Gene Edwards

This is the kind of book that people will either love or hate. Its short easy to read chapters keep you in the story while challenging you to agree Edwards' main point. However, it is also a classic study in eisegesis where he reads into the story what he needs in order to make his point hit home. This is not the biblical story of Saul, David and Absalom but a caricature in order to make a point about proper church leadership. Quite frankly any church led by a "David" is a church in crisis show more looking for a place to happen. David's doing "nothing" as Absalom gathers others around him is not a pattern to emulate. Furthermore, the biblical story is one in which David acted to defeat Absalom's forces and take back the kingdom, not one in which he did nothing and let God give it back to him. At best this story is well intentioned but dishonest. Am I a Saul, a David or an Absalom for pointing that out? show less

A Tale of Three Kings is dedicated

"To the brokenhearted Christians
coming out of authoritarian groups, seeking solace,
healing, and hope. May you somehow recover
and go on with him who is liberty.

And to all brokenhearted Christians:
May you be so utterly healed that you can still answer
the call of him who asks for all because he is all."

The book’s theme is simple. God used David’s suffering under King Saul to form his character. When David’s son tried to usurp the throne, David refused to show more become Saul-like. I can understand how appealing this sounds to those who have suffered under abusive leadership. The fact that this book is so popular is a sad testimony to the state of leadership in the church!

While there is deep value in suffering and God uses everything in our lives to develop our character, this book offers but one answer to the problem of Saulide leadership: “What, then, can you do? Very little. Perhaps nothing” (44). To the abused, this is a counsel of despair.

Edwards’ story presupposes an authoritarian type of leadership in which the leader, for good or for ill, is anointed of God and in place to call the shots. There’s nothing for the Davids of this world to do but to endure. While rebellion is never a good solution to poor leadership, mute endurance only enables the abuser.

Jesus has demonstrated and calls for a different type of leadership—servant leadership. Perhaps the model of King and servant isn’t the best metaphor for church leadership in light of the one who washed our feet. show less

This book de-allegorizes Edwards' earlier thoughts depicted in his bestseller A Tale of Three Kings. Both books deal with life under unjust authority—an experience that almost everyone goes through at some point in time. The "devastated Christian" of the title is someone that has been "sold a bill of goods" by becoming committed to an unhealthy Christian movement, one where the leader demands more than he gives, and seeks to make overreaching decisions about believers' personal lives. show more Sadly, this is not uncommon, since no one has unlocked the key to instantaneous sanctification (though many have tried).
Many Christians go through this experience of disillusionment coming out of their youth. After spending a few years serving a thriving church movement, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, we ripen enough to spot the weaknesses in our leaders. What do you do when you see weakness in your leaders? When should the weakness be a red flag that you are in a truly unhealthy church?
Edwards' counsel is to look for a few keys which I believe are quite telling:
- "Specialism": "We are the move of God in this generation."
- "Unity": If anyone doesn't meet with us, they are damaging Christian unity.
- "Covering": Decisions have to be approved by the elders. After all, every believer needs "covering."
In the course of the book, Edwards also tackles the idea of following a "New Testament pattern"—an idea fraught with danger when divorced from its cultural context and taken to extremes.
In the last chapter, Edwards gives concrete counsel to his "devastated Christian," most of which resonates with his advice in A Tale of Three Kings:
1. Broadcasting bitter experiences with everyone you meet is an unhealthy way of seeking release. It would be better to seek not to dishonor Christ by bashing those who have served him in an unhealthy way.
Edwards has right motives here in advising discretion; however, as other reviewers have pointed out, survivors of significant abuse need to find significant outlets to better understand their pain. He only lightly touches on this—
2. Christian counseling is healthy for those who have undergone significant or long-lasting psychological abuse.
3. Don't give up on structured Christianity. For all the weaknesses, there is a lot of good to be found.
4. Don't surround yourself with bitter people. Try to find some positivity.
5. Finally, "You are going to have to start believing. You are going to have to believe that there are movements born of God. You are going to have to trust Christians and [Christian] workers again." (p. 44) show less

I first read this book about 15 years ago, and have not gone back to it because it is impactful, and uncomfortable. I just now listened to the audiobook, and it is just as uncomfortable now as it was 15 years ago. And yet, I need that discomfort and reminder. A must read for all believers, and especially those of us who have served under a King Saul, who clearly was insane and abusive. I have practiced these truths. I learned not to rebel as Absolom did, and finally had to do as David did show more under Saul and leave. show less