Customer Reviews

The Owner's Manual for Christians: The Essential Guide for a God-Honoring Life

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Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture, a bike, or a barbeque that required instructions? Did you try to assemble the item with or without reading the instructions? Be honest.

Let's face it. All of us skip the owner's manual and instructions from time to time thinking we can do it on our own. And while that principle may work when it comes to assembling a small item like a blender or lamp, it doesn't hold true when it comes to putting all the pieces together in something as large and complex as life. We need an owner's manual. We need someone who knows how it all works --- inside and out. God gives us His Word, the Bible, and invites us to read, study and discover Him and how life is meant to be lived.

Charles Swindoll believes the Bible is the only true "Owner's Manual for Christians" and the only source of reliable truth from God. In his latest book, this bestselling author encourages readers to view THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR CHRISTIANS as a "quick start guide." It is designed to be an easy-to-read, essential guide to some of the most foundational passages of Scripture.

Swindoll begins the book by looking at God's character and the foundation of faith, diving into topics such as grace, love, joy, fellowship and God's will before tackling the idea that what is true about God also becomes true of you. He invites readers to look at the importance of intimacy with God, prayer, humility, surrender and self-control as they grow in their knowledge of God. Yet the journey of growing in God doesn't stop there. We must also learn to develop a Godly moral compass, overcoming the failures, suffering, temptation and guilt that come with living in a fallen world. We must learn to move beyond shame and doubt, and what it means to live sacrificially.

Throughout the book, Swindoll draws heavily on Scripture from the Old Testament as well as the New. He's not afraid to explore the stories of lesser known prophets and characters like Micah, as well as draw on the rich teachings of Jesus. Known for being a highly effective storyteller, Swindoll laces his book with colorful illustrations and anecdotes from history as well as experiences from his own life. In addition, poignant quotes dot his writing and the introduction to each chapter. Yet Swindoll never loses his practical approach to life and faith. He writes:

"Prayer is classic proof that we don't master spiritual disciplines easily. Developing the discipline of prayer while breaking the habit of worry will call for great mental effort. It will take time for you to master this new way of thinking. Stay with it. After persistent, continual conversation with the Father, mixed well with waiting for Him to work, you will receive what has been promised you. After doing your part, God will do His. Count on it!"

Overall, THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR CHRISTIANS points you to the real owner's manual --- the Bible, issuing an invitation to get to the author better than ever and calling you to remain faithful in your Christian journey.

--- Reviewed by Margaret Oines

Once again Chuck has been able to simply put christian living into words. God certainly uses him in so many ways, but I love his writings.

Chuck did a wonderful job in sorting through his vast story telling vault and placing them with great truth from the Bible.

I have a very strong disgust for the practice of "copy, paste, and publish" carried about by many Christian authors and publishers. This book is very obviously a great "Exhibit A." With the exception of maybe the forward, every word of this book has been copied and pasted by several other previously published books. This makes for a unorganized, uninspired, unimpressive book.

You might as well read "The Grace Awakening" from which the first chapter on grace and the appendix on "Living Free" are both taken from. You might as well read "Intimacy with the Almighty" from which chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, and 14 are taken from. And you can read, "A Life Well Lived" from which chapter 11 is shamelessly taken from.

Needless to say, the whole book is a shame. I wish I could get my money back. I wish others would speak out about the shameless practice of "copy, paste, publishing" that continues to spoil many purchases I have made as of late.

Ugh.