10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Asks the right questions but answers are weak & opinionated, November 6, 2001
This review is from: Beyond Radical (Paperback)
I'm a Christian who agrees one hundred percent that the questions asked in this book deserve critical consideration. Unfortunately, rather than objective and critically considered responses supported by referenced research, we find a presentation, excessively sarcastic much of the time, of Mr. Edwards personal opinions. It is clear that Mr. Edwards has done a bit of research and has formed his own conclusions, but there is not a full or even a partial presentation of the evidence. If the subject matter were presented as opinion then I suppose this would not be of great concern, but the opinions are mixed with a sufficient smattering of uncited facts and scriptural references that an undiscerning reader will probably percieve the text as authoritative. In spite of the author's apparent good intentions to help make Christians aware of the issues surrounding the practices of the modern protestant church, I was turned off by the lack of any support for the presented arguments, and especially by the "holier-than-thou" attitude and negative sarcasm that pervade the text.
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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Be Prepared!, January 5, 2000
This review is from: Beyond Radical (Paperback)
Beyond Radical is precisely that! It asks the questions we always took for granted such as, why do we meet every Sunday at 11:00 am for church, why do churches have stained glass windows, pews, pulpits and yes even PASTORS! What! Aren't pastors scriptural? Well, after reading this book, much of modern day Christianity is left empty, naked and shallow w/ the Lord nowhere to be found. It will challenge everything you were taught about Christianity and "church". But do not fear, Gene also unfolds a beautiful alternative, namely church life the way it was meant to be experienced, New Testament style! If you are content w/ modern church life and all it's cliche formulas, then this book is not for you. However, if you are seeking a radical and exciting new way to live church life, than this book is for you! Gene will be your guide through history and scripture, revealing why we do all the things that are supposedly in the "clear teachings of God". After putting it down you will have to re-evaluate EVERYTHING you ever learned about church life and it's offices.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Presumptuous, February 16, 2006
This review is from: Beyond Radical (Paperback)
While it is important for us to question our practices, it is also important not to make groundless assumptions about them, or to be historically or scripturally presumtuous or inaccurate.
I had never read any of Mr. Edwards' books (he has written scores of them), but the title of this book intrigued me so I bought a copy and read it. I know that what is practiced by the "churches" today may well be wrong or misguided. I was looking for a book that would lay out a historical foundation and give a biblical answer. This book does neither.
Mr. Edwards makes broad assumptions about historical facts. He tosses out statements that may or may not be true. He makes statements such as, "The inventor of [the normal order of a Sunday service] was John Calvin. About 1540." (page 39). But Mr. Edwards gives no references, no documentaion whatsoever. Are we simply to believe his assertions without any historical proof at all? I think not.
The same with Scriptural references. There are very few Scriptural references in this book. There are a couple of reasons for that, I believe. The first reason is that Mr. Edwards rails against the use of chapters and verses in the Bible. Since he opposes the use of chapters and verses it would be difficult for him to use those things to reference what he is trying to convey as Scriptural. The second reason for a lack of Scriptural references is that much of what Mr. Edwards teaches is Scripturally incorrect.
For instance, on page 73, Mr. Edwards states, "Paul left every church he ever raised up... without any leaders. No leaders of any sort." Then he says on pages 57-58, "If you have anyone local who is a leader; if you have leaders... there will be no revolution. No, we must move far beyond such worn out ways." Does Mr. Edwards give Scriptural references for such outlandish statements? Of course not. How could he? The Bible teaches just the opposite of what he pridefully tosses out. Consider Acts 14:21-23. "And when they [Paul and his companions] had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." (verse 23 KJV). Mr. Edwards evidently considers the Book of Acts "worn out ways" that must be gone beyond. Perhaps we should reference 2 John 9 about how far we should go.
Having ranted, let me also say that Christianity does desparately need reformation. We need to become what the Bible calls us to become. However, haphazzard historical "facts" and unbiblical religious ideas are not the way. We need a radical return to Scripture - to Spirit and Truth, Word and Practice.
If you believe that I am being too critical, please consider just what it would take to convince you of historical facts or Scriptural teachings. Are you easily convinced of things without historical or biblical proof? There are those who claim that the holocaust never happened. But the historical facts prove otherwise. Mr. Edwards' historical claims MUST be backed up with documentation or they hold no power at all. As to Scriptural teachings, we MUST be Berean. "These [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11 KJV).
I have nothing against house churches. They may well be the most biblical of all Christian gatherings. But you won't find any legitimate fodder for that idea in this book. I suggest that the seeker read the works of T. Austin-Sparks or even Watchman Nee.
Dr. Mike Kear
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