I found this book interesting for several reasons. First, it confronts a widespread problem in the church that has rarely been addressed properly. Second, it includes interviews with some of the most respected spiritual statespeople in modern Christianity. Third, the authors approach the problem not so much from a sociological or statistical perspective, but from a theological and philosophical angle. They are intelligent, and they force the reader to think deeply. Finally, the authors are candid. They confess their own shortcomings. They share their journey and admit they have been seduced by the dark side like many of the people they are writing about.
This is their initial question: “What does Christian power look like?” (xxi). They note that there are two paths to power after the Fall. One is the way of the world, or the dragon, and the other is the way of God (7). As A.W. Tozer asserts, “The power of God, then, is not something God has; it is something God is. God’s power is God’s very presence in our hearts” (12). To experience God’s power, we must abide in Christ. James Houston notes, “With increasing regularity, I see the church championing and mimicking cultural elites, professional athletes, rock stars, or anything and every aspect of Hollywood . . . So instead of abiding, we pray for God to give us some of his power” (47, 49).
The authors interview some outstanding Christian leaders in their effort to understand the nature of Christian power. They converse with J.I. Packer, James Houston, Marva Dawn, John Perkins, Jean Vanier, Eugene Peterson, and Dallas Willard. The insights they gather are thought provoking. The authors clarify that having power is not evil. From creation, God intended for people to exercise power (6). However, they note, “It is curious that ‘power, sex, and money’ are tied together in our consciousness, yet we only really view one of them as a sin” (73). The church is enamored with crowds and money and has difficulty criticizing them.
Strobel confesses, “I have had several moments like this in my life, epiphanies that burst my bubble of self-assurance and control and revealed the truth of my frailty. These moments are always invitations from God to walk in a different way, one of dependence on him” (xix). He goes on to admit, “I had learned to equate winning with work ethic” (xix). The authors take a journey during which they reflect on the way Christians, even church leaders, can be seduced by their desire for worldly power. Their interviews with Christian leaders raise many interesting points.
In a discussion with J.I. Packer, this truth surfaces: “Being ‘special’ is the Achilles heel of many churches today. We celebrate what we have done, and continue to do, without talking about what God is doing. . . . Being a part of God’s kingdom just doesn’t feel exciting or sexy enough. We long for the validation of our importance” (25). James Houston notes that “impatience is a cultural epidemic” (37-38). “Operating from our strengths is practicing atheism” (40). “The self-achieved identity is very fragile because we have to sustain it” (41). “Spiritual gifts are an interesting test case in how the church views power” (50). “In our pursuit to be more than, to transcend our weaknesses and frailty, we are reduced” (51). “When we give ourselves to sin, we are not simply doing bad things; we are becoming lighter beings. The fallout from the power of sin is a decrease in weightiness and an ever-pervasive superficiality. We lack a sturdiness of person . . .” (53).
From their conversation with Marva Dawn, they record this: “The number one evil in the church is the power of personality” (63). “We have watered down the nature of immorality to make it more use-friendly” (73). “The church is the place where the powers are to be exposed for what they are and continually put to shame as they were upon the cross” (75). Sadly, rather than the church exposing false sources of power and happiness, the church embraces and celebrates them in times of worship!
John Perkins engages in an interesting discussion on racism. He points out that Jonathan Edwards was a brilliant theologian, yet he failed to address the greatest moral crisis of his age: slavery. Later, a man with his same name led the forces of racism in his town. Perkins asks, “Which of our failures will form our grandchildren’s churches?” (99).
Jean Vanier leads the L’Arche communities for the disabled in France. His most famous volunteer was Henry Nouwen. He notes, “When you admire people, you put them on pedestals. When you love people, you want to be together” (111). He also asserts, “We human beings, I think, are a little bit frightened by reality” (112). “It is only in Christ that we can find a foundation that can support the weight of ourselves” (117). “Our fallen hearts are skilled at finding idolatrous paths to self growth” (117). “We think we want community, but deep down we want to be in a group that makes us feel special” (126).
A discussion with Eugene Peterson reveals this insight: “Too often what congregations look for in a pastor has nothing to do with being a pastor” (141). “But shepherding isn’t one option among many for a pastor. It is the heart of the vocation” (141).
Finally, a conversation with Dallas Willard highlights this truth: “This is one of the ideas that crushes a pastor, the idea that every Sunday they have to put on a performance” (153). “As the evangelical church has thrived in its technique, technology, skill, rhetoric, platforms, publishing, and building, it has also lost its true power . . . We have focused on the visible when we are called to set our minds on the invisible” (163). “People have rejected the church because we have failed to grasp what it is” (166).
The authors then examine how the church should function in order to faithfully and clearly communicate the ultimate source of its power. Certainly, the teaching of the word of God and the ordinances of baptism and communion provide powerful messages to this end.
This book is greatly needed. It addresses a subject many church leaders are unwilling or unable to tackle. It could also free ministers who have tried the world’s way and found it wanting. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 4
