Uncovering What Religion Has to Hide: The Testimony of Simon Peter

by Russell M. Stendal

Peter made all the classical, Christian mistakes. He spoke before thinking, lacked faith, and even denied the Lord Jesus Christ. But Peter had a moldable, open heart, and the Lord knew it. All the mistakes Peter made helped him understand what other Christians face, and his writings both warn and encourage readers today.
Too many of today’s religious entities and Christian individuals are functioning on spiritual autopilot, rarely pausing to pray in earnest and seek the Lord’s will for their lives. Peter says if we lack the things of the Lord, we are blind and walk by feeling the way with our hands (2 Peter 1:9). His writings serve as an eye-opener for those who want to live for the Lord completely and without reservation.

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2015

About the author

Russell Stendal, a former hostage of Colombian rebels, is a lifelong missionary to that same group in the jungles of Colombia. He is an influential friend to military and government leaders in Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, and the United States. Russell's ministry shares the gospel via twelve radio stations, hundreds of thousands of Bibles, books, and movies distributed through airplane parachute drops, and numerous speaking engagements for groups of leaders, prisoners, and individuals. Russell goes wherever the Lord leads, whether it's to speak with a president or to go deep into the jungle to help an individual in trouble. He has witnessed thousands commit their lives to Christ.

Reviews

[Honeybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights into Peter’s testimony and teachings

The title of this book intrigued me. I wondered what the author could mean, saying he was going to uncover what religion has to hide. This seven-chapter book is basically a verse-by-verse commentary on the two epistles of Peter and how they relate to the Gospel of Mark (most likely dictated by Peter) and the rest of Scripture. Each chapter concludes with a prayer, which make it useful for a private devotional or group Bible study.

The author—a missionary in Columbia—shares some great insights on Peter’s writings, the Christian life and witnessing. The most inspiring part for me was his explanation of the secular Greek and Roman understanding of the word translated as “gospel” or “good news” before it was incorporated into the New Testament. It has changed the way I pray and do ministry!

If you are looking for a book that takes you outside the usual box of church teaching on the life and message of Peter, I recommend this book. I got it for free as an ebook on Amazon Kindle and thoroughly enjoyed it!

[John Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book

A good study of 1 and 2 Peter. The only that make it more understandable might be a newer translation of the Bible! Russell does a great job of using supporting Scriptures.

[larry w perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Very good and very informative, I will be reading this again to get a broader knowledge of Peters epistle also I seen other books by the same author I will be getting, if you are a lover of sterile and man made religion I would suggest you not read this or any other book by Stendal, but if you want the truth of God's Word this and others like it may put you on the right path, my suggestion would be to go through the scriptures with any writing to test it

[Norah Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice! I will recommend this to a group Bible study

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author dissects both 1 and 2 Peter and explains in modern language what Simon Peter wrote. The book was informative but very dry. Examples would have helped comprehension.