AUTHOR: Ian Johnson & Lauston Stephens
This book is what I would call, a "Bible Study". The main theme that the authors develop is that most of God's promises were given to the Church as a unified Body, and become inaccessible when we live individualistically and in division. The authors don't just merely state their opinions, but they back up their belief with the scripture that is the foundation for their belief. The authors clearly show the Consequences of Division from Christ-the Head of the church and from the Church-the body of Christ.The authors believe that God's promises work for the believer if he or she is in unity with a body of believers that are in unity as a whole body with Christ as the head of the church. They state that sickness, both physical and mental, seems to be more prevalent among Christians than it is in the world.
As a Bible Study, I think this book is good and will benefit the reader. I am not prepared to argue or go against anything that was stated in this book. I am a Christian and believe that unity in the body of the church as Christ taught, is the ideal and should be strived for. I do have to question the authors statement that sickness, both physical and mental, seems to be more prevalent among Christians than it is in the world. I also have to question the author's statement, and the prevalence of guilt, fear, anxiety, mental illness, various physical illnesses, premature death, offenses, lawsuits and false teachers in the modern Church. All of these evils in the church can be traced largely to our refusal to live in conformity with our oneness. I guess the mere fact that I suffer from mental illness causes me to worry when people suggest that mental illness is evil. It is a condition that many find themselves in, not of their own accord. I believe that this view of mental illness only intensifies the prejudices and misconceptions about mental illness.
Reviewer: Theodocia
ISBN: 1-4241-6035-9
This book was added to our database on Saturday 25 August, 2007.
