BOOK REVIEW: A CALL TO SPIRITUAL REFORMATION BY D. A. CARSON
WRITTEN BY: EUGENE OMUKALA
I have been reformed as the title of this book goes, it is one of its own, and I like the fact that it is based on the truth of the word of God. I call this a well-researched book on the truth of the word of God, I like the fact that he writes on what the Bible has spoken to him and what he thinks is the author’s intended meaning. This has helped me personally even as I refer to the text at my own time to link the whole text as one and ever looking for the reason of a certain statement in the Bible which most of the time is overlooked. This book has been written by D. A. CARSON, though it’s the audience is believers found in the western world, I believe it is relevant even to us all as it speaks of the malpractices done in the whole world.
I like the way he strikes a balance in the ideas he speaks about, he admits on what he ever did wrong and also what others have done wrong, yet that is not the end, he helps us to still point back to the truth of the word of God by taking us through the text and expounding it bit after bit until I get the meaning of the text. The fact that at the end of every chapter has questions to reflect on what you have just read gave me even a chance to think deeply on what I want or my take home from each chapter. Having also the questions that address you on your personal decision to reform on the topic above has been helpful for me to make the bold decision of changing my prayer life.
I was also pleased with the fact that he always keeps reminding his/ her readers that this is not the only material available for prayer, the way he always tells us the fact that some discipline and routine are good but are not an end in itself. This book has made me eager to practice some disciplines yet with a new perspective of what they represent rather than seeing the discipline and an end in itself.
I have never been challenged on the issue of prayer the way this book has, I tell you even you can have the taste of this book and you will realize the many things we pray a miss or wrongly. I have learned to pray the word, modes of engaging in prayer, the art of selflessness in prayer and even the attitude to have after prayer. I would say this book is a must read to anyone who would want to make his/ her prayer life more effective, you want to know more of how to pray and be contented with how you have prayed, then this is a must read for all.