What do you think?
Rate this book
Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit: Discovering How God Speaks and Heals Today
In his classic Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, Jack Deere looked at the reason why many Christians (including himself at the time) struggle to believe in miraculous gifts, and he provided a groundbreaking biblical defense of the Holy Spirit's speaking and healing activities today.
In Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, the former Dallas Seminary professor revisits his earlier subject matter with fresh insight and even stronger the Scriptures teach that God is healing and speaking today just as he did 2,000 years ago.
Having almost entirely rewritten Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, this new edition comes at a time when the theological landscape has dramatically changed, and most evangelicals do believe in all the gifts of the Spirit. But many of us are still unsure how to understand those gifts, and there is much confusion today on what it means to be filled with the Spirit.
This book is for those familiar with Deere's work and for newcomers alike. In it,
Explains the nature of spiritual gifts, defining each of them.
Offers sound advice on discovering and using spiritual gifts in church.
Tells documented stories of modern miracles and encounters with demonic powers.
Examines the New Testament use of the phrase "filled with the Spirit" to show why and how God still fills his servants with the Holy Spirit.
Introduces the newest literature defending and explaining the gifts of the Spirit.
With the care of a scholar and the passion of personal experience, this new edition builds upon the legacy of Surprised by the Power of the Spirit and the profound impact it's had among Christians of many traditions.
In Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, the former Dallas Seminary professor revisits his earlier subject matter with fresh insight and even stronger the Scriptures teach that God is healing and speaking today just as he did 2,000 years ago.
Having almost entirely rewritten Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, this new edition comes at a time when the theological landscape has dramatically changed, and most evangelicals do believe in all the gifts of the Spirit. But many of us are still unsure how to understand those gifts, and there is much confusion today on what it means to be filled with the Spirit.
This book is for those familiar with Deere's work and for newcomers alike. In it,
Explains the nature of spiritual gifts, defining each of them.
Offers sound advice on discovering and using spiritual gifts in church.
Tells documented stories of modern miracles and encounters with demonic powers.
Examines the New Testament use of the phrase "filled with the Spirit" to show why and how God still fills his servants with the Holy Spirit.
Introduces the newest literature defending and explaining the gifts of the Spirit.
With the care of a scholar and the passion of personal experience, this new edition builds upon the legacy of Surprised by the Power of the Spirit and the profound impact it's had among Christians of many traditions.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2020
123 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Jack Deere
34 books76 followersJack Deere, formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a writer and lecturer who speaks throughout the world on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of the bestselling book Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. Follow Jack on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorJackDeere.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 1, 2024
I enjoyed this one and it’s given me a lot to think about.
“It turned out that I was like everyone else, searching for a formula to make my service easier when what God really wants to give me is a friendship to make life more joyful.”
“The biggest difference between the first-century church and the modern church in the western world is that the first-century church was a praying church. We are a talking church.”
“It turned out that I was like everyone else, searching for a formula to make my service easier when what God really wants to give me is a friendship to make life more joyful.”
“The biggest difference between the first-century church and the modern church in the western world is that the first-century church was a praying church. We are a talking church.”
September 27, 2021
I usually save a 5 star rating for books I feel have changed my life in some way. This book deserves a 5 from me. I will be thinking about some of the concepts of this book for a long time. It stretched my understanding of the workings of the Holy Spirit. I will be reviewing scripture to firm up my understanding of some ideas presented here.
March 5, 2023
I am always pro books that encourage Christians to take the Holy Spirit more seriously and seek to engage in empowered ministry in their every day lives. 5 stars.
That being said, there were some minor things about the book that detracted from my enjoyment. Very little has to do with Deere’s content or even theology generally and cosmology specifically (which both differ from mine). Most had to do with style and tone. Minus 1 star.
There are some chapters that are well written, reasoned, and flow very nicely. Others seem choppy, trite, and pedantic. His tone fluctuates at times between encouraging a depth of nuance and like it was meant for a sound byte which was confusing.
I read a review that had great language to describe the feeling of reading this book: “A string of tweets lined up one after another.” While they all may be true and helpful, tweets lack depth and nuance. Since this is a revised book, i think most of those tweet like feelings come from the parts Deere added or edited.
This editing/additions were noticeable enough it felt like two different books for two different audiences mixed together under one cover. I think I would have liked his first addition more but still 4 stars overall for the topic and the importance of the Church embracing the gifts of the spirit.
That being said, there were some minor things about the book that detracted from my enjoyment. Very little has to do with Deere’s content or even theology generally and cosmology specifically (which both differ from mine). Most had to do with style and tone. Minus 1 star.
There are some chapters that are well written, reasoned, and flow very nicely. Others seem choppy, trite, and pedantic. His tone fluctuates at times between encouraging a depth of nuance and like it was meant for a sound byte which was confusing.
I read a review that had great language to describe the feeling of reading this book: “A string of tweets lined up one after another.” While they all may be true and helpful, tweets lack depth and nuance. Since this is a revised book, i think most of those tweet like feelings come from the parts Deere added or edited.
This editing/additions were noticeable enough it felt like two different books for two different audiences mixed together under one cover. I think I would have liked his first addition more but still 4 stars overall for the topic and the importance of the Church embracing the gifts of the spirit.
June 28, 2024
I can not imagine a better, more thorough yet more concise, more accessible single-volume book explaining the continuationist position and critiquing the cessationist position. Devoured this book.
August 27, 2020
Twenty-seven years ago, Jack Deere published Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, the story of how and why he stopped being a cessationist and started practicing a charismatic form of spirituality. Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit significantly revises and updates its predecessor. The revisions and updates make Still Surprised a substantially new book.
Surprised included 14 chapters, an epilogue, and three appendices. Still Surprised includes 26 chapters and five appendices. Entire chapters have been revised, deleted, and/or replaced. Deere explicitly divided the old book into three parts—roughly, his testimony, his critique of cessationism, and his advice about the practice of spiritual gifts. The new book largely follows this same organizational structure. Deere’s combination of memoir, critique of cessationism, biblical exposition, and seasoned advice about using spiritual gifts is written clearly and engagingly, reads smoothly, and made me think, even when I disagreed with it.
Cessationists—that is, people who believe certain “supernatural” spiritual gifts ceased after the apostles’ death—often argue that Pentecostals and charismatics put experience before Scripture. Deere’s conversion from cessationist to charismatic reversed that argument. “My thinking had not changed because I had seen a miracle or heard God speak to me in some sort of supernatural way. … This shift in my thinking was the result of a patient, exhaustive, intense study of the healings and miracles recorded in the Scriptures” (25).
In fact, Deere reverses the cessationist argument. “There is one basic reason why otherwise Bible-believing Christians do not believe in the miraculous gifts of the Spirit today. It is this: they have not seen them” (48). The lack of experience, rather than sound biblical argument, is wellspring of cessationism. Even so, throughout the book, Deere engages cessationists’ arguments, pointing out to the contrary that the Bible consistently and persistently teaches believers to expect and experience spiritual gifts.
Having shared his testimony and refuted cessationism, Deere goes on to offer advice about how to use the spiritual gifts, especially healing. Readers within the Pentecostal, charismatic, and Third Wave traditions will notice Deere weighing in on some of the intramural debates within our communities, such as the nature of and evidence for being filled with the Holy Spirit, whether certain gifts are resident within the believer, whether Christians can be demonized, and the nature of apostolic ministry.
As a classical Pentecostal, I didn’t agree with every jot and tittle of his biblical exposition or seasoned advice. The book is well worth reading, regardless of these disagreements. Deere is a trusted charismatic teacher and practitioner, and much of his advice is just good sense, avoiding the extremes of cessationist nonuse as well as hyper-charismatic abuse.
One final comment: Among Pentecostals, especially Pentecostal academics, there is an anxiety about evangelical influence on Pentecostalism. I understand that concern and agree with it in parts. Why I’m Still Surprised by the Power of the Holy Spirit serves as a standing reminder that influence goes both ways. When the Pentecostal revival began, cessationists held the commanding heights of evangelical institutions. Today, that is no longer the case, and those cessationists who still exist concede that Pentecostals and charismatics have contributed to the revival of Christianity in this century.
Book Reviewed
Jack Deere, Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit: Discovering How God Speaks and Heals Today (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020).
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
Surprised included 14 chapters, an epilogue, and three appendices. Still Surprised includes 26 chapters and five appendices. Entire chapters have been revised, deleted, and/or replaced. Deere explicitly divided the old book into three parts—roughly, his testimony, his critique of cessationism, and his advice about the practice of spiritual gifts. The new book largely follows this same organizational structure. Deere’s combination of memoir, critique of cessationism, biblical exposition, and seasoned advice about using spiritual gifts is written clearly and engagingly, reads smoothly, and made me think, even when I disagreed with it.
Cessationists—that is, people who believe certain “supernatural” spiritual gifts ceased after the apostles’ death—often argue that Pentecostals and charismatics put experience before Scripture. Deere’s conversion from cessationist to charismatic reversed that argument. “My thinking had not changed because I had seen a miracle or heard God speak to me in some sort of supernatural way. … This shift in my thinking was the result of a patient, exhaustive, intense study of the healings and miracles recorded in the Scriptures” (25).
In fact, Deere reverses the cessationist argument. “There is one basic reason why otherwise Bible-believing Christians do not believe in the miraculous gifts of the Spirit today. It is this: they have not seen them” (48). The lack of experience, rather than sound biblical argument, is wellspring of cessationism. Even so, throughout the book, Deere engages cessationists’ arguments, pointing out to the contrary that the Bible consistently and persistently teaches believers to expect and experience spiritual gifts.
Having shared his testimony and refuted cessationism, Deere goes on to offer advice about how to use the spiritual gifts, especially healing. Readers within the Pentecostal, charismatic, and Third Wave traditions will notice Deere weighing in on some of the intramural debates within our communities, such as the nature of and evidence for being filled with the Holy Spirit, whether certain gifts are resident within the believer, whether Christians can be demonized, and the nature of apostolic ministry.
As a classical Pentecostal, I didn’t agree with every jot and tittle of his biblical exposition or seasoned advice. The book is well worth reading, regardless of these disagreements. Deere is a trusted charismatic teacher and practitioner, and much of his advice is just good sense, avoiding the extremes of cessationist nonuse as well as hyper-charismatic abuse.
One final comment: Among Pentecostals, especially Pentecostal academics, there is an anxiety about evangelical influence on Pentecostalism. I understand that concern and agree with it in parts. Why I’m Still Surprised by the Power of the Holy Spirit serves as a standing reminder that influence goes both ways. When the Pentecostal revival began, cessationists held the commanding heights of evangelical institutions. Today, that is no longer the case, and those cessationists who still exist concede that Pentecostals and charismatics have contributed to the revival of Christianity in this century.
Book Reviewed
Jack Deere, Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit: Discovering How God Speaks and Heals Today (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020).
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
August 31, 2020
Anytime I hear of Jack Deere writing a book these days, I make sure to read it. So, even though I had already read his, "Surprised by the Power of the Spirit," released in the mid-'90s, I grabbed this one. And I'm glad I did! It has 70% new material in it than the original and is Jack's best work to date in my opinion.
He covers a variety of topics related to the continuation of the gifts of the Spirit today. He doesn't just speak from scholarly argumentation but also from extensive practical experience. Besides the inspiring stories Jack shares, I was especially moved by his humility. I don't see enough of that these days among popular Christian leaders.
There are 26 chapters and 5 appendixes (Chapter 25 is worth the price of the book alone). They cover everything from his journey from a Cessationist Seminary Professor to a practicing Charismatic preacher/healer and promoter of the Spiritual gifts, to exposing the multiple holes in the Cessationist's arguments, to practical tips on dealing with demons and the demonized, to praying for the sick and other topics.
I liked it so much that I've given away a few copies already and plan on giving more away in the future. I highly recommend it!
He covers a variety of topics related to the continuation of the gifts of the Spirit today. He doesn't just speak from scholarly argumentation but also from extensive practical experience. Besides the inspiring stories Jack shares, I was especially moved by his humility. I don't see enough of that these days among popular Christian leaders.
There are 26 chapters and 5 appendixes (Chapter 25 is worth the price of the book alone). They cover everything from his journey from a Cessationist Seminary Professor to a practicing Charismatic preacher/healer and promoter of the Spiritual gifts, to exposing the multiple holes in the Cessationist's arguments, to practical tips on dealing with demons and the demonized, to praying for the sick and other topics.
I liked it so much that I've given away a few copies already and plan on giving more away in the future. I highly recommend it!
October 19, 2023
An Excellent Refutation of the Cessationist View
I never read Jack Deere's first popular book, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. Subsequently, I don't remember it. This new iteration of that classic is supposedly an undated and revised edition. How close to the original it is, I can't say. But what I can say is, regardless of whether you read the original or not, this is a book that you will enjoy reading and will learn much from. Deere is inspiring in his treatment of the subject of miracles. He persuasively makes the case that God still heals and gives insights through his followers. The book is enhanced by the inclusion of five appendices which detail the biblical descriptions of each spiritual gift and defends their continuance in the present times. In one of the appendices, Deere gives a reasoned refutation of John McArthur's assertion that miracles in the Bible were limited to three periods of history: the age of Moses, of Elijah, and of Jesus.
This book offers not only theological insights into miracles, but is a practical guidebook to helping you experience miracles in your own walk with God.
I never read Jack Deere's first popular book, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. Subsequently, I don't remember it. This new iteration of that classic is supposedly an undated and revised edition. How close to the original it is, I can't say. But what I can say is, regardless of whether you read the original or not, this is a book that you will enjoy reading and will learn much from. Deere is inspiring in his treatment of the subject of miracles. He persuasively makes the case that God still heals and gives insights through his followers. The book is enhanced by the inclusion of five appendices which detail the biblical descriptions of each spiritual gift and defends their continuance in the present times. In one of the appendices, Deere gives a reasoned refutation of John McArthur's assertion that miracles in the Bible were limited to three periods of history: the age of Moses, of Elijah, and of Jesus.
This book offers not only theological insights into miracles, but is a practical guidebook to helping you experience miracles in your own walk with God.
February 3, 2023
this book gave me so much to think about and consider. jack gives spaces for his readers to think, contemplate & consider without providing harsh answers. felt like a father figure sitting with me, sharing about his friendship with Jesus and the impact that has made in his life. would highly recommend, as i believe it’s a powerful testimony for all children of God to consider what it means to explore what the Father is inviting us into
June 25, 2024
If you want to go deep into the theology and proofs for the work of the Holy Spirit continuing to this day, this could be your read!
Definitely was hard at points because it’s a bit thick, but also super inspiring and insightful in others.
Learning about cessationalism vs. continuationism.
This author comes from a similar background of cessationalism so it’s helpful to see where he comes from and how his experiences changed that.
Praise God
Definitely was hard at points because it’s a bit thick, but also super inspiring and insightful in others.
Learning about cessationalism vs. continuationism.
This author comes from a similar background of cessationalism so it’s helpful to see where he comes from and how his experiences changed that.
Praise God
March 20, 2024
Entertaining and inspiring and very insightful
April 23, 2022
Really encouraging book!
December 26, 2022
Casual and easy-to-read writing style. Unbelievably compelling stories. Very exciting read!
August 23, 2023
Thought provoking and challenging. I certainly don’t agree with everything in this book, but if you are interested in studying the gifts of the Spirit, this is a must read.
April 28, 2024
An excellent overview of the gifts of the Spirit!
July 22, 2025
Great book
The author dealt with how the Holy Spirit works in a marvelous way. He spoke in simple ways that all who know the Lord would understand.
The author dealt with how the Holy Spirit works in a marvelous way. He spoke in simple ways that all who know the Lord would understand.
April 8, 2022
so encouraged by this
April 7, 2020
Jack Deere was a cessationist professor who became a continuationist after inviting a guest speaker to his church. Surprised that such a respected speaker would believe that all the spiritual gifts are for today, Deere conducted an exhaustive study of Scripture and came to the same conclusion. Deere then met the late John Wimber and was heavily influenced by his life and ministry. He began traveling with Wimber, witnessing healings and growing in the gift himself. Deere is considered a neo-charismatic or third-wave charismatic with Wimber, C. Peter Wagner, Sam Storms, and others.
The major highlight of the book is an extensive, historical examination of cessationism and a very compelling refutation. Deere also provides helpful word studies of the terms "filled with the Spirit" and "full of the Spirit," and gives a solid critique of the Pentecostal understanding of the baptism of the Spirit. Lastly, Deere has incredible teaching on healing, the gift of teaching, and demonology in the book.
Deere's book is thorough, biblical, and full of real life examples. It's a republishing of the first edition in 1993 that sold over 250,000 copies. It's now going to be the first book I recommend to those interested in the charismatic movement and/or spiritual gifts.
The major highlight of the book is an extensive, historical examination of cessationism and a very compelling refutation. Deere also provides helpful word studies of the terms "filled with the Spirit" and "full of the Spirit," and gives a solid critique of the Pentecostal understanding of the baptism of the Spirit. Lastly, Deere has incredible teaching on healing, the gift of teaching, and demonology in the book.
Deere's book is thorough, biblical, and full of real life examples. It's a republishing of the first edition in 1993 that sold over 250,000 copies. It's now going to be the first book I recommend to those interested in the charismatic movement and/or spiritual gifts.
July 6, 2022
This book challenged me in so many good ways and made me love God more. Worth reading if you are interested in learning more about the continuation of the spiritual gifts, the heart of God, and what the Bible has to say about both.
January 5, 2021
I don't quite know what to think of this. The odd chapter was really solid, and the appendices in particular were better than the core of the book. I also agreed with the general thesis of the book, that continuationism is the teaching of Scripture, and this ought to have real life implications.
On the other hand, the book did confuse me. I didn't really get what he was really going for in writing/putting it together. Is it a new edition or a sequel? At times it felt like the former, and others, the latter. If it's a sequel, a 'here's what I've learnt since the original came out' book, I can live with it, but given the repeated content from Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, I do think he was more going for a new edition. So is the first one obsolete now? If so, I think it was a bad move. It's been five years since I read it, but I remember the SBTPOTS being more tightly argued, and feeling like it fitted together as a coherent whole. It was a defence of continuationism framed as an autobiography. It was balanced in that it did a good job of being rigorously persuasive but also in touch with the common man. Instead, WISSBTPOTS feels like a bunch of tweets all lined up next to each other, many of which are true, but are not there to clarify, nuance, expand on, or define terms of earlier arguments. He's just spinning a yarn. I'm not sure of the reason for the change. Perhaps he was wanting to continue the vibe from Even in Our Darkness, his recent memoir, which I loved. But I didn't think that style worked here. I think more likely he's self consciously wanting to move beyond merely being the 'smart apologist for continuationism' to focusing on practically living it out. I have to check myself as I write this: maybe I'm wanting the book to be something that Deere isn't wanting. In addition, sprinkled throughout the book is the odd statement (usually unqualified), that while not necessarily wrong, is certainly not the vernacular that an average evangelical would use (I don't have time to go find examples, but if you read it you'll get what I mean). I wonder how effective a book seeking to win evangelicals will be with these statements that presumably only a seasoned charismatic would resonate with or assume. Additionally, the book presents a Chaferian/free grace/DTS understanding of sanctifcation, so be ready for that if that's not your perspective. This confused me, as Sam Storms, who literally has a book in print advocating for a reformed understanding as opposed to the Chaferian, wrote an endorsement for the book. In turn, Deere says in a footnote that all of Storms' works are biblically sound and worth reading (A statement I largely agree with. I think Storms is excellent). The reader is left wondering how carefully Deere has read Storms' material given the perspective advocated around sanctification. It honestly makes me wonder if there's this mentality that is willing to brush aside any serious issue one might have with the details of a book as long as it's pushing a somewhat thoughtful approach to continuationism. I'd genuinely be interested to hear Deere and Storms have a panel discussion in which they address issues like Calvinism, dispensationalism, sanctification, eschatology, theodicy etc.
All in all, it was ok. My recommendation would be to read the original. 2.5/5
On the other hand, the book did confuse me. I didn't really get what he was really going for in writing/putting it together. Is it a new edition or a sequel? At times it felt like the former, and others, the latter. If it's a sequel, a 'here's what I've learnt since the original came out' book, I can live with it, but given the repeated content from Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, I do think he was more going for a new edition. So is the first one obsolete now? If so, I think it was a bad move. It's been five years since I read it, but I remember the SBTPOTS being more tightly argued, and feeling like it fitted together as a coherent whole. It was a defence of continuationism framed as an autobiography. It was balanced in that it did a good job of being rigorously persuasive but also in touch with the common man. Instead, WISSBTPOTS feels like a bunch of tweets all lined up next to each other, many of which are true, but are not there to clarify, nuance, expand on, or define terms of earlier arguments. He's just spinning a yarn. I'm not sure of the reason for the change. Perhaps he was wanting to continue the vibe from Even in Our Darkness, his recent memoir, which I loved. But I didn't think that style worked here. I think more likely he's self consciously wanting to move beyond merely being the 'smart apologist for continuationism' to focusing on practically living it out. I have to check myself as I write this: maybe I'm wanting the book to be something that Deere isn't wanting. In addition, sprinkled throughout the book is the odd statement (usually unqualified), that while not necessarily wrong, is certainly not the vernacular that an average evangelical would use (I don't have time to go find examples, but if you read it you'll get what I mean). I wonder how effective a book seeking to win evangelicals will be with these statements that presumably only a seasoned charismatic would resonate with or assume. Additionally, the book presents a Chaferian/free grace/DTS understanding of sanctifcation, so be ready for that if that's not your perspective. This confused me, as Sam Storms, who literally has a book in print advocating for a reformed understanding as opposed to the Chaferian, wrote an endorsement for the book. In turn, Deere says in a footnote that all of Storms' works are biblically sound and worth reading (A statement I largely agree with. I think Storms is excellent). The reader is left wondering how carefully Deere has read Storms' material given the perspective advocated around sanctification. It honestly makes me wonder if there's this mentality that is willing to brush aside any serious issue one might have with the details of a book as long as it's pushing a somewhat thoughtful approach to continuationism. I'd genuinely be interested to hear Deere and Storms have a panel discussion in which they address issues like Calvinism, dispensationalism, sanctification, eschatology, theodicy etc.
All in all, it was ok. My recommendation would be to read the original. 2.5/5
January 30, 2024
I have experienced much abuse under the name of the Holy Spirit. As a result, I can still find it difficult to not be hyper-critical of charismatic books. I don't think I would have appreciated this book a few years ago when I was extremely sensitive to anything that sounded remotely like my experience. So maybe don't read it if that kind of thing can be triggering for you. I think it is a helpful book, but I am not sure I agree with all his conclusions.
Here's what I appreciated:
- Jack Deere was himself very skeptical and critical of charismatics. This makes me more willing to listen to what he has to say, knowing he has wrestled with his conclusions.
- He provides a history of cessationist thought which I find interesting & helpful.
- He is very methodical in his argument for continuationism.
- He provided answers to some of the questions I've had regarding the abuse of spiritual gifts.
Conclusion:
I love what he says toward the end, "I don't think that the church that practices the gifts of the Spirit is superior to the church that doesn't. The only one who is capable of judging the church is the Lord of the church. And he is also the one who guides the ministry of each church."
This is not a common perspective on either side of this issue, but I think it is the best one. Jesus has used and continues to use Christians from every denominational persuasion. While this book argues for the practice of spiritual gifts, the author doesn't think it's his job to persuade anyone.
"Once I was sure that God no longer gave most of the gifts of the Spirit. What changed? Jesus came to me and guided me through a series of events and brought people to me who introduced me to the gifts of the Spirit. No one changes unless Jesus enables the change."
Here's what I appreciated:
- Jack Deere was himself very skeptical and critical of charismatics. This makes me more willing to listen to what he has to say, knowing he has wrestled with his conclusions.
- He provides a history of cessationist thought which I find interesting & helpful.
- He is very methodical in his argument for continuationism.
- He provided answers to some of the questions I've had regarding the abuse of spiritual gifts.
Conclusion:
I love what he says toward the end, "I don't think that the church that practices the gifts of the Spirit is superior to the church that doesn't. The only one who is capable of judging the church is the Lord of the church. And he is also the one who guides the ministry of each church."
This is not a common perspective on either side of this issue, but I think it is the best one. Jesus has used and continues to use Christians from every denominational persuasion. While this book argues for the practice of spiritual gifts, the author doesn't think it's his job to persuade anyone.
"Once I was sure that God no longer gave most of the gifts of the Spirit. What changed? Jesus came to me and guided me through a series of events and brought people to me who introduced me to the gifts of the Spirit. No one changes unless Jesus enables the change."
August 13, 2020
loved this book. I believe that God does still perform miracles and healing in the world today, it is just that we are either not willing to believe that the miracles occurred or try to find a scientific reason for it. I will certainly read this book again and probably again. So much good truth in it. One paragraph that spoke to me very clearly was in chapter 26. Deere said that; the body of Christ has been divided into two camps that are critical of each other and blind to their own faults. One group emphasizes the truth of God, and the other emphasizes the experience of God. He went on to say, " the truth is that most people don't believe what they believe because they mad a careful study of Scripture. Someone they trusted told them what to believe. Later they learned to support that belief with a little Scripture." Ponder on that for a while, then read the book
March 23, 2024
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn more about the charismatic dimensions of the Christian faith. If you grew up or grew in your faith within cessationist, non-charismatic circles, this book will be provocative, challenging the way you think and confronting certain “Sunday school” answers you’ve been presuming were true for years. I am only giving this book three stars because I don’t always agree with the author’s conclusions, there are times he could go into greater depth on certain subjects, and occasionally his argumentation and writing style are a bit abrupt and sloppy. However, you should still totally check it out if the subject matter interests you; it’s a classic.
April 27, 2023
There was some great stuff in this book, but also some stuff I thought to be a little questionable. Deere does a good job arguing for the continuation of the gifts, and there are many examples in here of instances where those workings are verifiable and true. But there were times in the book when I think Deere went a little too far. For example, what he says on the continuation of apostles. Or what he says about storytelling as the main goal of sermons. Or certain individuals he associates with. There were just a few things that rubbed me the wrong way. I do think it is probably worth the read, but it may actually have the effect of turning people off from the view.
June 30, 2024
Quite an awesome tour-de-force! I made a very nice discovery in looking for a reasonably-priced, used copy of Jack Deere's book that my wife and I've been listening to with a Libby instance from our county library. Someone in Australia was selling a CD-recording for under $US8.00 so I bought it for our son who lives in Brisbane. On top of that delight? - Then later in the evening as we watched the WoodEdge video, I heard Jack Deere's story of ministering to children with John Paul Jackson! Our son and Aussie daughter-in-law met and got engaged while she was in her 2nd year, he in first at Streams Ministries New Hampshire based Institute of Spiritual Development. Small world, lol.
November 24, 2025
Deere is a former Dallas Theological professor that changed his belief in the working of the Holy Spirit through gifts of healing.
He focuses on healing because he became persuaded that in fact that gift of the Holy Spirit is still available in the church.
I appreciated Deere's balanced approach to healing. He acknowledges that there are times the Spirit does not heal and encourages us to accept that fact.
His own personal practice seems to be centered on listening to what the Hold Spirit wants to do in a particular situation.
This book has encouraged me to continue to pray in faith for healing, and to seek to find Spirit led healers to learn from.
He focuses on healing because he became persuaded that in fact that gift of the Holy Spirit is still available in the church.
I appreciated Deere's balanced approach to healing. He acknowledges that there are times the Spirit does not heal and encourages us to accept that fact.
His own personal practice seems to be centered on listening to what the Hold Spirit wants to do in a particular situation.
This book has encouraged me to continue to pray in faith for healing, and to seek to find Spirit led healers to learn from.
March 19, 2024
This book is thoroughly enjoyable. His background is like mine. so many quotes that are useful. P. 198 he speaks about abuses. p. 204 obligations. p. 214 "preachers preach like this because their teachers have taught them to relate to God primarily as an obligation, not as a Person who delights in them. p. 222 "The gifts of the Spirit are not an afterthought . . ." p. 234 "Young people excel at healing and hearing God's voice." p. 245 "Two camps . . . one group emphasizes the truth of God; the other emphasizes the experience of God." P. 247 friends vs. students.
April 6, 2021
Great Book
Jack Deere’s book “Surprised by the Power of the Spirit” was an eye-opening and life changing book for me. Things that I knew to be true about God but hadn’t seen taught or explained in an expository way were presented so clearly. I had to read this book, which is the follow up and expands even more on these topics. If you are hungry to learn about things like prophecy, healing, and spiritual gifts, this book is for you!
Jack Deere’s book “Surprised by the Power of the Spirit” was an eye-opening and life changing book for me. Things that I knew to be true about God but hadn’t seen taught or explained in an expository way were presented so clearly. I had to read this book, which is the follow up and expands even more on these topics. If you are hungry to learn about things like prophecy, healing, and spiritual gifts, this book is for you!
September 2, 2020
This book is a rarity. Usually, the best rating I give is 4 stars. I reserve 5 stars for historically great books that still sell after fifty years. But this book explains the Holy Spirit, His gifts and miracles so well and so Biblically, with such humility and practicality that I am certain it will still be selling in 50 years.
July 21, 2021
I loved Jack Deere's other. Oils years ago and didn't know until recently that he had written this one. It is another excellent explanation with evidence and theology of how we can be convinced that the Holy Spirit is still a rice today in ways many have taught ceased with the apostles. I was taught that way growing up and his earlier book helped me switch my thinking and let God out of a box.
March 13, 2022
As someone who is constantly flipping between cessationism and continuationism, Jack Deere was rather convincing for the latter. Obviously I don’t agree with everything he had to say, but he made some really fantastic points.
With all the damage done by hyper-charismatics, it’s easy to dismiss and even discourage the gifts of the Spirit. I would recommend the book to believers in either camp.
With all the damage done by hyper-charismatics, it’s easy to dismiss and even discourage the gifts of the Spirit. I would recommend the book to believers in either camp.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews