Resist the Powers with Jacques Ellul

by Charles Ringma

Book Overview

Ellul's insights will move readers beyond their comfortable Christianity to a clearer, closer look at the true problems of the world, helping them to develop a heart to serve. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576832252
• ISBN13: 9781576832257
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Pinon Press
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

"The final folly of evil was its attempt to destroy the good,..."

"...only to find itself robbed of its power."-Charles Ringma Evil robbed of power? HALLELUJAH! But how would or did G-d do it? The answer is to be found on the devotional for July 18, the caption entitled "The Ultimate Gift". I love this devotional and I've only had it for two days. Each page contains words to ponder for that calendar day, a scripture reference, and before Ringma's sage advice, a quote from Jacques Ellul, famed christian writer, French sociologist, professor, lawyer. The book quoted from is to be found at the back in Ringma's "Endnotes". In skimming through this yesterday, I almost instantly opened the book to a message I love so much that on July 18 from Ellul's Violence: Reflections from a Christian Perspective. The message for that day is about how good battles evil and what G-d's answer to evil is. Ringma first quotes Ellul, "it is because the world is radically, totally evil that nothing less would do than the gift of G-d's Son." From there, Ringma elaborates: "Christ triumphed over evil through the mystery of the Cross. Life triumphs in death. Victory emerges in the shame of Golgotha. G-d's power is displayed through weakness. This form of ultimate giving and its triumph over evil is a model for our action in the world..." I wish I could quote the whole day's message. On the opposite page is a message regarding holiness, how G-d impresses Himself on ourselves, the process of sanctification. It's a struggle to be sure, but an inner struggle within oneself battling selfish desires and greed. It's this inner struggle and self-correction done only through the holy spirit that distinguishes true christianity from other religions. This devotional is excellent! Move over Oswald Chambers! "G-d's strategy in depowering evil is significant and illuminative. In Christ, all that was holy and good was clearly displayed. Consequently, all that was evil was decidedly exposed." The "Reflection" for that day is: "Evil cannot triumph in the face of the demonstration of the good in Christ".