Your God Is Too Safe

Your God is Too Safe thoughtfully explores why Christians get stuck in the place of complacency, dryness, and tedium and how to move on to new levels of spiritual passion! Buchanan shows how most Christians begin their spiritual journey with excitement and enthusiasm only to get bogged down in a "borderland"---an in-between space beyond the "old life" but short of the abundant, adventurous existence promised by Jesus. Citing Jonah, Buchanan examines the problem of "borderland living" where doubt, disappointment, guilt, and wonderlessness keep people in a quagmire of mediocrity. He then offers effective solutions to get unstuck and move into a bold, unpredictable, exhilarating walk with Christ.

Winner of the 2002 Word Guild's God Uses Ink Award in the Nonfiction category.

Here's a thoughtful, probing exploration of why Christians get stuck in the place of complacency, dryness, and tedium -- and how to move on to new levels of spiritual passion! Buchanan shows how the majority of Christians begin their spiritual journey with excitement and enthusiasm -- only to get bogged down in a "borderland" -- an in-between space beyond the "old life" but short of the abundant, adventurous existence promised by Jesus. Citing Jonah, he examines the problem of "borderland living" -- where doubt, disappointment, guilt, and wonderlessness keep people in a quagmire of mediocrity -- then offers solutions ... effective ways to get unstuck and move into a bold, unpredictable, exhilarating walk with Christ. Inspired writing!

Canadian pastor and first-time author Buchanan says that he "hit the ground running" when he first became a Christian. He got involved in a church, taught Sunday school and read his Bible regularly. Then things got rote. Buchanan was, in a word, "stuck." But he had friends who weren't stuck: the elderly widow who seemed full of spiritual joy, a multiple sclerosis patient with a broken body but a strong faith. So Buchanan set out to write a book that would explain why many Christians fail to progress spiritually and why only a few grow stronger in faith. He concludes that believers reach a plateau when they think God is too cuddly and (as the title suggests) safe. The literary conceit of this narrative is all too familiar in evangelical Christian books: the church is full of euphemism and afloat on pat answers, but this bold, new author is going to be refreshingly honest about how difficult his own faith walk has been. Buchanan may be honest, but the tactic is stale. Equally banal are Buchanan's tips for "breaking free": Don't boast about your good deeds. Read the Bible. Confess when you've sinned. Pray. Perhaps his only innovative advice is that Christians take up fasting, a biblical activity that has become increasingly popular among contemporary evangelicals. (Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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Reviewed by Ron Rice (Norfolk, VA), January 02, 2009

In a day of extreme business and shallow views (or practice) of our God, this is a challenging and much needed read. Its time for us to say goodbye to Borderland.

Reviewed by Jim Lane (Henshaw, KY), September 07, 2007

One among a handful of books that I highly recommend. Bewildered Christians take heart- if you have a holy discontent with the average American church- and/or your own faith has become domesticated- read this book.

Reviewed by John Crump (Noblesville, Indiana), January 13, 2005

Depending on where you are in your hunger and pursuit of God, this book could be a life changer. If you're complacent and happen to pick it up, you'll be very uncomfortable. If you're hungry and searching for fuel, you just found a feast!

Reviewed by Matt Foster (Indianapolis IN), March 20, 2002

This is powerful, rip-your-old-spiritually-dead-skin-off stuff, but with the practical (though unsurprising) tools for growing new cells and leaving what Buchanan aptly labels "borderland." I read this book on a personal retreat in succession with Eugene Peterson's "A Long Obedience In The Same Direction" and Jerry Bridges' "The Pursuit Of Holiness." Masochistic, yes, but in a good way; obviously, both God and my conscience were telling me to heed the similar message given, though differently, by all three books: that slow and steady -- and disciplined -- wins the race. If you're looking for challenging spiritual food, Buchanan may be your chef. (He's not safe, but he's good.)

Reviewed by Dan Rozema (Grand Rapids MI), March 10, 2002

Very insightful, "hard-to-put down" book. Buchanan is an excellent writer with a great heart for the Lord. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Dave Fitch (Billings, MT), December 09, 2001

This book is very well written and is both thought provoking and challenging. It speaks to a heart that wants more, that is not satisfied with mediocrity and is seeking a deeper relationship with a God that is not defined by man. It is definitely on my top ten list.

Reviewed by Janet Flynn (Woodstock, GA), June 19, 2001

Excellent! Incredible gift of word usage. I think all readers would benefit as well as enjoy. Hard to put down but one must to digest and savor what has been read.

Reviewed by Robin Adams (Winchester,VA), May 23, 2001

This book has taken all the areas that God has been talking to me about and put them into words. I can study and pray about these areas in my life. I am excited to see how God is going to work in my life because of this.

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