Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
Do you ever feel like maybe what you are doing as a Christian just isn't enough? You talk to people who are unsaved and many times they look on "Christians" as being kooky, aggressive, confrontational and politically out there. I for one am tired of being looked at that way. So I was very glad to be able to review Philip Yancey's new book titled, Vanishing Grace. And let me just say, WOW! I found myself marking pages in here, taking notes and overall wanting to change the way I am around those who are lost.
I received this on the Kindle and I often have a hard time reading books on my tablet. I love my physical books:) But this time I opened it and slowly treasured each page, many times going back to re-read a sentence and allow it to sink in. Philip Yancey has a way with words that makes you comfortable and yet also makes you want to change. The whole point being developed throughout the book is that more and more Christians are not showing the grace and love that has been bestowed upon them. The grace that changed our lives and was freely given when we were thirsty is not as out there as it should be. And he is brutally honest in his descriptions.
One of the main things I liked was how he uses statistics so much. He backs everything up with how people perceive Christianity as a whole. He takes us across to other countries and shows how it is different from America. Even the difference in our country of north and south, which I have definitely noticed before. He makes the point that if we would look at people as hurting and lost, not just unsaved or wrong, then we will reply with kindness. How different our world would be if we responded with love to anyone, especially the people we see as enemies. All in all, this is an amazing book but no matter how many people read it over and over, it won't do any good if we don't take it to heart. People know what they should be doing, we just have to do it.
I received a copy of this in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
I received this on the Kindle and I often have a hard time reading books on my tablet. I love my physical books:) But this time I opened it and slowly treasured each page, many times going back to re-read a sentence and allow it to sink in. Philip Yancey has a way with words that makes you comfortable and yet also makes you want to change. The whole point being developed throughout the book is that more and more Christians are not showing the grace and love that has been bestowed upon them. The grace that changed our lives and was freely given when we were thirsty is not as out there as it should be. And he is brutally honest in his descriptions.
One of the main things I liked was how he uses statistics so much. He backs everything up with how people perceive Christianity as a whole. He takes us across to other countries and shows how it is different from America. Even the difference in our country of north and south, which I have definitely noticed before. He makes the point that if we would look at people as hurting and lost, not just unsaved or wrong, then we will reply with kindness. How different our world would be if we responded with love to anyone, especially the people we see as enemies. All in all, this is an amazing book but no matter how many people read it over and over, it won't do any good if we don't take it to heart. People know what they should be doing, we just have to do it.
I received a copy of this in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
Naomi D. (nomer15) -
Presented as a follow-up to "What's So Amazing About Grace", Yancey returns to the subject of grace in his newest book "Vanishing Grace". In four sections, he confronts the issue of why, since we have such good news to proclaim, Christians continue to lose influence and credibility among the culture at large.
This book helps Christians to confront where we have collectively gone wrong with our approach to culture in general and non-believers in specific. The first section looks at how the Church has failed to demonstrate love and grace to those who need it most. The second section examines three models of ways to approach love and grace better. The third section takes a look at three pressing questions: is there anyone else? why are we here? how should we live? The fourth section addresses how the Church should engage with our culture.
While the book as a whole was deep and thought-provoking, it was the fourth section that was the most convicting. In the first chapter, he looks at how Christians should be involved with politics. In the second chapter, he revisits the three models he discussed in section two.
This is a difficult book to read in that it really causes you to think and examine your approach to culture and non-believers. But even if it may be a difficult book to read, I think it's a necessary one.
(Ive received this complimentary book through the BookLook program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
This book helps Christians to confront where we have collectively gone wrong with our approach to culture in general and non-believers in specific. The first section looks at how the Church has failed to demonstrate love and grace to those who need it most. The second section examines three models of ways to approach love and grace better. The third section takes a look at three pressing questions: is there anyone else? why are we here? how should we live? The fourth section addresses how the Church should engage with our culture.
While the book as a whole was deep and thought-provoking, it was the fourth section that was the most convicting. In the first chapter, he looks at how Christians should be involved with politics. In the second chapter, he revisits the three models he discussed in section two.
This is a difficult book to read in that it really causes you to think and examine your approach to culture and non-believers. But even if it may be a difficult book to read, I think it's a necessary one.
(Ive received this complimentary book through the BookLook program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
