Confronting Powerless Christianity: Evangelicals and the Missing Dimension [Paperback]

Charles H. Kraft (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

Charles Kraft grew up as a noncharismatic evangelical. For most of his life he was skeptical of groups that claimed to work in spiritual power. But as readers learn in his new book, Kraft changed his mind dramatically.
In Confronting Powerless Christianity, the Fuller Seminary professor asserts that all Christians, not just charismatics, should be experiencing the power dimension of Christianity. Although Christ commissioned a gospel of love and power, evangelicals have, in Kraft's words, been good at the love part but often forgotten the power part. Yet spiritual power is half the gospel.
In a careful, thoughtful voice, Kraft discusses:

" the blockages believers experience from a limited worldview
" the importance of taking experience seriously
" the possibility that there is a biblical science with regard to spiritual power
" vital connections between spiritual power and truth
" spiritual warfare issues

For evangelicals who are skeptical, yet intrigued, by the issue of spiritual power for today, Kraft provides a biblical, reasonable apologetic. He also answers questions charismatics may have about God's power. This balanced book advocates biblical Christianity that is powerful enough to heal, to free people from emotional wounds, and to bring about real life change.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"The only kind of Christianity in the New Testament is Christianity with power"

If you are skeptical about-yet intrigued by-the issue of spiritual power for today, Charles Kraft provides a biblical, reasonable apologetic for a realm too often overlooked. He describes his own paradigm shift concerning the power of Jesus to heal and free others, and explains persuasively why every Christian should be confronted with this "missing dimension."
Confronting Powerless Christianity will inspire a more robust faith that is powerful enough to heal, to free people from emotional wounds and to bring about real life change.

"Kraft discusses an experience of dynamic faith that invites intimacy with Jesus and results in transformed lives. His scholarship, experience and, most of all, heart for the broken and lost show through in this book."
Dr. Terry Wardle, professor of spiritual formation, Ashland Theological Seminary

"Chuck Kraft deals a brilliant coup de grâce to those who have attempted to deny the full power of God in the world today."
C. Peter Wagner, chancellor, Wagner Leadership Institute

"Kraft exposes powerless Christianity for what it is. Showing us how to add the power of the Holy Spirit to Church ministry, he then enables us to become more truly trinitarian and fully biblical."
Ken Blue, author of Healing Spiritual Abuse and Authority to Heal

"This impassioned plea to evangelical Christians to engage in power ministries such as healing, deliverance and spiritual warfare should not go unheeded. Read it and you will be both challenged and inspired."
Stephen A. Seamands, professor of Christian doctrine, Asbury Theological Seminary

About the Author

Charles H. Kraft is professor of anthropology and intercultural communication at the School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the author of more than twenty books, including I Give You Authority. Kraft is also the president of Deep Healing Ministries and conducts seminars around the world. He and his wife, Meg, live in South Pasadena, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Chosen Books (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800793145
• ISBN-13: 978-0800793142
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book to put power back in the gospel message, September 15, 2009

By 

torq7 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confronting Powerless Christianity: Evangelicals and the Missing Dimension (Paperback)

We christians have for so long been hiding behind our theorizing of the New Testament. To our chagrin we have ignored a part of the message Jesus gave us to take to all the world. Charles Kraft's book examines and brings forth both the problem and the wonderful, powerful alternative to our approach to dealing with the powers of the air who have hurt and enslaved so many believers and non-believers today. Highly recommended.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, especially for evangelicals!, November 14, 2009

By 

Linda "LG" (Kinnelon, NJ, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confronting Powerless Christianity: Evangelicals and the Missing Dimension (Paperback)

At the end of this book, Dr. Kraft summarizes by saying, "I intend for this book to carry a message to evangelicals concerning why and how we can move into a Christianity more biblical than has ordinarily characterized evangelicalism. We have committed ourselves to the Bible but refused to learn from charismatics what God has taught them concerning what the Christian life is intended to be. Yet if we look closely at the Scriptures, we must notice that the only kind of Christianity shown there is charismatic Christianity." Dr. Kraft's roots are in traditional non-charismatic evangelical Christianity. He was educated at Wheaton College and Ashland Seminary, and, since 1969, has been a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary. For the first 38 years of his Christian experience he considered himself "fairly anti-Pentecostal and skeptical of most charismatic testimonies of the miraculous." I read this book because I, too, was a member of a non-charismatic evangelical church for 27 years. However, I met some wonderful charismatic Christians who encouraged me to see that there is more to Christianity than what I was experiencing. I was extremely hungry for more! If you are in this position, I definitely recommend that you read this book! Also, by the same author, "I Give You Authority". I Give You Authority

5.0 out of 5 stars Kraft is on point!!!, July 16, 2008

By 

motherlove "I love people!" (va.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Confronting Powerless Christianity: Evangelicals and the Missing Dimension (Paperback)

I love this man! He really does know his stuff! Get this book,you will not be disappointed.