Faith That Pleases God

Rating:
Summary: NOT dangerous theologically
Review: A previous reviewer has stated that Bob George's new book is dangerous theologically. Well, no, it isn't; however, it does depart from contemporary American theology. Over the last, what is it 1800? 1900 years? The Christian church has picked up a great deal of theological baggage (Gnostic teachings, legalistic trappings held over from Judaism, Greek concepts of the universe, etc). American theology hasn't done any better. We have a tendancy to "translate" the Christian texts into our own language, and many times we got it wrong.
Bob George is a modern day Martin Luther; his words cut through the trappings of organized religion in order to get at the core message of the Christian church--Salvation through Faith in God and his Grace. His message is not theologically dangerous, it is theologically sound because it is the core message of the Christian religion, one that Christians have forgotten in their efforts to ... I don't know what: know more? get more grace (whatever that means)? be a better Christian? I'm not sure, I've never understood. Bob George's message is perfect: Our faith in God's Grace is enough. A bit scary, because we all want to DO something more; however, THAT desire to do more, know more, go beyond is more dangerous theologically. Read Bob George--he's no literary marvel, but that's not needed here, just solid core Christian theology. No more, no less.

Rating:
Summary: Like finding a pin in a haystack...
Review: Bob George states that the average Christian today lives out his Christianity like the Galatians did. So many Christians look to religion to provide and maintain spiritual life, depending on self-effort, continuous repentance,and confession of sins to gain God's approval and acceptance. Small wonder that so many believers are struggling in their walk and feeling condemned. Bob George has written a challenging book to guide the Christian towards new covenant living, where grace leads to a joyous, holy lifestyle and where Jesus Christ is honored and glorified in every area of life. He has an interesting chapter on 1John 1:9 which offers some startling and captivating insights. I liked the author's straight-forward writing style and his use of stories from his personal experience to clarify his message. I found this book to be very encouraging and I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: NOT dangerous theologically
Review: This work is the first one I have read by Bob George. Before moving to this book's greatest shortcoming, I'd like to mention its greatest strength. George here gives a very strong message of God's grace for the believer in Christ. For people who have been struggling with a legalistic view of Christianity, his words are like a deep drink of cool water to parched and thirsty lips. There are many Christians who will benefit enormously from his emphasis on the centrality of God's grace in the life of one who is born again.

The greatest shortcoming of this work is that it has little if any regard for church history and theology. In the opening pages, George describes the message he felt God was impressing upon him early in his Christian development:

"'Bob, your mind is like a blackboard covered with all sorts of religious information. . . . Bob, today let's erase the whole thing and start over. I don't care what the Baptists or what Campus Crusade has taught you, or your pastor, relative or friend. I want you to erase it all and start over again, allowing Me to teach you. Are you willing?' I answered, 'Lord, am I ever!' 'Good,' God said, 'Now, open your Bible.' As I did, over the course of the next several months, God began to teach me the fullness of His grace -- starting with the very basics." (Pages 30-31)

The rest of this work describes the garbled view of grace that George learned in his private, exclusive tutoring from God. Because he places a high priority on the integrity of the Scriptures, the bulk of what he says rings true. He loses however, the clarity and consistency that would have resulted from openness to the Biblical theology and teaching from other believers. Three examples of this deficiency are his shallow remarks on sanctification (mainly forgiveness of sin), intercessory prayer, and predestination.

In short, George's work has a very powerful, positive psychological effect on someone who has experienced little of God's grace. Theologically however, his words are sorely lacking in the clarity and the consistency that learning from other believers throughout church history would have provided. The danger is that uninformed Christians who read his book will follow in the same footsteps of his isolated spiritual development.

For all the people choosing to read this book, it would be wise to remember that George is writing as a Christian counselor, not as a theologian. To develop any sort of doctrinal system based upon these views would be very risky business for believers.

Rating:
Summary: Dynamic Psychologically, but Dangerous Theologically
Review: This work is the first one I have read by Bob George. Before moving to this book's greatest shortcoming, I'd like to mention its greatest strength. George here gives a very strong message of God's grace for the believer in Christ. For people who have been struggling with a legalistic view of Christianity, his words are like a deep drink of cool water to parched and thirsty lips. There are many Christians who will benefit enormously from his emphasis on the centrality of God's grace in the life of one who is born again.

The greatest shortcoming of this work is that it has little if any regard for church history and theology. In the opening pages, George describes the message he felt God was impressing upon him early in his Christian development:

"'Bob, your mind is like a blackboard covered with all sorts of religious information. . . . Bob, today let's erase the whole thing and start over. I don't care what the Baptists or what Campus Crusade has taught you, or your pastor, relative or friend. I want you to erase it all and start over again, allowing Me to teach you. Are you willing?' I answered, 'Lord, am I ever!' 'Good,' God said, 'Now, open your Bible.' As I did, over the course of the next several months, God began to teach me the fullness of His grace -- starting with the very basics." (Pages 30-31)

The rest of this work describes the garbled view of grace that George learned in his private, exclusive tutoring from God. Because he places a high priority on the integrity of the Scriptures, the bulk of what he says rings true. He loses however, the clarity and consistency that would have resulted from openness to the Biblical theology and teaching from other believers. Three examples of this deficiency are his shallow remarks on sanctification (mainly forgiveness of sin), intercessory prayer, and predestination.

In short, George's work has a very powerful, positive psychological effect on someone who has experienced little of God's grace. Theologically however, his words are sorely lacking in the clarity and the consistency that learning from other believers throughout church history would have provided. The danger is that uninformed Christians who read his book will follow in the same footsteps of his isolated spiritual development.

For all the people choosing to read this book, it would be wise to remember that George is writing as a Christian counselor, not as a theologian. To develop any sort of doctrinal system based upon these views would be very risky business for believers.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book about the doctrine of faith
Review: To people who have been in church all of their lives, this book may seem a little unusual at first. However, Bob George has a very grounded view of salvation and once you read this book and the light comes on, the Bible will read much differently for you. I received a much clearer understanding of what God did for us and now I know why my feeble attempts at living the "Christian life" were not enough. I was doing it all wrong. I was relying on my own efforts instead of depending on what Christ had already done for me so long ago. I also recommend that you read Classic Christianity. It will open your eyes.