Victoria T. (justicepirate) reviewed Bold as Love: What Can Happen When We See People the Way God Does on + 350 more book reviews
I give this more of a 2.75 star rating.
If I am to review the book, I'll review it as a whole. The book in itself was not that well written. Mr. Roberts repeats things almost word for word at times. Didn't I just read that two chapters ago? The same exact sentence? You already said that was what your church always says and explained it, so I don't know why you are doing it again.
Now for the actual meat of the book. It is about how if we are to love our neighbors, we should truly get to know them, especially those who we feel like we don't understand. Mr. Roberts highlights mainly on the Muslims of the world, but he talks about people who are Hindu, Jewish, and Communists in Vietnam as well. He doesn't really talk about people groups in general in our own neighborhoods necessarily other than these specific ones, but I am sure that's included.
The author tells us stories about his time hanging out with his "close friends" as he so often puts it who are of other religious factions. He hangs out with them and has discussions while being able to maintain peace with them.
I am very into non-violence/non-resistance and peace and loving your neighbor as yourself as well (seeing them all as made in the image of God), so I could agree with the author most of the book. However, I don't think that just because Jesus hung out with the people who were looked down upon in His society means we should hang out with them as close friends. The Bible states "What do we have in common with them" which is why we need continual fellowship with other believers so that we don't get pulled down away from Truth. He did not talk about taking any precaution of our heart and soul which worried me. Jesus would show love and kindness to all people, but He always made sure to tell them to understand that He is the son of God and tell them to "go and sin no more." He never hung out with someone without the hopes of seeing transformation in them. I believe we should get to know others and build relationships, yes, and I think that Mr. Roberts actually is doing a great job in this way. Obviously we can't change anyone, but trying to help guide them towards the truth is extremely important (which I am sure that he does do, but it seems like he said many times that he was not out to "convert" but to be friends).
My favorite quote from this book was, "Never kill in the name of God-If anything, we should lose our lives."
I agree completely.
So yes, while I do have little things that irked me sometimes in the book, I did see the heart portrayed towards others which was certainly beautifully done. I agree that we need to boldly love others as God loves His creation instead of looking down on them or fearing them or hating them, etc.
If I am to review the book, I'll review it as a whole. The book in itself was not that well written. Mr. Roberts repeats things almost word for word at times. Didn't I just read that two chapters ago? The same exact sentence? You already said that was what your church always says and explained it, so I don't know why you are doing it again.
Now for the actual meat of the book. It is about how if we are to love our neighbors, we should truly get to know them, especially those who we feel like we don't understand. Mr. Roberts highlights mainly on the Muslims of the world, but he talks about people who are Hindu, Jewish, and Communists in Vietnam as well. He doesn't really talk about people groups in general in our own neighborhoods necessarily other than these specific ones, but I am sure that's included.
The author tells us stories about his time hanging out with his "close friends" as he so often puts it who are of other religious factions. He hangs out with them and has discussions while being able to maintain peace with them.
I am very into non-violence/non-resistance and peace and loving your neighbor as yourself as well (seeing them all as made in the image of God), so I could agree with the author most of the book. However, I don't think that just because Jesus hung out with the people who were looked down upon in His society means we should hang out with them as close friends. The Bible states "What do we have in common with them" which is why we need continual fellowship with other believers so that we don't get pulled down away from Truth. He did not talk about taking any precaution of our heart and soul which worried me. Jesus would show love and kindness to all people, but He always made sure to tell them to understand that He is the son of God and tell them to "go and sin no more." He never hung out with someone without the hopes of seeing transformation in them. I believe we should get to know others and build relationships, yes, and I think that Mr. Roberts actually is doing a great job in this way. Obviously we can't change anyone, but trying to help guide them towards the truth is extremely important (which I am sure that he does do, but it seems like he said many times that he was not out to "convert" but to be friends).
My favorite quote from this book was, "Never kill in the name of God-If anything, we should lose our lives."
I agree completely.
So yes, while I do have little things that irked me sometimes in the book, I did see the heart portrayed towards others which was certainly beautifully done. I agree that we need to boldly love others as God loves His creation instead of looking down on them or fearing them or hating them, etc.
