In the Grip of Grace

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Summary: Helped me in many ways...
Review: I was drifting from the church. I had (and continue to have) a different perspective on the church from certain issues. I was taking a "don't ask, don't tell" approach to homosexuality, basically saying, what they want to do is between them and God, and it's not the role of man to place judgment on them for that. And certainly not the role of man (or church) to LEGISLATE morality. But, before I get someone ripping my head off for that opinion, you can imagine that it isn't popular in the church.

When I read this book, I saw so many people in the Church in the role of the second brother in the parable of the river. The Fault-Finding Judgmentalist. And at that point I was instantly hooked into this book. I felt like this was someone who saw things from my perspective, whether he agreed with me or not. He could at least see what I was thinking, of this much I was assured. He doesn't mention any of those controversial topics explicitly, but I feel like the interpretation is valid.

Simply put, I came away feeling a greater love and appreciation for God, and feeling thankful for His grace that has saved me. I'm still more far from the Church than I would prefer. It will take awhile for me to find my way completely back. But guided by my re-growing faith, and books like this, I won't be gone forever.

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Summary: A fundamental guide to the peace that passes understanding.
Review: In our Christian lives we constantly strive for the, "peace that passes understanding". Once again Max has shown us that peace is not in the "striving". True peace comes from the realization within our heart, that we are held, "In the Grip of Grace".

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Summary: One of Lucado's Best
Review: IN THE GRIP OF GRACE tackles one of the most important stakes of the Christian faith, and one that many people have the hardest time truly comprehending and accepting as well. "Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us," Max Lucado asks. Though we may say that the answer is no, in reality many of us live as though the answer is yes.

Lucado breaks us down into four groups: the hut-building hedonist, the fault-finding judgmentalist, the rock-stacking legalist, and the grace-driven Christian. One disregards God and indulges self, ignoring their need for grace. One tries to distract God by comparing themselves to other "worse" sinners, believing that grace is always needed by someone else. Others try to save themselves, to make themselves right before God by works; thus rejecting grace. But the grace-driven Christian trusts and seeks after God's grace, realizing that there really is nothing we can do to earn our salvation but accept it as a truly free gift.

As is typical of a Max Lucado book, IN THE GRIP OF GRACE is an easy, folksy read. It may tackle a heavy issue, but Lucado never wades too deep into theological discourse, preferring to use illustrations instead. Thus, IN THE GRIP OF GRACE is an excellent read for both new Christians and those who simply desire a book that will help them better understand their position with God. IN THE GRIP OF GRACE never reaches the heights that Philip Yancey's WHAT'S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE does, but it stands as one of Max Lucado's best and most universally relevant works. FOUR STARS.

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Summary: Cool book
Review: Lots of good points, challenging questions. I like it

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Summary: Feel good stuff, but not a lot of substance
Review: Lucado has a way of communicating in such a way that you feel the love of God, and the forgiveness God offers. If you need to spend some time trying to get in touch with God's mercy and love, and you want a simple read, then this is the book for you. However, if you're looking for something that has a little more substance, then I would suggest a couple of titles by Jerry Bridges - Transforming Grace or the Discipline of Grace. Both of these cover the same topics that Lucado covers but with a more thorough exposition of the biblical text, and a more lasting and thorough coverage of what can be a somewhat controversial, or easily misunderstood subject. Don't get me wrong, Lucado is a great storyteller - he has a talent for communicating the emotion of God - but his books don't do much more than that.

Rating:
Summary: Feel good stuff, but not a lot of substance
Review: Lucado has a way of communicating in such a way that you feel the love of God, and the forgiveness God offers. If you need to spend some time trying to get in touch with God's mercy and love, and you want a simple read, then this is the book for you. However, if you're looking for something that has a little more substance, then I would suggest a couple of titles by Jerry Bridges - Transforming Grace or the Discipline of Grace. Both of these cover the same topics that Lucado covers but with a more thorough exposition of the biblical text, and a more lasting and thorough coverage of what can be a somewhat controversial, or easily misunderstood subject. Don't get me wrong, Lucado is a great storyteller - he has a talent for communicating the emotion of God - but his books don't do much more than that.

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Summary: An AMAZING study of the book of Romans
Review: Max disects one of the most powerful and incredible books of The Bible - Romans. He reveals the awesome truths contained in Romans about the free gift of grace focusing on the fact that it's FREE AND AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE! An amazing study guide for individuals or bible study groups for getting "back to basics." A MUST BUY for ALL Christians & Non-christians who are curious about what God has to offer.

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Summary: Very well written
Review: Max has a gift for writing. There are books out there that discuss grace in more depth, but this is a great place to start. Max provides practical discussions of grace and this book is such a pleasure to read.

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Summary: The best book I've read in quite a while
Review: Max has written an easily understood book on how we can know we are saved. Dealing with sin as a christian can be one of the hardest things but Max has explained how we can rely on the 'Amazing Grace' offered to us by God and yet be sure we are not abusing it. In my words it was simply - Amazing! Thanks Max!

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Summary: Theology made accessible
Review: Max Lucado has a knack for explaining the Word of God in such a way that anyone can understand it. People who find C.S. Lewis or Karl Barth a little hard to swallow, love the theology of Lucado simply because they can understand it. Once again, The Grip of Grace proves that Lucado is truly in touch with the human nature of today.

Romans is a tough book for any theologian, pastor or Christian to completely grasp. But Lucado, using the illustrations and stories for which is is known, sheds light on the wonderful, unexplainable gift of God's grace. Unlike his previous works of When God Whispers Your Name, or God Came Near, he refuses to remain content at the surface, and digs deeper into a subject that touches us all--our faults, and how God sees them.

In the introduction, he talks about his own attempt to please God with his righteousness, and how he failed. Suddenly we self-righteously think to ourselves, "Yeah, well, maybe Max does that, but I don't." Then to put us in our places, he give gives us four choices of who we are--three of which live by the concept of "doing great things will please God", and one of which simply lives by grace. Then were are forced to sit back in our chairs, cry (as I did) and admit to ourselves that we do try to live by works, and that falls seriously short of what God wants for us. As we begin the book with our shoulders down, our faults on our mind, Lucado emerges triumphant, showing us that our imperfection matter very little to God, because His grace covers it all.

In a society that says, "good deeds make good people" Lucado puts us in our place and says, "only God can make you good." This is a truly great book by an obviously great man, a man who lives by grace.