66 Love Letters: A Conversation with God that Invites You into His Story both excited me and made me apprehensive at the same time. While I've always been a fan of Larry Crabb's, this was something different from his usual offerings. It is written as a conversation between reader (or is it just Crabb?) and God. If the conversation is just Crabb's, does that mean that the 'answers' belong to me, too?
I was pleasantly surprised to find it an enjoyable and enlightening read. Each book of the Bible (each 'love letter') begins with what God wants us to see in the book and how it all flows together and speaks to us personally. I'd have much rather taken the time to read it slowly, along with each coinciding book, as I think it would make a beautiful daily (or weekly) devotion. I also think that it would be a wonderful resource for those who are looking to write a topical (not historical) sermon or as a small group Bible study.
I appreciated that Crabb addressed difficult issues of the Bible, even venting his frustration to God and then letting 'God' speak, explaining the love that is behind some of the very passages that I struggle with myself.
I still left wondering if this was a devotional, a commentary, a well-written work of fiction (the conversations) filled with truth, or just a great book for encouragement and growth. Whatever you describe it as, if you, like me, have always been told that the Bible is God's love letter to us but could never quite reconcile some of the passages of the Old Testament in particular as love, pick up this book and enjoy the insights that Crabb provides.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
14 comments:
Sounds interesting. I like the concept of a conversation with God. You say you were 'pleasantly surprised.' Is that because the cover or the title created apprehension, or is it related to your familiarity with Crabb's work?
I was apprehensive because I guess I'm always leery when someone "speaks for God". This wasn't like that though. It wasn't a book of prophecies; it was a book of teaching, and the topic of that teaching was how God has revealed His love all throughout His Word. It was especially "pleasantly surprising" to me to see His love throughout many of the passages that just seemed so puzzling to me, the passages that would make me ask, "How (and why) would a God who is Love do this or that?"
It was beautiful to see His love throughout it all. I highly recommend this book. I think you and Sammie would both enjoy it as a rich, thought-provoking, and loving devotional. It makes me want to actually commit to reading the Bible page by page, accompanied by each 66 chapters of this book that coincide with each of the 66 books of the Bible.
Thanks for that, Joyce. Do the entries have any common threads or themes (other than "love" that's indicated by the title)? And when the book's subtitle says it "invites you into his story," how does it do that? Or does it?
Every single chapter invites you into His story by "God" revealing what it is that He wants to show you in each 'love letter'.
For example, in Genesis Crabb asks,"God, what are you saying in Your first love letter, Genesis?" The answer: "What I'm saying and what I want you to hear is this: You've made a mess, but I have a plan! The chapters then continue elaborating on each of the first part of the conversation, drawing you in and making you a part of all He has said and done and making it clear that we, personally, were in His mind throughout it all.
It really does make the Bible a much more personal Book to me and opened it up in ways I hadn't considered before.
"You've made a mess, but I have a plan!"
Wasn't it God that placed the tree of knowledge into the garden in the first place with a couple that had no concept of right/wrong?
And God now blames Adam/Eve for God's own poor planning?
- Fastthumbs
Fast,
As a reviewer, I don't reveal 'spoilers' of the book. The goal is to intrigue people to read it. That's a good question. And it's a good book. You may enjoy the read. :)
Thanks for your comment.
hey joyce! it's leah grover from jpusa. how are ya!
Do you believe that all of humanity will be saved?
Gideon,
I'm kind of lost with what your question has to do with this review and how it relates to this posting. Could you please connect the dots for me? I can't seem to do it myself. Thanks.
Leah,
I'm a year late and counting but look forward to seeing you next week at Cornerstone! YAY! :)
"I'm kind of lost with what your question has to do with this review and how it relates to this posting."
I see. Actually, it does and it doesn't. Well, in context with this post, I'm asking if you as a Christian interpret the Gospel as a "love letter" but with an ultimatum? Which is why I asked you if you thought that God will spare everyone from the death that Revelation and many other books speak about, for those that do not repent.
Also, this has to do with some remarks you made on another blog to someone else I believe you thought was heavy-handed in pointing out this fact.
So, I'm asking, again... in light of this, do you believe that all of humanity will be saved?
This is simply a book review for Larry Crabb's book "66 Love Letters". If you have a blog that you'd like to share, you can send me a message. If I happen to post something along the lines of your questions, I'd be happy to engage in those contexts regarding that. Otherwise, here on my blog, I prefer to keep the conversations limited to the blog content.
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
"Thanks for stopping by and reading!"
You're welcome. However, I'm disappointed you dismiss me so easily and quickly. I suppose a straight answer is an unreasonable request, these days... especially in an alarmingly increasing number of "Christian" camps.
Anyway, I got my answer. I won't be back. Sorry to have intruded in your love-fest. I'm more interested in sober, unemotional and unbiased Bible study than lessons in political correctness. You know... along the lines of doing the Savior's work of rescuing the perishing?
That's hard to do when everyone, including sinners, are okay and heaven-bound.
;-)
I'd be happy to have that conversation under the proper content, Mike. But my book reviews are commissioned so I stick to the subject of the review that I am doing. Also, as I stated, I use my blog to stay on topic. It's a little more disciplined than random social pages where conversations can go in any direction.
You certainly aren't being dismissed. This just isn't the correct venue (at least under the book review content) to delve into a topic that is not related. I hope there are no hard feelings!
Peace and hope ...
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