This is the first non-children's Max Lucado book I have read. I've seen the Hermie movies, read the Punchinello
Topics:
- Hope: God, Grace, and "Why am I here?"
- Hurt: Conflicts, Calamities, and "Why me?"
- Help: Prayer, Scripture, and "Why church?"
- Him/Her: Sex, Romance, and "Any chance of a second chance?"
- Home: Diapers, Disagreements, and "Any hope for prodigals?"
- Haves/Have-Nots: Work, Money, and "Where's the lifeline?"
- Hereafter: Cemetaries, Heaven, Hell, and "Who goes where?"
- Addendum: The Write Stuff (note: this addendum is advice to aspiring writers
I do wish that there could be more elaboration on some of what Lucado has said in some of the answers. At other times, I felt he was being a bit dodgy on his answers or a bit too careful. For example, for elaboration, I would like a clarification on where he stands on abortion. On page 62, he says, "Other than cases where abortion saves the life of the mother, we must protect the child." Obviously, he is pro-life, except in one particular case. But what exactly is that case? I do know that such cases would include the egg being implanted outside the womb. I know someone that this happened to, and they almost died. Excuses for abortion by the pro-abortion crowd are wide, and they could just as easily seize on this.
On prayer changing the mind of God, he writes on pages 77-78 about a story where his daughter was persistent in something that changed his mind and that we can change the mind of God. He uses the example of Moses pleading to God to not destroy the people and God "changes his mind" in Exodus 32:14. Yet, the Hebrew word used in that passage is the same word for repenting and has different connotations elsewhere in scripture. Taken at face value, particularly in the English, one might see God changing his mind. In Numbers 23:19, we see that God is not a man, that he should repent. Comfort is used in Genesis 5:29. So, does God change his mind or not? Yes, but only according to his will. Look above at what I quoted from Lucado on page 29.
With regards to election, he writes on pages 220-221, that both God and man do the choosing to get to heaven (my summary). How does that work? God chooses those who have accepted Christ as Savior. While that is true, it is rather simplistic and Lucado uses John 3:16 as one proof text of this as well as 2 Peter 3:9. In other instances, Lucado simply puts most burden on man for choosing to be saved. There is also the instance where he is asked about what happens to those who have never heard on pages 222-223. While I believe that there will be people from every people group in heaven as Revelation 7:9 entails, I don't think Lucado's answer satisfies how they will be there. In short, he offers up a form of universalism in his answer in saying that people will believe in a Savior they have not yet met. Granted, all people are without excuse according to Romans 1, due to God's invisible attributes being seen in all of creation, yet faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. How shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14-17)
Overall, I think this book is an excellent resource for anyone, particularly the young in the faith Christian who may have questions still about their faith. It's not a book to grow your faith. It's too simplistic for that. It's not a book to draw deep theological truths from, though there a few. It will encourage you, at times, however. For more theological stuff, I'd recommend, John Piper
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