Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
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Book Reviews of Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
Book Review: Crazy Love, Crazy Good
Summary: 5 Stars
Francis Chan Crazy Love
This is the best non-fiction book I've read in a long, long time. I didn't want to read it. However I promised my nephew - so I did. I've grown cynical of Christian non-fiction lately. Most are written from the same emergent/postmodern viewpoint. They start with variations on the "is this all the Christ-life has to offer?" question, and then want us to believe they have the answer the church has somehow missed for the last 2000 years. It seems both shallow and copied. I thought this was going to be more of the same. Mercy was I wrong.
Francis takes scripture, dusts it off and with polished clarity sticks it in right front of our nose. It starts with the same question, (is this all the Christ-life has to offer?) but takes us through difficult in-your-face biblical answers. This is one of the most enjoyable yet convicting books I've read yet. Thank you Francis Chan! Some of my favorite quotes are:
* "A friend was asked if he didn't think he spent too much time serving and giving. His response: I wonder if you'll say that after we're dead."
* Quoting Tim Kizziar: "Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be in failure but of succeeding in things that don't matter."
* Quoting CS Lewis: "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one."
* In a challenge to live lean to give more Francis says: "The concept of downsizing so that others may upgrade is biblical, beautiful... and practically unheard of."
* "So get over yourself. U exist to bring Him glory."
Well said Francis!
More reviews at Danielcooley.com
Book Review: re: Excellent Challenging Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't understand why there are a couple of 1 and 2 star reviews of this book. I can only say that those readers missed the point of the book. Chan's book is biblical and steers clear of works.
The point of the book is that as a Christian body, i.e. the church, we have strayed from the model of church in the Bible. The concept is that once we submit all to God as a repentant sinner and through the grace of Jesus Christ, we can do nothing give him our all in everything we do and have. Not because we can ever pay him back, but because we love Him dearly.
Some of the low star reviewers have mislabeled the works in the book as "works" earning our way to heaven, which is completely unbiblical. These are people living generously for Christ - people wanting to give all in full submission. We must be careful not to think that anything we do can be payment back to God. The Bible states that we are not good enough to earn it. God loved us so much that He sent his Son to to the cross to die our sins, without asking anything in return - all that is necessary is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ - Amen!
Check out Pastor Francis Chan's church Cornerstone -http://www.cornerstonesimi.com/
You can get the audio book as a download on iTunes for $5.95, which is 4 hours and read by Pastor Chan. This book stands side by side - Randy Alcorn's Money Possessions and Eternity as well as other books that have been mentioned in the reviews. Very powerful. Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Seattle preached two message entitled Generous (4 parts total) and I encourage readers of this review to check that out as well.
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/generous/generous-part-1a
Book Review: Refreshing
Summary: 5 Stars
It is not often that I review books here on Amazon.com, but I thought this book was truly worth reviewing and recommending. Ignore the nay-sayers who question Chan's view of salvation being by grace through faith alone. Chan affirms that view many times in this book. It is my opinion that the nay-sayers who object to Chan's view of salvation are individuals who have a deficient understanding of what salvation really is. They are probably not saved themselves. Salvation is when God takes hold of us, and we in return take hold of God. And any understanding of justification by faith that somehow takes away from the total and radical claim the gospel has on our lives, is a bogus understanding of justification by faith, and what it means to be saved by grace. If you are saved, you are saved by a faith that works, and makes a difference in your life.
And ultimately, that's what this book is about. It's about living a life of purpose with eternity in view, out of a love for God that causes one to have a radical love for your neighbor. Why? Because God has taken a radical hold of you in your life, and demonstrated an awesome love for you. It is a book about realizing that living our best lives now can only be obtained by living our lives for eternity. This book boldly declares the American dream to be a lie from hell-- even the Christian version of it. The American dream is focused on the here and now, Christianity is focused on the age that is to come. But by living our lives for eternity, with heaven in view, we will live radically different lives here and now. To be heavenly minded is to be of earthly good. In a nutshell, this book shows there is a very practical side to being saved.
Book Review: Crazy Love
Summary: 5 Stars
If you haven't read a book about Christian life or if you need a spark to get your relationship with the Lord back on track, I challenge you to read Crazy Love. There are several authors emerging that simply want to point the way to God. This is one of them. No denominational agendas here. Scripture and real-life examples are used to show that God loves people with passion.
Francis' goal in this book is simple: "By surrendering your life to God's purposes, He will bring you the most pleasure in this life and the next. ...I hope it affirms your desire for `more God' even if you are surrounded by people who feel they have `enough God.'"
Crazy Love is simple, honest and humbly written. Francis uses examples of struggle and temptation as well as breakthroughs in his relationship with God to show that you are not alone on this journey through life. When you are in love, you do crazy things to show your devotion. God loves us with this kind of crazy love and longs for the same from us... a love of real devotion and heart-felt commitment that consumes our thoughts and continually draws us even closer to Him.
As I read through this 186 page work, I kept circling sections, taking notes in the margins and thinking, "This is who I want to be. I want THIS kind of relationship with God." Crazy Love has caused me to not just spend more time with God but to be more attentive to what scripture says and trust Him more deeply. He is Holy and deserves more than just my left-overs!
Also, there is a website set up to enhance your reading of Crazy Love. Go to [...] to see videos that coincide with each chapter as well as other helpful tools.
Book Review: Crazy Enough
Summary: 5 Stars
"God will not be tolerated"; "Lukewarm Christians are not Christians"; and "Do not assume that you are good ground"
Do these statements surprise you, anger you, or perhaps confuse you? Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentess God by Pastor Francis Chan of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California will polarize you in your Christian thinking.
If you are interested in deepening your view of God, this book will awaken areas you should examine.
If you are a `lukewarm" Christian (an oxymoron according to Chan), you may get as far as chapter three before shelving it in your `not really that interesting' section of your library.
This is not an evangelical book. The first three chapters remind the reader of the wonder, the majesty, and the infinite God of creation. The remaining chapters direct the reader to examine themselves and their behaviors in light of what the scripture teaches a follower of Jesus Christ should look like.
I especially like the direct approach about delayed gratification in the chapter entitled "Your Best Life...Later", which speaks directly and concisely to the result of the modern day prosperity preaching.
A very refreshing read, reminding me of Brennan Manning's `Ragamuffin Gospel', I was glad to see this level of authenticity in approach of Christianity.
The author directs you to view a video at [...] called "The Awe Factor of God". Visit this site to read more about this book.
Gina Hendrix
Vessel Project Book Reviewer
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