Norma L. Brumbaugh

This verse sums up this book, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you,” James 4:8 (NKJV). Amos Smith has written a tome to drive home a much-needed and oft-desired message directed to the passionate believer in Christ. It is his purpose to help the reader discover and then ignite a living, breathing relationship with Jesus. This book could be titled, The Jesus Paradox, since the theme throughout this book centers on Jesus Christ, the Divine (uppercase) God and the human (lowercase) man wrapped up in one God-being.

This writing demonstrates much passion by the author for his subject. Smith’s journey of faith took years to solidify, but it eventually led him to find something that deeply resonated with him, it was an honest search, which was found in the real, living aspects of Christianity. Smith’s search led him to read the Alexandrian mystics who lived during the middle ages and then on to an understanding and appreciation of Oriental Orthodox mysticism. What he found in their writings is a belief that is rich and real and, according to the author, fully centered on the God-plus-human, Jesus, a fully Divine person. The richness he found is shared in this work with an emphasis on centering prayer, which is the part I love the most. He goes on to share how centering prayer and silent presence with God is part of the daily spiritual pursuit and beckons the Christ-follower to discover a deeper level of  spiritual understanding–what it is to have a close relationship with God.

To be honest here, I had some trouble with the author’s take on fundamentalism and traditional approaches to creation and biblical tenants. I thought it a bit harsh and over-stated, maybe even somewhat blaming. My reaction had a basis. Quite frankly, I have some fundamentalist background and I first-hand know the label doesn’t fit many of the good and kind people caught within its limiting framework. The more I read his book, though, the more I could understand what it is that he dislikes about religion that over-emphasizes the system rather than the heart of belief. I could say the problem is when religious form overtakes spiritual process, where rigid beliefs hinder rather than grow an intimate spiritual life, which often is Pharisaical. True seeking of God is where one is able to find a living relationship with Him. This will take a letting go of barriers to belief that inhibit rather than grow faith. Fundamentalism can be a part of any rigid religious stance that fails to embrace Jesus and His living Presence, and thus, consequently, fails to change the heart. The point is well-taken. Spiritual life is about Jesus.

There are some areas of discussion in which I have a different interpretation than Smith, but I do not hesitate to say that I truly appreciate his presentation of something so important and life-changing rich that we all would do well to pay attention to it. I enjoyed reading “Healing the Divide,” and found myself challenged in the process. I believe Smith is opening a door to help facilitate an awareness that directs us toward a real enlivening through Jesus, which is offered freely to the church of Jesus Christ and to the world.