Bold Love

Rating:
Summary: The Measure and Weight of Love
Review: Like a democracy, love is not a passive sport for mere observation as spectator, but a full commitment involving our deepest convictions expressed with total "surround sound" Godly spirituality, preferably in stereo with vision for its potential, awareness of its vulnerability, and respect for its limits, governed mostly by the delicacy of its timing to produce the progress expected of it. As a living expression of feeling and attachment, it could not be otherwise and still be called love. The passion poured into its potential arises from belief in both its effectiveness and trust in its methods to derive the heights of mutual benefit capable from that attention, devotion and commitment, as an investment in that object, child or adult. It is the opportunity to play the music of the soul upon the heart of another, to be moved by the exchange of inspiration and enchantment, hopefully reflected back in the precise measure of that grant, or gift. Lack of faith cannot produce bold love, the only love that is capable of full commitment in practice and in theory. Anything less is shallow, by definition, and unworthy of the effort.

Rating:
Summary: A lifechanging book - a must read Christian or not!
Review: Like a democracy, love is not a passive sport for mere observation as spectator, but a full commitment involving our deepest convictions expressed with total "surround sound" Godly spirituality, preferably in stereo with vision for its potential, awareness of its vulnerability, and respect for its limits, governed mostly by the delicacy of its timing to produce the progress expected of it. As a living expression of feeling and attachment, it could not be otherwise and still be called love. The passion poured into its potential arises from belief in both its effectiveness and trust in its methods to derive the heights of mutual benefit capable from that attention, devotion and commitment, as an investment in that object, child or adult. It is the opportunity to play the music of the soul upon the heart of another, to be moved by the exchange of inspiration and enchantment, hopefully reflected back in the precise measure of that grant, or gift. Lack of faith cannot produce bold love, the only love that is capable of full commitment in practice and in theory. Anything less is shallow, by definition, and unworthy of the effort.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the Read
Review: Most of the first 100 pages were very slow plowing with some difficulty in accepting certain parts of the premise and groundwork. They turn out to be helpful in establishing those precepts for the last 200 plus pages which were pure pith and wore out a highlighter. This is not a be-all, end-all resolution. It is, however, a vital portion of any Christians toolbox. Knowing the enemy and approaches to deal with various aspects are essential tools. Not a fill-in-the-blank recipe, but a thought provoking knowledge base to allow God to use the talents He has given you for you to be more effective in doing battle with the enemy.

NOT for those who want to stay on milk!

Rating:
Summary: A lifechanging book - a must read Christian or not!
Review: This book after CS Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and JI Packer's "Knowing God" has been the most influential book for me outside of the Bible. Lewis's book gave me a reason to have faith. Packer's book gave meat to my faith. "Bold Love" revolutionized the way I love, live, and forgive. It cuts to the heart and challenges the deep seated sinful motivations. It is real and authentic in that it deals with life as it is - with all its ugliness and sin. It has deepened my understanding of how much God really loves me and how much grace has truly been shown me. One reviewer found this book wordy, which I can see why, but in my eyes "Bold Love" is beautifully eloquent and communicates God to us in a fresh new way. The same reviewer also found the theology of the book poor which I have to disagree with strongly. It is thoroughly solid book theologically and the positive testimonies of many well-known and diverse Christian authors attests to that. I recommend this book with no reservations whatsoever!

Rating:
Summary: Worth the Read
Review: This is a good book. The first hundred pages or so are a lot of theology, which I personally loved. But even if you don't love it, suck it up and get through it, because the rest of it is definitely worth. How to love a sinner, how to love an evil person, how to forgive, what Christ's love really is...
This is a solid book, with great illustrations from Dr. Allender's experience, well worth the read.