Skip to main content

Review: Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News Brian Zahnd




Review: Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News
Brian Zahnd
Waterbrook Press
2017

This author has done some thinking.  I'd recommend this book if for no other reason than to challenge yourself as to what and why you believe what you do.  I'm sure there will plenty of posts in some sectors that will not approve of Zahnd's conclusions.  Others will cheer the direction he has taken.  He's a very persuasive author, but comes off a bit strident at times throughout this book.  I did find most of what he had to say a welcome change of rhetoric.  In fact, I think this is a long overdue corrective to some of the teachings in the Christian religion.  
 
Each chapter can be read alone, but I think a better over view of the author’s mind set would probably come from the order it is presented.  As the title hints, Zahnd presents his version of how God treats sinners which is different from that of Jonathan Edwards ideas from the 1700's.  Gone are the rather frightening word pictures that Edwards sermon depicted.  Zahnd replaces them with pictures of love.  But, this is not one of those sappy God is love presentations.  Not at all. Instead, he presents his case through the lens of the life and teachings of Jesus.  Didn't the puritans do that?  Not well according to Zahnd which he interprets somewhat more broadly than Edwards did. 

Overall, this one to read and think about and one of the best books of its kind I've read lately. 

I received this book from the publishers in exchange for a review.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: When God’s Ways Make No Sense by Dr. Larry Crabb

Review: When God’s Ways Make No Sense Dr. Larry Crabb Baker Books 2018 I chose this book because the title intrigued me.   When God’s Ways Make No Sense.    There have been plenty of times when that seemed truer than I’d like to admit.   Are we even allowed to say something like that?   Even if we think it.   So, an author willing to take on that topic had my attention. And mostly because I wanted his take on what to do about it? As it turns out Crabb pretty much gave away his case very early on in his book with a single scripture quote.   The basic idea is God is GOD and we are not.   His motives and actions are incomprehensible to mankind and He owes no explanation for them either.   Crabb admits near the end of his book that he is not a theologian which I knew going into this book, but his arguments are theology.   Or at least I think so.   I found his repeated circling the topic a bit frustrating. ...

Review: The Little French Bistro by Nina George

Review: The Little French Bistro Nina George Crown 2017 I have to admit that I'm not a fan of romance novels, but I think this one goes beyond the boy meets girl idea.   By a bunch.   If adults had coming of age stories this one would fit there.   Marianne travels a road many people I know would love to, but fear taking the steps needed. And that is the basis of this book.   Taking the steps.   Joy, sorrow, whatever comes and keep on taking the steps.    I agree with many of the comments already made about George's ability to build wonderful characters, paint scenes that vibrate with energy, and tell a story too.   Her writing touches the heart and not in some sappy, maudlin way.   A place of real emotions and desire.   Speaking of desire---her intimate scenes are just that, intimate.   In body and mind.   And not for just spicing things up a bit.   She captures the true nature of intimacy...

Buntings and Books

Time to blog says the calendar. So OK let's blog. What about? Oil spills? Court nominees? Euro problems? Weather? The last one is the easiest to go with it looks like. Cold and windy again. What is this about? Not more than a week ago it looked like summer. Even needed fans to cool the place. Well, the fans are off now. Nature has provided some pre-cooled forced air for a few days now, complete with humidity adjustments ie rain. Keeps the ground cold and the urge to garden at bay. Protection for those of us who aren't in the best physical condition. The weather has the birds on the feeder more often and that included a new one in the area. We've decided to call it an indigo bunting. Matches the picture in the book so that's got to be who he is. Pretty little guy, all decked out in his breeding plumage. Haven't seen those colors since the last peacock came around. Just read that cowbirds like to use them to raise their chicks. Yet another reason t...