BOOK REVIEW: The Necessity of an Enemy by Ron Carpenter

Ron Carpenter’s The Necessity of an Enemy comes at you fast and furious. The chapters are really short. As in, two-to-three-pages short. The concepts are simply stated; like short jabs to the brain. The stories are real, raw and told with gusto. One thing is clear from the beginning: Carpenter is a man of action, and he wants you to know that God is calling you to action as well.

The framing story is all about a financial ministry at Ron’s church that went south and the media and legal fiasco that followed. He tells other stories as well of people facing adversity and overcoming. His point is that our greatest challenges often become our greatest opportunities in God’s hands. I love the premise! I don’t agree with all of his biblical interpretations one hundred percent, but for the most part he handles scripture well.

What I appreciate most about this book is the way Ron shows spiritual warfare to be real and tangible. He doesn’t get all hocus-pocus, but nor does he downplay the activity of Satan in the life of the believer. All in all, a very balanced–and very sobering–reality check about the nature of our spiritual battle. My favorite sections are near the end of the book and are all about “fighting to win” and how God heals our lives post-battle. Good, practical stuff. Also, the chapters on relationships and intimacy are outstanding.

This is a very unique book; both in subject and style. It contains important principles for leaders who are struggling to find meaning in the endless conflict they are faced with. Definitely worth a read.

Please Note: This book was gifted as a part of the Blogging for Books Reviewers Program in exchange for my unbiased review of this work. This has in no way influenced my opinion or review of this work.