Customer Reviews

Cross and the Switchblade

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If you want to know what Pentacostal means in real life, this true story will give you a hands on answer.
This testimony of David Wilkerson shows clearer, than I have ever read, that only by the power of the Holy Spirit the fetter of drug addiction and the hopelesness of gang life can be broken and turned around 180 degrees to brimming joy, hope and true life in peace.
This gripping story takes you to the heart and the utter and fearsome loneliness of gang members in 1958 New York City. It shows how the mercy of God wipes the sin and fear away and how HIS grace gives new hope and a purposeful, meaningful life. The book also tells us the birth of the now world wide ministry of Teen Challenge.
I think the situation of downtown New York City in 1958 still exists today and it exists in thousands of large and small towns across the USA and the world. It is one of big everyday challenges to the church today. Jesus has promised us, that the poor will always be with us. The question is - what do we do with them?
I want to call this book a must read for every youth pastor and persons involved in youth ministry.

This book is an excellent testimony of a life yielded to the Spirit of Almighty God. It also illustrates the critical importance of the Holy Ghost Baptism to overcome addictions. The closer we get to the Lord's return, the more important it will be to have the baptism.

I saw this book in the Sonlight homeschool catalog and bought it for my son. I was disappointed when I read it after giving it to my teenage son to read because of the graphic and disturbing descriptions of NY gang members' perverted sexual activities. I found it interesting that the authors chose to blank out certain unacceptable words when used in dialogue among African American gang members (n-----) but they obviously did not use the same discretion with sexual imagery. Some might argue that sinful sexual acts are mentioned in Scripture; however, God did not give graphic descriptions but simple commands not to participate in those acts.

Also, this book is from a Pentecostal perspective, emphasizing the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" as an act separate from salvation and the necessary means for helping the gang members overcome their addictions. I do not share this understanding of Scripture, believing that all true believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit.

All in all, I would not purchase this book again or recommend it.