Love Beyond Reason

by John Ortberg

How Do You Explain a Love That Has No Explanation? What will happen if you let it touch your heart? God loves you not because you are flawless, not because you are a perfect person, but just because you are. In Love Beyond Reason, John Ortberg reveals the God you’ve longed to encounter: a Father head-over-heels in love with you, his child, and intensely committed to your highest joy. Ortberg takes you to the very core of God’s being to discover a burning, passionate love that gives, and gives, and gives. He explores the life-changing ways this love has expressed itself through Jesus. And he shows how you, like Jesus, can love your mate, your family, your friends, and the world around you with the same practical, transforming love. Dispelling your fears and misconceptions of God, Love Beyond Reason brings you face-to-face with the Love that frees and empowers you to love.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Spirituality

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this reflection on the ridiculous nature of God's love. A very hopefilled and positive book. Challenging, as it inevitably makes me realize that I should be attempting to enable others to encounter the same sort of love and wondefully uplifting, cos it reassured me that God understands if I tend to make a pig's ear of it all. The lay out of the book was in 12 good length chapters looking at the different aspects of the overwhelming nature of God's care for us and then each chapter consisting of easily digested portions of three or four pages but I found the habit of placing quotes from the text dotted through the chapter a tad distracting and even a bit annoying. Ortberg also had the habit of using other people's 'off moments' as illustrations of his message whereas I feel i would have warmed to him more if he had used his own frailties as examples; even when he did he always seemed to express it in such a way as to lend himself a positive slant. However that is a minor gripe and I did find this a lovely lenten tool.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found quite a few noteworthy ideas about love presented here...Ortberg's primary analogy used throughout is comparing imperfect Christians (and their relationship to the heavenly Father) to the ratty rag-doll his daughter cared for & so loved during her youth. He makes the point that Jesus set out to create a church for the "rag-dolls" of the world who receive God's love even though they know they don't necessarily deserve it...who in turn extend it to others because they refuse to allow raggedness & imperfection keep them from loving others and feeling love. "To be loved when we're feeling unlovely, unlovable--that's life to someone who's dying. That's grace."

[Tiffany Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book more the second time around than even the first. I am the first to admit, it is difficult to understand God's love. It's not like He is there in the flesh bending over to hug you when you are in tears. But somehow he loves each person just the same more than we can imagine. John Ortberg's book spells out, as well as it seems you can, God's love to someone. The hard part is accepting his love, because I know I am not worthy of it, yet I must receive it to become His. It's also a good reminder that we are all 'ragdolls' with our own problems, struggles and blemishes and we are here to show God's love to everyone—not just those easy to love.

[Agnieszka · Rating 5 out of 5]

It't the third book by John Ortberg within one year (since I first discovered this author) and it's made again to my favorite's shelf.
I love the author's style and despite it's very challenging I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Ellen McKeown]

This book was given to me by a friend. I did not get around to reading this book until now. Like all books requiring great thought and reflection, this one took me forever to get through and became my advent project. This was a perfect choice for preparing for Christmas. The concept that God is crazy about you in spite of the raggedness of your being is inspiring. Feeling safe, chosen and contented is something that we can all experience if we are just receptive to the love of God. This book also helped me to remember my own power to love and transform others. Sometimes, when I am feeling a bit too much loss and like I am being ill-used by those who were still here, I start shutting down and thinking it might be easier to love fewer people. To refuse the gift of loving and being loved in return puts you into a dark place you don’t need to be.

[Joel Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Ortberg's writing. He describes somewhat complex topics in ways that are thoughtful with depth and encouraging for living the Christian life.

In this book, he describes multiple characteristics of the love of God. The attributes are encouraging and remind us of the overwhelming love of God beyond anything we deserve or can imagine. He ties in appropriate Scripture with real life stories and application. It brings perspectives on how God's love should change my life and how I respond.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter on grace. It gave me an expanded perspective on grace and was extremely encouraging.

If you are looking for a book to ground your faith and trust in God, this is a good place to start.

[Julianna Steen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ask me to give a short summary of what this book is about, honestly, it might be a little difficult. Basically, it is a compilation of stories from John Ortberg & stories from the Bible, interwoven together with reminders of how the Lord somehow loves even the most ragged dolls, the King loves the poorest peasant girl, and chose to step down into the mess of this world to show us His love. It was a quick listen/read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. It tells God's love for you and me. Why it is beyond reason and the joy and delights God takes in finding each one of us.

[Vladimir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth every minute I spent reading it

[Ian Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book!

[Bonie Schrupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read to remind me the depth of God's love, which I freely admit is beyond my human understanding. Encouraging that reinforces His continuing love, care and grace throughout life.

[Amanda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite books in the whole world

[Ella Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my Spiritual Formation class. Not a difficult read, and so so good!

[Erick Antonio Luis Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro de uno de mis autores favoritos, John Ortberg. Lleno de narraciones y anecdotas inspiradoras en lenguaje sencillo que nos ayuda a recordar que Dios nos ama y tiene cuidado de nosotros a pesar de nuestras fallas e imperfecciones...es un amor que no podemos medir...."Un más alla de la Razón"

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Not at all a bad read - it was actually kind of calming and comforting as an audiobook. I agree with one of the commenters who said it would be a good resource for sermon illustration. The section that touched me the most was about how God sends us through the desert to teach us how to use our faith without training wheels.

- We're all beloved rag dolls; others might not see our worth, but to someone, we are precious. (Spoiler alert: the someone is God.)

- God loves the outcasts, so we ought to love them, too.

- Casual golf is about the only time you can call a mulligan, but God says it's okay.

- We all build houses, and we all face storms (or wolves). We need a strong foundation.

- Finite things will not give us infinite satisfaction; only God's love can do that.

- We grow as we wander in the desert. It is a way for us to get stronger in our faith, and a prayer in the desert is just as precious, if not more, to God as a prayer in time of plenty.

- Remind yourself, I am beloved. That is my identity.

- There is something that only the Church can offer, and that is grace (though, sadly, that's not what the Church is advertising).

- Jesus is giving you a mulligan and calling you home, like Zaccheaus.

- That our God became a rag doll is the cornerstone of our faith.

- God's goodness is God's glory, and God's raggedness, and that God came for us.

[Alumine Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something bewildering about the human condition in that we all need to and want to be loved. And God has revealed himself as LOVE but we find it hard to grasp. Ortberg in this book deals with the misconceptions we have of God as an old man in the sky with a big stick ready to smack us for every misdemeanour. Ortberg writes this book in the hope we can understand the true and real nature of God’s love for us, which is beyond reason, beyond our expectations and can change our lives if we truly grasp it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s refreshing and well worth passing on once finished.

He also wrote ‘The Life you’ve Always wanted’ which is also very good.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-presented book about God's love, with interesting anecdotes and examples. A nice contrast to Philip Yancey and Brennan Manning on similar topics. Thought-provoking and very readable.

Definitely recommended; intended for believers or those on the fringe of the church, but could be of interest to others.

Re-read five years after first reading, and again eight years later. Enjoyed more each time.

Latest longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book in a Bible study, and I always recommend it to those that are looking to get back in the faith. My sister also loves it, if that is any indication. John Ortberg doesn't make you feel like a loser because you've forgotten some Bible passages or haven't seen them in awhile. I think that's really important for getting back into the faith or starting your Christian faith up anew.

That being said, it is a theological book, so if you're not into that sorta thing, it wouldn't be your cup of tea.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ortberg writes a real, relevant book about Grace. Parables are retold in understandable language, life stories and literary references add to the feeling that this is the thing that current culture seeks, but does not fully understand or accept - God's grace.
_____
Having finished the book, if you are a heavy theologian, I do not reccomend the book. I think you would be frustrated by Ortberg's over-simplification of theology. It is definitely written for the church layman or non-beliver to get a bsic understanding of the huge concept of grace.

[Giju Abraham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting books that builds on how God loves us undeserving as we are and how we should emulate that in our relationships on the earth. John Ortberg starts with an example of a 'ragged doll' and how it is precious to a child. It is compared to how God loves us even though we are ragged dolls with all out shortcomings and weaknesses. He continues to use this same example to focus on the various attributes of love on the earth. Overall an enjoyable book with a lot of interesting and inspiring stories.

[Brad H · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a quote in a book i am reading now that i think perfectly sums up why i think this book is important. "There is nothing that I am less good at than love, I am far better in competition than in love...failing in love is better than succeeding in pride" Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, page 72.
So, as it relates to the way i love my wife and my neighbor, its good to be challenged and stretched.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a really good, really easy read and I was glad to be reminded of how much God loves me. And it is a whole lot. I like how Ortberg writes, though I think that the transitions between his stories and his point were sometimes a little rough in this book, which hasn't really been the case in the other ones that I read. But overall, I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to all who need a reminder of how much God really and truly does love us.

[Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful exploration of the nature of God's love and how it can impact our lives. John Ortberg uses a combination of anecdotes, quotations and his own reflections. I particularly enjoyed his retelling of some of the Gospel stories and in looking at the Blessing - "The Lord turn his face toward you and give you his peace" Ortberg says: "to turn your face toward someone is to give that person your whole-hearted, undivided attention...this is the kind of attention God lavishes on us."

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book after feeling compelled to read and re-read 1 Corinthians 13 over and over again. We skip over that passage so quickly. We right it off as a flowery verse shared at weddings and associate it mostly with romantic love... this will illuminate to you the much deeper meaner and ignite in you Christ's passion for the lost and unlovable people of this world.

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting to discover the depths of love the Lord has for us. Armed with good storytelling techniques, putting across the salient points about God's immeasurable love He has for us, John Orthberg made the reading of this book seemingly easy to comprehend and allows you to fall in love with our fearful God. Very good for people who question the love God has for them.

[Arvid Birgersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

En fantastisk bok om Guds kärlek till oss människor. En bok som varje kristen skulle må bra av att läsa. Innan visste jag att Gud älskade mig, men att Gud älskade mig så mycket hade jag inte förstått! Ortberg är väldigt duktig på att lägga fram det hela så enkelt och ändå så klart och sant. Rekommenderar!

[Kelly (smeets_books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book! Very easy to read and gave many practical tips. It really made me think of how tall and wide the Father's love for us is. Full of personal stories to illustrate the point. Highly recommend this book to everyone (read Isaiah 43 too!)

[Wannie Michelmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of the book spoke more to me about God's loving grace, something that performance-based Christians find it hard to apprehend and internalize. The book had brought some tears into my eyes, parts that move me about how God loves us so. Good read for self-condemning Christians

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ortberg beautifully communicates the message of the Bible and God's love, grace and mercy for each of us ragged souls.
Fun to read and discuss with another ragged soul or a group.
I laughed, tilted my head and will read more Ortberg.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!