Darren Whitehead

Rumors of God DVD-based study is a call to Christians seeking a vision of the life God is calling them to, one that transcends the shallowness of our culture. This DVD-based small group study will challenge group members to reject what is plausible and to cry out for God to bring what is possible in their lives and in the church.
Authors Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson share compelling stories about the work and activity of God today. Packed with fresh cultural observations and illuminating Scriptural insights, Rumors of God will ignite a passion in your heart to see your faith come to life.

Kit includes:
- DVD study (6 sessions on 1 disc)
- Leader's Guide
- Participant Guide (2 copies)

Participant Guide includes:
- Six sessions of small group interactive study
- Thought-provoking daily readings for each session
- Deep study of Scripture to help you discover God's truth and work around you… (altro)

I received this book from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.

The authors, both from Australia, received a revelation new to them, that “God’s strategy for redemption on the earth was to be carried out by the church.” They were moved to prayer, relocated to the USA where “the future of the Western church is hanging in the balance”, and set into place in ministering to hearts and lives as part of that strategy. In this book, Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson share their vision in a clear and sincere, heartfelt manner. They include wonderful teachings, stories, and insights, which reveal “God’s kingdom coming to earth.”

Rumors of God is divided into ten chapters, each with a subtitle.

The Sculptor’s Shop: Rumors of Abundant Life
Hostages of the Mind: Rumors of Another Dream
The Great Reversal: Rumors of Generosity
The Faith You’ve Only Heard About: Rumors of Love
Getting the Gospel in Order: Rumors of Grace
Giving Up Your Rights: Rumors of Freedom
The Radical Individual: Rumors of Commitment
Loving Beneath the Surface: Rumors of Community
The Greenroom: Rumors of Justice
Our Burning Revolution: Rumors of Hope

At the back of the book is a section with questions based on each chapter, good questions to make the reader think and soul search. What could be a problem, though, is that the scriptural references they use throughout the book are mostly just noted in the back and not written out in full in the text of the book. This could prevent many from getting the full impact intended.

A comment that I was surprised to read was one written in chapter 5 about when the woman who was caught in adultery was brought to Jesus. The author said that Jesus “continued finger painting in the dust”, dismissing the seriousness of His meaningful action as a frivolous idle moment.

It was unclear to me as to whether the authors were always referring to church as being “church” – the organization under man’s leadership in works, or “Church” – the Body of Christ under the spiritual headship of God and from which relationship the works come.

There are some other things to watch out for, but Whitehead and Tyson made some excellent points and provided interesting – and surprising – stories to express their enthusiasm. It is a good read. On the whole Rumors of God is a book of encouragement to those who seek to be inspired and motivated in their faith.… (altro)

NCLA Review: This book explores the rumors and myths we have heard about God, the Church and the Bible. The writers seek to separate rumor from truth as they explain that today most people are only interested in wealth and the dream of what society recognizes as “the good life.” They dismiss the things they have heard about God as only rumors and fail to find “the life that is truly life.” They lose their passion for Christ and instead of living as past generations who enjoyed family, honored God and contributed to society, they are reduced to the continuous cycle of work, pleasure and acquiring more things. They go through the motions of church life but find it feels more like duty than worship. But there is a better way when we find that the rumors are true: rumors of grace, abundant life, freedom and love. There is a God who loves us in the midst of our rebellion, brokenness and sin, and is waiting with joy to confirm that the rumors are all true. Rating: 3 —DM… (altro)