Christianity with Power, Summary

This book has challenged me in many ways. Specifically, it has dismantled the way that I think about my faith in some key areas, it has given me some new ways of thinking, and it has given me some key steps for trying out these new ways of thinking.

I have to admit that I have been skeptical of reports of the miraculous and charismatic-type things. I am by no means a cesessionist, I would question reports of healings, words of knowledge or anything that I considered too 'spiritual'. Kraft helped me see how this could be rooted in a post-enlightenment naturalism which pervades our culture. He takes great care in telling his story of a similar process.

He not only dismantled, but built up as well. He gave some new ways of thinking, in particular, as it relates to Jesus. I would have never considered Jesus' worldview or how Jesus models for us what humans should be doing. I discounted the miracles of Jesus because of his deity, which Kraft points out is a mistake. I am more open to the idea of healings, words of knowledge, etc., though I do not, like the Jim of the book, have the categories to understand it.

What I most appreciate about this book is his specific steps to begin to explore these things. He shows what the dangers of changing a worldview are and how to go about that process. This is something I have taken very seriously. So, I will be attending a 'healing' service at my church in January, Lord willing. I am eager to explore with new eyes this idea of healings and words of knowledge.