I was the junior partner when writing the book Spiritual Warfare and Missions with Jerry Rankin, but I was honored to partner with my friend on such a great topic.
The good folks at The Gospel Coalition just reviewed it on their site. Here are some excerpts:
Rankin and Stetzer identify that God’s purpose is to be exalted among the nations. That is done as God’s people, informed by God’s Word, declare his glory. God’s desire is that all the nations would rejoice and sing for joy in him. Spiritual warfare comes in as Satan seeks to oppose God’s kingdom and deprive him of the glory due his name. Satan’s desire is to keep lost people lost, and he does this through both external and internal means. If the body of Christ is to take the gospel to every man, woman, and child in every tongue, tribe, and nation, it must break through both lines.
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In Spiritual Warfare and Missions, Rankin and Stetzer take the focus of spiritual warfare away from angels and demons and the mystical power encounter to placing it firmly upon the truth, beauty, and power of the gospel. They clearly and convincingly set out God’s purpose in mission and how the adversary, Satan, strives against it. Biblically balanced between the demythological and the overtly paranormal, Rankin and Stetzer take a thoughtful look at the reality of Satan’s activity in the world while giving their readers hope in the victory of Christ. Their focus on the internal hindrances of Satan directs readers to self-examination of faith and practice and will hopefully lead to a change in church methodology and personal lifestyle. May we all stop asking questions like, “What does God want for my life?” or “What does God want our church to do?” to properly frame the question in light of his mission: “What does God want?” Spiritual Warfare and Missions helps us get there.
You can read the entire review here.
