True Religion: Taking Pieces of Heaven to Places of Hell on Earth [Paperback]

Palmer Chinchen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2010

 

Give your life away to change this world and God will change you…for the best.

A rising voice in the missional movement, Palmer Chinchen challenges Christians to a new kind of spiritual formation—one focused on pouring out our life for others and radical dependence upon God.

When we get out of our comfort zone, our souls are awakened—everything seems more alive and vibrant. So why don’t we live our faith that way? Why is it that our faith can easily become an old, tired routine instead of an exhilarating, God-honoring lifestyle?

Discover why true religion involves engaging the problems in our world as we go with the good news of the gospel. And in the process of pouring ourselves out for others, we’ll see God radically transform our own hearts as well.

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Palmer Chinchen is popular speaker, author, and pastor of The Grove in Chandler, Arizona. He grew up in Liberia, West Africa, witnessing firsthand the ravaging pain of the AIDS and malaria pandemics and the daily burden of poverty. A former college ministry leader, Palmer has a passion for firing up Christians to respond to affliction and injustice in the world and respond with Christ’s love to a hurting world. Palmer holds a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois and a BA and MA from Biola University in California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: David C. Cook (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078140343X
• ISBN-13: 978-0781403436
• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 6.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Palmer Chinchen is an author, speaker, and pastor. His new book TURE RELIGION: Taking pieces of heaven to places of Hell on Earth is changing the way people think about spiritual transformation. Palmer grew up deep in the deep Sappo jungle of Liberia West Africa where the only way in and out was by prop plane. After graduating from Biola University, with a BA and MA in Intercultural Studies, he earned a PhD in Educational Studies from Trinity International University in Illinois.

A rising voice in the missional movement, Palmer is a relevant and engaging writer and communicator who draws on his years of experience in Africa to pull listeners and readers into the fabric of his message: Give your life away to change this world and God will change you.

Justice is a significant passion for Palmer, who regularly travels to places like Haiti, Cuba and Africa to help bring healing to a broken world.

Today Palmer serves as the Lead Pastor of The Grove, an innovative gathering of believers who seek to make God famous in Arizona and around the globe. On a random Sunday called "Barefoot Sunday" the people of the Grove walked to their cars barefoot, (on a 100+ degree day) leaving a massive container full of shoes to ship overseas.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars sad... August 4, 2010

By amy

Format:Paperback

Let me preface this by saying I was very excited about this book. As a Christian who has poured herself into ministry, missions and service to Jesus, I was thrilled to read a book that was to be a wake up call to the church which has become lethargic and so self-focused.

I believed this book would be genuine, sincere and inspiring and was looking forward to read it and give it to my 15 year old son to inspire him.

Then I read it. And I was appalled. Not at the message that we need to stop focusing on ourselves, that's true. We need to be going, doing, loving, giving, serving. But Palmer belittled life... he belittled family...

He spoke of two lives... the laundry-folding, diaper changing life, this being the life which stifles our souls, which keeps our true life locked up. WHAT? IS HE SERIOUS? Throughout this book he gave the impression that our ministries to our families are worthless and that if we are not going overseas, we are not doing what we should be.

He even made mention of following the example of Sean Penn, Madonna and Angelina Jolie who are always going, and doing. REALLY? First off, THEY ARE RICH. Secondly, there are many more christians who are going and doing, but WE DON'T SEE THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FAMOUS AND DO NOT HAVE CAMERAS FOLLOWING THEM AROUND.

It boils down to this... every person has something to do for the Kingdom, but it's not the same for every one. Some are called to foreign missions, others to local, some to families, some to business, etc. Palmers book degrades every ministry but the one he is passionate about, and for that I cannot recommend this book.

I would have given it one star, but his stories were beautiful and inspirational, as was he right in calling for us to stop being so self-focused and stuff-focused, so I gave it two.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars True Religion by Palmer Chinchen September 23, 2010

By i blog 4 books

Format:Paperback

This is a totally mixed review. I was really excited to read this book because of the focus on missions and the importance of missions as part of spiritual growth. The book is well-written - I felt like the author probably writes like he speaks. It was very easy to read. The book is also filled with inspirational tales of the author's missions experiences overseas. The stories express a passion for spreading the gospel and encourage readers to put what they're reading into practice.

However, I had some strong theological misgivings throughout the book. First, the author continually encourages readers to become an "expatriate." Chinchen uses "expatriate" to "describe an extraordinary life, a life of adventure, a life of uncertainty, a life of exhilaration, a life worth living" (p. 51). The Bible's focus on missions is not about a big adventure but rather about spreading the glory of God.

Additionally, each chapter concludes with a suggestion on how to live more like an ex-pat. Some of the suggestions were to rent movies with sub-titles, eat at ethnic restaurants, and studying another language. And these suggestions on how to live like an "ex-pat" are really just suggestions on how to add a little culture to your life. I wish he would have suggested things like read magazines and blogs centered around persecution of Christians, praying for unreached peoples around the world, writing encouraging letters/emails to missionaries, sacrificing financial resources, actually going to another context, etc.

Another chapter focused on the idea that we as Christians are supposed to take pieces of heaven into places of hell. I completely agreed with his supposition that hell-like places/events include genocide, rape, starving children, etc. I strongly disagreed with his thoughts that "pieces of heaven" included things like a Krispy Kreme donut. I realize that we all talk about how great heaven is going to be and how beautiful it's going to be with the streets of gold and the giant mansions, but heaven's going to be great because of GOD. Certainly not because we had a Krispy Kreme donut here on earth and that gave me a small taste of what heaven is going to be like. I pray that when I am in heaven I am so focused on worshiping the creator and savior of the universe that I don't ever want another thing besides HIM.

There was just a real disconnect for me with the examples that the author gave and the thoughts he expressed around them. I would have preferred to see a book more focused on God rather than on our opportunity to have a great adventure doing missions.

Before the theological issues, I would probably give this book a 4 star review. However, with all the theological differences, I would have to give it a 2 star review.

I received this book for free from The B&B Media Group in exchange for my fair and honest review.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not really about me? July 1, 2010

By Steve H.

Format:Paperback

The timing of Dr. Palmer Chinchen's book that speaks of "bringing pieces of Heaven to places of Hell
on earth" is perfect. As I look around everywhere, I am inundated with this perception of self-worth.
Practically everything I see is attempting to make life all about me. From consumer products that begin
with "i", to labeling so many things as "personal" like trainers, computers, and ring tones. Our society
says it's all about me. Really? I was raised by a single mom who struggled to raise me by herself. I
realized as a 27 year old adult I didn't want to be alone. I married a beautiful, God-fearing woman,
whom I love very much, and we adopted 2 handsome boys. In Palmer's book he writes, "life is never
more complete than when you do it in a relationship". We're not meant to be alone. He goes on to say,
"People are life's greatest investments." Isn't that true? I've witnessed the atrocities in this world both
near and far, people who are broken, alone and unloved. I have seen the good that comes from reaching out,
caring and putting others' needs before my own. This world can be a better place when I make it less
about me and more about those who are hurting. This book, "True Religion", brings that to life with
real stories and conviction that says to me, "GO! Leave your mark!"

My Name is: Stephen, Daddy, and Son.
I am: The leader of my family and I am 42 years old.
My dream is to: Bring pieces of Heaven to places of Hell on earth, and to leave my mark for Jesus
Christ on this world.

This could be the best book you've read all year. It could also change your life by opening your eyes
and your heart. S.H.