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Books for Teenagers and Adults
Studies in sociology would profit from the use of several of these titles. Units on biography would be challenged by the contemporary autobiographies of Patricia Hochstetler, Terrol Jones, and the late Ken Anderson. Classes in discipleship or religion would find Rick Snyder's book an effective exercise in spiritual growth. Steve and Aaron's book is an extremely well-written historical fiction set in Appalacia during the Great Depression. |
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Rick Snyder has a passion for growing people in their relationship with Jesus Christ, and this book givea a place to start. This book establishes a foundation for a lifetime of growth. Jesus calls us to make disciples not just converts. Discipleship begins and ends with an ever deepening love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There are helpful suggestions for Bible study, Prayer, Worship and Service to the world around us. He suggests techniques for Worship, discovering our Spiritual Gifts, and Sharing our Faith with others.
This book can be used in groups as well as individually. It would be an excellent textbook for a class in religion for it has evaluation measures at the end of each chapter.
Chapter One |
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Confession of a Non-Charismatic is not a book that promotes any position about the charismatic movement. It is the personal story of a man who influenced millions of people by following God. He was the first editor of Campus Life, the Youth for Christ Magazine. He was the honored as the Zondervan Youth Author of their first Quarter of a Century in business. He pioneered gospel films when many church leaders still taught that films should be avoided. A contemporary and co-laborer with Billy Graham, Ken Anderson made his mark writing for people of all ages. There are more than four million copies of his Where to Find it in the Bible in print.
Faced with eye witness accounts of Chinese Christian martyrs, Ken prayed this prayer, “Oh, Lord, I know you sent me here to teach me something. Make me a good learner. Change my motives, my attitudes, my sensitivities. Please, oh God, work me over!” In an epilogue entitled “Wanting More,” the reader is invited to ‘allow God to work in you’ making His desires your desires to experience the spirit’s fullness in your life. Ken Anderson understood the peril of labels. Labels, religious labels especially, can be so divisive. The term charismatic and the manifestations often associated with it have caused much debate. Mr. Anderson demonstrates a Spirit controlled sensitivity in his writing that invites the reader to explore new depths of commitment. |
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Leaving the known for the promising may be easy for an adult. Logic and rationalization are methods adult use in the process of adjusting, but what can a four-year-old child do to understand why she can't play with a doll?
Delusion is Pat Hochstetler's story from the ages of four to six. When her parents decided to join an Old Order Amish group in Tennessee in search of protection from the "worldly culture" in Indiana, the move seemed reasonable to them. But the intrustion of a power-hungry, self-declared Jew split the sincere Amish group, and 75 percent of the families left their traditional Anabaptist faith to follow him. The results were devastating.
In this fascinating and troubling narrative, Patricia Hochstetler tells of her life in this community as it slipped into a downward spiral of isolation, fear, and emotional violence. Told from a child's perspective, this gripping story leaves readers hungry to see how it will conclude in subsequent volumes.
Delusion is highly recommended to any who want to learn about the phenomenon of cults and for autobiographical community library collections everywhere.
This and the following volumes of her trilogy are excellent source material for study of sociology and cults. |
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The first book in this trilogy was fascinating. This second book is a continuation of Patricia Hochstetler's story from six to sixteen years of age.. Because Book Two covered a ten year time span, the story could be better told by a topical approach rather than a strict chronological account. It is astonishing how intelligent people could be led astray by a Bible-quoting egotist with his extreme demands. Working in the cotton fields 12 hours a day at the age of seven, denying all human emotions even to demanding no cohabitation between husband and wife, and practicing shunning were the reality of Pat Hochstetler's world during the years from six to sixteen.
For those researching or whose interest is cults and how a people who wish to serve God can get so twisted under the direction of one leader, the detailed information might well provide enlightenment. Books one and two are written in a voice unique to one that has lived through a horrific experience. The writer tells her story in a sincere and interesting manner. She uses language that is easily understood so that the books are appropriate for young adults as well as older readers.
An excellent read for a unit on biography or cults. |
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In Deliverance, the third and final of Patricia Hochstetler's fascinating life story, the author details the struggle and trauma of adjusting to mainstream society. Driven from the only life she knew - hard labor, a gray world without emotions, and unpredictable rules - she is thrust into a terrifying life of bewildering gadgets, "worldly people," and intimidating social relationships. Patricia offers an intimate view of a soul struggling with the agony of violating a belief system conditioned to follow the life-robbing demands of a deranged "Elder." This is an inspiring story of how the simplicity of the Gospel, If thou confess . . . the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart . . ." can conquer the capricious rules of a leader who wields the Word of God like a club. Chris Miller, Amish Deacon, |
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