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hwolfram's review
3.0
Do not take my review to mean that I do not approve of this book- on the contrary, I think that this book is excellent for diagnosis and recognition of abuse, and many pastors, elders and laypeople alike should read this book. There are some really powerful sections that shock you into realizing how bad the problem of abuse is in our church context, and the focus of this book is consistent throughout.
Redeeming power is at its best when it focuses most clearly on defining power and abuse, giving examples and speaking up for victims, which it does pretty much the whole book. I am thoroughly impressed with the author for caring well for victims of abuse of all kinds and constantly reminding us that Jesus is the example who we look to as we seek to love our neighbor and those who are victims of abuse.
Simultaneously, there were a few things about this book that bugged me. For one, the author would frequently (though not always) take scripture out of context or add meaning to certain passages to mean things that aren't always clearly present in her paraphrases (which I don't think she tells you are paraphrases unless you read the publishers stamp on the inside cover). She never said anything that was out of step with Christian doctrine that I could tell, but it was quite distracting to me as I read.
I also think that there is a serious lack in this book of forgiveness. While the elevation of and listening to victims by the Church is highly, highly important, it is portrayed as the entire healing process for victims of abuse and of church culture. Langberg does an excellent job of pointing out the false forgivenesses and repentances that go on so often in our broken church culture that lead to more cycles of abuse, which we ought to pay close attention to. In the end, however, she sacrifices true Christian forgiveness for an attitude of, essentially, just care more and just do better. In condemning the attitude of "just forgive the abuser and move on," which is destructive and dangerous for victims, she swings the pendulum the opposite way and presents us with a path that makes people feel better with only demonstrations of love, kindness and empathy (which is super important!) but can potentially leave people bitter and angry, both toward their enemies and the body of Christ.
Overall, this is a well written and easy read that is powerful, challenging and thought provoking (it made me cry!), and it also is lacking (in my opinion) in the redeeming aspect of Redeeming Power.
Redeeming power is at its best when it focuses most clearly on defining power and abuse, giving examples and speaking up for victims, which it does pretty much the whole book. I am thoroughly impressed with the author for caring well for victims of abuse of all kinds and constantly reminding us that Jesus is the example who we look to as we seek to love our neighbor and those who are victims of abuse.
Simultaneously, there were a few things about this book that bugged me. For one, the author would frequently (though not always) take scripture out of context or add meaning to certain passages to mean things that aren't always clearly present in her paraphrases (which I don't think she tells you are paraphrases unless you read the publishers stamp on the inside cover). She never said anything that was out of step with Christian doctrine that I could tell, but it was quite distracting to me as I read.
I also think that there is a serious lack in this book of forgiveness. While the elevation of and listening to victims by the Church is highly, highly important, it is portrayed as the entire healing process for victims of abuse and of church culture. Langberg does an excellent job of pointing out the false forgivenesses and repentances that go on so often in our broken church culture that lead to more cycles of abuse, which we ought to pay close attention to. In the end, however, she sacrifices true Christian forgiveness for an attitude of, essentially, just care more and just do better. In condemning the attitude of "just forgive the abuser and move on," which is destructive and dangerous for victims, she swings the pendulum the opposite way and presents us with a path that makes people feel better with only demonstrations of love, kindness and empathy (which is super important!) but can potentially leave people bitter and angry, both toward their enemies and the body of Christ.
Overall, this is a well written and easy read that is powerful, challenging and thought provoking (it made me cry!), and it also is lacking (in my opinion) in the redeeming aspect of Redeeming Power.
persistent_reader's review
5.0
I am still pondering "Redeeming Power." But my first impression is that this is a powerful call to the church and especially its leaders to be like Christ in its use of the authority he has given. One scandal after another involving the abuse of that power dishonors God and the church's gospel witness because the world is watching how the church treats the vulnerable. Our only hope is in Christ who laid aside what was rightfully his to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. But receiving that healing requires us to admit that we are sick and need of a physician. It requires repentance.
Dr. Langberg brings decades' worth of counseling experience and in-the-trenches work with trauma victims across the globe. She writes with an evident love for the church and burden for the wounded sheep. Grounded in Scripture, she points the reader again and again to Christ.
I strongly recommend this book.
(Thanks to Brazos Press for the pre-release copy as part of being on the book's launch team.)
Dr. Langberg brings decades' worth of counseling experience and in-the-trenches work with trauma victims across the globe. She writes with an evident love for the church and burden for the wounded sheep. Grounded in Scripture, she points the reader again and again to Christ.
I strongly recommend this book.
(Thanks to Brazos Press for the pre-release copy as part of being on the book's launch team.)
utah_mustacheman's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Langberg addresses abuse and misuse of power in secular and church spaces through an intimate relationship with Christ emanated in humility, obedience, and lack of self-delusion. It's an interesting take, but it comes off beautifully. Direction from the true Jesus who builds the Kingdom of God in hearts that will outpour justice, truth, and hope is how power is properly used. Power arises from God Godself, and proper appropriation of it in human beings will be through unity with the giver of it.
idgetfay's review
5.0
This book was so beautiful and so powerful. It brought tremendous clarity and I felt like it helped me to better understand the heart of Jesus. I recommend it to anyone who is part of a church, but I also feel like it casts light on abuse in any organization. A must-read.
haveyoumetlisa's review
4.0
The #1 thing I appreciated about this book was Langberg's continuous reference to scripture and Jesus' life. Her examples of abusers and acts of abuse are not based on arbitrary opinions, but rather on how those actions are in exact opposition to how Jesus lived.
This book is a good primer for anyone unfamiliar with abuse in general, but also specifically within the church; I'd recommend it to anyone new to the topic!
This book is a good primer for anyone unfamiliar with abuse in general, but also specifically within the church; I'd recommend it to anyone new to the topic!
wigginsblake's review
4.0
Great great book, with a clear-eyed look at the epidemic of abuse in the church. I have now read several books about this topic in the last couple of years, and this sits somewhere in the middle of the pack. I prefer a couple of other books just because their scope is a little wider, but this book contains some of the most powerful things I've read about this whole issue.
emilyervin's review
2.0
I find it difficult to rate books like this. There is so much here that made me think, wonder, question and explore. Was it a fun read? Absolutely not. Was it worth it to gain more of a perspective of power and the world? Absolutey. ⭐️⭐️
I heard about this book after listening to Annie F. Downs podcast regarding power and abuse in the church. I find it helpful the author, Langberg, provides a space and language for this conversation to occur. Conversation is so needed and I think this book provides a launch pad for such.
I heard about this book after listening to Annie F. Downs podcast regarding power and abuse in the church. I find it helpful the author, Langberg, provides a space and language for this conversation to occur. Conversation is so needed and I think this book provides a launch pad for such.
jessicagustafson's review
5.0
This book is beautiful and challenging- a loving and clear call to the Church to consider the ways we have dishonored the God we claim to love but harming his beloved creation, and to repent and follow our Humble King. If you are a part of the Church, and especially if you are in any capacity a leader in the Church, this book is a must read!
josiahdegraaf's review
4.0
Great book about the nature of power, what it means to view power the way that Christ views it, and the tragedy occurs when Christians use power and authority for the gain of self over the gain of Christ.