This book is essential reading for navigating the challenges of the "new normal" ushered in by the COVID-19 era. Rather than viewing it as a setback, we can see it as a divine opportunity—a setup orchestrated by God Himself. It's a chance for us to embrace upgraded, more compassionate, and empowered ways of living out goodness in our everyday lives, whether it's within the walls of our homes, in the bustling marketplace, or within the dynamics of our work and businesses.

This book is great if you are familiar with the gifts of discernment and prophecy that the spirit gives you and are interested in how Christians should embrace those gifts and use them to better their world and work towards God’s kingdom.

It presents a lot of truth, lots of scripture and word by word explanation of some verses that give light to a truth that is universal: as Christians we have God’s spirit and should pursue his mind. How we use this intelligence in the world will determine our lives.

I liked it had a lot of practical tips and even an assessment, as it turns this into a hands on book!

Normally, I enjoy this author's books. This one I found to be unlike his other ones. It felt repetitive, rude and uneducated. I was hoping for content on what is spiritual intelligence, how it is evaluated, how to apply it and information regarding the connection of your brain and spirituality. However, that was not what I got. Most of it felt like borrowed concepts and ideas with a few "out there" examples and scripture interpretations. Overall, it felt brag-gy and all over the place and ultimately not for me.
Thank you NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Spiritual Intelligence by Kris Vallotton. I found this book to be very informative and enlightening. I look forward to purchasing a finished copy to share.

I think this is the first book I’ve read by Kris Vallotton. I have listened to some of his sermons on his podcast and feel my faith has increased as a result.

My favorite quote of this book was, “My concern is that unbelief has become the prominent culture among Christians. Not only do we not get out of the boat ourselves; we also create elaborate theologies against water walking, and we persecute the Peters of the faith. We deafen ourselves to the voice of the Lord, who says “Come!” to each of us.”

It says something tragic about the state of Christianity when you read the above quote and this next one: “‘Don’t get your hopes up’ is the motto of unbelievers (and unbelieving Christians). The believers’ creed is, “Get your hopes up; something good is about to happen!” The writer of the book of Hebrews exhorted us with these words: “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).” (Emphasis mine)

Christians are supposed to have hope. And yet there are a whole lot of complacent and unbelieving Christians. I know because I was one. I was well meaning as I’m sure most are, but my eyes had not been opened to the extent they are now. I am praying that they be opened ever more. If we do not have hope, then I conjecture we do not know him well or are choosing not to spend time with Him. “Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek...(Heb 6:18-20)

The real meat of the book is about developing spiritual intelligence (or SQ as it’s referred to in the book) and determining where you are at in terms of your own spiritual intelligence. Vallotton shares multiple examples, both personal and those he has heard from others, about divine guidance as it relates to business. He shares how God gave him insight into purchasing a business he wasn’t interested in as well as a time when a vehicle wasn’t working and the mechanics couldn’t find the problem. God showed him that a wire needed to be fixed. “Renewing your mind is not just thinking well...but is divine thinking.”

Included in the back of the book is a series of 25 statements in the following categories: think, feel, see, hear, know. You can use your score to determine your spiritual acuity. Here is one example from each category: I get information or strategies for things I know nothing about, I receive blueprints, formulas, prototypes or strategies in my mind, I feel and carry the weight of other people’s problems or burdens in my body or spirit, I see things like colors, radiance, words or numbers physically appearing on or over people, and I have heard the audible voice of God providing helpful instruction or direction.

I did take the test and I would have claimed my level of spiritual intelligence was higher than my result. I have recently been pursuing the Lord with more fervor and seeking to hear His voice. I have been journaling these communications for several years. I have had some dreams that I think were from God. I have once heard an audible voice that I attribute to God and I have felt a still small inner voice with a bit more regularity. I have thus far had very few impressions meant for others. I would definitely say these spiritual practices I’ve pursued are in the developmental stage.

The low result on my test does not discourage me. It just means I’m going to pursue the Lord all the more. “God does not want the arrogant and prideful to be the powerful. He therefore conceals His voice in such a way that it is only revealed to the humble and the hungry.” I’m hungry and seeking. Based on His word, I believe He will reward my diligent seeking in His time and in His way.

I recommend this book if you are passionate about walking in step with Holy Spirit or want to learn more.

I received an arc copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you, Kris Valloton, for writing “Spiritual Intelligence.” The combination of neuroscience and the Bible have always fascinated me, so the opportunity to read a book about a combination of those topics was awesome.

I highly recommend this book. On top of facts about science and physics and how they work in the natural world and spiritually, Kris added many personal stories, which challenged me to want to grow in my spiritual edge.

By having a relationship with God, getting to know him personally, developing a deep friendship with Him, and renewing our mind in His Word, we are able to develop SQ.

I underlined so many things in this book, there are just too many to share. I love the fact that we are not called to use our SQ just in the church but in everyday life. Kris’ story about trying to repair a car unsuccessfully was inspiring. He went to great lengths to figure out what to do in the natural. In the end, it was the Holy Spirit (SQ) that caused him to know what to look for.

I loved the Spiritual Intelligence Quotient (SQ) Assessment included in this book. It made me aware of areas I need to grow in. I not only read this book, but I ordered the audio version and purchased the “Basic Training for Spiritual Intelligence” as well. I am looking forward to more growth in my life.

This book had me at the benediction on its opening page, but as the book progressed, it lost me. The mixing of solid, profound spiritual insights and completely made-up ideas couched in the language of the Christian faith makes this a dangerous book for many, who simply may not be able to sort out the differences.

While it is true that the Holy Spirit is a gift for every believer, and that we ought to be tapping into His resources more for our daily living, the 'Spirit' presented by this author is completely unlike the Holy Spirit that we discover in the Scriptures and is antithetical to the heart of God that is revealed through the Bible's pages.

The author proposes a 'Spirit' that spends its time talking to you about everyone else, a spirit of gossip that gives you insider information into the lives of those you don't even have a relationship with - in the hopes that maybe you'll set them free or speak into their life or love them like God does. But our God is a God who has always done the hard work of actually being in relationship with His people, and He wants the same for us. The Spirit is not here to give us some kind of shortcut through the muddy waters of relationship, and we should not expect God to reveal someone else's secrets to us, especially when we don't even know that person at all.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, but the version presented in this book is completely unrecognizable from what God has revealed of Himself in His own book, and that makes this book very dangerous for the Christian seeking true spiritual intelligence rooted in the heart of God. And it's a shame, too, because the author definitely has a way with words and really turns some beautiful phrases in his work.

Inspiring stories, interesting ideas and technology comparisons, the world needs us to develop our spiritual intelligence.

I've read about a quarter of this book and already it has opened my eyes to a level of communication with God which was, of course, right there if I had eyes to see it in the Scriptures. The author likens access to spiritual Intelligence like a smartphone's connection the internet. Sure, it can be fairly powerful on its own but it is limited. When attached to an (in God's case infinite) intelligence it can receive so much more.

I've seen the theme of surrender to God in order to receive His wisdom come up in a couple of books recently and I do wonder if it is Him sending me a message!

The explanations about how we overtrust ourselves and that builds neurological highways of habit (in not trusting Him) was also excellent. You can learn to approach Him as the crow flies or you can drive around all the existing freeways hoping to get there by the routes you already know.

I wanted to write a review in advance because I know not everyone finishes books. Therefore, if you read the first 25% you'll have a paradigm shifting experience and I look forward to what is to come.

This book has a lot to offer in explaining spiritual gifts and how they might be used in your ministry and everyday life. The author does a great job of describing the different kinds of spiritual gifts and backs them up with examples from scripture, along with anecdotes from his own ministry. After the first section of the book, the author explores a wide number of topics that often seemed off-topic. He also gets into several "hot button" political issues that came across as distracting to those who are not of his political leanings. This was a pretty good book, but I wish the author had kept closer to the main topic.