Book Reviews
NAME OF THE BOOK : DISCIPLES ARE MADE NOT BORN
NAME OF THE AUTHOR : WALTER A HENRICHEN
NAME OF THE PUBLISHER : VICTOR BOOKS
A division of SP Publications, Inc
WHEATON ILLINOIS.
THE AUTHOR : Walter A Henrichsen.
Walter Henrichen is a personnel director for the worldwide ministry of The Navigators in Colorado Springs, Colo – Graduating from Central College, Pella, Lowa and Western Seminary, Holland, he ministered at western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and later joined the Navigators. He is married. He and his wife Leette have three children.
THE THEME : THE WORLD VISION through Disciple Making.
Explanation and Significance of the Theme :
The theme of the book throws a new light in the importance of disciple making to have a world vision. This vision was the vision of our Lord Jesus Himself. He saw the whole world through his 12 disciples that he had trained in a most special way by imparting of His own life.
Disciple making “is the mandate of the Master (Mt 28:19-20). We may ignore it, but we cannot evade it,” Says, Hendricks Howard G. in his forward to the book. He further states, “Our risen Christ left this legacy, the Magna Charta of the Church,”
The mandate of our Lord is in fact the “Magna Charta of the church to day. Many are Christians, but few are disciples, we will never reach the whole world and fulfill the lord’s vision if we continue to be mere Christians and not the disciples in true sense of the term. The author in his book “Disciples are made not born” has put an emphatic stress on multiplying disciples only through which we can reach the whole world. He displays IITim 2 as the key verse to his book that reads,
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men. Who shall be able to teach others also”.
Paul’s letter to Timothy, his son in the faith has been termed as his “Last Will and Testament” . The author has adopted this principle as the principle of disciple making, ‘COMMIT THOU TO FAITHFUL MEN’ who shall be able to TEACH OTHERS also. “Implementing this vision of multiplying disciples constitutes the only way Christ’s commission can ever ultimately be fulfilled”. Says the author.
Disciple making is a continuing process which was started with Jesus and will continue till he returns. Disciples are not born. They are made out of Christians. They are the results of Faithful men and women. Thus disciple making is a responsibility of faithful men who have been entrusted and delegated to by the Lord Himself. From this point of view, the theme is predominantly significant because this is the mandate of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and the “Magna Charta of the Church” to day.
The book has mainly two parts.
Part one ----contains the Principles of Discipleship.
Part two ……… The Training of Disciples.
Watter A. Henrichsen’s “Disciples are made not born” is indeed superb so far as the value of the book is concerned. The book is full of spiritual assets and principles for a Christian which are not mere theories but eminently practical. It is an eye opener to those born Christians who are not disciples. It is also a kind of real hand book for every true disciple of Christ. God has a purpose with every body’s life. Every Christian must be able to grasp this purpose of God for him and find his objective in life with a perspective. The purpose of God is clear in the word of God which is made available to every body. The author has hinted out that we are not to live a life which is self oriented and selfish. Today there are many Christians but few disciples. This is indeed grieving to God’s heart. God has called us with a dignified calling to live for man and for him. This is the legacy of our Lord Jesus and the magna Charta of the church. In order to fulfill this legacy of our Lord, the church must be committed to the multiple disciple making process.
There is no greater joy and “no greater objective in life than to give yourself for others.” This is what the author has emphasized in his book. I strongly feel this book is a ‘MUST READ’ book for every Christian specially for those who are in leadership.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 2252 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Dr Surya Kumar Daimari or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 2252 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.