Book Reviews-February 2009 Print
Written by Various   
Monday, 09 February 2009 02:33 PM America/New_York

leadership revisionLeadership Re: Vision
Jim Seybert
Tyndale House Publishers
softcover, 208 pages, $13.99
978-1-414-32225-4


Consultant Seybert offers biblically based business principles in Leadership Re: Vision. Intended for believing supervisors and business owners, the book begins with a careful distinction between leadership and management: the former an adherence to existing rules, while the latter involves knowing when the organization needs to revise.

Each chapter opens with a Scripture passage that demonstrates some counterintuitive business advice—avoid goal-setting, share meals with employees and encourage tinkering with successful practices, to name a few. Seybert then demonstrates how each axiom was true in biblical times and remains true today.

Seybert concludes by positing that God is the ultimate rule-breaker, entering the world through the womb of a virgin to redefine His own laws. For Christian professionals, Leadership Re:Vision offers an insightful viewpoint on what it means to lead.

—John D. Leatherman

exper the spiritExperiencing the Spirit
Henry and Melvin Blackaby
Multnomah Books
hardcover, 224 pages, $16.99
978-1-590-52911-9
In Experiencing the Spirit, the father and son Blackaby team asserts that Jesus sent His Spirit to enable His followers with His rule and authority. In pursuing the gift of the Holy Spirit, believers should put aside self-centered ideas of personal fulfillment and be ready to receive an assignment from God. It is the Spirit that will convince the world of spiritual realities, not mere human beings.

According to the authors, talents are often misunderstood to be gifting of the Holy Spirit when nonbelievers can have the same abilities. While not addressing the function of the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, the authors urge believers to be completely surrendered to God, receive His Spirit and allow Him to move however He chooses.
Experiencing the Spirit is a sound foundational book for clarifying the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers.

—Deborah L. Delk

marriage 101Marriage 101
Jewell R. Powell
Revell (Baker Publishing Group)
softcover, 256 pages, $13.99
978-0-800-73332-2

Marriage 101: Building a Life Together by Faith is an eight-part study for individuals or groups that tackles tough subjects married couples face—in-laws, finances and intimacy. While the author’s delivery seems geared to women, the book is helpful for either spouse.

Having discovered that being married is no fairytale, Powell writes openly about her separation, her struggle to learn the biblical foundation for marriage and her role as a woman of God, and her reunion with her husband.

Each chapter features biblical examples of marriage in this combination book and workbook.

—Deborah Finnamore