REC Home*** Theological Forum 

 

Theological Forum Issue

Vol. XXV, No. 4, December 1997

RACISM

 

Book Reviews


HULL, B. Building high commitment in a low commitment world. Michigan: Baker Book House


We may call it: The problem every minister has to deal with. When leaders in a congregation or congregation members are without spiritual motivation, or when the minister himself has a low commitment value, the problems within the congregation seem to multiply. Hull wants to address this issue in his book.

The book has three main sections. In the first part Hull deals with the struggle to get people totally committed to a religious cause or a church program. He identifies ten good reasons why there is resistance against commitment. Because most people need good reasons to be committed, he shows in a second section why commitment is so important. Taking the principle of discipline as point of departure, he gives ten guide lines for the committed Christian. In a third section Hull approaches the building of high commitment in a systematic manner. Seven steps are needed to build high commitment and three steps are necessary to maintain a high standard of commitment.

The book deals mainly with a basis theory for leadership. It concentrates on theological reasons for high commitment. Although the book is very relevant and can be used in training programs, it is not a practical course on high commitment. In this regard it may be lacking and to some, even disappointing. However, the strengths are definitely more than the weaknesses of the book. Hull has a very balanced view on leadership and church growth and does not beat about the bush when he deals with certain myths about high commitment. He rejects the idea that theology is an enemy of high commitment and church growth (p. 49-53). It is also not true that a church can grow merely by concentrating on good preaching, although the important role of preaching in building commitment is acknowledged (p. 53-58; 128-129). He disagrees with the popular tendency to make the cell group the be all and end all of church growth (p. 64-67), and the obsession with the mega church approach he views as equally one sided (p. 55-59). The following quote says it all: "Much of contemporary spirituality is trying to have a microwave harvest." (p. 67). He rightly speaks out against the danger that a congregation may dictate the content of the preaching (p. 61-62) or the authority is ripped out of the context of leadership and commitment (p. 111).

Although the covenant is mentioned (p. 153 &172), it is a pity that the covenant is not allowed to play a more prominent role in designing a high commitment program. Nevertheless, the publication of a book on the theme of building high commitment in a low commitment world is an important contribution to the lively debate on Christian leadership. The book is therefore highly recommended.


Dr. Johan Janse Van Rensburg



Scott Hoezee, Speaking as One, A Look at Ecumenical Creeds, Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997, 61 pp., $6,00.


Scott Hoezee is pastor of the Calvin Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Speaking as One is a thin book written in crisp, lively, impeccable, easy to read English.

This book goes against the stream of current opinion which has ceased to venerate creeds. Liberals have long rejected or ignored creeds as bygone thoughts; many evangelicals have settled for "no creed but Christ." Hoezee loves creeds and wants us to love them too.

In the current anti-creed climate, Scott Hoezee makes a spiritual appeal to know and appreciate anew the ancient creeds of the church. Especially the ecumenical creeds. These are the articulations of faith on which the worldwide people of God through the centuries are nearly unanimous. They set forth the cardinal truths of God and man and the church in heart-warming language. They state the best confessional word yet spoken unitedly on the Triune God, the relation of Christ to the Father and work of the Spirit. They proclaim the essential attributes of the church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

This "look at the ecumenical creeds" can do much to initiate the young believer into the treasures of the past; they also serve well to bring those who have grown old in believing to trust the Word of God and to love Him with heart and strength and soul and mind. Believers, young and old, should return again and again to this treasure store to believe with ever deeper conviction the eternal truths of the Christian faith. This book is perhaps the best aid available for that purpose.