The Cross In The Way

Suspicions are roused when young charismatic believer Joe, used to a world of miracles and prophecies faces the crossroads when the repeating themes of his church group keep playing out with no seeming fulfilment. At this time of another worked up revival putting him front and centre he makes a helpful acquaintance at work. This new way to see things excites his heart and opens truth, to him in ways he's not considered. A more real theological foundation seems to be available.

Relationships are strained and some broken as this young man begins to tread a very old path. What will the outcome be? Are his friends, right? Is this just a religious deception leading to an unfulfilling life?

This fictional story from James RJ Nash outlines real relational issues that occur when a maturing, but young faith collides with religious ambition and shallow faith. Some themes venture into the area of spiritual abuse and manipulation which can happen subtly in religious circles.

With discussions of a Quiet Revival in the UK and the influx of charismatic theology into mainstream evangelical circles and Anglican churches this book exposes some of the pitfalls experienced in the modern church. As reformed Baptist and Presbyterian churches have dwindled in the UK over the last century in favour of a variety of pragmatic and spiritually aberrant movements this book looks forward with hope that the gospel will one day be front and center in British pulpits again.

In step with the themes tackled by James's YouTube channel Shackleton's Outpost, this book seeks to be a guide to those in the church and those who are entering the church for the first time and looking for truth. In these environments it is difficult for the new believer to discern what is right. Environments where stage presence and confident presentation have replaced competence in handling scripture and 'niceness' rules the day a genuine pursuit of the truth in God's Word can be seen as a threat rocking the boat of superficial spirituality.