Hmmmm, which of these seven principle are unChristian:
The Seven Habits of Covey are:
1. Be proactive. This is the ability to control one’s environment, rather than have it control you, as is so often the case. Managers need to control their own environment, using self-determination and the power to respond to various circumstances.
2. Begin with the end in mind. This means that the manager needs to be able to see the desired outcome and concentrate on activities which help in achieving that end.
3. Put first things first. Managers need to personally manage themselves and implement activities which aim to achieve the second habit – looking to the desired outcome. Covey says that habit 2. is the first, or mental creation; habit 3 is the second, or physical creation.
4. Think win-win. This is the most important aspect of interpersonal leadership because most achievements are based on cooperative effort, therefore the aim needs to be win–win solutions for all.
5. Seek first to understand and then to be understood. By developing and maintaining positive relationships through good communications, the manager can be understood, and can understand the subordinates.
6. Synergize. This is the habit of creative cooperation - the principle that collaboration often achieves more than could be achieved by individuals working independently towards attaining a purpose.
7. Sharpen the saw. Learning from previous experience and encouraging others to do the same. Covey sees development as one of the most important aspects in being able to cope with challenges and aspire to higher levels of ability.
From what I can see of the many of the fine “true” Christians I have had the privilege to chat with on the forum, it must be number 5, but that is only what I can see from how they behave. I could be wrong.
So, which of those seven principles is unChristian?
Well's let's look at "another seven principles" of Stephen Covey which are indeed unChristian, courtesy of piecing together Bill Gordon of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board 9here is Bill's contact information: http://sub.namb.net/staff/StaffView.asp?CONTACTID_HMB=00000096)
(I guess we can call these "The Seven Principles of Highly Effective Heretics"...Note: "The Divine Center" sourced is Covey's earlier book)
1.[LDS Church is] “literally God’s church and the President of the Church is truly God’s prophet.” [Divine Center, p. 224] Bill Gordon's summation of Divine Center, p. 225: "Covey believes that those who oppose the LDS prophet are opposing the Lord and that they are guided by an evil spirit."
2.‘As man now is, God once was; As God now is, man may become.’ [couplet by Lds "prophet" Lorenzo Snow as cited in Divine Center, 81.] Bill Gordon's summation of Divine Center, pp. 164-166: "Covey’s belief that people have a limitless potential is derived from the Mormon doctrine that people are gods in embryo."
3. Gordon's summary of Divine Center, p. 246: "Following the correct map found in the LDS Church 'liberates man' and 'releases his divine potentialities.'"
4. Covey is anti-Christ in that he warns his readers against seeking “any kind of ‘special’ relationship” with Jesus Christ. [Divine Center, pp. 67-68.] “The Christ-only approach is inappropriate for Latter-day Saints and for this book.” [Divine Center, p. 83.]
5. Gordon's summation of Divine Center, p. 271: "He even claims that one of Satan’s lies to the world is that all God wants us to do is receive Christ Jesus through faith."
6. Gordon's summation of Divine Center, p. 15: "He also argues that the beliefs of traditional Christianity are 'false maps ... in the form of beliefs or doctrines or creeds.'" Covey refers to Mormon scripture (Joseph Smith — History 1:19) to prove that the beliefs of evangelical churches are 'an abomination in the sight of God.'
7. Gordon's summation of Divine Center, p. 68: "Covey labels the evangelical doctrine of salvation by grace alone a 'false concept' and an 'apostate doctrine.'"
I have been through the 7 habits, and found them to be very useful in the management of people. I found nothing theological about it, it is mostly philosophical. I will admit, though, several participants claimed to see veiled Mormonism— even in enlightened California. Delilah has every right to send her children to any school she likes, but I see nothing wrong with the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I was not familiar with a version aimed specifically at Mormons, although Covey has extended his concept to many different areas....
hh
More importantly, there is nothing there that IS Christian in princple.
Fact is God runs my life. I can do the foot work but I cannot guarantee the results. God’s ways are NOT my ways. I am to seek His guidance and direction in my life but the ‘end’ is not my goal. My goal on a daily basis is to be of maximum service to God and my fellows. Covey’s habits do not reflect that.
20 years ago my first introduction to Covey’s 7 habits was from my LDS boss at the time. Now I realize why.
None. It's the unnamed MORMON things that make it UNChristian.
So, which of those seven principles is unChristian?
- - - - -
Better question is which of them are Christian?
Christ says we are to meek, humble, broken, poor in spirit, and to focus and rely only on Him.
I can see these principles leading to pride, arrogance, and placing self and personal success at the center of ones life. Hmmm...I wonder what Christ would think of that?