Rick Nanez: Full Gospel, Fractured Minds?
Second, the book is culture bound and reflects only the anti-intellectual attitudes as they appear among Western, particularly American Pentecostal/charismatics. He gives scant notice to the fact that Pentecostalism is a worldwide phenomenon. This would not be a problem if he were to admit that he was limiting the scope of his work to Western Pentecostalism, but he does not do so. Whether anti-intellectualism is prevalent or even found in the Pentecostal/charismatic movement outside of the West is not even mentioned. His solutions reflect the same thinking. For example, he advocates the reading of Western philosophers. One wonders what he would say about reading the Confucian classics, which have impacted Chinese society for at least 2,500 years, or the writings of other Eastern philosophers whose writings have molded today’s modern, non-Western world? Would he endorse these as well? We do not know.
There are a few positive things that must be noted. One, he called for the use of the mind without detracting from Pentecostal fervor, calling on us to be passionate both with our emotions and our minds. He calls for balance in these areas. Second, while he rightly takes issue with a number of popular figures in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, both past and present, on their anti-intellectual attitudes, he gives thanks for their ministries and recognizes that God has used them mightily. At no point does he resort to critiquing their characters or speak negatively of them. Third, Nañez is a master wordsmith, making the entire book easy to read.
All things considered, I have been challenged again to read more widely, think more deeply, and again consecrate my mind to Him who created me, that I might love him with all of my mind as well as my heart and soul. In considering that the book has some major weaknesses, however, I can only give it a moderate recommendation for reading.
Reviewed by Dave Johnson
Further Reading:
Rob Moll interviews Rick M. Nanez: “Full Gospel’s Fractured Thinking: The problems with shunning the life of the mind” Christianity Today (March, 2006) www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/marchweb-only/113-42.0.html
Preview: http://books.google.com/books/about/Full_Gospel_Fractured_Minds.html?id=w_j4N70e_FwC
Publisher’s page: http://www.zondervan.com/full-gospel-fractured-minds
Category: In Depth, Winter 2008
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