Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Living in the Overlap: How Jesus' Kingdom Proclamation can Transform Your World by Steve Schaefer

This book was difficult to get into. I was provided this book by Glass Road PR to participate in a Book Tour. If I hadn't had to read it for the review, I might have put it down and walked away. 

I'm glad I kept reading, I would have missed a great book and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a Christian. The classic questions posed to every Christian by every atheist, agnostic and even weakened Christian are addressed here, in the book. While nobody can know for sure why for example, God heals some people and not others, we can know that when Christ returns and the full glory of God's kingdom is set up here on earth, we will all be free of disease and suffering. I was raised Southern Baptist, like the author and found myself nodding along to the rules of the Baptist Church I grew up in. His line about Baptists being against premarital sex because it leads to dancing was classic and made me laugh. I also understand much better the Baptists philosophy of being your brother's keeper. 

I was saddened to read about how most evangelizing doesn't mention the costs of being a Christian. I've been a Christian for over 25 years and I just thought you asked for forgiveness and promised not to do the sin again, and repeat, each time you break that promise. But looking at it from the true Marriage perspective, you must change. You must quit sinning, you must change your life. And you must be willing to give it all up. To follow where ever God may Lead. 

The author's frequent, fully footnoted, use of many respected Christian authors and indeed the Bible itself, led strong credence to the explanations put forth. I was provided a free copy of this book by Glass Road PR. I am not obligated to write a positive review in return for the book.