Customer Reviews

Megashift

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Before I begin let me give a disclaimer. If you are satisfied with the status quo of mainstream Christianity then stay away from this book. But if you are one who senses that there is so much more than what you have experienced in following Jesus up until now then get this book. Now. Do not delay. Click away as fast as you can. Get this book. Read it. Reflect on it. Let it change you. Then go and change the world.

It begins with accounts of miracles happening, mostly overseas, right now. The first chapter has to be one of the longest in the book. It seems that Mr. Rutz has done his homework to verify the reports as accurate. He wants to take on this culture of unbelief that has infiltrated the American Church. This unbelief does not have the hold on the minds and hearts of Christians in other non-Western countries. Perhaps this is the answer to why miraculous accounts are more common in other countries.

The nest chapter discusses 10 new "strategies" that are being held on to that seem to be fueling those miraculous accounts. Some of what he proposes I do not agree with (i.e., "strategic level spiritual warfare") but I think the strength of the chapter is to try and get you to think outside the box of your own experience which might be sub-normal with what the New Testament teaches. My advice: eat the meat and spit out the bones.

Although most of this book seems to be aimed at what might be called "House churches", the greatest strength of this book is that each chapter gives you PRACTICAL teaching and advice on how to proceed. You are not left hanging with the thought, "But how to I get there." You are not given a "Step 1-2-3" procedure but you are given sign posts to help you move along the way.

The appendix "For Futher Equipping" is one of the best things in the book. The books and web sites listed there are a gold mine of helpful information and encouragement. The stuff that I have found there was worth the price of the book alone.

It ends with 7 ways to take action with what you have learned. It starts with wanting to build your faith that maybe God might even use someone "like me", gives you strategies that will stretch you to your end, then you get practical instruction and advice on beginning and maintaining your journey.

If some Christians take up this book and heed the call of the Holy Spirit then we will once again turn this world upside down with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Do NOT read this book if you are looking to get your "ears tickled"! This book is "anointed" by God's Holy Spirit to cause ACTION! You will most likely either love this book, eat it up, and get inspired to "get off your duff", or despise it, and throw it away as heresy! This book is really not about doctrine, but about the original way Jesus Christ intended His followers to become the Church, the Body of Christ. After reading this book it is very evident, (at least to my wife and me) that "Church" has not been done the right way for almost 2,000 years! Dead works, traditions of men, misconceptions, Spirits of control, programs, forms and fashions, none of which our Lord ever intended for us as His Disciples. Jim Rutz has simply had the guts, and taken the time to write down what many people have really believed and felt about Church for some time. Other books like Dr. Michael Brown's "Revolution In The Church" (Baker Book House 2002) have very similar themes and statements, which I view as "Holy Spirit" confirmation of the radical change sweeping thru the Body of Christ. I challenge all, especially the skeptical to find in any English version of the Holy Bible, New Testament, any precedent for the manner in which your current denomination or non-denomination "holds" Church! Come Quickly Lord Jesus!

This book was published in March, 2005 and tells a fascinating story of the growth of Christianity all over the world. New hardcover copies are available from the World Net Daily Superstore for $17.31 plus shipping.

The book is divided into five parts: The New Kingdom Explosion, The New Engines of Change, The New Saints, The New Church, and The New Meetings. In addition there is an Epilogue: Mad Max, Zorah, and the Lady in Pink; Appendix One: Invitation to Life; Appendix Two: How did we ever get into this mess?; Appendix Three: How to Raise the Dead--a Dozen at a Time; and two additional sections called For Further Equipping and What's Next.

One of the interesting things about the books format is the extensive use of footnotes and endnotes; each part is followed by several pages of references for the subjects discussed in the text. It is evident that Mr. Rutz wanted to provide extensive references for all of the statements made and topics discussed in each part.

On page 3 of his book, Mr. Rutz writes: "You may have a hard time believing some of these reports, but I've done my best to nail them down with almost 400 footnotes and endnotes plus a few photos."

The message I got from this book is a message of Christian hope that God is working in amazing and wondrous ways all over the world in calling people from all nations and ethnic groups to Himself at a pace never before seen.

On page 25, Mr. Rutz tells the reader that 175,000 Christians are added to the Church every day. The vehicle of growth is the individual Christian empowered by God the Holy Spirit working through the home church. As strange as that may sound to Western ears, it is the working model in most non-Western countries according to Mr. Rutz.

Three areas of major spiritual revival are Africa, India, and China where thousands are accepting the Lord and many are being healed. In China the home church has grown rapidly in spite of government opposition; on page 82 we read: "As noted before, China has the largest church in the world with 115 to 120 million true Christians, mostly in house churches."

This book is exciting and inspiring to read; as a Christian in the United States I have not personally witnessed the wonders mentioned in the book. I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit can do all of this and more and rejoice in the growth of the true church. It is very gratifying to know that even as the church in the Western nations grows cold and indifferent that God is moving in marvelous ways to bring new souls into His kingdom.

I found this book to be inspiring, and it filled me with hope, a hope which I really needed in the midst of what I'd call spectator Christianity. I didn't feel the author was judgmental at all, but he does challenge the status quo. This book is exhortational, not doctrinal. The author is not teaching doctrine, as much as he's describing his personal experiences, and it's good to keep that in mind. The reviewer who gets all ruffled about 'prayer walks' or 'taking cities' missed the point. What difference does it make if it's called a 'prayer walk'? The author described people who prayed more than a couple minutes, like we do in America, and actually got results. If the reviewer thinks there is "ZERO" mention of that kind of warfare in the Bible, he forgot to read the Garden of Gethsemane story, for starters. And how long were the apostles praying in the upper room? What about earthquakes that shook prison walls in response to singing, worship, and prayer? Remember how Daniel had to pray 21 days to get results? Well, this author is challenging people to get personally involved and not just sit on a pew anymore. And he's letting people know that if we can get out of our McChristianity attitudes and have a little perseverence, we can really have an impact. This is not about judgmentalism. This is about how all of us can become so deeply embedded into an instant gratification culture that we don't realize how much it prevents us from being successful on deeper levels. We might think we have perseverence..but can we stand together for DAYS and pray about something? Hour after hour after hour? I can't even resist a good cookie for that long. Can you? I was humbled and even a little intimidated. But then I thought, wow- if we just didn't give up so easily...what would happen?? This book tells you exactly that- and it's stunning.

This book is a must read and is filled with facts that every Christian should know. You will not only learn solid Biblical doctrine but the history of the chuch from its inception, its journey trough the centuries, and its recent return to Biblical New Testament apostolic Christianity. You'll be inspired, motivated, and I'm sure you'll even shed a few tears as the Spirit of God moves upon you like never before. Also, the present-day miracles recorded within are likened to those recorded in Wrongfully Accused which I also strongly recomend to Christians of all faiths and non-believers as well. After reading these two books you may discover that you've had God in a box and you may even be faced with the challenge of a lifetime. My life has been changed and I wouldn't go back to the old for anything. Thanks to books like these, God is alive and working in my life now more than ever, and they sit side-by-side in my bookcase and are read and re-read often.

This is an excellent book that explores the existing, and often failing, structure of the traditional Christian church, while offering a more biblical, spiritual and compassionate alternative.

This book inspires one at many levels. First, Rutz expounds with a plethora of footnotes, the miracles GOD is doing with Believers around the world. Believers who may not have much in the way of material goods but are abundant in the presence of the LORD. The documentation of these miracles and note worthy for the effort put in to do it, but what is happening is Miraculous. The LORD has not pulled His hand away from us we have let doubt, unbelief and fear rule us. This first portion of the book is very exciting sets ones heart to desire more of GOD in their lives to fulfill the great commission.
Then the other sections of the book hit very important and well documented topics essential to the Body of Christ. Topics include how the present hierarchy came into the church, quotes of early church fathers and errors that crept in starting in the second century. Some of Martin Luther quotes are shocking.
I especially loved the sections the author has on the Western church and its difference to whats happening in China,India and Africa. The emphasis is on a return to home churches and "small" groups for believers to share and mature in their gifts and then to go forth and do the great commission. I kept saying "Yes" continually as I read this book, Yes to everything GOD wants and originally established in the church and where we have faltered today.
I truly believed this book will start the fire by removing the veil and awakening to Body to seek personally our LORD to know what to do. To awaken this giant of good willed believers to take up the Great Commission and preach this GOSPEL of too good to be true news to the world and to our neighbor. GOD bless you and be blessed as you personally Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. JB

I am only halfway through and I am very stirred up & refreshed at the accounts Rutz gives of miracles happening around the world. I believe Christians need to refresh their minds & encourage themselves with this type of information because we live in a world of manifestations of unbelief everywhere. This is why it is so hard for people not to have unbelief, they see the results of unbelief all around them every day. It's when we start walking by the spirit & living under the God-given faith that we all possess & cast out unbelief that we can live in a world showing the manifestations of that faith.
I am excited about my own personal growth in God & this book is a great inspiration.

James Rutz's book "Megashift" is divided into two main sections. In the first half of the book, he documents various medical miracles that are occurring around the world today, including people being raised from the dead by Gods supernatural power. A good helping of photographs is also included, as well as contact information for those interested in following up on the miracle stories. In the second half, he describes the way the church is shifting around the world from a cathedral-type Christianity to a more decentralized grassroots house church-type Christianity. In that sense, the book is "symmetrical" by discussing both the POWER and the PATTERN of what not only seems to be emerging today, but what seems to have been the original intent of Jesus and the apostles for the church. A decent summary is also given of some of the shifts that occurred through church history that caused a switch from the original "house churches" to institutionalized "church houses" and why that is problematic. My main concern about the book was stylistic. While Rutz clearly has a good sense of humour which he generously peppers throughout the book, not every reader will share that same sense of fun and may in fact misinterpret the tone or intent of some of his comments. Overall, however, the book is worth reading and prayerfully considering. Good work Mr. Rutz!

RAD ZDERO, author of LETTERS TO THE HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT and THE GLOBAL HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT

A must for anyone concerned with the "how's" & "why's" of our current state of affairs as Chirstians. Great examples of belief! I would recommend this book to anyone.