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Book Review Archives
Title: Another Side of the Coin
Author: Gregg N. Huestis
Publisher: Blessed To Be a Blessing Ministries/Lulu.com
ISBN: 1-933582-11-1
Pages: 279 pages
Format: Available in Paperback or eBook format
Reviewer: Deborah Porter
Available From:
The Author's Website: http://www.b2bablessing.org/about.htm
Lulu.com http://www.lulu.com/content/543574
In 1993, Bible Answer Man, Hank Hanegraaff, released Christianity in Crisis--a book that was a bombshell aimed at the Word of Faith Movement, teachers and teachings.
Thirteen years later, Gregg Huestis published his well researched and thoroughly investigated reply in the very aptly titled book, Another Side of the Coin--The Other Side of the Controversy Surrounding the Faith Message.
In his personal introduction, Huestis states: "This book has not been written as an attempt to say, "We are right and they are wrong!" Rather, this is a prayerful effort at giving a proper answer to the critics of the Word of Faith. It is the desire of my heart that this writing be a tool to bring about restoration between both sides of this controversial debate."
The author also concedes that his book "may not 'convert' those who are already opposed to the teachings of the Word of Faith. But ... knows that it will be an important source of help to many who are still unsure of their motives and teaching." It is from this angle that Mr. Huestis writes in an attempt to set the record straight and provide balance to the comments made in Christianity in Crisis.
At times, Mr. Huestis' statements regarding Hank Hanegraaff did come across as just a little "edgy." However, this reviewer concluded that his comments weren't totally inappropriate, given the nature of many of Mr. Hanegraaff's comments in his own book. In no way could it be called "tit-for-tat," but perhaps more along the lines of "with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
My personal opinion, after reading this book, is that anyone who has made a judgment decision regarding the Word of Faith movement based on the evidence outlined in Christianity in Crisis, really should, for the sake of fairness, take the time to read Another Side of the Coin. I say this not because I have any strong opinion one way or the other, but because it is not always wise to make a rock-solid decision after hearing only one half of an argument. To read one, without the other, is somewhat unbalanced.
The importance of getting both sides of the story was brought home quite powerfully when I saw how many quotations by Word of Faith teachers were apparently abbreviated or taken out of context in Christianity in Crisis--something Mr. Huestis highlights often in his book. In doing so, he states: "Perhaps you are wondering why I have used so many long quotations. Again, the purpose of this book is not merely to write what I think the Faith teachers are teaching, but rather to clearly display, from their own words, exactly what they believe and teach. I believe it is best to allow their teachings to speak for themselves."
A little further on, he quite sincerely states, "I am not attempting to imply that they are infallible, but rather that they have never attempted to propagate erroneous doctrine."
It is this attempt to provide balance that makes Mr. Huestis' book such a valuable companion to Mr. Hanagraaff's statements in Christianity in Crisis.
This book is thought provoking and, at times, somewhat challenging. Even so, ultimately, it may or may not change anyone's mind regarding Word of Faith teachings. However, the important thing is that it provides every Christian with Another Side of the Coin.
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