I am asked to review books on a fairly regular basis by a number of pastoral colleagues. I try to accommodate each request as I know the author is wanting some helpful feedback before it gets disseminated. Most of these reviews are usually prepublication in nature and are probably more concerned with content accuracy and overall effectiveness than perhaps a critique for potential readers. I enjoy reviewing and consider it an honor when I am asked. There are, on occasion, books which I feel deserve a public review and endorsement. One of those books is a recent release by a ministerial colleague, Pastor Chris McMichael, entitled, “Samson: Secrets to Destroying Your Life and Ministry”.
I personally know Pastor McMichael, which in some ways makes this review both easy and difficult. It is easy from the standpoint of certifying that Pastor Chris is a faithful, integral, servant of the Lord. He is a gifted and thorough teacher of the Scriptures. He is leading a growing and spiritually fervent congregation in the Nashville, Tennessee region. A person can purchase this book with the full confidence that the author is living as he is writing. It is difficult because as a friend, you want to encourage and exhort this type of writing ministry and perhaps not vet the book as closely as you might others. The good news is I can put, “Samson: Secrets to Destroying Your Life and Ministry”, through the most rigorous review I might generate and it comes through solid. This is an important look at a timeless story.
The book, at heart, is an analysis of how a servant of the Lord, or for that matter any believer, self-destructs and loses their destiny and calling. Can this destruction be avoided and what steps might one embrace to insure a successful life and ministry? Samson is a familiar story and figure, but don’t assume your familiarity with the story spoils the revelation of the book. This book is a comprehensive look at the dynamics of destruction of a man who had it all, but in the end, loses it. It is an all too often repeated story in Western, American Christianity.
There are numerous strong points in the book. The first was the author’s exploration into the whole time period of the Judges. While the focus of the book is predominantly Samson, there is the contextual connection to the greater story of how and why the person of Samson fits into the period of the Judges. This is critical in understanding Samson’s story. Another strength was the obvious research of the book demonstrated by numerous Hebrew word studies and copious footnotes documenting Pastor McMichael’s “deep dive” into the subject matter. Yet, along with the appropriate academics, this book is certainly accessible to Christian believers of any and all educational backgrounds. Take it from a guy who understands first hand how hard this can be, it is an important point and Pastor McMichael’s is to be commended for it. The last of many strong points I could highlight, is the relevance of the topic which was chosen. We are living in an antinomian era of the Christian Church in America and to publish a book directly challenging this problem is both needed and noteworthy. Most Christian books of our era deal predominantly with the path to personal success and little with personal character. The truth is that a person’s success is directly tied to the content of their character. This book is a vital balance to the “success” titles you see at your Christian bookstore.
Honestly, there are few weaknesses (and those are insignificant) that can be pointed out. The book strikes a great balance between the exegetical and the practical. It might have been a fascinating excursus for the author to have explored the possibilities of Samson’s eternal destiny. Could his last act of destruction in the pagan temple demonstrated anything spiritually deeper in his life, or was it simply a futile act of personal anger? The Hebrew writer (Hebrews 11:32), mentions Samson by name in the famous “Hall of Faith” which causes some to speculate as to his eternal outcome. While the answer to this question does no harm to the book’s thesis, it may have provided yet another powerful point in underscoring the dangers of deception. This small critique probably lands in the realm of “nitpicking” speculation; however, since Pastor Chris is a good and esteemed friend, I wouldn’t want him to think he got through this review without some suggestion of enlargement (that’s what friends and reviewers are for).
I can enthusiastically recommend, “Samson: Secrets to Destroying Your Life and Ministry”, to everyone in my social media circles. This book is a needful message to everyone, but I want to especially encourage those who are aspiring to vocational ministry to get this book, read it, and put it on your shelf where you can see the cover to remind you of the repercussions of a careless minister. As I concluded this book I was reminded of a sermon that I heard years ago on Samson which has stuck in my mind and spirit for decades. The title was, “You Might Get By, But You Won’t Get Away”. Samson was as gifted and talented a man as one could possibly be, yet his character brought him down. He got by for awhile, but sin has a way of catching up. You don’t have to be a Samson. There is a path of success and longevity which leaves your character in tact. Pastor McMichael has connected the dots for the listening and willing Christian to walk that path. This book could be the lifesaver you are needing to make sure Samson’s story is not your story.
ORDER YOUR COPY HERE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0982339062/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all
No Comments