A Renegade's Guide to God: Finding Life Outside Conventional Christianity (Hardcover)

by David Foster (Author)
Key Phrases: abundance mindset, renegade nation, converted heart, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Big Daddy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Adding to the slew of books calling for authentic, untamed Christian faith, Foster, the founder and pastor of the megachurch Belleville Community Church in Nashville, wants people to look to Jesus ("the J-life") rather than to religion. His passion permeates the pages as he calls for "the creation of a renegade nation where love is the ethic and freedom is the goal." Peppering his book with jazzy sound bites, acronyms and clichés ("Only Jesus can fill the God-sized hole in the center of your heart"), he is sometimes repetitive. Yet his arguments are often compelling, including his view that "one of our greatest threats is not hedonism, but moralism." Unfortunately, dissonance creeps in. Renegades, he exhorts, "don't like labels," yet the book encourages readers to become an "R4G"—Renegade for God. He cites the growth and size of his own megachurch, but points to organized churches as part of religion's problem. While Foster's desire to differentiate followers of Jesus from legalism is laudable, he seems to dismiss the importance of rigorous study. A better section explores savoring the sacred, in which he reminds readers to "see everything as a gift for which to be grateful." Those disillusioned with traditional Christianity will find an enthusiastic, if sometimes uneven, voice for change in these pages. (Nov. 15)
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Product Description
Dynamic speaker and author David Foster leads Christians to an untamed, unpredictable relationship with the ultimate renegade of all time--Jesus. Growing up, David Foster resented the self-righteousness found at churches whose missions centered on fear and guilt. He longed to be free--away from force-fed religion--but still follow Jesus. He considered himself a renegade, for God. A renegade resists being told what to do and how to think. That's why this is a guidebook, not a rulebook. Filled with firsthand discoveries that sometimes put Foster at odds with his peers, this book exposes myths and half-truths found in organized religion today. Foster boasts that "God loves you as you are, not as you ought to be," and shows an exciting Christian life does not have to be an oxymoron. He dares Christians to be what they were made to be--renegades for God.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (November 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446579645
• ISBN-13: 978-0446579643
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #638,858 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every 'christian' should read this book, November 8, 2006

By	Kevin Miller - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is another 'sign of the times' book for the world's most popular faith - christianity. George Barna's recent book, 'Revolution' talked of the inadequacies of the church. Foster goes further and reveals huge misconceptions and errors in common christian perspectives. And these are the perspectives that have diluted christianity and taken away it's truthful purpose. Along with a Bible, there are some books that should be part of every striving christians backpack. This is one of them.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God!, March 4, 2009

By	H. N. Dupuy (Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I stumbled upon this book at a pivitol point in my life. I couldn't put it down because it expresses all the frustration I've felt about the "church" for over ten years now. The message was heartening and inspiring. I highly recommend it and have sent copies to many friends and family.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Truth...., April 6, 2007

By	Mike Harris (USA) - See all my reviews

Well I am SO thankful that someone is trying to wake up the sleeping church!!! This book should be a must read and a must live for every believer in Jesus Christ. I bought 50 copies and gave them to my friends for Easter. Time to wake up and STOP playing church....and BE the church!!!! Thank you David Foster for waking me up to be a R4G!!!!!