Reviewer Conny Withay:Operating her own business in office management since 1991, Conny is an avid reader and volunteers with the elderly playing her designed The Write Word Game. A cum laude graduate with a degree in art living in the Pacific Northwest, she is married with two sons, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.
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Author: Frank
Viola
Publisher: David C. Cook
ISBN: 978-0-7814-0591-1
“Upon making this discovery, the Lord’s dear people will be faced with a decision: to answer the call of meeting around Jesus Christ alone in a way that He has prescribed, or to remain chained to the unmovable traditions of men,” Frank Voila states in his book, Jesus Now – Unveiling the Present-Day Ministry of Christ.
This one hundred and ninety-two page paperback targets those interested in Jesus’s role on earth after His ascension to present day. Using mainly the New American Standard Bible, also used are NIV, KJV, ESV, HCSB, NKJV, ISV, and NLT versions.
The purpose of the book is to show how Jesus is alive, actively participating in our lives today. After a foreword by Leonard Sweet and an introduction, eight chapters concentrate on topics that can be covered by group discussions over eight weeks or eight months. The book ends with acknowledgements and a discipleship course; no index or author’s biography mentioning education is included.
Chapters discuss the Biblical perspective of Jesus being our Great High Priest, Chief Shepherd, Heavenly Bridegroom, Author and Finisher of our faith, Builder of “Ekklesia” (or assembly), Head of the church, and Lord of the world, ending with Jesus Christ today.
With a plethora of Bible verses, included are the plan of eternal salvation, what Christ’s blood accomplishes, a breakdown of Psalm 23, five different states of the human conscience, a list of insights and advice for believers along with a list of whom we are in Christ, an explanation of the fivefold ministry and the ascension gifts, fifty things the Holy Spirit does, five aspects of Christ’s headship today, and three main errors regarding Christians’ relationship with the world.
Viola reiterates not to serve God to get His favor and acceptance, serve by having Him give them freely to us. He considers three veins of Christianity: legalism and libertinism with lordship/liberty the proper choice. A promoter of the organic church and all nine spiritual gifts based on New Testament apostles’ teachings, readers may be confused on his vague stance of prophets and speaking in tongues today even though he states both “charismaniac” and “charisphobic” positions are imbalanced.
As the writer validates many Bible verses and explains churches today needing to return to similarities of Jesus teaching the twelve disciples, he is spot on reminding us to focus on Who will have our worship, life and allegiance.
Thanks to David C. Cook for furnishing this book in exchange for a review based on the reader’s opinions.
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