Customer Reviews

In His Steps Nelson's Royal Classics

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this book "...UPDATED IN TODAY'S LANGUAGE." and was convicted and inspired by it. But before I finished it, a friend, not knowing I had this book, gave me a copy which was in the original language. (Thomas Nelson Publishers) I was amazed at the difference between the two books. I believe the description "...UPDATED IN TODAY'S LANGUAGE" should be changed to "...UPDATED INTO LANGUAGE MORE BENEVOLENT TO THE NARCISSUSTIC CULTURE PRESENT IN MANY OF OUR TODAY'S CHURCHES. Here are some examples.

Edited version (p14) "The members of the First Church of Raymond believed in having only the best music, and its choir this morning was a source of great inspiration."

Original version(p 4). "The First Church of Raymond believed in having the best music money can buy, and its quartet choir was a source of great pleasure to the congregation. The anthem was inspiring."

Both versions sort of say the same thing but the underlying flavor of the nature of this congregation appears substantially different, I think. In the first the choir was of great inspiration and in the last the choir was of great pleasure and the anthem was inspiring. That is different.

Also, Sheldons descriptive writing should not be abbreviated. Another example:

Edited version: "Rachel Winslow was beautiful as she stood behind the choir screen of carved oak, and a general rustle of expectation swept over the audience as she prepared to sing."

Origial version: "Rachel Winslow looked very beautiful that morning as she stood up behind the screen of carved oak which was significantly marked with the emblems of the cross and the crown. Her voice was even more beautiful than her face, and that meant a great deal. There was a general rustle of expectation over the audience as she rose."

The editing has nothing to do with "today's language" but has everything to do with making Sheldon's self-incriminating description of main stream christianity more palatable to today's evangelical christian culture. I am a christian and belong to a mega-church.

This book asked the question "What Would Jesus Do," a full century before it was fashionable to wear such phrase on bracelets, necklaces, t-shirts, etc.

Set in the late 1800's, a pastor challenges his church to take a pledge: to make no decisions before first asking "what would Jesus do." As a result, many lives were changed. Many who took that pledge suffered for it.

The book itself I suppose isn't the highest quality writing, nor the plot that intriguing. However, in the case of this book, that's not what's most important. The author really challenged me to ponder what true "sacrifice" is.

I think most any modern American reader of this book would have to admit that very few today have any idea what it means to truly suffer for Christ, and to give up all to follow him. America has been so blessed that we've forgotten what sacrifice means. It is a sad indictment on the True Church that some of the fastest growing "churches" in America and across the world today thrive because of a "health and wealth" gospel.

It makes me wonder how many in modern "churches" would take the pledge to first ask "What Would Jesus Do?" and to follow through with it. I'm afraid there wouldn't be many.

I really enjoyed the simple message of "What would Jesus Do" that is the centerpiece of this classic Christian book. I have heard this saying many times in the many different Christian circles that I have traveled, but never knew its original source. Now that I have finished the book (the original version which I recommend), I think I have a much better understanding of what it means to a Christian to ask the question "What would Jesus do" in any situation we face.

I really enjoyed this book because it tells a compelling story, and prompts you to take a tough look at your own life. It brings all kinds of deep, thought provoking questions to mind. Questions like: What would I be willing to do to follow Jesus? Am I willing to make sacrifices in my own life to further his Kingdom? I bought this book because it looked very interesting, and I really glad that I did. I think that it will have a huge impact on my life, and my Christian faith.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in finding out more about the "What would Jesus do" concept. Also, anyone looking for a book that will challenge them to live a more meaningful life for God will benefit from this story. The book is not very long, and a pretty easy read. Hopefully, it will have a profound impact on you as it dit me.

This starts out fine, with a great premise (living your life asking "What would Jesus do?" in each situation), but gets bogged down about 2/3 of the way through and doesn't recover. Plus, the author only tackles this from the patronizing view of the rich practicing Christianity on those less fortunate. Too bad he didn't throw in a few chapters from the viewpoint of po' folks. Still, the original premise is well worth thinking about.

I picked up a copy of this book a few years ago, but I never finished it because it didn't hold my attention at all. In retrospect, I wasn't ready for it. This book challenged my thinking more than I wanted it to. You may have heard that "In His Steps" is the origin of the phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" That's true, but the book takes the question a step farther. The real question is "What would Jesus do if He were Gail Simmons?" (Ok, so you can insert your own name where I've put mine.) There's even another step after that which is implied rather than stated. Am I going to make the changes necessary to have my life come into line with my understanding of what Jesus would do in my place? The book is excellent, but don't read it unless you're prepared to examine your own life in ways you may have never imagined. I've heard it said that knowledge can condemn a person. Are you willing to take the next step to read this book? You'll either walk away changed or condemned.

I received this book from a friend on loan, and for weeks did not even bother to look at it again. When I finally picked it up, I literally could not put it down. I read the whole thing in one day! The writing style is skillful, suspenseful, and moves the reader along with the story. It is like a series of vignettes with a powerful common theme, and one feels as if he or she is actually watching the scenes unfold. The characters are real enough that the reader can see him or herself in them. Sheldon gets beyond preaching and bible verses, giving the reader a clear picture of what happens when Christian people impact the world, and the world fights back. It gave me a whole new outlook on the phrase "What would Jesus do?" It is a frightening yet inspiring challenge from which Sheldon never relents. Must reading for anyone who really wants to live by that creed!

This book was worthwhile. It illustrates what it really means to follow Christ-- and that entails serving others and making personal sacrifices. The characters in the book (wealthy, high society types) were kind of hard to relate to but the idea is easily extended to all people. It's effectiveness will be measured if it leads you to ponder "What would Jesus do...if he were me...if he were in my situation?" It's encouraging to read how those who made the commitment to more closely follow Christ were able to encourage and support each other. Also brings out the point that many people working together for good can have a great impact on society. This book doesn't grab you like a good mystery novel, but the author clearly makes his point- and that point is one we can all benefit from.

I was very hesitant to write this review, particularly given the fact that "In His Steps" seems universally loved. But I felt it was important to warn others about Sheldon's lack of depth as an author.

Let me first preface my review by saying I have been reading a lot of C.S. Lewis lately. Going from Lewis to "In His Steps" is like transferring from MIT to kindergarten. I say this with no disrespect intended. And while some people may find this book helpful and inspiring, I simply found it prosaic and shallow. In my estimation, Sheldon's characters are either completely stupid or he is a shallow thinker, in either case the book holds no appeal for me.

The crux of my problem is this: the characters are one-dimensional. We have no insight into their internal or subconscious struggles. The weight of their decision to follow Jesus' example is undermined by the lack of attention paid to the emotional and mental conflict that accompanies any attempt to do so. There is more struggle going on within a Christian than Sheldon remotely implies. (Bunyan emphasizes this perfectly in "Pilgrim's Progrss" which I highly recommend.) The transformation of the characters when they commit to their decision is also contrived. It was as if all sin vanished in Sheldon's idyllic world when once a Christian really committed himself to following Christ. Given St. Paul's treatment of his own struggle with sin in Romans, I find Sheldon's romanticized ideal a little hard to swallow.

The question is a good one for all Christians, what would Jesus do. And from that standpoint, Sheldon really tries to flesh out the implications of such a question in our daily lives. Unfortunately however, in my amateur opinion, his efforts fall short of the objective and leave the reader with an uncomfortable sense that only a fraction of the story has been told.

Here's my advice. If you like C.S. Lewis, that type of depth and psychological insight, then don't bother with "In His Steps" because you will be disappointed. If however, you find Lewis a little confusing and amibiguous, you might enjoy the book. In the end I think it depends upon how familiar you are with the innerworkings of the human psyche or how familiar you wish to become. Hope this helps.

Charles Sheldon did a wonderful job of challenging Chirstians to follow the example of Christ and to know Him better. He points out that in order to answer the question "what would Jesus do?" you have to have a ever deepening intimate relationship with the Lord. When you receive the answer you have to act on it. no matter what people think or what happens to you. It takes guts to asks "What would Jesus do?"

picked up the book and could not put it down. great Christian fiction! But most importantly, it will challenge you in a way you've never imagined. You can not continue to read the book without asking yourself What Would Jesus Do. Be prepared to be challenged... once you open this book, there is no turning back.