Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
By Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)
Francis Chan’s Crazy Love opens by bravely stating what is self-obvious to many Christians, but is seldom voiced: “we all know something’s wrong.”
Chan unabashedly writes this book “for those who yearn for more Jesus,” for those “bored with what American Christianity offers,” “for those who don’t want to plateau,” and for “those who would rather die before their convictions do.”
If that doesn’t stir your heart, then this book is not for you.
The first three chapters of Crazy Love, while new to some and review for others, provide a foundation designed to move us to worship God more fully and passionately.
Upon this foundation the remaining seven chapters are built, challenging us to re-examine ourselves and our lives in light of who God is.
Francis Chan’s writing runs counter to the prevalent Christian cultural and is provocative in what he advocates.
This is exemplified by the chapter titles, such as “Stop praying,” “You might not finish this chapter,” and “Serving leftovers to God.”
Along the way, Francis talks about selfish living, about succeeding at the wrong things, about Christians who play it safe, about being “lukewarm,” and about loving God and loving others.
Overall, it’s about love, God’s crazy love for us and that it’s crazy for us not to love him back, completely and unreservedly.
In chapter eight, Francis provides thirteen convicting characteristics of people who are obsessed with God. He then proceeds to share the stories of some who actually lived that way.
Francis Chan wants our lives to match our talk; he wants us to pursue Jesus; he wants us to be filled with and follow the Holy Spirit.
He leaves us thinking about what we want to be found doing when Jesus returns.
[Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski. Published by David C. Cook, 2008, ISBN: 978-1-4347-6851-3, 205 pages, $14.99]
Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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