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Summary: True grace of God explained!
Review: Chuck Swindoll does a great job in this book teaching about grace and those who would replace it with legalism (grace killers!). People who think grace is a "license to sin" really don't grasp the concept. Titus 2:11-12 explains that God's grace brings about obediance in a believer's life, not the list "do not's" in a particular denomination. After we are born-again and set free we can choose to walk in God's grace and peace! The Lord came to set the captives free, not put new chains on them! I recommend this book highly for a deeper insight into God's grace.
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Summary: A Wonderful, refreshing view of God's grace
Review: As a pastor, I am compelled to read this work at least once a year. It reminds me that I often loose sight of God's grace. Without grace I am left with trying earn my salvation. Dr. Swindoll reminds me that I need to be a giver of grace to everyone that I meet.If you are or have struggled with God's idea of grace, I would encourage you to read this work. It will remind you how wonderful God's love is. We cannot survive without His grace. Since we have been the recepent of God's grace, we need to be givers of Grace ourselves.
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Summary: Read this book and awaken to amazing, accepting grace
Review: Bestselling author Charles R. Swindoll has updated his classic title THE GRACE AWAKENING for a new generation of readers waking up to the truth that God is good and grace is the message of the gospel. As he writes, "Having tasted the sweet delights of liberty in Christ, more and more in the Christian family are satisfied with nothing less." Renowned as a Christian communicator, Swindoll serves as senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church, chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary and host of the internationally syndicated radio program "Insight for Living." A prolific and award-winning author, he has written more than 30 bestselling books and received 11 Gold Medallion Awards, with this book qualifying as one of his best ever. Exhibiting candor and conviction, Swindoll contrasts liberty with legalism and warns readers to be wary of the three tools of legalism, or grace-killers, as he calls them: doctrinal heresy, ecclesiastical harassment and personal hypocrisy. As he explains it, legalists disturb and distort by twisting truth, spying and enslaving, and lying and deceiving others. In the chapter titled "The Grace to Let Others Be," Swindoll compares the two different dimensions of grace. "Vertical grace centers on our relationship to God. It is amazing. It frees us from the demands and condemnation of the Mosaic Law," he writes. "Horizontal grace centers on our human relationships. It is charming. It frees us from the tyranny of pleasing people and adjusting our lives to the demands and expectations of human opinion." To encourage readers as they awaken to grace, Swindoll reminds them that at least three things are involved in the process: it takes time, it requires pain and it means change. He also includes a helpful chart listing qualities of shame-based spirituality versus qualities of healthy spirituality, highlighting for readers the distinct differences between the two. For those seeking specific guidance on how to be more gracious, Swindoll identifies five characteristics of people who personify grace: generosity with personal possessions, encouragement in unusual settings, life beyond the letter of the law, liberty for creative expression and release from past failures. Readers will find the book an uplifting and liberating experience, as it gives them permission to be themselves in a healthy "live and let live" manner of speaking. While each one's pace may differ, Swindoll assures one and all that with God as the guide, the race to grace is a glorious one and well worth pursuing. THE GRACE AWAKENING was originally released in 1990, selling more than 500,000 copies to date, and this version should succeed in widening its circle of influence even further. Its rousing message serves as a wake up call for all those who slumber under the lullaby of legalism yet yearn to be free. Read it and awaken to amazing, accepting grace. --- Reviewed by Sean Fowlds
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Summary: Read it, and give a copy to everyone you care about
Review: Charles Swindoll has hit the nail on the head about what's wrong with religion today: Legalism. His refreashing look at God's grace is simple and yet so profound. I have read the book 3 times already and plan to read it many more. The language is simple, the parables enlightening, and the message so very important. I feel that Swindoll accurately brings to life Bible text and makes God's message of grace easy for us to understand. Beware: legalists wont like this book.
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Summary: Swindoll tackles today's biggest issue in his usual manner
Review: Charles Swindoll is one of the greatest writers in the Christian book market. In this book, he takes on "grace stealers" head to head, in his typical easy going manner. From someone who has been around and knows, Mr. Swindoll speaks on those who try to make Christianity just another religion, instead of a relationship. This book could change your life.
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Summary: Unscriptural View of Grace
Review: I am saddened by the lack of scriptural understanding that is portrayed in this book. On several occasions, scripture is used out of context; especially in Romans 6 and Galatians 2. Living righteous holy lives is demanded in the Bible. Not for God's favor or for any saving merit, but as a stark contrast to a world without Christ. The reason this book is even written is to accommodate to the week, worldly Christians who don't want to feel guilty about their sin. They don't love the Lord as they should if they find it burdensome to live separated from the world. The Bible doesn't have to list the specefic immoral sins. The principals are clear enough to the spiritual Christian. There is some truth, however, in this book as it addresses the problem of some who would equate the do's and don'ts with spirituality. But requiring a leader in a church to meet the qualifications as given in Timothy and Titus is not legalism. It is Biblical. If more Christians today would spend more time knowing God by spending much time daily in His word and prayer, they would have no problem wanting to walk in His ways.
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Summary: Misleading and damaging.
Review: I know it's popular, but this is NOT a good book. Swindoll is, to be VERY charitable, "academically dishonest" in his definition of legalism. Strictness and commitment to truth are NOT legalism, no matter how good it feels to think so. This book has done damage that I have personally witnessed in my own church and ministry, and I could NEVER recommend it. I know that the Lord is Swindoll's only judge, and I merely wish to deliver a small warning that is no way personal or vindictive.
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Summary: Liberating, Loving and full of Grace...
Review: I thought this book was absolutely wonderful. I bought it 3 years ago with all intentions of reading it right away, but put it away in a drawer. I stumbled on it a few months ago and decided to start reading. I could not stop reading this book. For someone like me who was brought up Catholic, it was truly an awakening. For years I had problems with the Catholic doctrine which I was brought up in, and this book made the reasons pretty clear to me. I just sent the book over to my Mom (a strict Catholic) and I can't wait to hear what she thinks. One thing this book made me realize is that I have been my own "grace killer" due to my upbringing in the Catholic church. This book is not only liberating, but full of love and grace! I mean no offense to Catholics in my review of this book. This has just been my own personal experience with faith and relgion. Have a Blessed Day! :)
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Summary: The Book I Had Been Looking For
Review: I'll keep this very short. I had never written to the author of a book before but felt compelled to do so after reading this book. More than ANY book I had ever read, this book made a real change in my attitude and outlook toward life and my concept of who and what God is. I had gone to church most of my life and was very involved with all the busyness of church life and definitely knew I was a believer but during a time when I was questioning a lot of things this book fell into my hands. I read it practically without putting it down and wrote to Charles Swindoll to thank him for giving me first real glimmer of spiritual hope I'd had for many many years. I still have the book and keep my letter to Charles Swindoll and his reply to me inside it. I loan it to others from time to time when I see that same look of bewilderment on their faces that I felt in my heart after many years of trying so hard for I knew not what. READ THIS BOOK! I promise you'll never be the same again. It's just impossible.
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Summary: wake up
Review: It really helped me to accept that grace can't be earned. I am no believer in "once saved , always saved", but it really got the fact that grace is not earned thru my thick skull.
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