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Elijah Among Us: Understanding and Responding to God's Prophets Today
Twenty-five years after the release of his ground-breaking book The Elijah Task, co-authored with his wife, Paula, a sequel comes from the powerful pen of John Sandford. In Elijah Among Us, he outlines a biblically rooted discussion of prophetic history and functioning, both how to instruct prophets and commission their office and how to inform the church about prophetic ministry. Sandford wrote this follow-up book because he sees a strong and even dangerous overemphasis in the church on the "giving of personal words," which is only one role of the prophetic office.
The first section of this book develops a history of the prophetic office, how the office metamorphosed from one of warning into proclaiming God's gentle and merciful side, and becoming burden-bearers. Second, Sandford sets forth the working functions of prophets, explaining how they serve in twelve major roles, including bringing blessings, healing, warning of impending judgment, giving protection from tragedies, and offering direction, guidance, or confirmation.
Readers will gain crucial knowledge of a widely misunderstood topic, helping them be discerning in these strategic end times. Authoritative and compelling, Elijah Among Us is a timely and vital work for the Body of Christ.
The first section of this book develops a history of the prophetic office, how the office metamorphosed from one of warning into proclaiming God's gentle and merciful side, and becoming burden-bearers. Second, Sandford sets forth the working functions of prophets, explaining how they serve in twelve major roles, including bringing blessings, healing, warning of impending judgment, giving protection from tragedies, and offering direction, guidance, or confirmation.
Readers will gain crucial knowledge of a widely misunderstood topic, helping them be discerning in these strategic end times. Authoritative and compelling, Elijah Among Us is a timely and vital work for the Body of Christ.
- GenresChristian
248 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
39 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
John Loren Sandford
48 books33 followersJohn Sandford and and his wife Paula are co-founders of Elijah House, Inc., an international ministry established in 1975 in response to the Lord's calling in Malachi 4:5-6 and Matthew 17:11
They have traveled extensively, teaching the biblical principles of repentance and forgiveness, highlighting the transforming power of Jesus' death and resurrection. They are considered pioneers in the prophetic and inner healing movements. Their vision has been to reveal that which keeps believers bound in repetitive sin; by, as John says, "evangelizing the unbelieving areas of the believer's heart."
John and Paula have sown a deeper understanding of the Word into the Body of Christ, especially regarding the four spiritual laws, illuminating the biblical truth that these laws are just as certain as the law of gravity in how they affect our lives. Their work in the Kingdom has brought transformation of individuals and reconciliation of relationships to countless thousands, from individuals and families to denominations and people groups,and most ultimately, reconciliation with The Father.
John graduated from seminary with an M. Div. in Religion and Personality. He pastored churches in Illinois, Kansas, and Idaho for 21 years before founding Elijah House. Paula was active in these churches in music and Christian education, and also taught English and Spanish in public high school for several years. She joined her husband in the team ministry of Elijah House from its beginning and was ordained in 1995.
John and his wife Paula experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit in 1958, which has enriched their ministry ever since. They have been married since 1951, have 6 children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
They have traveled extensively, teaching the biblical principles of repentance and forgiveness, highlighting the transforming power of Jesus' death and resurrection. They are considered pioneers in the prophetic and inner healing movements. Their vision has been to reveal that which keeps believers bound in repetitive sin; by, as John says, "evangelizing the unbelieving areas of the believer's heart."
John and Paula have sown a deeper understanding of the Word into the Body of Christ, especially regarding the four spiritual laws, illuminating the biblical truth that these laws are just as certain as the law of gravity in how they affect our lives. Their work in the Kingdom has brought transformation of individuals and reconciliation of relationships to countless thousands, from individuals and families to denominations and people groups,and most ultimately, reconciliation with The Father.
John graduated from seminary with an M. Div. in Religion and Personality. He pastored churches in Illinois, Kansas, and Idaho for 21 years before founding Elijah House. Paula was active in these churches in music and Christian education, and also taught English and Spanish in public high school for several years. She joined her husband in the team ministry of Elijah House from its beginning and was ordained in 1995.
John and his wife Paula experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit in 1958, which has enriched their ministry ever since. They have been married since 1951, have 6 children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 20, 2017
I am not normally a fan of the Sanfords, because of some questionable ideas they promoted in their early works on inner healing. However, a respected friend gave me a copy of the book and encouraged me to read it. It sat on my shelves, untouched, until I started gathering research about spiritual gifts. When I saw that it was endorsed by Cindy Jacobs and Dutch Sheets--both authors I trust--I decided to give it a shot.
This book is well-written. John Sandford does a nice job of blending biblical teaching and examples with anecdotes from his and other ministries. When he shares stories about people in sensitive situations, he is careful to guard their identities and preserve confidentiality. He quotes frequently from other authors who have written about the subject of modern-day prophets. His style is seamless and down-to-earth, without a lot of religious terminology or sectarian dogma.
Elijah Among Us is divided into three sections: The History of the Prophetic Office, Functions of the Prophetic Office, and Purposes and Tasks of Prophets Today. I appreciate that the author differentiates between those with prophetic gifts and those who are appointed to prophetic roles in the church. Sanford does a good job of addressing common errors and pitfalls of both the bearers and hearers of prophetic words and tells people how to avoid them. He encourages gifted individuals to stay humble, teachable and accountable. Other members of bodies of believers are exhorted to be open, but cautious about "words from the Lord" and the like.
As I expected, I did not agree completely with what this author said. I feel some leaders in the charismatic movement can be overly speculative at times, and this one is no exception. However, if you are looking for an overview of what prophets are, what they do, and how they contribute to the body of Christ, this is a decent choice.
This book is well-written. John Sandford does a nice job of blending biblical teaching and examples with anecdotes from his and other ministries. When he shares stories about people in sensitive situations, he is careful to guard their identities and preserve confidentiality. He quotes frequently from other authors who have written about the subject of modern-day prophets. His style is seamless and down-to-earth, without a lot of religious terminology or sectarian dogma.
Elijah Among Us is divided into three sections: The History of the Prophetic Office, Functions of the Prophetic Office, and Purposes and Tasks of Prophets Today. I appreciate that the author differentiates between those with prophetic gifts and those who are appointed to prophetic roles in the church. Sanford does a good job of addressing common errors and pitfalls of both the bearers and hearers of prophetic words and tells people how to avoid them. He encourages gifted individuals to stay humble, teachable and accountable. Other members of bodies of believers are exhorted to be open, but cautious about "words from the Lord" and the like.
As I expected, I did not agree completely with what this author said. I feel some leaders in the charismatic movement can be overly speculative at times, and this one is no exception. However, if you are looking for an overview of what prophets are, what they do, and how they contribute to the body of Christ, this is a decent choice.
February 7, 2014
I gave the book 4 stars but I really think it deserves 3 1/2. The author has a somewhat unique view of the prophetic when compared to others I have read. He made some very interesting points that caused me to pause and think for a bit, as well as some key observations that most people in this type of ministry overlook; I found this very refreshing. The downside for me was the frequent references to him and his ministry and the not-so-subtle wrestling to be considered the true "father" (or at least counted alongside those the movement normally consider to be the true fathers) of the prophetic movement. In addition, I found some of his views regarding prophetic ministry to be somewhat skewed for whatever reason(s). Overall though, it was definitely a book worth reading and deserves a place alongside the top authors of this genre.
February 25, 2008
Interesting ideas. These ideas and the philosophy expressed in the book, generally correspond to many of my conversations with Pastor Franzmeier and with my own experiences in the form of dreams and that "little still voice".
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews