This is an excellent book. The title is intentionally provocative, but the book is more about asking hard questions than it is about about bashing the Church. Murrow's point is that we have a major problem in the church. The men are missing. Most men would never be caught dead in a typical church service and most of the ones who are there physically are not engaging in church and they certainly aren't leading. One of the major reasons is that churches often emphasize feminine strengths and gifts and minimize or even demonize masculine strengths. When Jesus' is taught he is softened to fit the mold acceptable to modern christianity. This has been my husband's experience and this is the issue that David Murrow addresses.
One slight criticism of the aurthors approach is that, like my previous statement, he makes sweeping generalizations that will cause some people to be defensive. While I agree that what David says is not true of all men in church or of all churches, but the exceptions prove the rule and the trend is moving that way.
My husband added that this is an important book for any church leader or mens ministry leader to read in order to evaluate their own ministry. For those of us who have been in church our whole lives it is often hard to step outside our presuppositions and ask if our ministry is actually helping men become better men.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <[...]> book review bloggers program. 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."
Friday, January 27, 2012
Rumors of God by Whitehead & Tyson
"Rumors of God is a call to Christians seeking a vision of the life God is calling them to, one that transcends the shallowness of our culture." The beginning of the book's description is backed up well by a solid book. Rumors took me on a 10 chapter adventure casting a strong vision of the life God wants for all of us: an abundant life, a different dream, a life of generosity, love, grace, freedom, commitment, community, justice, and hope.
The overriding theme and the author's prayer in this book is that of Habakkuk 3:2: "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy."
Rumors is a book about vision. It is a book through which you can catch glimpses of God's calling. This vision is what is lacking in the western church and what so much of the "persecuted church" clings to. And we wonder why God moves so powerfully in their midst?
This book will give you a vision of what God wants for you, one that can easily get tarnished and clouded by the ups, downs, and busyness of life. It's a well written, easy read, that just might ignite your faith again, and who couldn't use a little spark?
PS - I was worried that this would be a lot like the book Radical by David Platt and while the premise is the same it definitely holds it's own and adds to the discussion of what the church in America desperately needs. So if you've read that book and found it helpful, I encourage you to give this book a try too!
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <[...]> book review bloggers program. 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."
The overriding theme and the author's prayer in this book is that of Habakkuk 3:2: "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy."
Rumors is a book about vision. It is a book through which you can catch glimpses of God's calling. This vision is what is lacking in the western church and what so much of the "persecuted church" clings to. And we wonder why God moves so powerfully in their midst?
This book will give you a vision of what God wants for you, one that can easily get tarnished and clouded by the ups, downs, and busyness of life. It's a well written, easy read, that just might ignite your faith again, and who couldn't use a little spark?
PS - I was worried that this would be a lot like the book Radical by David Platt and while the premise is the same it definitely holds it's own and adds to the discussion of what the church in America desperately needs. So if you've read that book and found it helpful, I encourage you to give this book a try too!
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <[...]> book review bloggers program. 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."
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