The Unusual Suspect: My Calling to the New Hardcore Movement of Faith (Hardcover)

by Stephen Baldwin (Author), Mark Tabb (Author)
Key Phrases: kairos moment, mind trick, Jesus Christ, New York, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
As the youngest son of six children, at the tail end of the (in)famous Baldwin brothers acting family, Stephen Baldwin has never done anything by halves. In this exhausting autobiographical report, Baldwin depicts himself as a wild, fun-loving extremist who mended his ways after making a personal commitment to Christ a few years back. Faced with his boldness bordering on fanaticism, readers will either love or hate Baldwin's take on the Christian life. At the outset, some may cringe at his recollections at being invited to the Playboy mansion, and his former caveman mentality toward women will likely cause some ire. Yet despite the audacious talk, Baldwin pointedly admits with some measure of humility his current struggles to "live out" a genuine God-honoring faith. He discusses how his new faith has affected his family, details the life events that brought him to Christ and offers randomly presented musings on marriage, prayer, purity, divine intervention and evangelism. If Baldwin's intent is to rev up the blood pressure of Christian readers while simultaneously challenging them to more courageous, faith-guided living, the venture succeeds. But be warned: this is not a gentle chronicle but an almost spastic spiritual memoir by someone on perpetual fast-forward. (Sept. 19)
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Product Description
Stephen Baldwin explains why he compares his new life of faith to jumping out of an airplane without a parachute, and calls on you to take the plunge.

When Stephen Baldwin was riding the wave of fame from his most successful movie, The Usual Suspects, he thought he was in his glory. Hot in Hollywood--whatever Stephen wanted, Stephen got. Years later, happily married and living his life far from Hollywood, Stephen happened upon Christianity via a most unusual conversion. Now Stephen takes us behind the scenes and tells the stories we've yet to hear--of celebrity fun, curious family, and hardcore faith. He takes an in-depth look at the church's current role in society and the extreme faith movement. It's obvious Stephen has identified his new role in life--that of a Christian--a role more radical than anything in Hollywood.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (September 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446579750
• ISBN-13: 978-0446579759
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #396,670 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ramped-Up Autobiography, July 22, 2006

By	Elizabeth C. White "bethsquill" (Mobile, Alabama) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thoroughly enjoyed this account of Stephen Baldwin's journey to faith and his take on living for Christ. Yes, it's in-your-face, but who wants boring? Clearly Stephen has been grounded in Bible study and honestly tries to live out what he believes. This book challenged me to take a more aggressive look at how I live out my own faith. The writing style is conversational and often laugh-out-loud funny. Kudos to Mark Tabb for helping keep Stephen's hip voice, while making the prose smooth and readable.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual Suspect, November 22, 2006

By	cij "cj" (U.S.A) - See all my reviews

I have read this book with an open mind and I feel that Mr. Baldwin a good understanding of the core doctrines of Christianity and a genuine desire to serve the Lord. I look forward to see him grow and his ministry and will probably read anything else he might put out there. I have to agree with the reviewer regarding Mr. Baldwin's snide remarks about Kirk Cameron. That was really uncalled for and obviously he should have contacted Mr. Cameron first before putting something like that in print. However, I have to remember that in my early years as a Christian I shot my mouth off a lot and I also recall my attitude of thinking I had everything figured out in the first few years of my walk with Christ. God is very gracious to us - He does not hammer us immediately with the things in our life that need changing. He takes one thing at a time and refines us in His time and in His way. I can also recall how I once believed that Christianity had to be "cutting edge" and my biggest worry was whether or not unbelievers thought I was cool and trying to make Christianity relevant and so forth. Now, I know that I never was cool and Jesus is relevant period...so worrying about such things don't matter anymore.

Mr. Baldwin reminds me a lot of Peter. You read about him in the gospels and sometimes he had it right and sometimes he stuck his foot in his mouth. However, when you read Peter's books which he wrote much later you see a gentle man whom God used tremendously. So, I'm glad for the Peters out there!

I recommend this book very much.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stevie B smacked me upside my head! , October 12, 2006

By	Mrs Q (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Stephen Baldwin is on fire for Jesus Christ, and boy this book sure makes it contagious! He is considerably younger than me in age, but he is also older and wiser and biblically grounded. He makes Christianity dare I say, FUN! This is what new life is supposed to be like. His changed life is proof enough for me to believe he is the real deal. This is a book I intend to use to reach my unsaved kids. He speaks on their level and yet never wavers from The Truth. What a blessing. I read this book so fast because I was caught up in his excitement and enthusiasm for Christ. I want to get off my kester and DO SOMETHING for the Kingdom. I just pray I grow as bold as he has. Great read!!!