Bold Love (Paperback)

~ Dan B Allender Ph.D. (Author), Tremper Longman (Author), (Author)
Key Phrases: revoking revenge, normal sinner, covering over sin, Evil One, Old Testament, Jesus Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

IF CHRIST HAD PRACTICED THE KIND OF LOVE WE ADVOCATE NOWADAYS, HE WOULD HAVE LIVED TO A RIPE OLD AGE.

We've come to view love as being nice. Forgiving and forgetting. Yielding to the desires of others. Yet the kind of love modeled by Jesus Christ has nothing to do with manners or unconditional acceptance. Rather, it is shrewd. Disruptive. Courageous. And, as a result, socially unacceptable.

In Bold Love, Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman III draw out the aggressive, unrelenting, passionate power of genuine love. Far from helping you "get along" with others, Bold Love introduces the outlandish possibility of making a significant, life-changing impact on family, friends, coworkers-even your enemies.

"Bold love is anything by passive," writes Dr. Allender. "It is unpredictable, cunning, and creative. It is a violation of the natural order of things. In many cases it will unnerve, offend, disturb, or even hurt those who are being loved. But in the end it will also compel them to deal with the internal disease that is robbing them (and others) of true beauty."

So if it feels like you've turned the other cheek so many times your head is spinning, it's probably time to take a second look at your practice of love. Because there's nothing redemptive about a love that just accepts people for who they are.

"Original, profound, and dazzling!"-Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel

"It will change your life."-Steve Brown, president, Key Life Network, and professor of preaching, Reformed Theological Seminary

"I'll read it again and again."-Dr. Raymond Dillard, professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary

"The best modern book on love I've ever read."-Dr D. John Miller, director, World Harvest Mission, and author of Come Back, Barbara

"A feast!"-Mike Mason, author of The Mystery of Marriage

From the Back Cover

IF CHRIST HAD PRACTICED THE KIND OF LOVE WE ADVOCATE NOWADAYS, HE WOULD HAVE LIVED TO A RIPE OLD AGE. We’ve come to view love as being nice. Forgiving and forgetting. Yielding to the desires of others. Yet the kind of love modeled by Jesus Christ has nothing to do with manners or unconditional acceptance. Rather, it is shrewd. Disruptive. Courageous. And, as a result, socially unacceptable. In Bold Love, Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman III draw out the aggressive, unrelenting, passionate power of genuine love. Far from helping you "get along" with others, Bold Love introduces the outlandish possibility of making a significant, life-changing impact on family, friends, coworkers-even your enemies. "Bold love is anything by passive," writes Dr. Allender. "It is unpredictable, cunning, and creative. It is a violation of the natural order of things. In many cases it will unnerve, offend, disturb, or even hurt those who are being loved. But in the end it will also compel them to deal with the internal disease that is robbing them (and others) of true beauty." So if it feels like you’ve turned the other cheek so many times your head is spinning, it’s probably time to take a second look at your practice of love. Because there’s nothing redemptive about a love that just accepts people for who they are.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (March 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891097031
• ISBN-13: 978-0891097037
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,985 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars S-l-o-w Start with a Fantastic Finish, June 23, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Dayton, Ohio) - See all my reviews

Most of the first 100 pages were very slow plowing with some difficulty in accepting certain parts of the premise and groundwork. They turn out to be helpful in establishing those precepts for the last 200 plus pages which were pure pith and wore out a highlighter. This is not a be-all, end-all resolution. It is, however, a vital portion of any Christians toolbox. Knowing the enemy and approaches to deal with various aspects are essential tools. Not a fill-in-the-blank recipe, but a thought provoking knowledge base to allow God to use the talents He has given you for you to be more effective in doing battle with the enemy.

NOT for those who want to stay on milk!

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lifechanging book - a must read Christian or not!, January 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Bold love (Hardcover)

This book after CS Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and JI Packer's "Knowing God" has been the most influential book for me outside of the Bible. Lewis's book gave me a reason to have faith. Packer's book gave meat to my faith. "Bold Love" revolutionized the way I love, live, and forgive. It cuts to the heart and challenges the deep seated sinful motivations. It is real and authentic in that it deals with life as it is - with all its ugliness and sin. It has deepened my understanding of how much God really loves me and how much grace has truly been shown me. One reviewer found this book wordy, which I can see why, but in my eyes "Bold Love" is beautifully eloquent and communicates God to us in a fresh new way. The same reviewer also found the theology of the book poor which I have to disagree with strongly. It is thoroughly solid book theologically and the positive testimonies of many well-known and diverse Christian authors attests to that. I recommend this book with no reservations whatsoever!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When the student is ready, the teacher will appear, March 27, 2006

By	MellenConley "b_muse_me" (Columbia, MD USA) - See all my reviews

I saw Dan Allender speak at one of Willow Creek Church's conferences in 2005. God has gifted him well - Dan is an excellent teacher. I love his style, so I bought this book.

I bought this book months before I started reading it. I had prayed for help in loving people - something I was struggling with.

I bought it because of a few of the things it says on the cover - "Know the difference between loving an evil person, a fool, and a normal sinner; How to love an abusive person without opening yourself up to more damage." I experienced this as one of those books I would want to take my time with, drink in slowly - one of those books that would teach wisdom as well as point out areas in my own life on which I needed to work.

Be warned, Dan doesn't pull his punches - truth, as any good discipline, does not always feel good. This book will convict you where you need it.

Dan writes/speaks with an honesty, humility, beauty and passion that I haven't experienced in many other books of this type. He speaks from experience, with a wisdom that can only be gained from that school of hard knocks, as well as a passion to share the truth and beauty of the Gospel. The book is everything I hoped it would be.