the Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler with Jared Wilson (Book Review)

That darn Amazon free shipping.  Gets me ALL the time!  I go to buy a couple of books, but I'm just short of the $25 limit to get free shipping, so I ended up buying one more book so I can save approximately $5.76 on shipping.  That's how I ended up purchasing Matt Chandler's first book, the Explicit Gospel.

But I'm glad I went for the free shipping!  The Explicit Gospel very carefully addresses the issue of the gospel, and Matt (with Jared's strong writing skills) aims to bring a very balanced, yet thoroughly biblical approach to looking at this amazing core doctrine of Christianity.

I have listened to so many Chandler sermons that I could hear Matt preaching as I read the book.  So yes, that means he was yelling at me occasionally!  Several of the stories or illustrations used in the book I have heard used in the podcasts from The Village (the church Matt pastors), but that didn't diminish their effectiveness in bringing light to Matt's point.

While I am glad I read Matt's first published work, I think I went in with too high of expectations.  The book is good and worth the read, but it didn't have the force I was expecting.  Don't get me wrong - Matt is very forceful with his points (just like he is in his preaching), but perhaps it was the force with which he writes that makes his point lose some of it's force on me.  Matt is a bit more black & white than I, so he states things as if they are a closed case, which gives the impression he isn't open to listening.  While I was hoping to be personally impacted by Matt and Jared's writing, I couldn't help at times but to think about close friends who would disagree with Matt's point, and because of the force with which he makes his point, they would tune him out, rather than hear the important point he is making (and I would agree with).

The best part of the book is the last section on "Implications and Applications (of the Explicit Gospel)".  But in order to appreciate it, you must work through the first two sections - The Gospel on the Ground (God, Man, Christ, Response) and The Gospel in the Air (Creation, Fall, Reconciliation, Consummation).

The greatest chapter for me was the final chapter about "Moralism and the Cross".  That chapter alone is worth the price of the book as it addresses the issue of "therapeutic moralistic deism" so prevalent in American culture.  I'll probably use parts of it when I counsel people.

Matt always challenges me.  Even when I'm not sure I agree, he makes me think and wanting to get back to the Scriptures to see what they say for themselves.  The Explicit Gospel continued that in my life - and for that, I'm grateful I made the time to read it.

Rating: 4 baby steps (and a fall) out of 5 (you'll have to read the book to learn Matt's baby step illustration!)

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Deep & Wide by Andy Stanley (Book Review)

I had the privilege of attending the excellent Preaching Rocket conference in Chicago two weeks ago.  Much to my surprise, I (along with every other attender) was gifted a copy of Andy Stanley's latest book "Deep & Wide."

My monthly spiritual retreat was scheduled the day after I got back from the conference.  And I couldn't help myself... after a great morning in the Word and prayer, I cracked open Andy's book, ignoring the other book in my bag I intended to finish.

I have read several of Andy's books: Next Generation Leader, 7 Practices of Effective Ministry, among others.  Andy's book Communicating for a Change gave me permission to be me when I preach.  My natural style already leans to the way Andy believes biblical teaching should be done to help both believers and non-believers draw closer to Christ, so I felt very affirmed by Communicating.  And Visioneering is one of the few books I have actually read more than two times - it still rates as one of my favorite books.

But while I enjoy Andy's books and sermons, I would not consider myself an Andy-Stanley groupie.  In fact, I need to admit that I opened Deep & Wide with curiosity, but also a heavy-dose of caution.  I recently had an older individual I deeply respect express some "concerns" about North Point's ministry, and so knowing the thesis of Deep & Wide, I was eager to see if I would learn much that would help me as I plant a church, or if the concerns I have heard would be well-founded.

In summary, I think every pastor and church staff should read Deep & Wide.  Even if they completely disagree with Andy's approach or are turned off by his occasionally-mocking tone, at least they will have wrestled through why they do ministry like they do and why their Sunday morning services are structured the way they are.  Andy is incredibly passionate about reaching those living life apart from Christ.  And while my "missional" friends would argue against Andy's heavily "attractional model," at least they would be forced to think through why they believe their approach is better for their context.

What Purpose-Driven Church was to the 90s, Deep & Wide might possibly for this generation.  It isn't a book about growing a big church.  And it isn't a book about discipling people.  It is a book about how North Point has intentionally tried to bring the unconvinced of Atlanta (and now beyond) into a life-changing relationship with Jesus, and then giving them the tools to mature in this new relationship with their Heavenly Father.

I found Andy's latest work to be challenging, funny, and inspiring.  I wouldn't be surprised if Deep & Wide doesn't end up being like Visioneering - one of the few books I return to.

Rating: 4.5 credit cards out of 5  (You'll have to read the book to understand the credit card reference!)

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest

Does this mean Campus Crusade has to change their new name?

Posted via email from erin bird's web nest