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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Metaxas' 'letter' contains a variety of theological and philosophical thesies, some of which do not entirely convince me. However, his primary thesis, that we are to follow Christ in all things (including societal battles) is essential and undeniable.
There is one way Metaxas changed my outlook. I've found myself adopting a "bring on the persecution" mindset lately, but the letter reminded me that we (the American church) still have time to repent.
There is one way Metaxas changed my outlook. I've found myself adopting a "bring on the persecution" mindset lately, but the letter reminded me that we (the American church) still have time to repent.
There has recently been some controversy around whether Metaxes has interpreted Bonhoeffer's teachings correctly, and I think it is reasonable to say that he has stretched Bonhoeffer's teachings to some degree in this book. That said, this book contains much of value to the American church and is certainly worth reading, thinking about, and taking appropriate action.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book was a hot mess. On the one hand Mr. Metaxas makes some good points. For instance he correctly points out that if we are faithful to Scripture we simply cannot completely avoid politics and social issues. The Bible speaks to those and so should we. Mr. Metaxas is also concerned about crucial social issues that affect the church like abortion and transgender teens being allowed/encouraged to take drugs and even have life-altering irreversible surgery (surely one of the most shameful behaviors of our times by adults and doctors that encourage/perform these procedures on non-adults). All well and good so far.
The negatives, however, outweigh the positives in this book by far. These include:
1. A breezy certainty about his biblical positions that are just flat-out-incorrect at times. Speaking of the necessity to choose sides in the social and spiritual issues of our day, Mr. Metaxas writes: “We either step out of the boat and miraculously walk on the water to Jesus, or we drown. As it happens, we cannot remain in the boat. And those who do remain in the boat will drown as surely as the one who has stepped out of the boat and does not walk to Jesus upon the water.” No matter that Peter was the only disciple to step out of the boat and none of the others who remained in the boat drowned.
2. Mr. Metaxas makes the fatal error of only being concerned about issues that are important to conservatives. He writes nothing at all about Jesus’ concern for the poor and marginalized, the stranger and immigrant, the oppressed, etc. There is no conservative position in this book that Mr. Metaxas criticizes. None. Zilch. Nada. It’s as if the conservative position IS the biblical position. However, Jesus saved his most serious condemnation for the religious conservatives of his day. Surely Mr. Metaxas knows this, but you will not find that in his book.
3. Which leads to…nowhere in his book does Mr. Metaxas point out that large sections of the evangelical church have been co-opted by Republicans in general and President Trump in particular. If you are writing a letter to the church and can’t see the problems with that development, you are being willfully blind.
I could go on, but you get the point. Not a book I’m interested in supporting.
The negatives, however, outweigh the positives in this book by far. These include:
1. A breezy certainty about his biblical positions that are just flat-out-incorrect at times. Speaking of the necessity to choose sides in the social and spiritual issues of our day, Mr. Metaxas writes: “We either step out of the boat and miraculously walk on the water to Jesus, or we drown. As it happens, we cannot remain in the boat. And those who do remain in the boat will drown as surely as the one who has stepped out of the boat and does not walk to Jesus upon the water.” No matter that Peter was the only disciple to step out of the boat and none of the others who remained in the boat drowned.
2. Mr. Metaxas makes the fatal error of only being concerned about issues that are important to conservatives. He writes nothing at all about Jesus’ concern for the poor and marginalized, the stranger and immigrant, the oppressed, etc. There is no conservative position in this book that Mr. Metaxas criticizes. None. Zilch. Nada. It’s as if the conservative position IS the biblical position. However, Jesus saved his most serious condemnation for the religious conservatives of his day. Surely Mr. Metaxas knows this, but you will not find that in his book.
3. Which leads to…nowhere in his book does Mr. Metaxas point out that large sections of the evangelical church have been co-opted by Republicans in general and President Trump in particular. If you are writing a letter to the church and can’t see the problems with that development, you are being willfully blind.
I could go on, but you get the point. Not a book I’m interested in supporting.
At first I disliked this book, because I was uncertain what the author was demanding, and put him into the wrong political box. By the time I'd reached his discussion of our view of God, and what He is like, it became clear that the actions Metaxas demands are entirely consistent with the correct view of God.
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
challenging
informative
slow-paced
informative
slow-paced