God’s Super-Apostles by R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec (book review)

God’s Super-Apostles:

Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement

By R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Christianity / Pentecostal & Charismatic

Published by- Weaver Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 160

Age Group- Adults

Description of Book- paperback, ISBN 978-1-941337-08-0, $12.99

Do you know the name of Rick Joyner, Bill Johnson, Bill Hamon, or Cindy Jacobs?  Have you ever hear of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR).

God’s Super-Apostles explains what NAR is and how it is different from Pentecostal and charismatic teachings.  “Prayerwalking,” “healing rooms,” and “24/7 prayer rooms” are also discussed.  There are also chapter discussing what it says in the Bible about these different teachings.

In the back of the book there are different indexes, appendices, and a glossary.

Sample of the Book!

About the Authors-

R. Douglas Geivett currently works as a professor of philosophy in the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University.  He has written several other books.

Holly Pivec has written many different articles and has been the managing editor of Biola Magazine.

My thoughts- I thought God’s Super-Apostles was a very interesting book.  I have never studied or known much about NAR, but I know a lot more thanks to R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec. 

One thing I know for sure is that before I join a church or even after I visit one I will be studying the Bible to make sure what was discussed is also in the Bible.  I do not plan on staying at a church that believes so strongly in the apostles and prophets and teaching people spiritual gifts.

I really liked the examples of what happened to different individuals that went to different NAR churches.  I also liked the appendices, because they gave good advice to parents, pastors, and participants.  There was also a section about questions to ask the church and one about different names NAR individuals might call people, like critical spirit.  The glossary was also very helpful.

This book was well done, because it discussed what NAR believed, then what the Bible teaches, then compared the two.  I would highly recommend it to others.  I think everyone needs to know about NAR.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received God’s Super-Apostles, by R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Preaching by Ear by Dave McClellan

Preaching by Ear

Speaking God’s Truth from the Inside Out

By Dave McClellan

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Christian Ministry / Preaching

Published by- Weaver Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 173

Age Group- Adults (Ministers), it would also be good students in college

Description of Book- paperback, ISBN 978-1-941337-02-8, $15.99

Preaching by Ear, by Dave McClellan, is filled with useful information on why and how pastors should have orally based sermons.  Providing information from Augustine, Quintilian, and more, McClellan show how important it was to develop sermons without writing them down and reading off of notes (because they did not) and how it is still relevant today. 

Sample of the Book!

About the Author- Dave McClellan is married and has two adult children.  He an adjunct professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and John Carroll University.  He is also a pastor of The Chapel at Tinkers Creek.

My thoughts- I thought this was an excellent book.  It was easy to read, understand, and dealt with a topic which I think is important.  I was even reading parts of it to my nine and ten-year-old children.  I thought they should learn how important it is to be able to tell stories and be able to write about different things.

One of the most interesting parts of this book to me was learning about Augustine and Quintilian.  I have never studied ancient history in depth, so while I may have heard about these two men, I knew nothing about them.  It was from them that I learned that it is important, as a preacher to be able to have an orally based sermon.  When I was learning about this I thought of Kevin Weatherby, from Save the Cowboy.  I do not know for sure how he prepares his sermons or if this is a method that he uses, but I think he must.  His sermons always flow well and I do not see him actively checking for notes.

I think this is a book that all pastors need to read.  It should also be required reading for those who desire to become pastors.  I highly recommend it. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Preaching by Ear, by Dave McClellan, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Persuasive Preaching by R. Larry Overstreet (book review)

Persuasive Preaching

A Biblical and Practical Guide to the Effective Use of Persuasion

By R. Larry Overstreet

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Christian Ministry / Preaching

Published by- Weaver Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 312

Age Group- Adults (Ministers), it would also be good students in college

Description of Book- paperback, ISBN 978-1-941337-00-4, $24.99

What is your method of preaching?  What kind of preaching do you prefer?

Persuasive Preaching, by R. Larry Overstreet, discusses what persuasive preaching is, Biblical support for it, four different structures of persuasive messages (motivated sequence, problem-solution, cause-effect, and refutation), and different applications.

Sample of the Book!

About the Author- R. Larry Overstreet has served as a pastor in Michigan and Indiana.  He is currently an adjunct professor at Piedmont International University.

My thoughts- I thought Persuasive Preaching had a lot of good points.  I am not a pastor, so I enjoyed learning about the different structures that persuasive messages can have, learning about the Holy Spirit in preaching, of course, understanding what persuasive preaching is all about.

I did not know about the different structures for persuasive messages, so I really enjoyed learning about the motivated sequence, problem-solution, cause-effect, and refutation.  I think that I listen best when it is a motivated sequence, because it catches my attention, shows need, satisfaction, visualization, and action.  I am sure with the right pastor that I would do well with the other structures as well, but I know the sermon has to catch my attention right from the beginning.  Overstreet gave examples of each structure in the back of the book, so I was able to see the outlines for each of the type.  I thought they were excellent and I also thought the messages were persuasive.  I would have enjoyed listening to his different sermons. 

I think this book would be perfect for those who are pastors, who wish to become pastors, or those who want to know how to share a persuasive message. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Persuasive Preaching, by R. Larry Overstreet, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Bible Revival by Kenneth Berding (Review)

Bible Revival

Recommitting Ourselves to One Book

By Kenneth Berding

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion /Christian Life / Personal Growth

Published by- Weaver Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 128

Age Group- Adults and older teens

Description of Book- paperback, ISBN 978-0-9891671-3-0, $12.99

Bible Revival, by Kenneth Berding, was written to help Christians with how to read and stay involved with the Bible.  This book includes many of the distractions that prevent us from being highly involved with the Word and the solutions. 

This book begins with a preface which discusses what the book will about.  Each chapter has a similar layout with a discussion of how things are, then it continues with what it could be and how to do it (“digging deeper”).  Each chapter ends with thought provoking questions.  There is also an appendix at the end of the book that will help the reader learn the best way to memorize the Bible.

Here is a link from Shaun Tabatt.  It is episode 96 of Author Talks which features his discussion with Ken Berding on Bible Revival.  http://BibleGeekGoneWild.com/096.

About the Author- Kenneth Berding is an author, co-editor, and a professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.

My thoughts- As Christians we know it is important to be in the Word, but are we?  I know I do not read and study the Bible as much as I should.  Bible Revival, by Kenneth Berding taught me that it is important to read the Bible every day and how I should implement it into my daily life.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the questions at the end of each chapter.  I always enjoy reading and answering the questions.  They help me to grow closer to God.  This book had excellent questions and helped me understand how and why to read the Bible.

I really enjoyed all of this book.  It was about valuing, understanding, learning, applying, obeying, and speaking the Word.  All of these subjects showed me the importance and need for reviving reading and understanding the Bible.

This is an important book that everyone needs to read.  Please get a copy and study it today.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Bible Revival: Recommitting Ourselves to One Book, by Kenneth Berding, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.