Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
Crazy Love is written by Francis Chan and published in paperback by David C. Cook.
Michael Garland – a wonderful brother and staff member at Inner Metro Green – turned me onto a book called Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. Crazy love is written by a guy named Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. I have never heard of Crazy Love or Francis Chan, but this is one really, really good read.
My rating: stars
Quick confession time: I would love to grab a coffee or chai with Francis Chan! Initially, that confession may seem odd or unimpressive to the casual reader, but it is actually anything but odd or unimpressive! In fact, it is a remarkable statement! “How so,” you ask? Well, it turns out that Chan is a Calvinist and a graduate of The Masters Seminary (John MacArthur)! WOW! I would not have guessed that Chan was either after reading completely through his book! His presentation of the Gospel is not watered down, but it’s not bullishly obnoxious either, if his book is a reliable indicator. It’s quite refreshing to read a Calvinist who doesn’t style himself MacArthur-esque, or Driscoll-ian (I love those brothers, but I wouldn’t want to be them – no not for one moment!).
I’m sure a bit of online research would uncover a host of criticisms of Francis Chan from his reformed brethren concerning his obvious lack of Calvinist machismo. I mean, if I like Chan’s book, then I’m pretty sure that a whole host of Calvinists do not like it at all! The book’s big name endorsements are pretty thin too. You would think that a published graduate from The Master’s Seminary would earn a blurb from MacArthur, or at least one seminary professor, right? Chan settled for Kirk Cameron. I don’t get the hardcore reformed wing of the church. If it actually makes people feel good or think emotionally about God, then it must automatically be heretical, right? Well, right?!?
Wrong! Chan’s Crazy Love presentation of the Gospel may be simple but it is not heretical, and it’s the simplicity of the presentation that is so appealing. Basically, Chan challenges readers to stop and think about the incredible and unfathomable love that the God who created 350,000,000,000 glorious galaxies, and inconspicuous caterpillars, and everything in between, has for each one of us. That’s crazy! Chan doesn’t stop there. He then challenges readers with the equally simple idea that “lukewarm responses” to such crazy love is actually worse than no response at all! Chan’s goal is to awaken the church to the simple idea that we should be offering God so much more of ourselves as a result of the revelation of him that we possess. We all have been loves so much by God that we should naturally pursue him, relentlessly. It’s quite a challenge, indeed. It’s totally necessary too.
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I’m going to have to check that out being a Calvinist. I may disagree with an Arminian, but I wouldn’t accuse them of preaching a different Gospel.
Our difference aren’t with the facts of the Gospel, but essentially how each group (and sub-groups) views the tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility.
Shawn – I’ve liked a lot of the stuff put out by Francis Chan. I’ve been listening to sermons on and off from him for a couple of years. He has a lot of good stuff to say. For me personally, I need more depth than where Chan takes it, but I do love his simplicity in his faith and general message of finding how beautiful God is through creation. I definitely think he is perfect for people who are new at following Jesus or investigating Him.
I also struggle with my friends who are ridiculous Calvinists (as I lean Arminian, but am uncertain as to exactly where the truth is). I had a roommate who would always be trying to convince me that the Arminian belief system was complete heresy and it was frustrating. John Piper is one of my modern day heroes though, so I know that you can be a Calvinist and still be open minded and spreading the Gospel with love, rather than just arguing over nonsense (ha!). Glad you found/like Chan and I’ll see you tomorrow man.
I’d agree wholeheartedly that there are Calvinists out there who are open-minded, compassionate, and not into arguments for the sake of arguments; I’m just not used to bumping into them. There are a few … Andy (a frequent commenter) is one, for sure. And Shane. They are out there, but not as “out there” as the loudest Calvinists.
Yes! See you tomorrow!
I always viewed the tension lying in something else. The Calvinists start from (are concerned with first and foremost) God’s sovereignty, and the Arminians start from (are concerned with first and foremost) God’s love. That’s where I always viewed the tension. NOT to say that Calvinists don’t care about God’s love (Chan proves that idea wrong in all sorts of ways), but sovereignty is where they start.
I’ve not read Chan, but my kids are reading him in Sunday School. We are members of a Reformed Church (Calvinist).
The people in our church are very loving, very evangelistic, welcome all comers warmly, and don’t sit around arguing.
I do know some Reformed people who argue and speak harshly. But to be fair I know some Arminians who do the same thing. I know there is a lot of arguing going on all over the Internet, in fact, and it is not all done by Calvinists. We are a fairly small breed, you can’t hold us responsible for all the arguing going on. We aren’t the ones burning the Harry Potter books or picketing the gay funerals with obnoxious signs, for instance.
So… sure, there are some obnoxious Calvinists but there are way more loving Calvinists. I wonder if we get painted with the “obnoxious” brush simply because we are sure of what we believe and we aren’t blown about by winds of doctrine.
You know how that is, right? There are some people who just can’t believe we can know things about God.
=0)
Message received, Sally. And I hope it did not seem like I was painting with too broad a brush. I was simply citing events that take place here, on this blog. Here, it seems, the caustic barbs for the most part have a reformed/Calvinist source. I seem to attract the crusty ones who honestly believe they know it all for some reason.
But I do hear you. Thanks for the reminder. peace.
Well, I almost want to take back what I said to you in the above comment, Sally. I just clicked over to your site and discovered your post about W. Paul Young’s The Shack.
Yep. Seriously?