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Dirty God: Jesus in the Trenches
Dirty Jesus in the Trenches by Moore, Johnnie [Thomas Nelson, 2013] (Pap...
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2012
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441 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 14, 2024
I absolutely enjoyed this book!! It was like an awesome sermon of truth.
When the Bible was referenced, I took a lot of joy in knowing the stories & verses like they were already written in my heart.
(Side note: my trip through the Bible this year has been revolutionary)
But this book is all about the uniqueness of Jesus & Gods grace.
The uniqueness of Jesus - who and what he is/represents. How he was, and continues to be, radically different from all those before & after him.
Gods grace - undeserved but given. So FREELY to all. To literally EVERYONE!
We didn’t EARN it.
We don’t DESERVE it.
It’s been GIVEN to us.
And if we’ve been given it, and we accept it … then we too should be giving it to others all around us!!!
And it’s by grace we enter into a relationship with Jesus and God. How Jesus and Father God are starkly different than any other God ever created/worshipped.
Why Jesus left the Fathers side and endured all the hatred & ridicule … why he experienced all the pain, suffering and sorrow as we do … why he was despised & ultimately murdered…
It was for me.
For you!
An encouragement for us to “Live what you say you believe.”
That there is a drastic difference between religion/knowing of God, and actually having a RELATIONSHIP with Him and enjoying it!!
There are so many good examples, pieces of truth & knowledge throughout this book that I can’t possibly address it all without copying the book right here in this review section.
God already knows us intimately. Intimately!
He wants us to know him too!
He is forever willing to be near us in all of our messiness.
His grace … it’s EVERYTHING!!!
"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.” - C.S. Lewis
When the Bible was referenced, I took a lot of joy in knowing the stories & verses like they were already written in my heart.
(Side note: my trip through the Bible this year has been revolutionary)
But this book is all about the uniqueness of Jesus & Gods grace.
The uniqueness of Jesus - who and what he is/represents. How he was, and continues to be, radically different from all those before & after him.
Gods grace - undeserved but given. So FREELY to all. To literally EVERYONE!
We didn’t EARN it.
We don’t DESERVE it.
It’s been GIVEN to us.
And if we’ve been given it, and we accept it … then we too should be giving it to others all around us!!!
And it’s by grace we enter into a relationship with Jesus and God. How Jesus and Father God are starkly different than any other God ever created/worshipped.
Why Jesus left the Fathers side and endured all the hatred & ridicule … why he experienced all the pain, suffering and sorrow as we do … why he was despised & ultimately murdered…
It was for me.
For you!
An encouragement for us to “Live what you say you believe.”
That there is a drastic difference between religion/knowing of God, and actually having a RELATIONSHIP with Him and enjoying it!!
There are so many good examples, pieces of truth & knowledge throughout this book that I can’t possibly address it all without copying the book right here in this review section.
God already knows us intimately. Intimately!
He wants us to know him too!
He is forever willing to be near us in all of our messiness.
His grace … it’s EVERYTHING!!!
"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.” - C.S. Lewis
March 19, 2023
Always refreshing to read about grace and how Jesus works in our lives as an example. However, I felt like I was sitting in an evangelical Bible church listening to a sermon. Most of Moore's writing felt surface-level. It didn't strike me as a profound work on the grace of Jesus and God as say, Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "Cost of Discipleship."
January 6, 2013
I found the book Dirty God by Johnnie Moore rather intriguing when I first saw it and given that most of the ratings it got were high, I opted to request for the book to read it as well.
What I like about the book:
- The book started out strong with Johnnie Moore painting a clear picture of the practices of Hinduism in India and the sad reality that those people worshiping one of the many gods that they have, have had to tie up ribbons in the temple and then remove it later on when their prayers have been answered, and that many of the ribbons have been tattered by time signifying that a vast majority of prayers remain unanswered.
- After that sad truth, he compares it with the kind of God we have in Jesus Christ, citing various incidents in the Bible when He was approached by needy people and he performed a miracle for them, right then and there, making Him a God who wants to be involved in our lives and a God who wants to deliver us out of our difficult situations.
- He shared his personal vision of what the world would be like if all Christian will take action and provide aid to the needy, ailing and hurting.
What I think the book missed:
- I did mention that the author tried to appeal to Christ believers all over the world to take action and dispense of the kind of grace that we ourselves received from Christ, nonetheless, I feel that the author failed to touch on how being able to give the same kind of grace will require the manifestation of the fruits of the holy spirit. The fruits of the Holy Spirit is something that could not be faked and in order to be able to manifest such attributes (if it is apt to refer to it that way), the believer must be truly converted, otherwise, a believer will be unable to love the unlovable, much more turn the other cheek when his other one was slapped.
- Like a child waiting for a doctor's appointment who glances at the clock once in a while, so was the same feeling I got reading the book. After the author mentioned his experience in that Indian temple, I found myself constantly checking how many more pages do I have to go before I get to finish the book. It started out strong but then I got lost in the middle of it. Yes the words were beautifully strung but somewhere in between I find myself asking "what was he saying again?"
- The book doesn't really stand out compared to other books I've read like Combat Faith or the Fight.
This book may be a good read for newly converted Christians but may not be well suited for someone looking for materials regarding spiritual growth and maturity.
What I like about the book:
- The book started out strong with Johnnie Moore painting a clear picture of the practices of Hinduism in India and the sad reality that those people worshiping one of the many gods that they have, have had to tie up ribbons in the temple and then remove it later on when their prayers have been answered, and that many of the ribbons have been tattered by time signifying that a vast majority of prayers remain unanswered.
- After that sad truth, he compares it with the kind of God we have in Jesus Christ, citing various incidents in the Bible when He was approached by needy people and he performed a miracle for them, right then and there, making Him a God who wants to be involved in our lives and a God who wants to deliver us out of our difficult situations.
- He shared his personal vision of what the world would be like if all Christian will take action and provide aid to the needy, ailing and hurting.
What I think the book missed:
- I did mention that the author tried to appeal to Christ believers all over the world to take action and dispense of the kind of grace that we ourselves received from Christ, nonetheless, I feel that the author failed to touch on how being able to give the same kind of grace will require the manifestation of the fruits of the holy spirit. The fruits of the Holy Spirit is something that could not be faked and in order to be able to manifest such attributes (if it is apt to refer to it that way), the believer must be truly converted, otherwise, a believer will be unable to love the unlovable, much more turn the other cheek when his other one was slapped.
- Like a child waiting for a doctor's appointment who glances at the clock once in a while, so was the same feeling I got reading the book. After the author mentioned his experience in that Indian temple, I found myself constantly checking how many more pages do I have to go before I get to finish the book. It started out strong but then I got lost in the middle of it. Yes the words were beautifully strung but somewhere in between I find myself asking "what was he saying again?"
- The book doesn't really stand out compared to other books I've read like Combat Faith or the Fight.
This book may be a good read for newly converted Christians but may not be well suited for someone looking for materials regarding spiritual growth and maturity.
January 7, 2013
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com (http://BookSneeze.com) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I can't say enough good things about this book. This book completely changed the way I looked at Jesus and God. Growing up Catholic, I've seen God as the typical old man with along flowing beard, on a throne, "up there"...distant, unreachable. Sound familiar?
When my uncle passed away, I started thinking about the way he had a relationship with God, and I became jealous. To put it in vernacular, God and him, they were best buds, they were bros, they were each other's wing man. I wanted that, but how could I be best buds with the unreachable, distant God that I grew up with? Then I read this book.
"What was most stunning to the people was that Elijah's God didn't require a theatrical performance to spur him to action. Elijah didn't have to make a big scene, scream till his voice was raw, or mar his flesh. It was as if Jehovah had been siting on the edge of heaven, with his feet hanging off the ledge, waiting for the moment he was asked to intervene. He was eager to respond to the request of his servant. He wanted to help, and he didn't have to be asked twice." (pg 32)
This totally stopped me in my tracks. Seeing God as a being that is eager and willing to have a relationship with me, an actual personal relationship with me, was stunning.
While this book was totally revolutionary in its message to me, I have to say, the last third of it was kind of uncomfortable. I don't feel comfortable with the idea of trying to introduce people to the idea of God and Jesus as a savior. Maybe I've been beaten over the head one too many times by the Jehovah's Witnesses. That's their job, not mine.
However, I don't have a problem trying to live a better life, and showing others' through my actions. That's what this book taught me.
I can't say enough good things about this book. This book completely changed the way I looked at Jesus and God. Growing up Catholic, I've seen God as the typical old man with along flowing beard, on a throne, "up there"...distant, unreachable. Sound familiar?
When my uncle passed away, I started thinking about the way he had a relationship with God, and I became jealous. To put it in vernacular, God and him, they were best buds, they were bros, they were each other's wing man. I wanted that, but how could I be best buds with the unreachable, distant God that I grew up with? Then I read this book.
"What was most stunning to the people was that Elijah's God didn't require a theatrical performance to spur him to action. Elijah didn't have to make a big scene, scream till his voice was raw, or mar his flesh. It was as if Jehovah had been siting on the edge of heaven, with his feet hanging off the ledge, waiting for the moment he was asked to intervene. He was eager to respond to the request of his servant. He wanted to help, and he didn't have to be asked twice." (pg 32)
This totally stopped me in my tracks. Seeing God as a being that is eager and willing to have a relationship with me, an actual personal relationship with me, was stunning.
While this book was totally revolutionary in its message to me, I have to say, the last third of it was kind of uncomfortable. I don't feel comfortable with the idea of trying to introduce people to the idea of God and Jesus as a savior. Maybe I've been beaten over the head one too many times by the Jehovah's Witnesses. That's their job, not mine.
However, I don't have a problem trying to live a better life, and showing others' through my actions. That's what this book taught me.
April 12, 2021
This is a book all about Grace. What it really means and how it may look in our lives. As someone who converted to Christianity as opposed to being born in it, I found the concept of Grace confusing. This book helped clear up any lasting confusion.
I bought this book a few years ago and just got around to it now. I’ve been slowly reading it for a few months. It’s not that long, I just have been reading other things too.
The summary from the back of the book is way better than the one on Amazon. Below is a quote from part of the back of the book:
” Jesus got dirty, from head-to-toe, as he fulfilled his mission of making a messy world clean. He smelled of sweat and soil. He had dirt under his fingernails, and calluses on his hand. Why? He is so kind that he didn’t expect us to try to climb up to him. He climbed down to us to bring us back to God. This book chronicles again that story, and it reminds us that grace is both gotten and given.”
Back of the Book – Dirty God by Johnnie Moore
I think this better explains what the book is about. It’s why I chose it when I was buying books. Here are some of my favourite parts.
How Christians Are Different
“Imagine two identical cars. Both are black with sleek body styles. They are freshly painted with racing stripes running down their sides, the same shape, size and design. But there is one difference – the engine. One car has a refurbished engine that a mechanic pulled out of a dying Ford Pinto in salvage shop. The other has a newly minted Porsche engine. Within ten seconds of riding in either of these vehicles you would discover that something was drastically different between the two. […] This is how Christians should be different. We dress the same way and live in the same culture, but there’s just something radically different – or at least there should be – about how we operate on the road of life. We have values and beliefs, a philosophy of life, and a motivation for doing good that are distinctly different from the world around us.. “
Page 122-123
Why We Need God
“[…] our remote ancestors was the idea that they could “be like gods” – could set up on their own as if they had created themselves – be their own masters – invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history – money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery – the long terrible way of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy. The reason why it can never succeed is this. God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. […] God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”
page 114-115
As you can see the book has lots of great advice. I recommend this book to anyone who feels they are too messed up for God to love or thinks of God as a clean, white God sitting up in Heaven on a throne. Or anyone who is confused by Grace.
I bought this book a few years ago and just got around to it now. I’ve been slowly reading it for a few months. It’s not that long, I just have been reading other things too.
The summary from the back of the book is way better than the one on Amazon. Below is a quote from part of the back of the book:
” Jesus got dirty, from head-to-toe, as he fulfilled his mission of making a messy world clean. He smelled of sweat and soil. He had dirt under his fingernails, and calluses on his hand. Why? He is so kind that he didn’t expect us to try to climb up to him. He climbed down to us to bring us back to God. This book chronicles again that story, and it reminds us that grace is both gotten and given.”
Back of the Book – Dirty God by Johnnie Moore
I think this better explains what the book is about. It’s why I chose it when I was buying books. Here are some of my favourite parts.
How Christians Are Different
“Imagine two identical cars. Both are black with sleek body styles. They are freshly painted with racing stripes running down their sides, the same shape, size and design. But there is one difference – the engine. One car has a refurbished engine that a mechanic pulled out of a dying Ford Pinto in salvage shop. The other has a newly minted Porsche engine. Within ten seconds of riding in either of these vehicles you would discover that something was drastically different between the two. […] This is how Christians should be different. We dress the same way and live in the same culture, but there’s just something radically different – or at least there should be – about how we operate on the road of life. We have values and beliefs, a philosophy of life, and a motivation for doing good that are distinctly different from the world around us.. “
Page 122-123
Why We Need God
“[…] our remote ancestors was the idea that they could “be like gods” – could set up on their own as if they had created themselves – be their own masters – invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history – money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery – the long terrible way of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy. The reason why it can never succeed is this. God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. […] God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”
page 114-115
As you can see the book has lots of great advice. I recommend this book to anyone who feels they are too messed up for God to love or thinks of God as a clean, white God sitting up in Heaven on a throne. Or anyone who is confused by Grace.
February 7, 2019
"I'm imagining a generation of Christians whoa re kind and benevolent, generous and gracious, who strengthens others by simply coming into contact with tbem, and who turn the suffering world into a gentler, kinder place..."
Wonderful read about the Grace of God and extending that Grace to those around us (even if they seem undeserving) as Jesus extended that Grace to us.
Wonderful read about the Grace of God and extending that Grace to those around us (even if they seem undeserving) as Jesus extended that Grace to us.
November 6, 2019
I love Johnnie’s storytelling ability and the sense of humor he brings to his writing. He’s able to revisit basic theological concepts and deliver them in engaging ways. In this case, it made for the perfect mix of encouragement and conviction.
January 9, 2024
I started this book in 2023 and have read a chapter a day for the past 18 months. What a phenomenal book that serves as a reminder that in a world where grace is desperately needed, the hope is that we will, "be salt that seasons the Earth and light that illuminates the dark places."
November 8, 2017
Love this author! Poignant personal stories from his life.
February 23, 2018
This is a book that calls us to action as Christians.
August 8, 2018
Convicting, powerful and moving. It's time for us (me!) To do something. To be the Church. To be Grace. To be the hands and feet of Jesus. This book really motivates you to do that.
May 16, 2019
Want to be Christian, Read this book.
Already a Christian, Read this book.
In any case, buckle up and get ready to impact your community through Work and Love!
Already a Christian, Read this book.
In any case, buckle up and get ready to impact your community through Work and Love!
May 31, 2023
An encouraging and challenging read. But really a less popular version of Radical by David Platt.
November 18, 2025
I appreciate the overall message of the book.
March 30, 2013
This is the first I've read of Pastor Johnnie Moore's writings, it definitely won't be the last. The writing is brilliant. The message is a powerful, one from God's heart to ours. I'm not sure I expected the book to be on grace, and it was much more than that, because it draws you to Jesus where you find yourself receiving grace, understanding where you stand before Him, and then you find grace poured out . . . grace just happens when you meet Jesus. We get preached TOO much to these days that faith is by grace alone and not works, and the fact that we WILL BE JUDGED by our works (2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 16:27) gets tossed out the proverbial window . . . don't quite agree? We can look no further than Jesus' parable of "The Sheep and the Goats." We cannot let our faith be deceived, and Pastor Johnnie Moore wants to help us find freedom in Grace. The most compelling part of the message is that it's not something you acquire, it's something God gives . . . and grace just "happens." When you TRULY understand what Christ has done for you, grace pours out, you don't have to continually work to receive it. Jesus is grace, if you have Him, He's all you need to live the life He's called you to.
Through this message we find that sometimes our worship can get in the way of walking out our faith. It's vital that we understand that Christ lives IN us as believers. If that is so, wouldn't the world be a completely different place? Through Dirty God, you'll be convicted, compelled, and comforted in knowing that you don't need to take this journey of life and faith alone, Jesus is with you each step of the way (in fact, He wants to lead and guide you as you take the journey with Him). And it's apparent that Pastor Johnnie Moore spends an enormous amount of time at the throne of Grace . . . he's qualified AND called.
I've read some reviews criticizing Pastor Moore's "new generation" language. And FYI, I'm 40, so I'm old. :) I truly feel as though it's undue and unjustified criticism. The communication through the book was powerful, to say the least. We must all admit that "communication" is changing . . . and it is VITAL that we are able to communicate to newer generations that don't "speak" the same language as was spoken 50 to 100 to 1000 years ago. And we are no less "holy" because we don't use "thee" and "thou" . . . holiness isn't based on our technique, but on our ability to allow Jesus to live in and through us. To not adapt to the new generations would be more costly than we could all imagine. And quite frankly, Jesus didn't "communicate" in his teachings in ways that the "Pharisees" understood. In Matthew 13:10-13, we find the Disciples questioning, and almost criticizing, why Jesus is speaking in a way that the Pharisees can't understand, and Jesus explains His ways. So, it seems evident that different communication is needed for different people. Pastor Moore understands the critical factor involved in raising up the next generations and he speaks in a way that they HEAR AND UNDERSTAND. Truly the Spirit is at work in and through him.
This book is for EVERY Christian. If you're a NEW Christian, this book needs to be one of the first you read. If you're a matured Christian, you need this book to renew your Spirit.
*As a note, I have notified the publisher that there are some problems with the Kindle ebook version. There are sentences, maybe even paragraphs that are missing, stopping mid-sentence etc. Particularly in the first half of the ebook. Although it does not take away from the message, I was discouraged that I didn't get to read what may have been written.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Through this message we find that sometimes our worship can get in the way of walking out our faith. It's vital that we understand that Christ lives IN us as believers. If that is so, wouldn't the world be a completely different place? Through Dirty God, you'll be convicted, compelled, and comforted in knowing that you don't need to take this journey of life and faith alone, Jesus is with you each step of the way (in fact, He wants to lead and guide you as you take the journey with Him). And it's apparent that Pastor Johnnie Moore spends an enormous amount of time at the throne of Grace . . . he's qualified AND called.
I've read some reviews criticizing Pastor Moore's "new generation" language. And FYI, I'm 40, so I'm old. :) I truly feel as though it's undue and unjustified criticism. The communication through the book was powerful, to say the least. We must all admit that "communication" is changing . . . and it is VITAL that we are able to communicate to newer generations that don't "speak" the same language as was spoken 50 to 100 to 1000 years ago. And we are no less "holy" because we don't use "thee" and "thou" . . . holiness isn't based on our technique, but on our ability to allow Jesus to live in and through us. To not adapt to the new generations would be more costly than we could all imagine. And quite frankly, Jesus didn't "communicate" in his teachings in ways that the "Pharisees" understood. In Matthew 13:10-13, we find the Disciples questioning, and almost criticizing, why Jesus is speaking in a way that the Pharisees can't understand, and Jesus explains His ways. So, it seems evident that different communication is needed for different people. Pastor Moore understands the critical factor involved in raising up the next generations and he speaks in a way that they HEAR AND UNDERSTAND. Truly the Spirit is at work in and through him.
This book is for EVERY Christian. If you're a NEW Christian, this book needs to be one of the first you read. If you're a matured Christian, you need this book to renew your Spirit.
*As a note, I have notified the publisher that there are some problems with the Kindle ebook version. There are sentences, maybe even paragraphs that are missing, stopping mid-sentence etc. Particularly in the first half of the ebook. Although it does not take away from the message, I was discouraged that I didn't get to read what may have been written.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
March 9, 2017
Good words on receiving grace and a passionate call for bestowing that grace to others.
February 27, 2013
Johnnie Moore, author, speaker and Vice President of Liberty University, the alma mater of this reviewer, has entered the recent deluge of books on the market recently on describing Jesus in everyday life terms with his book Dirty Jesus. Written in a style very reminiscent of books such as Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman, Moore takes a slightly less academic and/or theological approach in his work instead choosing to portray Jesus as the God who was not afraid to mix it up or to associate with the common man. Moore spends a great deal of time using a variety of word pictures and descriptions to make a point that quite honestly could have been made in a single chapter, namely God demonstrated His grace toward us by sending Jesus to live the life of a human and to be the sacrifice for our sins.
By using phrases such as Jesus “didn’t float down to planet earth like a deflating balloon. He dropped down like an atom bomb, and his very presence was a provocation,” Moore depicts Jesus as your blue collar type itinerant preacher who had dirty fingernails, spent a great deal of time outside the major metropolitan areas and who was not afraid, when needed, to be a revolutionary. To a large degree this description is very apt and is worthy of consideration. Jesus certainly was born to very humble beginnings, grew up in a small town that would likely be considered as that place on the wrong side of the tracks in modern parlance, and he spent more time around the outcast and common folk than he did with the upper crust of first century Jewish society. To describe Jesus as the “dirty God,” certainly contains no sense of disrespect for Jesus nor for what he did in his thirty some odd years on earth.
With that said, Moore seemed to overlook other aspects of the way Jesus interacted with people while on earth as well as some important elements of Christ’s overall mission. Perhaps in his effort to portray Jesus through a variety of word pictures and phrases as the champion of the common man and the giver of grace, his word choices and approach to the overall subject of grace seems to be a bit too simplistic and seems to avoid the deeper theological nuances of grace in favor of a seeker sensitive friendly approach to the topic. That does not mean this book has no theological value or that Moore fails to address the topic of grace with any degree of purpose or facticity. What it does mean is in comparison to other books available on the subject of grace, this book would not be my first recommendation. I would point someone to Philip Yancey’s What’s So Amazing About Grace as a starting point for someone wanting an accessible yet theological approach to the subject of grace and how Christ demonstrated grace. Moore’s effort is valiant yet it left this reader wanting a bit more than clever phrases and stories.
So in the end, Dirty God is worth the read yet comes up a tad short. With that said, I would recommend it but it would not be the first book on the subject of grace I would have on my recommended reading list. It is just one of those books that you get the sense of the entirety of the book after reading the first chapter. To that end, it left me wanting more and being disappointed to some degree I did not receive more once I got to the end.
By using phrases such as Jesus “didn’t float down to planet earth like a deflating balloon. He dropped down like an atom bomb, and his very presence was a provocation,” Moore depicts Jesus as your blue collar type itinerant preacher who had dirty fingernails, spent a great deal of time outside the major metropolitan areas and who was not afraid, when needed, to be a revolutionary. To a large degree this description is very apt and is worthy of consideration. Jesus certainly was born to very humble beginnings, grew up in a small town that would likely be considered as that place on the wrong side of the tracks in modern parlance, and he spent more time around the outcast and common folk than he did with the upper crust of first century Jewish society. To describe Jesus as the “dirty God,” certainly contains no sense of disrespect for Jesus nor for what he did in his thirty some odd years on earth.
With that said, Moore seemed to overlook other aspects of the way Jesus interacted with people while on earth as well as some important elements of Christ’s overall mission. Perhaps in his effort to portray Jesus through a variety of word pictures and phrases as the champion of the common man and the giver of grace, his word choices and approach to the overall subject of grace seems to be a bit too simplistic and seems to avoid the deeper theological nuances of grace in favor of a seeker sensitive friendly approach to the topic. That does not mean this book has no theological value or that Moore fails to address the topic of grace with any degree of purpose or facticity. What it does mean is in comparison to other books available on the subject of grace, this book would not be my first recommendation. I would point someone to Philip Yancey’s What’s So Amazing About Grace as a starting point for someone wanting an accessible yet theological approach to the subject of grace and how Christ demonstrated grace. Moore’s effort is valiant yet it left this reader wanting a bit more than clever phrases and stories.
So in the end, Dirty God is worth the read yet comes up a tad short. With that said, I would recommend it but it would not be the first book on the subject of grace I would have on my recommended reading list. It is just one of those books that you get the sense of the entirety of the book after reading the first chapter. To that end, it left me wanting more and being disappointed to some degree I did not receive more once I got to the end.
March 13, 2013
Dirty God is a book about grace. Grace embodied in the incarnate Son of God dying on the cross for all those who would believe. Johnnie Moore says,
All the religion of the world are after God’s attention. They throw their roses, tie their strings, and plead for their deity to give them--at least--a passing glance.
Muslims have their “Five Pillars.” Sikhs have their “Five K’s.” Hindus ring bells when they enter their temples to awaken their gods to their presence. Muslims pray five times a day and steady their lives to the Koran, and every day Hindu priests on the banks of the Ganges River scream, plead, bang metal, twirl fire, and ring bells to try to attract the attention of any one of their many gods.
All of that racket and ruckus, all of thaat noise and devotion, is informed by one simple belief: men and women believe they have to work very hard to get their gods to turn their faces toward them. (Kindle Location 408 of 3275)
Johnnie writes with a certain approachability and readability. Dirty God reads like a story. A kind of mosaic interlacing the grace of God within the experience of Johnnie and others. Theses stories especially focus on the suffering, fringes, and sinners. Johnnie says, “The premise of this book is that God’s relationship with people is primarily defined as a relationship of grace, and grace should make us better people and make the world a better place” (Kindle Location 1844 of 3275). This grace we receive then changes the way we live, the way we forgive.
That leads me to my only objection. Johnnie includes a chapter in which he shares the story of the Amish girls murdered by Charles Carl Roberts IV (if you’re unfamiliar you can read about this murder here). The Amish forgave Mr. Robert and also attended his funeral. He reports them saying, “it was not their place to judge [Mr. Roberts]. Amish leaders even asked their community to refrain from thinking of Roberts as evil” (Kindle Location 2069 of 3275). I’m a firm believer in forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35) but something about this story doesn’t rub me right. It almost cheapens forgiveness. The gospel not only forgives but it speaks honestly about our sinfulness. The Amish passed over the sinfulness and only forgave. I’m sure Johnnie would agree that the gospel produces forgiveness and truth about sin. I’m not sure this story fits the gospel narrative.
I enjoyed Dirty God. The writing as I said was refreshing. Reminded me of just the right mix of doctrine and story like Wednesday Were Pretty Normal. If you want a book that will engage and teach, this book will achieve that end. It will comfort you in the struggle of every day life. A life Jesus lived. A life he provides grace for and empowers us to share with others as we live.
All the religion of the world are after God’s attention. They throw their roses, tie their strings, and plead for their deity to give them--at least--a passing glance.
Muslims have their “Five Pillars.” Sikhs have their “Five K’s.” Hindus ring bells when they enter their temples to awaken their gods to their presence. Muslims pray five times a day and steady their lives to the Koran, and every day Hindu priests on the banks of the Ganges River scream, plead, bang metal, twirl fire, and ring bells to try to attract the attention of any one of their many gods.
All of that racket and ruckus, all of thaat noise and devotion, is informed by one simple belief: men and women believe they have to work very hard to get their gods to turn their faces toward them. (Kindle Location 408 of 3275)
Johnnie writes with a certain approachability and readability. Dirty God reads like a story. A kind of mosaic interlacing the grace of God within the experience of Johnnie and others. Theses stories especially focus on the suffering, fringes, and sinners. Johnnie says, “The premise of this book is that God’s relationship with people is primarily defined as a relationship of grace, and grace should make us better people and make the world a better place” (Kindle Location 1844 of 3275). This grace we receive then changes the way we live, the way we forgive.
That leads me to my only objection. Johnnie includes a chapter in which he shares the story of the Amish girls murdered by Charles Carl Roberts IV (if you’re unfamiliar you can read about this murder here). The Amish forgave Mr. Robert and also attended his funeral. He reports them saying, “it was not their place to judge [Mr. Roberts]. Amish leaders even asked their community to refrain from thinking of Roberts as evil” (Kindle Location 2069 of 3275). I’m a firm believer in forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35) but something about this story doesn’t rub me right. It almost cheapens forgiveness. The gospel not only forgives but it speaks honestly about our sinfulness. The Amish passed over the sinfulness and only forgave. I’m sure Johnnie would agree that the gospel produces forgiveness and truth about sin. I’m not sure this story fits the gospel narrative.
I enjoyed Dirty God. The writing as I said was refreshing. Reminded me of just the right mix of doctrine and story like Wednesday Were Pretty Normal. If you want a book that will engage and teach, this book will achieve that end. It will comfort you in the struggle of every day life. A life Jesus lived. A life he provides grace for and empowers us to share with others as we live.
December 21, 2012
Title: Dirty God: Jesus in the Trenches
Author: Johnnie Moore
Date I Finished Reading: December 20,2012
My Rating: 5/5
I have always known that Christ was gracious. Yet at the same time I did not realize just how saturated by grace his life and ministry were! Dirty God brings our attention to the extreme grace of Jesus Christ from the time of his birth to his resurrection, and then calls us to that same level and life of grace towards others.
The first half of this book is on Christ giving grace to ourselves and others. It discusses how every aspect of Christ is gracious, even when that grace hurts. It discusses how we tend to have an entitlement mentality, which lessens our view of God’s grace, and perhaps even cause us to miss it!
The second half of the book follows the thought that since we have received the grace of God, we ought to extend that same grace to others in our lives. He shares how grace can be big, grace can be small, can go unnoticed, can change a life… can be hard.
I thought that this book was GREAT. It opened my eyes to aspects and details of the scripture that I too often look over without much thought. It caused me to examine my own life, to see where grace lacks (which was very convicting) and seek how to live out Christ’s grace to others around me.
I also really liked Moore’s writing style. He writes in a very easy-to-read way, with amazing illustrations and threads of humor woven in (which not only made it a beneficial read, but an enjoyable one, too!). I didn’t have to force myself to read, but was excited to come back to the book.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. I really had no complaints. I found it to be an enjoyable, yet eye-opening read that would greatly benefit any Christian who is seeking to better understand Christ’s grace, or apply it to their own lives!
Note: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. However, my opinions are my own.
Author: Johnnie Moore
Date I Finished Reading: December 20,2012
My Rating: 5/5
I have always known that Christ was gracious. Yet at the same time I did not realize just how saturated by grace his life and ministry were! Dirty God brings our attention to the extreme grace of Jesus Christ from the time of his birth to his resurrection, and then calls us to that same level and life of grace towards others.
The first half of this book is on Christ giving grace to ourselves and others. It discusses how every aspect of Christ is gracious, even when that grace hurts. It discusses how we tend to have an entitlement mentality, which lessens our view of God’s grace, and perhaps even cause us to miss it!
The second half of the book follows the thought that since we have received the grace of God, we ought to extend that same grace to others in our lives. He shares how grace can be big, grace can be small, can go unnoticed, can change a life… can be hard.
I thought that this book was GREAT. It opened my eyes to aspects and details of the scripture that I too often look over without much thought. It caused me to examine my own life, to see where grace lacks (which was very convicting) and seek how to live out Christ’s grace to others around me.
I also really liked Moore’s writing style. He writes in a very easy-to-read way, with amazing illustrations and threads of humor woven in (which not only made it a beneficial read, but an enjoyable one, too!). I didn’t have to force myself to read, but was excited to come back to the book.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. I really had no complaints. I found it to be an enjoyable, yet eye-opening read that would greatly benefit any Christian who is seeking to better understand Christ’s grace, or apply it to their own lives!
Note: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. However, my opinions are my own.
December 30, 2012
Johnnie Moore tackles the topic of grace in ‘Dirty God’. Passionately worded & enhanced through personal reflections, he examines what grace is & what it means to us. Both Old & New Testament Biblical heroes are analyzed including Elijah & of course, Jesus. Powerful is the best adjective I can use to describe this book.
Several stories included caused me to get a bit emotional. Both sad & honest, they brought tears to my eyes. His adventure in a leper colony is touching & enlightening. I appreciate that Mr. Moore correctly diagnosed that, many times, stories from the Bible lose their ‘Wow’ factor through re-telling. Fittingly, he reminds us of just who epic these stories are in reality.
Seasoned Christians will appreciate the refreshing nature of these reminders. Novice Christians will come away invigorated & aware of how much grace matters. Rick Warren has penned a beautiful foreword to accompany this superb book. Do yourself a favor & read it fully as well as the recommendations from a plethora of well-known Christians prior to it.
This should be on the shelves of pastors & parishoners alike. It will make a great reference for expository preachers. Grace can be a hard topic to grasp for any Christian. It encompasses so many things. Readers are blessed to have Johnnie Moore explain fully & perfectly it’s importance & magnitude.
A blessing it read, it is absolutely a 5 star book. More info can be found through the publisher, Thomas Nelson & can be purchased through your favorite book retailer.
I received an eBook copy to write my review from www.BookSneeze.com. No further compensation was provided & all opinions are my own.
Several stories included caused me to get a bit emotional. Both sad & honest, they brought tears to my eyes. His adventure in a leper colony is touching & enlightening. I appreciate that Mr. Moore correctly diagnosed that, many times, stories from the Bible lose their ‘Wow’ factor through re-telling. Fittingly, he reminds us of just who epic these stories are in reality.
Seasoned Christians will appreciate the refreshing nature of these reminders. Novice Christians will come away invigorated & aware of how much grace matters. Rick Warren has penned a beautiful foreword to accompany this superb book. Do yourself a favor & read it fully as well as the recommendations from a plethora of well-known Christians prior to it.
This should be on the shelves of pastors & parishoners alike. It will make a great reference for expository preachers. Grace can be a hard topic to grasp for any Christian. It encompasses so many things. Readers are blessed to have Johnnie Moore explain fully & perfectly it’s importance & magnitude.
A blessing it read, it is absolutely a 5 star book. More info can be found through the publisher, Thomas Nelson & can be purchased through your favorite book retailer.
I received an eBook copy to write my review from www.BookSneeze.com. No further compensation was provided & all opinions are my own.
January 8, 2013
The book for review is “Dirty God” by Johnnie Moore.
This book falls into the genre of religion, Christian life and spiritual growth.
I found this book to be truly incredible and it came at a time in my life where I had the same questions that were asked in this novel.
Johnnie lays out the content in a very easy to understand manner. It is not forced but yet strong in content. The basis for this book is about God’s grace and how it is freely given to us. This is regardless if we deserve it or not, and we don’t.
How much do we appreciate the grace of God? Do we really believe and accept the notice that this incredible gift has been given to us regardless who we are? Do we pass forward the grace to others?
That has been the intention of God all along. His people were to receive this gift and not hold on to it but to share with others the message and good news of grace.
But in giving us that grace he gave it to everyone. His son Jesus shared his message with the ones who were not popular. The ones you find on the wrong side of town, the poor, the children and widows. He didn’t go to Rome and mingled with the higher-ups who felt they were entitled to every thing. No God send his only son to share with those who were in the trenches who needed to hear what he had to say.
I can’t say enough how much I have enjoyed this book except in one way. Most of the books I receive from Booksneeze I put up to be recycled by others. It is very rare I keep a book for myself. I will share this book with others but it will be a member of my bookshelf for me to reread.
This book falls into the genre of religion, Christian life and spiritual growth.
I found this book to be truly incredible and it came at a time in my life where I had the same questions that were asked in this novel.
Johnnie lays out the content in a very easy to understand manner. It is not forced but yet strong in content. The basis for this book is about God’s grace and how it is freely given to us. This is regardless if we deserve it or not, and we don’t.
How much do we appreciate the grace of God? Do we really believe and accept the notice that this incredible gift has been given to us regardless who we are? Do we pass forward the grace to others?
That has been the intention of God all along. His people were to receive this gift and not hold on to it but to share with others the message and good news of grace.
But in giving us that grace he gave it to everyone. His son Jesus shared his message with the ones who were not popular. The ones you find on the wrong side of town, the poor, the children and widows. He didn’t go to Rome and mingled with the higher-ups who felt they were entitled to every thing. No God send his only son to share with those who were in the trenches who needed to hear what he had to say.
I can’t say enough how much I have enjoyed this book except in one way. Most of the books I receive from Booksneeze I put up to be recycled by others. It is very rare I keep a book for myself. I will share this book with others but it will be a member of my bookshelf for me to reread.
January 8, 2013
Dirty God: Jesus In The Trenches –Johnnie Moore
This book is extremely well-written, and every page is intriguing. . It is clear it is targeted for a younger audience, which in a way makes the book even more appealing—the language targets everyone.
The book started strong from the initial page. Johnnie Moore paints a clear picture of religious practices, and what we perceive to be truths, in different aspects. It was very refreshing to see Jesus portrayed from a different light. This storyline is unlike any other novel I have read.
This book inspires renewed faith. Fain in God, yourself and mankind
The only phrase I found simply cheesy was, Dr.Jesus. Otherwise, the writing was wonderful.
I loved the utopian vision. The world would be extravagant if all Christians individuals provide aid to the needy, ailing and hurting. It would send out the message that those who are practicing a faith make positive changes and impact communities. The words on these pages had me questioning what truly is important in life. After pondering while alone in my thoughts, my answers surprised even myself.
Moore is a great writer. Anyone who has the power to question the way you live your life simply through sharing their written words is an enigma. It is rare to find such inspiring, insightful and thought provoking books in this day.
Please note, BookSneeze provided a review copy.
littlemisstrainwreck.com
This book is extremely well-written, and every page is intriguing. . It is clear it is targeted for a younger audience, which in a way makes the book even more appealing—the language targets everyone.
The book started strong from the initial page. Johnnie Moore paints a clear picture of religious practices, and what we perceive to be truths, in different aspects. It was very refreshing to see Jesus portrayed from a different light. This storyline is unlike any other novel I have read.
This book inspires renewed faith. Fain in God, yourself and mankind
The only phrase I found simply cheesy was, Dr.Jesus. Otherwise, the writing was wonderful.
I loved the utopian vision. The world would be extravagant if all Christians individuals provide aid to the needy, ailing and hurting. It would send out the message that those who are practicing a faith make positive changes and impact communities. The words on these pages had me questioning what truly is important in life. After pondering while alone in my thoughts, my answers surprised even myself.
Moore is a great writer. Anyone who has the power to question the way you live your life simply through sharing their written words is an enigma. It is rare to find such inspiring, insightful and thought provoking books in this day.
Please note, BookSneeze provided a review copy.
littlemisstrainwreck.com
January 18, 2013
I'm incredibly thankful for this new book from Johnnie Moore. I teach high school students, and I'm putting quotes from "Dirty God" on my whiteboard every week. With wit, humor, and an impressive array of international travel stories, Johnnie Moore reminds of what's so "amazing" about grace, and why grace should utterly transform our lives. Moore leads a new generation of evangelicals who realize that God has a Mission in the world, and He expects the Church to leading the charge. I'm especially encouraged by Johnnie's leadership at Liberty University, and hope this book is a sign of a re-directed focus for Liberty. For too long, conservative Christians have been dismissed as the "anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-liberal" faction of extremists. While I'm grateful for the courageous stand taken by Jerry Falwell and others, we need to get beyond that. We need to be known as extremists who befriend homosexuals and offer them the healing of the Gospel in a loving community. We need to be the radicals who come alongside teenage mothers help them care for their babies. We need to be notorious for our extravagant giving to the poor in inner cities and in developing countries, instead of giving millions to the "conservative lobby." We don't have much to show for decades of political pontificating. Johnnie calls us to join Jesus in the trenches, and I hope and pray that God would stir up His people to forsake the American Dream for the sake of the Kingdom Dream!
December 23, 2012
In Dirty God, Johnnie does more than explain grace, he helps the reader experience it! The first part of the book is on “Getting Grace”. The second part of the book is on “Giving Grace”. As Christians we want to share with others how wonderful God’s Grace is! The book really explains God’s grace well!
You may think the name of this book disrespects God but it doesn’t! Johnnie explains the work God did which made him dirty; we all get dirty! This book explains how Gods grace works in our lives! Going to church once a week is not enough to see God’s grace!
This book was very interesting to me and it only took me a few days to read! I really like Johnnie’s writing! I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about God’s grace!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
You may think the name of this book disrespects God but it doesn’t! Johnnie explains the work God did which made him dirty; we all get dirty! This book explains how Gods grace works in our lives! Going to church once a week is not enough to see God’s grace!
This book was very interesting to me and it only took me a few days to read! I really like Johnnie’s writing! I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about God’s grace!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 10, 2013
Instead of simply trying to explain what grace is all about, why not let an excellent writer flesh it out so that you experience it?
Moore writes about churchy topics in a way that reaches out and presents itself in an incredibly accessible way. Too often those who have been in church for a long period of time will fall back to platitudes and verbage that only resonate with other long-term church goers.
Biblical grace is a terrifying idea. It is not something that should be "boiled down". We have moved beyond the era of the shouting preachers. Moore writes to the audience of Rob Bell and Mark Driscoll. Some may not enjoy approach, but if it allows people to experience grace, then it is well worth the read.
There are two parts to this book: Getting Grace and Giving Grace. Moore moves beyond words and gives us examples and word-picture motivation to give meat to the grace topic. This plays out in eighteen chapters. Each chapter is quick to read. Each chapter will leave you pondering the implications.
I can't wait to share this with friends and explore the truth proclaimed in this book. Get it and share it.
This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.
Moore writes about churchy topics in a way that reaches out and presents itself in an incredibly accessible way. Too often those who have been in church for a long period of time will fall back to platitudes and verbage that only resonate with other long-term church goers.
Biblical grace is a terrifying idea. It is not something that should be "boiled down". We have moved beyond the era of the shouting preachers. Moore writes to the audience of Rob Bell and Mark Driscoll. Some may not enjoy approach, but if it allows people to experience grace, then it is well worth the read.
There are two parts to this book: Getting Grace and Giving Grace. Moore moves beyond words and gives us examples and word-picture motivation to give meat to the grace topic. This plays out in eighteen chapters. Each chapter is quick to read. Each chapter will leave you pondering the implications.
I can't wait to share this with friends and explore the truth proclaimed in this book. Get it and share it.
This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.
March 27, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book and how the author illustrates the grace of God. What keeps this from getting 4 or 5 stars from me is that the message seems to get muddled a lot on the way. While it didn't seem cohesive to me - perhaps better editing would have helped - what he had to say was good. I can see this book being helpful but rarely does the author use inclusive language "we", "our", etc.. so it reads kind of like a pep talk and not a conversation. Very useful for those confused about grace, Jesus and salvation or for brand new Christians just exploring their faith.
July 20, 2013
In "Dirty God" Johnnie Moore speaks about Grace in a way that not only makes sense but show just how much Jesus gives Grace. This book needs to be read by every Christian (and non-Christian). I'd always assumed that Grace was God's Riches at Christ's Expense; but, by reading this book I now realize that Grace goes much Deeper - is much Deeper. It's something that we not only get, but that we Give. Thankful for God's Grace in my life.
February 25, 2015
I found this book to be enjoyable. I think that in the final few chapters Moore really challenges all believers to make a difference in the world by expressing the kind of grace we received from God.
On a slightly negative note, his personal stories sometimes get lengthy and drag down parts of the book.
On a slightly negative note, his personal stories sometimes get lengthy and drag down parts of the book.
July 8, 2015
Rearing to go!
Straight to the heart with many "mmmm"s, "ohhhhh"s and other sounds that show your gears are being ground... The beginning of a revolution to see God's hands at work.
Straight to the heart with many "mmmm"s, "ohhhhh"s and other sounds that show your gears are being ground... The beginning of a revolution to see God's hands at work.
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