Review of Bruce Morton’s “Deceiving Winds.”
Technology advances, yet man stays the same. The problems of God’s people in the past, return in new clothes to do battle again in a new age.
Bruce Morton’s book, Deceiving Winds asks, “Is the Church adapting to remain relevant to our culture or are we simply repeating the abuses of worship in ancient Ephesus?”
Morton’s subtitle says: “Christians Navigating the Storm of Mysticism, Leadership Struggles and Sensational Worship.”
Morton’s extensive research brings Ephesus to life for modern readers. Their culture is examined in light of modern America and the challenges facing the Lord’s church.
Morton does good work in this book and his attention to detail adds to the body of knowledge available to students of Ephesians.He helps his readers maneuver the choppy waters of the emerging church movement and mysticism.
He uses a nautical theme from time to time to make his points. This is appropriate since the strengths of Deceiving Winds lie fore and aft. That is, the best parts of the book are the introduction and the appendices where the author focuses on his research of archaeology and the work of scholars in the field. These sections are worth the price of the book for students of God’s Word.
In these sections, Morton is confident, comfortable and concise. Yet, in between, he becomes a different writer. He is less assured and his writing begins to meander. In the body of the book, he feigns discussing social issues but his approach is too timid for the controversial subject matter. It lacks crispness and focus.
For these reasons, I can recommend Bruce Morton’s book on an academic level. However, for popular reading for the general public, I am hesitant due to the conciliatory tone of material that begs for assertiveness. If only the entire book had the resolve of the introduction and appendices.
