Rating: 
Summary: This is not the rest of the Gospel
Review: According to the authors, only "a small minority ... have come to know their true identity in Christ," whereas "the whole Christian world accepts the lie." (p. 90) Gosh, that's a mighty bold statement. Color me skeptical.The authors describe the life of a believer as being like a swing in which the believer's soul swings endlessly back and forth between good thoughts and feelings and bad thoughts and feelings. The authors believe that it is a mistake to try to stop that swing. Indeed, they assert that God set the swing in motion and wants us to experience those occasional evil thoughts and feelings. They provide no scriptural support for this analysis. Indeed, Scripture contradicts this view. Most explicitly, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that it is sin to be angry at your brother and it is sin to have lustful thoughts about a woman. I'll take Jesus's word over the authors'. Gaining mastery over those bad thoughts and feelings is our Christian obligation. If we give them free rein, eventually we will succumb to them. The authors frequently misuse Scripture. For example, on page 91, the authors posit that there were two trees in the Garden of Eden (the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil) and that man had to choose to eat from one or the other of them. This analysis is in clear contradiction with Genesis 2. There surely were more than two trees in the Garden and no such choice faced Adam and Eve. They had been told not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Their choice was to obey God or disobey God, not to pick one or another of two trees. I could go on. While this book aptly emphasizes the believer's union with God, it charts an erroneous course by overlooking our obligation to pursue holiness. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Eph. 6:24) God does not want us to let our soul "swing" through evil desires; we are to stand firm.
Rating:
Summary: This is not the rest of the Gospel
Review: According to the authors, only "a small minority ... have come to know their true identity in Christ," whereas "the whole Christian world accepts the lie." (p. 90) Gosh, that's a mighty bold statement. Color me skeptical. The authors describe the life of a believer as being like a swing in which the believer's soul swings endlessly back and forth between good thoughts and feelings and bad thoughts and feelings. The authors believe that it is a mistake to try to stop that swing. Indeed, they assert that God set the swing in motion and wants us to experience those occasional evil thoughts and feelings. They provide no scriptural support for this analysis. Indeed, Scripture contradicts this view. Most explicitly, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that it is sin to be angry at your brother and it is sin to have lustful thoughts about a woman. I'll take Jesus's word over the authors'. Gaining mastery over those bad thoughts and feelings is our Christian obligation. If we give them free rein, eventually we will succumb to them. The authors frequently misuse Scripture. For example, on page 91, the authors posit that there were two trees in the Garden of Eden (the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil) and that man had to choose to eat from one or the other of them. This analysis is in clear contradiction with Genesis 2. There surely were more than two trees in the Garden and no such choice faced Adam and Eve. They had been told not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Their choice was to obey God or disobey God, not to pick one or another of two trees. I could go on. While this book aptly emphasizes the believer's union with God, it charts an erroneous course by overlooking our obligation to pursue holiness. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Eph. 6:24) God does not want us to let our soul "swing" through evil desires; we are to stand firm.
Rating:
Summary: This is not the rest of the Gospel
Review: According to the authors, only "a small minority [i.e., the authors themselves and a few enlightened others] ... have come to know their true identity in Christ," whereas "the whole Christian world accepts the lie." (p. 90) Gosh, that's a mighty bold statement. Color me skeptical. The authors describe the life of a believer as being like a swing in which the believer's soul swings endlessly back and forth between good thoughts and feelings and bad thoughts and feelings. The authors believe that it is a mistake to try to stop that swing. Indeed, they assert that God set the swing in motion and wants us to experience those occasional evil thoughts and feelings. They provide no scriptural support for this analysis. Indeed, Scripture contradicts this view. Most explicitly, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that it is sin to be angry at your brother and it is sin to have lustful thoughts about a woman. I'll take Jesus's word over the authors'. Gaining mastery over those bad thoughts and feelings is our Christian obligation. If we give them free rein, eventually we will succumb to them. The authors frequently misuse Scripture. For example, on page 91, the authors posit that there were two trees in the Garden of Eden (the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil) and that man had to choose to eat from one or the other of them. This analysis is in clear contradiction with Genesis 2. There surely were more than two trees in the Garden and no such choice faced Adam and Eve. They had been told not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Their choice was to obey God or disobey God, not to pick one or another of two trees. Another example: On page 58, the authors describe how, at the original Passover, the Israelites were instructed by God to slaughter a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts, then eat the lamb. The authors state: "The lamb that gave its blood for them also gave its life to them. They took its meat into them, and that became their nourishment, strength, and vitality for the journey. They lived their live out of the lamb's life." However, the Torah teaches that the lamb's life was not in the meat that they consumed, but in the lamb's blood which they were forbidden to consume. I could go on. While this book aptly emphasizes the believer's union with God, it charts a heretical course by overlooking our obligation to pursue holiness. We can't just turn loose our soul to swing through bad thoughts and feelings. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Eph. 6:24) We are not to let our soul swing; we are to stand firm.
Rating: 
Summary: nothing short of amazing
Review: One amazing word: union. At times, believers may think they are living life on their own and gaining "help" from God when the going gets rough. Life doesn't have to be like that!!!! When someone is in union with something else, your life is not separate. It is together, it is "one." If you are a child of God, you are "one" with God. I needed to hear that and this book was used instrumentally in revealing that truth. I trust God will lead you to read this as well.
Rating:
Summary: Another "Insight into the gospel that only a few see" rehash
Review: The author creates a system of thought based upon subjective messages from God ("God said I had another idol in my life so I said 'OK, God'") and pick and choosing scripture for ornamentation. You would do better finding a book that teaches the meaning of scripture within their intended context.
Yes, his point is well taken that the gospel is more that simply having your sins forgiven, but I haven't realistically found that to be a big problem among serious Christians in general. I guess the author sees it as a big problem because it took him so long to figure it out.
These type of books have been around for years. They claim they have insight into the gospel that the church at large either hasn't seen, won't see, or can't see. The truth is, serious Christians have heard these things before but prefer books of gospel exposition that are more sound.
There is a reason this is a small press (read self-published) job.
Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary book on living the Christian life
Review: The best book on living the Christian life I have ever read! During the Reformation, salvation by faith alone through Gods grace revolutionized the Christian world. Today, I believe that most Christians have a good understanding of salvation by faith but very little understanding of how to walk the life of faith through grace. This book reveals a walk with Christ that is totally based on Gods amazing grace! I didn't even realize how works oriented by life was until I read this book. I believe the truths that are brought to light in this book have the power to change the face of Christianity again...they sure have for me.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent guide for furthering your relationship with God.
Review: The book brings out the concepts in the new testament and explains them in a clear, concise, and detailed manner. It makes you re-evaluate what you need to be focusing on in order to further your relationship with God. This is a great book for the Christian who is saved and is wondering what the next steps are for spiritual growth. I am recommending this book to all of my friends and family - and it will be the next book to study in my small group.
Rating:
Summary: Experiencing the Life of Faith
Review: The book deals with a subject that is virtually untouched by pastors and preachers. I believe the reason is that one cannot teach on a subject where they have never been. Through many years of Christian life, the author knew something in his Christian life was missing and as it was revealed to him, he did a superb job in short, concise chapters of conveying his experiences to others. In the American culture, too often we take our identity from the "things of the world". Then, when we become Christians we are confounded to learn the world in which we live is not reality in the eyes of God. Stone explains the necessity of taking upon a new identity and living a life of faith out of that identity. He gives us an eternal, biblical perspective from which to learn the thought processes which leads to true life, the abundant life. The book is for true believers who are tired of the pablum dispensed from pulpits. I have gone through the book personally, been in a small group where each chapter was discussed on a weekly basis and I am currently leading a small discussion group with enormous success. It is a subject matter that can be engaged with knowing you will gain better insight in how God sees you and, as a result, experience the life of faith as it is intended to be. It is definitely a "gotta have" book.
Rating:
Summary: Experiencing the Life of Faith
Review: The book deals with a subject that is virtually untouched by pastors and preachers. I believe the reason is that one cannot teach on a subject where they have never been. Through many years of Christian life, the author knew something in his Christian life was missing and as it was revealed to him, he did a superb job in short, concise chapters of conveying his experiences to others. In the American culture, too often we take our identity from the "things of the world". Then, when we become Christians we are confounded to learn the world in which we live is not reality in the eyes of God. Stone explains the necessity of taking upon a new identity and living a life of faith out of that identity. He gives us an eternal, biblical perspective from which to learn the thought processes which leads to true life, the abundant life. The book is for true believers who are tired of the pablum dispensed from pulpits. I have gone through the book personally, been in a small group where each chapter was discussed on a weekly basis and I am currently leading a small discussion group with enormous success. It is a subject matter that can be engaged with knowing you will gain better insight in how God sees you and, as a result, experience the life of faith as it is intended to be. It is definitely a "gotta have" book.
Rating:
Summary: Stop striving and start living!
Review: This book is one of the best Christian books I've ever read. It is a practical book on living the Christian life. It is a must read for those, like me, who are tired of striving to meet my own and others' expectations of what it means to be a Christian. I highly recommend it.
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