Forgotten God, by Francis Chan

Francis Chan, founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, and sought-after conference speaker, will tell you that his books don't break new ground theologically.  He's not out to be an original thinker; his goal is to inspire and energize the church.  In Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, he reminds us of the source of the energy and inspiration that should drive Christians and the church.

Chan's point is not that Christians aren't speaking in tongues enough.  This book really isn't a treatise arguing for or against cessationism or supernatural gifts.  Chan wants to focus on the supernatural presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  Remember when Jesus, in John 16, shortly before his death, told his disciples about the Holy Spirit's coming?  He said that it's good that he's going away, so the Holy Spirit can come to them.  Imagine that: you're sitting next to Jesus, walking with him every day, eating meals with him, and he says, "I'm leaving, but I'm going to send the Holy Spirit.  You won't be able to see him, touch him, or feel him, and it's really hard to hear him, if you ever do.  But trust me, this is a much better arrangement for you!"  Sounds odd, but if Jesus said it, I'll believe it, even if I don't really get it.

As believers, we have the exact same access to the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised his disciples.  So where's the power?  Chan calls on the church and individual Christians to rely on the Spirit's power.  Churches often rely on slick marketing, talented worship teams, fancy facilities, eloquent preachers, and comprehensive programming to drive their growth.  Chan isn't saying that such churches don't rely on the Holy Spirit, but that those features can drive a church without any Holy Spirit presence at all.

By the same token, individual Christians can show all the outwards appearances of following Christ, have effective ministries, raise Godly children, disciple younger Christians, exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, and avoid sin, all on their own power.  But some people are just terrific people because of their character and upbringing, not necessarily because of the indwelling Spirit.

Chan wants to be able to attribute everything good that happens in a church and in a Christian to the Holy Spirit, so that there's no other possible explanation than the Holy Spirit for a church's growth and effectiveness, or for the transformed life of the Christian.  This is a terribly hard thing to measure.  Chan does a great job of reminding us to rely on the Holy Spirit, but also reminds us to do our part.  So I can't get to the point where everything is attributable to the Spirit.  If a church has great music, teaching, and programs, and grows like crazy, who am I to say whether they did it through their own creativity and charisma, or through the power of the Spirit?  How about the fruit displayed by the people in the church?  Who am I to say they exhibit the fruit of the Spirit because of the indwelling Spirit, or because they're nice people from nice families who have lived in a nurturing, supportive environment?

Chan's book does challenge me to be more aware of the Spirit's work in my life and more open to his leading.  But I'm afraid he does little to rest my concern about discerning what I do and what the Spirit does in me.  I know this is one of those theological tensions that will probably never be resolved in this life, but I would have liked a more thorough treatment of it.

(By the way, I listened to the audio version of Forgotten God, read by Chan himself.  It was like having him in the seat next to me for my daily commute.  He is an engaging communicator and brought a lot of life to the book.)