From Publishers Weekly
Expectations have never been higher. Without the most recognizable markers of success, many non-Christians and Christians alike feel dissatisfaction and a vague discontent with life. They seek after blessings and believe that the good life comes to those who follow the rules. Not necessarily so, states Crabb (Finding God), who has had his own trouble with such "linear" thinking. Crabb details how this behavior-leads-to-blessings theology has become endemic within the church today. This "Law of Linearity" no longer holds true, he claims. Instead, Christians can embrace the "Law of Liberty," discovering the embrace of God without the pressure to perform. For openers, Crabb lays the groundwork for his passionate plea to forsake restraints that bind. Far and above any blessing God may give, he says, Christians' most urgent need is for the Father himself. Crabb soberly describes how weary this generation of Christ's followers has become, and how far, to their own shame, they've distanced themselves from God's plan for humanity. While there's no simple cure for the rampant decay that results from self-centeredness, Crabb notes that genuine seekers can be recognized by where they expend their energies. Crabb, who at times reads as self-deprecating, offers statements that are catchy and thought-provoking but not gimmicky: "Only the mature value the blessing of presence over the blessing of presents." Crabb's message resonates convincingly, giving Christian readers who have embraced the gospel of good behavior some fresh food for thought. (Mar.)Forecast: Crabb has a solid sales record in the CBA, a market that will likely welcome this refreshing title. WaterBrook will simultaneously release a workbook for individual and group study.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Review
Praise for The Pressure's Off
“If, like me, you see blessing-centeredness rather than God-centeredness as a great weakness of American evangelicalism, you will hail this exploration of the freedom and joy of grace as timely therapy, a word in season that we all needed. May it be widely read and thoroughly digested.”
—J. I. PACKER, theologian and author of Knowing God
“The evangelical church, choking under a pervasive legalism/moralism that suffocates the human spirit, finds a powerful voice for freedom in Larry Crabb. Writing from the inside out, he presents a vibrant way of living with
passion and without pressure.”
—BRENNANMANNING, author of Ruthless Trust
“C. S. Lewis wrote about prosperity knitting us to this world, and while we are seeking our place in the world, the world is actually finding its place in us. Dr. Larry Crabb has constructed a compelling narrative that shows how we have imprisoned ourselves by using the world’s ways to ‘get something from God,’ instead of appropriating God’s way to receive something from Him.”
—CAL THOMAS, syndicated columnist and author“Dr. Crabb not only gives us a clear mandate to celebrate Christian freedom, he also is our accompanist and exemplar on the Way of Freedom. You know he has walked that way with you. A remarkably personal message.”
—JAMES M. HOUSTON, Chancellor Emeritus and professor of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, B.C.
“This book makes a very important statement about how to live the Christian life. It takes the Christian beyond the obstacles and disappointments and, above all, beyond the age-old enemy of self straight into the arms of grace. Once there, the pressure is off. A real worthwhile read.”
—FRANK RETIEF, Presiding Bishop, Church of England in South Africa
“At last we have a book that confronts contemporary Christian culture with its increasing tendency to be taken up with blessings more than the Blesser. I doubt whether anything Larry has ever written, or may write in the future, will contribute more powerfully to the needs of modern-day Christians than
The Pressure’s Off.”
—SELWYN HUGHES, director of the Center for World Revival and author of Every Day with Jesus devotional
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
