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Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe
Gary Kinnaman
Servant Publications
Paperback. 214 pages.
Review by Valerie Martinez (Read Valerie's bio)
It has been pointed out to us many times in many ways that we've said something really dumb. Most of the time we say these things because we're not really thinking about what we're saying. When we do think about it, of course ... how embarrassing! It makes us feel really foolish, not because we said something stupid, but because we realize that in a moment of stupidity we actually believed what we said.
Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe exposes misbeliefs that keep us from experiencing God's grace. When it comes to matters of faith, even the most intelligent people can slip up sometimes. Frustrated by our attempts to wrap our limited minds around the infinite, we may forget who God is and what he's like ... and engage in a kind of "spiritual" wishful thinking. Things like, "God loves me, so nothing bad will ever happen..."; "Of course I'll get to heaven, I'm a pretty good person..." "This verse proves that God is going to heal you..." and "Let's pray right now. everything will turn out great! God is in control!" But the house may foreclose, the sickness may not get better, our prayers may seem to hit the ceiling - and then we wonder why God doesn't come through.
We all want to receive the grace and blessings that God has promised us. But first, we have to rid ourselves of the lies that attack our minds and souls like spiritual viruses and replace them with biblical truths.
Finding out how much we don't know can be downright humiliating, and accepting our personal limitations is just plain painful. That goes for Christians as well as non-Christians. When someone challenges our most cherished beliefs about God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit or heaven and hell or the church or who knows what else, we stiffen up in self-defense. Why, it can shake the very foundations of our faith!
Gary Kinnaman exposes ten false notions that many Christians believe and shows how these ideas are obstacles to our faith and the fullness of God's grace. With humor and compassion, he rescues readers from stubborn religious falsehoods, such as: God grades on a curve; the better you are, the bigger the blessing; If God leads you to do something, everything will work out fine; When something bad happens, it must mean that there's something bad in my life; Being spiritual is all that matters, because that's all that matters to God. You'll discover biblical truths about God and the Christian life that you need to know, as well as six ways to change your thoughts for good and become a stronger, more vital Christian.
Gary asks some interesting, thought provoking questions. You know the kind. The ones you avoid because if you had to answer them then you may have to re-think your answers. Here's an example. "Is it true that 'spiritual' things are better, more important than 'natural' things? Is praying or reading the Bible always more important than, say eating? Or mowing the grass? Or cleaning the house? Is going to church a 'higher', more excellent activity than working or going to a ball game? Many Christians would answer yes to each question. Their exaggerated opinion of 'spiritual' things is a misbelief they hold dear. And it's one that comes into play in many ways as they seek to balance 'things seen' and 'things unseen' in their lives." He then proceeds to give examples and answers these hard questions. And he does it with grace and humor.
Gary Kinnaman is the Senior Pastor of Word of Grace Church in Mesa. He is the author of 6 other books and is a sought after speaker and teacher. He has been in ministry for over 25 years and has seen the church grow to over four thousand attendees in a weekend. You may reach him at their web site, www.wordofgrace.org, where you can order audio and video cassettes as well as other books by Gary. You may also find his books at your local Christian bookstores.
| About Valerie Martinez: Valerie Martinez is a freelance writer and Publicist/Contributing Writer for Christian Songwriters Resource. She also writes a monthly column for the "Active Christian News" in Phoenix AZ. She has written one book and has appeared on National Television, Radio and Newspapers. She may be reached at 480-964-0710 or at valerie@crosshome.com |
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Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe Gary Kinnaman Servant Publications Buy Now! |
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Would you like your Christian book featured here? Send a copy of your book and presskit/bio to: Jason Mitchener 9155 N. 3rd St. #229-2 Phoenix, AZ 85020 Questions? Contact me |