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Reviews
The Cross and the Switchblade: The Greatest Inspirational True Story of All Time by David Wilkerson
fablejack's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
debhep0's review against another edition
3.0
I can remember reading this aged 14 and being blown away by how one person could change the lives of others. No matter what religion you are, this is a very powerful story - although not great literature by any means.
meghan_is_reading's review against another edition
it's famous, and I can see why for evangelical Christians - it was selling a particularly attractive vision during depressing times.ch
mllediz's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
4.75
I loved following this man's adventure of faith. The very thing he thought would disqualify him ends up opening a door for the youth of NY to hear the gospel.
oceanagottareademall's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing true story. It was easy to read and follow. It didn't hold anything back about the reality of gangs, violence, drug abuse and the power of the Holy Spirit. I think all Christians would be encouraged by this story!
rosenectur's review against another edition
4.0
More heart strings time. We picked up several books by David Wilkerson at a junk store, and now I'm hooked. There is just something about reading about the Spirit moving in big ways that gives you goosebumps (and a little encouragement too.) And I keep coming back to that.
ninettegk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
ginamarieb's review against another edition
3.0
"The Cross and the Switchblade" tells the true story of David Wilkerson, a small-town preacher who feels called to minister to the broken and lost teenagers of New York. The book tells of his journey and the revival that took place amongst many youngsters, thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit.
I want to start by saying that although my own doctrinal and theological convictions are quite different from the ones held by Wilkerson, I can acknowledge that the overall message of the book is a good one. As I plan on pursuing a calling in youth ministry, I appreciated Wilkerson's heart for teenagers -- especially the ones whom many of society would shun. The message that the Holy Spirit truly can change even the "worst of the worst" is prevalent in this book and is one that all Christians are called to remember. The book is also a testimony of how God works in mysterious ways, yet His goodness shines through them all.
With that being said, there were a few aspects of the book that caused me to deduct a few stars.
Firstly, the book's writing style is a bit bland at times, and it can be hard to get through. While it calls itself an "inspirational adventure," it is more of a memoir regarding the early stages of Wilkerson's ministry. I would not call it a page-turner.
But a bigger issue I had with the book was its theology. Wilkerson is a very charismatic pentecostal, so any Christians who have doctrine that differs from this can expect different theology. While I am not a pentecostal, I believe that the family of Christ goes beyond one denomination. However, there were two things in the book that I personally felt strongly convicted against.
Firstly, Wilkerson does something he calls "putting out a fleece before God" quite often. What this is is that when he is unsure whether God wants him to do something, he will ask God for a specific sign. (E.g. "God, if you want this to happen, let the offering be exactly $300 this Sunday.") Wilkerson compares this to when Gideon asks God for a specific sign to know His will in Judges 6. And while God, in His grace, did give both Gideon and Wilkerson signs, I don't think that it is a "special kind of prayer" that we should actively practice as Christians. It seems to me like testing God, and also being a Christian requires us to have faith that God doesn't always give us a clear sign -- we simply must walk in faith and hold on to the hope that He is leading us.
Secondly, Wilkerson's belief is that true change takes place in a Christian once they are baptized with the Holy Spirit, which is characterized by a sudden change in behavior and speaking in tongues. And while I do acknowledge that the Holy Spirit can work in many ways -- tongues and prophesying being one of them -- I don't believe this is a gift given to all believers, let alone required in a Christian life (1 Corinthians 12 speaks more on Spiritual Gifts). I also believe that it can be a dangerous mindset to get into because turning away from sin and remembering our baptism and the glory of the Holy Spirit is something we do *daily*, not only on the day of our baptism / the day we are saved.
While I could overlook a few of the theological issues, I think that my concern is in a luke-warm Christian or a person unsure of Jesus to read it and wonder why God doesn't let them be filled with the Holy Spirit, or why God doesn't give them precise signs. The truth of the matter is that being filled with the Holy Spirit is not limited to speaking in tongues or having a sudden life-changing revival; it can be as simple as quietly and privately confessing our sins to Him and remembering His love, and being encouraged to love others because of Him.
Despite my criticisms, I do appreciate the book's overall message: the Love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit is enough to bring new life to those seeking satisfaction in the darkest of places. My favorite quote of the book comes from page 36. Wilkerson tells of his grandpa's view that people lost in sin without Christ are like dogs carrying bones. The bone is their sin, and while it isn't good for them, it's the only food they have and therefore impossible to take away. So Wilkerson said his grandpa gave up trying to take away the bone. Instead, he offers to them real meat that far surpasses any bone: the Gospel of Christ. "Instead of going around grabbing bones from people, or cutting feathers off them, I'm going to throw them some lamb chops. Something with real meat and life in it. I'm going to tell them about New Beginnings."
And I think that quote on its own made me thankful I had read this book.
I want to start by saying that although my own doctrinal and theological convictions are quite different from the ones held by Wilkerson, I can acknowledge that the overall message of the book is a good one. As I plan on pursuing a calling in youth ministry, I appreciated Wilkerson's heart for teenagers -- especially the ones whom many of society would shun. The message that the Holy Spirit truly can change even the "worst of the worst" is prevalent in this book and is one that all Christians are called to remember. The book is also a testimony of how God works in mysterious ways, yet His goodness shines through them all.
With that being said, there were a few aspects of the book that caused me to deduct a few stars.
Firstly, the book's writing style is a bit bland at times, and it can be hard to get through. While it calls itself an "inspirational adventure," it is more of a memoir regarding the early stages of Wilkerson's ministry. I would not call it a page-turner.
But a bigger issue I had with the book was its theology. Wilkerson is a very charismatic pentecostal, so any Christians who have doctrine that differs from this can expect different theology. While I am not a pentecostal, I believe that the family of Christ goes beyond one denomination. However, there were two things in the book that I personally felt strongly convicted against.
Firstly, Wilkerson does something he calls "putting out a fleece before God" quite often. What this is is that when he is unsure whether God wants him to do something, he will ask God for a specific sign. (E.g. "God, if you want this to happen, let the offering be exactly $300 this Sunday.") Wilkerson compares this to when Gideon asks God for a specific sign to know His will in Judges 6. And while God, in His grace, did give both Gideon and Wilkerson signs, I don't think that it is a "special kind of prayer" that we should actively practice as Christians. It seems to me like testing God, and also being a Christian requires us to have faith that God doesn't always give us a clear sign -- we simply must walk in faith and hold on to the hope that He is leading us.
Secondly, Wilkerson's belief is that true change takes place in a Christian once they are baptized with the Holy Spirit, which is characterized by a sudden change in behavior and speaking in tongues. And while I do acknowledge that the Holy Spirit can work in many ways -- tongues and prophesying being one of them -- I don't believe this is a gift given to all believers, let alone required in a Christian life (1 Corinthians 12 speaks more on Spiritual Gifts). I also believe that it can be a dangerous mindset to get into because turning away from sin and remembering our baptism and the glory of the Holy Spirit is something we do *daily*, not only on the day of our baptism / the day we are saved.
While I could overlook a few of the theological issues, I think that my concern is in a luke-warm Christian or a person unsure of Jesus to read it and wonder why God doesn't let them be filled with the Holy Spirit, or why God doesn't give them precise signs. The truth of the matter is that being filled with the Holy Spirit is not limited to speaking in tongues or having a sudden life-changing revival; it can be as simple as quietly and privately confessing our sins to Him and remembering His love, and being encouraged to love others because of Him.
Despite my criticisms, I do appreciate the book's overall message: the Love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit is enough to bring new life to those seeking satisfaction in the darkest of places. My favorite quote of the book comes from page 36. Wilkerson tells of his grandpa's view that people lost in sin without Christ are like dogs carrying bones. The bone is their sin, and while it isn't good for them, it's the only food they have and therefore impossible to take away. So Wilkerson said his grandpa gave up trying to take away the bone. Instead, he offers to them real meat that far surpasses any bone: the Gospel of Christ. "Instead of going around grabbing bones from people, or cutting feathers off them, I'm going to throw them some lamb chops. Something with real meat and life in it. I'm going to tell them about New Beginnings."
And I think that quote on its own made me thankful I had read this book.
todd_luallen's review against another edition
5.0
I can see why this book was so popular in the 70's. And I see why it's still a heartwarming and challenging chronicle today. Wilkerson is not shy about his shortcomings and doubts as he writes about his experience going from the small-town country life, to the hardcore violent streets of New York. I loved reading about his prayer life and the multiple "fleeces" that he laid out for God. I also loved listening to the miraculous events that always came about in the bottom of the ninth inning, at the very last minute. But ultimately I loved the story of transformation that occurred in one troubled and lost teen after another. It is so encouraging to hear that so many teens were saved from a life of addiction and "death on the installment plan."
Wilkerson lived a life of faith and obedience to his Lord and Savior, and his story presented in this book is just a small taste of what life can be like for any that choose to follow in his footsteps. The proof is in the changed lives of those that he ministered to on the streets of New York.
As a side note, it was interesting for me to read about the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" as related by a pentecostal Christian. Wilkerson and many of his co-workers believe wholeheartedly that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the path out of addiction for those that are so afflicted. The multiple accounts of freedom from addiction that are detailed in this book are compelling evidence in favor of his beliefs, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read about them.
Wilkerson lived a life of faith and obedience to his Lord and Savior, and his story presented in this book is just a small taste of what life can be like for any that choose to follow in his footsteps. The proof is in the changed lives of those that he ministered to on the streets of New York.
As a side note, it was interesting for me to read about the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" as related by a pentecostal Christian. Wilkerson and many of his co-workers believe wholeheartedly that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the path out of addiction for those that are so afflicted. The multiple accounts of freedom from addiction that are detailed in this book are compelling evidence in favor of his beliefs, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read about them.
emily_koopmann's review against another edition
4.0
A book you've started but haven't finished:
The language and style of ministry reflects the generation in which it was written, but I still felt generally inspired by the book. I truly believe that miraculous events can happen through prayer, and this book was a true account of trusting in the Lord and loving people well.
The language and style of ministry reflects the generation in which it was written, but I still felt generally inspired by the book. I truly believe that miraculous events can happen through prayer, and this book was a true account of trusting in the Lord and loving people well.