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res_curans's review against another edition
1.0
Halfway through the book, I started drafting my review, planning to rip it apart point by point — but now that I’ve finished the book I have no desire to finish my already inordinately long review, and it’s not worth that much of your time anyway. Suffice to say: in part because it’s based on a common misinterpretation of the “lukewarm” verse in Revelation (look it up in G.K. Beale’s commentary, p. 275ff*), this book is essentially a legalistic-evangelical motivational speech, complete with threats of hell, “what will they say at your funeral?” guilt trips, sloppy argumentation, mind-boggling contradictions, and plugs for his own website.
*TL;DR - “lukewarm” refers to the water in Laodicea, which was brought to the city from two other cities nearby also with churches in them, where the water was hot and cold, respectively. Hot water had healing properties, and cold water was refreshing, whereas lukewarm water was not only useless, but also nauseating. It’s used as a metaphor for the Laodicean church which prided itself on its wealth and self-reliance; Jesus chastises it for failing to perform any useful ministry or bear witness in its city. It’s a warning against complacency, spiritual compromise, prosperity gospel, and faith without works - NOT an exhortation to get more fired up for Jesus, give away all your possessions, come to church more, etc.
*TL;DR - “lukewarm” refers to the water in Laodicea, which was brought to the city from two other cities nearby also with churches in them, where the water was hot and cold, respectively. Hot water had healing properties, and cold water was refreshing, whereas lukewarm water was not only useless, but also nauseating. It’s used as a metaphor for the Laodicean church which prided itself on its wealth and self-reliance; Jesus chastises it for failing to perform any useful ministry or bear witness in its city. It’s a warning against complacency, spiritual compromise, prosperity gospel, and faith without works - NOT an exhortation to get more fired up for Jesus, give away all your possessions, come to church more, etc.
b2beauchamp's review against another edition
3.0
As much as I agreed with many of the points Francis Chan makes, the ironic thing is that the entire middle section of his book calling us to walk as Jesus did seems completely divorced from His crazy love. Though occasionally he will make a side comment that it's out of love that we obey, this is seemingly an afterthought. I appreciate, commend and wholeheartedly agree with His desire that we should walk in the way that we've been called to, the way Chan has written about that walk and the specifics of it leaves the reader at times feeling bludgeoned with a stick and without a more robust tie to God's crazy love as the title suggests this book is actually about, in a seeming hopeless position. The very last chapters begin to bring that tie back together, but I nearly didn't make it there. Truth without grace immediately tied to it is just the law without hope.
lizisreadingagain's review
5.0
I didn't have any intention of reading this book. I don't think I had read a single review on it. I typically steer clear of authors that I am unfamiliar with, especially if everyone "jumps on the bandwagon". I figure if a book is popular with the masses, then there must be something theologically wrong with it.
So I guess I finally broke down and downloaded it to my Kindle because it was cheap, and I wanted to know what all the hype was about. I also noticed some of my Goodreads friends with similar reading tastes to mine had given it high ratings, so I figured I must be missing something.
Now I know that I've definitely been missing something. I had no idea what Francis Chan's theology is, but I like him. He is narrow, and that's a good thing in my consideration.
What a challenge! He's making me think. He's making me question myself. What is my life about? Do I love God rightly? Do I love my neighbor the way God has told me to? So much to evaluate, and I have so much to change.
My conclusion is that I will be paying more attention to Francis Chan in the future. I guess you could say I've become a fan.
So I guess I finally broke down and downloaded it to my Kindle because it was cheap, and I wanted to know what all the hype was about. I also noticed some of my Goodreads friends with similar reading tastes to mine had given it high ratings, so I figured I must be missing something.
Now I know that I've definitely been missing something. I had no idea what Francis Chan's theology is, but I like him. He is narrow, and that's a good thing in my consideration.
What a challenge! He's making me think. He's making me question myself. What is my life about? Do I love God rightly? Do I love my neighbor the way God has told me to? So much to evaluate, and I have so much to change.
My conclusion is that I will be paying more attention to Francis Chan in the future. I guess you could say I've become a fan.
pattydsf's review
3.0
A friend recommended Chan's second book, The Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, which reminded me of this one. I had heard enough about Crazy Love that I decided to get it for my Kindle.
I suspect that some of the hype of this book is that Chan is not trying to live the American dream. There seems to be a movement in the more fundamental Christian community to be interested in the gospel of prosperity. This is where we are entitled to prosper because we are Christians (my synopsis). It appears to me that Chan is closer to gospel than many of his fellow fundamentalists.
Much of what Chan has written is not necessarily new to me, but his writings remind me that I have a lot of growing to do as a Christian. I do not love my God with all my heart, mind and strength and I know that is what God asks me to do. Thank goodness God also forgives and grants me grace without my doing anything to deserve it.
I am looking forward to Chan's book about the Holy Spirit.
I suspect that some of the hype of this book is that Chan is not trying to live the American dream. There seems to be a movement in the more fundamental Christian community to be interested in the gospel of prosperity. This is where we are entitled to prosper because we are Christians (my synopsis). It appears to me that Chan is closer to gospel than many of his fellow fundamentalists.
Much of what Chan has written is not necessarily new to me, but his writings remind me that I have a lot of growing to do as a Christian. I do not love my God with all my heart, mind and strength and I know that is what God asks me to do. Thank goodness God also forgives and grants me grace without my doing anything to deserve it.
I am looking forward to Chan's book about the Holy Spirit.
matthewwester's review against another edition
4.0
It's hard not to feel encouraged and convicted after hearing from Francis Chan since he is so genuinely in love with Christ. The book is simple: shape your life around loving and being loved by God. Anything else (like shaping your life around worldly possessions) would be a compromise, and frankly insane in light of the promises we read in Scripture. That's the point of the book and it's hard to disagree from a biblical standpoint. The challenge is in actually applying it. In fact, without God it would be totally impossible to apply the truths of this book. Fortunately nothing is impossible with God, and God shows us grace upon grace.
espykes's review against another edition
5.0
Keep a pack of sticky notes next to you while reading this. I marked so many things I wanted to be able to find easily later on. I also took notes and highlighted a lot. Be sure to get your own copy and don't be afraid to annotate. There is a lot of good stuff in this book.
neilrcoulter's review against another edition
4.0
I’d previously read Francis Chan’s book Erasing Hell and was put off by how quick his style was, given the depth (haha) and significance of the subject. In Crazy Love, the writing is again very fast-paced and energetic, but it suits the subject matter better here. I’d still prefer a slower, more careful consideration of the issues, but Chan’s enthusiasm is hard to resist. His main point in this book is to challenge the reader to take God seriously and live more adventurously in his love. Many Christians and church congregations read the words of the Bible but then don’t actually act upon what they’ve read, which obstructs the “life abundantly” that Jesus promises.
Crazy Love would be the perfect book for Christian teenagers who are thinking a lot about what kind of life they want to create. It’s also a good book for affluent American Christians who haven’t yet considered any kind of life that’s more radical than what society has presented to them so far. It has perhaps less to offer those of us who have already thought through and acted upon the convictions Chan presents. But it’s still a good reminder, and Chan is an energizing influence. I appreciate that he is someone who lives what he writes. He has resisted the traps that have tripped up so many “famous Christians” and has sincerely sought God’s leading for him and his family.
The related website has a few videos tied to the earlier chapters. It seems to indicate that there should be videos for each chapter, but that’s not the case. This is a book where seeing and hearing Chan himself really enhances the reading, so I wish that there would have been more videos on the website.
Crazy Love would be the perfect book for Christian teenagers who are thinking a lot about what kind of life they want to create. It’s also a good book for affluent American Christians who haven’t yet considered any kind of life that’s more radical than what society has presented to them so far. It has perhaps less to offer those of us who have already thought through and acted upon the convictions Chan presents. But it’s still a good reminder, and Chan is an energizing influence. I appreciate that he is someone who lives what he writes. He has resisted the traps that have tripped up so many “famous Christians” and has sincerely sought God’s leading for him and his family.
The related website has a few videos tied to the earlier chapters. It seems to indicate that there should be videos for each chapter, but that’s not the case. This is a book where seeing and hearing Chan himself really enhances the reading, so I wish that there would have been more videos on the website.
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
5.0
My Favorite Chan Book
This was an outstanding book.
I really enjoyed it.
My favorite Chan book.
Some really excellent writing.
Honest and truly hard-hitting book.
Would highly recommend.
4.8/5
This was an outstanding book.
I really enjoyed it.
My favorite Chan book.
Some really excellent writing.
Honest and truly hard-hitting book.
Would highly recommend.
4.8/5