Full Gospel, Fractured Minds?: A Call to Use God's Gift of the Intellect

by Rick M. Ñañez

Do you sometimes feel you have to check your intellect at the church door, leaving reason behind to embrace the Christian faith? Do you hunger for a “full gospel” that includes the mind as well as heart and Spirit? Full Gospel, Fractured Minds? challenges charismatic and Pentecostal believers to discover the power of a well-maintained mind―a mind on fire―to match a heart on fire and to create a life that operates within the full counsel of God .Nañez shows how human reason helps us understand and interpret God’s Word as well as defend the gospel. He shows what the Bible teaches about the mind, and explores the backgrounds of nineteenth-century and modern culture, anti-intellectualism, Pentecostal history and beliefs, and popular misconceptions about human intellect in relation to the Christian faith. Full Gospel, Fractured Minds? helps men and women practice a Christian faith that reflects the whole person and the full gospel. “Rick Nañez calls Pentecostals and charismatics to seek a balance between mind and Spirit. This book will stir you to seek all that God has for you.”―From the Foreword by Stanley M. Horton, PhD

Genres: Christian Living, Education, Christian

270 pages, Paperback

First published December 13, 2005

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

On many levels the core message of this book resonates with me. The need for reflective living in Pentecostal circles is a universal challenge and this book delves in the historical antecedents for the anti-intellectualism in the 19th century revivalist movement that gave rise to modern Pentecostal-Charismatic traditions.

There are two main sections - historical analysis and strategic areas of engagement to reverse the anti-intellectual notions. These are well researched with several proscribed ways to renew the life of the mind. The author's voice does contain deep frustration and is often bleak in its analysis. Yet, his appeal for broadening thought processes, cultivating conversations and reversing underlying assumptions against intellectual pursuits is written with a genuine love of learning.

There are times when certain arguments could be stated more succinctly. Elements of the content is redundant. Despite this fact, Nanez does deliver a cogent message for how we should all pursue the balance of an intuitive sensitivity to the Spirit with a studious pursuit of truth. This aspect of the book is what I most enjoyed.

[Erik Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Nanez hits the nail directly on the head. The life of the mind and the use of reason has been either neglected or even belittled in some Pentecostal-Charismatic circles, as if faith and reason are somehow antithetical to each other. Oddly enough, the new atheists take this same tack in their mockery of faith. Nanez carefully demonstrates how this is a false dichotomy, and he exposes its roots without becoming harshly critical of the movement which he himself is a part of and loves. He calls Pentecostals to engage their minds as well as their spirits in their witness and ministry in such areas as apologetics, logic, philosophy, theology, history and science. Every Pentecostal should read this book. We can have fire-baptized minds as well as hearts!

[Nathan Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this a higher rating, because the content was great and much needed. Even 20 years later, this content is relevant for those in the charismatic movement. There’s still a resistance to thinking with the mind in the movement that needs to be addressed. The very thing that we outcry in the culture (overstimulation, shallow thinking, blind allegiance), we take repurpose with stamping the Holy Spirit on it. I think it’d be fascinating incorporating the movements allegiance to Trump into today’s context.

The low amount of stars has to do with the outline and organization of the book, especially the first big section on “The Anatomy of the Fractured Mind,” Nanez kept repeating himself and jumping around. There was no flow, which is unfortunate, because the second section, “The Ammunition for the Full-Gospel Mind” was so good. I wish this was a book that I could recommend, but I’m not sure it reaches the audience that needs it. It’s more for patient thinkers who can hang and have a background in theology.

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well written, gracefully argued, and distinctively Pentecostal, Nunez has done his brothers and sisters a real service. I will be making use of it as I look to disciple theology students with Theology Network, and hope that my friends in the Society of Vineyard Scholars and elsewhere will be encouraged by this book. The dream, of course, would be that leaders in movements who are the worst culprits of anti-intellectualism might read this book, and reclaim the full Gospel, the Gospel of the Kingdom that transforms our hearts, bodies, and minds, by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

https://www.thomascreedy.co.uk/book-r...

[CJ Fast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Gospel, Fractured Minds is one of the best books I've ever read.

This book helped me as I struggled with the more irrational teachings of the full gospel faith, and helped me correct unbiblical beliefs I had learned from it. It also helped me understand things my full gospel brethren were unable, or unwilling, to discuss with me.

While there are core biblical principles in the full gospel faith that I wish more churches would embrace, I consider it to be a severely corrupted version of Christianity.

For one thing, I have not met one full gospel brother who understands what the image of God in man is. Full gospel delusions run deep and wide.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can have your cake and eat it too!

This is a must read for those who endeavor to strengthen the intellect while embracing a full gospel message at the same time. The author makes a compelling argument that one's brain need not be shut off to receive from God, in fact he argues it is a must! What a welcome message compared to the contemporary thought that the brain is a hindrance to the flow of the Spirit in the corporate and individual arenas. Especially noted was the conclusion that gave practical suggestions to foster the author's contention. My conclusion is that one not subscribe to one camp of the other (intellect vs experience) but can be in both at the same time. You can have your cake and eat it too! So to speak.

[Leia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up in the belt buckle of the Bible belt during the rise of the modern Evangelical church, I appreciated Nanez's take on something that is very real within the American Evangelical church. He's straightforward and honest about a controversial topic without being bitter or condescending about the system he's criticizing.

[Craig Toth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a thoughtful—and thorough—refutation of the anti-intellectualism and subjectivism that has marked Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians for generations. Unfortunately, those who need it the most will probably not read it.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books are rated related to their usefulness and contributions to my research.
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.