2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Some Good, Some Quite Bad, September 14, 2010
'7 Biblical Truths You Won't Hear In Church, But Might Change Your Life' is an interesting book that is also thought provoking. Unfortunately, it also contains at least one clearly unscriptural claim.
Some of the lessons in the book are things that I do believe most Christians have probably heard in church. Three of these points are, 'God Doesn't Grade on a Curve', 'God Keeps Satan on a Leash', and 'The Ten Commandments Were Not Given To Be Kept'. In the case of the last one, many may not have thought about it in quite those terms, but the concepts are nevertheless pretty basic. The essence of that one is that no one is able to keep the law and its purpose is to simply show us how much we need Jesus as we cannot do it on our own. As David Rich writes: 'It's clear that God gave us the law to drive us to our knees - to the point of surrender.' Very true.
Overall, that section is quite good. However, there are a couple of statements in that chapter that are troublesome to me. One of them is this: 'He (God) gave us His law to judge us and to entice us to sin at the same time.' That 'truth' is simply unscriptural. Perhaps Mr. Rich should read James 1:13: "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me,' for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone." God may test us, but He does not 'entice' anyone to sin. This statement alone is sufficient for me to not recommend this book.
Some of his other topics are also controversial. His chapter entitled, 'Dead People Can't Help Themselves' seems to me to be pretty much the standard predestination line. I do not agree with that extreme position and the author's thoughts on it did nothing to move me more in that direction.
Two chapters that I think may rile many readers are entitled, 'Trying To Live For Jesus Will Only Frustrate You', and 'Prayer Doesn't Change God's Mind'. Both are done quite well and make many good points.
If it were not for the claims that God uses the law to tempt us, this book would rate much higher for me. As it is, I cannot recommend this book. Even one claim that contradicts Scripture and distorts the nature of God is enough for me to caution potential readers.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
You can't be weak to read Rich!, February 23, 2006
This review is from: 7 Biblical Truths You Won't Hear in Church: ...But Might Change Your Life (Paperback)
Not only have I had the pleasure of meeting and listening to David at Corp seminars I decided to purchase the book.
I must tell you, I like a challenge and things a little off mainstream. Mr Rich tells it like it is. This book is on the mark, very much will challenge your thinking, and stimulate exciting conversation.
Most of all, it's a good read.
He is easy to follow, very direct and entertaining.
Word to the wise**
If you are mainstream, in the box, don't like controversy, Can't make up your own mind
You have come to the wrong place
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good theology, poorly stated, August 25, 2011
This review is from: 7 Biblical Truths You Won't Hear in Church: ...But Might Change Your Life (Paperback)
David Rich is clearly trying to counter some heresies that are common today. These heresies include Neo-Ba'alism (prosperity theology), Magic (the belief that God is limited, and that we can control God, such as bringing on the end times), and works righteousness. If he had read a basic book on Lutheran theology, he would have seen that what he was saying had already been said, and much more eloquently.
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