Out of the Question...Into the Mystery: Getting Lost in the GodLife Relationship

by Leonard Sweet

How did we get the point, but miss the Person?

Christianity wasn’t founded on a proposition. God sent Jesus to deliver a “Will you love me? Will you let me love you?”

In fact, Jesus not only got on his knees to deliver this proposal. Jesus was nailed to a cross to deliver God’s proposal. Because of Jesus, we can reach for God himself, not simply for more precise statements about God.
Propositions inform us, but God’s proposal of love in Jesus transforms us. God doesn’t answer every question, God invites us into a mystery. God’s proposal of love is truly Out of the Question…Into the Mystery.

“Faith is not simply a decision that is made or a commitment that is promised… Rather, faith is a new life that we practice. And that life is practiced in the context of relationship.” –Leonard Sweet


God made us for relationship. For up-close engagement. For the give-and-take that unfolds when two beings interact on a deeper level.

God wants to be known, not just known about. Jesus invites you to follow him, not simply study him. God reaches out to you, tirelessly pursuing you–not because God is fact or doctrine or proposition, but because God is Love.

And when you discover the authentic life of trusting God and living in love–the GodLife relationship, as Leonard Sweet calls it–your priorities will shift from trying to nail down just the right doctrine to following the living Jesus every moment of every day.

When you follow Jesus, you will learn how to love your enemies, care for the earth, relate to one another, and understand the invisible spiritual realm. In following Jesus, you will appreciate the bigger picture of God’s truth and you’ll be able to witness to your faith more powerfully. The daily practice of faith–versus the settledness of mere belief–will open your life to unimagined possibilities.

God’s chief desire is to enjoy an honest, open-access relationship with you. In this fresh and provocative book, you will be introduced to the mystery and adventure of this GodLife relationship.

Genres: Christian Living, Religion, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Leonard I. Sweet is an author, preacher, scholar, and ordained United Methodist clergyman currently serving as the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Drew Theological School, in Madison, New Jersey; and a Visiting Distinguished Professor at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Lloyd Moritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall good, but in Sweet's way a lot of flourish without much new substance. The exception, however, is Part II where he addresses Abraham's move to sacrifice Isaac in a powerful, fresh new way. That alone makes the book worth reading.

[Mark Archibald · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot to think on in this book. A very interesting and contemplative take on the attempted sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, and what Abraham may have gotten completely wrong. Much about the foundation of Christianity being to Christ and others, pulling us away from rigid religion that is merely principle based. A very interesting chapter on our relationship as believers to the natural world in which we live. I began reading this as preparation for a 2 part series on knowing God’s will for youth - it was helpful in teaching on the God things that matter most.

Sometimes the quotes are jarring from the rest of the chapters. A quote will be inserted somewhere that really doesn’t help the point, but gets stuffed in there because it’s a good quote. Otherwise very reflective and contemplative read. Very practical in terms of living life with God, among people, on the planet.

[Joel Thimell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the basic premise of the book: Christians are called to relationships with others and that mindless focus on obedience to "rules" can be harmful not helpful (think Pharisees).

But Sweet goes off the rails trying to make his point when he misuses Scripture and claims that Abraham "failed" God's test when he obeyed God's command to sacrifice Isaac. The Bible is clear and Abraham is praised both in the OT and the NT for his willingness to obey because he had faith that God would raise Isaac from the dead.

This was not the only major disagreement I had with the book. Sweet constantly makes a false dichotomy between obedience and relationships. It IS possible to have both.

[Jane Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about relationships, starting, of course, with our relationship with God. Many excellent insights in here.

[Jodi Hargis · Rating 2 out of 5]

While

[Moriah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. Mr. Sweet argues for the case that our main purpose her on earth is relationships. Growing relationships with each other and deepening our relationship with God. Each chapter tackles a different relationship and why it is important. I thought his chapter about Abraham was very thought provoking. It is an argument very different from the way I grew up thinking about the Abraham and Issac story and that's why it is interesting to think about. I like that he addresses the point that God chooses those who are broken, who get it wrong, and loves us despite it. He addresses many different topics all with the base of the importance of relationships. Very great book!

[Roy James]

Great book by Leonard Sweet that speaks to living in the world in our time and though our time and beyond out time. Sweet, as usual pushes us to see beyond our own paradigms and try to listen to the voice of God in our journey.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourites of Len's books. Beautifully written apologetic for relationship over rhetoric in our connections with each other and our maker. Recently republished under the title: What Matters Most

[Bob Peragallo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting lost in this book was easy, getting out was hard. Actually it was a good book, a bit to simple for me but I'm already a strong relationship person.

[Chauncey Lattimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking, as are most of Leonard Sweet's books. I particularly enjoyed the discussion surrounding the change in Abraham's relationship with God following the "offering" of Isaac.

[Dries Lombaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still the best book by Len that I've read....

[Jt]

okay