Tomlin is right in saying that the life to which Jesus calls us is “absolute craziness to the world.” But let’s be clear: The “us” in that statement is Christians – believers in Jesus! God does not call unbelievers to a life that is ‘absolute craziness to the world.’ He calls them to believe in His Son! Seeds of ‘eternal insecurity’ are sown if the difference between becoming a Christian (having eternal life) and living out the Christian life is not clear. Calling Crazy Love “the most challenging book outside of God’s Word you will read this year,” he says the “status quo and norms of the so-called ‘Christian’ life that so many of us are used to experiencing are in for a shock!” By putting quotation marks around “Christian,” Tomlin subtly implies that people should question whether or not they are “Christian” based on their works.
What should concern us more, however, is Tomlin’s implicit ‘put-down’ of those who don’t agree with Chan. Francis Chan is not unique in believing ‘that God is really who he says He is’ – nor does he have any special insight on what it means to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. And Chan has a great video he refers you to, to illustrate this point so clearly (the image above is from his video).Chris Tomlin heartily endorses Francis Chan as one who “leaves you wanting more of Jesus” and “a man with great vision and resolve for the mission of Jesus.” Tomlin calls him a person “who believes that God is really who He says He is and that the true reality of this life is to follow Him wholeheartedly.” We should be wary when a person is built up too much. The first chapter begins by talking about the awesomeness of God and how we can see His divine nature through His creation: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” ROMANS 1:20, New International Version, ©2010. It is for those who don’t want to plateau, those who would rather die before their convictions do.” His hope is that this book will convince you “that by surrendering yourself totally to God’s purposes, He will bring you the most pleasure in this life and the next.” It is for those who are bored with what American Christianity offers.
In his preface, Chan writes, “This book is written for those who want more Jesus. If you’re seeking to experience God in a deeper way, you need to read this…but be prepared to be challenged! I’m being tremendously challenged by the first few chapters I’ve read so far. I’m reading a book called Crazy Love: OVERWHELMED BY A RELENTLESS GOD by Francis Chan.
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