Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God is a 2008 New York Times bestselling Christian book written by Francis Chan and published by David C Cook.[1] It is co-authored by Danae Yankoski with a foreword by Chris Tomlin. The book inspired the titular song for the album Crazy Love by Hawk Nelson[2] and in 2009, won the Retailers Choice Award for the best Christian Living book.[3]
 | |
| Author | Francis Chan |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Christian literature |
| Publisher | David C. Cook |
Publication date | 2008 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 186 |
| ISBN | 978-1-4347-6851-3 |
| OCLC | 226964509 |
| 248.4 22 | |
| LC Class | BV4501.3 .C434 2008 |
Summary
editCrazy Love deals with the idea of the average Christian's love of God and learning how to further develop those feelings into a "crazy, relentless, all-powerful love." In the format of Crazy Love Chan dedicates three sections to renewing understanding around the character of God and seven chapters encourage Christians to examine themselves. Within the book are two ongoing themes: examine yourself and, controversial to Christian secular culture, live your best life later.[4]
Section 1
editIn the first section, Chan addresses the problem. He reviews God’s character from the Bible and challenges the understanding of who God is.[5]
Section 2
editChan challenges Christians to examine themselves, through the idea of "luke-warm Christianity." Chan states, "A lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron; there’s no such thing. To put it plainly, churchgoers who are lukewarm are not Christians. We will not see them in heaven."[5]
Section 3
editChan then transitions to challenging Christians to live counter-culturally. Having a different view of the world through the eyes of "Living your best life...later." Chan claims that Christianity as described in the Bible reflects an obsessed behavior to become better neighbors, community members, servants, friends, and families by choosing to be humble, dedicated, and ending with loving everyone "as you have been loved."[5]
Reception
editCritical reception for Crazy Love has been positive, with Publishers Weekly praising the book.[6] Challies.com wrote that Crazy Love was "a message that Christians desperately need to hear".[7] Bookreporter.com stated that "while the writing throughout the book is simple and clear, his dynamic communication style does not translate fully to print" but that overall the book was "definitely worth reading".[8]
References
edit- ^ Bestselling Paperback Advice New York Times
- ^ Music Review: Hawk Nelson - Crazy Love Seattle PI
- ^ 2009 Retailers Choice Awards List Archived 2012-03-08 at the Wayback Machine Retailers Choice Awards
- ^ Challies, Tim (May 2, 2008). "Book Review - "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan | Tim Challies". Challies.com. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
- ^ a b c "Book Review: Crazy Love, by Francis Chan". 9Marks. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ^ Nonfiction review: Crazy Love Publishers Weekly
- ^ Book Review - "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan Challies.com
- ^ Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God Bookreporter.com