New Christian Book Reviews

                      Latent power of  the Soul,

Watchman Nee

1923/1934

Christian Fellowship Publishers, Inc

1972

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In this short piece, the Great WATCHMAN entreats us with the significant difference between psychic power - power coming from soul (1) and true spiritual power (2) , i.e power coming from Spirit and more precisely Holy Spirit . He shows how the first Adam strength comes from soul power and after the fall how that power has been entrapped in his flesh- therefore put to sleep - because now corrupted- yet present- latent- ready to be unleashed and how what may appear as signs and wonders by Higher power are nothing else but sheer manifestations of that soul power - however great.  

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The soul has a life of itself and is living (1) but can not give life whereas the second and last Adam who is embodied by our Lord Christ is a life giving Spirit (2) and as a true disciple of Christ one must surrender all one's abilities however great to the movement of that life giving Spirit  to be of one accord with the fruitful works of godly Spirit . One must die and be buried into the ground to bear abundant and good fruit.  One must become so selfless and hopeless and helpless - so dependable on God's life for one to be a tool of good and edification to others Brethren in the faith. 

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But also a Matthew 24:24 speaks of "signs and wonders", it is an exhortation to keen and shrewd discernment from us as Followers, disciples, stewards , leaders on what power or authority operating behind these outstanding miracles, in order to not be deceived inches Great Tribulation announced a the the very edges of the end of the Age, to avoid being deceived by the Evil one and his many tricks

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A deep reflection on "when weak God is strong" as the cardinal theme of the Christian faith and walk. 

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Genesis 8:22. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease

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1 Chronicles 12:32. Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their heads were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their commandment.

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The Sons of Issachar had understanding of the times, and always knew what Israel needed to do. It takes wisdom and guidance by the Spirit of God

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Genesis 3 :2-4

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The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

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4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

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2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’

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4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

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Matthew 24:24

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24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

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9/10

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Additional information:

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https://www.amazon.ca/Latent-Power-Soul-Watchman-Nee/dp/093500825X/ref=asc_df_093500825X/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292868784372&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3636614822076715260&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000631&hvtargid=pla-491654385773&psc=1

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Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis

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In this satirical novel in the epistolary form C.S. Lewis with his unique genius portrays a dialogue between an uncle Screwtape, an elder Demon who coaches his nephew a junior demon tempter called Wormwood, on how to surely bind a human being with means of deception of all sorts and vices light and more gruesome. It is thus a  grave topic lightly treated with genius and giusto making one see within the lens of the tempter the misadventures of the tempted. Brilliant reverse Psychology of salvation through beings whose only purpose is to create metaphysical bondage in the lives of perfectly honest and undoubting human beings 

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8.5/10