I just finished the famous bestseller “The Five Languages of Love”. I had heard a lot about the book, the praise, but also a lot of criticism. I admit I had no high expectations, but since I used The Pilgrim app to listen to books while driving, I decided to give the acclaimed book a try, however, I discovered that my few expectations regarding the book were far exceeded: the book is not bad, it sucks. This may be the worst book I’ve ever read. and it’s certainly the worst book called a Christian I’ve dared to read.
In short: the most non-Christian Christian book I know.
- I believe that the reason for my scandal is due to the absence of a fundamental element in the formation of the human being and which manifests itself very clearly in relationships.
- Especially in marriage.
- As I heard the author explain his thesis on the tanks of love and the needs that spouses must meet.
- I waited for this word to be said.
- However.
- It does not appear.
- The book never mentions the NAS problem in our relationships.
- There is no concern for legitimate and illegitimate desires before the Word of God.
- In fact.
- The absence of biblical texts for almost everything that is said should already be alarming.
Since the book does not speak of sin, it does not speak of our natural impulses to desire evil, nor does it say anything about redemption and forgiveness. The words of Jesus in the simple sermon (Luke 6:17-49) have become a mere pretext for the author to speak of the importance of someone filling the reservation of the love of the husband whom he does not love but who hates How can a book be described as Christian, sold to Christians, published in Christian publishers and used in many churches if there is no talk of redemption?
The total absence of Christ’s centrality in relationships brings the book to the level of a simple secular work, from a behavioral perspective, with a Christian cover.
The problem with speaking in the languages of love, in terms of needs, and not considering sin, is that it leads to idolatry. To affirm that the greatest need of the human being is to have his reserve of love full of something other than Christ is idolatry, even if these are legitimate things like marriage. If I could speak to all the Christians who read this book and found some wisdom in it, thinking it’s biblical, I’d say read chapter 14 of David Powlison’s book A New Vision. In this chapter, Powlison clearly demonstrates the true language of love in Christ.
There is no way to talk about human nature without addressing the fundamental problem of sin. Unfortunately, the five languages of love, there are only five forms of idolatry at home. There is no true love if we forget the One who is true love. and the greatest expression of love he has manifested: redemption.