Latent Power of the Soul

Rating:
Summary: Not Nee's best book
Review: "The Latent Power of the Soul" is an unusual book that bears all the hallmarks of Watchman Nee's extraordinary wisdom, but on a topic not normally addressed in his writings: psychology and parapsychology. Unfortunately, while he does an admirable job of analyzing the former, he stumbles on the latter.

Nee postulates that when Adam fell, not only did his remarkable physical body suffer, but also his superior soul. Now trapped in his flesh, Adam's soul became not a force for good, but for corruption. From this corrupted soul comes a force that can be tapped to take on aspects of "soul power" that can result in unusual manifestations usually associated with yogis, clairvoyants, and shamans. This paranormal manifestation of soul power is not of God and conflicts with the spiritual power given by the Holy Spirit to believers. It is the source for false miracles and devilish phenomena that Nee believes will be behind the deception of the elect talked about in Revelation.

The author also discusses how this abusive power is enabled by modern psychiatric methods. Beyond this he also notes how this will to power is abused even by those in the Church. Preachers preach out of their own charisma rather than the Holy Spirit's, congregations suffer from a form of self-hypnosis that mimics real worship while not attaining to it, and even prayers can come from the soul rather than the spirit. None of this is of God; true believers will discern this and stay far away. Nee gives ample tips on how to distinguish the real from the fake.

Unlike some of Nee's other fine works, this book sadly has some holes. Nee's belief that people like Franz Mesmer, Uri Geller, and other pseudo-mystics tapped some unusual power is hopeful at best. Professional debunkers of psychics-- James Randi comes to mind--have shown that modern psychics are simply clever illusionists whose paranormal powers cannot stand up to scientific scrutiny. If there is a latent power of the soul, these frauds do not display the paranormal aspect of it. Concerning the demonic activity that takes on these qualities, Nee affirms it exists, but why try to attach it to man's fallen soul rather than seeing it as wholly its own manifestation?

In summary, Nee's Asian worldview influences this work as he stands apart from a Western interpretation of the tripartite nature of Man--especially the soul. As for the more normal aspects of tapping the power of the soul to win over people or to create the many will to power issues Nee examines in the book, the author has many salient points that can help believers understand when something comes from the emotional soul rather than the calm spirit.

Not his best work and sometimes quite esoteric, even for Nee. Only two and a half stars, but an extra half just because of the reputation of the author. For those who are new to Nee, consider "The Normal Christian Life" or "Sit, Walk, Stand" first.

Rating:
Summary: whom do you serve
Review: I found myself wanting more from this book but i must say that the conclusion of the book was the biggest eye opening reality making the whole book worth having and reading. Infact if the advise in this book is followed the christian will be able to discern the truth all the time.
I have had many questions about psychics and the such and have always put them in the conman status or demon possessed. Now i have a third choice which explains much but still puts these events into the ungodly realm.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful, Take With a Grain of Salt
Review: I will say that the conclusion of this book, the end result, is very great. It is a call to be weary of using different types of hype - loud energetic music, emotional appeals, and stirring testimonies in order to create a soulish effect. He concludes (and I agree) that much of the work of the Holy Spirit can be counterfeited by our own efforts, man-made if you will. The only problem is that they do not give life, only the Holy Spirit can. So, these "spiritual booster shots" have to be given more and more, with increasing energy, in order to prop up people who are still dead in trespasses - or at best spiritual babes. I would recommend reading it just for this sake.

Now, some of his presuppositions I cannot necessarily agree with. He makes an assumption that Adam has supernatural powers in his soul, and at the fall, never lost them, they were just supressed. And, he states that the power is still available, and Satan takes men submitted to him and shows them how to unlock this in order to bring about the final end days deception. I cannot defintely agree, or disagree, with the way he comes to the conclusions. My understanding (with limited study) has been that these powers are released through demonic spirits, not man's "latent power of the soul".

So, I do recommend reading this - it is a short book, and has some profound insight. Just use it as a word of caution to not produce God's results with your own flesh (lights, energetic music, motivational speaking), and trust in God's power.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent treatment of the subject
Review: In my searches to discern truth in the pentecostal communities, this book proved an invaluable aid to spotting false manifestations. To fully appreciate Mr Nee's views of the roles of the Spirit and Soul and the value of the soul, a reading of the Spiritual Man should be read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent treatment of the subject
Review: In my searches to discern truth in the pentecostal communities, this book proved an invaluable aid to spotting false manifestations. To fully appreciate Mr Nee's views of the roles of the Spirit and Soul and the value of the soul, a reading of the Spiritual Man should be read.