A story the church needs to hear

As the Bible goes, so goes our faith. Or at least, that's what so many of us have been taught (including the skeptics seeking to dismiss Christianity altogether).

Andy writes with wisdom, knowkedge and relentless empathy for an audience of churched people--and shows them that there was an attractive, world-changing faith before pen was put to paper and our Christian Scripture began to take shape. He invites us to put the Hebrew Bible in the right context (inspired, but not equally applicable), and instead live a life marked by our sacrificial love for God and neighbour.

It's a great conversation starter for the topic of biblical infallibility, mission, and love. I'll be listening to this one again.

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A very bold and brave book

I didn't know much about Andy Stanley and this book was suggested by the Amazon algorithm based on my other purchases. The title also piqued my interest so I went all in and was immediately intrigued by what he was saying so I continued listening. As I went on, I was thinking he is probably going to say something I dont agree with that will change everything so his reading and narration worked really well. I got to the end and glad I did, Andy just awakened something in me that I have always known and in my own way have talked about but it was so good to see how he talked about it and the message of Jesus vs how our Christian faith is taught now. I can see for sure why it was so attractive in the early days, why it changed the world to this day. There are certainly a few things here and there that I may not have agreed with but overall, the core of what he is saying is undeniable by any truth seeking person. Amazing book and will certainly change your perspective one way or another.

Best book I've read this year

An incredible exposition on the crux of the Christian Faith! A must read for anyone interested in the major theme of the entire bible, with very helpful references to Bible History, Jewish History and Traditions.

For those who have become despondent about the relevance, validity and usefulness of Faith in Jesus.

Andy presents a version of Christianity that differs strongly from that which is practiced in 21st Century western culture, and invites his listeners to return to the ways of the original first Century believers. By hinging their Faith on a person (Jesus) and an event (his resurrection).

This is now my top book to read ever!

Absolutely enlightening

This book makes our belief so clear and relevant. The Bible can be difficult to explain to non-believers and even to ourselves- especially the Jewish history. Although the stories there offer great encouragement about how God loves and can save, there are also baffling, cringe-worthy parts. Pastor Andy has unwrapped it for us and I have deeper knowledge of a universal Christ who brought us Good News - he came not for a select few but for all. Andy read it too, which it makes the message even more poignant. Brilliant book relevant for individuals both Christians and non Christians and for Church leaders. Time to rethink our religion. Thank you Andy.

Refreshing and passionate

This book has refreshed my thinking on the book we call the Bible. A wonderful tour through the history of the old covenant, before a passionate and truthful exposition of how we can be new covenant thinkers and communicators. This will definitely change how I think and speak about God's word. Also Andy's communication style is great - he clearly really feels the things he has written about, and is hugely entertaining to listen to. Highly recommend.

`struggled with his disconnection of old and new

some good but mixed with a flawed I my opinion theology and a disconnect and rejection of the old testament

This book is paradigm shifting

Andy Stanley should ALWAYS narrate his own books. So brilliant. This is definitely one of the few books I will read several times I my life time. Being a preacher and youth leader myself who would love to study theology but not by the means to, this book has given me incredible insight and hnderstanding that I never thought possible. A must read for any Christian, leader, teacher or parent.

Irresistible indeed!

This is a book for such a time as this!
I have listened to it three times now and will do so again. Andy is so listenable interjecting much humour especially using a play on words which reinforce his message. I believe every Christian should listen to this for the sake of the wellbeing of the church and her outreach to the lost especially this lost generation of our own adult children.

Insightful & Challenging

This book challenges many of the assumptions we make about our Christian faith. The books basic premise is the role that the Old Covenant plays in the life of Christians in the light of a new covenant. Where we once under the law we are now under grace. The author then argues the need to unhinge the old testament from the new in terms of theology but also in terms of apologetics and the role that the Bible plays and ought to play in the way we think about, present and understand the birth and message of the Christian faith. The book is insightful and educational and is radical in the sense that it attempts to take us back to the origins of the faith, before the Bible was compiled, to explore real Christianity and what it meant in the first century after Christ, and challenge many of the ways we now think about the faith which are a departure from its origins and meaning. In many ways it is a wake up call to the church in the west and particularly in the USA in what he refers to as a post-Christian society.