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I am leading an adult Christian education class whose members are reading the book and discussing sections of it each week over a 10 week time period. I recommend this book to anyone who is serious about his faith journey. The author presents an easy to read journal of his thoughts about what he encounters in life over the course of a year. Members of the class are also keeping a journal of their thoughts and their adventures in listening to God. JoAnn Van Tassel He writes of listening to God for answers for some of the things that concern him. At times, he is very thought provoking and at others mundane.
There were a couple of things he proposes and/or practices that have challenged my own theology and practices, which I continue to wrestle with in a good way. John's book is a collection of stories from his own prayer journey, put together with some step-by-step instructions and how to start one's own journey toward conversational intimacy with God. He lays out a logical case for being able to hear from God, supported by scripture.
First, this book made me think differently about what it means to walk with God. And making everything a battle is somewhat unhealthy. It is an interesting read. It takes courage to put oneself out there, to show one's imperfections and thoughts to thousands of readers. Unique, for sure. Like I said, it made me think differently.The one problem that I see in this book is that Eldredge makes everything a battle. I recommend it.
Should I walk across the street or not. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." Eldredge borders and tiptoes around the latter. One is to disbelieve in their existence. But, according to Eldredge, God not only cares about the mundane details of our lives, he wants us to include him in everything. Lewis once wrote, "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils.
John Eldredge really puts himself out there for this book, admitting his struggles, internal battles, and sharing his year-long walk with God. C.S. Everything from picking out a new puppy to going on a horse ride. I have never really assumed that God cares so deeply about the mundane details of my - or any - life. He writes, ".hearing God requires surrender, giving all things over into his hands." And Eldredge means everything.
It gives way too much credence to the powers of an evil supernatural power and all of his cohorts. Thinking a dagger looks dark, praying over it, cleansing it with the blood of Jesus, binding it under his authority, forbiding it to be a channel of any foul thing -- These are not thoughts and behaviors that come from the Bible. Eldredge doesn't seem to realize that possessed people were the exception, and that Jesus cast out the demons and the people returned to being normal, unpossesed people like the rest of the population.
To Eldredge, the world is a dangerous place. By page 127 there's a whole section called The Devil is an Opportunist. This book starts out well, but by page 50 the Enemy starts slipping in; Satan starts making frequent appearances.
He is constantly bringing the work of Christ against foul spirits. I picked this book because I thought it would be good for a Christian discussion group, but there are sections that I don't think deserve our time or attention that outweigh the good things that are there. Phrases like spiritual oppression, spiritual bonds, spiritual warfare, battle, spiritual assault, foul spirits, twisted beings, a palpable presence of fear.
It's not just desolation; it's Desolation.
After all he says they don't have computers or navigation systems "the last thing I need is for a woman's voice telling me where to turn."(pg 60) I found his incessant focus on what pleased him to be troubling. How about a reality check, John that does not make the circumstances of your life all about you and how God wants to bless you. He was emasculated by their discipline, pleeeeease. What struck me most in Eldredge's book is that while married there was not a single event in the year he chronicles that involves his wife. But what reveals his skewed perception of gender is his notion that his diesel truck and especially wowing his young female employee restored his manhood. However, over half the population on this planet has never owned a ranch in Montana, gone to the Moab desert, or known what it is like to not worry about their next meal. John needs to ask God how He might show him His transformation beyond arrested adolescence.
It essentially appears that John lives his life and the circumstances that happen are only God's doing if John gets the message. He was fifteen; they stole the vehicle and could have caused a tragic accident. He and his friends broke the law with his parent's car. If John doesn't get the message then what happens is demonic. It is entirely possible to understand that his parents were disciplining as good parents ought to.
Perhaps the reason for this is all to telling in his relating his love for older cars. The story of the diesel pick-up really takes the cake (pg 160). Does God use the circumstances of our lives to reveal Himself; absolutely. He lays out the "wrong" way to go about a relationship with God; A+B=C; (A) believe in God (B) be a good person (C) He will deliver the rest (pg 8)and then proceeds to illustrate with each story how if he wasn't blessed he obviously did not hear from God. Talk about trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
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