A
s pastor of Free Chapel church in Gainesville, Ga., Franklin preaches and teaches to an imposing 10,000 attendees weekly. The charismatic evangelist—who is also author of two books on fasting and a national television personality on the program Kingdom Connection—
offers a spirited and lively how-to text on learning to discern and identify the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Franklin shows a disarming personal style as he presents clear expositions on defining the gift of discernment, recognizing the three “rights” (people, place, plan), unlocking this gift and garnering its protective elements. Many evangelical readers will feel like the book is a vitamin C boost to their spirits, but others will find it a bit simplistic. Franklin exudes an utter confidence about how and when the Holy Spirit will work in Christians’ lives, a certainty that may appeal to charismatic readers, but will feel to others like he is reducing Christian mystery to a workable cause-and-effect formula. Still, readers across the evangelical Christian spectrum can appreciate how honing in to the work of the Holy Spirit is always a valued exercise, though too often a neglected topic in spiritual discipline discussions. (June 5)
