"I JUST WANTED MORE LAND" JABEZ
by Gary E. Gilley
Xulon Press, 107 pages, $7.99

Pastor Gary E. Gilley's exposé of The Prayer of Jabez is a pithy and perceptive analysis. Bruce Wilkinson's mega bestseller has taken Christendom by storm and has developed from a small, single, 92-page volume to a deluge of editions marketed for various age groups (from pre-schoolers to adults). There are also Jabez Bible covers, Jabez desk calendars (with 1 Chronicles 4:10 on every page), Jabez music CDs, Jabez ballpoint pens, and beyond.

Gilley observes, "For some inexplicable reason, this newest fad is flying under the radar of otherwise discerning Christians" (pg. 14). His warning is not unwarranted. He examines the appeal of Jabez, arguing, "Obviously, this prayer is chosen because it is the type of prayer that relates well to our current generation of Christians" (pg. 35).

Gilley carefully demonstrates how "Wilkinson's theology is much closer to the prosperity gospel than to biblical Christianity." Gilley sees a real danger emerging in that "Wilkinson has borrowed a page from the prosperity gospel's handbook and is offering it to Christians, some of whom perhaps have never been exposed to such teaching before. And he is doing so with great success" (pg. 37).

Gilley's evaluation shows that "Wilkinson delivers a number of anecdotal, superficial, and unsubstantiated illustrations to strengthen his case" (pg. 40). After reviewing Gilley's many citations of the unbiblical and faulty notions promoted in the Wilkinson volume, the discerning Christian will, without doubt, have to ask just how this theologically unhealthy book has sold more than 6 million copies in the first year alone. It speaks to the sad condition of the Church today.

However, "I Just Wanted More Land" - Jabez is not solely a critique of The Prayer of Jabez. It is much more. It doesn't just tell you what Wilkinson does wrong in respect to proper biblical interpretations, but it tells you how to do it right. The second section of the book establishes for the reader precise methods of how to study and understand the Bible. Had Wilkinson (a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate) employed the basic laws of hermeneutics (which Gilley surveys), he would not have resorted to "story-theology," "testimonies," and the "abstruse experiences of men and women" to buttress his approach to prayer. Wilkinson's concept is, as Gilley notes, a prayer of selfishness without a scriptural base.

"I Just Wanted More Land" - Jabez is a significant book, not only for sounding a warning against the danger of poor Bible interpretation, but for training its readers how to do it right.

—MKG

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