Classic Christianity Illustrated

Rating:
Summary: What a Christian Book Should Do
Review: ... Bob George doesn't have exclusive access to the truths he illustrates in his book. A Christian doesn't have to read this book to realize the abundant life he or she has in Christ Jesus.

So why do I recommend this book so highly? Mainly because I believe that God has blessed Bob with an incredible ability to communicate spiritual messages to others. He certainly communicated those messages to me. Classic Christianity had a major impact on my life. Before reading this book, I was steeped in religion. I was brought up to believe that "God helps those who help themselves." Only later in life did I learn that the Bible never actually said that, Benjamin Franklin did. So everything I did as a Christian I did out of my own effort, trying to repay God a little for what He did for me by sending His Son to die on the cross. Oh sure, I sometimes asked God to help me when things were going a little rough, but I never considered asking anything of Him when situations were going well or my problems seemed manageable.

I certainly didn't ask for God's help when I read the Bible, and this is why I never came to the conclusions Bob did until after reading Classic Christianity. Bob consistently returns to the scriptures while making his points. He helped me to realize the importance, rather the necessity of relying upon the Holy Spirit for guidance through ALL parts of my life. Once I started to let the Holy Spirit take control of my life, I began to see the Bible from an entirely new vantage point. Everything started to make sense.

Bob's book does exactly what every Christian book should. It leads us back to our relationship with Jesus. Once there, we can receive truth right from the source of truth. Having reread most of the New Testament after reading Classic Christianity, I truly believe that the points made in Classic Christianity are valid. But don't take Bob George's word for it and certainly don't take mine. Read this book and then compare it to the Bible yourself. See if it doesn't have as big of an impact on your relationship with Jesus as it had on mine.

Rating:
Summary: Five stars for content, three stars for writing style
Review: A previous reviewer had stated that George is no Bonhoffer, no Lewis, no MLK, no Martin Luther. In terms of written prose, perhaps that reviewer is correct. Bob George's writing style is "common man" in every sense (that is, actually, part of the point). However, in terms of actual message, he is very much in the tradition of those illustrious men. In fact, his message is EXACTLY that of Martin Luther: that the Grace of God is central to understanding the Christian life; that we live by faith, not by works; that as Christians, we are co-heirs with Christ through his resurrection. In this respect, George is very much Pauline in theology: all Paul. Another previous reviewer has stated that when they read this book it changed the way he looked at the New Testament. I must mirror these remarks. I first read Classic Christianity when I was a Junior in High School(it is written at about a 8th-9th Grade reading level, I would suspect), and it completely re-arranged how I viewed my life as a Christian, how I saw my relationship with God, and how I read scripture from then on. George's message is FUNDAMENTAL to understanding basic Christian theology, and by basic, I mean core--the central message of the Gospel of John, the central message to Paul's epistles, Peter's epistles, and the letter to the Hebrews. This book is a must have for those who feel that they are floundering in their spiritual life. For this reason, I give this book five stars: six stars if you are a Lutheran.

Rating:
Summary: A step out of doing and a step into being
Review: Bob George has explained the true essence of the Gospel in such a way that you'll wonder how you ever missed it in the first place. The words of the Bible have not changed, but after reading Classic Christianity, the way you see those words will. Through wonderfully relevent analogies and the author's own true-to-life stories, you will come to an understanding of how much the Christian life is identity, not behavior -- being, not doing.

Though having grown up in the church, I turned away from God as I entered college. Before I graduated, however, I came back to Him because of the Gospel message as taught to me by Bob George. That was five years ago and I'm still plugging along with the full realization that His grace means everything. I've read Classic Christianity countless times in the 5 years since first picking it up and it never gets old, it only gets better. This book is rarely on my bookshelf, though. I seem to keep giving it away.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent "classic" book on the topic of Christianity!
Review: In clear, concise writing, best-selling author Bob George captures the heart of the Gospel. With humor, wit and incredible insight, Bob shares his struggles and conclusions about what it means to be a Christian. The reader quickly grasps how simple living the Christian life is and how man has made it complex. The information in this book has the capability to change a person and his or her thoughts about God. If you are interested in finally being able to comprehend what true Christianity is all about, I highly recommend you read this book

Rating:
Summary: Don't take my word for it. Read it!
Review: Of all the books I've ever read, this one has had the most positive impact on my life. I highly recommend it.