peace and love….that's not a true depiction. He who says that has never seen Jesus or God…If we are truthful to our Master lets not water it down, just preach it like it is. Like our master did: REPENT! Salvation can not happen until the person understand that he or she is a sinner  (as we all are) and are in need of our doctor, our Saviour Jesus. Love embraces their self-righteouness. 

  4. Webmaster says:

    I don’t always allow posts with no substance such as the above to get posted, but occasionally I do just to reveal the spirit of a typical Ruckman defender. As you can see, they usually respond to documentation with insults.

  5. Anonymous says:

    The problem with most of Ruckman’s teachings, is the hate behind his words. Anyone who reads anything he has written, or attended any of his seminars, or listened to any of his tapes, not only can hear the hate, but feel the anger behind his messages. Where is the love of Christ? Not in Ruckman’s words unfortunately.

    Therefore, those who also have that hate in them, find attraction to his teachings, which validate rude and ignorant behaviors and attacks on others…and they mimic their teacher.

    I ask that Ruckman’s readers stop following the man, and start following the Word of God.

    Even a KJV only reader will find the Truth of God’s Word if they are seeking for themselves, instead of being led down the path of hate.

    How did satan deceive eve? or try to trick Jesus? by perverting the written Word.

    Ruckman has no love for sinners, no love for brothers who stumble, and no love for enemies…yet, this is exactly what Jesus did and teaches! So if a man is not doing and teaching what Jesus did did and taught, is he really a follower of Christ?

    If not, then should anyone else be listening to anything he has to say about the Word of God?

    This is just my opinion…don’t listen to anything I’m saying…go read the Word of God for yourself and find the Truth.

    • Ann says:

      1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
      1Jo 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  6. Anonymous says:

    If you don’t want anyone to listen to anything you’re saying, why did you bother saying it? Just curious.

  7. BK says:

    I first heard Ruckman about 10 years ago when a dear woman of God gave it to me. I have no idea what it was about because I have slept since then! But within minutes of listening, I just had the convicting power of the Holy Spirit come over me in a warning! Basically I just knew he was not a man of God although he had a form of godliness. I instantly didn’t like him and it has nothing to do with what he was saying AT THAT TIME! Since then I have heard him speak many false doctrines! Thank you Lord for protecting me from this false teacher!

  8. Craig says:

    The Pharisees criticized John, then they criticized the Saviour.  People like you, you will criticize no matter what someone does.  The bottom line is that you don't like Peter Ruckman, and you've devoted your ministry efforts into your personal carnal, fleshly vendetta.

  9. How joe says:

    Hahahahhohohobohehehe what does it take for you to serve GOD? Some hate, some love, even some disgust. The truth is love is nothing without hate. Dr. Rickman has shown love, giving money, thousands, use of his car, drove it and was thankful. Paul had rough speech look it up. Sometimes a person needs to be called stupid so he will be smart. Dr. Rickman had his faults, so does the web host here. Hey the private eye that followed you caught you doing some stuff wow.

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