Max Lucado

[janine]

Not all the writers & preachers out there have to be steak & potatoes all the time.  Someone has got to be the dessert.

Do I think someone who reads only Lucado will get all of the basic gospel?  No, I don't.

But, then, what else is the Bible for?  Let 'em have their Lucado.  I enjoy him, too.

[OldDad]

I love Max Lucado...There, I've said it and I'm not ashamed of it!

I think Lucado has theological chops - didn't he go to the "right" schools (in all senses of the word) ?  I believe he has chosen to focus his ministry and message on the most relevant and useful theology:  Connecting folks to the heart of God.

His work is like the finished product of all real theology: The application of the Word to daily living.  Most "real" theologians are so busy exhibiting their hermenuetical acrobatics and mechanics that they never get around to answering the only question that the vast majority of people are asking: "What does this mean to me and mine?"  Lucado cuts to the chase.  So what if he doesn't show us the exegetical exercises he went through to get to where he is?

I have a frequently used quote that I plagarized from one of Lucado's books (Can't remember which, but there's so danged many of them...).  He said something like:  "Being a father is better than reading a theology book..."  I have certainly found that as I raise my boys I have learned, and come to love and appreciate, more of God.

OD (A Slow Accented Hillbilly)

[patriciaredstone]

Ok, my review.

He's a very good and genuine person... not a show ... I spent a day with him once MANY years ago. And no, he would'nt remember me.

No Wonder ... The Savior is his first and best. I have given away all of of the others.

I think he could do for a makeover. His editor and publisher are way too awed by him. His books ... especially his children's are too pushy with the metaphors.

I have never heard him speak ... not even on the radio, but I have heard many reports that he is not a very good public speaker ... but, then I am usually not impressed by speakers who are billed as "dynamic."

I do not think that the COC has been fair to Max. Very hurtful things have been said that I feel deserve public apology.

[bobbyV]

Marc you know that Jim has a new website?  If not I will post the address for you.

Also I mispoke about Max's books.  I had forgotten about his children's books.  This evening my daughter Talya (who is 5) brought me You are Special to read to me (I love it when she does that).  I think Max's best work is his children's books.  The Crippled Lamb, Just In Case You Ever Wonder, Tell Me the Secrets, etc are rich.  Sometimes I am not sure if they are aimed at the adult or the child. But they are outstanding.

His Mark +
Bobby Valentine
[a href=\"mailto:bvalentine@dixie-net.com\"]bvalentine@dixie-net.com[/a]

[Barb1957]

Max is right that we cannot add anything, including baptism, to what Jesus did. Baptism is essential for obedience, like he says. It's commanded. It's even ... I dare say, and realize scripture doesn't exactly point out this aspect ...  a *fun* command to obey!  Maybe not so much fun for the 30 or so folks in the world known to be allergic to water -- apparently they have to wear a special barrier foam to keep the water from touching their skin so they can do things like take showers -- so I assume they'd have to wear this foam thingy if/when baptized. Which reminds me that I learned in a Bible class that in the early church, people were baptized nude. Thank the Good Lord that's not done anymore! Mercy!!  :0  

Few weeks back, maybe a month ago (I dunno),  an adult male was baptized at our church building one weekday morning, and he's a regular member now. As I understand the story, this man had been a believer in and a follower of Jesus for a while (years?), but he hadn't been baptized. His own personal prayerful study of the word of God led him to the conclusion that this was something he hadn't done that he should do. He phoned several different churches in his area of town. Before he dialed ours, all the others he called had told him that he could be placed on a waiting list to be baptized, they told him that they save up and do a bunch at one time. He called our church office, and of course our minister's response was pretty much along the lines of "Where are you? Of course you can be baptized! Come on over!"  And they talked for a while and went over scriptures and he was baptized.

Love & Peace,
Barb (with her rambling thoughts as usual!)

[Barb1957]

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. It is a gift of God. The blood of Jesus cleanses us of sin.  Baptism in and of itself cannot save anyone. God looks at heart changes first, not at what we do. Obedience to any command must come from the right attitude of the heart, otherwise it is just going through a motion. Baptism is a public profession of faith which tells the world "I trust in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ and surrender to His will for my life." Anyone who claims Jesus as Lord but refuses to be baptized is a liar (calling Him Lord implies that I do what He says), as well as being in rebellion against God.

Looking at the gift analogy a bit more: Let's say that a friend hands me a gift, beautifully wrapped. It's not my birthday or any special day. My friend just freely and willingly offers this gift. I hold out my hands and take it and thank my friend. Let's say that I don't open the gift there. Maybe my friend wants me to wait until I'm at home. Maybe we're just not in a good place for unwrapping a gift.  (Maybe I need to not open this gift for the purposes of this illustration, okay? :D) Then let's say I take this giftwrapped package home and I decide to put it on a shelf, still unopened. To my friend, my holding out my hands and having the gift placed in them said to them that I was accepting the gift, and my friend naturally has every reason to believe that I will unwrap the gift as soon as possible. But I don't; I take it home, and place it, still wrapped up, prominently on a bookshelf in clear view of anyone who enters that room. People ... friends, family ... ask about the gift they see there on the shelf.  "Oh, that's a gift my friend gave me!" I might say, cheerfully.  "Well, aren't you going to open it?" they would probably ask. And I might say, "Oh, why should I open it? Just the fact that my friend gave me a gift is enough."  Then one day this friend stops by and sees the gift they gave me just sitting there, wrapped and perhaps even a little dusty now. Are they going to be overjoyed and say, "Oh, how nice! You placed the gift I gave you here on your bookself!" No, they are going to be hurt because what have I really done in not opening the gift? What I've done is, I've said to them that I really and truly have never accepted their gift after all. :( I've no excuse ... day after day it's just sat there.  I haven't died with lack of chances to unwrap it, nor do I have any other excuse that would have prevented me from opening it. I've simply refused to do so, and in refusing, I've refused the gift itself.

Salvation is a free gift from God. It is not deserved and cannot be earned by man or woman, lad or lass. The cross of Jesus Christ was necessary to take away our sins, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ was necessary to give us eternal life. We cannot add anything to God's gift. The gift is perfect and complete. Let's look at baptism as the final step in unwrapping and accepting God's free gift.
I can say "Jesus is Lord" 'til ... uh, the cows come home (?) ...  but if I am unwilling to surrender to my Lord in baptism, then I haven't truly accepted Him as my Lord, and I haven't accepted His free gift of salvation. Fully accepting God's perfect gift isn't adding anything *to* the gift. Full acceptance is full acceptance, and if I stop short of that, I negate the gift as far as my response is concerned, and I lose out on the blessings and joys that follow trust and obedience.

Love & Peace,
Barb

[Arkstfan]

Just wanting to kind of pick up some of the opinions out there on Max Lucado.

I don't consider him a great scholar but I do think he is one of the best evangelist going today (with Billy Graham in poor health he may be in line to take the "America's Minister" title).

I don't think anyone else out there does a better job of conveying just how passionate God is about us. He does a great job of that core Gospel message about the law being stripped away and replaced with God's law of love.

He may be "baby food" in the theological sense but as the numbers of the unchurched are shooting up someone needs to be creating the new babes in Christ and getting them started.

[Bill]

I think he is great and his books have introduced many to Jesus that would never have met Him without Lucado's books.

[susieface]

I like Max, but I prefer other authors.  I have never heard him preach, but I am sure I would love him and probably prefer his preaching over his books.  I have read every one of his books so far and have enjoyed them, but he just isn't a favorite.  Shame on me, but I sort of feel like, if you have read one, you have read them all.  Not enough versatility for me is all.  I think I am the only one who feels this way.  Everyone I know just love his books.  I am thankful he is writing because so many unchurched have read his books.

Susie

[Fate]

I love Max's stuff but he is kinda the Barry Manilow of Christian authors! And O Mandy when you came I wrote the songs the make the whole world sing at the Copa... Copa Cabana....He chose the nails no wonder they call Him Savior six hours in the midst of the storm... ;)  :D

[marc]

Bobby, I admit I'm a bit partial to Jim McGuiggan having spent quite a bit of time with him many years past.  Every time I hear his name I remember when a few of us from our  AIM team (I DO have skeletons in my closet) showed him around Sydney, how he walked around the deck of the Ferry acting like a pirate the whole time we crossed Sydney Harbour.  Just a strange little memory.  I have been told that people who have never met him have trouble reading his books sometimes because he writes with an accent.

[patriciaredstone]

I agreed with much of what Max said in the article. But the "thief on the cross" remains a weak argument against baptism. Baptism is an image of physical death and immersion, Paul teaches is a burial -- or death -- WITH Jesus. Not only would it have been impossible for the theif to be immersed in water on the cross, it would have been redundant and unnessary since he "died WITH Christ".

[seekr]

I love Max Lucado and I think the things he writes portray the heart of God. He gets to the core of relationship between us and God, without the condemnation of the religious. I think his ministry is one of the best around.

Maurine

[WileyClarkson]

I agree with Bill!  I get to listen to Max on the radio a little.  He's carried by the local 7th Day Adventist contemporary Christian music station.  Max has a way of presenting the gospel in a down to earth fashion that people will listen to.  The type of preaching you get with many on the air preachers and in many of their books that is wrapped up in layers of heavy theology is a real turnoff for many people.  Max presents God and Christ in a way that these people will listen.  

My wife and I have worshipped with the congregation he preaches for (before they built their new building) and loved it.  He presented a great message on prayer (and this was back when he only had about two books on the market--when he was basically an unknown :>) )

Wiley

[Rocketman]

I've heard Max preach on a couple of occasions and to me, he is a much better writer than a speaker.  Several years ago when he first started writing, I would read everything he wrote simply because I had not heard a lot of what he emphasized in his books, emphasized in the cofc.  I really think he helped be see a bigger picture in some ways, sure its light in some respects, but in others its not.  

I do agree that after a while much of his writing starts to seem the same.  Still I think he does much good for the cofc. My theory is that if you are a member of the cofc and routinely written up in several journals of the brotherhood, chances are you are doing something right!

[segell]

Max Lucado?

I would describe him as a Christian, servant of Christ, brother in Christ - seeking to join God in His work through the spiritual gift/s bestowed by God through His Spirit - and all to the glory of Our Father in Heaven.

Steve

[marc]

If anyone's interested, The current Christian Chronicle features an interview with Max Lucado.  Here's the link.  Max Lucado-Christian Chronicle Interview

[janine]

Thanks for the tip re: the article.  It was pretty good.

Peter explained how "baptism now saves you".  What Max said isn't inconsistent with what Peter said, as far as it goes.

Too bad Max's opinions sound so Baptist :D!  Sounds to me like, "Yes, baptism is essential to enter into salvation, but you can't say it is."

[janine]

So, if baptism is essential for obedience, is obedience essential for salvation?  ;)

If baptism is missing, obedience isn't complete?  So then, if obedience isn't complete, salvation isn't complete?

Sooooo.... if you syphon the baptism out of the equation, have you syphoned the salvation out? :p

[Richard]

Arkstfan,

I'm just a "babe" myself and so may not be the best to judge.  But it seems to me that much of Lucado's work is pretty "solid food."  I think he just has a knack for describing profound truths in simple terms.

Richard

[kebecer1]

Lucado probably gets more "play" and appreciation in mainline Prot. churches, than his own people!  How sad! :(

He reminds me of our own Peter Ainslee at the turn of the century; he was savagely denounced as a heretic for being a forerunner of the ecumenical movement--and hanging around w/ various "unimmersed infidels--you know 'em:  Presbyterians, "Northern" Baptists, people who live in Cleveland.  ;)

Keep expanding the "barriers" of the reign of God, brother Max!

And let the jealous, well, be jealous.... :p

[marc]

No Wonder They Call Him Saviour, the first Max Lucado book I ever read, is still one of my favorites.  I pull it out and re-read it occasionally.  I haven't read any of his books in a while, though, and this conversation has made me want to revisit them.

Remember hearing a relative of mine talking a few years back about how someone he knew had been turned against Max Lucado because of brotherhood papers, then saying that he was sure this man would like Lucado if he had only read his books first.  Sad to say, this relative has now fallen under the sway of these same papers, and while he still reads Max Lucado's works, he no longer admits it publicly.

btw, I knew Max Lucado briefly a couple of decades ago, back before he became famous.  I remember him as a nice guy who I enjoyed talking with, but honestly I don't remember too much else about him.

[bobbyV]

Max Lucado? I distinctly remember the first time I read No Wonder They Call Him the Savior and God Came Near.  I was enthralled!  They remain -- in my opinion -- his best works.  I have used No Wonder in personal evangelism many times in the past.

But my taste buds and Lucado's I guess simply do not come together very often.  I find his work, generally speaking, to be cotton candy -- lots of sugar with little substance.  I agree with his Christ-centered approach (what other way is there??) and I am hardly a Lucado basher because there are many who have been blessed greatly through him by the Lord.

But I think Lucado does not hold a candle to other writers like William Law or Thomas A'Kempis or Philip Yancy or Henri Nouwen or even Robert Richardson and Jim McGuiggan of the American Restoration Movement.  I think Calvin Miller and C.S. Lewis have him beat.  Anyway that is my opinion (which is not inspired).  But I thank the Lord for Max because he reaches folks I never could.

His Mark +
Bobby Valentine
[a href=\"mailto:bvalentine@dixie-net.com\"]bvalentine@dixie-net.com[/a]

[marc]

Thanks--Someone posted Jim's website on another thread yesterday, and I've added it to my favorites.

[Arkstfan]

Now Janine after reading all those articles on GC Brewer you know that our grace-centered brothers are supposed to be accused of sounding "Baptist".  ;)

[mike]

janine,

I haven't siphoned any baptisteries lately  :p   but here's my take on this matter:

I believe that Jesus' blood saves us, when we have faith in him, by accepting him as our Lord and Savior. Anyone who calls Jesus "Lord", would want to obey his command to be baptized. I would think they would want to do it promptly! Yet, salvation seems to me to be a process. At least from the standpoint of eternity, the elect are saved before the world was created.

I would never want to denigrate baptism, but I don't want to grant it power it does not possess. Hopefully, this does not sound too heretical!

One of my favorite authors, Dallas Willard, said of Matt. 28:18-20,  [!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--][These verses] are God's plan for the growth and prospering of local congregations as well as of the church at large. It is Jesus' plan for spiritual formation in the local congregation. It has three stages:

1. Making disciples of Jesus.

2. Immersing the apprentices at all levels of growth in the Trinitarian presence. If anyone actually believes that the last part of Matt. 28:19 is only a command to get willing people wet, in some way deemed appropriate, while saying the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," we can only ask them to ponder the matter. The name, in the Biblical world, is never just words, but involves the thing named. The ritual should be a special moment of entry into the reality.

3. Transforming disciples in such a way that doing the words and deeds of Christ is not the focus but is the natural outcome or side effect.
[/quote]

This broader view of baptism I found to be intriguing. It seems correct to me, and does not demean the physical process.

Mike
:D