Book Review: Surprised by the Power of the Spirit

I've spent a number of years moving from an understanding of Christianity that accepted the miraculous, to one that actively seeks to engage in and join with God in the supernatural. This opening sentence may seem strange, but the book I'm reviewing today was fundamental in shaping my thoughts about the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit. With endorsements from people like Wayne Grudem, Gordon Fee and R.T.Kendall, this is a book that demands consideration from Christians, regardless of your personal or current view on the gifts of the Spirit. Jack Deere has written this book as a personal and biblical narrative of how he changed his mind about the work of the Holy Sprit today.

This is not a small book. Dealing as it does with a serious subject, this is a large read, but a worthwhile one. The first part, consisting of the first three chapters, looks at the personal revolution that Deere underwent as he moved from cessationism to continuationism. The influence of John Wimber was important, as we see by the title of the Third Chapter, "Signs and Wimbers", but the initial catalyst was a phone call from John White. This opening section is a fascinating insight into the intellectual integrity of a man who was once a Professor of Old Testament at a cessationist seminary. 

The second and central chunk of the book deals with what Deere calls "Shattered Misconceptions", looking at some of the issues surrounding this topic. Deere deals calmly and carefully with "The Myth of Pure Biblical Objectivity", "Responding to Spiritual Abuses", and other key issues. This section is a good blend of biblical and systematic theology, related to experience and practice. The closing third of the book is a concluding focus on God. Not on the Power, but on seeking the Gifts and the Giver. The epilogue, "Hearing God Speak Today" looks ahead to Deere's other well known book, "Surprised by the Voice of God", which is an in-depth examination of the radical idea that God speaks today.

The appendices in this book (totalling around 70 pages!) are an excellent resource too, giving some historical and apologetic weight to this book. Appendix A looks at "Other Reasons Why God Heals and Works Miracles", which develops and builds upon some of the arguments in the book. Appendix B tackles the crucial question, "Did Miraculous Gifts Cease With the Apostle?", and does an excellent job of looking at this issue. Appendix C asks another important question, "Were There Only Three Periods of Miracles?", which deals directly with cessationist John MacArthur's valid challenge that biblical miracles occurred mainly in the days of Moses and Joshua, the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, and with Jesus and the Apostles. 

This book is an excellent resource for the thinking Charismatic, the sceptical cessationist, or the undecided Christian! Blending personal story, biblica/historical/systematic theology and a readable style, Deere provides us with an excellent book. I'd highly recommend it.