Are you your own harshest critic? Do judgmental Christians sap your assurance? Affirming that our Creator views us as infinitely worthwhile and lovable, Boyd calls us to move beyond a self-centered, fearful existence to rich, Christ-centered living. If you've ever questioned the reality of divine love, you'll be transformed by seeing how God looks at your life! 208 pages, softcover from Baker.
Boyd, pastoral theologian and author of Seeing Is Believing, presents a
forceful, if one-sided, solution for Christians torn between judgment and
acceptance. Drawing on biblical images including the Tree of Knowledge, the
Samaritan woman at the well and Jesus' reputation as a "friend of sinners,"
Boyd argues that "the church must be the community of people who simply love
as God loves." Christians who judge others are, in effect, eating forbidden
fruit, labeling people as good or evil in exchange for a tainted boost of
spiritual energy. Even in the context of church discipline with the best of
motives, Boyd is skeptical about the benefits of confrontation and rebuke,
decrying the "trust we have in our power of judgment rather than the power of
God and his love flowing through us." Bucking evangelical convention is
nothing new for Boyd, but his development of the biblical basis for his
conclusions is less comprehensive than in most of his previous works. This is
unfortunate considering that Boyd's proposals for the church-such as treating
homosexuality and overeating as essentially equivalent issues-are already
guaranteed to raise eyebrows among evangelical readers. While its message is
engaging, this title incorporates more repetition and less nuance, more
rhetoric and less practical pastoral guidance, than Boyd usually delivers.
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Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
2 of 2 Reviews Showing:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Robin Reeve (Gland (Suisse - Switzerland)), October 18, 2009
A really challenging reading, not lacking some healthy provocation, that dares confront the self righteousness that threatens and too often poisons evangelical christianity.
Even though some affirmations are too simplistic, I have been deeply moved by most of what Gregory Boyds tries to transmit : is love the central motive of my life, is God the center, or is my sinning tendency to play God myself, by judging others, holding the wheel?
This books scratches us where it hurts and, even if one does not follow G. Boyd in all his ideas, I do consider that this book is a "must read" one. I am glad that it was written : as an evangelical pastor myself, I think that there is something "prophetical" in the call that this author adresses to the church and to us evangelicals. We must progress and love as God loves, leaving God on the divine throne of judgement.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Leith Parker (Australia), June 20, 2007
The questions which plagued me were, "How do we separate God from religion." and "How to emmerse ourselves in the power of His resurrection." This book answers these questions. Gregory Boyd has given a view of the power of His resurrection by focusing on His highest commandment. Love God and others as yourself. He has explained how to emmerse ourselves with a deeper attitude of love towards humanity, and in doing so, we need to spiritually and mentally separate ourselves from religious politics and laws which have desensitized our souls. The reading is interesting if you are wanting to refresh and deepen your relationship with God and his people.
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