Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts, The [Paperback]

William J. McRae (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 1983

Our churches have hardly begun to tap the potential in the pews. Many Christians have settled for far less than God intends because many have never discovered or developed their spiritual gifts. 'An understanding of Ephesians 4:11-16 has changed my entire perspective on my Christian service. I discovered that one of my highest priorities must be equipping the saints for their work of service. Pursuing this objective I have made a second discovery. Exceedingly few believers are conscious of possessing a spiritual gift, and even fewer know what their gift is or what to do about it. My third discovery is that few things can be of greater assistance to a Christian in setting his own priorities or discerning the will of God than knowing his own gift. These are the discoveries that have motivated me to prepare this book,' says the author. Included are chapters on: - The Definition of a Gift - The Distribution of the Gifts - A Description of the Gifts - The Distinctions Within the Gifts.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Our churches have hardly begun to tap the potential in the pews. Many Christians have settled for far less than God intends because many have never discovered or developed their spiritual gifts. "An understanding of Ephesians 4:11-16 has changed my entire perspective on my Christian service. I discovered that one of my highest priorities must be equipping the saints for their work of service. Pursuing this objective I have made a second discovery. Exceedingly few believers are conscious of possessing a spiritual gift, and even fewer know what their gift is or what to do about it. My third discovery is that few things can be of greater assistance to a Christian in setting his own priorities or discerning the will of God than knowing his own gift. These are the discoveries that have motivated me to prepare this book," says the author. Included are chapters on: - The Definition of a Gift - The Distribution of the Gifts - A Description of the Gifts - The Distinctions Within the Gifts.

About the Author

William McRae (DMin, Dallas Theological Seminary) is president emeritus at Tyndale University College and Theological Seminary, and also engages in an extensive itinerate ministry under McRae Ministries.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 7, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310290910
• ISBN-13: 978-0310290919
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #491,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best single book on this vital subject., July 30, 1999

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts, The (Paperback)

An excellent, practical overview of the spiritual gifts that are available today. He contrasts the nature of the gifts to talents, the fruit of the Spirit, ministries etc. to put them in the clearest light. This has become our standard text in our course on spiritual gifts in the Twin Cities Bible Institute.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent biblical treatment of Spiritual Gifts., May 19, 1998

By 

James D. Fritz (Prosperity, West Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts, The (Paperback)

This book is an excellent review of the spiritual gifts, including their origin, purpose, and use in the local church. I appreciate the fact that it is thoroughly biblical and doctrinally sound. It is must reading for anyone who is seriously seeking to understand the nature of spiritual gifts.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of Breed!, July 1, 2006

By 

George A. Goolde (Orange City, FL, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts, The (Paperback)

This is the finest work available on spiritual gifts. The author carefully defines spiritual gifts, distinguishing them from talents (p21), offices (p18) and fruit (p18). He identifies 18 spiritual gifts, combining service and helps (p47) and ruling and administration (p44). He holds pastor-teacher to be a single gift with two dimensions (p59). McRae is a cessationist, believing that some of the gifts were needed only until the canon of Scripture was complete and the apostles had passed off the scene (pp 55, 65,66,72, 73, 75, 80). His tone is irenic and constructive. McRae considers celebacy and hospitality, but removes them from his list (p80). He has an excellent section on women and spiritual gifts (pp 85-86). McRae identifies prayer, study, desire, ability, and blessing as five steps to identifying one's spiritual gift (p110).

Overall, the remarkable thing about this book is that it treats a controversial subject biblically, gently, and succinctly. Even those who disagree with some of MacRae's conclusions will find much profit here. The price is right, too.