Great perspective on living as a Christian in this polarized ...
933879
Great perspective on living as a Christian in this polarized world.  More relevant today than when the book was written ten years ago.
4787884
Excellent perspective. I appreciate the cateloguing of all Jesus questions but his ability to bring them into our own hearts is of great value. His non-violent, peace activism permeates his perspective, but may sometimes overwhelm it.
847158
Uplifting, powerful, and a wonderful perspective on living the Christian life.
4171050
Fantastic read. As a Christian mother and wife who struggles with raising children in a fast-paced, sometimes overwhelming world, this book was a nice walk through many of the issues plaguing our lives today. Trying to raise children to be compassionate, inclusive members of a community can often be met with resistance from those who believe that being a Christian is actually an exclusive club. Erin's voice is a refreshing reminder that there is room for everyone in our lives and at Christ's table.
4283645
The title and cover of the book appear to be targeted to people who have left the church, or unbelievers who have been hurt by christians.

I picked it up because I have been trying to see Christians (see myself) through the eyes of unbelievers or people who have walked away from the faith.

What I found was a book surprisingly geared toward ME, the evangelical christian, seeking to live more like Christ, and struggling with how our worldview fits in with what Jesus would have spent his time on.

I don't think unbelievers or people who have walked away from the faith will be satisfied with this book...but christians who have been hurt by other christians and are still in the church, or christians who are the ones hurting others (whether you realize it or not) will really be challenged by what the author has to say.

I enjoyed it.
2134450
I really liked this book.  Made me go through, in my head, the history of Christianity in our modern era which was enlightening.  There were many ideas that I really appreciated, particularly the religious perspective of the political parties and the mystery of the faith.

Some comments:
The writing style was dispassionate, which was fine when he was dispassionate but did not come over well when he got a little "preachy" towards the end of the book.  The Christian faith is not dispassionate.

His treatment of the evangelical south did not come across as well informed (as someone from the evangelical south).  He also seemed to work too hard to be even handed.

In his section on politics, I kept waiting for him to reference Chuck Colson who had such a unique perspective on the subject of religion and politics.  I was not surprised, though, when he didn't reference him.

I also think that he missed the importance of the science vs faith battle and the impact it has had on the growth of heresy.

But, with all that said; the book was well worth it for the ideas and perspective.
4408264
Overall, Understanding the Times is a great read for those who are trying to get a better understanding on the different views that the people of our confusing and broke society hold. The author does a good job explaining the beliefs held by each worldview without holding too much of a bias. Of course, because he is a Christian author, there is a bias towards Christianity but it is not too overpowering or prominent in the book. One thing that I really appreciated that the author did was at the end of each chapter, he specifically quoted scripture that correlated with the topic being discussed. This was important and valuable because it talked about how Christians should act in response to the different worldviews and their approaches to specific topics of interest. The author also used good analogies throughout most of the chapters to keep the reader engaged and interested. This was helpful because the book is very factual and it can be easy to lose interest in what you are reading. Although the author did a lot of good things in the writing of this books, there were also aspects that I did not enjoy. One thing that I did not appreciate was the repetitiveness of each chapter. In many of the chapters, it felt as if the author did not have much information about the worldviews approach to the topic and he repeated things that were mentioned in previous chapters. This makes the book way longer than it needs to be and it takes a very long time to reach each chapter. The book is extremely wordy making it slightly boring and uninteresting. Although this is a negative factor, I was also reminded of many truths about the Lord from this book. The author does a good job at bringing it back to Christianity and arguing for the truths of God and his works. This book also raises and addresses many important questions and the author does a great job at providing the Christian approach to answer these questions. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I feel like it has provided me with a better foundation for defending my Christian faith.
2795507
Christians live in an difficult age when disbelief is the norm, mediocrity defines many faiths, and passivity is not a choice of strength, but of fear. "Sojourners" discusses the real life of a believer.

"Sojourners" challenges all of those points. What does it mean to be a relevant Christian? With a myriad of complex social issues that Christians often respond to as a matter of politics and avoid examining the bibical principles.

Hunger. Homosexuality. Homelessness. Third world unrest. War. Gender leadership (in the Church).

What do you think?

"Sojourners" addresses and facilitates thinking about these issues. Don't expect it to preach to the choir, though it clearly has a liberal political view. It is, in some ways, like the old "Moody Magazine," with an emphasis on world issues.

Read "Sojourners" carefully, with your Bible in hand. Disagree or agree with them, you'll like find yourself more passionate about one side or another of an issue.

I fully recommend "Sojourners."

Anthony Trendl
[...]
3207411
Such an honest book.  I am strait cis gender, but I grew up in a church where Focus on the Family was well known in our church.  So I know the background in which she was raised, and thus this book hit home in the faith that was presented and which even then I knew wasn't quite right in it's singularity of rules and dogma on homosexuality and many other issues.

This book is impressive because Amber tells her story truthfully, success and failures, warts and flowers and all. I hope it can serve as a light for what is woefully missing in the gay community, which is to tell LBGTQ youth and adults that they ARE God's children and welcome at the table, regardless of what might have been presented to them by family or friends of churches who are missing the real message of God.

Looking back I wonder about who I went to church with who was gay, etc. Did they feel marginalized?  Did I ever inadvertently contribute to that? Gosh I hope not. I wish I could reach back to anyone and apologize. Since I can't, I feel like I just have to move forward standing out loud that God is bigger than what is presented by churches like FOTF.  I am embarrassed by self proclaimed "Christians" who are more interested in the religion about Jesus Christ than the real truth of a religion that is OF Jesus Christ.  My heart breaks for all the people like Amber and her wife who have been hurt extensively by "Christian" churches.
2677980
This is a wonderful, challenging read for modern Christians navigating a world that doesn't share their values. Trevin paints a clear picture of where we are that manages to avoid both defeatism and idealism. I found his discussion on mobile phones to be eye-opening and brilliant, and his explanation of our identity (as demonstrated by the eastern and western opinions of Walt Disney's "Mulan"... no I'm serious!) was worth the price of the book all by itself.
3200803
This book put a lot of what has happened recently in politics as well as American Christianity in sharp perspective.  My own life experiences in the last decade began to make sense to me as I read.  I recommend A Bigger Table to anyone is struggling to reconcile the love and inclusion of
Christ with the "us vs. them" approach of the Evangelical Church. Don't expect a quick read.  This book bears thinking about.
4246765
I was delightfully surprised at the complex view of family that this book takes.  If the reader is holding a rigid American -conservative "Christian" view of family, then this book will be utter torture. It challenges how Christians of today look back a view generations and idolize the "family" of that time as the ideal biblical family.  However, with Jack Balswick's keen sociological perspective, he is able to create in the reader an awareness that each believing generation struggles with the issue of what if means to be a biblical, Christ-honoring family. The Balswicks finish the book with a hard look, sociologically and theologically, at the current state of the family in our culture.  They clarify exacltly what is happening to families inside and outside of the church, and consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Church's response to these current cultural and familial trends. If you're looking for a book that is going to exegete texts to prove a formula for the biblical family, well, pass this one up.  However, if you're looking for a work that considers the greater themes of Scripture, the overriding character of God as Father, and how you can navigate the insanity of our current cultural state without moving to the vacant spaces of Idaho, then delve into this one and expect to be challenged, encouraged, and equipped.
2232383
I found this book to be helpful on several levels. First, it made me think.

I grew up in a Church tradition which was at times experience focused. Therefore, I am very hesitant to be critical of believers that have come to rely on experiences as their pathway to Jesus. Many of the people I knew in these churches of my youth (with practices such as Jericho marches, extended periods of prayer with many speaking loudly in tongues, etc.), to be wonderful and committed followers of Jesus. As I read this book, I saw flashbacks from my own time attending camp meetings, youth camps, and tent crusades. I realized this isn't an issue of recent history, this is a subtle deception which has been ongoing since the Azusa Street Revival.

While many of the churches I attended in my youth talked of serious Bible Study, it wasn't until I moved to California in 2000 and began regularly attending a Calvary Chapel, that I found fellow believers who were intensely focused on the Word of God. Serious study of Scripture revolutionized my walk with Jesus. I was saved before, but through Scripture and the working of the Holy Spirit, I have been able to grow and deepen my relationship with Jesus.

Experiences are important in all believer's walk with Jesus, but if experience becomes too much of a factor, it can cause problems. I go back  frequently to this concept of balance so well articulated by Pastor Chuck Smith and discussed in Dr David Newton's book.

I write all of this to say, I see how I could have been, at an earlier time in my life seduced by the entertaining PT Barnum's of the NAR movement. I also know many friends that are caught up in this movement. I am praying for them with new focus.

Secondly, I spend much time listening to Christian radio. Dr Newton's book has caused me to listen more carefully to the lyrics I hear. I have been astonished at how much change has come to Christian contemporary music. The focus is changing from Jesus to the singers struggles and ideas.

Spiritual warfare is a challenge and as Paul said we need the full armor of God.  So I leave you with Scripture:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lords people.
500753
Really love most of this revelation of liberation Kris Valloton has shared.  He lays out a great framework for a Spirit-inspired and location-specific understanding of the issue of women in the body of Christ.  A hearty "Amen" to his willingness to leave behind the curse and press on to purpose!
I found a few things to be funky; I don't consider Wikipedia to be "real" sourcing - certainly wouldn't allow it is a high school paper, so he loses some scholarly credibility.  I'm also trying to wrap my mind around his idea of an androgynous Adam and "wombman", and I'd hate that to become a focal point obscuring the greater message.  I hope he doesn't lose too many with some of his more personal, esoteric takes on several issues.
That said, I love the call to be willing to look at things from God's point of view as opposed to generations of religious tradition and pre-Jesus context.  "It was for freedom we were made free" - what will you do with your freedom.  Well worth the read and invitation to a greater, fuller life!
2844626
Gave me a different perspective on pastor's and the demanding time on their lives.  Also, how balancing time in everyone's life and occupation is important.
2781470
This was a wonderful book. It did a great job of explaining the various worldviews and then showing both the flaws and strengths of the view from a Christian perspective.
1224430
James Smith does an immaculate job describing what Christian universities strive to do and how that has failed to be a proper counterforce for the "liturgies of the world." The whole philosophy in the book challenges how we view normal everyday practices that shape what our idea of the life are about. He challenges us to consider what it looks like to cultivate practices and rituals that shape our desires. The perspective reader should know that this is a moderately dense book for the subject matter. He's recently come out with what I believe is meant to be and easier read that covers the same topic. Overall, I'm excited to go back over this book again in the future and continue to ponder the ideas he's left me with. The book will challenge the reader to think about the central purpose of being a Christian and what Christian Ccommunity ought to look like.