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This book is a simple, but articulate plea for forgiveness and reconciliation for Christians who have fallen into sin, in a church culture which looks down on sinners instead of restoring them.  The author takes a deep look into the biblical examples from both the Hebrew scriptures and the Christian New Testament, to lay a firm basis for challenging the common practices of judgemental superiority in the evangelical church.

The author calls upon the church to rise to the Gospel standards, turning from the hypocritical practice of exiling or shaming church members who fall.  He calls the church to repentance for the common arrogance, hypocrisy and class-concept of church membership and holiness.  Stevenson is on the mark, taking seriously his prophetic calling to speak the truth, and he does it in love.

The author writes within the context of his fundamentalist Baptist background.  For a broader audience his style is limited by the stilted vocabulary and stock phrases or tones associated with this background.  This style may limit his appeal to the broader Christian population.

This is unfortunate, because the author has the right intention, and good content.  He is trying to recover the attitude and practice of Jesus' teachings and the ideals of the Church of Christ presented in the New Testament writings.  The somewhat clichéd fundamentalist style will put off some readers, but the message is kind, firm and clear.  This is a sensitive treatment in a tone conducive to the topic.

Stevenson writes with compassion for the errant member, calling for the church to abandon the common self-righteous judgement of those who err.  He draws upon extensive biblical models and teachings to portray the church as a center of healing and restoration.  His perceptive view of the church portrays it as a community of grace.

While Stevenson's primary audience is his Fundamentalist Baptist constituency, any sensitive, serious follower of Christ concerned to facilitate forgiveness and restoration within the church will appreciate this writer's attempt to address the problem in terms of his church constituency.

See related reviews and articles on this site:
Make Friends with Life
The Practical Unity of the Church

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OBJ

First reading notes written 4 May 2010
Reviewed on Amazon 5 June 2010
This review posted on OJTR 11 June 2010

Orville Boyd Jenkins, EdD, PhD
Copyright © 2010 Orville Boyd Jenkins
Permission granted for free download and transmission for personal or educational use.  Other rights reserved.

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