(Since writing this review the other day, I have discovered another very good review of the book by Tim Challies.)
I enjoyed “The Slumber of Christianity” and won’t tell you not to read it, however, I don’t think this book will serve the purpose which the author originally intended. Let me explain.
The stated purpose of the book is help Christians wake up from their “slumber”, which is described as a lack of desire to be in Heaven (enjoying Christ forever). Dekker goes to great length to show how so many real Christians he knows don’t desire Heaven as they should, indeed, as the Bible says they would.
And that is where I think Dekker is off track. To put it simply, most of the people he describes aren’t true Christians who just need to “wake up from their slumber”, but false converts (fake Christians) who need to come to know Jesus Christ for the first time!
How can you know Jesus Christ for who He really is and not desire to be with Him for eternity? You can’t. If you don’t desire to be with Him, then you do not know Him. Its very simple, really.
If you are a Christian, read this book to be challenged as to how strong your desire for Heaven really is. If you are not a Christian (or fear that you’re faith might not be genuine), then let this book help you to wake from your slumber.
I have this book, but haven’t yet read it. Interesting feedback on it, though. I “false convert” argument slightly simplistic. Is it not realistic that a Christ-follower could simply lose his or her passion and/or focus on Christ/eternity?
Maybe, for a short time, but definitely not as a pattern of life or as a life-style.
I don’t think you can, by definition, be a “Christ-follower” if you’re foremost desire is not for Him.
Some of the people Dekker describes as Christians without a passion for heaven, just really come across as ultra luke-warm… which I think describes the false convert as they will be spewed out of His mouth.
Did you read Challies’ review? He doesn’t really mention/agree with what I’m saying at all. He just skips on to his minor issues with the second half of the book.