Monday, February 13, 2012

Beautiful outlaw

Sometimes people give me books and that happened recently when a friend gave me John Eldredge's latest called Beautiful Outlaw. Eldredge has encouraged me greatly down the years and his newest work is not an exception on that count. In very simple terms, it is a book all about Jesus and how this contrasts with religion. This seems to be all the rage as a topic currently.  The book seeks to connect you to Jesus as he is in the gospels not the Jesus as religious people would like to communicate him to you.

Only yesterday, I chatted with a man in a pub about Jesus. As so often happens, people tell me all about themselves, according to Dale Carnegie this is a good thing, but then the inevitable question comes, "So what is it that you do?" The moment I tell anyone my job so often I immediately get the person's reason for rejecting the gospel. This nice man retorted, "The problem is religion has caused so much trouble?". This opened the door to a really interesting discussion about Antigua, grace, Jesus, the people of Richmond, the Cross, sunsets, sin and terrible neighbours.

I know evangelism is easier for some than others especially if you are in the '...some to be evangelists' category. However, every Christian I think should be equipped to move on from any apologetic subject to Jesus and when you do so you are into a place where you can explore all sorts of wonderful deep and interesting questions of the heart. Then, if you know the Scriptures a wee bit, you can wield the sword of the spirit and 'the beautiful outlaw' always unleashes himself.  I love seeing 'the beautiful outlaw' at work.

"Consider this one piece of evidence: millions of people who have spent years attending church, and yet don't know God. Their heads are filled with stuffing about Jesus, but they do not experience him, not as the boys did on the beach. There are millions more who love Jesus Christ but experience him only occasionally, more often stumbling along short of the life he promised, like Lazarus still wrapped in graveclothes.


Can you imagine anything more diabolical?


If you sent someone you loved to school for a decade, yet they remained illiterate, how would you feel about the education? If you referred someone you loved to a doctor, yet despite years of treatment, they not only failed to recover from the cancer but contracted HIV, hepatitis and gangrene, what would you have to conclude about the treatment?

I am not making accusations I am stating facts. There are noble churches and movements bringing Jesus to us. But alas, alas- they are the exception not the rule" [Pages 8-9]

The last chapter of the book suggests the best plan upon completing it is to start the book again and I think I might just do that. By the way, if you want to see a master apologist at work speaking beautifully about Jesus check out Keller answering Oxford students questions on evolutionary genetics, homosexuality, sex and various other matters.

All the Keller Oxford talks are available here.

48 comments:

Hannah Poulson said...

A timely blog post as we have just begun Bill Hybel's Just Walk Across the Room series and have discussion in small group tomorrow evening. Looking forward to hearing Keller, thanks ever so. Hannah :)

Anonymous said...

Nice weblog here! Additionally your website rather a lot up fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your associate hyperlink for your host?

I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

Look into my web page :: Air Max

Anonymous said...

Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to
produce a great article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and don't seem to get nearly anything done.

Feel free to surf to my web blog ... wealthwayonline.com

Anonymous said...

certainly like your web site but you have to take
a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to inform the reality nevertheless I will definitely
come back again.

My blog ... Cheap Jerseys

Anonymous said...

Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just
wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks? If
so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it's driving me insane so any support is very much appreciated.

Also visit my webpage Air Max

Anonymous said...

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your
blog posts. In any case I'll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

Feel free to surf to my homepage Nike Air Max

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have
any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and
I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no data backup.
Do you have any solutions to prevent hackers?

My web site - Abercrombie Brussel

Anonymous said...

Hey very interesting blog!

Check out my weblog Air Max 95

Anonymous said...

Heya i'm for the first time here. I came across this board and I to find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to provide something again and help others like you aided me.

Review my web-site; NFL Jerseys Cheap

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about christ. Regards

Also visit my blog ... Gucci Sito Ufficiale

Anonymous said...

hello there and thank you for your info – I have certainly picked up anything new from right
here. I did however expertise several technical points using this web site, since
I experienced to reload the website a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly.
I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances
times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for
a lot more of your respective exciting content.
Make sure you update this again very soon.


Feel free to surf to my website ... Michael Kors Outlet

Anonymous said...

These are actually impressive ideas in concerning blogging.
You have touched some fastidious factors here.

Any way keep up wrinting.

My web site :: http://wiki.directvelo.com/index.php?title=Email_Marketing_And_You_-_Tips_To_Get_The_Best_Bang_For_Your_Buck

Anonymous said...

Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
Extremely useful info specially the last part
:) I care for such information a lot. I was looking
for this particular information for a very long time.
Thank you and best of luck.

my blog; Cheap Louis Vuitton Bags

Anonymous said...

Hello i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere,
when i read this post i thought i could also create comment
due to this sensible post.

My blog :: Abercrombie

Anonymous said...

Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.
Is it hard to set up your own blog? I'm not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I'm thinking about creating my own but I'm not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Appreciate it

My web blog: Abercrombie

Anonymous said...

It's genuinely very complex in this busy life to listen news on Television, thus I only use internet for that reason, and take the most up-to-date news.

Visit my site visit this link

Anonymous said...

magnificent points altogether, you simply gained a new reader.
What could you suggest in regards to your submit that you made some days ago?
Any positive?

Here is my blog Cheap NFL Jerseys

Anonymous said...

I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This piece
of writing posted at this website is truly nice.

Also visit my blog post - Air Jordan

Anonymous said...

I have read so many articles or reviews about the blogger lovers however this paragraph is really a
fastidious paragraph, keep it up.

Here is my web site :: Chaussures De Football

Anonymous said...

Great goods from you, man. I've understand your stuff previous to and you're just extremely fantastic.
I really like what you've acquired here, really like what you're saying and the way
in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible.

I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous web site.



Have a look at my weblog; Air Jordan

Anonymous said...

I just like the valuable information you provide on your articles.
I'll bookmark your blog and check once more here frequently. I am relatively certain I'll learn a lot of new stuff right right
here! Good luck for the following!

my website ... Wholesale NFL Jerseys

Anonymous said...

Awesome post.

Feel free to surf to my website http://www.explorethecapabilities.com/louisvuittonoutlet.html

Anonymous said...

If some one wishes expert view about blogging and
site-building then i recommend him/her to visit this weblog, Keep up the pleasant job.


Feel free to surf to my site - Kris Letang Black Jersey

Anonymous said...

When someone writes an article he/she maintains the idea of a user in his/her brain that how a user can know it.
Therefore that's why this piece of writing is amazing. Thanks!

Feel free to surf to my page: Louis Vuitton Bags

Anonymous said...

Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed
account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing
to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.


Stop by my web blog :: Sac a main Guess

Anonymous said...

It's actually a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

Check out my site :: Louis Vuitton Bags

Anonymous said...

You're so awesome! I do not believe I've truly read through something like
this before. So wonderful to discover another person with unique thoughts on this subject.
Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!



Feel free to visit my page; Michael Kors Handbags

Anonymous said...

Hello, i think that i saw you visited my site thus i got here to return
the desire?.I'm trying to in finding issues to improve my website!I assume its good enough to use some of your concepts!!

my web-site; Evgeni malkin black jersey

Anonymous said...

I'm curious to find out what blog system you're working with?
I'm having some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any recommendations?

Also visit my page Louis Vuitton Purses

Anonymous said...

Magnificent website. Plenty of useful info here.

I am sending it to a few friends ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And naturally, thanks in your effort!

Also visit my homepage; Cheap Oakley Sunglasses

Anonymous said...

Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the issues.
It was truly informative. Your site is useful. Thanks for sharing!



Here is my web blog: Sac Louis Vuitton

Anonymous said...

Really no matter if someone doesn't understand after that its up to other visitors that they will help, so here it happens.

My web blog ... Nike Air Max

Anonymous said...

Great post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and
I'm inspired! Very useful information specially the closing phase :) I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

Feel free to visit my blog - Mario Lemieux Jersey

Anonymous said...

I blog quite often and I truly appreciate your content. This article has really peaked my interest.
I will take a note of your blog and keep checking for new
information about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.


Look into my blog post - Chaussure Air Max

Anonymous said...

Woah! I'm really enjoying the template/theme of this site. It's simple, yet effective.

A lot of times it's very difficult to get that "perfect balance" between superb usability and visual appeal. I must say you've
done a very good job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for me on
Firefox. Superb Blog!

Feel free to surf to my web site - Oakley Frogskins

Anonymous said...

Can you tell us more about this? I'd care to find out more details.

Here is my website: Visit Website

Anonymous said...

Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your
articles? I mean, what you say is important and
everything. However imagine if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your posts more,
"pop"! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this site
could definitely be one of the very best in its niche. Excellent blog!


my web site Full Report

Anonymous said...

Nice post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I am impressed!
Very useful information specially the last phase :) I maintain such info much.
I used to be looking for this particular info for a very lengthy time.
Thank you and best of luck.

Have a look at my web site - Christian Louboutin Heels

Anonymous said...

Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe this amazing site needs much more attention.
I'll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the info!

my webpage: homepage

Anonymous said...

Howdy would you mind letting me know which webhost you're working with? I've loaded
your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say
this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider
at a reasonable price? Thank you, I appreciate it!



Also visit my blog post - Kevin Durant Shoes

Anonymous said...

Helpful info. Fortunate me I found your site
by accident, and I'm stunned why this twist of fate did not took place in advance! I bookmarked it.

Here is my homepage :: Visit Website

Anonymous said...

Hi, I do believe this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it ;) I may
return once again since i have book marked it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may
you be rich and continue to guide others.

Here is my web blog: Boutique Air Max

Anonymous said...

I like the valuable info you supply on your articles.
I'll bookmark your weblog and take a look at again here frequently. I'm
slightly sure I'll be told many new stuff right right here! Good luck for the following!

my web page :: Boutique Air Jordan

Anonymous said...

Very shortly this website will be famous amid all blog viewers,
due to it's pleasant articles or reviews

Feel free to visit my webpage; click for source []

Anonymous said...

Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to understand so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I feel that you simply can do with a few % to pressure
the message home a little bit, however other than that, this is magnificent blog.
A great read. I'll certainly be back.

Also visit my webpage: Air Max Pas Cher (nysacpr.org)

Anonymous said...

Hey are using Wordpress for your blog platform?

I'm new to the blog world but I'm trying to get started and set up my
own. Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be really appreciated!

Here is my webpage: Sac Louis Vuitton Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

It's hard to find well-informed people for this topic, however, you seem like you know what you're talking about!
Thanks

my web-site - Nike Free Run Sko

Anonymous said...

Somebody essentially lend a hand to make seriously
articles I might state. That is the first time I frequented your
website page and to this point? I surprised with the research you made
to make this actual put up incredible. Magnificent process!


Here is my blog post ... Tory Burch Flats

Saturday blog-sweep

 Some interesting books for pastors The State we're in Attack at dawn Joseph Scriven Joy comes with the morning When small is beautiful