Customer Reviews

Cat and Dog Theology: Rethinking Our Relationship with Our Master

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Being as a missionary sent out from the same church which the author attends, I have the privilege of knowing this outstanding family and their commitment to the Lord. They are kind sincere people who know and walk with God. I also have no doubt that this book was birthed, at least in part, from God's personal dealing with Bob's own spiritual life as to what motivated him in missions. His desire to put God's glory at the center of missions is commendable and in this desire I whole heartedly agree with him. I have both the book and the DVDs which are meant to accompany them, so in a way my critique will be directed towards the message found in both.

The greatest weakness, however, seems to be one of theological immaturity. Though he says that cat theology "is not incorrect but rather incomplete", one gets the impression that "cat theology" is flat out wrong. For example, Jeremiah 29.11 is quoted in which God promises blessing. It is acknowledged that this is a good verse but then we are asked how many of us like a certain verse by Paul which speaks of suffering for Christ. We are left with the impression that "immature and self-centered" Christians quote Jer. 29.11 while more spiritually minded Christians quote verses on suffering.

There is a sense in which the authors seem to be pitting one group of Bible verses against another. John 3.16 and other verses which describe God sending Jesus to die out of love for the world are somehow "immature or humanistic" or at least of less importance than John 12.28 and other verses which depict Jesus as dying to glorify God. At one point the question is asked "What did God the Father get out of Jesus' death?" The answer of "people" is given as an answer and immediately mocked. It seems that this would be a humanistic answer as opposed to the more mature response of "God got glory out of it". (The idea of God receiving glory through the people he gets, and thus both answers being correct, isn't brought up).

While I agree with the author that God's glory often takes a back seat in the church, he seems to try and restore it by belittling God's great love for humanity. Admittedly there is something of a paradox here but instead of helping us to see a more holistic picture of how God's love for humanity and his zeal for his glory are ultimately two sides of the same coin, we are forced to pick between the two. Confusion and condemnation for selfishly focusing on God's love for "me" (something we are commanded to do in scripture) can be a result of such an "either/or" teaching. I recommend John Piper's book "Let the Nations be Glad" as a book which seeks to communicate the same but in a more balanced way which won't leave you feeling like you have to choose between Bible verses.

Meant to give it 3 stars, not 4.

I first experienced Bob's material when I took the "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement" class at my church several years ago. Bob used this material to teach the second class.

"Cat and Dog Theology" parallels Bonhoeffer's "Cheap Grace" concept but is much more illustrative and easier to comprehend (and very entertaining). And it hits the nail on the head every bit as much as DieBon did. "Cat and Dog" asks us : Is God our cosmic servant (cat theology), or are we God's earthly servants(dog theology)? It also gives very clear examples so your can determine how much of a canine or feline you are (I still have to admit to a few "meows" myself).

An important read for everyone, even us overly intellectual Presbyterians. (And certainly better than "The Purpose Driven Life", though just about anything is....)

Mr. Sjogren came to speak at my school two years in a row to do his powerpoint presentation, which is actually this book pressed into three 50 minute sessions. I immediately realized that what he was saying (and what he wrote in this book) is simply rehashing what Jonathan Edwards and John Piper (among others) have been saying. This book reads much like 'Desiring God' by Piper, only it lacks the theological depth and practical application that Dr. Piper presents in his book. Not only that, but Mr. Sjogren does not cite Dr. Piper or Jonathan Edwards in his presentation, when he uses some of the exact phrases and concepts that both have used before. Intellectual honesty = giving credit to whom credit is due.

Do yourself a favor and do not purchase this book. Purchase 'Desiring God' by John Piper or 'Religious Affections' by Jonathan Edwards. They are both more original and VERY much more theologically minded.

Great book on getting our focus back to what it should be. Very fun, creative approach to a very tough subject. It is a wonderful book written for our time (and all time). America's churches will do well to take heed in glorifying our Maker like He deserves to be glorified.

When I was introduced to the concepts presented in this book I was dumbstruck with awe at how incomplete our understanding of who God is and His plan for mankind especially in America. Fellow Christians, this book will help remove the scales from your eyes and put a fire in your belly. If you truly love the Lord and want to know Him and make Him known read this book!

I have to disagree with a couple of the reviewers on this page. This is an excellent book with points to challenge your comfortable way of thinking. Yes, they take a "one sided" view, but they admit that - they are focused on a problem in the American church and unless it is well defined, we cannot correct it. I found this a very challenging read - not that it was difficult to read, but rather, it challenged my selfishness. That was hard to take. Hopefully, I have expanded my actions to be less selfish as a result of this book. I highly recommend it!

I first heard Gerald Robison present the Cat & Dog Theology presentation 2 years ago at a Perspectives class at church. Since then I have had the pleasure of seeing it twice more and I have read the book. This is a book you want to read! It is a book to read because as a Christian in America, you really don't understand just how ME focused you are until it's laid out for you. The main premise is that we should focus on GOD'S glory, not our own comfort and pleasures. It also discusses how God is focused on His glory all throughout the Bible and spreading His glory to the nations, although we tend to skip over these passages when we're reading them because they're not about us. And it's true! I mean, Christ told us to DIE TO SELF. Do we really even know what that means?

I really don't understand the negative reviews of this book. Now, I'm not going to say that this book isn't convicting and hard to read at some parts, because it is. But you should read it for yourself and make your own decision.

I picked up this book to read only because both of my boys attend a Christian college and were required to read it. I had some time during my workout on the eliptical and decided to open it. The moment I thought I had things figured out, something new would come at me. This book has changed the way I worship, the way I pray, the way I speak and think! I have lead many bible studies and am an author myself [...] - It was well done - I purchased 25 books and have handed out almost all of them! Read through the whole thing...it will not let you down. May the glory be to God alone!

Am I a "cat Christian" or am I a "dog Christian"? Am I looking at life from my perspective or God's? Is everything for my glory or His? This book revolutionizes the way you look at everything! Get it, use it personally and in your small groups. I recommend it to everyone I can.

This book made quite an impact on my thinking and living. After reading it, I began to make several changes in my lifestyle that others noticed right away and inquired about. Most affected has been my prayer life which went from a 2 to a 7 on a scale of 10. My attitude towards others in work and study groups changed as I felt I better understood where they were at in their walk with the Lord so was able to more effectively communicate with them.
I liked the writing style but was occasionally confused as to which author was writing a particular chapter or section and would find myself going back to check - - as they always were specific when beginning a chapter or first using "I" - - but I didn't always remember. Mea culpa - not them.