Ministry Journey Blog

Thoughts on Ministry

29 Sep

Book Review-Grace of God by Andy Stanley

Posted in Uncategorized on 29.09.11 by Merlyn

Book Review

Published on Book Sneeze & Amazon

Book Review

The Grace of God by Andy Stanley

This book by Andy Stanley seeks to describe grace in a contemporary, easy to understand way using various Biblical stories and characters as illustrations or markers of grace. The author points out that grace is a struggle for the one who gives as well as the one who receives. Andy uses story to point out the key aspects of grace. The book highlights key understandings about grace for the reader throughout each chapter. The book is motivational, devotional, practical, theological and Biblical in nature.

I am a fan of Andy Stanley, even when we might see an issue or a concept differently. I was a little pessimistic about the idea of a book on grace since it is such a meaty theological concept and while Andy is a great thinker, much of his work is devotional in nature. This book was more than a devotional on grace, but it fell short of being a solid or complete theological treatment as well. The book took a balanced approach to grace and unlike many contemporary Christian pastors and thinkers, Andy made sure to include the notion that grace comes from God and not from our human response to God, which was important to my own theological viewpoint. The themes of each chapter made it easy to see grace as a source, but also for its function without taking a consumer approach to grace. The book was honest, thoughtful and sincere, without mincing words or watering down grace while at the same time not casting judgment or demonizing individuals, cultures, or particular religious perspectives. I enjoyed reading this book as Andy Stanley put some important and difficult concepts in an easy to understand language. While it is not a complete treatment of grace, it is a wonderful tool for all those who seek to better embrace and understand grace.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rev. Marcus J Carlson

 

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