My rating:
add to my books
Loading...
Wide Open Spaces: Beyond Paint-By-Number Christianity
by
Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer's critically acclaimed Divine Nobodies was only half the story - the deconstruction and shedding of a religious mentality that hindered his knowing God. In his next book, Jim takes the reader along into the wide open spaces of exploring and experiencing God beyond religion. Jim writes, "It is no secret that God can be lost beneath the waving banner of relig
...morePaperback, 205 pages
Published
December 4th 2007
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
(first published 2007)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
117)
So I recently finished reading Jim Palmer's Wide Open Spaces and I have to be honest. I did not like it. Palmer offers a unique take on just about every aspect of the Christian life. Some of these views are challenging and eye opening. Others are so unique that I have never heard them before...anywhere...like the Bible.
Palmer is a former pastor who has left organized church and is starting to meet with people in his home for worship. I have nothing against this per say, however in the midst of h...more
Palmer is a former pastor who has left organized church and is starting to meet with people in his home for worship. I have nothing against this per say, however in the midst of h...more
Jeff
added it
This book will definitely stretch your theology. It is a great book and a great read for those who are worn out by Christianity and are searching for the Jesus who has said, "come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Though there are some basic concepts in this book, it was definitely an enjoyable and encouraging read. Continues in the vain of Divine Nobodies. Autobiographical yet biblical. Enjoy.
Another great book by Jim Palmer. I feel I have traveled down a very similar path and it was refreshing to find that others are on this path too. If you are finding the religious institutions, traditions, etc. are weighing you down and confusing you about who God really is, this book will give you the courage to be free of those things and experience God in a real way.
This is a refreshing read, full of grace, love and encouragement. A great book for anyone who has been wounded by organized religion or emotionally hurting. Having said that, Mr. Palmer's journey from minister to "everyday guy" will benefit anyone seeking an authentic relationship with God and other believers. However, for those of us who are recovering from bad experiences with religion, it is salve to the wounds.
Some believe that you can not worship without a building or some other person telling you what to believe. This book encourages spiritual examination and freedom. And assurance that it is good to color outside the lines.
Jim challenges his readers to consider if their concepts of God have prevented them from really experiencing God. Jim focuses intently on love, and on being an expression of God rather than pointing people to God.
Palmer's former life as an executive pastor is a little bit fresh, making his outline of a new kind of orthopraxy both refreshingly freedom-focused and depressingly churchy in its expression. Still, Palmer is vulnerable (and cautious not to overstay his welcome) in sharing his changed perspective on Christ and Christ's message. The result is a challenge to orthodoxy that almost sings (especially his careful explication of American culture's sky-god). If you're fed up with traditional church, rea...more
Really different from Jim Palmer's other book, I bought this from him at his yard sale. This takes the subjects of his first book, Divine Nobodies, steps further and talks about how his life, his view of God and his thought patters in general have changed. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around some of the really emergent, almost relative themes, but it opened my mind to a lot. Much of this book met me in what I've been fleshing out on my own.
view 1 comment
While this is a good book, it does not live up to the emotional movements of Jim Palmer's first book, Divine Nobodies.
Nearing the end of Wide Open Spaces, I felt as though the author was extremely rushed. There were also portions that seemed emotionally forced. However, I feel certain excerpts have a special poignancy that make this a book that people would benefit from reading.
Nearing the end of Wide Open Spaces, I felt as though the author was extremely rushed. There were also portions that seemed emotionally forced. However, I feel certain excerpts have a special poignancy that make this a book that people would benefit from reading.
The main point is that God is love, and as Christians we have God in us, along with His love. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind and all others as ourselves. Rather than trying to find fulfillment through organized church services, we can be the church and show love to a hurting world and be Jesus to everyone we meet
A sort of sequel to 'Divine Nobodies', but it stands alone. Reflections on God, the wider church, reasons for no longer attending a formal church, and more. Well-written, with interesting anecdotes and an open, honest approach to life and God that I found very refreshing. Highly recommended.
I enjoyed the Prologue, but after that Palmer went into topics completely not Biblical and I gave up after the second chapter. The only value I see in reading this book is to deconstruct it for fun, which I plan to do one day.
Namaste
The image of God in me
Honours the image of God in you
Because it’s true we two
Are equal in God’s view
I greet you in that sacred space
As I bow before you
Knowing that our God above
Loves me and adores you
The image of God in me
Honours the image of God in you
Because it’s true we two
Are equal in God’s view
I greet you in that sacred space
As I bow before you
Knowing that our God above
Loves me and adores you
I feel like Jim is helping me articulate things I have always had as a part of my personal theology....but I felt like I never had the language to express it.
Read it. A great book. Reminds me of so many of my friends.
Ken Bodvarson
added it
Cody
marked it as church-office
Tracy
added it
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
