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If you have been following the blog lately you will notice that I have been reviewing a significant number of IVP titles. As I have mentioned before I am increasingly impressed with the books I’ve read. After so many significantly positive reviews, I guess it is inevitable that I would hit one that didn’t catch me as well. I always hate giving less than glowing reviews, so in this case I will review two books: one I was less than enthused with and one that I happily endorse.
The first is “Seasons of the Soul: Stages of Spiritual Development” by Bruce Demarest. The title and topic had my interest immediately as this is a topic I have thoroughly enjoyed researching. I was first introduced to the idea in M. Scot Peck’s book “The Different Drum”, which in turn lead me to several other great sources. “Seasons of the Soul” draws from these sources as well, making it a decent introduction to the broader theories, while framing the topic in the authors unique perspective. Demarest identifies three stages in the process of spiritual development:
- Stage One: Putting our faith in Christ
- Stage Two: Experiencing struggles & doubts
- Stage Three: Coming to deeper faith
Again, the book is a decent introduction to the concepts from a Biblical standpoint. The general content is good and practical. What turned me off this particular title was the posture of the author on certain topics. In many cases, while using stories to illustrate his points, Demarest seems to favour examples that are too often adversarial to a broader perspective of Christian views.
As a dual citizen of Canada & the US, I know that the religious culture in these two nations are vastly different, one example being the often antagonistic stance of conservative Christians on the “right” posture against the compromise they see on the liberal “left” (and vice versa). This attitude (in the former manifestation) came through a great deal in the reading, making it a difficult read to enjoy. So while it does cover the topic fairly well (and so might be helpful to many) it is not one I would likely use again or recommend.
The second book is “Crazy Enough To Care: Changing Your World Through Compassion, Justice and Racial Reconciliation” by Alvin C. Bibbs Sr. Designed as a 12 session group workbook, this practical volume is a helpful guide to exploring the ideas and actions of pursuing a compassionate and embracing stance as a community. The ideas of justice and racial reconciliation are often difficult to navigate, while putting them in action often leaves people dead in their tracks.
This book is a helpful resource to get church started on conversation and action. Inevitably it speaks more to the American context in respect to the racial reconciliation, highlighting the need for context specific material for Canada and other nations (not a failing of the book, I should note, just an observation). This book is a good starting point for most churches and so I highly recommend it.
Tags: book review, Books, Justice, Missional, racial reconciliation
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