"God is not the author of confusion or division, because those methods are designed to break the fellowship."
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To The House of God by David B. Evans Trafford Publishing
book review by RJM Terrado
Reading materials that center on theological basis of division within the church due to hurt feelings among members and their transformational purpose are rare. To The House of God adds to the short-pile of literature that articulates the nature of hurt and how it can be turned around toward enlightenment. Evans facilitates the discussion of transforming hurt, pain, and other emotions that trigger division in churches through careful reflection upon the love of and peace from Christ and its expected effect of reconciliation.
The most striking premise of this pamphlet is the perspective that church members who are hurting can have a negative impact to the rest of the congregation. This is not to alienate them or limit their contact with others. Rather, it is intended to address the seriousness of the matter, offer biblical recommendations for reconciliation, and encouragement that their hearts are purified whenever they are hurt and choose to do what is right.
Each chapter of this reading material is remarkably precise, straightforward, and evaluates aspects of hurts, and division in terms of being in harmony with God. Evans explores God's heart, personality, and commitment by tracing his patterns from Adam and Eve's time in Genesis to the Epistles of the New Testament. Evans concludes that God's rationale for putting the tree of life in the middle of the garden of Eden then is the same rationale he uses for allowing hurts to happen today: the genius of making righteous decision in the name of love for Him. For Christians, members and clergies alike, who strongly prefer short-read, this pamphlet is an ideal resource.