James H. Rutz

I think this is an important book that anyone affiliated with an institutionalized "church" should read. It is especially useful for pastors and laymen who desire to see the body of Christ become active participants in God's purposes, instead of passive pew sitting spectators to a Sunday morning "show".

Rutz's historical background information is all very informative and his insights are keen. The only negative thing I would have toward this book is that I am not a fan of the author's irreverant and often times sarcastic style of prose. This, admittedly, is simply a personal preference.

The bottom line is this book is WELL WORTH reading!… (mer)

This book has good moments. Both Rutz and I would like to see the churches in our respective countries come alive. We both look (and pray for) an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

However, It is primarily Rutz's method that concerns me (although I was not impressed by author's negative and sarcastic tone either). James Rutz believes that it is the preaching ministry that is getting in the way of what God wants to do. He says, "Forget everything you ever knew about programmed 'church services' with sermons given by hired help to passive audiences. Interactive meetings are far more exciting and helpful." According to Rutz, the age of the pulpit has come to an end. But is this Biblical? For Rutz it need not be. More important to him are signs and wonders and the many 'success' stories that he loves to share.

Perhaps most telling is what he writes in the intro to chapter 5: "The 'veil' in the temple at Jerusalem was perhaps six inches...thick...When the Lord Jesus died, God tore it from top to bottom to signal the end of the separation of the common people from His presence in the Holy of Holies...I could be quite wrong, but to my knowledge there were no further supernatural signs to signal any basic change in the status of believers after that - until October 20, 1996. On that day, God - or some angel with a deadly karate chop - split an equally hefty 'veil' in two, signaling the end of the separation of common Christians from the power center of traditional ministry, where only a pastor normally could stand: the church pulpit." Rutz, of course, is reffering to the events recorded by Tommy Tenney in "The God Chasers".

If you are considering reading this book don't waste your time.… (mer)