Category: Book Reviews

Book: “A Different Gospel”

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CopelandI’ve been reading A Different Gospel by D.R. McConnell.  The book takes a bold and revealing look at the biblical and historical basis of the Word of Faith movement.  The book began as McConnell’s master’s thesis when he was a student at Oral Roberts University.  McConnell himself is a Charismatic pastor, so this is an insider’s look at something he finds unbiblical and heretical.

McConnell says that today’s Word of Faith preachers (Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Paul Crouch, Fred Price, Benny Hinn, Marilyn Hickey, Creflo Dollar, T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, etc.) base their doctrine on the works and teachings of Kenneth Hagin.  Hagin based (some say plagiarized) his doctrines on the works of E.W. Kenyon.  The real bombshell in the book is that Kenyon based his teachings and beliefs on what he was taught in college, at the hands of teachers who were Gnostics and Christian Scientists.  Although Kenyon was sincere, his theology was not biblical from the very beginning.

I personally believe that many of the Word of Faith ministers are sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.  In effect, they have changed the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to include Gnostic and Christian Science teachings.  Paul clearly warns:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel– which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”
Galatians 1:6-9 (NIV)

McConnell’s book is not an easy read,  but it is imperative that every believer be informed about the Word of Faith message.  You can also read a lot about Word of Faith with a simple Google search.

Book: “Running with the Giants”

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maxwellI just completed John C. Maxwell’s book, Running with the Giants. Maxwell spent a couple of years of his Bible reading focusing on Old Testament heroes. In his book, he shares what he believes these Old Testament heroes would want us to know about life and leadership.

The book was interesting, but rather predictable. Like most pastors, I have preached on the heroes mentioned in the book and made many of the same observations in my sermons. I recommend the book, but don’t expect this book to reach the level of some of the other Maxwell leadership books.

Book: “When Leadership and Discipleship Collide”

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bill-hybelsTonight, I completed a powerful, short book by Bill Hybels, called When Leadership and Discipleship Collide. Hybels has served for years as Senior Pastor of the Willow Creek Church in Chicago, Illinois. Our staff is planning to attend the Willow Creek Leadership Summit this August.

In his book, Hybels contends that following Jesus sometimes causes us to go against established leadership principles. For example, leadership principles encourage us to surround ourselves with a team of highly qualified leaders. In contrast, Jesus chose a rag-tag group of inexperienced, unproven men to lead the Christian movement.

Hybels contends that discipleship and leadership principles occasionally collide. When the collision takes place, the Bible should always take precedence over “accepted” leadership principles. Hybels wrote:

In those rare cases when the human laws of leadership and the scriptural demands of discipleship do collide, decide on the side of discipleship every time….When the demands of discipleship articulated in the Bible collide with human laws of leadership, read my lips: Defer to the Bible. Look to the Bible. Trust the Bible. And obey the Bible….every time!

This book is a quick, easy read, but it is choked full of helpful, sage advice for anyone seeking to be a Godly leader. Read it. It won’t take long, but you’ll gain a new perspective on the relationship between discipleship and leadership.

Book: “Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him”

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rick-warrenThrough the years, I have believed Rick Warren to be a man of God and an innovative church growth expert. I attended the Purpose Driven Leadership Conference on the Saddleback Church campus and wrote a doctoral paper on the Purpose-Driven movement. In recent years, Dr. Warren has come under attack from many Christians who I believe are short-sighted and ill-informed.

I am thankful for a recent book by Richard Abanes that is written in defense of Dr. Warren. Abanes’ book, Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him, provides insight into Rick Warren, his books, and his beliefs. I found the book to be well written and fairly presented. Abanes provided access into the private life of the Warrens and the Saddleback church. If you have any interest in this subject, you must read the book. I believe that Abanes sets the record straight about Rick Warren and I’m thankful that he does.

Book: “When Grief Breaks Your Heart”

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grief1Last night I read a book by James W. Moore called When Grief Breaks Your Heart. The book is short, but very helpful. I plan to purchase a supply of the books to give to persons struggling with grief. Moore helps the reader to understand the process of grief and he provides some practical advice in dealing with the lose of a loved one.

To give you an idea of what’s in the book, here are the chapter titles:

  • Healing Where It Hurts
  • When Someone You Love Dies
  • Bouncing Back from a Broken Heart
  • Why Do Good People Suffer?
  • Amazing Grace