The Anointing Yesterday, Today, And Tomorrow

Rating:
Summary: Kendall shows the importance of power from God
Review: RT Kendall does a good job of showing the importance of the Holy Spirit's work in the life of the believer. He shows clearly the importance of not only being filled with the Spirit but also the importance of those special annointings, outpourings of the Holy Spirit. Non-charismatics will reject this book as a Baptist gone bad but I am of the opinion that Kendall has become a Baptist who has found the truth of the Holy Spirit.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for leader wanting more than giftedness.
Review: The "Anointing" provides a meaningful discussion on that vital component that makes our gifts empowered by God. The biblical illustration that Kendall uses of Saul, Samuel, and David to show yesterday, today's, and tomorrow's anointing is extremely good. The book provides a excellent framework for one to evaluate where they are in reference to what God is doing today. It also provides a platform for churches and denominations to detirmine whether they are in the mainstream of God's will. While the author's emphasis seems to be on the dynamic (charismatic) aspect, he does close the work with an appeal to remain balanced in the Word (rational, dogmatic, intellectual) and Spirit (expressive, experiential, miraculous).

Rating:
Summary: OK, I guess
Review: The books chief weakness is that Kendall fails to adequately develop the New Testament concept of the anointing. Perhaps this is too difficult of a thing to do since the anointing is mentioned only once in the book of James and twice in I John. What exactly is the New Testament concept of anointing? Is it the same as the Old Testament? What is the relationship between anointing and charisma? These issues could have been explored more deeply. Those with a charismatic background will readily buy into Kendalls theological assumptions, the rest of us, however, need a little more exegesis please.

By far the best chapter in the book is the last. The author argues passionately against the excesses of evangelicals who tend to ignore or denigrate the role of the Holy Spirit, and the charismatics who seem to give only lip service to the written Word. Kendall argues that a balance between the Word and the Spirit is needed to fully understand the will and guidance of God in our lives.

Yeah, it is worth the read. It really opened by eyes to the possibility of getting stuck in the past, holding on to yesterdays move of God while God is doing a new work. By the way, Peter Ducker argues that many non-profits far outlive their usefulness by continuing to purse the founders vision long after the need that brought to nonprofit into existence is fulfilled. In more theological terms, we may say these non-profit para-church organizations are operating under yesterdays anointing.