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Free Book: I am a fanatic about freedom. I'm tired of seeing people beaten down by the world's systems and by religion. God's offering real freedom. Get yours.
"I am a fanatic about freedom. And I'm fanatical about coming at you hard in this book."
Maybe you're not as free as you think you are. Even worse, you may have been duped into believing that a "balanced" life is the key to happiness (it isn't) or that a relationship with God is about layering on rules and restrictions (nope).
Whether it’s media-fueled fear, something a parent or teacher said that you just can’t shake, or even the reality of dark spiritual forces bent on keeping you down, something is holding you back from the full-on freedom God intends for you.
The Bible says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Not fear. Not guilt. Not morality. Freedom. You can have the sort of joy you thought only kids could have. The day of freedom is here.
Maybe you're not as free as you think you are. Even worse, you may have been duped into believing that a "balanced" life is the key to happiness (it isn't) or that a relationship with God is about layering on rules and restrictions (nope).
Whether it’s media-fueled fear, something a parent or teacher said that you just can’t shake, or even the reality of dark spiritual forces bent on keeping you down, something is holding you back from the full-on freedom God intends for you.
The Bible says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Not fear. Not guilt. Not morality. Freedom. You can have the sort of joy you thought only kids could have. The day of freedom is here.
- GenresNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2010
22 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 12, 2025
If you want a book that really opens your eyes to what true freedom in christ looks like. This is one of those books!
March 10, 2010
Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson, has said,
If I had not been intent on writing this review I would have taken his advice with this book! I quickly decided that Brian’s latest book was a waste of time. I found very little redeeming qualities for this book.
I felt it was poorly written, purposely arrogant, confusing and contradictory. I do not recommend this book.
If Brian was clearly presenting a view I disagreed with I might feel differently but in reality, I’m not even sure what his view is! He contradicted himself on multiple occasions. He claims that the book is about finding freedom but it is never clear what this means.
Regarding the Gospel – he does not like reducing it to basic components that clearly present the salvation message,
But yet he does recognize that there are commands and non-options that we are bound to.
So it seems that Brian picks and chooses which “laws” to feel we are under. Some restrict and some lead to freedom. He never gives us a game plan for categorizing them. I found it impossible to walk away from his teaching with any practical concept that I could apply to real life.
He was brash and uncaring towards the body of Christ. For example, it seems that Brian was always looking for some opportunity to be cool and talk about drinking beer. I counted at least 6 unnecessary references to drinking. In most cases it seemed he was specifically poking at segments of Christianity who might be offended by it. Apparently he feels freedom to drink but he also feels a need to push it into the face of others. If this was just part of his normal culture and he is totally unaware that it might bother others than I would expect it to possibly come up in some story he might present. But no other aspect of his typical life came up nearly as much or with a seeming “jab” attached.
I did not find this book encouraging to Christian community, unity or personal growth. I found it confusing, offensive and divisive.
So may I repeat myself: I do not recommend it.
Not every project you start is worth finishing. Sometimes we get into it and realize, “This is a waste of time.” Fine, then give yourself permission to quit. I do this all the time with reading. It’s why I am able to read so many articles and books. Here’s publishing’s dirty little secret: most books are not worth finishing. Most books could be cut in half and you wouldn’t miss a thing. The key is to read as long as you are interested and then stop. There are too many great books to read without getting bogged down in the merely good ones.
[Hyatt, Michael. “How to Shave Ten Hours Off Your Work Week.” Productivity Magazine 2(2009): 13 Print]
If I had not been intent on writing this review I would have taken his advice with this book! I quickly decided that Brian’s latest book was a waste of time. I found very little redeeming qualities for this book.
I felt it was poorly written, purposely arrogant, confusing and contradictory. I do not recommend this book.
If Brian was clearly presenting a view I disagreed with I might feel differently but in reality, I’m not even sure what his view is! He contradicted himself on multiple occasions. He claims that the book is about finding freedom but it is never clear what this means.
Regarding the Gospel – he does not like reducing it to basic components that clearly present the salvation message,
“But I never liked those four laws. If the primary thing about figuring out God is learning those laws, then I’d rather not figure out God. Laws restrict. They come with punishment. They are cold and impersonal. These are not the lead characteristics of God.”
But yet he does recognize that there are commands and non-options that we are bound to.
“God has given us freedom to make decisions in our lives—but He hasn’t given us freedom about whether to submit to authorities. We are bound by this command when we choose to follow Jesus. And the crazy thing is that even when we are bound by commands, they are the kind of shackles that lead to freedom.”
So it seems that Brian picks and chooses which “laws” to feel we are under. Some restrict and some lead to freedom. He never gives us a game plan for categorizing them. I found it impossible to walk away from his teaching with any practical concept that I could apply to real life.
He was brash and uncaring towards the body of Christ. For example, it seems that Brian was always looking for some opportunity to be cool and talk about drinking beer. I counted at least 6 unnecessary references to drinking. In most cases it seemed he was specifically poking at segments of Christianity who might be offended by it. Apparently he feels freedom to drink but he also feels a need to push it into the face of others. If this was just part of his normal culture and he is totally unaware that it might bother others than I would expect it to possibly come up in some story he might present. But no other aspect of his typical life came up nearly as much or with a seeming “jab” attached.
I did not find this book encouraging to Christian community, unity or personal growth. I found it confusing, offensive and divisive.
So may I repeat myself: I do not recommend it.
June 3, 2023
Grace and truth. I appreciate Brian’s commitment to both as he encourages us to embrace the freedom we have in Christ.
January 19, 2013
For a big freedom guy I too loved this book. But he showed the weakness of us Freedom Guys using coarse language that really did not add to the book. Also glorflieng reckless behavior like riding a motorcycle without a helmet, Smoking and drinking beer. In this cenuturies old debate those who pick up the correct gospel message of grace and freedom tend toward liscence and those who pick up the message of because of God's grace obedience tend toward legalism. Oh what does with us fickle mankind.
What I liked is he offred some very balanced teaching on spiritual Gifts and Strongholds.
Would highly recomend this book, just remember the balance of Grace and Truth!
What I liked is he offred some very balanced teaching on spiritual Gifts and Strongholds.
Would highly recomend this book, just remember the balance of Grace and Truth!
April 29, 2010
This on is written by my pastor, Brian Tome, at Crossroads in Cincinnati. Not only was it exciting to read a book written by someone I actually know, but to have it be such a wonderful book full of insights and personal stories about his own journey. Brian has a great sense of humor and he lends that here in this book about freedom.
June 1, 2011
This book is really good. However.. there is a chunk in here about homosexuality that is so wrong it's not even funny. BUT- that being said.. He is really just everyday practical about obliterating the things in your life that keep you from getting free and staying free- the kind of free Jesus was sent to bring us.
March 10, 2010
This book could be one of the best this year and 2010 just began! Brian Tome comes at you fast in truthfully in the vain of Francis Chan with Crazy Love and Forgotten God. Get ready to hear a lot about this book in the coming year.
May 12, 2010
This book is about identifying your strongholds (those things that hold you back in life unnecessarily) and becoming free of them. The middle chapters are the strongest as far as holding practical advice that readers can really use.
January 13, 2011
I really wanted to like this book and I agree with much of what he has to say, but it didn't give me any 'aha' information, just a rehash.
June 14, 2013
Three stars for the strong middle. The rest was just alright.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews