Book review: ‘Standing Firm in Christ: Biblical Principles for Fighting Spiritual Battles’
It didn’t take long to decide that Dianne Thornton was my kind of people.
We “met” a few months ago in a Facebook group of female Christian writers. She was looking for an editor, and I sent her a link to my editing and writing services page at Suzy Oakley Solutions.
Next, I checked her out. I read her Facebook bio and went to her website.
After reading a couple of Dianne’s blog posts — especially one warning against the dangers of the enneagram (a wildly popular “tool” that claims to be ancient but isn’t and, even worse, has occult and New Age origins) — I was convinced that she and I were on the same page, so to speak, when it comes to Christian doctrine.
Since I learned the term “progressive Christianity” a couple of years ago, I’ve become a lot more sensitive to heresy and the kind of false teaching that I sometimes used to write off as “just a different interpretation of the Bible.” Now I’m more discerning.
I’ll talk more about progressive Christianity when I review Alisa Childers’ upcoming book, Another Gospel? (I first heard the term on her podcast in October 2018.)
To be clear: The Bible study I’m reviewing today has nothing to do with progressive Christianity. But my PC filter has been in place for two years, so it’s natural that I evaluate the Bible study through that lens.
The world, as you’ve probably noticed, is a bit crazy these days, and it’s only going to get crazier until Jesus comes to take us home. If you’re a Christian — I mean a true, Bible-believing follower of the Lord Jesus Christ — you know that the end of days referred to in the Bible is closer than ever. Christians are being persecuted in increasing numbers the world over, and that includes these United States.
Times are tough, and we have to be outfitted with God’s armor if we want to stand firm.
SOLID THEOLOGY
Even when I began editing Dianne’s eight-week Bible study, Standing Firm in Christ: Biblical Principles for Fighting Spiritual Battles, my heresy radar was up. I have tried to be as discerning as possible as I continue to grow in my faith.
I need not have fretted; Dianne’s theology is solid, and she has written a beautiful, practical study that I would recommend to any women’s ministry leader looking for a sound Bible study.
There has never been a better time to study this subject. If you want to be able to withstand whatever the enemy throws at you, check out Standing Firm in Christ.
Typically when I’ve finished editing something for a client, when I’m done, I’m done. But with Dianne’s Bible study, I plan to go through it as a participant, filling in all the blanks just as if I’m reading the pages for the first time. If you would like to go through the study with me, let me know. We could have our discussions via email or video chat, FaceTime or Skype … whatever works.
If you’re interested, post a comment below or contact me here.
Standing Firm in Christ debuted Oct. 6 (available in paperback and ebook), and Dianne has some bonus goodies for buyers who act fast. Visit Dianne’s website to learn more and to order the Bible study.
And if you’re social, please use the hashtag #StandingFirmBibleStudy when you post about the study.
Don’t forget to let me know if you’re interested in going through this eight-week study with me. I’m flexy on how we do it, so give me your feedback!
xoxo,
