Reviewed by: Connor Salter, Professional Writing student at Taylor University

Introduction

Title: The Tears of Gethsemane

Author: Deborah Faulks

Publisher: WestBow Press

Publication Date: 2017

Format: Paperback

Length: 135 pages

OVERVIEW

Often, just as Christians are reaching a turning point in their ministry work, they go through a long and difficult trial. In this book, Deborah Faulks describes this period as “the Gethsemane Experience” and as a necessary trial that Christians have to go through in order to reach a new level of service to God. She then outlines the kind of trials people undergo in the Gethsemane Experience and what practices Christians need to survive it and rise above it.

Faulks hits on an interesting idea in this book, and the teachings she gives are based on careful and mature readings of Scripture. This makes this book a good choice for Christians seeking instruction on how to survive spiritual trials. However, Faulk’s writing style means that these ideas aren’t especially well communicated. There are many better-written books about holding on to God in the midst of suffering. To really make Tears of Gethsemane worth reading over any of those other books, you have to believe Faulks’s thesis that everyone eventually goes through a Gethsemane Experience. Unfortunately, Faulks doesn’t give any testimonies, quotes from theologians or other evidence that the Gethsemane Experience happens to everyone eventually. At the end of the day then, readers are left with a decent but not excellent book on suffering.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

2 out of 5 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians undergoing hard times in life, Christians entering new phases of ministry.

Christian Impact

This book references Scripture throughout and will provide sound advice and encouragement for any Christian going through a difficult time in life.

Interested in reviewing a book, movie, album, or other type of media for our website? We would love to hear from you! Find out more about how to submit media reviews.