I was honestly disappointed with this book in some ways—especially in the beginning. Many years ago I read another of his books and remember liking it, but this one was a bit hit or miss. It just didn’t fully deliver a lot based on the title and subtitle.

The first two parts weren’t my cup of tea which led me to skim a lot after a few chapters. The last section of the book was much better though and I found myself relating to it from even the first pages of Chapter 7.

I did have issues with a bit of Scripture interpretation in the book. This is an author I know to read with eyes wide open anyway, knowing I may find things that do not align with God’s truth despite other aspects that provide encouragement and wisdom.

Specifically, Nouwen incorrectly interprets 2 Peter 1:3-4 God’s divine power has been given to us “to transcend human mortality by becoming ‘partakes of the divine nature’” and that we are both human and divine as Christ is (p. 133). In truth, these verses are actually describing how God’s divine power has given us 1) all that pertains to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him, and 2) His promises, stating that we might be—by these promises—partakers of the divine nature. No where does this passage say we ourselves are divine like Jesus. Even though yes, we are His beloved sons and daughters, the kind of oneness Jesus speaks of in John 17 isn’t of us becoming divine like He is. The oneness He prays for is about being of one accord, one in purpose, like-minded and loving as God has loved us (sacrificially), which Paul also writes of in Philippians 2.

I enjoy Nouwen’s writing style and quite a number of his insights, yet at times I wonder
—if I were to read deeper—how much more I might find that isn’t biblically sound. In that I debate whether the other books of his I’ve found at the local thrift store should just be removed from my to-read list or whether they are worth reading despite that for the good still to be found. Alas, I find myself back and forth on the matter and don’t know the answer to that yet.

All in all, there were definitely some nuggets throughout, though it wasn’t what I was expecting it would be. For those considering the book or anything by Nouwen, it might be helpful to know God’s Word well enough first to sift through any potential theological issues scattered alongside his nuggets of wisdom and beautiful writing. ( )

This is a wonderful book in which Nouwen shares thoughts about discernment as he talks about his own life. ( )