Author-Ian Stackhouse
Publisher-Paternoster Press(Authenticmedia)
ISBN-1-84227-290-X
The author is pastoral leader of Guildford Baptist Church in England. He combines that which is scholarly, prophetic and burningly relevant in this book. It is vital reading for those involved in the charismatic wing of the churches as well as those pursuing a course seeking for revival. He shows how that search for revival will lead to distortions and confusion ending in mere revivalism if not founded in the core practices of the church such as the centrality of the word and sacraments and prayer. Some might feel at points that the writer errs, leaning on outward ordinances unduly, leading to a danger of sacramentalism. However, the main thrust of the book repays careful reading and seeks to ground the trend centered and fad driven charismatic church upon biblical bedrock. In a very real way this is a book of pastoral theology, all those in leadership will profit much from it. We are summoned to return to and walk the ancient paths. There is a breadth of thoughtful reading and reflection in this volume as well as a depth of respect for the history of the church, these combine to point us to those things in which we shall be rooted and grounded in God. The book makes for uncomfortable reading as the writer incisively deals with some of the afflictions of the contemporary church. He is not excessively negative, instead, he provides us with solid and biblical ways in which we can rise from the muddle. We are unsure if the title of the book intentionally contains the word ‘driven’, perhaps it does, it is a word which is used in one of the many programs offered to us today which purport to cure the church’s malaise. It is not always easy to draw the line in that which is presented to us,are they helpful or not? This book helps us to see the things that really matter and it should be read carefully by all those involved in the ministry of God.
