Bren Hughes' Heaven's Muscle: Unleashing the Power of the Spirit Within You is an easy-to-read part spiritual memoir, part spiritual wisdom that highlights what being a true Christ-follower is all about. In it, Hughes outlines how to move from a deadening religiosity toward a life revitalized by the Holy Spirit.In the opening chapter, Hughes addresses what he calls "the spirit of religion" -- a legalistic spirit that keeps us from following the Holy Spirit. In that way, Heaven's Muscle is a book much like the classics by Walter Wink or William Stringfellow.
But it's the chapters that follow that are the real gems. Hughes writes about the biblical basis for the work of the Holy Spirit in a way that makes the Christian spiritual life come alive with vitality. And he connects that vitality to the depth spirituality of baptism itself. For the strongest of "heaven's muscles", though, one needs love. Love is the essence of what this life in the Spirit looks like (page 68).
It's the awakening from the slumbers of this legalism that Heaven's Muscle is best at. And it's what makes this book a real eye-opener for lots of Christians who struggle with the legalism that was at the heart of Hughes' own early life -- and ultimately found him embracing atheism.
But it's the journey back to a vibrant faith that ends the book that makes it a real joy to read. Hughes offers a warm and compelling vision of living Christianly for those who struggle. And it's a book you shouldn't miss.
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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, as part of the Speakeasy book review program, in exchange for my honest review here.