Letters to a Devastated Christian

Rating:
Summary: Devastated souls will find healing in this book...
Review: Gene Edwards is a master with the pen, and he has the heart of a shepherd to boot. This man's anointed writings have done much to aide in the healing of the spirit of many.

I've read most of his works, but this book, 'Letters to a Devastated Christian,' is his tour-de-force. It's a short read, but it is packed with a rich and manifold density. His spare writing style is showcased in this piece; there is a tremendous motherlode of wisdom and discernment packed into few words.

The outlay of the book is engaging... letters from a mentor to a crushed young man. The mentor doesn't try to sugar-coat the authoritarian abuses the young man has endured but instead uses them as stepping-stones to teach about issues such as suffering, humility and grace. The wells of wisdom come through as a breeze, refreshing, not as a jarring assault to an already-wounded soul. Edwards uses the Master to teach and show the higher way, the better way.

If you've ever been tormented at the hands of fellow believers then this book is for you. There's a healing balm in its words. It won't magically remove the pain inflicted upon you, nor give you rose-coloured perceptions regarding faith and fellowship, but it will help you understand that all things can be turned to good (hard as that is to believe)... and that the hardest things bring the biggest benefit to the maturing and deepening of one's faith. It will set you on the healing path and encourage you to take the higher, better road in life.

Edwards is a shepherd/prophet speaking to the church at large - admonition and exhortation for one and all is seen in his writings. Believers would do well to pay heed to his words. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who've gone through painful things in life, have been wounded deeply by fellow believers, or who just simply find life hard to live. I'm sure you'll treasure this title as much as I do.

Rating:
Summary: Recommended, With One Caveat
Review: Gene Edwards knows firsthand what it's like to try to cope with being in an authoritarian/abusive church and he uses the story of Saul and David most effectively to demonstrate his points. Overall, this book can offer comfort and understanding to those who have experienced being in such a group. However, I do disagree with Mr. Edwards' ultimate advice to deal with abusive/authoritarian ministries in a "hands-off" manner, as this approach provides no reality check (i.e., "accountability") and only serves to enable those who are abusing positions of authority to continue to do so. Who's to say who God might use to deal with an abusive person or situation. My own experience has been that speaking out against the abusive practices of the allegedly authoritarian/abusive "Christian" group I was involved with has helped so many others to feel understood, to feel they are not alone, and has also helped current members of that group to see another side of the story.

Rating:
Summary: Convicting!
Review: I read this right after "Tale of 3 Kings" during a time of trouble in our fellowship hoping to be "consoled" and justified in not submitting to the authority in my fellowship. Wrong! The Lord used this book to open my eyes to His purpose in my life and in my church. Thank you, Mr. Edwards in being obedient to write this and thus preventing me from "devastating" others.