A helpful and intriguing comprehensive perspective of a most faithful and fulfilling religious pursuit

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	• Spiritual Birthline: Understanding How We Experience the New Birth Stephen E. Smallman Crossway Books, 2006 - 176 pages average customer review:based on 5 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A helpful and intriguing comprehensive perspective of a most faithful and fulfilling religious pursuit

Spiritual Birthline: Understanding How We Experience The New Birth by Stephen E. Smallman (Executive Director of World Harvest Missions) is a liturgical study of the theories offering an interpretive and productive worship of the Spirit, and an acknowledgment of Christ and Christianity. Introducing readers to the "spiritual birthline" concept of God and religion, Spiritual Birthline carries readers through a spiritual journey and exploratory comprehension of genuine belief and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Spiritual Birthline is very strongly recommended to all subversive or progressive Christians searching for a helpful and intriguing comprehensive perspective of a most faithful and fulfilling religious pursuit.

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Practical Theology at Its Best

American evangelicals often throw around the phrase "born again" with little thought as to what it means. Some might mean a person who has prayed the "sinner's prayer." Others may refer to someone who has been baptized. What does it mean to be born again? Pastor Stephen Smallman addresses this question and what it means for faith and evangelism in his new book, Spiritual Birthline.

Pastor Smallman's book is based on a fundamental analogy between physical and spiritual birth rooted in Jesus' teaching on being "born again" found in John 3:1-8. Building on this teaching, the author draws parallels between pregnancy and effectual calling, delivery and conversion, and growth and sanctification. As he explains these concepts, Pastor Smallman relates them to biblical teaching and real life stories of new birth.

The book is divided into two parts. The first begins with a study on Jesus' meeting with Nicodemus, then unfolds the concept of the spiritual birthline through our personal testimonies and then through our communities. The second part is devoted to application, dealing with how we can aid in the new birth of other people. Pastor Smallman calls this role the "spiritual midwife," and after explaining the role he applies it to each step in the birthline. He ends with a chapter on new birth for children born into Christian families and a brief chapter on the importance of living a Christ-like life. At the end of the book is a list of recommended books for further reading and an appendix for adapting the book to a group study.

Though the analogy between physical and spiritual birth is not new (Jesus gave us that one), the material in Spiritual Birthline expands on it in profound and useful ways. Describing the process of conversion and coming to faith is not an easy task, but Pastor Smallman does so with meaningful understanding. The chapter on children who are born into Christian families was my favorite- partly because it describes me, but also because it describes so many people who are not often addressed. Spiritual Birthline is an immensely practical and thoughtful book that I recommend without reservation.

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Best book on evangelism, period.

This is the best book I have come across on evangelism. It is a perfect blend of sound biblical theology and real life stories. These stories are what make the book. Rather than cherry-picking or twisting people's stories, the author takes them at face value, often using people's own stories in their own words, and uses them as a starting point to explore the biblical basis of evangelism. The result is an outstanding and comprehensive book that every Christian involved in personal witness or organised evangelism should read.

Highly Enriching

I found this book in a local Christian bookstore and was intrigued by the title, so I picked it up, not sure what to expect. What I found inside was an insightful, highly original thesis regarding the nature of conversion, presented with unique stories that illustrated and illimunated the author's concept of conversion as a process of conception, birth, and growth; a process - note - not a singular event. The author distilled what appeared to be decades of work in the ministry down to several hundred highly readable pages. A resource and a treasure, I highly recommend it to anyone who is concerned about understanding how Christians come to the faith.

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Great stories about how God works!

It's always hard to decide who is more famous, Steve Smallman, Sr, or Steve Smallman, Jr. . . . having said that, this book is a tremendous set of stories and studies about how God mysteriously moves in human lives to draw people to Himself. It shows, through winsome narratives, how God gently works in the inner places of human hearts, in ways that are visible only to Him. This spiritual process is much like the physical conception of a baby: new life is growing within a person long before the rest of us can see obvious evidence of that fact. SPIRITUAL BIRTHLINE is thus a great encouragement for youth leaders, missionaries, pastors, lay people . . . every believer who desires to see others come into the family of God. Design-wise, the book is tight, a quick read, a great size to stick in a backpack or a briefcase, ready to pull out to use in a small-group setting for discussion and study. It's a useful tool.

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??Born again? is a common expression that few people understand. In a compelling way Stephen Smallman helps us understand that it is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. This book will prove profitable to all who read it.?
?Jerry Bridges, author, The Pursuit of Holiness

?Stephen Smallman?s stories of how God brings people to new life in Christ are exhilarating?and his refreshing insights into the process of conversion are also immensely encouraging to anyone who wants to share his or her faith.?
?Ellen Vaughn, author of Radical Gratitude, The Strand, and, with Chuck Colson, Being the Body, The Body, Kingdoms in Conflict, Gideon?s Torch, Against the Night, and other books

?Any campus ministry passionate about students? lives being transformed will want this book in the hands of their front-line campus staff. Stephen Smallman has renewed my own biblical understanding of God?s prior work in the hearts of ?not yet believers? while inspiring me to embrace my role as a spiritual midwife in the lives of college students.?
?Bruce Alwood, Southeast Regional Director, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

?Spiritual Birthline transforms that most dangerous journey?one?s spiritual pilgrimage?into safe, known territory. By applying a pastor?s heart and a willing ear to hundreds of testimonies heard over decades of ministry, Stephen Smallman has distilled the work of God in the soul: ?When God calls, we come.? In place of our too-often clichéd born-again narratives, he guides us to a richer understanding that is wonderfully profound and reassuringly practical.?
?Mindy Belz, editor, World Magazine

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