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Word and Spirit: Truth, Power, and the Next Great Move of God
From best-selling author and theologian R. T. Kendall...Will you continue to sit back and take sides? This book will help you unite the power of the Holy Spirit with the knowledge of God's Word, and anticipate a last-days revival because of this union. In October 1992 while pastoring Westminster Chapel in London, England, R. T. Kendall organized a conference around a series of sermons prophetically describing what God may have in store for His people in these last days. The series proclaimed an outpouring much deeper than anything we have ever experienced—an awakening not based on feelings or emotions but inspired through the irrevocable truth of God's Word, fulfilled through the conviction and direction of the Holy Spirit. In Word and Spirit best-selling author and theologian R. T. Kendall challenges your traditions, emotions, convictions, and maybe even your faith. Kendall shares his vision of the future—of a holy unity of the Word and the Spirit that leads to a last-days revival. There are those who live their spiritual lives by biblical explanation only. Meanwhile, others base their theological dispositions on “signs and wonders” characterized by the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. In this exciting and controversial book R. T. revives his original messages, adding new insights into what they mean for us today and revealing everything we need to know about the coming move of God.Also Available in Spanish 978-1-62999-279-2E-Book 978-1-62999-280-8Other Books by R.T. KendallTotal Forgiveness (2010) 978-1599791760Whatever Happened to the Gospel? (2018) 978-1629994710Popular in Heaven Famous in Hell (2018) 978-1629995519The Presence of God (2017) 978-1629991573Holy Fire (2014) 978-1621366041
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2019
19 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 17, 2019
Kendall is concerned about the “silent divorce” of Word and Spirit in churches today. Some churches, such as the Reformed branch I grew up in, emphasize the Word. They concentrate on mind and knowledge and generally do not know the conscious presence of the Holy Spirit. Other churches, such as the Pentecostals, emphasize the Holy Spirit. They experience the power of the Holy Spirit but lack the firm foundation provided by solid Bible knowledge.
We need both, Kendall says. We need both the instruction of the Word and the power of the Spirit. He has written this book to encourage churches to embrace both Word and Spirit. He helps Word oriented Christians know how to relate to the Spirit and be more aware of Him. He helps Spirit related Christians understand the importance of sound theology and the necessity of weighing prophetic words against Scripture.
My favorite part of the book was an example Kendall gave regarding assurance of salvation. We can have the assurance by reason, understanding what the Bible says about salvation and accepting it. We can also have assurance by experience, the Holy Spirit actually testifying to our heart. Apparently that was the experience of the early Methodists. They actually felt something and knew they were saved by their experience of the Holy Spirit. (105-106)
Another area I really liked was Kendall's teaching on prophetic responsibility. He cautions people who claim they have a word from the Lord. He gives several levels of prophecy and that helped me understand the differences in biblical prophecy and prophecy today.
This is a good book for all Christians to read to get a grasp of where churches are today and what could happen when the Word and Spirit come together. Kendall believes it will happen. I pray he is right. (There was one aspect of the book I found irritating. Kendall mentions his previous books time after time. It felt like shameless promotion and I thought it inappropriate.)
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
We need both, Kendall says. We need both the instruction of the Word and the power of the Spirit. He has written this book to encourage churches to embrace both Word and Spirit. He helps Word oriented Christians know how to relate to the Spirit and be more aware of Him. He helps Spirit related Christians understand the importance of sound theology and the necessity of weighing prophetic words against Scripture.
My favorite part of the book was an example Kendall gave regarding assurance of salvation. We can have the assurance by reason, understanding what the Bible says about salvation and accepting it. We can also have assurance by experience, the Holy Spirit actually testifying to our heart. Apparently that was the experience of the early Methodists. They actually felt something and knew they were saved by their experience of the Holy Spirit. (105-106)
Another area I really liked was Kendall's teaching on prophetic responsibility. He cautions people who claim they have a word from the Lord. He gives several levels of prophecy and that helped me understand the differences in biblical prophecy and prophecy today.
This is a good book for all Christians to read to get a grasp of where churches are today and what could happen when the Word and Spirit come together. Kendall believes it will happen. I pray he is right. (There was one aspect of the book I found irritating. Kendall mentions his previous books time after time. It felt like shameless promotion and I thought it inappropriate.)
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
October 21, 2021
Word & Spirit brings balance to both the charismatic and cessationist "camps" of Christianity. The author was formerly a cessationist, one who does not believe all the gifts of the Spirit are for today. He joined the charismatic movement later in his ministerial career, and thus, has a much more balanced perspective than many charismatics who only know the charismatic movement.
Kendall suggests that cessationist churches are "Word" churches; they value the Word of God. In his view, Charismatic churches are generally "Spirit" churches, emphasizing signs, wonders, and the work of the Spirit. The Word churches can resist the work of the Spirit. The Spirit churches can overemphasize an "experience" to the neglect of Scripture and are often ridden by a prosperity gospel message.
Kendall's overall thesis is that a Christian does not need to choose between the Word or the Spirit; both are vital. He suggests that the greatest move of Christianity will be just before Jesus returns, a latter-day glory, in which a Word AND Spirit revival covers the globe.
I appreciate Kendall's balance. He is a well respected scholar and has a unique vantage point into both the cessationist and charismatic camps. He offers helpful critiques of both movements while maintaining charity. I would recommend the book to any Christian hoping to marry a love for God's Word and the Holy Spirit.
Kendall suggests that cessationist churches are "Word" churches; they value the Word of God. In his view, Charismatic churches are generally "Spirit" churches, emphasizing signs, wonders, and the work of the Spirit. The Word churches can resist the work of the Spirit. The Spirit churches can overemphasize an "experience" to the neglect of Scripture and are often ridden by a prosperity gospel message.
Kendall's overall thesis is that a Christian does not need to choose between the Word or the Spirit; both are vital. He suggests that the greatest move of Christianity will be just before Jesus returns, a latter-day glory, in which a Word AND Spirit revival covers the globe.
I appreciate Kendall's balance. He is a well respected scholar and has a unique vantage point into both the cessationist and charismatic camps. He offers helpful critiques of both movements while maintaining charity. I would recommend the book to any Christian hoping to marry a love for God's Word and the Holy Spirit.
January 14, 2020
Kendall, the former pastor of Westminster Chapel, brings to the page the necessity of a marriage of both Word (Bible-believing and centered) and Spirit (believing in the continued gifting of the Holy Spirit.) It is setting the environment for an awakening in the global church according to Kendall and would be something greater than the "Charismatic" movement of the last thirty years.
I agreed with much of what is in this little book, however unfortunate it is to have the forward by Mark Driscoll. Yet with Kendall's presentation, I am still left hungry for something more. While I long for the day he describes, perhaps a clearer picture of what healthy Word & Spirit churches look like would be helpful.
Kendall is clear in his writing but an annoying feature of this book is that barely a page goes by without the author referencing another book he has written. The refrain, "as I wrote in such and such a book" is so prevalent it is annoying. I get that he has written many books, some on my list to read, but there must be a better way to cite his previous thinking if at all.
I agreed with much of what is in this little book, however unfortunate it is to have the forward by Mark Driscoll. Yet with Kendall's presentation, I am still left hungry for something more. While I long for the day he describes, perhaps a clearer picture of what healthy Word & Spirit churches look like would be helpful.
Kendall is clear in his writing but an annoying feature of this book is that barely a page goes by without the author referencing another book he has written. The refrain, "as I wrote in such and such a book" is so prevalent it is annoying. I get that he has written many books, some on my list to read, but there must be a better way to cite his previous thinking if at all.
September 6, 2021
Really good but weird ending
If I could give it 4.5 stars I would - overall the book was amazing but it had such a strange final chapter. I think I understand that the author was trying to inspire hope but in some ways he was discrediting some of what he had said before. On a positive note, this book really looked at the invitation and power of a believer who embraces the Word and the Spirit. Both are needed, both are available to us.
If I could give it 4.5 stars I would - overall the book was amazing but it had such a strange final chapter. I think I understand that the author was trying to inspire hope but in some ways he was discrediting some of what he had said before. On a positive note, this book really looked at the invitation and power of a believer who embraces the Word and the Spirit. Both are needed, both are available to us.
June 18, 2020
A great insightful book looking at the marriage of the Word and the Spirit. It's great to see someone talking about this as it is something I have often been challenged on. As always Kendall writes in such a way that makes understanding difficult concepts much easier. A great, thought provoking read.
July 9, 2021
Love the balance of this book
Love the balance of this book by Pastor Rt Kendall. The word and the spirit should come together if we want to see a move of God that would bring real transformation
Love the balance of this book by Pastor Rt Kendall. The word and the spirit should come together if we want to see a move of God that would bring real transformation
October 29, 2019
Word and Spirit by R. T. Kendall
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes
R. T. Kendall brings a challenge to Christians to understand that God is not limited to speaking in one of two ways, through His Word or by His Spirit. Rather, He speaks with a combination of both so that we will be able to understand His will and be challenged in our walk with Him.
Dr. Kendall’s newest spiritual growth book is well done and challenging for those who are considering the ways in which God speaks to His children. Some cling to the idea that we are only able to hear from Him through His written Word, while others are convinced that He is most clear through signs and experiential revelations. Neither idea is wrong, Dr. Kendall says, but the two need to go hand in hand so that we can both know the Word of God and see His hand at work in the signs and miracles He performs in our lives. Study of the Word is critical so that we are able to know with certainty that the words that others are claiming are Scripture are as they say or not. We cannot understand the direction of God’s will when He speaks if we have not first spent time with Him reading his word and praying over what we’ve read. From there we must move into the actual experiencing of God, through the workings of the Spirit in our lives. Those of us who wish to know and do that which God would have us do would do well to learn the importance of having both of these beliefs in constant connection. I, myself, found this book to be both encouraging and challenging. Encouraging in that Dr. Kendall affirmed my understanding of the importance of personal Bible study and prayer along with knowledge that the Spirit will enable signs and wonders when it is needed. Challenging in that he reminded me to be careful not to lean solely on either of these for understanding how and why God is working and speaking so that I do not become stagnant in my faith journey. I will say, however, that while I found some very good information, encouragement and challenge in this book, I did feel that this book is geared more towards pastors or teachers. There is quite a bit included that speaks to how one should be careful in teaching those in one’s congregation to look solely to one of these understandings or the other so it was a bit odd to read. There is a lot of information and some quite complex passages in this book so it might take a bit of time to really dig deep into the concepts presented here. I may spend a bit more time reviewing the chapters again as I’m not sure I was able to take it all in as expected given the short time I had to read it. I am sure that everyone who wishes to learn will find something that speaks to them in this book so I will certainly recommend it to others.
I received this ARC book from Charisma House in order to provide a review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
____________________________________________________________
Story Notes
R. T. Kendall brings a challenge to Christians to understand that God is not limited to speaking in one of two ways, through His Word or by His Spirit. Rather, He speaks with a combination of both so that we will be able to understand His will and be challenged in our walk with Him.
Dr. Kendall’s newest spiritual growth book is well done and challenging for those who are considering the ways in which God speaks to His children. Some cling to the idea that we are only able to hear from Him through His written Word, while others are convinced that He is most clear through signs and experiential revelations. Neither idea is wrong, Dr. Kendall says, but the two need to go hand in hand so that we can both know the Word of God and see His hand at work in the signs and miracles He performs in our lives. Study of the Word is critical so that we are able to know with certainty that the words that others are claiming are Scripture are as they say or not. We cannot understand the direction of God’s will when He speaks if we have not first spent time with Him reading his word and praying over what we’ve read. From there we must move into the actual experiencing of God, through the workings of the Spirit in our lives. Those of us who wish to know and do that which God would have us do would do well to learn the importance of having both of these beliefs in constant connection. I, myself, found this book to be both encouraging and challenging. Encouraging in that Dr. Kendall affirmed my understanding of the importance of personal Bible study and prayer along with knowledge that the Spirit will enable signs and wonders when it is needed. Challenging in that he reminded me to be careful not to lean solely on either of these for understanding how and why God is working and speaking so that I do not become stagnant in my faith journey. I will say, however, that while I found some very good information, encouragement and challenge in this book, I did feel that this book is geared more towards pastors or teachers. There is quite a bit included that speaks to how one should be careful in teaching those in one’s congregation to look solely to one of these understandings or the other so it was a bit odd to read. There is a lot of information and some quite complex passages in this book so it might take a bit of time to really dig deep into the concepts presented here. I may spend a bit more time reviewing the chapters again as I’m not sure I was able to take it all in as expected given the short time I had to read it. I am sure that everyone who wishes to learn will find something that speaks to them in this book so I will certainly recommend it to others.
I received this ARC book from Charisma House in order to provide a review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
September 28, 2022
Este libro vino para sacudir lo que creía que conocía. R.T. Kendall expone de forma espectacular la importancia de no tomar bandos en la vida cristiana, de no poner la balanza en "solo la Biblia" ni dejarnos caer en "solo el Espíritu". Creo que es un libro que todo creyente debería leer, ya que te desafía tanto en tu intelecto como tu experiencia cristiana.
Para carismáticos y reformados, este es un libro que trae una tregua en el debate eterno que todo cristiano ha tenido alguna vez.
Para carismáticos y reformados, este es un libro que trae una tregua en el debate eterno que todo cristiano ha tenido alguna vez.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews