Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
81st out of 167 books
—
130 voters
A Scandalous Freedom
by
Steve Brown
Christians do not trust freedom. As author Steve Brown explains in this brave new book, they prefer the security of rules and self-imposed boundaries, which they tend to inflict on other Christians. Brown asserts that real freedom means the freedom to be wrong as well as right. Christianity often calls us to live beyond the boundaries, bolstered by the assurance that we ca...more
Paperback, 264 pages
Published
June 1st 2004
by Howard Books
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
248)
This book was just okay. It had a lot of good points, but wasn't as "scandalous" or "shocking" as the title suggests.
Wow.
Some of my favorite points:
1. p68 - The only people who get better are people who know that, if they never get better, God will love them anyway. God will not only love you if you don’t get better; he will teach you that getting better isn’t the issue. His love is the issue.
2. p82 - Jesus invited us to a dance...and we’ve turned it into a march of soldiers, always checking to see if we’re doing it right and are in step and in line with the other soldiers. We know a dance would be more fun, b...more
Some of my favorite points:
1. p68 - The only people who get better are people who know that, if they never get better, God will love them anyway. God will not only love you if you don’t get better; he will teach you that getting better isn’t the issue. His love is the issue.
2. p82 - Jesus invited us to a dance...and we’ve turned it into a march of soldiers, always checking to see if we’re doing it right and are in step and in line with the other soldiers. We know a dance would be more fun, b...more
It often happens to the born again Christian and it isn’t good. He comes to Christ, is filled with His grace and truth, and knows for the first time in his life the gift of true freedom. He no longer runs from God – only to Him in love. He no longer fears man, only God. He no longer condemns man – only his own sins to the death of Christ. This freedom is the most precious thing in his life. With it, he laughs and dances and sings in the presence of His God and Savior. But then something happens...more
Christians need to realize that we are no longer condemned, whatsoever, for our sins. Brown emphasizes in this book that believers in Christ have a freedom to live the way they want, because Christ has set them free. He says that the best way to "get better" is by not obsessing over "getting better" and simply obsessing over Christ, allowing Him to perform heart surgery and make you better from the inside out.
while I found this book containing lots of practical truth, I'm a little concerned abo...more
while I found this book containing lots of practical truth, I'm a little concerned abo...more
Loved reading this one. I need to put it on my "to-read again" list. Just raw honesty that trumps legalistic judgmentalism (I might have just invented a word) that masquerades itself as Christianity. Steve urges us to embrace our freedom in Christ and all that it entails, for it is precious and liberating.
A Scandalous Freedom is a book worthy to be read, re-read, and studied. At first read it seems like a good book. On second read I discovered the radical nature of Brown's book.
Most Christians simply have thought through the scandalous implications of being saved by grace. We so desperately want to hang on to some form of good works. We want to bring something to the table. Brown cuts through all of that and forces us to think about what it really means that God loves and accepts you and will nev...more
Most Christians simply have thought through the scandalous implications of being saved by grace. We so desperately want to hang on to some form of good works. We want to bring something to the table. Brown cuts through all of that and forces us to think about what it really means that God loves and accepts you and will nev...more
This is FANTASTIC! Brown is so genuine and real, it makes the book incredibly approachable. God used this in a radical way to speak to me, and to start bringing me freedom. Every Christ follower should read this. God's grace is truly amazing, and this book helps to bring light to that fact in a way I'd never come across before.
A life-changer. Brown makes the case that we as followers of Christ are free. Really free. Brown is the most authentic, honest Christian writer I've ever read. And this is his best book.
Mar 27, 2011
Johnvano
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Johnvano by:
Sarah B
Steve Brown does it again - every Christian needs to read this guy. He's like a tune-up for the believer, clearing the crud that builds up in our thinking over time. And every person who doesn't know the rich, beautiful song of a life in union with Christ--needs to read Steve Brown and be drawn to the music of God's Gospel.
May 20, 2013
Christopher Jamison
is currently reading it
This book is the assigned summer reading for my church group. Steve Brown is an occasional teaching pastor at Perimeter Church, where I attend.
Religious philosophy. If you are all about grace, this book is a must read! Steve Brown is serious, but also very funny!
Hands down one of the most impactful books I have ever read! The title is appropriate it is such a freeing book!
Aug 23, 2012
Steve
added it
A freeing look at the gospel. Change brought about from within and without using guilt manipulation.
Jun 16, 2009
Libbydale
marked it as to-read
Comes to me recommended by my good friend Jen!
Gave me a LOT to think about.
Excellent book!
This book had a great balance of being folksy and easy-to-read on the one hand, and thought provoking on the other. I think it would appeal widely to almost any Christian as it covers universal topics well. I started this a few days before Steve came to speak at our church, and the second half was enhanced by being able to imagine him saying it. His voice and delivery was really entertaining, and the book is written in the same sort of style. So, listen to a few of his talks, curl up and enjoy.
Jul 26, 2008
Tiana
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
every Christian
Recommended to Tiana by:
Poppy
Steve Brown describes the truth of the Gospel so beautifully in this book. A great reminder that because of Jesus, we truly are free. His main premise is that we don't have to be good. Living a good life is not a bad thing, but if that's our main purpose in Christianity, then we've completely missed the point. The point is to know Jesus and be in relationship with Him. He says repeatedly that through knowing Jesus we may or may not get better - either way God is ALREADY pleased with us. LOVE it!
I found this book amazing and could not put it down. I recommend it highly.
A most excellent read. If you have ever struggled with a harsh, staunch, and judgement-driven attitude I would encourage this read. Beware, it can be a difficult read; not in regards to reading level, but it regards to the way it can challenge your view of what freedom truly means. I believe this is an important book to stick with once you start. It is easy to misinterpret what the author is saying when you don't read his work as a whole.
Finding the thin blue line between good deed-ism and living for Christ is what Steve Brown is so good at explaining. I always feel more cheerful after reading anything by him.
Brown does a good job of exposing the many ways we can rob ourselves and others of the freedom that is in Christ Jesus. It can be a bit tedious at times and you'd wish he got to the point a bit quicker here and there but overall its a message that so many need to hear (and re-hear)
Oct 16, 2012
Kenny Pecher
added it
AMAZING book that I highly recommend to all believers!! It was a great, grace-filled followup to David Platt's "Radical" book (which I recommend as well).
It has been said that you should bless those who curse you because first, they're probably right, and second, what would they say if they knew the truth!
So far, excellent! Witty, easy to read, and yet life changing and liberating! Will confirm my opinion when I've finished it!
Refreshing. Highly recommend this one. New perspective that has really challenged me.
This is perhaps the absolute best book I have ever read on the Grace of God. I highly recommend it.
One of the best books I've read in awhile!!!
Steve Brown continues to keep me sane.
I've bought extra copies to give away....
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“You ought to live your life with such freedom and joy that uptight Christians will doubt your salvation.”
—
64 people liked it
“The good news is that Christ frees us from the need to obnoxiously focus on our goodness, our commitment, and our correctness. Religious has made us obsessive almost beyond endurance. Jesus invited us to a dance...and we've turned in into a march of soldiers, always checking to see if we're doing it right and are in step and in line with the other soldiers. We know a dance would be more fun, but we believe we must go through hell to get to heaven, so we keep marching.”
—
18 people liked it
More quotes…
