Customer Reviews

There is More to the Secret: An Examination of Rhonda Byrne's Bestselling Book "The Secret"

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One of the most popular recent nonfiction books in the United States is Rhonda Byrne's The Secret, which argues that a natural law, the Law of Attraction, is the secret to a happy and prosperous life. The latest work by Ed Gungor, There Is More to the Secret, examines The Secret and the Law of Attraction from a Christian perspective. Gungor defines the Law of Attraction as "everything coming into your life is the result of what you have been attracting to your life"-not just in positive things, but negative ones as well. It is at minimum a rejection of the idea that one's destiny is predestined or is in the hands of fate. The Secret seeks to take this law and apply it to everyday life.

The Secret is certainly an idea that can take some things on a secular sort of faith, and one might well expect Gungor, a Christian minister in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to have some issues with the idea of "The Secret", and he makes very clear from the beginning that he is skeptical of some aspects of The Secret theory and particularly in how people apply it. Among his strongest arguments is that even assuming that the Law of Attraction works, if different people are all using it on their own behalf at the same time, some of the things people wish for may be cancelled out (suppose, for example, that two different people imagine getting the same rare item at an auction, or are competing for the same job).

Some recent books analyzing books or movies from a Christian perspective make an all-out attack on their subjects, as is the case with several Christian books that are fiercely critical of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. But while Gungor is skeptical of some elements of the Law of Attraction, he undoubtedly surprises some of his readers by arguing not only that there is something to the Law of Attraction and therefore the Secret, but that it is compatible with Christian belief. Indeed, Gungor-whose command of both the Bible and of popular culture is very strong-makes the argument that the Law of Attraction is reflected in multiple cases in the Bible. Gungor exhorts his Christian audience to use The Secret for good to produce positive change and to free oneself from fatalistic inertia. he ends the book with a call to readers to use The Secret but to see the benefits of a conscience about one's actions, bring oneself closer to an acceptance of the will of God and to follow Jesus.

It is precisely because Gungor believes there is something to the Secret that his key line of attack on the idea as articulated by Byrne isn't that there is no such thing, but that it does not go far enough and leaved out the hand of God in these matters (this is much of why the book is titled There is More to the Secret). Gungor rightly fears that people will use The Secret for selfish purposes without considering how to use it in line with God's will for His people. As in his previous book Religiously Transmitted Diseases, however, Gungor is able to make his critiques with both humor and command of popular culture in a way that saves his arguments from coming off as shrill or tiresome. He is an entertaining writer, and the book, at 124 pages, is long enough to make its point without becoming overly polemical.

While I agree with the Reverend Gungor that what one believes and does affects how things turn out in one's life and in the world, I am not completely convinced by Gungor's argument on behalf of the existence of the Law of Attraction-even as I agree with how he uses his understanding of it to fine tune the arguments of The Secret. However, his work has moved me to consider its possible applications on my own Christian journey. With the widespread popularity of The Secret, Gungor's work deserves a wide audience, and readers of There Is More to the Secret are likely to find Gungor's arguments, well, attractive.

"Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." ~ Jesus

I've read "The Secret" book and have seen the movie. Since then I can't seem to get enough of books about The Secret and have been reading all the books I can find on the subject. It is interesting to see how it applies to all areas of life as we know it.

This book in particular addresses an intriguing conundrum. Can we believe in God and also believe in the law of attraction? Didn't Jesus say that we should ask and receive? Then there is the whole subject of becoming too materialistic. Many Christians are turned off by the thought of "greed" or lusting after money (read up on the seven deadly sins). The Bible clearly states that we can't serve God and money at the same time. So what is a Christian to do? Should they reject the whole idea of the law of attraction or put it to good use? After all, didn't God create all the laws of the universe? Doesn't he allow humans to be part of the creative process?

Ed Gungor takes on all these topics and more. While some may see this book as an attack on Rhonda Byrne's bestselling book I found it to be more of a thoughtful exploration that leads to serious spiritual considerations. This book is a much-needed reality check! I found Ed Gungor's thoughts to mirror some of my own. Does "The Secret" also have a dark side? If you have been wondering about how "The Secret" could be used for evil purposes then you need to read this book.

"... are you using the law of attraction to have what you need in order to change the world for God?" ~ Ed Gungor

In my own life the law of attraction has drawn things that are good and bad into my life. I can see a direct correlation between negative thoughts and negative experiences and positive thoughts and positive experiences. So I believe that the law of attraction is at work in our lives. I like how Ed Gungor explains that we don't use this law in a vacuum. There are other players and other forces in motion. So when disaster strikes it isn't necessarily all your own fault. God can also play a role in your life allowing or not allowing you to become wealthy. In this book Ed Gungor explains how we should also be living in God's will. There are apparently other forces that are greater than the law of attraction.

So while I've been intrigued with "The Secret" I must say that this book answered a lot of my nagging questions. I've always had better luck praying for what I want. After all, Jesus is the one who tells us to pray for our desires. This book is a great addition to all the other secret books and I like that it is a pastor's take on the subject. I think you will find this to be instantly compelling; at least it kept my attention for hours right up till the last page.

If you are very interested in this subject here is a list of books on the Law of Attraction that I think you will enjoy (they explore the subject more deeply):

The Secret of The Secret: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Runaway Bestseller

The Secret

The Science of Wallace D. Wattles: The Science of Getting Rich, The Science of Being Well, The Science of Being Great

Secrets of Attraction: The Universal Laws of Love, Sex, and Romance

The Answer: Grow Any Business, Achieve Financial Freedom, and Live an Extraordinary Life

Develop Irresistible Attraction

Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't

~The Rebecca Review

I'm a big fan of the Secret and I was thinking this book will be a positive review over the book but instead the book just said negative things and going beyond the line. I'm cosidered myself very religious and I thought this book will be like the secret applying to the religion side but no at all. the author explain the logic things of you don't have to believe literary but to me reading the secret it was logic, you can't sit in your bed and say I'm going to be skinny and you don't do anything or you will expect things change just thinking or "calling your thoughts". To me the secret was just a guide of how to be positive in front of any circunstances and fight for what do you wan, how to be strong and positive.

Did not like at all, if you like the secret do not buy this book

While I can appreciate the idea and the intended message that was the purpose behind "The Secret," I am alarmed by many of its projections; particularly the fact that your thoughts create your ENTIRE reality. As a parent of a child with a chronic medical illness, I received words of caution from professionals in regards to exposing him to "The Secret." After reading Ed Gungor's EXCELLENT book, his writing on the subject of "The Law of Attraction" has provided relief, compassion, and an enlightening response to the confusion and concern that I was feeling after reading "The Secret." I greatly appreciate the fact that the author took the time to share his light with others and I do hope he is able to reach a wider audience to act as a compliment Rhonda's book.

This is now one of my favorite "Law of Attraction" books. Clearly there can be two very opposing sides on the subject of the Law of Attraction and Christianity but Ed Gungor takes a very balanced, albeit ultimately Christian, view. It was gratifying to know that he isn't out to discredit "the law of attraction," but to explain how there is a Biblical connection. It is unfortunate that the Law of Attraction, once the domain, as it were, for people already into alternative ways of thought anyway, such as massage therapists, Reiki practitioners, chiropractors, yoga practitioners, etc., has now almost become anathema to those who could richly benefit from it and sends up a red flag to many.

Unfortunately, the opening up of the Law of Attraction to the masses has had an almost boomerang effect. And it unfortunate that Ms. Bryne herself is the reason for this in my opinion. Watching the DVD is one thing but when I read "The Secret," there were at least three blatant fatal flaws. Before I go any further let me say that I understand and appreciate that the book can be considered a secular book. Furthermore, I daresay I can understand and appreciate those who question why Christians have to see "Christ" in everything. BUT, BUT, BUT, fatal flaw #1. Ms. Bryne bases her whole Creative Process premise on "Ask, Believe, Receive," on the New Testament in the Bible but never mentions Jesus (at least I'm having a hard time find a specific reference to Jesus as I thumb through the book) Fatal flaw #2. she quotes from Matthew and Mark without giving any context (if I were NOT a Christian already I would have no idea where those quotes came from and no way of finding out). Fatal flaw #3. she makes reference to the world's greatest minds in one lump, including Carnegie, Emerson, Shakespeare, Bacon, Krishnamurti, and Buddha. Gee, I guess Jesus was just a "wannabe" in the great minds arena.

So at the end of the day "The Secret" really isn't a purely secular book, after all. Toward the end of the book she asks people to open it randomly to find find guidance on something occuring in their life. She draws from the Bible and its teachings albeit kind of "kicking and screaming." It might have been better to have left the Bible out of it altogether -- then perhaps Christians wouldn't be so upset over the fact that the book does nothing to glorify the Kingdom.

Given this scenario Pastor Gungor was much more kind to "The Secret" than he could have been and kudos to him for recognizing that people are thirsty to find meaning in life. The way he ties it altogether at the end is absolutely brilliant! This is a MUST HAVE book for those who want to reconcile the Law of Attracrion with their Christians beliefs. And hopefully those Christians who categorically reject the Law of Attraction as New Age will be moved to buy the book and read it.

As well as other people, I have the "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. I also got the movie. While Rhonda Byrne's book was probably two stars, I felt that Ed Gungor's book put the "law of attraction" into perspective and into a biblical basis that we all need as Christians. Like others, I stumbled on the book by accident. I read it on a Sunday morning and couldn't put it down. I have since let the minister at my church borrow my copy because I thought that he would get a lot out of it. The so called "law of attraction" is simply having a strong faith in God and what he can do for you in your life and this is what this book does. Although Rhonda Byrnd does have a couple of scriptures in her book, Ed Grungor shows the readers that God is the one to look to; not a low of attraction. We need The Law of Attraction that God shows us in the Bible. I strongly recommend to anyone who has read "The Secret" to read this book. It is a fast read and can be done in one setting. Whether you are a Christian or not, this book will put God into perspective.

When the movie The Secret was released, it gave lots of people hope and encouragement, so I think that overall, it was a positive thing. But I know it upset a lot of religious people, because the seeming lack of God and the focus on material gain for the self. Luckily, author Ed Grungor has done something I've seen no other Christian do. He's shown the positive side of Rhonda Byrne's "The Secret"; but he's also pointed out the flaw. The flaw he reminds us of is that we must not do this out of ego and selfishness; we must learn to do, gain and create for the good of all and the love of God.

There is no doubt that the "Law of Attraction" boom has helped many people to live better lives, but what of the thousands that it hasn't. Are they doing something wrong? Are they missing something? Mr. Grungor, says "YES". They are missing God and Christ...He points out that we are allowed to receive many things, have happiness, love and laughter, but it takes more than simply day dreaming about it; it takes work and dedication and a purpose beyond wants and desires. The deeper meaning of the real secret points back to God and the love for us all.

I believe this is a positive book and even supportive of Rhonda Byrne and I feel that no-matter what religion you are, this book will help you make better use of The Secret, which, in all honesty, is truly no secret at all, as it spoken of and peppered throughout the Holy Bible. Mr Grungor references many Bible verses in this book to prove it.

I feel his message is that there is more to life than just "gaining material things", because in the end, we are creative beings that should do what we do for the love of God and your fellow man. So don't forget that God created all secrets; becoming rich out of greed won't fill that empty space in your heart, but if you focus on God and you do obtain those riches through this secret, you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor, you'll enjoy life and you'll feel compassion for your fellow man and want to share with those who need our help, in order to better all. After all, we are all related, none of this truly belongs to us (it all comes from God)and you cannot take it with you when you go;)

This book on CD enhances 'The Secret' and really brings it into reality. It highlights the need to remember that 'The Universe' is GOD and that nothing, including abundance, can come to anyone without his existence and presence. The Secret left a lot tof questions for me and this book on CD answered them all...

After reading the book, I found that the direction that it takes does not parallel mine. I'm sure the author meant well but in my opinion, another person capitalizing on the Secret for financial gain.

As a `critical fan' of this year's bestselling book, The Secret, Ed Gungor thoughtfully assesses both the transformational and troubling dimensions of author Rhonda Byrne and her associates' beliefs within in his own book, There Is More to The Secret.

Gungor invites fellow Christians to look for the wisdom found within the `secret,' also known as the Law of Attraction: Everything coming into your life is the result of what you have been attracting to your life. To substantiate his belief in the validity of the Law, Gungor includes several scriptural references, like, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." He suggests readers think of the Law of Attraction as God's "common grace," providing all good things in life. Yet he also warns that while God invites us to take on His own thoughts, the Bible warns that "the enemy " does the same thing, thus we must chose our thoughts wisely.

Gungor's also notes several flaws within The Secret, including its hedonistic tendency to focus on `attracting' materialistic possessions for oneself, rather than for others, and its hard-to-believe insistence that, if people aren't positive enough, they bring misery into their own lives.

I was a bit surprised that Gungor's analysis did not include his opinion of The Secret's process for using the Law of Attraction: to simply "ask, believe and receive" in order to attract everything one's heart desires.

There Is More to The Secret is an appropriate choice for Christian book clubs, providing rich fodder for both self-reflection and an opportunity for groups to discuss its relevance for themselves.

On a personal note, I felt that Gungor's critique of the Law of Attraction also might interest non-Christians, many of whom likely would agree that "God's will should take precedent" over the The Secret's emphasis on self-gratification. But that was before I got to the last chapter's conclusion regarding what he believes is the real `Secret.' However, for curious Christians, this book will help them discover that, indeed, There is more to the Secret, especially if they keep an open mind.

Armchair Interview says: Unique viewpoint relative to a book that is very popular.