Customer Reviews:
 Anyone ever heard of the word 'Pastoral'? January 1, 2004
27 out of 28 found this review helpful
Also only writing this to counter Mr.Tripe. No, it isn't a theological tome, nor is it effective evangelism by Nouwen's own admission in the epilogue. However, it is pastoral, and powerfully so. Wonderfully simple, yet deeply spiritual in the way that Nouwen uses the Eucharistic symbolism of being taken (chosen), blessed, broken and given as an analogy for the spiritual life. This is not some 'quick fix' book of techniques, principles and methods aimed at achieving happiness, and thank God for that.
Inclusivism September 26, 2003
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
As others have said the first review below is misleading. But don't ignore it! it shows the problems many christians face who think God hates the world and wants everyone to burn in hell unless they accept some formula and theory they have about Jesus.Instead read Nouen and see the contrast, of a God who in Jesus is so available, and real. An amazing book to help us connect to God.
Challenging call to live the Love of Christ June 30, 1999
27 out of 29 found this review helpful
There is one review that gives this book one star and that reflects in the overall rating. This is a five star book. I listened to it on tape. When he shared about how his life can be described as either being taken (chosen), blessed, broken or given by Christ I pulled the car over to the side of the road and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for the revelation that came from that simple word. You don't have to agree 100% with Henri's doctrine to read him, and those who pass him over or this book over because he cannot fit in your theological box will miss a great treasure.
Marvelous tool to internalize the love of God December 21, 1998
22 out of 23 found this review helpful
I felt compelled to write this review to counter the "tripe" review above. This book is one of those rare gems that can significantly help a struggling person conceptualize that THEY are indeed beloved by God. Clearly Jesus/God loves EACH AND EVERY ONE of us regardless of where we are in our spiritual journey. This book is well worth the read. I recommend it highly.
 Quasi-universalist tripe September 25, 1998
5 out of 56 found this review helpful
I was expecting good, solid Biblical teaching from this bookand that is not what it offers. It was written as spiritual advice to Jewish and secular friends of the author. The book offers nothing as far as the Gospel message of salvation by grace through faith. It should have given the target audience the essentials of that message: man's sin and separation from God, the diety of Christ, the need for repentence, and the realities of eternal life and eternal judgment. It instead talks to its audience of nonbelievers as if they are already saved. Nouwen calls them "beloved of God," "chosen of God" and "children of God." The book also seems to say that all people are "chosen" and "beloved." At one point it says: " 'You are my beloved' [a Biblical statement by God to Christ] revealed the most intimate ruth about all human beings, whether they belong to any particular tradition or not." But according to the Bible, only Christians are children of God. If you are not a Christian, you are a child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). Christ also said "Whoever believes in him [Christ] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already." (The Jews are called God's chosen people in the Old Testament, but that meant chosen for special service to spread the message of repentence to the world. Jews have to repent like everyone else. In the New Testament, Christians are God's chosen people.) The above scriptures apparently did not influence the author,who wrote, for example, that God says to the author's friends "Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger andrink that will satisfy your thirst. I will not hide my face from you. You know me as your own as I know you as my own. You belong to me. I am your father, your mother, your brother, your sister, your lover, and your spouse..yes, even your child...wherever you are I will be. Nothing will ever separate us. We are one." Not one word about repentence, believing, and having faith. Not one word about Christ dying for humanity's sins. To me, this book is universalistic and utterly contrary to God's salvation message. I believe it is utter false teaching and I do not recommend it.
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