What do you think?
The Living Sword Letting the Holy Spirit Interpret Gods Word
You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. So then why does Christian fight Christian over doctrinal issues that seem so clear to each side? Can both be right, or wrong? Learn how Jesus used the Scriptures in His day and then apply those principles to controversial issues currently facing us such as women in the ministry, divorce and remarriage, predestination,... What we need is the leading of the Holy Spirit on these subjects. This book will bring the Scriptures alive and set you free.
Paperback
First published December 4, 1991
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June 2, 2011
hmm. it's difficult to describe this book. i agree with some of his strongest points, but other times i found myself wanting him to clarify his message. the gist of the book is that we can't be so stuck in certain theologies that they ultimately hinder the Holy Spirit from working in our lives. and this i agree with...in part. he explains the certain methods of biblical interpretation and theologies and tries to say that none of them are good if you cling to it so rigidly and tightly that cant see beyond your own preconceived ideas. and that i agree with...in part. he also talks about how you can't always be a stickler for biblical context when Jesus, Paul, Peter, and other biblical writers quoted the Old Testament out of context when explaining New Testament truth. again, this i agree with...in part. he also warns about the dangers of reading and applying the Bible too literally as a fundamentalist would. again...i agree in part. he stressed the necessity for having the Holy Spirit explain the word of God and just how vital he is. this i agree with completely.
there are some parts in this book that almost seem like they dance on the slippery slope that can lead to Emergent Theology (though this would admittedly be more conservative than the liberal slant of the emergent church). it's easy to say that you shouldnt have a theology...even when that in itself is a theology. there are some chapters in this book that are kind of unnecessary. overall i understand his emphasis, which is be willing to adapt and change, and be open to the Holy Spirit and realize that it's his book not yours. but i would say that this is his hardest book to really grasp, just because his emphasis gets lost in content. he admits to having a conservative theological background through seminary, so it seems to me that this shift is easier for someone who knows the bible--though it actually was hard for him in practicality. having that background makes it easier for him now to move with the Spirit's whimsy, because his mentality is already built upon a foundation of biblical truths. but in my opinion, if you were to hand this book to a new believer, it would really confuse them. i'm willing to bet that it would actually convey the opposite message, which is, take the bible and do what you want with it, dont worry about the context or teaching or history or theology. i know a LOT of people my age who have less of a problem with this ideology, because they could care less about the actual messages and themes of the bible. to them the bible is all about quoting their favorite verse in Psalms on Facebook. these are good people, with good hearts, and they are truly born again. but they just dont care about stretching themselves or learning about why the authors said what they said. so to these friends, this book would probably be harmful, because it would only convey a message that all they needed to do was put the kibosh to any desire for theological understanding.
this book is REALLY for those people who have had real strongholds of fundamentalism or legalism, who are open to the Holy Spirit's working. to those people, this book would be really helpful. there are some parts in this book that are really great and really ministered life to me. but i just wish that he explained them better than he did. as i've said before, i dont think that Eberle is a particularly skillful writer. but i do think that he has important things to say. sometimes, like this book reveals, his message is stuck in the middle of less than stellar writing.
there are some parts in this book that almost seem like they dance on the slippery slope that can lead to Emergent Theology (though this would admittedly be more conservative than the liberal slant of the emergent church). it's easy to say that you shouldnt have a theology...even when that in itself is a theology. there are some chapters in this book that are kind of unnecessary. overall i understand his emphasis, which is be willing to adapt and change, and be open to the Holy Spirit and realize that it's his book not yours. but i would say that this is his hardest book to really grasp, just because his emphasis gets lost in content. he admits to having a conservative theological background through seminary, so it seems to me that this shift is easier for someone who knows the bible--though it actually was hard for him in practicality. having that background makes it easier for him now to move with the Spirit's whimsy, because his mentality is already built upon a foundation of biblical truths. but in my opinion, if you were to hand this book to a new believer, it would really confuse them. i'm willing to bet that it would actually convey the opposite message, which is, take the bible and do what you want with it, dont worry about the context or teaching or history or theology. i know a LOT of people my age who have less of a problem with this ideology, because they could care less about the actual messages and themes of the bible. to them the bible is all about quoting their favorite verse in Psalms on Facebook. these are good people, with good hearts, and they are truly born again. but they just dont care about stretching themselves or learning about why the authors said what they said. so to these friends, this book would probably be harmful, because it would only convey a message that all they needed to do was put the kibosh to any desire for theological understanding.
this book is REALLY for those people who have had real strongholds of fundamentalism or legalism, who are open to the Holy Spirit's working. to those people, this book would be really helpful. there are some parts in this book that are really great and really ministered life to me. but i just wish that he explained them better than he did. as i've said before, i dont think that Eberle is a particularly skillful writer. but i do think that he has important things to say. sometimes, like this book reveals, his message is stuck in the middle of less than stellar writing.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review