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Lifelines: Sound Advice from the Heroes of the Faith
What if, during a battle with fear, we could take some tips from David? Or in wrestling with a relationship, we could learn from Ruth? Or when we’ve got questions about the future, we could sit down with Joseph? Through their successes, struggles, and failures, these men and women of faith have blazed a trail for us to follow. We can walk beside them and discover God with them. Their stories took place thousands of years ago, but what their lives teach us has never mattered more.
Much of what we learn comes from the people we live with. We see and share their worlds and, without realizing it, are shaped by them. What would it be like if we could share in the lives of the great heroes of the faith? In Lifelines , Mike Pilavachi and Andy Croft help us understand what the stories of these biblical characters have to teach us about how to live lives full of faith and integrity today.
Much of what we learn comes from the people we live with. We see and share their worlds and, without realizing it, are shaped by them. What would it be like if we could share in the lives of the great heroes of the faith? In Lifelines , Mike Pilavachi and Andy Croft help us understand what the stories of these biblical characters have to teach us about how to live lives full of faith and integrity today.
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2018
16 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 31, 2020
Easy to access and brilliant for small-group material with young people.
January 7, 2019
Very enjoyable, yet still managed to pack a few punches. It's definitely (& understandably) pitched at a Soul Survivor-age audience, but it's very readable, with applications no matter your age.
August 23, 2019
This book is superb: funny, interesting and challenging.
The two authors take us through some of the great biblical heroes: Joseph (of technicolour dreamcoat fame); Elijah (who beat the 400 prophets of Baal in a fantastic challenge as to whose god could call down fire from heaven); Ruth (who chose to go forward into a new and very different culture, to support her bereaved mother-in-law Naomi, and who then met Boaz); Daniel (captured with his friends and taken to Babylon where he eventually became famous to us for his survival of the Lions’ Den and the Fiery Furnace); and David (great King and Psalmist, formerly the lowest of the low as a shepherd boy, famous to many for his showdown wth Goliath).
We also hear of John (the Beloved Disciple, and writer of letters, a gospel, and the book of Revelations); and Mary of Bethany (who scandalised everyone by pouring perfume worth thousands of pounds in today’s money, onto Jesus’ feet at a dinner party in her home).
Interspersed with tales from contemporary life and plenty of anecdotes we can relate to and identify with, this book moves along at a sparkling pace.
The two authors, with their own colourful personalities, demonstrate their ability to relate the circumstances of those heroes to our own situations, translating from a very different culture into ours, in a breathtaking display of what we know as ‘dynamic equivalence.’
The stories surrounding these heroes are among the most outstanding, captivating and dramatic in the history of story-telling. They abound with human interest, transferable messages that are sharply relevant to us in our culture, and the most stunning imagery that burns them upon our imaginations.
These heroes genuinely are people who stand out – for courage, personal commitment, self-sacrificial giving and love – all of them through various human weaknesses. In every way these people are heroes not only for their times but for ours to us today, right where we are, in this culture that pays homage to individualism, freedom of expression, and the vital importance of being independent and somehow ‘true to ourselves’.
The two authors take us through some of the great biblical heroes: Joseph (of technicolour dreamcoat fame); Elijah (who beat the 400 prophets of Baal in a fantastic challenge as to whose god could call down fire from heaven); Ruth (who chose to go forward into a new and very different culture, to support her bereaved mother-in-law Naomi, and who then met Boaz); Daniel (captured with his friends and taken to Babylon where he eventually became famous to us for his survival of the Lions’ Den and the Fiery Furnace); and David (great King and Psalmist, formerly the lowest of the low as a shepherd boy, famous to many for his showdown wth Goliath).
We also hear of John (the Beloved Disciple, and writer of letters, a gospel, and the book of Revelations); and Mary of Bethany (who scandalised everyone by pouring perfume worth thousands of pounds in today’s money, onto Jesus’ feet at a dinner party in her home).
Interspersed with tales from contemporary life and plenty of anecdotes we can relate to and identify with, this book moves along at a sparkling pace.
The two authors, with their own colourful personalities, demonstrate their ability to relate the circumstances of those heroes to our own situations, translating from a very different culture into ours, in a breathtaking display of what we know as ‘dynamic equivalence.’
The stories surrounding these heroes are among the most outstanding, captivating and dramatic in the history of story-telling. They abound with human interest, transferable messages that are sharply relevant to us in our culture, and the most stunning imagery that burns them upon our imaginations.
These heroes genuinely are people who stand out – for courage, personal commitment, self-sacrificial giving and love – all of them through various human weaknesses. In every way these people are heroes not only for their times but for ours to us today, right where we are, in this culture that pays homage to individualism, freedom of expression, and the vital importance of being independent and somehow ‘true to ourselves’.
February 1, 2025
This review is written in the context surrounding the controversies of Mike Pilavachi. Whilst a book should be viewed as separate from the author who wrote it, this is easier said then done. To that end, I will try to give a balanced review, even though Mike Pilavachi has a tarnished reputation.
Lifelines is a book that tries to give look over the Christian experience faced in modernity. The purpose of the book is to look over the struggles faced by the believer and then put them in comparison with various stories in the Bible. The stories looked at and viewed from the hermeneutical perspective of personal development and growth include the stories of David and Jonathan for friendship; Joseph in Egypt and personal trials; Elijah when God is silent; Daniel thriving in a foreign culture. Each of these stories gives an interpretation of how we as individuals can be inspired by these Bible stories to live better Christian lives.
This is when my deconstruction and liberal-progressive Christian viewpoint comes in. Much of the book feels almost completely bereft of ideas when it comes to issues that face Christians. What I mean by this, is that it asks questions about Christian practices and views of faith that could be explained from another perspective. An example of this is Chapter 2, page 46 the question is asked why is it so easy for us to maintain a spiritual high in a group setting but feel spiritually drained as individuals. This is a problem with charismatic Christianity that Mike Pilavachi and Sole Survivor he led creates. Now, as a liberal-progressive Christian in the Church of England, my analysis is this; spirituality like this is a collective group activity. The cognitive psychology of religion particularly the high of intensive worship music is that the group dynamics creates a dopamine rush. I heard of one study saying worship music activates the same part of the brain used in a rock concert. The psychology of the group dynamics in charismatic worship is ignored for spiritual deficits. Put it simply, Elijah is the answer.
I think this chapter in particular is one that I disagreed with most, because many of the points of issue can be analysed from psychology. On page 56, there is a point that humans are wired to hunt for spirituality in the spectacular. God is looked for in “showy signs and dramatic revelations”. The problem here again is that it almost implies a biological impulse for God and the divine to be shown in the dramatic. Yet there is no further explanation. Again, the development from religion is from an evolutionary standpoint, it being heavily linked to the social-psychology of a group of people. The gods in this regard act over nature. Lightening, storms, weather, climate and other parts of the geographical world have shaped this belief that the divine or gods create dramatic things. This book ignores that outlook and is therefore trapped in believing from a charismatic-evangelical outlook on this particular issue.
There is not much further reading as well. Much of the book is from their own perspective, which, due to Mike Pilavachi’s tarnished reputation, on weakens the book. I did say that a book should be seen as separate from the author, but if the book contains major sections about the author, then it weakens the book as the author becomes a major part of the book. Overall, this book offers a reasonably useful background for evangelicals but would be a struggle for non-evangelical believers.
Lifelines is a book that tries to give look over the Christian experience faced in modernity. The purpose of the book is to look over the struggles faced by the believer and then put them in comparison with various stories in the Bible. The stories looked at and viewed from the hermeneutical perspective of personal development and growth include the stories of David and Jonathan for friendship; Joseph in Egypt and personal trials; Elijah when God is silent; Daniel thriving in a foreign culture. Each of these stories gives an interpretation of how we as individuals can be inspired by these Bible stories to live better Christian lives.
This is when my deconstruction and liberal-progressive Christian viewpoint comes in. Much of the book feels almost completely bereft of ideas when it comes to issues that face Christians. What I mean by this, is that it asks questions about Christian practices and views of faith that could be explained from another perspective. An example of this is Chapter 2, page 46 the question is asked why is it so easy for us to maintain a spiritual high in a group setting but feel spiritually drained as individuals. This is a problem with charismatic Christianity that Mike Pilavachi and Sole Survivor he led creates. Now, as a liberal-progressive Christian in the Church of England, my analysis is this; spirituality like this is a collective group activity. The cognitive psychology of religion particularly the high of intensive worship music is that the group dynamics creates a dopamine rush. I heard of one study saying worship music activates the same part of the brain used in a rock concert. The psychology of the group dynamics in charismatic worship is ignored for spiritual deficits. Put it simply, Elijah is the answer.
I think this chapter in particular is one that I disagreed with most, because many of the points of issue can be analysed from psychology. On page 56, there is a point that humans are wired to hunt for spirituality in the spectacular. God is looked for in “showy signs and dramatic revelations”. The problem here again is that it almost implies a biological impulse for God and the divine to be shown in the dramatic. Yet there is no further explanation. Again, the development from religion is from an evolutionary standpoint, it being heavily linked to the social-psychology of a group of people. The gods in this regard act over nature. Lightening, storms, weather, climate and other parts of the geographical world have shaped this belief that the divine or gods create dramatic things. This book ignores that outlook and is therefore trapped in believing from a charismatic-evangelical outlook on this particular issue.
There is not much further reading as well. Much of the book is from their own perspective, which, due to Mike Pilavachi’s tarnished reputation, on weakens the book. I did say that a book should be seen as separate from the author, but if the book contains major sections about the author, then it weakens the book as the author becomes a major part of the book. Overall, this book offers a reasonably useful background for evangelicals but would be a struggle for non-evangelical believers.
June 25, 2020
Much as one would expect if you have ever met Mike or Andy, this is an inspiring devotional based around a very old text, the book of John, but with relevance for our current times. I must admit I haven't yet finished the whole, but am enjoying using this as a devotional and taking my time to absorb the truths within. Recommended for those of faith and those seeking answers to 'what is life about?'
June 28, 2020
A blessing
In the middle of lockdown, my hazy memory remembers this book announcement at Soul Survivor. I read the first chapter, feeling immediately as though God was telling me how much he understood me and the turmoil I was enduring at the time. As the book went on, I kept hearing God’s voice. Such a quarantine blessing!
In the middle of lockdown, my hazy memory remembers this book announcement at Soul Survivor. I read the first chapter, feeling immediately as though God was telling me how much he understood me and the turmoil I was enduring at the time. As the book went on, I kept hearing God’s voice. Such a quarantine blessing!
July 10, 2018
Loved it. Love these 2 authors when they collaborate. This isn't just another bible character study, it's a revealing and relevant examination of seven heroes and how their lives relate to us today in more ways than one.
January 21, 2020
Probably more like a 3.5
June 18, 2020
A helpful introduction to many of the characters of the Bible. The witty interaction between Mike and Andy makes the book easy to read and easy to relate to.
January 28, 2023
All round Fantastic book. Encouraging and challenging. Definitely reading again
May 13, 2019
Where do I begin? I absolutely loved this book! It was refreshing, relevant and inspiring! I love the way it was written and it not only made me smile but it made me laugh too! Mike & Andy have written a book that reveals Jesus’s teachings in an even more relevant and eye-opening way. I’ve learnt a lot and I’m so sad I’ve finished it. I wanted it to never end.
But I’ve purchased their other book which I can’t wait to get stuck into and I have no doubt it’ll open my eyes further to Jesus’s teachings in the Bible. I highly recommend this book!
But I’ve purchased their other book which I can’t wait to get stuck into and I have no doubt it’ll open my eyes further to Jesus’s teachings in the Bible. I highly recommend this book!
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March 11, 2019A pretty splendid book. Would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews