Having the Mind of Christ: Eight Axioms to Cultivate a Robust Faith

Reviewed by:

Julie-Allyson Ieron, author/Bible teacher/worship minister

WomenCareForAgingParents.com

REVIEW INTRODUCTION

Title:

Having the Mind of Christ: Eight Axioms to Cultivate a Robust Faith

Author:

Ben Sternke and Matt Tebbe

Publisher:

Intervarsity Press

http://InterVarsity Press

Date:

July 2022

Format:

Paperback

Length:

192 pp

OVERVIEW

True confession: I had a hard time warming up to this book. I suppose anything with the word axioms in the subtitle is a bit off-putting. Authors Sternke and Tebbe are co-pastors who also head a ministry as leadership coaches to pastors. Their book contains challenging concepts that get to the heart of deepening our understanding of the counsel and ways of God.

For example, one of the axioms (which the authors define, by the way, as “key assumptions”) is, “God is love, so it’s all about love.” Another is, “God is always present and at work.” But as the book continues, the assumptions become more challenging to process: “God’s love always reckons with power” or “God transforms us through embodied participation.” Not easy concepts to get your mind around.

Yet the axioms do have the ring of truth. As pastors, the authors present the biblical foundations early and often. My recommendation is to savor the book. Read it with prayerful understanding. You’ll want to process and apply the axioms bit by bit and truth by truth.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5):

4

Suggested Audience:

Modern-day Christ-followers who are mature enough to seek His insights into our real-life situations.

Christian Impact:

Don’t come to this book for a quick, light read. But do come. The counsel holds the potential to transform any reader who puts the effort into processing and applying the biblical truth packed in its pages.

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