Author WAYNE JACOBSEN
Publisher HARVEST HOUSE and BODYLIFE PUBLISHERS
ISBN 0-9647292-1-0
First published in 1987 under the title ‘A Passion for God’s Presence’ and revised in 91, 98 and finally in 2002 and marketed under the new title, the first half of the main thesis of this book focuses upon the fact that the churches of the west are essentially “naked and know it not” (Revelation 3:17). The story by Hans Christian Andersen called “The Emperor’s New Clothes” provides another background. This ruler had nothing on and continued with the pretense foisted upon him by some of his courtiers that he had a suit of new clothes on until someone was bold enough to say that he was in fact, naked, the clothes were a myth accepted by all the populace until this time. So, as you would expect, there is plenty of stripping away in this book, the worldly structures, ways and methodologies the American churches have built in to their system come under scrutiny and the shallow easy ‘sinners prayer’ believism that has so gotten a grip in many places is shown to be one of the culprits causing the trouble, not to mention the desires of so many in the churches to say that they are clothed with power and great worship and the rest of the paraphernalia though deep down there are those who feel that there is a great nakedness around. In some ways the book is a bit dated, but, alas, so many of the things that come under the microscope here are still very much present and need analysis, change and in some ways, jettisoning. It would take great courage to do so! The second half of the thesis presented in these pages is that individuals in the churches must return to a life of intimacy with God, from this state of living all else springs. The author, formerly a pastor with a ‘successful’ central Californian church is clear that he is offering no new church strategy or a fresh method of growing churches, rather, his desire is to simply call people back to their relationship with Jesus. For those already somewhat skeptical about westernized Christianity worldwide (yes, what goes in the USA soon spreads elsewhere) this book will reinforce their concerns. I am not so sure that this author brings home matters of intimacy with the Lord so well as he points out the maladies, but be that as it may, his challenge must be squarely faced by those who dare to take up this book. Of course, to begin to purge our churches of some of the practices that are simply the world dressed up in a ‘Christian’ way would mean loss of numbers and all kinds of repercussions would be inevitable and thankfully, to the thoughtful reader the personal life of intimacy with Jesus is essential in order to critique the churches this way and not become embittered and frustrated. Through Christ alone can things change and must.
