Most of Jack Deere’s books have dealt with the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, this present volume is no exception. Some of the material in this book was published in his earlier work Surprised by the Power of the Spirit (1993). Those who have read the earlier volume will see that there are significant differences between the two books. I think Why I Am Still Surprised By the Power of the Spirit is important for at least three reasons. First, Deere is an academic, he has taught at a seminary, specifically, Dallas Theological Seminary. Second, he used to be a cessationist. That is, at one time he believed that certain spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament are no longer active in the church today. However, he did a complete turnaround, he now embraces the opposite view; he is a continuationist. He now believes that all of the gifts of the Spirit are for today. Third, Deere has ministered in the gifts of the Spirit. So for him it was not just a matter of changing his theology, he acted on his new beliefs and began to minister in the gifts of the Spirit.

The book is made up of 26 chapters and 5 appendixes. In the course of its pages the author covers a variety of subjects; as he does so he draws from Scripture, history, and his own experience. Two people who played significant roles in his journey from cessationist to continuationist were John Wimber and Dr. John White. Some of the subjects that Deere addresses include: cessationism, hearing God, healing, deliverance, and how to cultivate spiritual gifts. He also discusses the subject of physical manifestations that can be seen in some Pentecostal/Charismatic meetings.

There are some real benefits to be gained from reading this book. One of these benefits is Deere’s history and perspective, he was at one time a cessationist. Because of this he understands their theology and why they think the way they do. He traces the development of cessationist teaching from John Calvin, to Conyers Middleton, to B.B. Warfield. In addition to setting forth the history of cessationism he refutes it, he shows where its teachings depart from Scripture. He devotes multiple chapters to cessationism. One chapter that has some relevance to cessationism and that may be of particular interest is the chapter called, “The Real Reason Christians Do Not Believe in Miracles.” Deere maintains that the real reason some Christians do not believe in the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit is actually the argument from experience, not Scripture (page 50). These believers have not seen the miraculous, because it has not been part of their experience they do not believe (pages 47-48). Their “lack of experience” (page 50) causes them to doubt.

I am sure that many in the church world are familiar with Jack Deere. He was at one time a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, during that time he was also a cessationist. That is, he did not believe in the contemporary exercise of some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that the apostle Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 12-14. However, Deere eventually came to believe in the modern-day reality of all of the charismatic gifts of the Spirit. This shift in his doctrinal position cost him his job at the seminary. But the loss of his position there transitioned him into becoming even more well-known, at least in charismatic circles. He authored a few books, a couple of which attracted a lot of attention. His book Surprised by the Power of the Spirit is highly regarded. In it he shared his own journey from being a cessationist to becoming a continuationist. He also presented the biblical basis for believing in the present day exercise of the gifts of the Spirit and in the process dismantled the theology of cessationists, who reject some of the gifts of the Spirit as being for today. His book Surprised by the Voice of God was also popular.

Even in Our Darkness is very different from his other books. His other books were decidedly charismatic and, at least partly, theological in nature, this one is autobiographical. In it he tells us his life story. While many of us were aware of the high points in his life, namely, his books and his speaking engagements, many of us were not aware of some of the things he experienced before, during, and after the time of his great popularity. In this book he tells the reader about the challenges and struggles he faced. He has referred to this book as an “unsanitized” view of his becoming a friend of God. By that he means the story has not been cleaned up but rather is told “warts and all.” This book is definitely unsanitized, the story he shares is told with absolutely brutal honesty. You may find some of what you read shocking or disturbing. Be forewarned that there is some coarse language in the book, but it is kept to a minimum. Deere explains in the text why this language was included.

The very first thing you encounter in the book is an account of the death of his son. The book is actually dedicated to his son, Scott. Deere will talk more about his son’s death later in the book. After that the book goes back in time to Deere’s childhood. As he tells his story the reader learns about the troubles in his family, specifically with his mother and father. His father eventually committed suicide when Jack was twelve years old. After his father’s death he had a very rough grandfather who assumed the responsibility for his disciple; Deere despised him. During the course of recounting the events of his early life he reveals his own sinful nature as well, his rebellion, and foul language. When he became a teenager sexual sin became a part of his life. This would become an area of struggle, and sometimes failure, for him. He participated in inappropriate sexual conduct both before he became a Christian and afterward. In fact, he admits to moral failure even while studying at Dallas Theological Seminary.