I Give You Authority [Paperback]

Charles H. Kraft (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1997

Explains what spiritual authority is and isn't and describes the responsible and legitimate exercise of such authority in key areas.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Are you using Jesus' credit card?

"When Jesus came to earth, it was as if He carried a credit card from His Father with God's name at the top," writes Kraft. "As One under authority yet exercising the authority of God, Jesus did the most amazing thing after His resurrection: He passed on the authority in which He worked to His followers."

This book shows how to properly exercise the authority we have been given through the Holy Spirit. When we awaken to our spiritual authority, every aspect of our lives will be transformed and freed from the oppressive but limited power of Satan. It is simply a matter of recognizing and using the great gift of authority we have from God in Christ, and opening ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit.

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 Confronting Powerless Christianity. 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: 352 pages
• Publisher: Chosen Books; Reprinted edition (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800792564
• ISBN-13: 978-0800792565
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced, highly-insightful, biblical view on spiritual warfare, January 9, 2006

By 

tintin2002 "tintin2002" (Singapore, Singapore Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Give You Authority (Paperback)

"I Give You Authority" is essentially a book about spiritual warfare. It is excellent across many facets. One is its balanced, biblical approach. But what stands out above all else is Dr. Kraft's ability to anticipate questions in the mind of the reader and to address them. As an example, oftentimes, when one reads about spiritual warfare, at some point, one thinks: "This is too scary. Do I want to voluntarily enter this realm, or this ministry." Anticipating this, Charles Kraft writes in his book:

"On several occasions, people have come saying something like this: "I had fewer problems in life before I became a Christian than I have had since. Can you tell me why?"
In return, I ask, "If you were the enemy, whom would you attack -your friends, those who are on your side, and doing your bidding; or your enemies, those committed to Christ, who could hurt you?"
Other people ask whether, if they get into spiritual warfare, their families are in danger. I answer yes. Then I ask them how they prefer to lose a battle - running, hiding or fighting.
For we are at war, whether we like it or not. And in war, if we are not fighting - if we are simply standing around, or hiding from the reality of war, or actually running away from it - we are being defeated. I would rather lose while fighting than in any other way. If we are fighting, though we may lose some of the time, we often win."

What I like about the book is that Charles Kraft doesn't gloss over the difficult questions of spiritual warfare. Is someone who is committed to pushing back the boundaries of darkness likely to be on Satan's radar screen? The answer is yes. Isn't that foolish? Well, no. Because God who is our master is so much more powerful that the Evil One. What many of us don't know is that with the authority God confers to us, His children, we too are more powerful than the Evil One. "I Give You Authority" is eye-opening in that way. It tells us that as Christians, it is like God is deposited a million dollars in our bank account. We just need to know it and use it.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is rich in wisdom and solidly based on God's word., December 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: I Give You Authority (Paperback)

I Give You Authority shows the reader how to exercise the authority he/she has been given by the Holy Spirit. For many years I have been taught about the authority from Jesus Christ I have as a believer. It wasn't until I read this book that it really took root in my heart that I am a Princess, a daughter of the Almighty God.

When I became aware of the spiritual authority I have through Jesus Christ every aspect of my life began to be transformed and freed from satanic influence. I just walk in it and live it, submitting myself to the power of the Holy Spirit.

This book is rich in wisdom and solidly based on God's Word. Of all the books I've read, I Give You Authority has had a greater impact on my life than any other single book except for the Bible

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking Charge of What Was Always Ours - Spiritual Authority, September 21, 2005

By 

Kay Smith "Kay" (Ellenwood, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Give You Authority (Paperback)

This book was part of a leaders class that I had taken at my church. When I started reading I couldn't put it down. Below is an exerpt from my report that I wrote up on this book.

This book to me was empowerment. I not only feel empowered to change the circumstances around me, but to be able to lead others to change the circumstances around themselves. Just in reading this book, I've learned to have a deeper faith and to not fear the dark world as I once did. I am now a woman speaking in authority. Although I may even see myself falling back at times, the Holy Spirit allows me to hear myself and challenges me to change my situation through prayer.

Throughout the book is a learning lesson, almost by the numbers, in dealing with exercising authority. It not only taught me my authority, but backed it up with the power behind the authority God gave me to remove strongholds, and gave examples on how to do so. Mr. Kraft's constant encouragement in dealing with demonic forces and experimenting with what my rights are, and also breaking down the legalistic issues behind the breaking of strongholds was all I needed to experiment within my own home on the strongholds there. God is so awesome because I began to see strongholds being broken almost immediately. I even had a spirit speak to me. There was no fear anymore.