Empowered Evangelicals

by Rich Nathan, Ken Wilson

After years of witnessing the sometimes rancorous controversy between the Evangelical and Pentecostal camps, authors Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson suggest it's way past time to recognize that there's really only one camp. It is unnecessary to choose between the biblical emphasis of the great Evangelical tradition and the spiritual vitality of the Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions.

A new breed of believers called Empowered Evangelicals has arisen to combine the best elements of both traditions. In this revised and updated edition, Empowered Evangelicals examines the teaching and practice of empowered Evangelical churches and shows both Pentecostals and Evangelicals how to combine the best elements of both congregations.

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Rich Nathan has been the senior Pastor of the Vineyard Church of Columbus since 1987. Rich was raised in conservative Judaism and converted to Christianity at the age of 18. Prior to pastoring, Rich was an assistant professor of business law at The Ohio State University for five years. Rich has served on the National Board of Vineyard: A Community of Churches for more than a decade and is a the Large Church Task Force Coordinator for the Vineyard. He is a popular national and international conference speaker.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with the church staff. Since my mind is in a completely different place than this book's intended audience, I wasn't stimulated much. The writers try to balance the theology and practice of evangelicals and charismatics. This would probably be a great book for someone wrestling with these types of questions.

[Donald Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the time I read this it was what I needed (1996). The concepts in this book are much needed in the evangelical world so that Evangelicals can stop ignoring or explaining away so many passages of Scripture, and Charismatics pay attention to the many passages of Scripture that they also ignore.

[Scott Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone raised in an Evangelical church, there was never a sermon that I can recall that was based on 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 - spiritual gifts. This book helped me discover a whole part of Christian teaching that the Evangelical church avoided. The book makes a great case that the best of the Evangelical and Charismatic outlooks has the most to offer. And in my case, without the spiritual, emotional aspects, which are pretty much nonexistent in the evangelical church, I have to resort to either agreeing or disagreeing with a rigorous theological argument on whatever the topic of that Sunday happens to be. And honestly, I don’t trust any pastor that much to either correctly interpret the Bible or not have their own agenda so I often came away neutral on the matter. Maybe he’s right and maybe not. However, when you can support the teaching of the Bible with actual experiences of the Holy Spirit, it all takes on a whole new meaning. I’ve had a few times in my life when I felt like “something” was there and I believe these were gifts of the spirit so to speak. Too bad I didn’t discover this a lot sooner than now. And certainly no reason to think that these gifts don’t apply today just as they did back in Paul’s day (common evangelical argument against gifts of the Holy Spirit). All of this is in line with what I hope to be a transformation to a new church (Vineyard) that provides a much better rounded foundation to cover all three of the elements of the Trinity rather than what I’ve come to experience as maybe 2-1/3. Very light on the Holy Spirit and heavy on God and Jesus. The Holy Spirit needs more attention and this book does a great job of putting all of that together.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could paraphrase the ongoing argument of the book it is this:
Evangelicals need to be less afraid in this way; and this how Charismatics need to chill more. From that, we can find the radical middle.

I could not agree more with the authors. It is a balanced, biblical, historical, and thought out look at how to walk in the Spirit yet not be sensationalized.

I really appreciated their chapter on divine healing. They frame the entire argument within the reality of the "already/not yet" of the Kingdom. It dismantles any type of goofy "word of faith" mentality while resting in the reality that God can still heal miraculously.

I recommend this to anyone who is open to idea of being charismatic with a seatbelt.

[Kevin Hinebaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in a very conservative, fundamental baptist church. And it felt dead. I know that a majority of the congregation was saved and loved Jesus, but it was hard to feel it. Mostly I felt guilty because I was not as Holy as they were.

Then later in life I attended some more charismatic churches, which felt weird, given my upbringing. But the people seemed happier and I wish I could be more like them.

My current church is more of an Empowered Evangelical church, and it's honestly the best church I've ever been a part of!

This book helped me wrestle with my feelings about all three approaches.

[Kelvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oldie and a goodie. This was an excellent levelheaded book. I really enjoyed how it was so practical and down-to-earth, but yet encouraging and motivating. Both authors already had my respect, so it is no surprise that I liked this book.

[Becky Durstenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights.

[Jonathan Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that serves a variety of purposes:

1. Establishes the concept of an Empowered Evangelical: One who olds as solidly to the scriptures as your classic Presbyterian, but enjoys the spirit and walks in signs and wonders like your more Charismatic groups.
2. Unifies the churches. Indirectly, this book greatly helps the different denominations understand one another. It optimistically shows where we are all the same, and really only differ on minor definitions. Though each denomination's emphasis shows their differences, the core is very similar, and that is something we can hold onto.
3. Gives strong Biblical and historical boundaries and examples to better understand the relationship of the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

Worth reading for anyone serious about their walk with God, especially those going into church leadership in any denomination.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say the writing in this book is phenomenal (or even as polished as it could be), but the concept is exactly what I needed to hear/study right now. And it definitely served that purpose.

So for anyone else trying to find the balance between the evangelical churches that seem to neglect the role and power of the Holy Spirit and a more charismatic church that perhaps overemphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit, then maybe this is the right book for you.

I should probably say more about how it challenged me to be more open to the Spirit's leading and to pray with expectation, but I'll just leave it at that for now.

[Chris Schutte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thoughtful and challenging book for those of us who come from a non-, or even anti-, charismatic evangelical background. The rediscovery of the healing ministry and the supernatural realm fits perfectly with NT Wright's New Testament Theology (NT Wright frequently speaks at Vineyard conferences), and, in this revised edition, the authors add a chapter on the importance of social justice and the environment. My favorite quote: "fearlessness and radical obedience to Jesus are the qualities above almost everything else that I believe we need much more of in pastoral ministry today."

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

definitely a must-read for american christians who are trying to navigate the spectrum between so-called intellectual v. spiritual churches/services/worship etc. which may be of special interest to people involved in university fellowships or who have attended both charismatic and conservative Bible-teaching churches...

[Kristjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent analysis of the needed balance between the Word and the Spirit, thinking and emotions, etc. Some material is a bit dated, but this was the 1995 edition that I read (I don't know if you can still get sermon series on cassette tapes!).

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really practical advice with solid biblical backing. Thanks, Rich and Ken!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was required reading for a ministry class. It was written in 1995 and tries to find the common ground between evangelical and charismatic/pentecostal orthopraxy.

[Helen Cosner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be read by any church member serious about the Kingdom of God.

[Beth Peninger]

Well, here's another book that I couldn't renew due to how I had to obtain it and ran out of time to read it. I only got less than 100 pages in. I would have finished it had I been able to renew it through the library. It was slow going for me but I was interested enough to keep reading. In my ideal world I would request it again and read it all the way through but that's not going to happen - at least anytime soon.
Nathan and Wilson make the "argument" that the charismatic and evangelical expressions of faith can in fact co-exist peacefully in the life of the believer. I don't disagree. The part that I was able to read was Nathan describing his faith journey through both the charismatic and evangelical worlds to reach a place where both have room in his life as a believer. I really enjoyed reading that part and saw similarities in my own journey of faith. Maybe someday I will pick it back up.