Leanne Payne (1932–2016)

While I haven’t read this book, I’ve read all of Payne’s other books. Anyway, I wanted to give some background about Payne to warn others before they consider reading this book.

Many years ago, Leanne Payne was a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Chicago. But apparently, she eventually became involved in various quarrels and the sin of divisiveness, which the apostle Paul warned sternly about. One of her associates, Valerie McIntyre, also become involved in this sin. Ironically enough, McIntyre writes the following in her book Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing: "The Scripture has a name for this kind of dark [behavior]: factiousness, or . . . divisiveness. Of all the sins that issue out of transference, this is the most destructive." And then concerning how to deal with a contentious person in the Church, she writes: "More important, however, is rescuing the entire flock from danger through lovingly excommunicating the factious one. Sadly, when pastors wait too long to take this action the unrepentant person may not only leave of her own volition, but take others with her." Well, that's exactly what happened with Payne! She “ghosted” her church, taking several others, including McIntyre, with her.

So, Leanne Payne should have been excommunicated from her own church! As Titus 3:10–11 says: “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

Well, if Paul tells us to have “nothing more to do with” such a person, then why on earth would anyone ever want to read his or her autobiography? For more details about Payne’s sinful behavior, there’s a three-part article on the Web called “A Sad Story: When Psychology Destroys Christian Friendship” by a guy named Dan Brennan, who attended her church.

And to add icing to the cake, writing an autobiography is about the most conceited thing a Christian could possibly do. By their very nature, autobiographies are self-promoting and narcissistic. (Mr. Brennan has also stated that Payne had a big ego.) Would Christ approve of someone writing an autobiography? I don't think so—he said to praise others, not yourself. He also said that those who promote their good deeds before men will lose their heavenly rewards for those deeds. However, I think he might approve of a Christian writing a biography about another Christian that they admire.

Anyway, I hope this information is helpful for anyone who’s thinking about reading this book. While Payne is now deceased, that doesn't really change matters here. In a nutshell, an unrepentant, prideful person like Payne is not someone that Christians should look up to. In fact, she's a good example of how not to behave. 🤨… (mais)