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dragon_reborn's review
3.0
This is a quick little book that can be read in a couple of hours at normal speed. Its value is found in chapters 3 & 11. Those chapters alone are worth purchasing the book for and deserve 5 stars. I especially loved the concept of unbalanced and rebalanced truth that was shared. Powlison draws from decades of experience and wisdom as a Christian counselor who has proven himself very astute with Scripture and humanity.
I appreciated the aspects of advice sharing that he mentions: no one truth reigns supreme in all situations. Jesus sought to bring to light certain truths to certain people, and the truth that was brought out was relevant to the individual's situation. This rings true to me as a pastor. Most of counseling is seeking out what emphases of Scripture to shine unto someone's life.
The case studies were shaky to me. I appreciate that Powlison brings his individual story out - I hadn't heard his background before and this made me appreciate the man and his work even more. The other case studies seems slightly arbitrary to me and were not helpful in thinking through the truths presented elsewhere in the book.
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.
I appreciated the aspects of advice sharing that he mentions: no one truth reigns supreme in all situations. Jesus sought to bring to light certain truths to certain people, and the truth that was brought out was relevant to the individual's situation. This rings true to me as a pastor. Most of counseling is seeking out what emphases of Scripture to shine unto someone's life.
The case studies were shaky to me. I appreciate that Powlison brings his individual story out - I hadn't heard his background before and this made me appreciate the man and his work even more. The other case studies seems slightly arbitrary to me and were not helpful in thinking through the truths presented elsewhere in the book.
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.
hessionsreadingworld's review
4.0
Popsugar 2020: a book with more than 20 letters in its title
Formal review to follow.
Formal review to follow.
garethtrussell's review
5.0
Do you become sanctified by remembering what Jesus has done for you on the cross and your justification? Are you more holy because you're regularly at church, hearing good preaching, and taking the Lord's Supper? Did you become more Jesus, as you remembered God's sovereignty and plan to work out all things for your good? Have you found accountability groups are helping to make you responsible for your conduct?
Powlison, says in response, "Yes. Maybe. It depends."
Christians often want a simple method that they can follow that'll guarantee their growth in holiness or at least set them on the right path for life. Powlison in this short, simple - but deep book - sets out to tell us that there is no magic fix for making us more like Christ that will work for all people, at all times, in all places.
Too often books on sanctification, or growing in our Christlikeness are based upon an author's personal experience and then extrapolated to cover the whole Christian life (e.g. Jared Wilson's Gospel Wakefulness). Powlison simply says: not so fast. Becoming more like Christ is more difficult than that: God will sanctify us, he'll speak to us through his word, wise Christians will instruct us, suffering will shape us, and we will respond. But what this looks like will vary, just as the people that God has made will vary.
The book concludes with a few case studies of how this works out in individuals lives that may be of benefit to you. Personally I found Powlison's insights in the first half of the book to be worth the price of the book alone.
I heartily recommend this little book on the process of sanctification, especially if you're in Christian Leadership.
Powlison, says in response, "Yes. Maybe. It depends."
Christians often want a simple method that they can follow that'll guarantee their growth in holiness or at least set them on the right path for life. Powlison in this short, simple - but deep book - sets out to tell us that there is no magic fix for making us more like Christ that will work for all people, at all times, in all places.
Too often books on sanctification, or growing in our Christlikeness are based upon an author's personal experience and then extrapolated to cover the whole Christian life (e.g. Jared Wilson's Gospel Wakefulness). Powlison simply says: not so fast. Becoming more like Christ is more difficult than that: God will sanctify us, he'll speak to us through his word, wise Christians will instruct us, suffering will shape us, and we will respond. But what this looks like will vary, just as the people that God has made will vary.
The book concludes with a few case studies of how this works out in individuals lives that may be of benefit to you. Personally I found Powlison's insights in the first half of the book to be worth the price of the book alone.
I heartily recommend this little book on the process of sanctification, especially if you're in Christian Leadership.
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