I found it embattling to review this book. Should I be surprised since it is dealing with spiritual warfare?
The author, Dr. Dan Crawford, shares how Christians are "first and foremost" called as ambassadors for Christ--not warriors against Satanic forces of evil in this world. Yet the first chapter is riddled with examples of personal attacks Dr. Crawford encounters as he attempts to be an ambassador on mission. Encounters that almost rebuff his own argument that we are not warriors, that warfare is not ours. Dr. Crawford challenges that situations such as these are simply peripheral to the main objective of the Christian life--our priority purpose--to pray and to proclaim. The author, indeed, believes spiritual warfare is real--that the devil does play a role in things happening to people on earth. But, contrary to many evangelicals beliefs, Christians are still called to be ambassadors, not warriors.
Upon receiving this little 119-page volume from the publisher, Hannibal Books, I feel like I literally fought to read it from cover to cover. I am no speed reader, but normally, a book of this size I conclude within four hours. Not so with this one. Why? Because I had multiple dozens of interruptions (mini-attacks), as I tried to read it. To do it justice and be honest in a review, I needed to do more than simply read it like a daily newspaper. But the interruptions robbed me of my train of thought as I dove into the familiar passages from Ephesians Chapter 6 that Dr. Crawford included to emphasize what Christians need to be mindful of when carrying out their commission as Christ's ambassadors. Repeatedly, I had to go back and re-read portions to find the truths he shared. This experience proved, to me, that as I go about my life to proclaim Christ that, Satan, indeed, sets his minions loose to keep a Christian from keeping commitments, and following through on prayer. I make no claims that if you should read Ambassadors On Mission, The Priority Of Prayer and Proclamation that you will have a similar experience. I am simply relating mine.
Why would it be so difficult to read a book declaring the need for prayer and proclamation of a Christian's life? I can only guess it would be the same thing any time Satan does anything to thwart the forward motion of my life as a Christian.
Dr. Crawford states "...Christians are not primarily warriors by nature, but ambassadors on mission. Warriors fight and defend their country--often in other countries. Ambassadors represent their king in another kingdom. Warriors are military. Ambassadors are diplomatic. Nevertheless, ambassadors, while representing their king, become engaged in warfare."
I submit that I was "engaged" as I read this book. I had personal attacks against friends I love, upon my family, and my health. You might say, fiddley dee--it's just a book. Fine. Don't read it. But for those of you who need an extra dose of what God has already done through His Son, and what He continues to do through His Word and Spirit, whip on over to the website below and order yourself a copy of Ambassadors On Mission, The Priority of Prayer and Proclamation.
~~Paul deals with his critics this way, We may "walk in the flesh" but "we do not war according to the flesh". 2 Corinthians 10:3 This book reveals once again that our strength is in the Lord, in the sustaining power in His might. We've nothing to fear and have everything we need to equip us in every battle we face.
At the end of each chapter, Dr. Crawford writes questions for reflection and discussion. This would make a great book for Discipleship Training or Small Groups. With or without a group, it's worth reading--even if you have to do it several times.
Dr. Dan R. Crawford is senior professor of evangelism and missions, chair of prayer, emeritus, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX., and author/compiler of 18 books including God's Formula for Genuine Happiness, and Mud Hen in a Peacock Parade.
Dr. Crawford received degrees from Howard Payne University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas. In Texas, he has been the pastor of multiple churches, the director of three collegiate Baptist student ministries, and the head of the Bible department at two universities. In Oklahoma, he was the interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Lawton. He has also served as a national evangelism consultant with the North American Mission Board in Atlanta. He and his wife, Joanne, are retired and living in Forth Worth, Texas.
[Special thanks to Jennifer Nelson for requesting a review and Hannibal Books for sending me a complimentary copy.]