Customer Reviews

The Common Made Holy

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been a Christian for many years, but like so many, had really struggled with guilt, apprehension etc. as to whether I was "really saved". This book sums up the book of Romans; i.e. Salvation is a FREE GIFT of God. there's nothing you "have to do" (nor anything you CAN do) to "earn" salvation. In fact, it is referred to here as the Galation Heresy to somehow strive to achieve salvation. What Christ did He did for past sin, current sin, and future sin. All one "needs" to do is believe and trust. This is obviously an over-simplified synopsis, but it is just this knowledge that changed me from an anxiety-ridden, guilt-tripping Christian to a celebratory, thankful and victorious one. Read this book and it will change YOUR life, too! I cannot recommend it any more highly. God Bless you as you seek Him.

Like the 1 star review, I found that this book was a bit difficult to read. Its purpose is to give a full analysis of sanctification, apparently meant for study in an academic setting. It is also the authors' purpose to help the reader along their personal process of sanctification. Unfortunately it did a better job at the former than the latter. Had the work focused on one or the other, it probably could have been smoother and shorter, as the book drags on in many chapters because material already presented to show an application point is recovered to prove a scholarly point, & vice-verse.

I cannot agree with the proposition that Neil Anderson "thinks everything is demonic and seems to have zero common sense about him". His points about spiritual influence are succinctly written and well thought out. What is more, his claims are specific and support is always given for why he believes the things he does. Although I do not agree with all of these points, he has motivated me to give some thought about these matters as I know several people who have symptoms he mentions which no medicine nor counselors have yet been able to remedy. I think it is plain wrong to say the man demonstrates no common sense.

Although the book meandered quite a bit, I would still recommend it to anybody whom does want a full explanation of sanctification. The only advice I would give is to treat it more like a text book and less like a devotional. I.E, skip chapters that don't answer questions you have or are interested in. Without a doubt though, it has helped me in my spiritual walk.

Though I've studied under Bob Saucy and read this book for his class I confess that it is very poor. It is trite and simplistic in its approach and Anderson thinks everything is demonic and seems to have zero common sense about him. Saucy tries to add some theological substance but it is hackneyed and not well thought out. Don't waste your time with this book when there are countless others that don't hurt so much to read.