Another great book I just finished is "The Sacred Romance" by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis.One of my new year's resolutions was to read 26 books this year equaling one every two weeks. I'm way ahead of the game at this point and will probably discuss the others I've finished. Reading for me is a pretty addicting thing, but I feel I've been fairly balanced in my priorities.
This book was dear to my heart. The gist is that throughout history God has been in a massive pursuit of our hearts because of His great love for us. Just as He pursued Israel despite her continual betrayal, He pursues us. But we are wounded. We are hurt by the realities of living in a fallen world. People forsake us and deep down we begin to accept that we're just not all that unique, we're not at all lovable. How could God love a person like me if He knows the things I've done or the thoughts I've had?
The authors go to great lengths to woo the reader's heart by giving a true picture of the awesomeness of God's love for us. It surpasses our pain and doubt. It is true. They point out this love in the telling of the world's story. All of creation and everything throughout history has been about God radiating His love to a fallen, rebellious world.
They get the meta-narrative and it grabbed my heart. Thanks Lord for being the author of all things. Thanks for writing yourself into the story to redeem a fallen world and restore this man.
1 comment:
i read this book and i hated it. part of it was the fact that i couldn't get over the waaaay over the top flowery language. gag me with a spoon!!! just say what you mean in plain english!!
another thing i dont like about the book is that he does not present a balanced (or entirely accurate) view of God, or of people.
the vast majority of americans dont need to be convinced of God's love for them. i have never ever ever had someone argue that God didn't love them. why? because people love themselves, and therefore they take it for granted that of course God loves them too. eldredge argues that people need to realize that they are lovable, but i think people really need to realize that they are NOT lovable and that God hates sinners (psalm 5:5, 26:5). if they would realize this, the thought of God's love would be a sweet perfume.
the other reason that eldredge's version of God is way too saccharine sweet is because he never talks about the other side... how much we deserve wrath and that God does in fact pour out his wrath on his enemies. this is a beautiful thing, but eldredge avoids it.
i'll finish off with one last point, though i could go on. eldredge makes it seem like deep down every person really desires God but are just too wounded (whatever that means) to accept it. and he says that people think that they are not lovable [implying that they should think that they are lovable].
all i can do to refute that is quote scripture.
""None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one."
"Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive."
"The venom of asps is under their lips."
"Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness."
"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known."
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
romans 3:10-18
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