[Note:  This book was provided free of charge by Chosen Books/Net Gallery.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

Sometimes knowing a bit about the author gives you an idea of what you think about him.  In this case, it was little surprise to me at least that one of the authors of this book (Randy Clark) is noted for his role in the Toronto movement given his dodgy theological understanding and his decided lack of biblical focus.  Likewise, when the other author (Mary Healy) focused most of her attention on attempting to appeal to Catholics, I realized that this book would be interesting to read but not a particularly biblical read.  Not being involved in charismatic circles myself, of which these authors are controversial figures, I figured that they would probably try to ease the concerns that readers would have about their clearly heretical opinions on the workings of the Spirit of God, but that proved not to be the case.  Obviously, this book is mainly of interest mostly to those who are in the community of charismatic believers, where it might prove to be one of many somewhat contentious books on the Spirit [1].

The version of the book I read was a bit more than 100 pages and was divided into eight chapters.  After acknowledgements and an introduction, the authors start by trying to define the gifts of the Spirit based on the understanding both of Catholics and Protestants (1).  After this there are a few chapters that provide some narrative discussion of the workings of the Holy Spirit in scripture as well as within the traditions of Hellenistic Christianity, starting from the workings of the Spirit in the life of Christ (2), the way that one is "clothed with power" in the Spirit (3), and the way that the Holy Spirit provides an effect on this earth (4).  The rest of the book is focused on defining the gifts of the Spirit in more detail, such as the authors' idea of revelation gifts (5), power gifts (6), and the ever-popular gifts of tongues (7), along with some ideas about how to activate the gifts (8).  Though I am no cessationist myself, I found that this book made me feel pretty uncomfortable, not least because the authors seemed unaware of how little discernment there is in terms of the operation of many gifts and because there was so much of an attempt to claim the writings of Catholic mystics as being proof of charismatic modes of practice.

In many ways, this book does not quite live up to its name.  For one, the authors are not particularly qualified, in light of their ignorance or avoidance of a whole biblical theology, to write about the gifts of the spirit given their own involvement in heretical movements that show a different sort of spirit than the one they profess to write about.  That said, although this book is by no means an authoritative volume on the workings of the Holy Spirit, the book is worthwhile as a look at the attempts by some within the charismatic movement to promote an ecumenical focus where mystics of all kinds, not necessarily Christians even, can celebrate various spiritual phenomena under the belief that it is coming from God and that the workings of God's spirit have minimal involvement with someone's calling, the evidence of righteousness in their lives, or even whether they claim to be Christian at all.  Given the ubiquity of mysticism and appeals to mystical experience in the contemporary world, the authors at least should have a large amount of appreciative readers, despite the questionable at best nature of the authors' previous efforts.

[1] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017/10/15/book-review-the-wonderful-spirit-filed-life/

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017/09/07/book-review-living-the-spirit-formed-life/

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018/02/27/book-review-a-serious-call-to-a-devout-and-holy-life/

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018/01/21/book-review-visions-of-god/

Randy Clark (Protestant/Charismatic) preacher who was used in the beginning of the Toronto Blessing in 1994, has teamed with Mary Healy (Catholic and professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary) to bring this brief book on the display and use of the Gifts (Charisms) mentioned in the New Testament which began with the release of the Spirit at Pentecost.


The intent of this book is to qualify the gifts through scripture and personal testimony, and to bring a full explanation of the gifts for those who would like further insight. The chapters are not overly extensive but instead do what I believe most authors need to do – bring the reader to interest and cause us to seek the Lord and mine the scripture for answers.

As one who walks in a couple of the gifts discussed it was refreshing and encouraging to read of the encounters others have had with the gifts and see the explanations of their working together. Often, even in Pentecostal circles, the cohesive nature of the gifts is overlooked and the inner workings are forgotten. I am grateful for the wonderful explanation offered here.

Caution to those purchasing the e-book: there is a DRM attached if you order through certain sites, so be aware that it may not be transferable to your favourite e-reader.

This said, I greatly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for an explanation and testimony of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, their function and availability. And I loved the perspective of Mary Healy as a Catholic and her telling of how the gifts have been present in the church for centuries, but maybe overlooked or ‘misplaced’ on purpose.

**I received this book free from Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review. These are my personal thoughts.

The Spiritual Gifts Handbook by Randy Clark and Mary Healy
by Melissa Finnegan
cover135628-medium

About:

Foundational Teaching from a Charismatic Healing Minister and a Catholic Scholar

International healing minister Randy Clark teams up with Mary Healy, a respected Catholic scholar, to show not only that the gifts of the Spirit still exist today, but that they are not optional; they are the necessary tools God has given for both building his Church and spreading the Gospel.

With wisdom and practical insight, Clark and Healy walk you through biblical texts, dispel misconceptions, and show that there is an endless variety of gifts. They also show how the gifts are not just for a select few, but distributed freely by the Holy Spirit among believers. After laying this foundation, the authors reveal how you can activate the gifts in your own life and use them to benefit others. In this hurting world, you can give people more than just a message--you can help usher them into an encounter with God.

My thoughts:

This book was a good reminder of the gifts of the Spirit. It honestly wasn't new information for me but I did find it interesting.

What I found most interesting was that fact that the Catholic church believes in these gifts. I had no idea. I think a lot of us (maybe I should just speak for myself) have misconceptions and even prejudices toward the Catholic church. One of the authors is Catholic, I loved reading her stories of healing and miracles and I felt the divide that had been created by years of untruth begin to close.

This book wasn't what I was expecting but like I said, I did like it and it was a great reminder of the power that is available to to us all.


A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.