In the fourth of a series of cultural/theological critiques, David Wells’ Above All Earthly Pow’rs is the best of the lot.

As both a theologian and a historian, Wells offers deep concern, painful warning, and reflections on the wonder of Christ as He invades history. The subtitle of the book is aptly chosen because Wells offers aspects of Christ's identity, theologically speaking, as antidotes to the alarming trends of postmodernism.

So, for example, in the chapter on the rise of "spirituality" in our postmodern age, Wells takes a different approach than most other writers who have observed the same trend. As the historian, he documents the rise of interest in spirituality thoroughly. Others have made this observation and rejoiced - "People are interested in spirituality today so let's tell them about Jesus, the one who will truly satisfy their longing for spirituality." Wells is not so complimentary. He distinguishes spirituality from religion (as almost everyone else does) and then condemns this form of spirituality as self-absorbed, hedonistic, and arrogant. Specifically, this kind of contemporary "spirituality" exalts the self as the highest form of authority and rejects any kind of revelation (other than personal experience or subjective internalizing of information). Trying to offer Jesus to people as the fulfillment of their spiritual longing, Wells suggests, almost invariably distorts the gospel and misrepresents the person of Christ.

Instead, we should not back away from the concept of religion - in the best senses of that word. We need to show people why religion is superior to spirituality.

For followers of Christ, living out their calling in the academy, this book is tremendously helpful. To say the least, postmodernism pervades the university world. Attempts to define it have been legion, with little to show for all the ink spilled in the process. Condemnation of the movement, from some well-meaning but less-than-thorough-thinking Christians have proved equally unhelpful. Wells’ approach, consisting of deep theological reflection, compassion but unyielding cultural critique, and unwavering reverence for Christ, provides what others have not.

This book should be read and discussed by Christian academicians with the goal of understanding and redeeming the world around us.

Reviewed by: Randy Newman