Customer Reviews

Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive (Christian Softcover Originals)

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This is a powerful book, and not one that avoids controversy. Let's start with perhaps the most debated premise of this book: "The heart is good". The first reaction of many I know is to quickly exclaim that this is heresy. Well, perhaps not. Lets look at what he means when he says the "heart is good".

First, he is referring to the "redeemed heart" specifically. Using the backing of Scripture (Romans 10:9-10, Ezek 26:36, John 3:7, Gal 6:15, Luke 8:15, Luke 6:44-45, and more) he claims that our hearts are transformed through Christ. This is an entirely Biblical concept.

Second, the heart is not the same as the flesh. Eldridge acknowledges that "part of me doesn't want to love my neighbor..and it is that part I must crucify daily" (page 130) and "Yes, we still have to crucify the flesh on a daily basis" (page 76), and even "I take up my cross and crucify my flesh with all its pride, unbelief, and idolatry" (page 224). Obviously, Eldridge understands and acknowledges that the flesh is sinful, so what does he mean by the "heart is good"? One example is found in Romans where Paul speaks to this very issue: "It is no longer I myself who do it, but sin living within me..For in my inner being I delight in God's law." Romans 7:17-22. (page 76) If it is "no longer I myself" who sin, and my "inner being" delights in God's law, then what exactly is his "inner being", and who is "no longer I myself"? Paul speaks of his redeemed heart and the battle with the flesh. It is critical to note this distinction.

The third element is that our heart reflects God's glory. On page 75 he states that "we were created to reflect God's glory, born to bear his image, and He ransomed us to reflect that glory again". See Romans 8:30, Romans 2:29, 2 Cor 2:4-6, and the discussion in Chapter 4. Nothing in this book would indicate Eldridge is speaking of human glory, or some sort of humanistic agenda as he has been accused. In fact in a prayer he uses (page 176) he states that "I confess here and now that it is all about you God, and not about me", and "I surrender every aspect of my life totally and completely to you" (page 174). He states that "every morning we bring our lives fully back to Christ and under His Lordship." (page 174).

The fourth element of his claim that the "heart is good" is one we have to look at subjectively. Eldridge is speaking of brokenness and its profound impact on our walk with God. The examples of brokenness found in his own life and the lives of others (pages 136, 144, etc) give us some insight into the lie we come to believe: namely that even after redemption we are not capable of being transformed. So deep is this lie that we are bad and unworthy that it keeps us from really living for God. In fact CS Lewis acknowledged (page 212) that "when Jesus told us to love others as we love ourselves it would be a horrible command if the self were simply to be hated."

This is a powerful book, though his writing style may not be for everyone. Eldridge wants to really get close to the heart of the matter, and in doing so uses some often radical concepts as illustrations. However, a deep read here shows a solid Biblical foundation and humility, not humanism.

You must fight for your life, because whether or not you are aware of it, you exist in the midst of a war. This is one of the themes of Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. In it, Eldredge asserts that one of the major lessons of the Bible is that "things are not what they seem."

According to Eldredge, the obstacles and suffering we all face are the result of humanity's enemy battling for our hearts. You have not blown it and God has not let you down, but this enemy daily attempts to prevent you from living in the glorious fullness of your redeemed heart, writes Eldredge.

In Waking the Dead, Eldredge argues that God has redeemed our hearts, made them good according to his image. He also argues that most people fail to live up to their heart's redeemed state. Waking readers from the dead is about lifting them from the mire or status quo of their lives up to the level of the Spirit-filled life illustrated in the lives of believers in the New Testament.

Throughout this book, Eldredge expands on a quote by the early Christian writer Irenaeus, "the glory of God is man fully alive." The problem, Eldredge says, is that Christians succumb to the pressures and emotions of this world and to the lies of Satan and fail to experience the abundant life.

Through a plethora of references to scriptures, quotes, and to stories and movies such as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Wizard of Oz, The Matrix, The Perfect Storm, and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Eldredge shares eternal truths of redemption and glory to illustrate the state of Christians in this world. He also shares many personal stories that relate how God has worked in his life and through his ministry.

The emphasis of Waking the Dead is on four streams that Eldredge believes bring Christians to the abundant life to which God has called them. These streams are Walking with God, Receiving his Intimate Counsel, Deep Restoration and Spiritual Warfare. He expands the discussion of the four streams with a chapter focusing on the needs and blessings of Christian fellowship.

Eldredge is trying to show readers that a closer relationship with God is available--a relationship bringing deep healing and freedom. In this relationship, the Christian can finally reach his or her full potential, becoming fully alive and bringing glory to God.

Waking the Dead also includes a chapter offering specific prayers designed to help the reader experience the four streams.

In Waking the Dead, Eldredge reaches deep into his soul and spiritual reservoir to share insights and references that will help the reader see his or her place in the heart of God. He comes to his points from so many different angles that he is sure to hit his mark with most readers.

Craig Stephans, author of Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays

Is this book biblical? Should we be using "The Matrix" to learn lessons of the Christian life? Are our hearts "good," as Eldredge asserts, or has he bought into a humanistic spirituality?

The answers, for those who choose to read to the end of this short work, are within. Yes, this book is biblical. Although it's no masterpiece of homiletics or exegesis, it does hold to the heart and spirit of Christianity. Yes, it uses lessons from popular movies and novels to convey spritual truths--and quite effectively, I might add! Eldredge makes it clear "The Matrix" will not save us. He does, however, use it to highlight ideas.

In regards to the goodness of the human heart, it's true that I started to wonder how far he would take the concept. Was he suggesting that sin is no longer a struggle for us? Was he trying to say that the human condition is not seditious and in need of redemption?

Quite the opposite. Eldredge makes it clear further on that we must be in relationships of accountability, that we must be confessing our sin and dealing with it on an ongoing basis. What he does want to communicate is that Jesus came to purchase our freedom, yet we still live with slave mentalities. God reached out to cleanse that which he made pure in the beginning, yet we walk around with self-deprecating words and expressions instead of moving forward in God's kingdom.

By the end of this book, I was convinced that the ideas were true to the heart of Scripture and that we could all benefit by the honesty and openness of living with hearts that are good, while never hiding from the impurities and assaults of life that try to drag us back into darkness.

Easier said than done. But we have to start somewhere. Why not start by "Waking the Dead."

I've read some of the negative reviews on this book and "can't believe my eyes!" My husband and I are mature Christians (30 years of walking WITH the Lord) and yet this book is opening our eyes and radically transforming our future, if you can believe that. Sounds funny but it's true. The Bible says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Since we began this book, we see ourselves and God's plan and provision for us differently than we ever have before. This book has shown us that God has MORE for us than we have ever understood or believed. We've already begun to pray differently and our faith has soared. It all makes so much sense, now...God's plan for mankind...and therefore, for US.

(As I reread that paragraph, it occurred to me that some of you may wonder if this is one of those faith books that talks about planting a seed with the focus on reaping the reward. Well, I'm not one of the people that is comfortable with that sort of teaching and want you to know that's not what this book is about. If you think that, you might just skip by my review and maybe even pass on this book. It's not like that so please read on.)

Please don't believe that everything you read in the reviews is true. I can't believe what some people are saying this book is about. It's like how the devil gives us a part of the truth and then screws it all up with his own twist of lies or evil interpretation. Kinda like what he tried to do to Jesus when He (Jesus) was in the desert those 40 days. he MUST have done that with them. Nothing else makes sense.

I am so impressed with this book that I am telling others to read it. How could I have missed all that error or the boring-ness they speak of? For instance, John Zxerce's review had errors throughout it. All I can think is that either he didn't read the book, misunderstood it or he was deceived by the devil.

I would certainly not refer others to read a book that was all about US and our happiness, as John says it is. I'm afraid John has been misled...and is consequently misleading others. Not intentionally, of course, but in my opinion, the end result is the same. Please understand that I don't know this man and have nothing against him. I just hate the idea of so many people reading his review and then deciding not to read the book based upon that review. Another thing...there are scriptures throughout the book yet they're not mentioned in his review...which could make one believe that the book isn't based on scripture...which it is. He says he is quoting from the book but what page...where? I don't remember those words.

One of the premises of this book is that we are in a battle over our hearts. Whether we know it or not, we are...and if we want to win, we'd better wake up and stop just letting whatever happens to us, happen. I believe the enemies of our souls would like nothing better than to keep us from reading books like this that have the power to set us truly free in Christ.

I hope you'll read this book and see for yourself...just don't read it popcorn style. The author takes us through a journey of how he thought about things at one time or another...and how WE often do, too. If you just pop onto a page, it may sound like he's saying these are the way things are or should be. We are always told to read things in context. I feel that if you read it through, you'll come to the same conclusions we have. I recommend it to you, as I have my friends and family.

I think I've only reviewed one other book at Amazon...maybe two...a long time ago. It's been so long I don't remember but I feel passionate enough about this book to take the time to write this and hope it helps others in their quest to grow in the Lord and yet be good stewards of their time and money by not wasting either of them. I believe this book contains truth that can change your life. Of course, you'd need to READ it first...which I hope you will do.

Another impressive book from Eldrege - one you just can't set down. John speaks completely from the heart, as usual, and gives a grand effort to help Christians discover what following Christ is truly about - the heart. He explains why many Christians have lost their hearts, and gives a wonderful, non-legalistic, and insightful way to get our hearts back, which is what Christ really wants for us. And of course we cannot forget that we are born into a world at war, but the Enemy is not flesh and blood. What sets John's words apart from others is the way he is not afraid to tell it like it is (in his own life and in ours), seems to know exactly what we struggle with, uses adventurous writing to keep our interest, and gives numerous real-life examples of how God works and relates to us in our lives.

I think it's funny that some people will turn themselves off to an author, preacher or whatever else just because you don't agree with some of their theology that has been debated for centuries. I think that Eldredge has written a book that has some good points.
This book was a tough read. For some reason, it just didn't read as easily as some of his other stuff did, and I didn't feel like it was all that different from "Wild at Heart." That aside, I'm glad I read through it.
While I may not necessarily agree with his Arminian view of grace (though I don't necessarily consider myself 5-points Calvinist either), I think there are some things he said that have been disregarded just because he is not a Calvinist. One reviewer gave a little 10-point overview of the first chapter, that seemed to be the outline for the rest of the book. The reviewer had a problem with Eldredge's saying that God wants us to be happy, and that His happiness and our happiness are linked together. My question is this: "Is that very far removed from John Piper's idea that man's chief end is to 'glorify God BY enjoying Him forever' (see "Desiring God by John Piper-it's worth reading) or that 'God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him' (see "Don't Waste Your Life" by Piper--also a book worth reading)?" I think they are both saying the same thing, but Eldredge takes an Arminian stance and Piper stands firmly for Calvinism.
I do have to say that I wish Eldredge didn't use quite as many movie examples, but I understand why he does. Today's culture can relate to movies, and even Jesus gave examples that people could relate to (just go and study His parables if you think I'm wrong). I don't like the constant comparison with movies, mostly because I think there are people who don't relate to those examples as well as they would some other analogies.
I think it is amazing that Eldredge was willing to talk about his relationship with his son and how he felt he had failed his son is truly vunerable.
I don't think this is the best book ever written, and it's not even that it changed my life. I think that he was re-writing "Wild at Heart" in an attempt to fix some of the issues he was attacked for there. Most of those issues were simply his not choosing his words wisely enough (which is something he should have been more careful of). I think this book is worth reading...but DO NOT take it as a theological book. He is not Millard Erickson or Wayne Grudem. He is writing about the fact that most men (and women as well) do not live in the freedom that Christ gives. We tend to live in a state of sin management, and that's not what God wants. God wants us to be so in love with Him that we do not want to sin--similar to loving your wife to the point that you would never cheat on her. I say read the book, look past the few flaws it has, and allow yourself to learn and grow. One word of caution: Never read this (or ANY book) without stopping to actually think it through.

I love the honesty with which John Eldredge writes -- life really is hard and it really is very confusing. I can relate to that. Christians need to acknowledge this fact. But my heart is gripped by the idea that "things are not what they seem" as all good stories teach us, and that I am more than who I feel like I am. John Eldredge's plea to hear what "mythic" stories (written or on film) are trying to teach us about reality captures my imagination and gives me hope. Reading how Eldredge uses these stories to illustrate what is really happening in the world makes my faith in Christ seem so much more fresh and new and alive. Whereas "The Sacred Romance" introduced us to the fact that there is a great story happening here, and "Wild at Heart" showed us that we have an important place in that story, "Waking The Dead" helps us to see what the story is a little more clearly and what must happen for us to truly take our places in this grand drama. Perhaps the most revolutionary part of this book is that we must wake up to the fact that we are caught in the middle of a spiritual war and we must live like people at war. Without that understanding much of life makes no sense. Without reservation, I highly recommend this book.

I can't tell you how long I have worked and prayed and tried to express the exact thoughts Mr. Eldredge is able to put into actual words in this GREAT book, Waking the Dead. Mostly I have not toiled to show these things to non-believers, but to those who profess a personal relationship with Yahshua (Jesus) Christ. They have no eyes to see or ears to hear, because they are guarding their hearts against the unknown and unseen, and simply going through the motions until their death. If we could all apply what Mr. Eldredge is pointing out to us, we could make the most phenomenal changes in the human race!!

Pages 30-31 summarize it for us... "Christianity isn't a religion about going to Sunday school, potluck suppers, being nice, holding car washes, sending our secondhand clothes off to Mexico - as good as those things might be. This is a world at WAR! (emphasis mine) Something large and immensely dangerous is unfolding all around us, we are caught up in it, and above all we doubt we have been given a key role to play."

Read this book! Meditate on it. Check it out with the Scriptures and examine it's truth. Once you have accepted it's concepts, you will have a changed life.

If you're forgetting why the gospel is called The Good News, read this book. John has a pretty amazing and unique way of explaining spiritual truth. Not only has it helped me to see my identity in Christ for what it is and to understand God's word more clearly, it has wakened my dead spiritual life in a way that can't be explained in 1,000 words or less.

I've just finished reading not only the best Christian book I've ever read, but the most important Christian book I've ever read. John Eldredge's, Waking the Dead, confronts the goodness of our hearts with images and words that will make you hug yourself in relief.
Also, he takes on spiritual warfare better than anyone I've read in 30 years. I've read good books on this subject, but John clarifies extraordinaire. Listen to this from John: ". . . the enemy knows you are trying to walk with God and tune into your heart - he'll play the ventriloquist and try to deceive you there. Any word or suggestion that brings discouragement, condemnation, accusation - that is not from God. Satan's accusation kills our hearts. There is a gravitational field the enemy creates around a person that pulls everyone in her life to do to her what he is doing to her. Remember the enemy fears you - fears your heart coming alive and full and free."
John talks much of what it means to fight for your heart and the glory of your heart. I think you could be flabbergasted in how you are not fighting for your heart and to realize you cannot really fight for the heart of others when you cannot or will not do the same for yourself. John enabled me to comprehend some relationships in my life where I let the enemy deceive me into not believing the goodness of their hearts. So much so that I felt much oozing from my heart in forgiveness for those who have caused me harm.