God’s Big Idea - Reclaiming God's Original Purpose for Your Life
Dr. Myles Munroe
Publisher: Destiny Image (2008)
Reviewed by David Collins
A few weeks ago I caught the last ten minutes of an interview of Myles Munroe with Benny Hinn; Pastor Benny was discussing with Myles his latest book – God’s Big Idea. I was riveted by what I heard and decided this was a book I wanted to read.
I’d already enjoyed one of Myles Munroe’s earlier books – Rediscovering The Kingdom (reviewed September 2007). In ‘Rediscovering’, the author had used the knowledge of being a citizen of a country (The Bahamas) which recognised the authority of a monarch (Queen Elizabeth) as the major allegory illustrating his teaching on the Kingdom of God. In ‘God’s Big Idea’, Myles Munroe again teaches the Kingdom of God, but uses another major theme. I’ll let Chapter One do the talking …
He (God) decided to extend His Heavenly Kingdom to the earthly plane, to expand His supernatural realm into the natural realm. Or, to put it another way, God decided to fill the Earth with the culture of heaven.
How did God bring His big idea into being? In this, as in almost everything else He does, God did the unexpected. Typically, human kingdoms and empires rise-and fall- through war and conquest. Not God’s . . . when God set out to bring Heaven to Earth, He did something much simpler, something uniquely beautiful and wonderful . . . He planted a garden.
And so the theme of the Kingdom as God’s garden flows throughout. Consider the chapter headings:
1. The Garden of Eden: God’s Kingdom on Earth
2. The Power of the Garden Principle
3. Heaven and earth: A Clash of Cultures
4. The master Gardener; The Key to a Successful Garden
5. Who Tends Your Garden?
6. Understanding Garden Influence
7. Creating a Kingdom Culture
8. Producing a Kingdom Community
9. Engaging the Popular Culture
-
10. Living in Two Worlds on One earth
‘God’s Big Idea’ begins with a remarkable account of a large stadium meeting in Mexico at which Dr Munroe was asked to speak. His time slot followed addresses from representatives of other major world-religions (Myles was speaking for Christianity). He boldly asked everyone to join hands for prayer, and asked God for His anointing to come – an atmosphere of God’s presence quickly quieted the stadium and focused attention upon Myles’ words. Without hesitation, Myles spoke of Jesus the King and His Kingdom to this huge crowd, and … well you’ll have to read the book!
‘God's Big Idea’ is a book about the unstoppable power of ideas. Myles Monroe unveils the eternal purpose of the creator for His creation and for humanity on earth. Throughout the book he offers solutions to earthly problems, including: war, terrorism, crime, AIDS epidemics, child abuse, environmental destruction, culture clashes, economic crisis, political and religious corruption, and the culture of fear.
Whilst appealing to the intellect, this is also an intensely practical book. The author brings a clear and powerful gospel message. He is no advocate for religious Christianity, but emphasises the plan and purpose of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The book is filled with scriptural content which guides the reader into an understanding of the precepts of God's Kingdom. Munroe then opens the way for the individual to "Reclaim God's Original Purpose for their life."
Whilst I mostly enjoy the prophetical and power of the Holy Spirit aspects of the Kingdom of God, God’s Big Idea is strong in the Kingdom culture and community aspects – with some excellent application of the parables of the Kingdom. It’s a book for everyone desiring to fulfil their destiny while impacting today's culture for God's Kingdom purposes.
