A Scandalous Freedom: The Radical Nature of the Gospel (Paperback)

~ Steve Brown (Author) "During the 2000 Democratic convention, someone commented that many of the views of the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, Joseph Lieberman, seemed not too distant from those..." (more)
Key Phrases: incredible freedom, flying elephants, getting much better, Holy Spirit, Martin Luther, Christ Jesus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The best radio-show hosts speak not to a group of people but to individuals—listeners feel the show is just for them. Brown (Born Free), a Presbyterian seminary professor, former pastor and host of the Key Life radio program, uses that approach to fine effect as he encourages Christians to celebrate their absolute freedom. Conversational, lighthearted and full of funny lines (and a few urban legends presented as fact), Brown's writing nevertheless conveys deep truth: believers too often stagger beneath a burden of behavior forced on them by other Christians, a standard that God does not require. "I fear too often the church has become an organization of guilty people with a guilty preacher standing in the pulpit, telling guilty people that they should feel guiltier," he writes. The oppressed and their oppressors miss the power of authenticity, especially the freedom to fail, the joy of God's complete forgiveness and the boldness it brings. God's liberty also lets Christians embrace those with whom they disagree. Brown illustrates the point in one of his best anecdotes, recalling his relationship with Tony Campolo. Brown's honesty about his own failings drives his points home. This book has the power to help Christian believers who have been struggling to march in a straight line to leap up and dance.
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Product Description

Christians do not trust freedom. As author Steve Brown explains in this brave new book, they prefer the security of rules and self-imposed boundaries, which they tend to inflict on other Christians. Brown asserts that real freedom means the freedom to be wrong as well as right. Christianity often calls us to live beyond the boundaries, bolstered by the assurance that we cannot fall beyond God's love. Freedom is dangerous, but the alternative is worse -- boxing ourselves up where we cannot celebrate our unique gifts and express our joy in Christ. Each of the book's eleven chapters explores a common pharisaic, freedom-stifling tendency, then opens the door to the fresh air of a remedial liberty. A reader's delight, A Scandalous Freedom sometimes shocks with challenges to prevailing wisdom, but it follows up with compelling validations of our need to celebrate real, unstinted freedom in Christ.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582293929
• ISBN-13: 978-1582293929
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,255 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Practical advice with a few holes, June 22, 2005

By	H. Hoefer (Beaufort, SC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Steve Brown's "A Scandalous Freedom" came at a good time in my life. For those desperate to shed their unrealness and partake in the realness that is God's love, this is the book for you. Brown shows us that we can only ascribe worth through Jesus Christ, because every human relationship will ultimately fail us.
The only drawback to this book is that I don't like Brown's cheesy personal references. I caught myself becoming impatient, wondering when he'd arrive to his point. I also didn't like some of his self-deprecating remarks outside his confessions that he, too, is a sinner. I have a feeling Brown is a more engaging speaker than he is a writer. But the quality of the writing is not nearly as important as the message.
I'm glad I read this book - though now I feel like I have even more questions than answers.
On a side note, I have read a lot of spiritual books (many of which fall into the self-help category), and they all say similar inspirational things about living in God's grace. But all of these authors - including Brown - fail to explain HOW we're supposed to do this. How do we get past our materialism and obsession with our human relationships and focus on Christ? Sure, there is freedom in Christ, as Brown professes throughout his manifesto, but HOW do you get to that point? Is faith really a subjective experience?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth that sets you free - no kidding!, December 3, 2004

By	Gene Overall (St. Louis) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fans of Steve Brown's Keylife radio program should go ahead and order several copies. You'll need them for your friends, your pastor, and your church library. (I am in my second reading of the book, and just ordered my 5th, 6th, & 7th copies.) Besides, the author does not collect the royalties - they go to charity.

Even if you have never heard of Steve Brown, if you believe you can "know the truth, and the truth will set you free" - but you aren't quite sure how that works in your life, this is the book for you. In these pages, you can find answers to the questions "free from what?" and "free to do what?"

This is a book of great value and comfort to Christians - especially those who, despite their struggles, "aren't getting much better," and are willing to admit it - at least to themselves.

You will find out you are not alone, and that God loves you anyway.

The author tries not to give you a list of things to do - he doesn't want to create a "12-Step Program for Christians Who Aren't Getting Much Better." Nonetheless, you will come away with some practical ideas about letting God be God. Then you won't have to keep struggling to take his job - you will know that you are free to be you.

Read a few pages in a bookstore - or in our church library - you will want your own copy.

God bless you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Check your misconceptions at the cover, March 16, 2006

By	R. Haynes (Jonesboro, AR United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book hit home with me. It basically skewers many of the man-made doctrines we cling to while still staying accurate with the Scriptures. Steve Brown reminds us that we are all sinning everyday and that, in spite of this, God bought us with the highest price imaginable and that the righteousness of God is imputed to us as redeemed children of God. I saw myself as well as many other people on every page of this work and I consider it one of the greatest books ever written on the subject of Christian freedom. I plan on buying at least 10 more copies and giving them as gifts.

Have a teachable heart when you read it. Allow yourself to let go of the traditions of men and then cling ONLY to the Holy Scriptures. When you do, you'll see grace and mercy and forgiveness and love and faith in a whole new light.