Jonathan M. Fisk (1)

This was a difficult book for me in the sense that the Lutheran theology that is presented within the book is spot on and the book is written fairly well. I think the author's points came across very well, although sometimes he kept repeating over and over the point which got a little much. I enjoyed the use of his analogies and his fictional accounts to bring the point home. So, in that sense, I liked the book.

There were just points that came across very harshly and I know that was the intent, but it left me wondering, who would I hand this book to, if I were to hand it to someone. That is where I came to, probably no one that wasn't already connected to the church and was seeking a Christian defense type book. I recognize some Christians really connect with the apologetics style of writing and books, but currently I am not in that place, so it was a difficult read.

As can be told from Goodreads shelf, I am currently reading a lot of Christian mystic books, knowing that most Lutherans don't like Christian mystics and the theology doesn't jibe, but doing it to see for myself. Christian mysticism isn't emotionalism as suggested by the author, but comes from a desire to connect with God as God connects with us. It is about relationship to the other from a place of love and grace rather than pure emotion. It is trying to see each other as God sees us. To boil it down to simply emotions, is showing a lack of knowledge of the subject and seems to be going by what someone has heard one time, rather than reading it for oneself.

Again, though, I recognize his stance as valid and I know people who really love that style of book and writing.

My other turn off was the loosely disguised jabs at some popular Christian authors/speakers. One can disagree with them and think they are "wrong," but still see how others may be brought to God at least initially through their message. In the Bible there are people that come to know Jesus by various ways and some by teachers who could only take them so far. I found the dismissiveness off-putting.

So, in summary, his theology and writing were great. Personally, I was not in a place for that style of harsh, "you're wrong" type book even if it was laced with some humor.… (mehr)

There are only two kinds of spirituality in the world. One is false, and one is true. One is the manifestation of the old evil foe who has sent many false spiritualities out into the world, and the other is the holy spirituality found only in faith in the one true God. One is a lie, and one is real. But which is which? This book examines seven of the most common spiritual traditions and how they use speculation, mysticism, and moralism to break Christianity. Author Jonathan Fisk calls them the seven “counterfeit Christian rules that every Christian ought to break as often as possible,” because they are seven myths that have infiltrated the churches in our age, seven teachings taught as if they were doctrine, but which are nothing more than the traditions of men. Fisk shows how, under the cross of Jesus, you will find that your mind, heart, and hands, your reason, emotions, and sense of mercy, are the very things that our Lord has redeemed. In the resurrection of Jesus, in His fulfillment of the Law, in the essence of His Gospel, in the pure Word of God, you will find the truth.… (mehr)

As a conservative Christian, I often get frustrated at the stuff pedaled as Christianity in main stream bookstores and on TV. Much of that teaches people to look to themselvs to find God, to look for the benefits in their lives and their own efforts. It is religion based on sinking sand of emotion and feelings and our own understanding and is very us-focused. This book points out the futility and ultimate foolishness and emptyness of those beliefs and teachings. It points to the solid foundation not that we find Jesus but that Jesus has found us and has rescued us, that Jesus has made us his precious sons and daughters whom he will never leave nor forsake. I think this book is an effort to battle back against what has been sold as spirituality for so many years. It is creative and passionate and bold and I hope it breaks out of our relatively small and narrow Lutheran circles and gains a wider audience. I have underlined a lot of this book. I have read two books that do a good job of proclaiming the conservative Christian viewpoint in this wilderness. This is one and Family Vocation by Gene Veith is the other. I would most highly recommend both.… (mehr)