I
have good news and bad news about this book.
First
the good news. This book contains much good information and teaching.
Crabb draws from his
seventy plus years of experience and ministry to encourage a new way
of living. He argues that the best kind of happiness comes from our
doing what Jesus wants of us, giving ourselves to others. He calls on
us to recognize how we don't love like Jesus does. He writes that
this love is deeply relational, is sacrificial, and is not just doing
good deeds. It develops, he writes, “when we struggle to love
others with a costly love that is possible only if we have a
life-giving relationship with Jesus that is grounded entirely in His
love for us.” (20)
There
were a couple of sections in this book that I found particularly
interesting. One was Crabb's exploration of happiness and joy and the
difference between the two. The other section was on prayer. Crabb
writes about asking in faith and receiving, based on Matt. 21:22. He
shares his own disillusionment with that concept and clarifies what
he believes Jesus was really saying. He adds that Jesus Himself
practiced conditional prayer, “If it be Your will.” Crabb
realized, “Jesus taught one kind of prayer and practiced
another.” (60) His continuation on the topic was very enlightening,
including identifying the prayer God always answers.
Now
the bad news. I found Crabb's writing style hard to follow. Many of
his sentences are very long, with a couple of dashes and with lots of
commas. I often had to read a sentence several times to try to
understand what he was communicating. And why did he ask all those
questions? (A random count on pp. 176-177 yielded fifteen question
marks.)
I
almost felt like I was reading along as Crabb himself tried to
understand what he was saying, clarifying his own thinking. He makes
these revealing statements: “I did not begin writing this book with
a well-worked-out set of ideas that I wanted to teach you about what
it means to live your life on the narrow road. I rather began with
questions I felt were important enough to explore, and as I do so I'm
feeling a few familiar truths coming freshly alive in my mind. The
fog is lifting from two truths . . .” (90-91) And, “This book is
a story unfolding. I did not begin writing with a well-developed
message that I was confident I could articulate. I expect to complete
the last chapter with more loose ends hanging in my mind than in
yours.” (185)
It
seems this is a personal account of Crabb trying to understand his
own spiritual condition. He asks, for example, “Am I a spiritual
man, a Spirit-filled disciple of Jesus? Ask me that question and most
often I will feel immediate discouragement.” (193) He goes on to
question whether he has been receiving evil lies about what a
Spirit-filled disciple is like as spiritual truth. That was
disconcerting to me. I would hope that Crabb, in his seventies, would
no longer be questioning such things.
If
reading a book where the author is thinking through his message as he
is writing appeals to you, then you may like this book. If you would
rather read an organized and well thought out message that has been
edited for clarity and comprehension, you may need to look elsewhere.
There is a great deal of good material in this book about relational sin
and what God desires of us. I just wish it had been presented in a
more cohesive manner.
Food
for thought: “God is right now devoting His unlimited resources of
power and wisdom and love to forming those who receive the gospel
into disciples who relate like Jesus. He has not promised to smooth
out life's bumps with new or restored blessings.” (153)
You can download an excerpt here.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
Larry
Crabb is a well known psychologist, conference and seminar speaker,
Bible teacher, popular author, and founder/director of New Way
Ministries. He is currently scholar in residence at Colorado
Christian University in Denver and visiting professor of spiritual
formation for Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta. He and his
wife live in the Denver, Colorado area. You can find out more at
www.newwayministries.org.
Baker
Books, 256 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the
purpose of an independent and honest review.
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