Wells issues a stinging attack on modern evangelicalism, which he says has succumbed to Western culture's relativism, individualism, and therapeutic approach to life. His work culminates in a critique of the way churches market themselves as palatable to consumption-oriented postmoderns---at the expense of gospel truth. A prophetic call combining in-depth cultural analysis and serious theology.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
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4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Pastor-Teacher Gary E. Gilley (Springfield, IL), May 11, 2007
Above All Earthly Pow’rs is the fourth and final volume in a series that includes No Place for Truth, God in the Wasteland and Losing Our Virtue. Each of these books deals with a theological issue in light of the times. Above All Earthly Pow’rs follows the same format, this time addressing Christology and how it “is to be preached, in a postmodern, multiethnic, multireligious society” (pp. 7-8).
As in the earlier works, Wells ably sounds the alarm, warning of the inward seeds of destruction now present in evangelicalism. He deals with relevant issues as diverse as the Enlightenment, psychotherapy, immigration, the new spirituality, nihilism, postmodernity, the resurrection of Christ, self-help programs, debates over substitionary atonement, justification, open theism, the seeker-sensitive church growth movement, and more.
All of these issues are examined in light of what Christology has become in a postmodern world and what must be done to re-establish Christology’s biblical understanding and role.
This is a vital book written by a careful, thoughtful theologian and scholar. I believe that, along with the first three books in the series, Above all Earthly Pow’rs is a must read for pastors, theologians and church leaders who want to render biblical guidance to the people of God in the twenty-first century.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rick Harrington (Haverhill), November 28, 2006
Thank you David Wells for putting together another well researched, well thought out volume! (the 4th volume in a series, though my 2nd read). The book recently spurred on a conference of the same name put on by Desiring God ministries. It is readable and valuable for pastors and the thoughtful layperson. The book takes its time to state it's case, perhaps a little too paced for many readers. Not the kind of work easily plundered for quick summaries and apologetic arguments. For the patient, thoughtful, unhurried reader I think you will find perseverance pays of in the end.
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