Rating: 
Summary: Read Dallas Willard Instead
Review: Crabb here offers some invaluable insights in what many people consider his best work. His theme, in accordance with the title, is that Christian maturity must come from the inside out. His goal is not just for believers to do good, but to be good.The author opens his book by describing three common ways Christian maturity is mistakenly perceived to occur. The first way is by doing our Christian duty. This method is primarily a matter of willpower, and ends in discouragement. The second way is by depending on a special work of the Holy Spirit. This method is an improvement, but still does not compel us to face directly the sins in our hearts that may lie below the surface. The third way is by working through obstacles to growth. Psychologists who encourage us to examine unresolved issues in our hearts and minds champion this method. The shortcoming of this approach is that repentance of hidden sin never occurs. In the remainder of his book, Crabb describes a new understanding of Christian maturity that combines the three ways just mentioned. The author then adds another dimension, that of repentance of deep sin. To identify this sin we must take an "inside look" that is illuminated by the Spirit of God, the Word of God, and the people of God. I recommend this work highly to Christian pastors, leaders, and professionals. For many believers the language may be too technical and intense, but apart from that shortcoming it is a very enlightening read. It is definitely worth the price!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Material -- A Little Too Deep for Many Persons
Review: Crabb here offers some invaluable insights in what many people consider his best work. His theme, in accordance with the title, is that Christian maturity must come from the inside out. His goal is not just for believers to do good, but to be good. The author opens his book by describing three common ways Christian maturity is mistakenly perceived to occur. The first way is by doing our Christian duty. This method is primarily a matter of willpower, and ends in discouragement. The second way is by depending on a special work of the Holy Spirit. This method is an improvement, but still does not compel us to face directly the sins in our hearts that may lie below the surface. The third way is by working through obstacles to growth. Psychologists who encourage us to examine unresolved issues in our hearts and minds champion this method. The shortcoming of this approach is that repentance of hidden sin never occurs. In the remainder of his book, Crabb describes a new understanding of Christian maturity that combines the three ways just mentioned. The author then adds another dimension, that of repentance of deep sin. To identify this sin we must take an "inside look" that is illuminated by the Spirit of God, the Word of God, and the people of God. I recommend this work highly to Christian pastors, leaders, and professionals. For many believers the language may be too technical and intense, but apart from that shortcoming it is a very enlightening read. It is definitely worth the price!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book on Facing the Truth About Ourselves
Review: Crabb's book focuses on the need to trust God and His love for us in changing our lives for the better. Some of the principles Crabb mentions include: 1. Sometimes the ache in our hearts is due to a realistic appraisal of life.
2. Reasons why we should face our thirst for spiritual satisfaction.
3. Self-protection keeps us from relating to others in more profound ways.
4. We have no right to demand anything from God!
5. We must not be demanding of others - we will struggle with disappointing relationships.
6. We must allow God to help us clearly see ourselves as we really are.
7. How we can honestly face our thirst.
8. Most important of all - the gospel contains the power to change our lives for the better!!! Read the book and prepared to be challenged and encouraged to change your life for the better!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book on Facing the Truth About Ourselves
Review: Crabb's book focuses on the need to trust God and His love for us in changing our lives for the better. Some of the principles Crabb mentions include: 1. Sometimes the ache in our hearts is due to a realistic appraisal of life.
2. Reasons why we should face our thirst for spiritual satisfaction.
3. Self-protection keeps us from relating to others in more profound ways.
4. We have no right to demand anything from God!
5. We must not be demanding of others - we will struggle with disappointing relationships.
6. We must allow God to help us clearly see ourselves as we really are.
7. How we can honestly face our thirst.
8. Most important of all - the gospel contains the power to change our lives for the better!!! Read the book and prepared to be challenged and encouraged to change your life for the better!
Rating:
Summary: An honest look at what causes sinful behavior.
Review: Dr. Larry Crabb does not sugar coat the truth about life in this fallen world. He addresses the underlying cause of sin in our lives and goes beyond the "thou shalt not's" that can lead to legalistic religion. This was an incredible book and I recommend it to anyone who is tired of fluffy Chritianity.
Rating:
Summary: The Christian Life
Review: Dr. Larry Crabb has clearly touched on the core of what it means to be a lifelong Christian. This book is a powerful and ongoing inspirational revelation of how Jesus challenges us to live our lives, myself included! Larry talks about the sins that affect the state of our hearts, underneath all the behavioural sins that seem so obvious to others. He then gives a true, but not easy, biblical path forward to leave these 'sins of the heart' behind; it is a message of true hope that will encourage and comfort us both through the best moments and the most desolate moments in our lives.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Book On Honest Spirituality
Review: Everything that Larry Crabb writes is full of wisdom and depth. In this classic book Dr. Crabb goes beyond simple cliches and religious talk to explore what knowing Christ can really do to change our life. Typical American Christianity is often is a list of do's and don'ts to somehow guarantee moral uprightness and/or instant happiness---but if someone is willing to look honestly, often produces people that are no different than those without Christ. How can knowing Christ really make a difference in our life? As Dr. Crabb puts it, "There is joy. There is hope. There is love. There is more in relationship with Christ than we've ever imagined...This book is not about relief; it is about change. Its message is not, "Here's how to feel better now." Rather, it deals with the route to transformation of character." Do you want to be changed?
Rating:
Summary: This book is changing my life for the better.
Review: I began reading "Inside Out" with a wait-and-see attitude, since I had heard it criticized as being "too psychological." I personally see psychiatry as valuable as long as it has a Biblical foundation, so I wanted to give Dr. Crabb the benefit of the doubt. I didn't really expect too much out of the book, especially since I had to read it for a class. But after a couple of chapters, my presuppositions were destroyed. When Dr. Crabb defined self-protection as a major sin holding many people in bondage, I knew that I was one of its chief practitioners. As I read on, I could see how the hurts of my past had led me to practice self-protection, especially toward the opposite sex. I saw how insular I'd become, and that I had gradually ceased from taking relational risks with women. I rationalized my behavior by convincing myself that I was setting "boundaries" when in reality I was creating barriers. I have dedicated much of the last couple of years to knowing and loving God more, but I had failed to practice the other command that goes along with that: Love others as yourself. I believe that God prepared my heart beforehand so that this book would have maximum impact. It cut through my barriers and exposed how the sin of self-protection has prevented me from reaching out and forming relationships. Since men are wired to be initiators, this was a terrible bondage to be in. I still had relational needs that were being denied, and at times I "medicated" them wrongly. But since I finished this book, I have sought to initiate more and take healthy relational risks. There's no quick fixes here, but there is the possibility of growth and progression in the right direction. It's my desire that I not forget what I have read in "Inside Out," and actually apply its lessons to my life. I do not want to be bound by pain and living in a self-imposed prison. Yes, I realize that there is still the possibility of being hurt and spitefully used, and Crabb is realistic about that happening. I also know that my deepest needs will not be realized until I am face-to-face with God in Heaven. But while I'm here, I need to take the risk to love others regardless of how they may respond. Loving God and others more, and expressing that devotion in a healthy way is the best lesson one can learn from "Inside Out."
Rating:
Summary: This book is changing my life for the better.
Review: I began reading "Inside Out" with a wait-and-see attitude, since I had heard it criticized as being "too psychological." I personally see psychiatry as valuable as long as it has a Biblical foundation, so I wanted to give Dr. Crabb the benefit of the doubt. I didn't really expect too much out of the book, especially since I had to read it for a class. But after a couple of chapters, my presuppositions were destroyed. When Dr. Crabb defined self-protection as a major sin holding many people in bondage, I knew that I was one of its chief practitioners. As I read on, I could see how the hurts of my past had led me to practice self-protection, especially toward the opposite sex. I saw how insular I'd become, and that I had gradually ceased from taking relational risks with women. I rationalized my behavior by convincing myself that I was setting "boundaries" when in reality I was creating barriers. I have dedicated much of the last couple of years to knowing and loving God more, but I had failed to practice the other command that goes along with that: Love others as yourself. I believe that God prepared my heart beforehand so that this book would have maximum impact. It cut through my barriers and exposed how the sin of self-protection has prevented me from reaching out and forming relationships. Since men are wired to be initiators, this was a terrible bondage to be in. I still had relational needs that were being denied, and at times I "medicated" them wrongly. But since I finished this book, I have sought to initiate more and take healthy relational risks. There's no quick fixes here, but there is the possibility of growth and progression in the right direction. It's my desire that I not forget what I have read in "Inside Out," and actually apply its lessons to my life. I do not want to be bound by pain and living in a self-imposed prison. Yes, I realize that there is still the possibility of being hurt and spitefully used, and Crabb is realistic about that happening. I also know that my deepest needs will not be realized until I am face-to-face with God in Heaven. But while I'm here, I need to take the risk to love others regardless of how they may respond. Loving God and others more, and expressing that devotion in a healthy way is the best lesson one can learn from "Inside Out."
Rating:
Summary: This book is changing my life for the better.
Review: I began reading "Inside Out" with a wait-and-see attitude, since I had heard it criticized as being "too psychological." I personally see psychiatry as valuable as long as it has a Biblical foundation, so I wanted to give Dr. Crabb the benefit of the doubt. I didn't really expect too much out of the book, especially since I had to read it for a class. But after a couple of chapters, my presuppositions were destroyed. When Dr. Crabb defined self-protection as a major sin holding many people in bondage, I knew that I was one of its chief practitioners. As I read on, I could see how the hurts of my past had led me to practice self-protection, especially toward the opposite sex. I saw how insular I'd become, and that I had gradually ceased from taking relational risks with women. I rationalized my behavior by convincing myself that I was setting "boundaries" when in reality I was creating barriers. I have dedicated much of the last couple of years to knowing and loving God more, but I had failed to practice the other command that goes along with that: Love others as yourself. I believe that God prepared my heart beforehand so that this book would have maximum impact. It cut through my barriers and exposed how the sin of self-protection has prevented me from reaching out and forming relationships. Since men are wired to be initiators, this was a terrible bondage to be in. I still had relational needs that were being denied, and at times I "medicated" them wrongly. But since I finished this book, I have sought to initiate more and take healthy relational risks. There's no quick fixes here, but there is the possibility of growth and progression in the right direction. It's my desire that I not forget what I have read in "Inside Out," and actually apply its lessons to my life. I do not want to be bound by pain and living in a self-imposed prison. Yes, I realize that there is still the possibility of being hurt and spitefully used, and Crabb is realistic about that happening. I also know that my deepest needs will not be realized until I am face-to-face with God in Heaven. But while I'm here, I need to take the risk to love others regardless of how they may respond. Loving God and others more, and expressing that devotion in a healthy way is the best lesson one can learn from "Inside Out."
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