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The Good Gift of Weakness: God's Strength Made Perfect in the Story of Redemption
This overview of the theme of weakness in the Bible offers readers practical encouragement and hope as they learn to view their frailties as part of God’s plan and purpose for their lives.
Our culture—and sadly, the church too—deifies strength. Who has the most successful ministry, the largest congregation, or the godliest family? Our misplaced faith in human strength is a false hope with no basis in Scripture.
Conversely, we associate weakness with powerlessness and personal failure. But a closer look throughout Scripture reveals the central role human frailty plays in the redemption story. From Genesis to Revelation, when God’s people are at their weakest, his power is made perfect. Far from an undesirable defect, God designed our weakness to draw us closer to Jesus.
As you learn to accept the good gift of weakness, you will experience true strength, the kind that only comes from a loving and infinitely powerful God.
Our culture—and sadly, the church too—deifies strength. Who has the most successful ministry, the largest congregation, or the godliest family? Our misplaced faith in human strength is a false hope with no basis in Scripture.
Conversely, we associate weakness with powerlessness and personal failure. But a closer look throughout Scripture reveals the central role human frailty plays in the redemption story. From Genesis to Revelation, when God’s people are at their weakest, his power is made perfect. Far from an undesirable defect, God designed our weakness to draw us closer to Jesus.
As you learn to accept the good gift of weakness, you will experience true strength, the kind that only comes from a loving and infinitely powerful God.
224 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2024
52 people are currently reading
533 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 24, 2025
Weakness, says the author, is “the inability to act or produce an effect…. God - and God alone - is not weak.”
I really liked this book. I loved how he went through all of the OT to show Israel’s weaknesses. Then, in the NT how at Jesus’ incarnation, He became weak -voluntarily - to show us the depth of His love and how He can truly understand our weaknesses. What a Savior!!
One of my favorite sections was where he talked about the consequences of weakness (knowledge of nakedness, the delusion of self-sufficiency, spiritual disruption, a deprived nature, relational disruption, spiritual warfare, painful labor, decay and death, eternal death) but at the end of each section explained how in the New Heaven and New Earth that is all reversed, but “we will (still be) weak - entirely dependent on God - forever!! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”
Highly recommend this book.
I really liked this book. I loved how he went through all of the OT to show Israel’s weaknesses. Then, in the NT how at Jesus’ incarnation, He became weak -voluntarily - to show us the depth of His love and how He can truly understand our weaknesses. What a Savior!!
One of my favorite sections was where he talked about the consequences of weakness (knowledge of nakedness, the delusion of self-sufficiency, spiritual disruption, a deprived nature, relational disruption, spiritual warfare, painful labor, decay and death, eternal death) but at the end of each section explained how in the New Heaven and New Earth that is all reversed, but “we will (still be) weak - entirely dependent on God - forever!! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”
Highly recommend this book.
September 13, 2024
I truly enjoyed this book and loved that it served as a biblical commentary from Genesis to Revelation, focusing on the sole attribute of weakness. I cannot count the number of insights that I drew from The Good Gift of Weakness, as it not only pulled together the big picture of the Gospel, it dissected portions of Scripture in a way that brought new understanding and meaning when viewed from creation onward. It is tremendously humbling to think of how God works in and through our weaknesses, showing us His might and strength in ways we could never imagine.
This book is clear and concise in breaking down the concept of weakness throughout its chapters, and readers will enjoy the systematic approach that the author takes. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn more about the concept of weakness in Christian faith and why it is so vital to our relationship with God. This book is saturated in the Bible and the footnotes provide tremendous value. Not only is this a book worth reading again, it is one that I would pass along to as many Christians as possible based on how well it explains the upside-down theology in God’s kingdom.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
This book is clear and concise in breaking down the concept of weakness throughout its chapters, and readers will enjoy the systematic approach that the author takes. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn more about the concept of weakness in Christian faith and why it is so vital to our relationship with God. This book is saturated in the Bible and the footnotes provide tremendous value. Not only is this a book worth reading again, it is one that I would pass along to as many Christians as possible based on how well it explains the upside-down theology in God’s kingdom.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
June 3, 2024
This book takes you on a journey from the book of Genesis through Revelation- revealing the theme of weakness through scripture and our need for God to be our strength & our savior.
Written SO well and laced with SO much scripture, this book is such a powerful book. I actually think it would pare perfectly with a “Bible in a year” plan, because it really does dive into each section of the Bible.
For me Personally, I found it a bit challenging to “enjoy” because it felt over my head at times, so l approached it more for learning than for pleasure.
Anyway, I’ll recommend this book widely & probably revisit it when I do a Bible in a year plan!
Thank you to the author and harvest house publishing for a free copy of this book for an honest review!
Written SO well and laced with SO much scripture, this book is such a powerful book. I actually think it would pare perfectly with a “Bible in a year” plan, because it really does dive into each section of the Bible.
For me Personally, I found it a bit challenging to “enjoy” because it felt over my head at times, so l approached it more for learning than for pleasure.
Anyway, I’ll recommend this book widely & probably revisit it when I do a Bible in a year plan!
Thank you to the author and harvest house publishing for a free copy of this book for an honest review!
August 14, 2024
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Eric M. Schumacher’s The Good Gift of Weakness is a remarkable resource that explores the profound theme of weakness throughout the Bible. It is a Biblical Theology of weakness. At times, the book feels more like Christian Living than Biblical Theology though. And initially, this blending of categories tempted me to rate it three stars. However, the chapters on "weakness in the incarnation" and "weakness in the death and resurrection" are so critical that I ultimately rated it five stars.
The text adheres to the traditional structure of Biblical Theology by tracing the theme of weakness through the entire canon of Scripture. Each chapter offers a glimpse into how weakness manifests in every epoch of the Bible’s story: from man’s inability in the Garden to the Law’s inability to save, from the failures of Israel to the weakness revealed in the incarnation, and finally, to our own weakness in the Church today. Despite its theological depth, Schumacher's approach is more accessible than typical academic texts, reading more like something from the Christian living section of the book store. Each chapter begins with a personal anecdote and includes abundant self reflection. While this isn’t inherently negative, it’s not what I typically seek out in theological works.
Nevertheless, the book deserves praise for several reasons. First, Schumacher has successfully made the concept of Biblical Theology accessible to the lay reader. We are currently experiencing a renaissance in the retrieval of Biblical Theology. No longer confined to the realm of German liberal theologians, it is now a field actively engaged by serious orthodox theologians. One of the great triumphs of the Protestant Reformation was making theology accessible to the common churchman. And with the possible exception of Nancy Guthrie, Schumacher has carried on that tradition in a way that most Biblical theologians have not.
Secondly, the book excels in its treatment of weakness in the incarnation and in the death and resurrection of Christ. Schumacher effectively illustrates the profound "weakness" involved in Jesus taking on human flesh. This is, paradoxically, the great triumph of the Gospel. As the author of Hebrews writes: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Schumacher also provides harrowing context for the suffering and death of Christ, depicting the crucifixion in a way that makes even Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ seem like an episode of VeggieTales. He reminds us that Christ bore the full weight of our sin and the death we deserved when He went to the cross. This weakness, Schumacher argues, is what purchased our salvation, and it is through the lens of this weakness that our ministries must be viewed.
Regarding the physical book itself, I was unfamiliar with "Harvest House" publishers. The paper feels pulpy and grainy, with an unusual weight to it. The typeface is beautiful and easy to read, though I would have appreciated more margin space. However, I was grateful for the blank pages at the end, which allowed me to take notes.
I am weak. This is no secret. I am sinful, I experience pain, and I have suffered. Yet, in Christ, my weakness has meaning. It is through His weakness that I am able to know God. I will return to this work often.
And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat.
“Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Eric M. Schumacher’s The Good Gift of Weakness is a remarkable resource that explores the profound theme of weakness throughout the Bible. It is a Biblical Theology of weakness. At times, the book feels more like Christian Living than Biblical Theology though. And initially, this blending of categories tempted me to rate it three stars. However, the chapters on "weakness in the incarnation" and "weakness in the death and resurrection" are so critical that I ultimately rated it five stars.
The text adheres to the traditional structure of Biblical Theology by tracing the theme of weakness through the entire canon of Scripture. Each chapter offers a glimpse into how weakness manifests in every epoch of the Bible’s story: from man’s inability in the Garden to the Law’s inability to save, from the failures of Israel to the weakness revealed in the incarnation, and finally, to our own weakness in the Church today. Despite its theological depth, Schumacher's approach is more accessible than typical academic texts, reading more like something from the Christian living section of the book store. Each chapter begins with a personal anecdote and includes abundant self reflection. While this isn’t inherently negative, it’s not what I typically seek out in theological works.
Nevertheless, the book deserves praise for several reasons. First, Schumacher has successfully made the concept of Biblical Theology accessible to the lay reader. We are currently experiencing a renaissance in the retrieval of Biblical Theology. No longer confined to the realm of German liberal theologians, it is now a field actively engaged by serious orthodox theologians. One of the great triumphs of the Protestant Reformation was making theology accessible to the common churchman. And with the possible exception of Nancy Guthrie, Schumacher has carried on that tradition in a way that most Biblical theologians have not.
Secondly, the book excels in its treatment of weakness in the incarnation and in the death and resurrection of Christ. Schumacher effectively illustrates the profound "weakness" involved in Jesus taking on human flesh. This is, paradoxically, the great triumph of the Gospel. As the author of Hebrews writes: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Schumacher also provides harrowing context for the suffering and death of Christ, depicting the crucifixion in a way that makes even Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ seem like an episode of VeggieTales. He reminds us that Christ bore the full weight of our sin and the death we deserved when He went to the cross. This weakness, Schumacher argues, is what purchased our salvation, and it is through the lens of this weakness that our ministries must be viewed.
Regarding the physical book itself, I was unfamiliar with "Harvest House" publishers. The paper feels pulpy and grainy, with an unusual weight to it. The typeface is beautiful and easy to read, though I would have appreciated more margin space. However, I was grateful for the blank pages at the end, which allowed me to take notes.
I am weak. This is no secret. I am sinful, I experience pain, and I have suffered. Yet, in Christ, my weakness has meaning. It is through His weakness that I am able to know God. I will return to this work often.
And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat.
June 11, 2024
This book rocked me. Couldn’t put it down. It’s not what I thought it was going to be. I needed to read this for sure.
August 31, 2024
What a beautiful paradox.
Schumacher progresses through the arc of the Bible to shine a light on weakness – and puts God’s unmatched power on display.
I appreciated how he distinguished between the weakness we bring upon ourselves through sin and the weakness inherent to being human, which precedes the fall. We were *designed* dependent. It’s not a flaw.
“Self-sufficiency is always an illusion. We hunt and gather what already exists, we grow crops from seeds that are already there. We sew and build with preexisting materials. We do it all with bodies that God formed and sustains with life. We depend on him for all we need, all the time.”
From Adam to Jacob to the apostles to me, “it’s an on-going, by-design, good reality that continues today.”
When you live a modern, middle-class life, this isn’t always central to your thinking.
“When we’re strong enough to be benefactors, it’s easy to forget we’re first and foremost beneficiaries.”
But the crises that bring us to our knees also draw our eyes back to what is always true. We “are weak, but he is strong.”
Our weakness extends to our comprehension, too.
“God cannot reveal to Job, with his limited perspective, what can be understood only from the standpoint of the creator. Job isn’t wrong to seek truth and justice, but as a mortal he simply cannot understand. Wisdom is possible because there is a creator. But exhaustive understanding is impossible for humans because of the distinction between creator and creature.”
It was poignant to consider the human weakness of Jesus while he walked the earth.
“He suffered his sorrow neither stoically nor secretly. Surely, in Christ, we are free to do the same.”
Only a few complaints and they’re minor:
I didn’t love this as an audio book. There seem to be lots of subsections and headings and they’re hard to pick up as you listen. I lost the path every now and then, a problem I think would be fixed by having the pages in front of you.
Also, Schumacher introduces each chapter with a personal anecdote. These illustrations tended to be feather-light compared the material that followed and they felt a little out of place. (The epilogue, however, makes up for almost all of that all by itself. Don’t skip it!)
Finally, every now and then, he dropped in a little humor. It was infrequent enough to be jarring (for example, using “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad news” in a section about the crucifixion.)
But the bulk of this book far outweighs those few issues. These are truths that need to be ringing in my ears every day.
Isaiah 46:3-4 “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”
Schumacher progresses through the arc of the Bible to shine a light on weakness – and puts God’s unmatched power on display.
I appreciated how he distinguished between the weakness we bring upon ourselves through sin and the weakness inherent to being human, which precedes the fall. We were *designed* dependent. It’s not a flaw.
“Self-sufficiency is always an illusion. We hunt and gather what already exists, we grow crops from seeds that are already there. We sew and build with preexisting materials. We do it all with bodies that God formed and sustains with life. We depend on him for all we need, all the time.”
From Adam to Jacob to the apostles to me, “it’s an on-going, by-design, good reality that continues today.”
When you live a modern, middle-class life, this isn’t always central to your thinking.
“When we’re strong enough to be benefactors, it’s easy to forget we’re first and foremost beneficiaries.”
But the crises that bring us to our knees also draw our eyes back to what is always true. We “are weak, but he is strong.”
Our weakness extends to our comprehension, too.
“God cannot reveal to Job, with his limited perspective, what can be understood only from the standpoint of the creator. Job isn’t wrong to seek truth and justice, but as a mortal he simply cannot understand. Wisdom is possible because there is a creator. But exhaustive understanding is impossible for humans because of the distinction between creator and creature.”
It was poignant to consider the human weakness of Jesus while he walked the earth.
“He suffered his sorrow neither stoically nor secretly. Surely, in Christ, we are free to do the same.”
Only a few complaints and they’re minor:
I didn’t love this as an audio book. There seem to be lots of subsections and headings and they’re hard to pick up as you listen. I lost the path every now and then, a problem I think would be fixed by having the pages in front of you.
Also, Schumacher introduces each chapter with a personal anecdote. These illustrations tended to be feather-light compared the material that followed and they felt a little out of place. (The epilogue, however, makes up for almost all of that all by itself. Don’t skip it!)
Finally, every now and then, he dropped in a little humor. It was infrequent enough to be jarring (for example, using “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad news” in a section about the crucifixion.)
But the bulk of this book far outweighs those few issues. These are truths that need to be ringing in my ears every day.
Isaiah 46:3-4 “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”
October 4, 2024
“It is only when we abandon our hope in our strength that we can begin to rest in the strength that is ours by means of divine grace alone.” – Paul David Tripp
“I will most gladly boast all the more about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
💛 WHAT I LOVED: Eric’s humility. In the Epilogue, Eric says he “opened too many chapters with ‘safe’ stories—but it is those ‘safe’ stories coupled with the deeply raw and vulnerable ones that garner my utmost respect for him as an author and man of God. Not everyone is comfortable boasting about their weakness, but he humbly paves the way within the pages of The Good Gift of Weakness.
🪴 WHO IS IT FOR: All believers, but especially those who enjoy diving deeper into God’s Word and exploring specific overarching themes throughout the Bible.
💫 OVERALL THOUGHTS: In the Foreward, Paul David Tripp writes: “This book helps you to examine each step of the biblical narrative through the lens of weakness. And because it does this, it enables you to see things in Scripture, perhaps for the first time or in ways you have never seen them before.”
I could not agree more!
This was not a book that I just read, it was a book that I highlighted, underlined, and wrote notes in. And it is not a book that I turned the last page on and shelfed, but one that remains on my desk for me to go back through with my Bible in hand so that I can comb through some of the teachings and chapters that were of particular interest to me.
If you are looking for a book that is well-written, well-researched, scripturally rich and theologically sound, as well as one that will bless you and “leave you impressed with and in love with Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God who made himself weak to save us,” this is it!
Thank you, Eric M. Shumacher and Harvest House Publishers, for my copy of The Good Gift of Weakness in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“I will most gladly boast all the more about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
💛 WHAT I LOVED: Eric’s humility. In the Epilogue, Eric says he “opened too many chapters with ‘safe’ stories—but it is those ‘safe’ stories coupled with the deeply raw and vulnerable ones that garner my utmost respect for him as an author and man of God. Not everyone is comfortable boasting about their weakness, but he humbly paves the way within the pages of The Good Gift of Weakness.
🪴 WHO IS IT FOR: All believers, but especially those who enjoy diving deeper into God’s Word and exploring specific overarching themes throughout the Bible.
💫 OVERALL THOUGHTS: In the Foreward, Paul David Tripp writes: “This book helps you to examine each step of the biblical narrative through the lens of weakness. And because it does this, it enables you to see things in Scripture, perhaps for the first time or in ways you have never seen them before.”
I could not agree more!
This was not a book that I just read, it was a book that I highlighted, underlined, and wrote notes in. And it is not a book that I turned the last page on and shelfed, but one that remains on my desk for me to go back through with my Bible in hand so that I can comb through some of the teachings and chapters that were of particular interest to me.
If you are looking for a book that is well-written, well-researched, scripturally rich and theologically sound, as well as one that will bless you and “leave you impressed with and in love with Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God who made himself weak to save us,” this is it!
Thank you, Eric M. Shumacher and Harvest House Publishers, for my copy of The Good Gift of Weakness in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 10, 2025
I needed this book. What a gift it has been to begin reading this book, and then to experience the blessing of being counseled by its author. Shame has been a constant experience in my life, as I’m forced to face my weakness constantly. Yet Eric, as He is transformed by the gospel, shows that weakness is simultaneously a curse and a gift in this life. But one day, it will only be a gift. Praise God that we are weak and He is strong! I cried, and will probably have to reread the epilogue over and over throughout my time in ministry. Thank you, Lord!
June 22, 2024
With a unique approach that spans the story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, Eric Schumacher presents a Biblical theology of weakness. It help readers see how weakness is a thread that started in the Garden of Eden and still is present in the perfection of the New Creation. Schumacher reveals weakness to be a good gift to us by a loving Creator. We are weak; He is strong. And it’s that paradox of Jesus the Son of God, “who made himself weak to save us” that the book aims to impress upon our hearts.
This book toes the line between conversational and academic; the writing is at times very casual and relatable, and at other times it made me slow down and really think. By the sheer number of Scriptures quoted and referenced, and the list of theological sources used, this book was definitely heavily researched. The chapters on Weakness in Israel’s Wisdom and Weakness in Jesus’s Incarnation were ones that stood out to me and that I especially learned from.
I appreciate the time and effort that went into writing this book, and I will be recommending it!
Thank you to the author and Harvest House publishers for the complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
This book toes the line between conversational and academic; the writing is at times very casual and relatable, and at other times it made me slow down and really think. By the sheer number of Scriptures quoted and referenced, and the list of theological sources used, this book was definitely heavily researched. The chapters on Weakness in Israel’s Wisdom and Weakness in Jesus’s Incarnation were ones that stood out to me and that I especially learned from.
I appreciate the time and effort that went into writing this book, and I will be recommending it!
Thank you to the author and Harvest House publishers for the complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
July 9, 2024
“You may not think you need to read a book about weakness— but you do, and here is why. One of Satan’s most powerful and deceptive tools is the delusion of independent human strength. If you buy into this delusion and think you are strong, then you won’t seek God’s help and strength and you won’t seek and celebrate the grace that makes that help available…..” Paul David Tripp
How many times have you felt weak in your life? Maybe in your walk with Christ or just life in general. Maybe in your parenting or even homeschool. More often than not, I have felt weak. I have felt inferior, inadequate and seriously lacking. In all areas of my life. I mean, look around. Our world showcases strength, perfection, success and power. We live in a photoshopped world where people seem to have it all together, all the time. Even if we know this isn’t true, the perception is there. And the church is not exempt from this way of thinking.
From Genesis to Revelation and everywhere else in between, the reader will study what weakness truly is through God’s eyes and how He uses it for His glory. It’s a thorough exploration of how weakness has always been a part of God’s plan. This book uncovers our deep need for a Savior. Because yes, we are weak! But He is strong!
This book is packed with Scripture and rich theology— it’s a book I will definitely reference again and again. It’s a very in-depth resource!
At the beginning of each chapter, Eric shares a personal experience from his own life to illustrate the lesson being taught throughout. He has a candid and humorous way of making things relatable and helping the reader feel not so alone in particular struggles. I found comfort and clarity within the pages and felt an overwhelming love for my Savior as I realized His perfect plan for His people over the ages.
I definitely recommend this book to every Christian. It will give you new eyes in which to view weakness and a place in your heart to receive the good gift of weakness.
June 14, 2024
This was not what I expected–in the best way! The Good Gift of Weakness is an excellent book that explores the topic of weakness throughout Genesis to Revelation. When we think of weakness, we consider it bad. However, it can be a good thing as it reveals our need for Someone stronger. While this is a meaty book, it is very accessible! Eric’s writing style is amazing and I audibly laughed out loud on multiple occasions. This has easily made it into my top 5! I think every Christian needs to read it + it would pair well with a Bible reading plan. I could say more, but I’ll end with this: Get. The. Book.
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2024
This book was incredible, though not what I expected when I picked it up. Still exactly what I needed and a thorough study on weakness and the beauty of it throughout scripture and its importance and goodness.
September 2, 2024
I think many of us go through periods when we think we need to “get tough” or “be strong” in order to better contribute to God’s kingdom.
In The Good Gift of Weakness: God’s Strength Made Perfect in the Story of Redemption, Eric M. Schumacher pushes back on how our culture (and too often the church) idolizes personal strength when God’s power is best magnified through human fragility and frailty. Without seeing our weaknesses and our needs as part and preparation of His plan, we cannot hope to best understand how God longs to accomplish His work in and through our limited strengths.
Not every idea here is new, but seeing the focus on weakness tied together across the story of Scripture was helpful in appreciating how this theme in not merely incidental but a major focus in the story of redemption.
This book was not an easy read as it challenged me to lay it aside and to pause from abstractly reviewing the history of weakness in God’s people in Scripture and to examine the weaknesses (and my need to acknowledge and embrace them) in my own life and ministry.
I believe the strength of this book is that blending of Bible teaching and personal engagement. While I did not share every conclusion that Schumacher reaches, I loved the challenging way the material was presented and blended to evoke deeper reflection- the personal aspects from the author’s life did not distract but rather engaged with Scripture’s story and our shared experiences as believers.
“From the very beginning, God flips human expectations of strength and advantage on their heads.”
“God intentionally chooses the weak to put the strong to shame. Why? Because the weaker the person God chooses, the more His strength is put on display.”
“Loving the weak is good and right, but it comes with the dangerous temptation to forget our weakness. When we’re strong enough to be benefactors, it’s easy to forget we’re first and foremost beneficiaries.”
In The Good Gift of Weakness: God’s Strength Made Perfect in the Story of Redemption, Eric M. Schumacher pushes back on how our culture (and too often the church) idolizes personal strength when God’s power is best magnified through human fragility and frailty. Without seeing our weaknesses and our needs as part and preparation of His plan, we cannot hope to best understand how God longs to accomplish His work in and through our limited strengths.
Not every idea here is new, but seeing the focus on weakness tied together across the story of Scripture was helpful in appreciating how this theme in not merely incidental but a major focus in the story of redemption.
This book was not an easy read as it challenged me to lay it aside and to pause from abstractly reviewing the history of weakness in God’s people in Scripture and to examine the weaknesses (and my need to acknowledge and embrace them) in my own life and ministry.
I believe the strength of this book is that blending of Bible teaching and personal engagement. While I did not share every conclusion that Schumacher reaches, I loved the challenging way the material was presented and blended to evoke deeper reflection- the personal aspects from the author’s life did not distract but rather engaged with Scripture’s story and our shared experiences as believers.
“From the very beginning, God flips human expectations of strength and advantage on their heads.”
“God intentionally chooses the weak to put the strong to shame. Why? Because the weaker the person God chooses, the more His strength is put on display.”
“Loving the weak is good and right, but it comes with the dangerous temptation to forget our weakness. When we’re strong enough to be benefactors, it’s easy to forget we’re first and foremost beneficiaries.”
May 29, 2024
In a world where strength and dominance for men is somehow synonymous with Christ-likeness (in certain circles), I appreciated the non gender emphasis on weakness as a good and needed thing—for as Eric regularly quotes the song, “we are weak, but he is strong”. The gospel drips from every page of this book, which constantly points us away from ourselves and points to the strength of God. We are weak and that is good, for in that weakness we rely on God. In a culture where fame and fortune are a driving force of too many pastors, we need more who speak of weakness and saturate us in the gospel that sustains us in all things. We need more pastors like Eric. Anyone who reads this book will be “forced” to look to Christ, and that is why this book is so powerful.
November 3, 2024
This book is a survey of weakness in the Bible, although dependence might be a more clear word.
There were some great parts to this book. I loved the chapter on weakness in creation and how we are dependent on God for our being, our purpose, our daily food & survival, and how that was all part of God’s initial good plan. I also loved the chapter on the weakness of the law and how the law protects the weak but is itself weak and insufficient to save. The epilogue is as also a very moving personal testimony of the author’s weakness and the grace of God.
However, the other chapters were largely forgettable and repetitive.
There were some great parts to this book. I loved the chapter on weakness in creation and how we are dependent on God for our being, our purpose, our daily food & survival, and how that was all part of God’s initial good plan. I also loved the chapter on the weakness of the law and how the law protects the weak but is itself weak and insufficient to save. The epilogue is as also a very moving personal testimony of the author’s weakness and the grace of God.
However, the other chapters were largely forgettable and repetitive.
July 12, 2025
This book has changed me. It has shifted the way that I view weakness and the way that God intentionally baked weakness into our human experience in order to show His power in our lives. It has changed my prayer life and the way that I approach God. And it has deepened my awe of a Savior who took on flesh, emptied Himself, made Himself a curse, and became weakness itself. All for a people who could not save themselves. My prayer is that this book has shaped me forever and has made me into a more humble, worshipful, useful part of the Upside Down Kingdom where God's strength is made perfect in my weakness.
November 28, 2024
Not what I expected but still a good read! Schumacher walks through the story of the Bible, from Eden to Revelation, highlighting God's use of weakness to love His people and display His power.
I do wish there was a bit less retelling and a bit more application, but I was still encouraged by seeing him pull out these themes and help readers understand how God uses human frailty to reveal His character (and ours...)
Recommend for a Bible overview focused on weakness and redefining strength 👍🏼
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Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for providing me a free copy of this book to review.
I do wish there was a bit less retelling and a bit more application, but I was still encouraged by seeing him pull out these themes and help readers understand how God uses human frailty to reveal His character (and ours...)
Recommend for a Bible overview focused on weakness and redefining strength 👍🏼
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Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for providing me a free copy of this book to review.
August 29, 2024
Loved this book! I love when I book tracks a theme from Genesis to Revelation and grounds it in biblical truth. The idea of weakness being where Christ’s power is made perfect has been something I have been trying to hone in on this year and this book was perfect to track humanity’s weakness through the Bible- and pointing the “created” to their need for the Creator!
August 31, 2024
In a Biblically exhaustive approach, spanning Genesis through Revelation, Schumacher presents a compelling work on the necessity of weakness in God's Providential Plan. His thesis is that "weakness exits to display God's glory in everything. Weakness is God's good gift because it's the context in which He gives us Himself. If we weren't weak, we wouldn't need God. We would rival Him."
What is most compelling is how Schumacher breaks down weakness into 3x categories
(Natural, Consequential, and Relative) to show that not all weakness is a result of the human Fall. Rather, we were designed to be weak in order to rely on our Creator. I also appreciate his transparency in the epilogue where he describes his darkest moment during his pastoral career, and how God used that season of weakness for His own glory.
Some Quotes:
“Self-sufficiency is always an allusion. we hunt and gather what already exists, we grow crops from seeds that are already there, we sow and build with pre-existing materials.”
“Saving faith is weakness dressed in God’s strength.”
“The living God does not eat. So, when we eat, we remember we are not God, we repeatedly eat throughout life to remember that we always have needs that God alone can provide.”
“I was too weak to be a good pastor, and deeply ashamed of that fact. And once again, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I wasn’t too weak to be a good pastor, as Jesus would show me, I wasn’t weak enough.”
“Paul takes delight in being weak and telling others about it because that’s the context in which he’s strong. Are we in the church willing to boast about our shameful weaknesses to show Christ’s glorious power?”
What is most compelling is how Schumacher breaks down weakness into 3x categories
(Natural, Consequential, and Relative) to show that not all weakness is a result of the human Fall. Rather, we were designed to be weak in order to rely on our Creator. I also appreciate his transparency in the epilogue where he describes his darkest moment during his pastoral career, and how God used that season of weakness for His own glory.
Some Quotes:
“Self-sufficiency is always an allusion. we hunt and gather what already exists, we grow crops from seeds that are already there, we sow and build with pre-existing materials.”
“Saving faith is weakness dressed in God’s strength.”
“The living God does not eat. So, when we eat, we remember we are not God, we repeatedly eat throughout life to remember that we always have needs that God alone can provide.”
“I was too weak to be a good pastor, and deeply ashamed of that fact. And once again, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I wasn’t too weak to be a good pastor, as Jesus would show me, I wasn’t weak enough.”
“Paul takes delight in being weak and telling others about it because that’s the context in which he’s strong. Are we in the church willing to boast about our shameful weaknesses to show Christ’s glorious power?”
May 22, 2024
This book systematically walks through theme of weakness from Genesis through Revelation. This book helped me counter the lie that I need to try harder and do more to please God. I left this book convicted, encouraged and deeply comforted.
October 18, 2024
“Weakness isn’t a bug in the design of the universe; it’s a feature. It’s how God made us.” -Eric Schumacher🌌
We live in a culture that praises human strength and fortitude. In reality, we are incredibly weak by nature…but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In The Good Gift of Weakness, Eric Schumacher walks through the grand story of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, to show his readers how it is through our human weakness that we can best recognize and rely on God’s great power and strength. I greatly appreciated Schumacher’s clear and honest writing, and I think this would be a great read for all Christians.🤍
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Eric Schumacher and Harvest House Publishers for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.
We live in a culture that praises human strength and fortitude. In reality, we are incredibly weak by nature…but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In The Good Gift of Weakness, Eric Schumacher walks through the grand story of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, to show his readers how it is through our human weakness that we can best recognize and rely on God’s great power and strength. I greatly appreciated Schumacher’s clear and honest writing, and I think this would be a great read for all Christians.🤍
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Eric Schumacher and Harvest House Publishers for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.
June 12, 2024
Eric Schumacher's "The Good Gift of Weakness" will be a book I go back to often. He has written a biblical theology of weakness that is both in-depth on the topic of weakness and broad in the scope of it's biblical survey. In a time when power seems to have infected our American church culture and Christian worldview so much (which may not be much different than any other time in history - including the disciples) this book was timely and refreshing.
More importantly, this book made me reflect on the way I often respond to my own weaknesses. So often I seek to minimize, ignore, or find myself ashamed of the ways I am weak. And yet, it really is true that "when I am weak, He is strong." This book provided a beautiful picture of the theology of weakness being the way for me to truly live in Christ.
Most importantly for me, this book made me value the person and work of Christ more. It deepened my love for Him and made the truth of the Gospel richer. "The weakness of Christ crucified was the centerpiece of God's glory in history." What a truth!
More importantly, this book made me reflect on the way I often respond to my own weaknesses. So often I seek to minimize, ignore, or find myself ashamed of the ways I am weak. And yet, it really is true that "when I am weak, He is strong." This book provided a beautiful picture of the theology of weakness being the way for me to truly live in Christ.
Most importantly for me, this book made me value the person and work of Christ more. It deepened my love for Him and made the truth of the Gospel richer. "The weakness of Christ crucified was the centerpiece of God's glory in history." What a truth!
July 22, 2024
Brilliant. Such a necessary reminder for myself. There are many books these days on self-care/admitting and recognizing our limits but they sometimes can just focus on our weakness almost sometimes to the point where it can feel like we talk about our weakness in order to prevent us from taking on more than we can chew. They end up being more impressed by our weakness. What I loved about this book was the focus on the fact that recognizing that weakness is everything about us creatures—everything but for the power of God is more than we can chew. This book was more impressed by God’s power and so thoroughly biblical. I imagine that I will refer to this often.
July 27, 2024
Schumacher writes a thought provoking book focusing on weakness in the Bible. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. the author is transparent. In the epilogue, he notes he thinks the book is too dense for the average reader, and not dense enough for academics. I would agree with that assessment. But I kinda live in that space.
In our present time, it's a good angle to focus on our strength and how it properly comes through weakness and dependence upon God.
In our present time, it's a good angle to focus on our strength and how it properly comes through weakness and dependence upon God.
June 28, 2025
This is a solid book about the theology of weakness in the Bible. Schumacher goes through the Bible, looking at weakness in various areas, including in the life of Jesus. I wish there had been a little more application, but overall this is a great book.
July 5, 2025
Detailed and encouraging.
September 2, 2025
What gripped me most in Schumacher’s book was how consistently he showed that weakness is not a problem to be solved but the very context in which God reveals his glory. Again and again, the lines that stayed with me were the ones that flipped my instincts upside down.
The reminder that “it’s not wrong that the man needs help” reoriented how I think about dependence. From the beginning, God made us incomplete on our own, designed to need Him and one another. That need isn’t a flaw to hide, but a gift meant to display God’s provision. And when Schumacher writes, “when we deny our weakness, we reject God’s power,” it felt like he was exposing the heart of so much of my striving.
The Fall narrative struck me because it revealed how weakness became distorted: “Eating from the forbidden tree turned humans into creatures with a corrupted and rebellious capacity to decide right from wrong.” Eve believed the serpent; Adam chose rebellion. The more they grasped for independence, the more broken they became. That same impulse still shows up in me when I try to live as if my sufficiency lies in myself.
The thread of redemption was most vivid in the paradoxical moments: “The first promise of redemption in the Bible isn’t made to God’s people. Rather, it’s made to God’s enemy.” Even in judgment, God was weaving deliverance, and he did it through weakness. That promise finds its fulfillment at the cross, where Schumacher reminds us that “saving faith is weakness dressed in God’s strength.”
The theme continued in Israel’s history and Law. To obey God’s commands “is to confess one’s own weakness: in and of myself, I do not possess either the wisdom to know what is best or the power to make it happen.” That line lingered with me — obedience isn’t me proving strength, but me admitting dependence. Likewise, the warning that “to reject God’s good gift of a weak king is to bow to the false god named strength” exposed how easily I buy into worldly measures of power. Schumacher shows that deliverance was always found in renouncing strength and returning to God.
His chapters on worship and wisdom resonated deeply. “True worship is the declaration of our weakness — our utter inability to give ourselves what we need.” That reshaped how I think about what it means to approach God honestly. In wisdom, too, “the fear of the Lord is saving faith that recognizes the Lord’s all-surpassing strength and wisdom, acknowledging total dependence upon it.” The lesson from Job — that we are not the Lord, cannot comprehend all his ways, and can only trust him — brought humility in a fresh way.
The portrait of Jesus in weakness was perhaps the most compelling. Schumacher’s description of Jesus on the cross — “his human eyes saw only the cold finality of death, but by faith, he believed God would raise him” — was a reminder that Jesus not only died for me but trusted the Father in the very way I am called to. That is why he truly is “our champion in the exercise of faith.”
I was also struck by the diagnosis that “ungodliness is the ultimate weakness.” We are spiritually impoverished, blind, and dead in sin, and yet through Christ we inherit riches, freedom, and life. That contrast makes grace shine all the more.
Schumacher brings it to its climax at the cross: “When we witness Christ’s life, we see the living, breathing embodiment of all that God called his people to be. When we witness Christ’s death, we see the lifeless, breathless embodiment of all that we are and deserve.” That pairing stopped me. And then he lifts our eyes to worship: “All of God’s glory was present in the cross… the weakness of a crucified Messiah will forever be the centerpiece of our worship of the triune God.”
The closing chapters confirmed the same truth: “We are not these things — Christ is — and we’re in him by God’s work.” Even in eternity, “we will be free from sin and death in Christ, but we are and always will be entirely dependent on God.” His epilogue left me wanting my own life to leave behind not proof of my own competence but proof of God’s sufficiency.
In the end, Schumacher leaves me with both conviction and comfort: conviction to renounce my illusions of self-sufficiency, and comfort that my weakness is precisely where Christ meets me with mercy. This book didn’t just teach me a doctrine — it reframed my daily dependence on God as his good gift.
The reminder that “it’s not wrong that the man needs help” reoriented how I think about dependence. From the beginning, God made us incomplete on our own, designed to need Him and one another. That need isn’t a flaw to hide, but a gift meant to display God’s provision. And when Schumacher writes, “when we deny our weakness, we reject God’s power,” it felt like he was exposing the heart of so much of my striving.
The Fall narrative struck me because it revealed how weakness became distorted: “Eating from the forbidden tree turned humans into creatures with a corrupted and rebellious capacity to decide right from wrong.” Eve believed the serpent; Adam chose rebellion. The more they grasped for independence, the more broken they became. That same impulse still shows up in me when I try to live as if my sufficiency lies in myself.
The thread of redemption was most vivid in the paradoxical moments: “The first promise of redemption in the Bible isn’t made to God’s people. Rather, it’s made to God’s enemy.” Even in judgment, God was weaving deliverance, and he did it through weakness. That promise finds its fulfillment at the cross, where Schumacher reminds us that “saving faith is weakness dressed in God’s strength.”
The theme continued in Israel’s history and Law. To obey God’s commands “is to confess one’s own weakness: in and of myself, I do not possess either the wisdom to know what is best or the power to make it happen.” That line lingered with me — obedience isn’t me proving strength, but me admitting dependence. Likewise, the warning that “to reject God’s good gift of a weak king is to bow to the false god named strength” exposed how easily I buy into worldly measures of power. Schumacher shows that deliverance was always found in renouncing strength and returning to God.
His chapters on worship and wisdom resonated deeply. “True worship is the declaration of our weakness — our utter inability to give ourselves what we need.” That reshaped how I think about what it means to approach God honestly. In wisdom, too, “the fear of the Lord is saving faith that recognizes the Lord’s all-surpassing strength and wisdom, acknowledging total dependence upon it.” The lesson from Job — that we are not the Lord, cannot comprehend all his ways, and can only trust him — brought humility in a fresh way.
The portrait of Jesus in weakness was perhaps the most compelling. Schumacher’s description of Jesus on the cross — “his human eyes saw only the cold finality of death, but by faith, he believed God would raise him” — was a reminder that Jesus not only died for me but trusted the Father in the very way I am called to. That is why he truly is “our champion in the exercise of faith.”
I was also struck by the diagnosis that “ungodliness is the ultimate weakness.” We are spiritually impoverished, blind, and dead in sin, and yet through Christ we inherit riches, freedom, and life. That contrast makes grace shine all the more.
Schumacher brings it to its climax at the cross: “When we witness Christ’s life, we see the living, breathing embodiment of all that God called his people to be. When we witness Christ’s death, we see the lifeless, breathless embodiment of all that we are and deserve.” That pairing stopped me. And then he lifts our eyes to worship: “All of God’s glory was present in the cross… the weakness of a crucified Messiah will forever be the centerpiece of our worship of the triune God.”
The closing chapters confirmed the same truth: “We are not these things — Christ is — and we’re in him by God’s work.” Even in eternity, “we will be free from sin and death in Christ, but we are and always will be entirely dependent on God.” His epilogue left me wanting my own life to leave behind not proof of my own competence but proof of God’s sufficiency.
In the end, Schumacher leaves me with both conviction and comfort: conviction to renounce my illusions of self-sufficiency, and comfort that my weakness is precisely where Christ meets me with mercy. This book didn’t just teach me a doctrine — it reframed my daily dependence on God as his good gift.
June 19, 2024
The Good Gift of Weakness is the latest book by pastor, author, and podcaster, Eric Schumacher. This book helps readers cultivate a theology of weakness. To many, even Christians, weakness seems like a bad thing. Yet Christ’s power is made perfect in it so for Christians, it is important that we understand what it is and how to embrace it.
In The Good Gift of Weakness Eric takes readers through a broad overview of the storyline of Scripture and helps them see God’s pattern of using foolish things to shame the wise. In our Western world, it seems that being strong should be a priority if one wants to experience success. Eric helps readers see that God’s way is the opposite and we see the culmination of this in Jesus.
Eric introduces each chapter with a personal anecdote as an illustration. Many of them were hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud as I read them. It is a joy to come across books about serious subjects whose authors appreciate the gift of humor. I also enjoyed learning more about the Bible. Eric helped me make some whole Bible connections and see some patterns in the Bible I hadn’t previously noticed.
The Good Gift of Weakness does a lovely job of reminding readers of the many ways Jesus displayed ultimate strength by becoming weak on our behalf. The book is full of reminders of the gospel message and Bible verses. I appreciated that the verses were made available to readers via footnotes versus endnotes. There were many times I picked up the book feeling incredibly weak due to various circumstances and was discouraged because of my weaknesses.
The Good Gift of Weakness encouraged my heart with the hope of Jesus and has easily become one of my favorite Christian books. If you are experiencing weakness of any kind or want to better understand what it looks like to rely on Christ’s power to be made perfect in your weakness, I highly recommend The Good Gift of Weakness.
In The Good Gift of Weakness Eric takes readers through a broad overview of the storyline of Scripture and helps them see God’s pattern of using foolish things to shame the wise. In our Western world, it seems that being strong should be a priority if one wants to experience success. Eric helps readers see that God’s way is the opposite and we see the culmination of this in Jesus.
Eric introduces each chapter with a personal anecdote as an illustration. Many of them were hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud as I read them. It is a joy to come across books about serious subjects whose authors appreciate the gift of humor. I also enjoyed learning more about the Bible. Eric helped me make some whole Bible connections and see some patterns in the Bible I hadn’t previously noticed.
The Good Gift of Weakness does a lovely job of reminding readers of the many ways Jesus displayed ultimate strength by becoming weak on our behalf. The book is full of reminders of the gospel message and Bible verses. I appreciated that the verses were made available to readers via footnotes versus endnotes. There were many times I picked up the book feeling incredibly weak due to various circumstances and was discouraged because of my weaknesses.
The Good Gift of Weakness encouraged my heart with the hope of Jesus and has easily become one of my favorite Christian books. If you are experiencing weakness of any kind or want to better understand what it looks like to rely on Christ’s power to be made perfect in your weakness, I highly recommend The Good Gift of Weakness.
June 24, 2024
How does the Savior shape the weak? In The Good Gift of Weakness, Eric M. Schumacher shares how God’s strength is made perfect in the story of redemption.
Faith, Worship, and Weakness
I was most interested to learn the connections between faith and weakness. Faith highlights the central role that weakness plays in our salvation. Faith highlights God’s choice to display his strength through the weakness of his people. And faith is how we wage war against the serpent and his offspring. My eyes were opened when I learned that God only saves the weak – those who humble themselves and find their strength in Christ alone.
I was most moved to read that true worship is an acknowledgement of weakness. As a worship leader, I am exhorted to define true worship as a glad declaration of our weakness. I was reminded that true worship declares and depends upon satisfaction in Christ alone. Moreover, true worship overflows with love for the weak – like caring for orphans and widows.
Embracing Weakness in the Christian Life
The book climaxes at the cross – where by Christ’s weakness he showcases his power to save. My heart was moved to read how the lamb that was slaughtered stands at the right hand of God!
The book concludes with a call to embrace weakness in the Christian life. I was most challenged to display my weaknesses in the church. Schumacher specifically makes the applications of not being afraid to appear weak as well as boasting in my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may reside in me. This is something I want to work on as a leader as a way to keep the gospel central while showing Christ’s glorious power.
Redemptive Power
“The Good Gift of Weakness” offers a thoroughly Biblical and profound exploration of the redemptive power found in embracing our inherent frailty. In our weakness, Christ’s strength is made perfect, and His grace abounds all the more.
I received a media copy of The Good Gift of Weakness and this is my honest review.
Faith, Worship, and Weakness
I was most interested to learn the connections between faith and weakness. Faith highlights the central role that weakness plays in our salvation. Faith highlights God’s choice to display his strength through the weakness of his people. And faith is how we wage war against the serpent and his offspring. My eyes were opened when I learned that God only saves the weak – those who humble themselves and find their strength in Christ alone.
I was most moved to read that true worship is an acknowledgement of weakness. As a worship leader, I am exhorted to define true worship as a glad declaration of our weakness. I was reminded that true worship declares and depends upon satisfaction in Christ alone. Moreover, true worship overflows with love for the weak – like caring for orphans and widows.
Embracing Weakness in the Christian Life
The book climaxes at the cross – where by Christ’s weakness he showcases his power to save. My heart was moved to read how the lamb that was slaughtered stands at the right hand of God!
The book concludes with a call to embrace weakness in the Christian life. I was most challenged to display my weaknesses in the church. Schumacher specifically makes the applications of not being afraid to appear weak as well as boasting in my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may reside in me. This is something I want to work on as a leader as a way to keep the gospel central while showing Christ’s glorious power.
Redemptive Power
“The Good Gift of Weakness” offers a thoroughly Biblical and profound exploration of the redemptive power found in embracing our inherent frailty. In our weakness, Christ’s strength is made perfect, and His grace abounds all the more.
I received a media copy of The Good Gift of Weakness and this is my honest review.
October 10, 2024
Weakness is hardly a popular topic in society, or in the church. We prefer to hide our weaknesses, or to tell inspiring stories about how we have overcome them. Even when people study or teach Scripture passages about weakness, they usually do this through the cultural lens of self-sufficiency and triumphalism, missing some of the deeper messages. Eric M. Schumacher has put a lot of thought into the topic, and has written this book as a corrective. This book explores the role of weakness in redemptive history, providing a biblical survey from Genesis to Revelation.
Although the words "biblical survey" may make this book sound too scholarly for the average reader, this is not a dense academic treatise. Rather, this book reads like a theologically rich sermon series. Schumacher begins each chapter with an illustration from his own life experience, and then explores that chapter's topic and relevant Scriptures through an outline that is clear and easy to follow. This book is accessible to average churchgoers, while also having value to scholars. Schumacher shows how weakness appears as a major theme in Scripture, and he also distinguishes between different types of weakness, such as the natural weakness that is part of God's good design for us as finite creatures, and the types of physical and moral weaknesses that are consequences of the Fall.
This is a unique, thoughtful book. It shares a helpful perspective on a neglected topic, and I especially appreciated the insights about weakness in the story of Jesus. As for things that could have been better, Schumacher acknowledges some of them in the epilogue, and I agree with him that this book would have benefited from more personal application ideas. Perhaps that can be another book in the future. Overall, I appreciated this book a lot, and would highly recommend it.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Although the words "biblical survey" may make this book sound too scholarly for the average reader, this is not a dense academic treatise. Rather, this book reads like a theologically rich sermon series. Schumacher begins each chapter with an illustration from his own life experience, and then explores that chapter's topic and relevant Scriptures through an outline that is clear and easy to follow. This book is accessible to average churchgoers, while also having value to scholars. Schumacher shows how weakness appears as a major theme in Scripture, and he also distinguishes between different types of weakness, such as the natural weakness that is part of God's good design for us as finite creatures, and the types of physical and moral weaknesses that are consequences of the Fall.
This is a unique, thoughtful book. It shares a helpful perspective on a neglected topic, and I especially appreciated the insights about weakness in the story of Jesus. As for things that could have been better, Schumacher acknowledges some of them in the epilogue, and I agree with him that this book would have benefited from more personal application ideas. Perhaps that can be another book in the future. Overall, I appreciated this book a lot, and would highly recommend it.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
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