"Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God" (Gordon D. Fee)

TITLE: Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God
AUTHOR: Gordon D. Fee
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (240 pages).
 

The Holy Spirit is God's Empowering Presence. Paul teaches and lives it. He urges the people of God to do the same. How do we not only learn more about the Holy Spirit? Is it possible to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit, maybe like what the Early Church had experienced? Perhaps, before we move into the actual application, we need to learn more about the continuity and discontinuity gap between the Old and New Covenant. Recognizing the struggles to link these two important truths, well-respected professor, Dr. Gordon Fee has written his Magnus opus on the Holy Spirit from the perspective of Pauline theology. From Paul's window into the Holy Spirit, he draws out the connection between what Paul says and what we experience in our present life in Christ, before extending it to the relevance of the Holy Spirit's work in the lives of the Church. For that to happen, we need to draw a series of connections between the past and the present. This includes relationships between:

• Understanding and experiencing the Theology of the Holy Spirit;
• The old covenant and the new;
• The Individual and the Community;
• Present and Future
• Soteriology and Eschatology;
• Conversion to Covenant;
• and more...

"Counterfeit Kingdom" (Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett)

TITLE: Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church
AUTHOR: Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2022, (272 pages).
 

What is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement? What are their beliefs and practices? Why are they so popular? What spurred their rise? Who are the people involved? Why should we be concerned about its spread? The term NAR might appear foreign to us. However, if you are familiar with Bethel Church, Bethel Music, the music group "Jesus Culture," or some of their hit songs like "One Thing Remains," "Reckless Love," "Where You Go I Go," and "Your Love Never Fails," you would realize that their reach goes further than meets the eye. In February 2022, the popular website BibleGateway pulled the Passion Bible translation because of its NAR influences. What is wrong with such a movement? For authors Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett, the problems become visible when they see individual lives disillusioned, fractured, and damaged because of NAR teachings. Using their research, their purpose in this book is not to demonize but to highlight the trends with regard to the NAR influence in the evangelical world now. More crucially, NAR teachings are twisting the way churches are doing ministry today. They point out several "dangers" pertaining to the rise of this movement. They tell stories of a theological slant toward healing and miraculous deeds. In the story of Olive  Heiligenthal, we read how some leaders of Bethel Church started a prayer appeal for the resurrection of a dead 2-year-old girl. Focusing on the 2 Kings 13:21 verse about healing powers from merely touching the bones of the prophet Elisha's body, they assume the same could happen in a modern context. Some practice "grave sucking" while others write songs to spearhead this theological practice that believes in modern-day apostles and prophets who could heal just like the early believers.

"Inner Healing and Deliverance" (Jennifer Eivaz)

TITLE: Inner Healing and Deliverance Handbook
AUTHOR: Jennifer Eivaz
PUBLISHER: Minneapolis, MN: Chosen Books, 2022, (224 pages).
 

Hurt people, hurt people. Healed people, help people. Being human, we often need to be helped first before we could help others. It has been said that Christ came to earth not to make people good, but to make dead people live. The Bible says that because of sin, we died, but because of Christ, we live. Some Christians claim belief but still live superficially. We need to change from the inside out. One way or another, we all need to be healed and to be delivered from the different impediments that prevent us from growing spiritually. Sometimes, there are deeper issues of the soul that need particular attention. This is where this book comes in. Written by one whose life has been changed from the inside out, this book represents the work and experience of an author whose conviction is that Christ heals and there is demonstrable power of the Holy Spirit that we need. Author Jennifer Eivaz asserts that every believer is a minister. Known also as the "Praying Prophet," Eivaz has spent her life teaching the need for inner healing and deliverance. Inner healing is "the healing of the inner [person]: the mind, the emotions, the painful memories, the dreams. It is the process through prayer whereby we are set free from resentment, rejection, self-pity,  repression, guilt, fear, sorrow, hatred, inferiority, condemnation, or worthlessness, etc." Deliverance is "from God and is part of the blessing of being in covenant with Him. It only destroys what is of the devil; it never destroys what is of the Holy Spirit. Since deliverance is a work of the Holy Spirit, it builds up the saints and edifies the Church. It tears down the strongholds of the enemy but builds up the work of God." Both are needed together. 

"Kingdom of the Cults" (Walter Martin)

TITLE: The Kingdom of the Cults: The Definitive Work on the Subject
AUTHOR: Walter Martin
PUBLISHER: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2019, (800 pages).

We are living in an increasingly pluralistic, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and dizzying array of beliefs, sub-beliefs, and many alternative philosophies. Author Martin calls this the "kingdom of the cults." Since 1965, while the original version is somewhat outdated, the challenge remains the same: Learning how to answer the many cults on the outside or the fringes of mainstream Christianity. It is important to note that the author uses the word "cult" not as a derogatory way but to spell out their differences from traditional Christianity. This is particularly so when many of them insist that they are the one true religion. In the Early Church, there were already heresies that attempt to call themselves Christian. The Church fought many theological battles, leading to the gathering of the bishops' council to meet at places in Chalcedon, Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus, and others. Backed by able theologians such as Athanasius, Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory of Nazianzus, the Church Fathers, the Cappadocian Fathers, and many more, the Church held fast. This book may not be in the same position as the creeds of old but it showcases the differences of the various cults from Christianity. Martin gives us many historical analyses for us to understand the background; theological evaluation and comparison; and the way we could respond through "apologetic contrast." The concern is that the Church at large is increasingly less able to discern the cults. Not only that, there are some who are openly embracing them, at the risk of compromising our beliefs. This is a concern.

"All Saints" Movie Review

TITLE: ALL SAINTS
AUTHOR: Based on a book by John Corbett
PRODUCER: Affirm Films / Providend / Sony Pictures 2017

All Saints Episcopal Church is a historical Church that has became a pale shadow of its heydays with only a dozen aging members left. Like many churches in the West, this Church was about to be shut down for good, her assets sold, and the members given the freedom to move to other churches. Enters a salesman-turned-pastor by the name of Michael Spurlock (played by John Corbett) whose first call is to assist in selling the Church. At his ordination, he was asked to pledge obedience to the church authorities even when he may disagree with the policies or decisions. Everything seemed going to plan according to the powers above until he meets a refugee community. He finds ministering and providing shelter and hope to them a lot more fulfilling than to sell the Church using his knowledge and skills as a salesman. After all, his first calling is to God rather than to fetch the best price for the land. Slowly but surely, the story is about how Michael manages to persuade the church authorities not to sell the Church; how he gathers the congregation to work together as a community; and how he ministers to the refugees looking to build their lives anew in Smyrna, Tennessee. It is a powerful story of hope in the midst of great difficulties. Together with his wife Aimee (played by Cara Buono) and his young son Atticus (played by Myles Moore), he begins the journey of saving the Church through farming. Honestly, the farming is just the cover for something more important: The restoration of hopes and dreams.

Let me share Seven thoughts. [Warning: Spoilers ahead]

"Daily Readings from The Christian in Complete Armour" (William Gurnall)

TITLE: Daily Readings from The Christian in Complete Armour: Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare
AUTHOR: William Gurnall
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1994, (384 pages).

The book, "The Christian in Complete Armour" is widely considered a classic when it was first published in the 17th Century. It was published in three volumes (1655, 1658, and 1662) by William Gurnall, a Puritan and English clergyman.  Widely considered as one of the best Christian books published in the English language, it can be obtained for free here. As the title suggests, this book is basically a treatise about the saints of God warring against the devil. John Newton calls this book the second book to be read besides the Bible. Charles Spurgeon even said that "every line is full of wisdom; every sentence is suggestive." While the original came in three separate volumes, James S. Bell Jr. has chosen selected portions to be used in this 365-days devotional.

It is a book written to encourage spiritual growth. One reason why some believers fail to grow is because of their lack of awareness about the reality of spiritual warfare. It is one thing to profess one's belief but yet another to proclaim of God boldly and without reservation. Like the call to courage, before he talks about being bold, he points out the need to be bold on our inside first. If we prefer the "bondage of Egypt," how can we learn to claim the promise of God? We are reminded of what it means to be a child of God. As children of the King, surely there is not simply the promise of an inheritance in heaven but a vigour in living on earth. We serve God not like spiritual wimps but gallant soldiers in Christ. Our true strength is in God and that comes forth as a counter to humanism. If we do not check that, we would be trusting in our own strength rather than God's. Gurnall's volumes began with a quote from Ephesians 6:10-20 that sets the tone of his books. Unlike Gurnall's originals, this particular daily readings are not primed at exposition of the armour of God but as short "soul-searching reflections" of God's power on the individual believer.

"Truly Free" (Robert Morris)

TITLE: Truly Free: Breaking the Snares That So Easily Entangle
AUTHOR: Robert Morris
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: Thomas-Nelson, 2015, (240 pages).

Freedom is much touted and cherished in the West. From the Declaration of Independence to the enshrinement of freedom in anthems, oaths, and pledges, we may have from time to time be guilty in taking our common freedoms for granted. In fact, we may enslaved more than we are aware of. When Christ came to set us free, we will be free. Unless we become deceived, distracted, discouraged, or depressed. According to lead pastor and author, Robert Morris, for one to be truly free, discipleship and deliverance must go hand in hand. He laments the fact that Christians who are supposed to be living in freedom are unfortunately living in enslavement and snares to several temptations. In a series of what looked like three-point sermons that make up the chapters of this book, Morris begins by systematically using the biblical principles and teachings of Scripture to remind us that freedom in Christ means following Christ and being delivered from the trickery of the evil one and the temptations of the world, and the vulnerabilities of the flesh Dispelling two popular myths, he draws from the wisdom of CS Lewis who wrote in the popular book, The Screwtape Letters:

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."

The Evangelical's Guide to Spiritual Warfare (Charles H. Kraft)

TITLE: The Evangelical's Guide to Spiritual Warfare: Scriptural Insights and Practical Instruction on Facing the Enemy
AUTHOR: Charles H. Kraft
PUBLISHER: Minneapolis, MN: Chosen Books, 2015, (288 pages).

Compared to the charismatics and Pentecostals, evangelicals have generally shunned "spiritual power issues" for fear of emotionalism and fear of going overboard with tongues, prophecy and other charismatic gifts. According to well known anthropologist and linguist, Charles Kraft, our Western worldview constitutes a major hindrance to an evangelical's understanding of spiritual warfare. He also laments how evangelicals stop short of venturing boldly into the spiritual domain. Like a puzzle of 300 pieces, evangelicals generally use 200 pieces with the first hundred about the physical world and the second hundred about human activities. The third hundred, which is about spiritual activities and warfare tends to be relatively ignored. This is quite reflective of a Christian's understanding of the Trinity as well. Much has been written and talked about with regards to God the Father and God the Son. Relatively little has been written about God the Holy Spirit. In the same way, evangelicals generally talk or teach little about spiritual battles and warfare. This book is meant to guide evangelicals on the importance of this matter, to highlight the myths as well as pointing out the biblical perspective that spiritual warfare is real.

Since the 80s, Kraft has been engaged in works of inner healing and more recently spiritual warfare. Sensing a greater openness from evangelicals about the reality of spiritual warfare, Kraft has written this book to describe his concern for the general apathy of Christians toward spiritual warfare. He lists eight reasons why one ought to take spiritual warfare seriously.

1. The Bible speaks of demons which means our Enlightenment approach to Christian spirituality is grossly limited.
2. There Contexts of conflict in the Bible
3. Jesus models healing and deliverance
4. Jesus would do the same today
5. Our Church leaders must learn spiritual warfare
6. Evangelicals must not over-react against the excesses of Pentecostal/Charismatic spirituality
7. Our traditions and institutions need to outgrow fear
8. Demons outside are secondary compared to the issues inside us.

"21 Things the Devil Cannot Do" (Duane Vander Klok)

TITLE: 21 Things the Devil Cannot Do
AUTHOR: Duane Vander Klok
PUBLISHER: Bloomington, MN: Chosen Books, 2014, (176 pages).

Too many believers have lived in fear and insecurity when they start to focus on what the devil can do instead of what the devil cannot do. As a result, people are deceived and forget that the devil is not as formidable as these deceptions paint him to be. "Know your enemy" seems to be the focus of lead pastor and author, Duane Vander Klok. The underlying exhortation in this book is this: Don't overestimate the power of the devil and underestimate the reality of the truth. Like many preachers and teachers of the pentecostal traditions, Klok begins by telling us the importance of rightly sizing up our enemies. Don't over or underestimate his ability. For Colossians 1:11-14 reminds us that believers are already rescued, freed from bondage, and empowered to be victors in God's kingdom. Knowing the enemy means learning the truth about the devil and what spiritual warfare entails. In three chapters, he listed all 21 things that the Devil cannot do. This is followed by 12 signs to uncover the devil's tactics. Finally, Klok comes back with a "cure," that says only Jesus can save. He conveniently lists all the 21 things and 12 signs toward the end of the book for readers' convenience. I suspect this chapter alone would be thumbed through most often by readers.

"Spiritual Warfare" (Brian Borgman and Rob Ventura)

TITLE: Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical and Balanced Perspective
AUTHOR: Brian Borgman and Rob Ventura
PUBLISHER:  Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2014, (128 pages).

For anyone who is in a battlefield but unaware that there is a war, they will be dead in no time. This is the premise of the book on spiritual warfare. Written by two pastors who are passionate about waking up sleepy Christians oblivious to the reality of a spiritual battlefield, it is hope that this book will spur Christians to be more vigilant and to put on the armour of God. The authors begin with a clarion call to remind believers that the Christian life is not about mastering one aspect of truth or to learn a set of principles. It is about learning to let the Bible help us think and live biblically in all we do. They asked us to be vigilant about the three formidable foes: The world, the flesh, and the devil. The world is the systemic evil happening around us. The flesh is the sinful disposition. The devil is the fallen angel.

First, the authors take time to dismantle the two inadequate worldviews. One is naturalism which disregards the supernatural and offers to interpret everything naturally and rationally. The other is to see everything from the lens of spiritual warfare. Both are extremes which do not help us to attain a biblical and balanced perspective of spiritual warfare.  Instead, we ought to learn to discern which is natural and which is supernatural. Thirteen chapters are dedicated to Ephesians 6:10-20 which is the well-known Armour of God passage. Believers are urged to be strong in the Lord and rely on God's power in the face of formidable evil and the occult. Soldiers' key strength is confidence. Lose it and the best weapons will be quite ineffective against the enemy. Putting on the whole armour of God means not allowing any point of weakness that the enemy can exploit. Whether by force or by fraud, the enemy will not hesitate to use any to deceive God's people. Knowing one's enemy is important, and how the enemy's tactics and schemes tend to be, including a reminder that we do not war against flesh and blood but powers and principalities. Wearing the belt of truth provides central support. Putting on the breastplate of righteousness is a powerful defense against the darts of the enemy. Being prepared with the gospel of peace also comes into the picture.

Once the whole armour of God has been put on, prayer is an integral weapon in spiritual warfare. So important is this that two whole chapters are dedicated to this point. The authors make it a point to remind readers that warfare is no child's play. It is serious business. This calls for preparation. It requires discipline to equip oneself. It reminds us again that readiness for war is always necessary. For the moment any of us lets down our guard, the enemy enters in with all kinds of temptations, deceptions, and treacheries.

We all need to be reminded time and again that spiritual warfare is real. Far too many Christians are taking it too lightly and become easy prey during unsuspecting moments. May this book be a wake-up call for all to take the spiritual battleground seriously. For even if we do not want to fight, the enemy is getting ready to fight us. Be aware. Be equipped. Be armed.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Cross-Focused Reviews and Reformation Heritage Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Understanding Spiritual Warfare - 4 Views"

TITLE: Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Four Views
AUTHOR: Walter Wink, David Powlison, Gregory Boyd, C. Peter Wagner and Rebecca Greenwood.
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012, (230 pages).

Spiritual warfare means different things to different people. Some underplay its significance, while others hype up its importance. Even scholars and theologians are not able to agree. Instead of trying to pit one another in order to find out who is right or wrong, this book brings together four diverse but important perspectives of spiritual warfare. Walter Wink advocates the "World Systems Model," where if there are institutions and world systems that have been taken over by evil forces and principalities, the Christian is to name them, unmask them, and "engage them." Wink then makes a bold call for Christians to take on a counter-offense against the principalities of evil, to a "collective exorcism" believing that God will empower believers to wrestle against the spirits of the age. At the heart of Wink's view is the place of Satan, whose fall from being a 'servant of God' to a spiritual rebel has become a spiritual objective of Satan to do the same for the rest of the world. He makes a useful observation that actions and counter-reactions by humans against themselves can often make people forget that the enemy is out there, not our fellow people. I do agree with David Powlison who argues against Wink's excessive use of prayer as a form of spiritual battling. Prayer is more than that. While Wagner agrees that prayer is a powerful weapon in intercession and spiritual warfare, how much prayers and intercessions change history remains debatable.

David Powlison promotes the "Classical Model" where spiritual warfare is centered on fighting the flesh. Powlison describes spiritual warfare as a term for "describing the moral conflict of the Christian life." Using Ephesians 6 as his launching pad, he sees the warfare more as a defensive approach. In dealing with deliverance, he points out three biblical examples of how sin is dealt with through "repentance" and not "exorcism." Through Christian disciplines of prayer, evangelism, spiritual growth, one automatically fights the sinful desires of the flesh. Boyd makes a useful critique when he says that spiritual warfare cannot be limited to lifestyle strategies, and asserts a need for binding and loosing spirits. I agree with Boyd that Powlison's model tends to be an over-reaction to the excesses of exorcism and sensational spiritual deliverances. That said, Powlison does gives us a good "classical" reminder that when we follow the ways of Jesus, and obeys his teachings, we are already equipped for spiritual battle, in character.

The third model is the "Ground-Level Deliverance Model" which is advocated by Gregory Boyd. He says that earth is the battle ground where evil rebels constantly against God's purpose on earth. That is why the prayer "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" is a specific spiritual warfare prayer. Boyd frowns at how some modern theologians have not only downplayed, but denied the reality of Satan and evil powers by rendering them as mythological. Boyd offers four objections. First, believing there are perhaps some mythical character in the Bible does not mean these characters' thoughts and teachings are mythical. Second, there is no reason why a person who believes in science and technology, cannot similarly believe in spirits and forces in the spiritual realms. Third, one must beware of modern arrogance, thinking that our modern technological advancements dispel any reality of historical beliefs. Four, we need to abandon any arrogance or forms of cultural superiority over ancient times. In short, spiritual warfare is real, physical, and exists right now. That said, Boyd then deals questions surrounding the need to deal with personal demons that requires exorcism, and whether Christians can be demonized in the first place. Wink and Hardin takes issue with Boyd's use of a "personal devil" as a key way to deal with spiritual warfare. For them, spiritual warfare is more than that. Powlison claims that Boyd  has unwittingly denied God's sovereignty over evil, and argues that spiritual disciplines that battle against evil must be tied together with mercy. Wagner prefers to take issue with Boyd's "strategic level" kind of warfare, saying that while spiritual warfare need not be the centerpiece of ministry, it can be an important central strategy.

Finally, Peter C. Wagner and Rebecca Greenwood helms the view of "Strategic Level Deliverance" where spiritual warfare is of a territorial and cosmic dimension. Both Wagner and Greenwood highlight the realty of dark forces, quoting personal experiences from different corners of the world. Their version of spiritual warfare covers many territories, like land, war, idolatry, sexual immorality, broken covenants, and many power encounters. Believing that the Church is the chief vehicle for spiritual warfare, their conviction is that if we do not pray, we become prey for the evil one. Even the issue of abortion is a result of evil. Wink critiques Greenwood's exegetical method and her use of "federal theology" that basically ties American society as breaking her covenant with God. Powlison too questions Greenwood's exegetical exercises, saying that he remains unpersuaded that abortion is a direct result of spiritual rebellion. Boyd accuses Wagner and Greenwood's "triumphant theology" that is too "Constantinian" for comfort. Rather than working toward a victory on earth, Boyd calls for humble living, and wait for Christ to come and bring to completion the final victory.

My Thoughts

There are so many things to learn from in this book. Like iron sharpening iron, these four views are ably argued for and against by the different writers. It highlights issues that bring clarity to the original propositions, adds in important nuances to the understanding of spiritual warfare, and maintains a healthy respect for persons who agree or disagree. While I am tempted to say that the biggest beneficiaries for this book are the contributors themselves, readers are in for a treat as they are invited to listen in to the conversations and to be reminded that spiritual warfare is real, wide-ranging, and deeply mystifying too. Readers ought not to be distracted by the different views and opinions of the authors and editors. Instead, readers can acknowledge the variety of differences based on contexts, understanding of differences, and an awareness of how each perspective deals with spiritual warfare. There is nothing to lose when we learn from others. There is everything to gain when we are humble to acknowledge that together, we are stronger. This book shows us the way on how Christians may differ in views, but united in their stance against principalities and powers of evil. In Christ we stand.

I like Wink's way of seeing spiritual warfare with a worldview of systems, and how we need to be on the alert that evil does reside in many structures and systems in the world. I appreciate Powlison's wide treatment of what spiritual warfare is, how to understand the occult, how to help those in addiction and bondage, how to understand exorcism as recorded in the Scriptures, and the experiences of warfare in other native cultures. Boyd's essay is particularly instructive, especially when he deals with the postmodern skeptics who dispel the reality of spiritual realms. Wagner and Greenwood's more radical perspective of warring against evil in a more forceful manner, stem out of personal experiences they have encountered, and while they may sound radical, their views ought not to be dismissed outright. After all, some experiences cannot be explained. The responses by the other writers make this book a highly educational one for the reader, and keeps us humble to know that spiritual warfare is much bigger than any one view. In fact, four views only go to scratch the surface of this very important topic. That said, this book can help begin our learning and our equipping for spiritual warfare. This is perhaps one of the best books, if not the best book on comparing spiritual warfare perspectives. For four capably argued perspectives, with rebuttals and positive engagement, readers are in for a treat and a great learning experience, learning from those who not only argue for it, but live it.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Baker Academic and Graf-Martin Communications without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Rough Road to Freedom - a Memoir" (Neil T. Anderson)

TITLE: Rough Road to Freedom: A Memoir
AUTHOR: Neil T. Anderson
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Monarch Books, 2012, (272 pages).

This book is Neil Anderson's take on life, one that is never easy, often hard, but always possible in God. The title of the book describes Anderson's personal experience through his own journey through life. He describes his humble childhood beginnings being raised in a culture where community and family is the bedrock of society. He shares about his growing up years of hard physical labour, working at odd jobs that many young people nowadays will tend to avoid. Academicaly, despite good high school grades in math and science, and his enrolment in the school of engineering in the University, he fails to do well in College, drops out and joins the Navy. That does not deter him from gaining valuable military experience which forms a strong foundation for his sturdy character and self-belief. More interestingly, it emboldens him to trust God more. His naval experience soon makes him a valuable addition to companies in the military industry. He rises quickly up the engineering ranks. He becomes a supervisor, as well as an adviser.

All of these forms a brief background to the main part of the book, which is laid out in three big phases.

1. Life in Church Ministry
2. Life in Seminary
3. Life in Freedom in Christ Ministries

Throughout the three phases, Anderson weaves in plenty of personal stories and experiences. The ones that really makes this book a gripping read are the ones on spiritual warfare. In seminary, he begins a course on spiritual warfare, something never done before at Talbot. In Church ministry, he is constantly called upon to deal with matters requiring liberating others from spiritual darkness. In his own ministry, he equips people to do the important work of freeing people from spiritual bondage in the Name of Christ. Once I begin, I can hardly put the book down. This is Anderson's most personal book thus far. His story is a reminder to me that it takes a person who has lived through brokenness in order to be able to minister to the broken. It takes one to be freed from spiritual bondage to liberate others. Most importantly, it is a reminder that ministry in Christ is always a tri-party matter: God, the one you are helping, and yourself.

This book is an inspiring book of faith, of how a man of God is able to trust God for every trial. It is a book about spiritual warfare that is utterly dependent on God. It is a book that points us back to the Word of God, that ministry draws not just some but all its inspiration from the Word of God. It is a book to remind us once again that we may fumble with our walk, stumble in our talk, but through the rough edges and potholes, we learn to climb back up again, to try again, and to realize that at the end of it all, God has carried us through.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Kregel Publications and Monarch Books without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Buyer Beware: Finding Truth in the Marketplace of Ideas"

TITLE: Buyer Beware: Finding Truth in the Marketplace of Ideas
AUTHOR: Janet Parshall
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publisher, 2012, (208 pages).

This book is based on a central question, "What message will you buy?" It takes a leaf out of the classic work by John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, which contains many forks in our journey of life, each forcing us to make a choice. How we decide determines the state of our spiritual journey. Parshall relies heavily on Bunyan's allegory and updates it with a modern look at the world of contemporary temptations and deceptions, called "Vanity Fair." Written in five parts, the gist of the book is that we are to follow Jesus in seeking truth whatever the fork we face. The book is essentially about following and obeying God. We are in a battle for truth. Section One deals with the reality of the world that we are in, that while we are not of the world, we are still in the world. This calls for two critical decisions. First, we are to learn to recognize the differences between the false and the true. Second, we are to boldly choose what is truth. If we are serious about sin and avoiding sin, we are to be serious about being laughed at by the world for the choices we make as exiles, just like the prophets of old who were ridiculed. Yet, we are to remain citizens of two worlds, like Augustine's "City of God" and the "City of Man." A compelling chapter lies in Parshall's call for Christians to live in the world and not be isolated from the affairs of the world. Christians are not to be only evangelizing in the world. They are to bear witness in all aspects of life. We need to learn to see that while there is conflict of worldviews and ideologies, as far as living out our faith, there is no conflict. We bring the whole gospel to the whole world.

Section Two asks readers about the spiritual things of their journey, and provides tips about how to recognize falsehood in the marketplace. Here is where the navigation gets a little tricky. In some chapters, Parshall places two quotes at the beginning of each chapter to challenge readers to make a choice. Often, the first quote is about an ideology that is not Christian. The second brings home the choice Christians are to obey. She points out the seductions of materialism. She highlights the lifestyle choices we need to make with regards to housing. Is bigger necessarily better? Are we knowing our neighbours better? Are we prepared to move out of our comfort zone? What kind of decisions we ought to make with regards to money?

Section Three moves toward decisions with regards to people. Beginning with marriage, Parshall talks about the sanctity of marriage, that God has instituted it as good. Unfortunately, the marketplace has been flooding our minds with all kinds of erroneous ideas about marriage. Such as an overemphasis on equal rights over responsibilities, about conditions, that it is ok to have premarital sex, about personal fulfilment are all confusing young minds about the true nature of marriage. People even joke about marriage. There is also a concern about the ease of divorce, that instead of it being the last resort, it often has been a frequent course of action over other options. Parshall also highlights the horrors of abortion, and how modern rationalizing has diminished the silent screams of the unborn child. Another issue is the growing debate over homosexuality. There is widespread "perversion of the truth" not only in cultural propositions regarding gay rights, but also how some people justify homosexuality through their interpretations of Scripture. Finally, coming back to marriage, Parshall argues strongly for the case of marriage. In a culture that embellishes individual rights and freedom to live their independence, that marriage is good for society. She affirms for us that our goal as Christians is not to make converts of people to our opinions, but to make Christ known to all. Great point!

Section Four sets forth some practical steps for readers to take. We need to be actively involved in serving the community, either through welfare or neighbourliness. While we pray for spiritual help, we need also to be involved with practical needs. Section Five is used to summarize and to remind us again that the dangers of deception and treachery in the world is real. Beware of wicked wolves using witty words. Grasp the Word of God. Be sure that Jesus is well represented. Beware of psychic experts who base their ideas on narcissism and mysticism that have no firm basis. Finally, Christians are to live free from the bondage of slavery, yet bound to the calling to witness for Christ.

My Thoughts

Christians often pray that God's will be done in heaven as well as on earth. Such a noble intention can be easily wiped out through falsehood and naive living in the world. This book is a strong reminder of how dangerous the world of ideas can be, and how treacherous the journey is to our spiritual life. Having said that, the danger should not discourage us from living actively in the world. Instead, it ought to push us nearer to God, to depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance and for boldness to stand up, to speak out, and to shine forth for the Truth of Jesus Christ. As we cultivate a "buyer beware" mindset in the world, we are also to develop a Christ-aware and a Word-and-Prayer disposition. There is no substitute for letting God's Word guide us through life. What we feed upon determines how well equipped we are to live in this world. The more we know of God's ways, the more we can discern the truth from the false things in this world. The more we can make decisions for life. The more we can stand up for responsible living, rather than mere arguing for human rights. If there is one reason to read this book, it is the ever needed reminder that we live in a very dangerous arena of ideas, and Christians are to be constantly armed and ready to firstly recognize the truth, and secondly, the courage to stand up for the truth.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Moody Publishers and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.