The Spirit of This Covenant [Paperback]

Lamar Wadsworth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 2001

Mike Westover has been called to pastor Harrington Baptist Church in Mintz County, Georgia. Having just graduated from Mid-Atlantic Baptist Seminary, after a supportive student pastorate at Clear Springs Baptist Church, he finds a curious code of silence in his new pastorate and loose ends surrounding the murder of a former pastor's daughter.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lamar Wadsworth, a native of Rockmart, Georgia, is a Baptist minister. Lamar, his wife Marilyn, and daughter Missy live in Baltimore. The Spirit of This Covenant is his first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 540 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (February 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595168043
• ISBN-13: 978-0595168040
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,548,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Debunking Outdated Traditions, August 17, 2001

By 

David L Flick (Chickasha, OK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spirit of This Covenant (Paperback)

Excellent. Delightful. Humorous. Revealing. This book, written by a Southern Baptist pastor, exposes many of the outdated traditions to which this denomination doggedly clings. Many Southern Baptists confuse their traditions with dogma. They believe traditions ARE dogma. Lamar Wadsworth, in a delightfully humorous manner, debunks numerous traditions which many Southern Baptists believe to be dogma.

Through the character of Mike Westover, a fledgling young pastor fresh out of seminary, Lamar weaves a story about two congregations who are almost polar opposites in personality. The story debunks traditions held by many Southern Baptists. These long-held traditions include: a) the refusal to ordain women to the office of pastor and deacon, b) disallowing women to serve as deacons and pastors, c) denying ordination to divorced persons, d) that God intends for male deacons to "run" the church, and e) that male deacons have authority over the pastor. While debunking outdated traditions is the framework around which the story is built, other issues such as racial bigotry, church conflict, arrogance among pastors and church leaders enter the story.

The book will probably have opposite effects upon two groups of Southern Baptists. Those who believe that traditions equal dogma will be offended and will not smile in appropriate places where the traditions are debunked. Those who recognize that traditions do not equal dogma will laugh themselves to the point of tears. Non-Southern Baptists will enjoy the book as well because the personalities presented in the book are universal. Universal in the sense that some Christians believe their traditions should be treated as dogma while others are able to discern the difference. Lamar Wadsworth has written a good book. It is worthy of reading for both entertainment value and learning value.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An insider's tale., June 6, 2001

By 

M. Chapman (American West) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Spirit of This Covenant (Paperback)

This is the stuff they don't teach at seminary, but the real life issues talked about between classes. Churches are full of people who are far from perfect, and that's why we need the church in the first place. I learned some things about when to speak out and when to hold your tongue. The author clearly has a wealth of experience in and a passion for rural churches and people. He makes his points well through the dialogues and circumstances of his characters. This is a worthy read for anyone interested in small churches or other tightly knit bodies of people. A lot is said about the ways they cling to their percieved power and influence and the way they respond to or resist change.

3.0 out of 5 stars The Spirit of This Covenant, May 27, 2009

By 

Rebecca A. Shedd (Temple, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Spirit of This Covenant (Paperback)

Overall, this is a wonderful fiction told story of the plight of women in southern christian churches.

The author is knowledgable and sympathetic.

I recommend this reading to all the women interested in doing our Lord's calling to the ministry.