Steven Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC has written a new book entitled “Greater”. Furtick writes on the premise that the Christian can have a better and greater life than the one they are living. He writes, “most believers aren’t in imminent danger of ruining their lives. They’re facing a danger that’s far greater, wasting them.” He deals with the choices of lives we as believers can live. There is Good Enough, baseline life marked by mediocrity. There is Greatness, unrealistic aspirations of somehow doing better only to be frustrated. There is Greater, in his words, “the life-altering understanding that God is ready to accomplish a greatness in your life that is entirely out of human reach.” Furtick loosely pins his book to one single verse, John 14:12. The framework of this book is the story of the calling of the Old Testament prophet Elisha. Each of the latter chapters deal with different aspects of Elisha’s life and ministry.

There is nothing new in this book. I found “Greater”, in my opinion, to be too far on the side of “Name It Claim It” theology. Furtick writes, “You only have to be willing to believe and press into the greater things God has already prepared for you.”  He writes, “it is true that God has a greater life in store for you than anything you have known before.” He further writes, “You’ve come too far to give up now.” The best part of this book is the story of Elisha’s calling. Furtick communicates this powerful Old Testament story very well. As far as the focal verse of John 14:12 goes, I believe the true meaning and context of the verse did not match the premise of the book. “Greater” is “Sun Stand Still” with a different story line. To be perfectly honest, if you have read Joel Osteen’s “Your Best Life Now”, don’t waste your time on this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”