Bob Santos. Greater Glory. SfMe Media, 2023.

As I have said about a few other books, if you were to read this book with a yellow highlighter, it would be simpler to dunk the book into a bucket of yellow ink. Greater Glory has something to share on every page. To really benefit, read it slowly.

Greater Glory is subtitled The Transformational Power of Christian Unity. Jesus prayed that His people would be one as He and the Father were one (see John 17:11). From my perspective, things are getting better in that regard, but Christians are still divided among themselves. Mr. Santos shows us a way through. It may require more humility than many of us, especially Americans, are used to, but if we can relate to our brothers and sisters truly as brothers and sisters, it strengthens the whole body.

Many years ago I read Daring to Draw Near by John White. About three or four chapters in, I was reading it on my knees. Greater Glory did not make me do that, but it had a surprising effect on me. I knew I needed to change. I had to confess there was still a lot of pride in me so that I tended not to see things the way I should. Before I could say, “Please read this book,” I realized I had to confess that I was falling short and needed the Lord’s help.

Greater Glory seems to be written more for the Church in the West. The title of the first chapter gives us a hint of where Mr. Santos is going—“Whose Kingdom Are You Building?” Many years ago when I worked for the Federal Government, people would talk about Empire Builders in the bureaucracy. They were able to use the law and whatever practices and rules there were to insure that their job would appear to be indispensable, and they would at least have job security if not generous promotions.

Alas, Santos notes that churches, whether individual congregations or church groups, often are tempted the same way. But we understand when we read the Bible that God does not see things that way. There is only one Kingdom—His. If we can really see that, then we can work with other Christians who are not part of “our church” and accomplish things in the power of the Holy Spirit that we never could on our own.

Greater Glory notes a few important ideas.

Believers are never told to become one; we already are one and are expected to act like it. (320)

Unity and uniformity are two very different concepts, but we often confuse them. (340)

The greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit this reviewer ever experienced was around 1979. It was a Christian men’s convention. The men came from many walks of life and from virtually every church group, Protestant, Catholic, Independent. The Lord blessed that convention, and for a brief time we were rejoicing at the foot of His throne.

Santos also reminds us that the walk with God is based on a covenant. A covenant is not like a contract.

In producing a contract, each party is concerned primarily about its own interests. But with a relational covenant we emphasize the other party’s interests. (346, emphasis in original)

The Lord gives equal honor to all Christians, and he desires to bless all equally. (496)

Now, some readers may ask, “Yes, but what about what that group believes?” or “what that church practices?”

Santos gives wise counsel in chapters titled “Navigating Doctrinal Differences,” “Factions,” “Resolving Conflict,” “False Prophets,” and “Bringing Correction.” These things are difficult and by no means trivial. Santos shares not only Bible teachings but personal experiences and observations. He has seen the Lord make significant changes in the community where he lives because many of the churches got together to pray and to agree to focus on the key features of the church as a whole such as repentance, prayer, and biblical instruction. The chapter titled “Tearing Down Walls” is worth reading on its own even if you were skim other chapters.

It should be obvious from even the variety of God’s creation, what a fascinating world we live in, that its Creator loves variety. Similarly, “The diversity of Christ’s body is why love, not uniformity, serves as the perfect bond of unity” (1205). He notes that when the parts of the human body attack other parts of the body, it is a sign of autoimmune disease. Something similar can happen to the body of Christ.

The key idea of all this is intentional edification. We either focus on building others up, or we fixate on how they fall short. (1262)

Caesar hoped to reform men by changing institutions and laws. Christ wished to remake institutions, and lessen laws, by changing men. (1278)

Common thought tells us that we foster change through public criticism, boycotts. protests, and the manipulation of public opinion. (1307)

But

Real change and genuine transformation require welcoming the kingdom of God through prayer and yielding to heaven’s throne. (1314)

How strange it must seem in the eyes of heaven that multiple congregations within a community would compete and criticize one another while trying to accomplish the same purposes! If nothing else, we are unified by our mission. (1452)

I could go on quoting, but these are principles and directions. The book is also full of examples of what works and what does not work, what is the Bible’s way and what is man’s way. If nothing else, Greater Glory gives us something to pray about. For example, I pray for my church and the people in it every day. What if I start praying for the other churches in my area? What if others do?

I recall another book I read years ago. I do not recall who wrote it or what book it was in. (Any readers out there who might know?) But the author was praying for revival, and he felt the Lord asking him if he could pray for the revival to come to a different church?

A unified Church is the only offering we dare present to the coming Christ, for in it alone will He find room to dwell. (1499)