United in Christ, Divided by Ignorance
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This insightful book is filled with biblical examples of our need to stay united as Christians regardless of our personal convictions regarding the Harry Potter phenomenon.  It is refreshing to finally hear from an informed voice (one who has actually READ THE BOOKS).  The author's main objective is to remind us that as brothers and sisters in Christ we are to stand beside one another and lift each other up in the Lord, not tear each other apart simply because some of us are able to see redemption in the classic tale of good overcoming evil in an area where others are blindly grasping to write this series off as satan worshiping garbage.
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Christ called a human rights violator and a weak coward to begin His Church. Those men were Peter and Paul! He didn't ask them to effect civil change through political activism. Instead He asked them to show the world His grace and mercy. Yancey gives a glimpse into the history of the awkward blending of church and politics through the ages. In the U.S, he says, the majority of non-Christians polled perceive the Church as legalistic and judgmental.  Instead, Christ meant the hallmark of His Church to be love. In this way alone, were they to convey the great love God has for all.
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I struggled with this book.  It was like a relationship:  the beginning hooked me and I was excited about it, then the middle frustrated me and I wanted to dump it.  But I held onto the end, which was probably the best part of all (I especially found meaningful the chapter "A House of Figs).

In Jesus Manifesto, Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola have one goal:  to "restore the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ."  They ask the question Jesus asked of his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" and attempt to give us a broader view of Christ.  They believe that the Church has forsaken the love of Christ for programs and ideologies.  They take issue with churches who have focused on leadership and justice and morality instead of Christ and have become occupied with anything other than Christ first.  They claim that the church has attempted to take away the mystery of Christ and has tried to reduce Him to something less than what He is.

I agree with them that we should discern whether or not a church is focused on Christ or on political correctness.  However, I feel that their judgements were sweeping, and at times that they were splitting hairs.  For instance they take issue with the phrase "imitators of Christ" since it is impossible for us to actually live the sinless life of Christ without His indwelling spirit and remind us that we ARE Christ because we are part of His body.  I understand the distinction, but I felt that they were trying to say something new . . . . that isn't new.  And occasionally I disagreed with how they stretched the use of a verse to make a point.

However, all in all, I've decided I like the book.  The more I think about some of their points, the more I realize how right they are.  We do need to point to Christ as the center and the circumference of all life.  As Christ-followers we should be occupied with Christ and everything we do should flow from that obsession with Him, and unfortunately, many churches and Christians are missing that Christ-living and choosing meaningless pursuits of morality alone or service alone or programs alone.  It is an easy trap to fall into.

"There is one reason why a Christian would not be absolutely occupied and consumed with Christ.  That person's eyes have not been opened to see his greatness," was one thought I've pondered most.  I do believe that much of this book challenged me to be occupied with Christ -- to search for Him in all of life, to look for His unlimited majesty and see His greatness, and to allow Him to work through me.  For that reason, it is worth reading.

*I receieved a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for an honest review through BookSneeze.*
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Christian unity is not found in academic papers or sacred doctrines and practices. True unity is in the Costly Love that God has poured out upon us. With that, we are called to boldly and daringly allow ourselves to get out of the way and be open vessels of God's love to others around us- and the world. This cost Jesus everything and as we allow God to mold us into God's image we will joyfully follow in that sacrifice. We are not called alone. We are called together, across our traditions, as one recipient from God and one open vessel to the world. John Armstrong gives us a road map for how that happens in Costly Love.
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"He who beholds the Church really beholds Christ" says St Gregory of Nyssa; "Any soul, in cultivating its vineyard, cultivates that of his neighbour as well. The two are so closely united that no one can do good or evil to himself without doing good or evil to his neighbour at the same time. Together you form but one single, universal vineyard" (Saint Catherine of Siena). These are but two of the many many quotes of the patristic age and of the middle ages that De lubac cites and explains to lead us to an inner understanding of the mystery of catholic and orthodox christianity. The effects of subjectivisim and individualism, so prevalent in our culture, can affect us all in insidious ways. De lubac points to the deep mystical social nature of the ecclesia catholica. This is a treasure to be read and re-read with the wisdom of the centures at one's finger tips, so to speak. The one irritant is that some of the footnotes are in latin, which is a little off putting.
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I liked this book because I share his irritation with the damage done by an over-exalted view of the Bible and because I learned some new things.

Not only does an inerrant Bible fail the test of intellectual honesty (as the author demonstrates), it hurts people.  It hurts women, gay people, and people of non-Christian religions.  It prevents us from hearing what the Holy Spirit is saying today  - there is little room for new revelation.  Finally, by forcing theological harmony between various Biblical authors, we have lost Jesus' original teachings.  Jesus' message was:  BE A LOVING PERSON (repent), God is starting a new Kingdom here on earth.  Somehow we have twisted that around to:  BELIEVE in Jesus' atonement on the cross, or you'll go to hell.

These dangers bother me so much, I started a list of contradictions in the Bible.  Now I can stop - his list is way better than mine!  I just wish he put it in a chart format.  The contradictions are peppered all over this book.  Some are exaggerated, in my opinion, but others are legitimate.

Most of this was a review of what I learned in seminary, but I learned about some new research as well:

-  Pseudepigraphy was almost universally condemned in ancient sources. Biblical authors did it anyway to lend authority to "my side" of a controversy or supplement the tradition for new circumstances.  The Holy Spirit may have spoken through these non-Apostles, but let's be honest about it.

-  There was more "spinning" going on than I realized between the resurrection and the first written records (Paul).  Let's say you heard an evangelist tell some stories about Jesus in your hometown.  He probably changed them a little to make sense in your language and culture.  You convert.  You wish your husband would also convert.  So you tell him the stories you heard, maybe with a little extra spin to make the story more persuasive to him.  Imagine this going on over 40 years and a myriad of cultures.

-  The reasons for Jesus' death vary in the gospels.  For example, Mark says it was an atonement: Jesus paid your debt.  Luke says it was simple forgiveness - just repent and forget about it.

I didn't like this book because there was something about the tone that reminded me of Bill Maher: a smarter-than-all-of-you person who just can't stand being in the presence of irrational constructions without taking a hammer to your building.  He says it's for your own good, but I'm not so sure that's his real motive.  Once your faith system is lying in ruins, he does a lousy job of reconstruction.  The weakest chapter was "Is Faith Possible?"

At the risk of also sounding "smarter-than-you," I thought Ehrman was spiritually tone deaf.  Where he hears contradictions, I hear harmonies of unity and awesome spirituality.  Ehrman would say "it can't be both the note of C and E and G!"  Ah ha!  A logical contradiction! I would say, "sure it can - together the `contradictions' strike a deeper chord of truth than the single note."  You know that scene in Charlie Brown's Christmas where Lucy asks Schroeder to play Jingle Bells? Ehrman reminds me of Lucy - he can't hear the tune unless it's one single melody line.  For those of us whose life mission is to connect people to God, he wasn't much help!

Ehrman accurately points out that Traditional Christianity does not make the Bible the object of faith.  Just look at the creeds.  So how do we know what's true?  We don't.  I doubt any of us has a perfect theology.  But I bet some of you are more loving and giving people than others.  For me, that's the bottom line, as it was for Jesus: LOVE.  I also think God blesses the pursuit of Truth.  You options for spiritual authority are:

Sacred Text (Islam, Orthodox Judaism, Evangelical Christianity)
Guru (Hindus and Oprah followers
Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit
Probably something I didn't think of
I'm going with option #3.  Jesus is not the same thing as the Bible, but the Bible is an invaluable tool to transform my mind and to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and to, God willing, become a more loving person.
3738378
I am only in the first chapter and there is already not enough exposition of SCRIPTURE and no mention of the fact that we are freed from the bondage of sin by Christ's victory over sin and death. Salvation through faith which is a GIFT should free us to good works and obedience and constant reliance on God. Our sin does not bring us closer to Him. If that were the case there would be far more Christians in the world. It is a DIVIDER. It SEPARATES us from God! Christ's work on the Cross brings us into a right relationship with Him. So cling to that. Not your sin.
393488
I would suggest every Christian to read this book; in fact, I will suggest this book to others! However, I will always have a footnote attached to the recommendation.
There is a lot of very, very good stuff in the book which makes me (a conservative Christian) both scream out for more and reconsider my own believes and practices. In many parts of the book I find myself being described, having been trained in both theology and apologetics, thinking to know all the answers, ready to take on Richard Dawkins. There are parts which humble me, such as how I sit right now comfortably in front of a computer, being warmed and filled (actually, cooled by a fan, but you get the idea) while at the same time there are people who are suffering around the world. The author raises some very important questions about the Christian faith and especially about the Christian practice. She rightly appeals for less "judgmentalism," for more compassion, for less politics in Christianity. I applaud her for these (and many others).
However, she fails in other areas, areas which probably are just as important. She rightly says that Christians like to pick-and-choose (and even admits that she does so herself). I was severely disappointed to see that she discovered Jesus in the Gospels, but she apparently did not see how often He in fact taught on hell and the coming judgment. According to my own personal count, if you came to Jesus and heard Him talk, you had a 25% chance to hear something about judgment. Also, Jesus was merciful to those who came to Him who humbled themselves, came to Him with a repentant heart. His attitudes towards those who did not come to Him that way, was radically different (just look at the "believers" of John 8:31-59). Also, even though Jesus' message of love is incredible, the ONLY passage in Scripture we find about God loving the "world" is John 3:16; all other love passages speak of God's love for His son, Christ's love for the Father, Christian's love for one another, etc. And if we turn to Acts, the Greek words for "love" are not used once ... apart from Acts 15:25 describing Barnabas and Paul as "beloved". Apparently the disciples of Christ either did not get the "message," or "God loves you so much that He wants you to be saved" was not their methodology of evangelization. Lastly, when she writes that Zarmina (the woman who was executed by the Taliban) is loved by God, what does she do about John 3:18-20, that those who do not believe are judged ALREADY? What does she do with the multitude of verses which describe God hating unbelievers (Leviticus 20:23; Psalm 11:5; 34:16; Proverbs 8:13; Hosea 9:15; Psalm 5:5-6; Proverbs 6:16-19; 11:20; 12:22; 16:5; Zechariah 8:17); what does she do with Romans 1:18ff, where it says that all people know that only the biblical God exists, but that they actively suppress that knowledge because they don't want Him? Maybe I am asking too much from the book that is more of an autobiography?
I think my time was well-spent in reading the book; it helped me re-examine myself and I trust that the book makes me more Christ-like. For that, I give her 5 stars. However, her failure to deal with some of the very important issues that contradict her journey, I give her 1 star. Hence, the middle of 3 stars.
1403479
The author deals with a controversial topic of God, faith and Jesus. If you believe in Jesus, this is a five-star treatise. If you are an atheist, you'll probably give it at the most two stars. If you believe in all forms of God: Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Mohamed, then you will give it three stars as the author is obviously of Christian faith.

Having said that, the writing is crisp, easy to understand the author's arguments whether you agree or not. In the final analysis, it all boils down to whether you are a believer or not.
2917245
Three differing views of the fate of those who experience physical death without hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is fascinating, but limited.  Again, as it seems to be, not all Christian views are presented.
Certainly, we who hold the Lutheran confession would side with Nash, who easily out of the three represented does the most exemplary job of using God's Word correctly.  Nash is correct in his chastisement of his two opponents for not lack of good exegesis of the Bible.  It is truly sad but commonplace to find such poor, hurried exegeis as exemplified by Sanders and Fackre.
It would have been good to have one argue:  univesal grace, grace alone, the means of grace, and the mystery of why some saved and others not?  This would have given the complete Biblical picture.  This is not demonstrated by any of the three in this book.
However, as exemplary as Nash is with his defense of restrictivism by not only showing the proper exegesis and hermeneutic of the other two sides, he has some glaring weaknesses himself.  As those of the Reformed are bent to do, they always want to let logic and reason dominate, rather than letting God's Word suffice.
Or as Luther would say, "What is not spoken of in God's Word must be left to the heavenly academy for resolution."  We do not have all the answers to all mysteries in God's Word!"  As Moses said so profoundly on his deathbed, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever."  (Deut. 29:29)
Nash suffers, as Sanders catches him, on Double Predestination.  Calvinists cannot say that Christ died for all, but only for the elect.  This is the classic error of Calvin.  As well, they hedge the truth of God's Scriptures of the Real Presence in the Sacrament.  Sanders does not confess the B.C. Means of Grace as St. Paul does in 1 Cor. 10:1-11, that Christ was present with them, but most did not have faith and were disallowed into Promised Land.  This typology extends throughout OT, allowing OT saints the same (Romans 4) as we NT saints, faith in Promised Messiah (Christ).
However, to deny infant sin (Age of Accountability) that Nash puts forth is unbiblical (Ps. 51:5)  Furthermore, Nash is wise to attack inclusivism on premise that grace is with all until rejection of Christ and Gospel, and he shows forth Biblical attack to destory this false teaching.
Nash certainly is far and away the more faithful Biblical presenter, aside from the errors already identified.  Further, he does not profess Christ's descent into hell as for what it was:  Christ's victorious announcement of victory over the demon angels, nor is he correct is declaring Luke 16:19ff as being a parable.  It does not necessarily have to be interpreted as parabolic, see Art Just's Commentary, Volume II, pg. 630ff.
Cudos to Nash for calling the other two's hand for not showing the Biblical evidence for their positions, while discounting his opponents Biblical proofs and offering restrictivist passages, Nash has provided the debate with the sure foundation of what God says about this controversial topic.
2284226
This book is a mixture of sociology, Christianity, and politics. Samuel Rodriguez and Dr. Robert Crosby are the authors of this book. They combine these genres in this book as it address issues confronting the current events involving the Christian Church. Rodriguez and Crosby begin allow Robert Morris to start out with a Forward. Both authors begin with their own Introduction. They then spread out their content in three parts and 12 chapters. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection and perspective. Rodriguez and Crosby end with a Conclusion and an Appendix dealing with racial concerns from communities of color. They end with Acknowledgments, Notes, and Resources. Rodriguez is the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. It is the largest Hispanic Christian organization. Crosby is a pastor, conference speaker, and co-founder of Teaming Life. He has pastored multiethnic churches in New York, Boston, and Tampa.

This is an informative and eye-opening book. I never knew before about the specifics of the influence of those of Hispanic origin, in regards to the church. I have always deplored the lack of diversity in the congregations I have belong to. And the current congregation I'm in is no different. And when he cited stats about how many Hispanics really voted for Trump in the 2016 election, I was rather surprised. I always knew that Cuban-Americans support the Republican party. And I was surprised that Hispanic Evangelicals, like Caucasian Evangelicals, vote conservative based solely on abortion. Many would call the authors "holy rollers" because of their strong support for Charismatic experience, specifically speaking in tongues. The book makes me feel how much I have missed by the kind of heavily liturgical congregations I have always known. I'm disappointed that the authors say nothing about poor Caucasians, and that they face many of the hardships faced by poor African-Americans and poor Hispanics. And it seems like they lump all Caucasians as entitled, racist, and subconsciously feeling superior to non-Caucasians. But I agreed with many of their conclusions. And I know that many of us, me included, can use much more "passion" in our devotional and worship experience.

I recommend this book for all pastors and spiritual leaders. I especially recommend it for Caucasian and African-American pastors and spiritual leaders. And I recommend it for more seasoned believers. I would like to see many of those I attend worship with, read it. While it contains many good suggestions, they aren't easy or comfortable to put into practice. This is like "Christian sociology."

I have received a complimentary Advance Review Copy of this book. I received it from BLOGGINGFORBOOKS. It is an uncorrected proof of what will be in final product. I received it in exchange for y honest review of this book. I wasn't required to give a positive review of this book. You are advised to check this review against the final copy of the book.
4707679
Serious observers of the contemporary American church have been pointing out that the church has suffered such substantive missional drift and theological confusion over the last century that unless something changes in the life of the American church, Christianity in America is heading the way of our European predecessors. The church in America is in cultural captivity! This captivity has rendered the gospel truncated, politicized, domesticated and therefore having little or no visible effect.  "Your Church Is Too Small" offers one of those rare prophetic prescriptions that, if heeded, could serve to liberate the church.

In "Your Church Is Too Small," John Armstrong presents a vision of the unity possible for Christians across social, cultural, racial, and denominational lines. Far from the liberal ecumenism of the 1960s, Armstrong shows how diverse Christians can (and must) maintain unity in obedience to Christ without necessarily surrendering their doctrinal convictions. As Armstrong so thoroughly shows from Scripture, when Jesus' followers seek unity through participation in the kingdom of God and the mission of Christ, they provide an essential gospel-witness to a watching world (a witness that today is largely absent).

"Your Church Is Too Small" will challenge you to think in a profoundly biblical way about the visible church on earth. The church, beyond its representative institutions, is an organic body--the body of Christ--that gathers in many places, often holding different ideas, across many languages, socioeconomic strata, and cultures. There is, and always will be, diversity in the Lord's church by God's design (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Sadly, this diversity has often been the source of strife, contention, and division rooted mostly in fear. Armstrong shows how this fear and division has been destructive to both persons and the mission of the church.

For those who long to see the witness of the church powerfully manifested in our generation I urge you to buy this book, read it, be transformed by it, share it, and teach it to others!

S. Michael Craven, president, Center for Christ & Culture and author of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Uncompromised-Faith-Overcoming-Our-Culturalized-Christianity/dp/B00394DI6W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Uncompromised Faith: Overcoming Our Culturalized Christianity</a>
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Anthony Bradley has collected diverse voices to encourage, admonish, and instruct conservative evangelicals. We need diversity within the church and its seminaries. Bradley says,
This book represents my ongoing struggle to make sense of why evangelicalism struggles with diversity in church leadership and in the Christian academy. (p. 14)
The writing is a mixture of experiential knowledge and constructive criticism (used in the best possible sense). Especially penetrating was the observation that the evangelical stress on right doctrine hasn't always lead to "ethical emphases that resonated with" other cultures (p. 79). As a matter of fact, evangelicals over the last sixty to seventy years have purposeful shied away from ethical concerns for fear of falling prey to the "social gospel."

Also, I found the diverse voices challenged my own point of view and revealed blind spots in my own thinking. Harold Dean Trulear points out,
The evangelical struggle with race does not always reflect overt racism. Often the culprit is a form of benign neglect--an inability to see the particularity of white evangelical culture and its captivity to middle-class American norms. (p. 96)
His point boils down to this: white evangelicals haven't loved Christians from different cultures well. We've merged white culture with evangelicalism. We expect others to integrate into our churches without thought to their perspective or culture.

I loved the re-focusing from racial reconciliation to solidarity. Solidarity starts at the beginning with God creating us all in his image. It provides a foundation when reconciliation is necessary. Bradley explains,
But I am convinced that the church will be able to lead society on race only if it moves beyond reconciliation and pursues racial solidarity, which means embracing our common human dignity (Gen. 1:26-28) as a human family in ways that celebrate and respect differences between ethnic communities for the common good. This goes beyond the failed concept of "color blindness" and recognizes the importance of racial, ethnic, and ideological differences as a catalyst for loving our neighbors well (Matt. 22:36-40; John 17). (p. 152)
Bradley seems largely unconvinced of the need for any reconciliation (p. 152) but it too is part of the gospel story that needs to be taught. Preached without the emphasis of solidarity first and it may fall victim to the pitfalls explored by Bradley (pp. 152-57) but that doesn't have to be the case when solidarity (Imago Deo) is the bedrock.

I walked away with deepening appreciate for people with different cultures than my own and their struggles. I also want to encourage pastors and leaders within the church to read this book and ask, "How can my church encourage diversity (not just tokenism) within its leadership and seminary?" If change happens, it will start from the pulpit.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Aliens in the Promised Land free from P&R Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
993922
"People are partial to the truth that they've already got."
That quote from this movie pretty much says it all -- many people people they already have a corner on the truth, and they don't have much patience for anyone who says we should consider otherwise.

Jesus told the Pharisees that it was because they said they could see, they in fact were blind. It is only when we admit in our deepest selves that even some of the beliefs we hold most dear might be in err. And not as a statement of false humility, but as a statement before the Lord as we beg Him to search us and try us, to see if there is anything in us that breaks His heart.

"Hell & Mr. Fudge" is the story of a well-respected man who came to new conclusions, and it's about the backlash of condemnation he received because of it. We say we're united by the blood of Christ alone and not by our stance on doctrine .... until we find doctrine we no longer agree upon. Then what?

I know this because my husband and I have walked this path. "Hell & Mr. Fudge" does a great job of showcasing the emotional wear & tear heaped upon a person who had the audacity to allow the Holy Spirit lead them to an unpopular conclusion.
3565644
Bawer's book is well thought-out and thought-provoking.  I am an agnostic, and Bawer pinpoints precisely the main problem I've always had with Christian doctrine, namely:
a) God is all-loving.  He IS love.  He loves  all human beings unconditionally.
b) God has chosen not to provide us  with proof of His existance or nature
c) If, in the face of this lack of  proof, a human comes to incorrect conclusions about religion, God will  condemn that person forever to a fiery Hell.
I simply cannot reconcile  these three premises with each other - I cannot imagine what kind of loving  God would do these things.  Bawer emphasizes Jesus' message of selfless  love as the essence of Christianity, and that makes sense to me.  There  *are* contradictions in the Bible, making it difficult to believe that  every word is literally true. And he points out, correctly, that even  "Bible inerrantists" DO for all practical purposes accept some  passages over others. Some may use the few biblical admonitions against  homosexuality as the basis for supporting policies of discrimination  against gays, but may at the same time be wealthy and not feel compelled to  give away all their money, as Jesus advised.  Not all Christian wives  "submit themselves unto their husbands as unto the lord." There  are plenty of other such examples.  So, given that, why not read the book  critically and THINK about which parts you believe and why?
So why only  four stars?  I agree with what others have said here.  He is guilty of  stereotyping and over-generalizing "fundamentalists".  There are  many who ARE loving and who DO pay more than just lip-service to Jesus'  comandment to "love thy neighbor as thyself."  The book would  have been so much stronger if he would have acknowledged this fact and not  attempted to paint all "legalistic Christians" with the same  (very unflattering) brush.
But overall, well worth reading.  It'll make  you think, whether you agree with him or not.
4856511
Great for Christians who are anti-sematic and have no heart for Israel. I just don't know any actual Believers that hold that view.  It s a good example how judgments in our hearts can turn into extreme bias, as described in the book using Martin Luther's satanically-inspired hatred toward the nationality and people of Israel.  As far as Jesus coming back to build up a nation that is strictly Jewish in nationality, I don't think that is His whole point.  I think nationalism is a far-off end and that Jesus' actually appreciates mankind in all of our culture and that His point isn't our conversion at the end of the age.  Anyway, I can see that Joel has encountered anti-Semitism and preterism (which, again, I don't know anyone in my circle that hold that view either) in the church and this clearly is his response.
4883141
I first read "Stealing Jesus" at a point in my life when I really needed a book of its type.  I had become disillusioned with what I perceived as the painfully exclusive nature of Christianity, and I was at the point of forgetting it all together.  This book made me aware of the fact that Christianity does not necessarily have to be that way, which was an awakening and a relief for me at that point in my life.  However, as I re-encounter the text now, I am concerned at Bawer's lack of understanding for those he terms fundamentalist Christians.  Bawer is more than happy to endorse a Christianity that is all-inclusive of those who have traditionally been excluded from Christianity, but those who have a point of view that he sees as incompatible with Christianity are not treated with the embracing love and understanding that he would otherwise recommend.  In fact, they were frequently criticized, leaving little room for understanding of the way in which they were raised or their backgrounds.  This is troubling to me, and I think it would also be to other Christians who are trying to live the life of love that Bawer is so quick to endorse.