Rating: 
Summary: Finally a book I can use for teaching
Review: I have been on the search for the soul since about puberty. Not that I have succeded to find it, but with this book I made a big step forward to understand the phylosophical as well as religious basis of our Lord.Christ will always be with us, but the Satan does a keen job as well. I have started to read out parts of the book during my teaching with the students and can only recommend this book to everybody who is hazzled by the question: Satan or Lord, is the world good or bad? This book gives a lot of thought on the way to find the soul. Sincerely, Prof. Dr. Bernisi
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bite down or you're trapped
Review: I have to say that when I started reading 'The Bait' a little over a year ago, it was life changing. It came at a point in time when offense was running rampant within the close group of friends where I spend most of my time. I purchased so many copies that I kept the Bible Book Stores cleared out of them completely for several months. To this day I have 4 copies at home waiting to give them to people. I also purchased the study guide in hopes of having a small group study on the subject. Along with the study guide, I purchased the video. That is where I began to have doctrinal differences with Mr. Bevere. He claims in the video version that harbored offense can condemn a person to hell - even after that person has been a professing Christian. I also noted that the study guide had references to the book, not to scripture. Repeatedly through the study guide, it points over to the book itself, not to the Scriptures. I found that a little odd. The concept of how offense (or scandalon) is the hook on which the bait is hung in the trap that ensnares us away from the life we were intended to have - that is powerful stuff. That is life changing stuff. I am yet again embroiled in a deeply offensive situation in my immediate group of friends, and that offense is threatening to tear us all apart. That entire idea has been completely right on target. I would just urge any user of the book to be very cautious of using either the video or the study guide unless they are deeply gounded in Scripture first. And to John and Lisa, take care of Pikes Peak for those of us who can't live in Colorado Springs anymore.
Rating: 
Summary: The bait of satan
Review: I normaly don't directly critize other reviewers (were all entitled to our opinion) but it is painfully obvious that the two one star "reviewers" of this book never read this book beyond the title. This book is not about satanism. Having stated that I do have a few problems with this book which I will cover later in this review John Bevere has written a pretty good book about the need for forgiveness and humility Or why we should not so easily take offense. It is on this level that this book works best. Because of pride and our inability to humble ourselves to those who have wronged us we destroy our relationships with each other and more importantly with God. Mr Bevere does an excellent job in describing how this inability to forgive destroys relationships. Although this book is written in the "micro" level (That is on/about one on one relationships) he does such an excellent job that one can see from his writting the larger "macro" picture, our inability as a society to forgive one another has lead to the politcaly correct culture and victimhood culture. (It's not my fault it's the Goverments/my parents/ my social status ..ect fault) It is because of our inability to forgive that we have some many problems in society today. The problem I had with this book is that Mr Bevere writes in a deciedly Protestant manner that I as a Catholic found, given the subject matter, Ironic almost to the point of being funny. Mr Bevere's thesis is that we should not be so easily offended yet the entire protestant reformation was based on a few individuals (Martin Luther, Calvin ect) being offended by someone or something within the Cathoolic church. Through out the book He laments Lay people and ministers who hop from one church to another because the find some one or something in there previous church offensive. Some go on to form their own church hence the thousands of protestant denominations. What better argument is there against the protestant doctrine of sola scripture is there than that? (read "Not by scripture alone a catholic refutation of the protestant doctrine of sola sripture") On page 80 he writes about John chapter 6 "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you..... When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples complaind about this, he said to them "Does this offend you?" he goes on note that many disciples left becuase of this. Of course this could be because they knew him to be speaking in literal terms meaning real presence some thing most protestants deny. The point Mr Bevere was trying to make is that if someone denies the truth of Jesus and leaves the flock then let them be offended by truth. All in all this is a pretty good book that will give you somethings to think about with regards to your relationship with God and others. I can recomend this book but with some resevations for Catholics.
Rating:
Summary: The bait of satan
Review: I normaly don't directly critize other reviewers (were all entitled to our opinion) but it is painfully obvious that the two one star "reviewers" of this book never read this book beyond the title. This book is not about satanism. Having stated that I do have a few problems with this book which I will cover later in this review John Bevere has written a pretty good book about the need for forgiveness and humility Or why we should not so easily take offense. It is on this level that this book works best. Because of pride and our inability to humble ourselves to those who have wronged us we destroy our relationships with each other and more importantly with God. Mr Bevere does an excellent job in describing how this inability to forgive destroys relationships. Although this book is written in the "micro" level (That is on/about one on one relationships) he does such an excellent job that one can see from his writting the larger "macro" picture, our inability as a society to forgive one another has lead to the politcaly correct culture and victimhood culture. (It's not my fault it's the Goverments/my parents/ my social status ..ect fault) It is because of our inability to forgive that we have some many problems in society today. The problem I had with this book is that Mr Bevere writes in a deciedly Protestant manner that I as a Catholic found, given the subject matter, Ironic almost to the point of being funny. Mr Bevere's thesis is that we should not be so easily offended yet the entire protestant reformation was based on a few individuals (Martin Luther, Calvin ect) being offended by someone or something within the Cathoolic church. Through out the book He laments Lay people and ministers who hop from one church to another because the find some one or something in there previous church offensive. Some go on to form their own church hence the thousands of protestant denominations. What better argument is there against the protestant doctrine of sola scripture is there than that? (read "Not by scripture alone a catholic refutation of the protestant doctrine of sola sripture") On page 80 he writes about John chapter 6 "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you..... When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples complaind about this, he said to them "Does this offend you?" he goes on note that many disciples left becuase of this. Of course this could be because they knew him to be speaking in literal terms meaning real presence some thing most protestants deny. The point Mr Bevere was trying to make is that if someone denies the truth of Jesus and leaves the flock then let them be offended by truth. All in all this is a pretty good book that will give you somethings to think about with regards to your relationship with God and others. I can recomend this book but with some resevations for Catholics.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: I read "The Bait of Satan" yesterday. I'm reading it a 2nd time today. Yesterday, I thought of those who have offended me; today with marker in hand, I'm thinking of those I've offended. This book delineates one of the most important principles of Christianity, forgiveness. The enemy knows this and uses offenses to move us away from the Will of God. This is a thoughtful, thought-provoking book. The world puts a high premium on vengeance and getting even, but we are commanded to forgive as we were forgiven. The gift of forgiveness keeps on giving to both the donor and the recipient. We are taught that forgiveness is a MUST in the Christian walk. I believe this book is a must in your library.
Rating:
Summary: this book changed my life
Review: i read the reviews criticizing this book and don't get it. forgiveness will not affect your salvation, once secure, but it will make your life a whole lot less miserable and i think that's john's point. After i forgave a friend inwardly i still felt that tinge when i thought of her. reading a similar account in john's book i contacted her and suggested lunch. i prayed HARD about our upcoming meeting. i told her i had a wrong attitude against her b/c of things she said and did in the past. she apologized to me! even though we are not as close as we used to be ( even before that meeting we had drifted) i have never felt more free. the amazing thing is that one year to the date of that meeting i received a huge raise on the job, taking that as confirmatin from God that when we obey His word and forgive and try to make it right the devil can't block anything. I realize everyone is not as receptive to such a meeting. if you have to forgive inwardly and that's all you can do do that and ask God to take it from there.
Rating:
Summary: OK, but read along with your Bible
Review: I think many of his points could have been made without taking scriptures out of context. Also, there are many people that have a very difficult time changing churches or questioning wrong behavior in leadership. I only gave this 3 stars because he gives a lot of emphasis to forgiveness. Read all the reviews before mine, they are very good. (except the strange satanic one????)
Rating:
Summary: An AWESOME AND TIMELY WORD FOR TODAY!!!!
Review: I thought that I had the forgiveness thing down...Until I read this book and allowed the Lord to look deeply into the corners of my heart....It exposed the sin that is hidden there, and the unforgiveness that keeps me from growing in my own walk with the Lord!! I thought that I had rights!!! I mean after all...The ones that have wronged me REALLY WRONGED ME BIG!!! I thank God for the insight that He has given to John Bevere on this subject and pray daily that I can grow to be the loving and forgiving person that God called me to be!!!
Rating:
Summary: this book changed my life
Review: I will not disagree with the author regarding the tendency we as sinners have to be needlessly offended. However, the book seems to lay all the responsibility for being offended at the feet of the person who is offended and their need to forgive, etc. In many cases this may be the correct remedy, but unlike John Bevere the Bible does not turn a blind eye to the source of an offense. Luke 17:2 (NAS) says: "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than to cause one of these little ones to stumble." Not only here, but throughout the scriptures a great deal of accountability is placed on those who cause an offense - especially those in church leadership. In my opinion this book does more damage to the church than good. Now any church leader can misbehave, and when a layperson is offended all the leader has to do is use "The Bait of Satan" to turn the tables on them and make them the problem. Again, this book may help those who are needlessly offended, but if someone has truly wronged you this book will lead to false humility and appeasement for sin.
Rating: 
Summary: Book sets a Dangerous Presedence
Review: I will not disagree with the author regarding the tendency we as sinners have to be needlessly offended. However, the book seems to lay all the responsibility for being offended at the feet of the person who is offended and their need to forgive, etc. In many cases this may be the correct remedy, but unlike John Bevere the Bible does not turn a blind eye to the source of an offense. Luke 17:2 (NAS) says: "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than to cause one of these little ones to stumble." Not only here, but throughout the scriptures a great deal of accountability is placed on those who cause an offense - especially those in church leadership. In my opinion this book does more damage to the church than good. Now any church leader can misbehave, and when a layperson is offended all the leader has to do is use "The Bait of Satan" to turn the tables on them and make them the problem. Again, this book may help those who are needlessly offended, but if someone has truly wronged you this book will lead to false humility and appeasement for sin.
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