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Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe

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10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe by Larry Osborne is going to shake up more than a few readers faith! There are many beliefs that are consistent across denominations, but as Osborne points out, not all of these are Scriptural, and some are actually likely to damage believers' faith. He calls them spiritual urban legends like: God brings good luck, all things happen for a reason, and my personal favorite being raised in a godly home guarantees good children. Despite what other writers will have you believe, it's not necessarily so. Osborne uses short anecdotes and lots of Scripture to point out how these beliefs arose and why they continue in popularity. The book is like a cold splash of water: it's at first a bit shocking and maybe even unpleasant but cleansing. For example, believing that raising your children in a godly home guarantees that they will be good people will cause one of two reactions if your children are struggling and not walking with the Lord. First, parents may blame themselves and feel unnecessary guilt and causing stress on their relationship as well as deep grief at having failed their child. Or parents could be unrealistically optimistic, believing that while the child may be conflicted now eventually he/she will come to faith because of the false promise in that belief. Either of these can devastate a relationship with the Lord. Osborne wants readers to have a solid faith in God based on the rock of Scripture instead of the unsteady sand of spiritual urban legends.

by Larry Osborne, Multnomah, 2009
Book review on 29 June 2009 by Bill Heath, 176 page paperback, easy reading

The title, back book highlights and one chapter caught my attention. This is especially significant since I do not buy or read much beside the Scripture at this stage in my life. During the morning while departing with the family at the San Juan Airport and before morning quiet time impressions of Proverbs 22:6 struck curious unsure cords in my conscience. I won't go into details, however the writer of this book confirmed the conclusion I was coming to, yet had not heard from the pulpit or teaching among believers. The title word "smart" should be changed for "wrongly taught." This is one of those rare books that helps us unlearn errors or incomplete doctrines.

Content review
Introduction: Spiritual Urban Legends - excellent illustrating how these legends can be destructive in the eternal plan. Forefronts how being a Berean is honorable. Acts 17:11.

Dumb Things:

1 - Faith Can Fix Anything. Excellent in comparing faith, belief and trust with the truth.

2 - Forgiving Means Forgetting. Excellent with references, however comes short on sharing that there are times to forget and how to discern.

3 - A Godly Home Guarantees Godly Children. Excellent to deal with Proverbs 22:6 not being a promise to all, could have added Acts 10 with the household of Cornelius. More later, since this is a topic for a small book.

4 - God Has a Blueprint for My Life. Excellent, since this allows for free will and sovereignty.

5 - Christian's Shouldn't Judge. Excellent in all aspects.

6 - Everything Happens for a Reason. Excellent as distinguishing between what God permits or causes, and what is due to our own immaturity or foolishness is important. Really like his emphasis on Romans 8:37-39 being the focus.

7 - Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide. Good at one point. Shortcomings because it does not take the whole counsel of God into consideration. There are elements of truth regarding not following inner voices, however the reference of 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 is from a poor translation and not for the topic. I'd rather the lesson include and expand into a "pure conscience": Strong's Greek Dictionary, "4893 suneidesis, soon-i'-day-sis", co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness:--conscience.
1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

8 - God Brings Good Luck. Excellent since whole assemblies of believers are caught up into this error.

9 - A Valley Means a Wrong Turn. Excellent overview of the 3 types of valleys we can go through; natural growth, God sent me or I sinned.

10 -Dead People Go to a Better Place. Correct in doctrine, but is harsh and not in tune with the rest of the book. I'd cover another topic, such as methodology in discipleship for teaching and learning. Then add a few paragraphs on how to be saved.

Epilogue - Final Thoughts. Good illustrations and a discussion guide for the 10 topics. A followup book could be titled "10 dumb things smart christians divide over" eternal security, the tribulation, worship style, gifts, appearance, Sunday, tithes, church, sanctification and Israel.

I really liked (like) this book. While at first glance the title might sound like the opening salvo for a soap-box rant, it's not. While the cover teaser, "Are urban legends and Sunday-school myths ruining your faith?" sounds like a lead-in to a biased tirade...it's not. While the question posited on the back cover, "Just because `everyone believes it' doesn't make it true..." sounds like the preface to opinionated rhetoric, it is not. So, what is it, this book? I think that it may very well be an emancipation proclamation for many "christians" who have bought into "popular-vote" theology.

I don't want to parrot the book or giveaway too much of what's in it. If you'd like to see a little more about what is written inside, you can check out Pastor Larry's blog where he shares some details about 10 Dumb Things. As for my thoughts, I found affirmation and agreement with most of what I read. I'm sure that people struggle or wrestle with issues differently and some of the 10 Things might not be as much of an issue for some people as they are for others. With that said, I found value and insight from every chapter although there were several that moved me (spoke to me) more than others.

Chapter Four, God Has a Blueprint for my Life, I had to read slowly and carefully. Personally, I have some differences of opinion regarding this particular position. I don't want to give away the meat of the chapter, so suffice it to say that I don't disagree completely. I do think some of the illustrations used might be better qualified for clarity's sake. I believe the bottom line (and this is confirmed by my margin notes, stars, and "good point exclamations" on pages 62-69) from this chapter I am in full agreement with. I enjoyed having my own position stretched and clarified.

I found a great deal of wisdom and insight in chapter five, Christians Shouldn't Judge; likewise for chapter six, Everything Happens for a Reason. With specific regard to chapter six, several months ago I read Spectacular Sins by John Piper. I find myself more in agreement with the explanations offered from the perspective and teaching of Larry Osborne than the comfort level I found while reading Spectacular Sins.

I loved, loved, loved chapter eight. I loved it. God Brings Good Luck exposes one or more of the major faults in post-modern, consumeristic, north-American Christianity. Great chapter...very convicting and humbling.

As I said, I enjoyed all the chapters and could share something about each and every one. I don't want to play-by-play the book, but will add this final note. Chapter ten is a difficult read. I think it is chock-full of truth...sobering truth, but it is a hard read. I also think that it helps to tie the entire work together in a reflective call to arms. I plan to put a couple of copies of 10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe in my own church library. I hope other pastors and churches do the same. This is a good book and a great conversation starter; hopefully it will help to destroy some of the "spiritual urban myths" that have stunted the growth of God's Kingdom. Kudos to Larry for a deep, but easy to read and very helpful word for the church.

I wasn't sure what to think when I read the title, 10 Dumb Things Smart Christian's Believe, but I must admit that I appreciated how after reading the book, it made me think about what I believe and why I believe it.

Another positive thing about this book is how it helped me recognize what folks may be accepting as "Gospel Truth" and how I personally may fall into some unbiblical deceptions. Why? Because when we're taught something by a mentor, teacher, peer, author/book (or whatever we may consider a reliable source) we believe it. However, unless it is Scriptural... no matter who says is, or how good it sounds, it will fall short of truth and can actually damage our faith. Therefore, we need to dig into our Bibles to find out what God is really saying.

That being said, I'll warn you that Osborne writes in a raw, organic way which is good, but can be difficult to read, especially if you're being challenged in one area or another and/or if you don't completely agree with everything that is written. Again, that's just another reason to dig into the WORD.

This quote from Proverbs 8:5 captures the spirit of, and the reason for, this book. Many well-meaning Christians are victims of sloppy thinking. Sentimentality and wishful thinking too easily replace common sense. Of all people, Christians should be able to face the most unpleasant facts about reality without falling apart. Unfortunately, it's too easy for many Christians to cling to an alternate reality, as if they are immune to the very world they are part of.

This book should be on the desk of every pastor and Christian counselor. Though the initial effect may be similar to a bucket of ice water in the face, those who internalize the message of this book will find genuine healing and restoration because it is based on truth rather than fantasy.

This is the kind of book you would think: Why in the world I have not written it? Most of leaders deal with the same myths and dumb things people believe, so I found it very relevant to my experience. I have also thought that I would say similar things to people with these myths, but here it was in a great style written by an experienced leader we need all to learn from. Larry Osborne writtes in style that is highly enjoyeable to read. I wish I can give it t hands of many of smart people around me who believe in really dumb things!

We bought this book for our in home Bible Study. It has already opened people's eyes to myth's they have believed for years and has led to some interesting discussions. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get deeper into the true meaning of the Bible, either individually or as a group. Larry speaks down on a easy to understand level and everyone is able to follow along! All in all a great book! You won't be dissapointed!

The author has a razor sharp wit about him. I found the contents of the book to be enlightening; helpful in clarifying confusing misconceptions about why we believed some things were a certain way for so long.

Interesting read. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. I know many Christians have the same issues Larry writes about and Larry explains them very clearly. A great book for all christians and Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believebelievers to read.

This is an interesting book and it has generated a lot of discussion in our class. While I agree with much that is written, there are a few things I am not totally convinced about. However, it has given me much food for thought.