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One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World
Real life is long on law and short on grace—the demands never stop, the failures pile up, and fear sets in. Life requires many things from us—a stable marriage, successful children, a certain quality of life. Anyone living inside the guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life knows that the weight of life is heavy. We are all in need of some relief. Bestselling author Tullian Tchividjian is convinced our exhausted world needs a fresh encounter with God's inexhaustible grace—His one-way love. Sadly, however, Christianity is perceived as being a vehicle for good behavior and clean living—and the judgments that result from them—rather than the only recourse for those who have failed over and over and over again. Tchividjian convincingly shows that Christianity is not about good people getting better. If anything, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good. In this "manifesto," Tchividjian calls the church back to the heart of the Christian faith—grace. It is time for us to abandon our play-it-safe religion, and to get drunk on grace. Two hundred-proof, unflinching grace. It’s shocking and scary, unnatural and undomesticated … but it is also the only thing that can set us free and light the church—and the world—on fire.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
120 people are currently reading
842 people want to read
About the author
Tullian Tchividjian
20 books142 followersTchividjian is the grandchild of Reverend Billy Graham & Ruth Bell Graham & the son of Gigi Graham Tchividjian.
William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) was the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. A Florida native, he is a visiting professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and a grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham. Tullian was the founding pastor of the former New City Church which merged with Coral Ridge in April of 2009.
William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) was the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. A Florida native, he is a visiting professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and a grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham. Tullian was the founding pastor of the former New City Church which merged with Coral Ridge in April of 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
January 25, 2014
(1) The book, as a whole, is okay. I think Tchividjian is shooting a few "grace" shots from his east coast cathedral over the bow of a specific west coast cathedral. Both talk about needing a new reformation. Tchividjian says we need a new reformation of Grace; and the other chap says we need a new reformation based on deeds not creeds. I think he is also popping a few shots at those who used to be in his cathedral that had tried to unseat him from his Bishop's chair.
(2) It seems to me that Tchividjian gets the beauty of the grace stuff down nicely. That in this high-performance age, we must remember our identity in Christ. An unchangeable, unbreakable identity that is all undeserved and unearned.
(3) Most of my beef with Tchividjian is (important) second-tier stuff. He keeps painting sanctification as happening "naturally and spontaneous" (204), and that reaching for growth in sanctification is not proper. This kind of talk seems to neuter half of the NT (the application part, the portion that keeps on saying to us - "Take heed, and beware of..." (Luke 12.15), "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you..." (Hebrews 3.12-14) etc. And this talk seems to skip out on the from "babes" to "mature" language of the NT. His stuff on pages 187-90, "Does Grace Make You Lazy?" seems a bit off, esp. the idea that once we know the love of God we'll automatically love others "without being hammered with fresh injunctions" - which completely misses the interesting connection between Gal. 5.1 ("For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore,...") and Gal. 5.13 ("Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another"). Those are just a few examples.
I could pick away at a few more specifics, but I won't. There are some great observations, some excellent "one-liners", and in the end I think I can agree with him (in a broader sense, if not always on a few specifics).
(2) It seems to me that Tchividjian gets the beauty of the grace stuff down nicely. That in this high-performance age, we must remember our identity in Christ. An unchangeable, unbreakable identity that is all undeserved and unearned.
(3) Most of my beef with Tchividjian is (important) second-tier stuff. He keeps painting sanctification as happening "naturally and spontaneous" (204), and that reaching for growth in sanctification is not proper. This kind of talk seems to neuter half of the NT (the application part, the portion that keeps on saying to us - "Take heed, and beware of..." (Luke 12.15), "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you..." (Hebrews 3.12-14) etc. And this talk seems to skip out on the from "babes" to "mature" language of the NT. His stuff on pages 187-90, "Does Grace Make You Lazy?" seems a bit off, esp. the idea that once we know the love of God we'll automatically love others "without being hammered with fresh injunctions" - which completely misses the interesting connection between Gal. 5.1 ("For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore,...") and Gal. 5.13 ("Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another"). Those are just a few examples.
I could pick away at a few more specifics, but I won't. There are some great observations, some excellent "one-liners", and in the end I think I can agree with him (in a broader sense, if not always on a few specifics).
February 10, 2014
9/10 Chapters Were Fantastic!
I give this book 5 stars for the first 9 chapters and take away a star due to the final chapter. Pastor Tullian does an amazing job describing God's glorious, unmerited and unconditional "One Way Love". All throughout out he hammers home the beauty of what God has done and the futility of all our effort and exhaustion to try to control our lives and come to God in our own strength. I highlighted so many passages that I will no doubt return to. The book is well written and while deeply theological, he doesn't complicate the subject.
My biggest pushback is the final chapter where he deals with sin. I believe He misses some of the most beautiful aspects of grace, in that it is a supernatural enabling power to OVERCOME sin in our lives. To me it feels like he simply gives up and accepts that sin is inevitable and rather than fight it, we just lean into God's grace. He gives no real hope on how we can overcome sin, which I believe is the just as important to the grace message as is the fact that it is indeed "one way".
What about the fact that we are a new creations in Christ? What about the fact that Christ in us is our hope of glory? What about the fact that since He is our righteousness, we can now actually live righteously? What about the fact that we are now partakers of the divine nature?
I feel like all of the good news of the first 9 chapters just ends with a thud as he talks about how Martin Luther says we are both sinner and saint. It sounds like an oxymoron and a very confusing identity to lean on. I'm not saying that we don't ever sin, but I do believe God's grace is power to to overcome sin, not just have a place to run to for forgiveness (though it is that as well).
All said, this was a great book and definitely worth a read. I just wish it ended with better news than coming back to us just being sinners saved by grace.
I give this book 5 stars for the first 9 chapters and take away a star due to the final chapter. Pastor Tullian does an amazing job describing God's glorious, unmerited and unconditional "One Way Love". All throughout out he hammers home the beauty of what God has done and the futility of all our effort and exhaustion to try to control our lives and come to God in our own strength. I highlighted so many passages that I will no doubt return to. The book is well written and while deeply theological, he doesn't complicate the subject.
My biggest pushback is the final chapter where he deals with sin. I believe He misses some of the most beautiful aspects of grace, in that it is a supernatural enabling power to OVERCOME sin in our lives. To me it feels like he simply gives up and accepts that sin is inevitable and rather than fight it, we just lean into God's grace. He gives no real hope on how we can overcome sin, which I believe is the just as important to the grace message as is the fact that it is indeed "one way".
What about the fact that we are a new creations in Christ? What about the fact that Christ in us is our hope of glory? What about the fact that since He is our righteousness, we can now actually live righteously? What about the fact that we are now partakers of the divine nature?
I feel like all of the good news of the first 9 chapters just ends with a thud as he talks about how Martin Luther says we are both sinner and saint. It sounds like an oxymoron and a very confusing identity to lean on. I'm not saying that we don't ever sin, but I do believe God's grace is power to to overcome sin, not just have a place to run to for forgiveness (though it is that as well).
All said, this was a great book and definitely worth a read. I just wish it ended with better news than coming back to us just being sinners saved by grace.
March 29, 2016
One Way Love was such a powerful read and a great reminder of God's grace.
I learned a lot from this book, because the author presented things in ways I never thought of, and I also was reminded anew of other things.
There are only 10 chapters, so the book isn't long, but it does pack a lot of information and I definitely recommend it. I loved it!
*I received a complimentary eBook copy for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
I learned a lot from this book, because the author presented things in ways I never thought of, and I also was reminded anew of other things.
There are only 10 chapters, so the book isn't long, but it does pack a lot of information and I definitely recommend it. I loved it!
*I received a complimentary eBook copy for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
April 22, 2019
“The Bible is not a witness to the best people making it up to God; it's a witness to God making it down to the worst people. Far from being a book full of moral heroes whom we are commanded to emulate, what we discover is that the so-called heroes in the Bible are not really heroes at all. They fall and fail; they make huge mistakes; they get afraid; they're selfish, deceptive, egotistical, and unreliable. The Bible is one long story of God meeting our rebellion with His rescue, our sin with His salvation, our guilt with His grace, our badness with His goodness.”
This book was a challenge. It freed me, comforted me but also offended me, my pride, my accomplishments, my works, my tryings to become good enough for God in my own strength.
So, in the best way possible.
It is a little bit repetitive and all the things Tchividjian wanted to say could've been put into shorter book, but it's alright. I know I needed some of the points hammered into me couple of times before they started to sink in. And they still really haven't. But hey, it's a life long journey, of learning to let go and live in the terrifying freedom that God's unconditional, one way love offers us, every single day.
“It's when we come to the end of ourselves that we come to the beginning of grace.”
This book was a challenge. It freed me, comforted me but also offended me, my pride, my accomplishments, my works, my tryings to become good enough for God in my own strength.
So, in the best way possible.
It is a little bit repetitive and all the things Tchividjian wanted to say could've been put into shorter book, but it's alright. I know I needed some of the points hammered into me couple of times before they started to sink in. And they still really haven't. But hey, it's a life long journey, of learning to let go and live in the terrifying freedom that God's unconditional, one way love offers us, every single day.
“It's when we come to the end of ourselves that we come to the beginning of grace.”
August 1, 2019
As comforting a message as you could hope to receive.
October 1, 2013
About the Book:
Real life is long on law and short on grace--the demands never stop, the failures pile up, and fear sets in. Life requires many things from us--a stable marriage, successful children, a certain quality of life. Anyone living inside the guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life knows that the weight of life is heavy. We are all in need of some relief. Bestselling author Tullian Tchividjian is convinced our exhausted world needs a fresh encounter with God's inexhaustible grace--His one-way love. Sadly, however, Christianity is perceived as being a vehicle for good behavior and clean living--and the judgments that result from them--rather than the only recourse for those who have failed over and over and over again.
Tchividjian convincingly shows that Christianity is not about good people getting better. If anything, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good. In this "manifesto," Tchividjian calls the church back to the heart of the Christian faith--grace. It is time for us to abandon our play-it-safe religion, and to get drunk on grace. Two hundred-proof, unflinching grace. It's shocking and scary, unnatural and undomesticated ... but it is also the only thing that can set us free and light the church--and the world--on fire.
About the Author:
Tullian Tchividjian is the pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a visiting professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, and a grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham. The author of numerous books, including Jesus + Nothing = Everything and Glorious Ruin, Tchividjian speaks at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Kim, have three children.
My Review:
Tullian Tchividjian, grandson to one of the most famous evangelist of our time Billy Graham has written his latest based on a collection of his sermons on "grace". Grace is a one way love based on the fact that it only knows one way, there is no back and forth. If at any moment you walk away you will inevitably return, every time. The author tells a story of a time when he lost his job and he went to his dad for money to help him pay his bills. He dad signed over a blank check to him and didn't condemn him at all, like most parents would or that maybe he should of done. He gave it to him no questions asked. And the author even admitted to taking checks from his family on a regular basis , there for awhile without permission. He remarked how his dad knew but never said anything.
Also in the book the author keeps referring to a word I don't think I was aware of --- performancism. Performancism meaning the mindset that equates our identity and value directly to our performance and accomplishments. God's grace is not a conditional act. We need to remember that to be a Christian does not mean we are still not sinners and we may never fail again. God knows we are still going to sin or fall short. But thankfully as a result of his grace, he still loves us anyway and He will not forsake us because of His love and His grace we are unequivocally his children and we always will be.
If you would like to learn more you can visit this website link.
My sponsor would like to give away a copy of this book to one lucky reader, enter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Flyby Promotions.
Real life is long on law and short on grace--the demands never stop, the failures pile up, and fear sets in. Life requires many things from us--a stable marriage, successful children, a certain quality of life. Anyone living inside the guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life knows that the weight of life is heavy. We are all in need of some relief. Bestselling author Tullian Tchividjian is convinced our exhausted world needs a fresh encounter with God's inexhaustible grace--His one-way love. Sadly, however, Christianity is perceived as being a vehicle for good behavior and clean living--and the judgments that result from them--rather than the only recourse for those who have failed over and over and over again.
Tchividjian convincingly shows that Christianity is not about good people getting better. If anything, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good. In this "manifesto," Tchividjian calls the church back to the heart of the Christian faith--grace. It is time for us to abandon our play-it-safe religion, and to get drunk on grace. Two hundred-proof, unflinching grace. It's shocking and scary, unnatural and undomesticated ... but it is also the only thing that can set us free and light the church--and the world--on fire.
About the Author:
Tullian Tchividjian is the pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a visiting professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, and a grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham. The author of numerous books, including Jesus + Nothing = Everything and Glorious Ruin, Tchividjian speaks at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Kim, have three children.
My Review:
Tullian Tchividjian, grandson to one of the most famous evangelist of our time Billy Graham has written his latest based on a collection of his sermons on "grace". Grace is a one way love based on the fact that it only knows one way, there is no back and forth. If at any moment you walk away you will inevitably return, every time. The author tells a story of a time when he lost his job and he went to his dad for money to help him pay his bills. He dad signed over a blank check to him and didn't condemn him at all, like most parents would or that maybe he should of done. He gave it to him no questions asked. And the author even admitted to taking checks from his family on a regular basis , there for awhile without permission. He remarked how his dad knew but never said anything.
Also in the book the author keeps referring to a word I don't think I was aware of --- performancism. Performancism meaning the mindset that equates our identity and value directly to our performance and accomplishments. God's grace is not a conditional act. We need to remember that to be a Christian does not mean we are still not sinners and we may never fail again. God knows we are still going to sin or fall short. But thankfully as a result of his grace, he still loves us anyway and He will not forsake us because of His love and His grace we are unequivocally his children and we always will be.
If you would like to learn more you can visit this website link.
My sponsor would like to give away a copy of this book to one lucky reader, enter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Flyby Promotions.
September 14, 2013
*I received an ARC through NetGalley.*
I found this book to be uncomfortable and challenging in all the best ways. The concept of grace is one that I struggle with a great deal. After finishing One Way Love, I understand more both why I struggle and why my struggle is unnecessary. It is personal and universal all at once and I very much appreciate it. I started over immediately once I finished it because I desperately need to make the principles that Tchividjian puts forward an essential part of my faith and being.
My one semi-complaint about this book is that it is very repetitive. However, having been in therapy for years, I recognize the repetition as being similar to what a psychologist uses with a patient. Tchividjian repeats himself because what he's saying is simple to hear but difficult to fully grasp. As a reader, I found it to be slightly tedious only in that I didn't really want to understand what he was saying because it would result in my not being in control anymore. This - obviously - is not the author's fault, but he clearly knows his audience.
That having been said, this book is at the top of my list of "if I only buy one book for everyone this year, it will be..." One Way Love is easy to read, hard to comprehend, and a tremendously important book for Christianity today. My most sincere gratitude to Tullian Tchividjian for articulating such deep truth so well, following his own battles with the grace of God. I, for one, will never view grace the same; and I am healthier as a result.
Long story short, read this book: it may change your life.
I found this book to be uncomfortable and challenging in all the best ways. The concept of grace is one that I struggle with a great deal. After finishing One Way Love, I understand more both why I struggle and why my struggle is unnecessary. It is personal and universal all at once and I very much appreciate it. I started over immediately once I finished it because I desperately need to make the principles that Tchividjian puts forward an essential part of my faith and being.
My one semi-complaint about this book is that it is very repetitive. However, having been in therapy for years, I recognize the repetition as being similar to what a psychologist uses with a patient. Tchividjian repeats himself because what he's saying is simple to hear but difficult to fully grasp. As a reader, I found it to be slightly tedious only in that I didn't really want to understand what he was saying because it would result in my not being in control anymore. This - obviously - is not the author's fault, but he clearly knows his audience.
That having been said, this book is at the top of my list of "if I only buy one book for everyone this year, it will be..." One Way Love is easy to read, hard to comprehend, and a tremendously important book for Christianity today. My most sincere gratitude to Tullian Tchividjian for articulating such deep truth so well, following his own battles with the grace of God. I, for one, will never view grace the same; and I am healthier as a result.
Long story short, read this book: it may change your life.
September 22, 2013
Last week, when I traveled to the world conference for the American Association of Christian Counselors, I was blessed to meet one of my favorite authors, Tullian Tchvidjian who was also a speaker there. Much to my delight, they had advanced copies of his latest book, One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World (2013). I picked up two copies.
I have listened to many of the podcasted sermons by Tchvidjian and I have read all of his books and have deeply benefited from his ministry. I told him when I met him last week that he helped me to see grace in such a way that it has been changing my life. He has a very high view of grace. Though his award winning book Jesus + Nothing = Everything is probably his best known book, to this point, I think that I have most deeply enjoyed Surprised by Grace, an extended meditation on the book of Jonah. Having said that, I have a new favorite Tchvidjian book.
One Way Love is, in my opinion, the clearest explanation of his view of grace. Tchvidjian notes that the role of the Law is to show us our inability and to break us, but that the law alone cannot do anything for us. It is grace that empowers. It is grace that sanctifies. Tchvidjian revels in that grace.
I would highly recommend this book. It is an exceptional testimony to God's grace.
I have listened to many of the podcasted sermons by Tchvidjian and I have read all of his books and have deeply benefited from his ministry. I told him when I met him last week that he helped me to see grace in such a way that it has been changing my life. He has a very high view of grace. Though his award winning book Jesus + Nothing = Everything is probably his best known book, to this point, I think that I have most deeply enjoyed Surprised by Grace, an extended meditation on the book of Jonah. Having said that, I have a new favorite Tchvidjian book.
One Way Love is, in my opinion, the clearest explanation of his view of grace. Tchvidjian notes that the role of the Law is to show us our inability and to break us, but that the law alone cannot do anything for us. It is grace that empowers. It is grace that sanctifies. Tchvidjian revels in that grace.
I would highly recommend this book. It is an exceptional testimony to God's grace.
October 3, 2014
Mr. Tchividjian in One Way Love really caught and kept the idea of God's grace. And never let go of it. Tullian has a very wide understanding for God and he also has a unique way of explaining things. His ability to communicate through God and his grace is outstanding. Real life is long on law and short on grace. The demands never stop, the failures pile up, and fear sets in. Life requires many things from us; a stable marriage, successful children, a certain quality of life. Anyone living inside the guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life knows that the weight of life is heavy. We are all in need of some relief. This book is very emotional. Although in some parts of it, you'll want laugh until you cry. I couldn't stop reading this book. And I definitely don't think you'll be able to either. I'm starting to read it all over already! I recommend it for any age that can possibly read. It puts them on the right path for anyone. Best selling Tullian Tchividijian did a very well executed job showing God's saving grace towards us.
December 15, 2013
Best book I've read all year. I stumbled on it because of a facebook post. You know those moments when you read something or someone says something to you, and it changes your perspective by a quarter-turn, just enough to give you fresh vision and energy? This book did that for me.
Highly recommended, especially for Christians who are trying way too hard (and failing miserably) to be perfect in their own strength.
Highly recommended, especially for Christians who are trying way too hard (and failing miserably) to be perfect in their own strength.
April 13, 2017
This book provides lots to contemplate. Our small group plans to study the DVD series. It is a book that allows for freedom, but also calls for horizontal love and caring, inspired by the vertical love we have in relationship with God. I look forward to going through it again and discussing each chapter.
June 11, 2014
Amazing book on grace and absolutely saturated with the Gospel. Tullian's best book so far.
May 20, 2014
clear and insightful view of Grace and the freedom that God wants for us through His gift. helped me see grace through new eyes and a more tender heart
November 29, 2018
One of the hardest books for me to read through and digest, mainly because of where the author's theology took him. It is true that much in the book was interesting and helpful insight into my favorite topic: God's infinitely amazing grace. Yet, the author seemed to be saying the same thing, over and over and over. What was said in this extensive (book 200+ pages) could have been said in several chapters. Reading through the book was a reminder of why one's true beliefs are so critical to a life of obedience and, at the same time, a great reminder of positional truths about who we are in Christ, why that matters, and why we must stay tethered to the grace of God.
June 24, 2015
Drastic, Gratuitous, Liberating, Scandalous
. . . dangerous, reckless, irrational, absurd, shocking, rare, and surprising.
These are not the labels normally associated with the word “grace,” but Tullian Tchividjian would say that this is because our idea of grace is too tame. In One Way Love, he begins a conversation about the love of God that pulverizes the church’s embrace of performancism — the “mindset that equates our identity and value directly to our performance and accomplishments.” Because God’s love is not tied to our behavior (or even how well we love Him in return), we are free to honor God by practicing the same kind of one way love toward the people in our lives: the sinners and the saints, spouses and bosses, in-laws and out-laws.
This morning, as he was getting ready for work, my husband surprised me by asking, “Aren’t you reading a book by Tullian Tchividjian? You need to read this article in World Magazine.”
Are there words to describe the way a reader feels when she discovers that an author has lost his moorings? It has never been my practice to respond to current events in my blog posts — I’m just not usually free or organized enough to frame anything timely, but in this case the book had been read, the review nearly written when on June 22, 2015, Tullian released the following statement to the Washington Post:
“I resigned from my position at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church today due to ongoing marital issues. As many of you know, I returned from a trip a few months back and discovered that my wife was having an affair. Heartbroken and devastated, I informed our church leadership and requested a sabbatical to focus exclusively on my marriage and family. As her affair continued, we separated. Sadly and embarrassingly, I subsequently sought comfort in a friend and developed an inappropriate relationship myself. Last week I was approached by our church leaders and they asked me about my own affair. I admitted to it and it was decided that the best course of action would be for me to resign.”
In One Way Love, Tullian is very transparent about his marriage, its rocky beginning, and their struggle to live out their Christian life together. He devotes an entire chapter to the topic of grace in everyday life. Ironically, Marvin Olasky speaks from this angle in the report from World Magazine:
“Clearly, we need God’s grace. Any list of rules we impose drops us into legalism—and the Bible clearly shows us that legalism doesn’t work. Sometimes, though, we drop into antinomianism, the idea that we should scoff at all rules, and that doesn’t work either. When I interviewed Tchividjian four years ago, he was hard on rule-keeping, and he’s right when we confuse simplicity with salvation—but some simple rules make good sense. How does that apply here? No rule prevents adultery, but one rule does help—and ironically, in regard to this tragedy, it’s a rule that Tchividjian’s grandpa, Billy Graham, made famous. The Graham rule is that he would never meet, eat, or travel with a woman alone.”
Does this obvious need for boundaries in our everyday living negate what Tullian wrote about grace?
I don’t think so — at least, I don’t want to think so.
I have experienced the soul-crumpling weight of the law’s demands and am grateful for the aerodynamics of grace when it provides the lift and velocity to accomplish what the law requires. As mum to four and a gram-in-training, I long for — and am committed to — relational grace over manipulation and the follow-the-dots predictability and control that the law promises.
However, in Tullian’s own words, “it’s a low view of the Law that produces legalism, because a low view of the Law causes us to conclude that we can do it — the bar is low enough for us to jump over. A low view of the Law makes us think that the standards are attainable, the goals reachable, the demands are doable.”
And, too late, he realized that a low view of the Law would convince a man that he can “scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned,” (Proverbs 6:27), that he can open his heart to a woman-not-his-wife without falling into sin. I mourn over this moral train-wreck because Tullian Tchividijian has written a fine book, overflowing with truth about salvation by grace alone apart from our morbid introspection and preoccupation with performance. May we read and learn that the truth of God transcends the fidelity and the consistency of His messengers. May we hold a high view of the Law in one hand, and a high view of God’s grace in the other so that our hearts will not fall away from the open-handed love of God.
This book was provided by David C. Cook in exchange for my review. 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.”
. . . dangerous, reckless, irrational, absurd, shocking, rare, and surprising.
These are not the labels normally associated with the word “grace,” but Tullian Tchividjian would say that this is because our idea of grace is too tame. In One Way Love, he begins a conversation about the love of God that pulverizes the church’s embrace of performancism — the “mindset that equates our identity and value directly to our performance and accomplishments.” Because God’s love is not tied to our behavior (or even how well we love Him in return), we are free to honor God by practicing the same kind of one way love toward the people in our lives: the sinners and the saints, spouses and bosses, in-laws and out-laws.
This morning, as he was getting ready for work, my husband surprised me by asking, “Aren’t you reading a book by Tullian Tchividjian? You need to read this article in World Magazine.”
Are there words to describe the way a reader feels when she discovers that an author has lost his moorings? It has never been my practice to respond to current events in my blog posts — I’m just not usually free or organized enough to frame anything timely, but in this case the book had been read, the review nearly written when on June 22, 2015, Tullian released the following statement to the Washington Post:
“I resigned from my position at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church today due to ongoing marital issues. As many of you know, I returned from a trip a few months back and discovered that my wife was having an affair. Heartbroken and devastated, I informed our church leadership and requested a sabbatical to focus exclusively on my marriage and family. As her affair continued, we separated. Sadly and embarrassingly, I subsequently sought comfort in a friend and developed an inappropriate relationship myself. Last week I was approached by our church leaders and they asked me about my own affair. I admitted to it and it was decided that the best course of action would be for me to resign.”
In One Way Love, Tullian is very transparent about his marriage, its rocky beginning, and their struggle to live out their Christian life together. He devotes an entire chapter to the topic of grace in everyday life. Ironically, Marvin Olasky speaks from this angle in the report from World Magazine:
“Clearly, we need God’s grace. Any list of rules we impose drops us into legalism—and the Bible clearly shows us that legalism doesn’t work. Sometimes, though, we drop into antinomianism, the idea that we should scoff at all rules, and that doesn’t work either. When I interviewed Tchividjian four years ago, he was hard on rule-keeping, and he’s right when we confuse simplicity with salvation—but some simple rules make good sense. How does that apply here? No rule prevents adultery, but one rule does help—and ironically, in regard to this tragedy, it’s a rule that Tchividjian’s grandpa, Billy Graham, made famous. The Graham rule is that he would never meet, eat, or travel with a woman alone.”
Does this obvious need for boundaries in our everyday living negate what Tullian wrote about grace?
I don’t think so — at least, I don’t want to think so.
I have experienced the soul-crumpling weight of the law’s demands and am grateful for the aerodynamics of grace when it provides the lift and velocity to accomplish what the law requires. As mum to four and a gram-in-training, I long for — and am committed to — relational grace over manipulation and the follow-the-dots predictability and control that the law promises.
However, in Tullian’s own words, “it’s a low view of the Law that produces legalism, because a low view of the Law causes us to conclude that we can do it — the bar is low enough for us to jump over. A low view of the Law makes us think that the standards are attainable, the goals reachable, the demands are doable.”
And, too late, he realized that a low view of the Law would convince a man that he can “scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned,” (Proverbs 6:27), that he can open his heart to a woman-not-his-wife without falling into sin. I mourn over this moral train-wreck because Tullian Tchividijian has written a fine book, overflowing with truth about salvation by grace alone apart from our morbid introspection and preoccupation with performance. May we read and learn that the truth of God transcends the fidelity and the consistency of His messengers. May we hold a high view of the Law in one hand, and a high view of God’s grace in the other so that our hearts will not fall away from the open-handed love of God.
This book was provided by David C. Cook in exchange for my review. 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.”
February 21, 2019
This grace-filled book will remind you who you really are in God's sight as a believer: blameless, righteous, and beloved. This will not allow you to see Christianity (or your relationship with God) the same way again.
July 11, 2014
It wasn’t until his recent exit from The Gospel Coalition that I started paying attention to Tullian Tchividjian. I’d heard his name before, read some of his blogs, and knew he was one of Billy Graham’s grandsons, but I couldn’t tell you much about him or what made him distinctive. But when he got caught up in the middle of a bit of controversy with TGC, I decided to start paying closer attention.
There’s a bit of a debate/discussion in the Church right now over sanctification: what should the believer’s approach to it be, how should we preach on it, where does the power and motivation come from, etc. On the one hand you have folks who emphasize our own effort partnering with God in the process. On the other (and this is the camp Tchividjian is in), you have those whose sole focus is God’s grace-any effort on our part cannot be really mandated or exhorted but rather must come solely as a response to God’s grace.
I personally think both sides are looking at the same coin and arguing that what they see on their side is more important. In other words, they are more similar than they would care to admit. But I had more of an outsider’s perspective on it than anything-I wasn’t up to date on what each side had said in the past and what they really believed.
This is the lens that I read “One Way Love” through-what does Tullian say about the role of grace in our lives once we’ve trusted Christ with our life and salvation? But that’s not the only answer that I got in the process.
First, the Pros of the book:
-Tullian shares much of his personal story throughout the book. To say that he identifies with the Prodigal Son is an understatement. I hugely appreciated his humility and vulnerability-not many believers, let alone pastors, would feel comfortable being so open about where they’ve come from.
-Tullian’s writing style is conversational and warm-he’s not writing from some distant ivory tower or insecurely lashing out at his critics, but rather sharing his life and beliefs. It’s easy to identify with and to like him.
-Tullian uses many great sources to add to or flesh out some of his points. Tim Keller, Jerry Bridges, Brennan Manning, and Paul M.F. Zahl are just a few of those he references. You get the feeling that Tullian’s done his homework in researching what others have to say about grace and its role in our lives.
-Tullian champions grace. You can’t read too much of the book without his passion and love for the grace of God dripping off the page. This is a very good and refreshing thing.
There are, however, some Cons to the book:
-The book’s structure. Tullian says in the beginning that the book is adapted from a series of sermons…and it shows. It’s not a major flaw, but there are definitely ways where the book might have worked better if it had been designed as a book from the beginning. The book can be a tad repetitive at times.
-Tullian seems to generalizes those who are on the other side of the sanctification divide. This is, to an extent, unavoidable. But I couldn’t help but think several times “Do people really preach that way? Do people really teach that way?” I know Tullian has a lot of personal experience here that I don’t…but I don’t feel he backed up some of the claims he made about the “opponents of grace alone.”
In summary: I enjoyed “One Way Love” and had some definite personal takeaways. His descriptions of what unconditional grace looks like in marriage and relationships in general were especially convicting and inspiring. My eyes were opened to just how conditional my love often is and I was reminded of my constant need of grace.
I also thought his discussion in Chapter 10 of how total depravity affects Christians both before and after conversion to be very interesting (and worth some more thought).
As Tullian says, “We never outgrow our need for grace–ever” (p 219). This book is an excellent reminder of that, wherever we are on our journey of faith.
There’s a bit of a debate/discussion in the Church right now over sanctification: what should the believer’s approach to it be, how should we preach on it, where does the power and motivation come from, etc. On the one hand you have folks who emphasize our own effort partnering with God in the process. On the other (and this is the camp Tchividjian is in), you have those whose sole focus is God’s grace-any effort on our part cannot be really mandated or exhorted but rather must come solely as a response to God’s grace.
I personally think both sides are looking at the same coin and arguing that what they see on their side is more important. In other words, they are more similar than they would care to admit. But I had more of an outsider’s perspective on it than anything-I wasn’t up to date on what each side had said in the past and what they really believed.
This is the lens that I read “One Way Love” through-what does Tullian say about the role of grace in our lives once we’ve trusted Christ with our life and salvation? But that’s not the only answer that I got in the process.
First, the Pros of the book:
-Tullian shares much of his personal story throughout the book. To say that he identifies with the Prodigal Son is an understatement. I hugely appreciated his humility and vulnerability-not many believers, let alone pastors, would feel comfortable being so open about where they’ve come from.
-Tullian’s writing style is conversational and warm-he’s not writing from some distant ivory tower or insecurely lashing out at his critics, but rather sharing his life and beliefs. It’s easy to identify with and to like him.
-Tullian uses many great sources to add to or flesh out some of his points. Tim Keller, Jerry Bridges, Brennan Manning, and Paul M.F. Zahl are just a few of those he references. You get the feeling that Tullian’s done his homework in researching what others have to say about grace and its role in our lives.
-Tullian champions grace. You can’t read too much of the book without his passion and love for the grace of God dripping off the page. This is a very good and refreshing thing.
There are, however, some Cons to the book:
-The book’s structure. Tullian says in the beginning that the book is adapted from a series of sermons…and it shows. It’s not a major flaw, but there are definitely ways where the book might have worked better if it had been designed as a book from the beginning. The book can be a tad repetitive at times.
-Tullian seems to generalizes those who are on the other side of the sanctification divide. This is, to an extent, unavoidable. But I couldn’t help but think several times “Do people really preach that way? Do people really teach that way?” I know Tullian has a lot of personal experience here that I don’t…but I don’t feel he backed up some of the claims he made about the “opponents of grace alone.”
In summary: I enjoyed “One Way Love” and had some definite personal takeaways. His descriptions of what unconditional grace looks like in marriage and relationships in general were especially convicting and inspiring. My eyes were opened to just how conditional my love often is and I was reminded of my constant need of grace.
I also thought his discussion in Chapter 10 of how total depravity affects Christians both before and after conversion to be very interesting (and worth some more thought).
As Tullian says, “We never outgrow our need for grace–ever” (p 219). This book is an excellent reminder of that, wherever we are on our journey of faith.
October 2, 2013
I have never before read a book by Tullian Tchividjian(pronounced: nobody really knows...I like to trail off as I say it and hope no one calls me on it). I have read many blogs and comments by him and heard a few interviews. I have always been interested in what he said if not thoroughly convinced to agree with him. I have been encouraged by his focus on grace and intrigued by his emphasis on Law/Gospel(a seemingly distinctly Lutheran doctrine) and his assertion of "two types of legalism" as opposed to the legalism/licentiousness contrast that has typically been presented to me. I was pleased to find all of this in "One Way Love", and much more.
Tullian presents the case that we all, Christians and non-Christians alike, are driven by performance. We live in a world of conditionality, where it is always true that "accomplishment precedes acceptance;achievement precedes approval". This leads to a life driven by perfectionism, where failure leads to hopelessness and despair. Tullian contrasts this with the biblical message of One Way Love-love that is unconditional, not based on reciprocity. This is Grace. Goodness directed towards someone not based on what they have done and will do or can do, but simply based on the goodness of the Giver. Tullian expounds on this with some personal stories and statements about God's love and grace that will prick at the fleshly heart of the reader. There will be plenty of moments of initial dissent that blissfully lead to grateful agreement and a sense of "Why have I not known that longer?!?"
Tullian spends a good deal of time dealing with the Law/Gospel disticntion and answering the charge of "antinomianism" that is often leveled against those who preach "radical grace". He borrows an argument from J. Gresham Machen about how it is really a low view of Law, not a high view, that leads to legalism. Only those with a low view of God's Law feel like they have any chance of keeping it, whereas those who know their inability to keep the Law will constantly cling to grace and throw themselves at the mercy of our just Judge.
This leads to an area where I, and many, have struggled. How does the preaching and focus on grace keep from leading someone to a disregard for holy living? Or, put differently, does focusing on grace lead to sinful living and a lack of sanctification? Tullian does a beautiful job showing how grace is, not only a motivator but, the only sustainable and acceptable motivator for good works. It was very encouraging and I will be returning to this section to, let's say, utilize some of his thinking and his presentation on grace as a motivator for holy living.
What I found in this book is what I have found in Tullian's teaching, an overwhelming focus on God and His amazing grace. I was encouraged, repeatedly, to come to the well of grace and drink freely and to share that grace with others. Tullian encouraged me to be more gracious to myself and others by being less focused on myself and others. His constant effort to shift the reader's focus to God and away from self and circumstance, frees the reader to be gracious, to find our everything in the crucified and risen Christ. One Way Love reminds the reader that the Gospel allows the believer to rest easy because the work is finished, and done better than we could ever do anyway.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com
Tullian presents the case that we all, Christians and non-Christians alike, are driven by performance. We live in a world of conditionality, where it is always true that "accomplishment precedes acceptance;achievement precedes approval". This leads to a life driven by perfectionism, where failure leads to hopelessness and despair. Tullian contrasts this with the biblical message of One Way Love-love that is unconditional, not based on reciprocity. This is Grace. Goodness directed towards someone not based on what they have done and will do or can do, but simply based on the goodness of the Giver. Tullian expounds on this with some personal stories and statements about God's love and grace that will prick at the fleshly heart of the reader. There will be plenty of moments of initial dissent that blissfully lead to grateful agreement and a sense of "Why have I not known that longer?!?"
Tullian spends a good deal of time dealing with the Law/Gospel disticntion and answering the charge of "antinomianism" that is often leveled against those who preach "radical grace". He borrows an argument from J. Gresham Machen about how it is really a low view of Law, not a high view, that leads to legalism. Only those with a low view of God's Law feel like they have any chance of keeping it, whereas those who know their inability to keep the Law will constantly cling to grace and throw themselves at the mercy of our just Judge.
This leads to an area where I, and many, have struggled. How does the preaching and focus on grace keep from leading someone to a disregard for holy living? Or, put differently, does focusing on grace lead to sinful living and a lack of sanctification? Tullian does a beautiful job showing how grace is, not only a motivator but, the only sustainable and acceptable motivator for good works. It was very encouraging and I will be returning to this section to, let's say, utilize some of his thinking and his presentation on grace as a motivator for holy living.
What I found in this book is what I have found in Tullian's teaching, an overwhelming focus on God and His amazing grace. I was encouraged, repeatedly, to come to the well of grace and drink freely and to share that grace with others. Tullian encouraged me to be more gracious to myself and others by being less focused on myself and others. His constant effort to shift the reader's focus to God and away from self and circumstance, frees the reader to be gracious, to find our everything in the crucified and risen Christ. One Way Love reminds the reader that the Gospel allows the believer to rest easy because the work is finished, and done better than we could ever do anyway.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com
May 3, 2014
I read one way love , in exchange for honest review from FlyBy Blog Promotions.
I chose this book because I do not understand God's Grace and Mercy. The book consists of 10 chapters. In Chapter 1, Introduction, Tullian discussed Performancism, which best fits me sometimes. According to Tullian, Performancism is the mindset that equates our identity and value directly to our performance and accomplishments,(p. 20). We can let our achievements define our identity. Our money, looks, cars, and degrees can set the stage for our worth and value. When the job or car is gone, then our identity is gone.
I used to work at a manufacturing plant. One of the female employees drove a nice racing car, with all the fixes and updates. She got into a car accident and the racing car was totaled. She was more upset over the car than her life.
For me, I did not feel complete until I got my bachelor's degree, even though I rarely use it. I felt that I was letting people down because I did not finish college early in life, like you are supposed to. It took 13 years and multiple colleges to get one degree, yet it is a degree without experience, if I don't use it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to achieve the good things in life, but those things should not define us. Tullian said that people spend a lot of time building up their reputation and image but at a cost to others and ourselves (p. 20). Page 20 also says Performancism is a form of worship--we spend our lives frantically propping up our images or reputations, trying to do it all--and do it all well--often at a cost to ourselves and those we love (p. 20). Instead of focusing on the important things, we focus on the things, which can improve our image, instead of dedicating and focusing our lives on God.
The book teaches people about Grace and how to move in God's grace. Tullian says we can not play it safe anymore (p. 25). We need to be saved and bring others to Christ. This will bring a revival to the Christian faith.
Chapter 2 discusses the exhausted world. We have responsibilities. Sometimes we take on too much responsibility. More responsibilities means you have to perform in more roles. You will fail and you will succeed in life. Problems will occur. Plenty of expectations, rewards, and punishments. We get stressed and burnt out. While, grace is pure, simple, irrational, giving, generous, terrifying, and rare, in addition grace is love that seeks you out when you have nothing to give in return (p. 32).
This was a good read. This book must be read slow because it has a lot of knowledge and wisdom. It is available in print and kindle format. Have a blessed day.
February 6, 2015
4.5 stars
A celebration of God's one-way love, of Jesus' death for sinners, of the good news of the gospel for all. This author understands Law and Gospel and writes to share his joy in the solid assurance we have as Christians in God's unconditional love.
Great read!
“Jesus came to release us from the slavish need to be right, rewarded, regarded, and respected. Because Jesus came to set the captives free, life does not have to be a tireless effort to establish ourselves, justify ourselves, and validate ourselves.” (36)
“if you want to make people mad, preach law. If you want to make them really, really mad, preach grace.” I didn’t know what he meant then, but I do now. The law offends us because it tells us what to do--and most of the time, we hate anyone telling us what to do. But ironically, grace offends us even more, because it tells us that there is nothing we can do, that everything has already been done. And if there is something we hate more than being told what to do, it’s being told that we can’t do anything, that we can’t earn anything--that we are helpless, weak, and needy.” (72)
“Grace generates panic, because it wrestles both control and glory out of our hands. This means that the part of you that gets angry and upset and mean and defensive and slanderous and critical and skeptical and feisty when you hear about God’s one-way love is the very part of you that is still enslaved.” (73)
“I wish I could say I do everything for God’s glory. I can’t. Neither can you. What I can say is Jesus’ blood covers all my efforts to glorify myself. I wish I could say Jesus fully satisfies me. I can’t. Neither can you. What I can say is Jesus fully satisfied God for me.” (94)
“The refrain repeated through this books is that everything we need, we already possess in Christ. This means that the what-if has been taken out of the equation. We can take absurd risks, push harder, go further, and leave it all on the field without fear--and have fun doing so. We can give with reckless abandon, because we no longer need to ensure a return of success, love, meaning, validation, and approval. We can invest freely and forcefully, because we've been freely and forcefully invested in." (188)
“The gospel is not just the diving board off of which we jump into the pool of Christianity… it is the pool that we swim in each and every day.” (213)
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion.” Bennan Manning, (226).
A celebration of God's one-way love, of Jesus' death for sinners, of the good news of the gospel for all. This author understands Law and Gospel and writes to share his joy in the solid assurance we have as Christians in God's unconditional love.
Great read!
“Jesus came to release us from the slavish need to be right, rewarded, regarded, and respected. Because Jesus came to set the captives free, life does not have to be a tireless effort to establish ourselves, justify ourselves, and validate ourselves.” (36)
“if you want to make people mad, preach law. If you want to make them really, really mad, preach grace.” I didn’t know what he meant then, but I do now. The law offends us because it tells us what to do--and most of the time, we hate anyone telling us what to do. But ironically, grace offends us even more, because it tells us that there is nothing we can do, that everything has already been done. And if there is something we hate more than being told what to do, it’s being told that we can’t do anything, that we can’t earn anything--that we are helpless, weak, and needy.” (72)
“Grace generates panic, because it wrestles both control and glory out of our hands. This means that the part of you that gets angry and upset and mean and defensive and slanderous and critical and skeptical and feisty when you hear about God’s one-way love is the very part of you that is still enslaved.” (73)
“I wish I could say I do everything for God’s glory. I can’t. Neither can you. What I can say is Jesus’ blood covers all my efforts to glorify myself. I wish I could say Jesus fully satisfies me. I can’t. Neither can you. What I can say is Jesus fully satisfied God for me.” (94)
“The refrain repeated through this books is that everything we need, we already possess in Christ. This means that the what-if has been taken out of the equation. We can take absurd risks, push harder, go further, and leave it all on the field without fear--and have fun doing so. We can give with reckless abandon, because we no longer need to ensure a return of success, love, meaning, validation, and approval. We can invest freely and forcefully, because we've been freely and forcefully invested in." (188)
“The gospel is not just the diving board off of which we jump into the pool of Christianity… it is the pool that we swim in each and every day.” (213)
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion.” Bennan Manning, (226).
September 23, 2013
I’ve never liked one-way streets in downtown areas. Whether it was my hometown of Baltimore, or more recently in Winston-Salem, knowing that there are one-way streets close by would stress me out. I guess I feared I would accidentally take an erroneous turn and meet one-way traffic head on. But really, when you are struck head-on by God’s grace, it is much more powerful. Not in a destructive sense, ironically, but actually in a sense of healing and restoration. Tullian Tchividjian’s new book One Way Love talks all about the indelible grace that God freely distributes. I listened to the audiobook Jesus + Nothing = Everything a couple of times and was tremendously blessed by his biblical counsel mainly from the book of Colossians. One Way Love takes more of a topical approach to applying biblical truth, and I would most definitely believe it would be a great idea to spend time thinking about God’s relentless grace as explained in the words of Tchividjian.
Especially in the last year or so, I’ve really taken an interest to trying to understand the compatibility between Law and Grace. Much is mentioned about both in One Way Love but of course the latter is what drives his thesis, as it would be expected. What really struck me is in Tchividjian’s explanation on how the law is indeed offensive, but that grace is even more so. I’ve probably heard it explained by pastors and theologians several times before, but of all of the explanations I’ve heard before, nothing quite hit me as hard as this time. Tullian writes:
“The law offends us because it tells us what to do – and most of the time we hate anybody telling us what to do. But ironically, grace offends us even more, because it tells us there is nothing we can do – that everything already has been done. And if there’s something we hate more than being told what to do, it’s being told that we can’t do anything, that we can’t earn anything – that we are helpless, weak, and needy.” (pg. 47)
That’s offensive, but the wonderful news is…that it’s true. And that’s what you will constantly be exposed to in One Way Love: God’s offensive, extravagant, glorious grace.
—
I received this book for free from Net Galley, all opinions and comments were my own.
Especially in the last year or so, I’ve really taken an interest to trying to understand the compatibility between Law and Grace. Much is mentioned about both in One Way Love but of course the latter is what drives his thesis, as it would be expected. What really struck me is in Tchividjian’s explanation on how the law is indeed offensive, but that grace is even more so. I’ve probably heard it explained by pastors and theologians several times before, but of all of the explanations I’ve heard before, nothing quite hit me as hard as this time. Tullian writes:
“The law offends us because it tells us what to do – and most of the time we hate anybody telling us what to do. But ironically, grace offends us even more, because it tells us there is nothing we can do – that everything already has been done. And if there’s something we hate more than being told what to do, it’s being told that we can’t do anything, that we can’t earn anything – that we are helpless, weak, and needy.” (pg. 47)
That’s offensive, but the wonderful news is…that it’s true. And that’s what you will constantly be exposed to in One Way Love: God’s offensive, extravagant, glorious grace.
—
I received this book for free from Net Galley, all opinions and comments were my own.
October 19, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World by Tullian Tchividjian, ©2013
A reminder that God's Grace to us is not dependent upon our performance. It is His reaching to us and not our striving to Him.
Grace: A Gift Eternal
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
--Romans 3:20-24
We become aware of sin through law.
I have come to set the captives free.
--Luke 4:18
Law cannot set us free; cannot lead us by controlling what we believe will keep us from falling. Rather, standing with Christ and what He has done for us, and reached to us belies our striving to do for Him to keep us afloat. He is enough. Nothing we can do will make Him love us more. He loves us. Period.
Two examples of note are Victor Hugo's Les Misérables and the part where the constable brings Jean Valjean to the Bishop, accused of stealing the silver. Not only does Bishop Bienvenu not accuse him, but says, "You forgot the candlesticks." Mercy. The other is the story of Zacchaeus, whose name means "pure." His joyful replenishment was not before but after the grace given to him by Jesus. He just loved him, without demands.
God's Grace is inexhaustible. There is more, so much, much more readily available for us ~ to receive.
***Thank you to FlyBy Promotions Blogger Network for sending me a copy of Tullian Tchividjian's One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World by Tullian Tchividjian, ©2013
A reminder that God's Grace to us is not dependent upon our performance. It is His reaching to us and not our striving to Him.
Grace: A Gift Eternal
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
--Romans 3:20-24
We become aware of sin through law.
I have come to set the captives free.
--Luke 4:18
Law cannot set us free; cannot lead us by controlling what we believe will keep us from falling. Rather, standing with Christ and what He has done for us, and reached to us belies our striving to do for Him to keep us afloat. He is enough. Nothing we can do will make Him love us more. He loves us. Period.
Two examples of note are Victor Hugo's Les Misérables and the part where the constable brings Jean Valjean to the Bishop, accused of stealing the silver. Not only does Bishop Bienvenu not accuse him, but says, "You forgot the candlesticks." Mercy. The other is the story of Zacchaeus, whose name means "pure." His joyful replenishment was not before but after the grace given to him by Jesus. He just loved him, without demands.
God's Grace is inexhaustible. There is more, so much, much more readily available for us ~ to receive.
***Thank you to FlyBy Promotions Blogger Network for sending me a copy of Tullian Tchividjian's One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
August 20, 2014
One Way Love
An Anchor for The Soul
Inadequate. Unworthy. Exhausted. Too busy. Too messy.
These are just a few of the hundreds of reasons why people in this generation feel like they cannot measure up to the standards of the God of the universe. Tullian Tchividjian, grandson of world-famous pastor Billy Graham, sets out to obliterate these common thoughts of inadequacy within the world of religion. Far too often, the message of “get your act together and God will finally love you” is preached from right within the pulpits of America. This isn’t what Jesus teaches. In fact, it’s the polar opposite! He wants us just as we are, bringing nothing to the table but ourselves. He doesn’t love us for our potential; he loves us for who we are right at this moment. His grace has proven to Tchividjian over and over again to be inexhaustible and he so eloquently takes us through his own life’s journey as a high school dropout to preaching to 3,000 people every Sunday at his mega church in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
When I began reading this book, it was only a few pages in that I realized how prevalent the issue of grace verses law is in the world I live in today. I also read his book “Jesus+Nothing=Everything” earlier in the summer, but it was nothing in comparison to “One Way Love”. “Jesus+Nothing=Everything” was mainly about how there is absolutely nothing we can do to add to Jesus and nothing we need to bring to him. This was a foundational message for this book because now that we know we cannot bring anything to the table, we can have hope in the truth that the Lord will not condemn us when we do mess up, which is inevitable. Tchividjian doesn’t just point out the flaws of Christians or religious people; he clearly walks us through the solution to those issues. His thesis statement that threads throughout the book is that his grace does NOT breed recklessness; his grace breeds a genuine thirst for more of him which comes with obedience.
An Anchor for The Soul
Inadequate. Unworthy. Exhausted. Too busy. Too messy.
These are just a few of the hundreds of reasons why people in this generation feel like they cannot measure up to the standards of the God of the universe. Tullian Tchividjian, grandson of world-famous pastor Billy Graham, sets out to obliterate these common thoughts of inadequacy within the world of religion. Far too often, the message of “get your act together and God will finally love you” is preached from right within the pulpits of America. This isn’t what Jesus teaches. In fact, it’s the polar opposite! He wants us just as we are, bringing nothing to the table but ourselves. He doesn’t love us for our potential; he loves us for who we are right at this moment. His grace has proven to Tchividjian over and over again to be inexhaustible and he so eloquently takes us through his own life’s journey as a high school dropout to preaching to 3,000 people every Sunday at his mega church in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
When I began reading this book, it was only a few pages in that I realized how prevalent the issue of grace verses law is in the world I live in today. I also read his book “Jesus+Nothing=Everything” earlier in the summer, but it was nothing in comparison to “One Way Love”. “Jesus+Nothing=Everything” was mainly about how there is absolutely nothing we can do to add to Jesus and nothing we need to bring to him. This was a foundational message for this book because now that we know we cannot bring anything to the table, we can have hope in the truth that the Lord will not condemn us when we do mess up, which is inevitable. Tchividjian doesn’t just point out the flaws of Christians or religious people; he clearly walks us through the solution to those issues. His thesis statement that threads throughout the book is that his grace does NOT breed recklessness; his grace breeds a genuine thirst for more of him which comes with obedience.
May 26, 2014
If you eat your spinach, you will be healthy. If you study, you will get good grades. If you smile, people will like you.
Pastor Tullian Tchividjian points out that Christians often approach God in the same way. If … then.
Sure, we recognize that we have broken the Law of God, and that disqualifies us for eternity with God. That’s why we have Jesus, right? Jesus paid the penalty of my breaking the Law. Salvation. He paid the ultimate price for our sins. Thank you, Jesus.
Then, we go right back to what Tchividjian calls performancism. We acknowledge that we can’t get into heaven on our own, and Jesus paid that price, but there are treasures for us to earn, a smile from God to get, a cheer from the angels to spur, stars to reach.
We’re exhausted.
The Gospel heralds a great reversal in which acceptance precedes achievement and mercy comes before merit.
We get caught up in our works and have not understood the greatness of the Law. Somehow, we revert back to works and legalism, performancism.
… a low view of law always produces legalism; a high view of law makes a person a seeker after grace. J. Gresham Machen
Preoccupation with our performance stifles our creativity, our energy, and our relationships. When we turn our focus on the grace of God, we naturally serve others with abandon.
This is very similar to the dynamic, we saw at work with the apostle Peter and with Zacchaeus, the same one we see with many of those that Jesus heals.
This is the freedom a Christian experiences when at the end of all that is possible, Jesus takes that person by the hand, lifts that person to her feet, breathes new health, new hope, new possibilities into her, and says “You are Mine, My child. Nothing is impossible for you through Me.”
Grace. Belovedness before loveliness.
Have you forgotten?
Read this book and bask in His One Way Love.
Pastor Tullian Tchividjian points out that Christians often approach God in the same way. If … then.
Sure, we recognize that we have broken the Law of God, and that disqualifies us for eternity with God. That’s why we have Jesus, right? Jesus paid the penalty of my breaking the Law. Salvation. He paid the ultimate price for our sins. Thank you, Jesus.
Then, we go right back to what Tchividjian calls performancism. We acknowledge that we can’t get into heaven on our own, and Jesus paid that price, but there are treasures for us to earn, a smile from God to get, a cheer from the angels to spur, stars to reach.
We’re exhausted.
The Gospel heralds a great reversal in which acceptance precedes achievement and mercy comes before merit.
We get caught up in our works and have not understood the greatness of the Law. Somehow, we revert back to works and legalism, performancism.
… a low view of law always produces legalism; a high view of law makes a person a seeker after grace. J. Gresham Machen
Preoccupation with our performance stifles our creativity, our energy, and our relationships. When we turn our focus on the grace of God, we naturally serve others with abandon.
This is very similar to the dynamic, we saw at work with the apostle Peter and with Zacchaeus, the same one we see with many of those that Jesus heals.
This is the freedom a Christian experiences when at the end of all that is possible, Jesus takes that person by the hand, lifts that person to her feet, breathes new health, new hope, new possibilities into her, and says “You are Mine, My child. Nothing is impossible for you through Me.”
Grace. Belovedness before loveliness.
Have you forgotten?
Read this book and bask in His One Way Love.
January 18, 2014
This book gripped me like no other in quite a while.
One-way love is grace.
God is the primary force of one-way love.
Grace motivates love in action unlike law or Law (we may think) is supposed to do.
This guy's life was a train wreck for his family, himself until his father's unrelenting grace led him to Christ.
As a Christian he developed a performance mindset, a "I need to be better and more" attitude until his people in his new congregation led him to the end of himself and his 'doing'. His idol of pleasing everyone and being affirmed by everyone did not produce for him and he was left with really, what Jesus has done for him. Not what he can / must do for Jesus.
Jesus has done it all, it is finished.
He wraps the message of the Gospel applied to himself, his marriage, his family, his work --- through this understanding of one-way grace. The Gospel is enough, Jesus is enough. Relax. Trust. Rest.
"Because of the totality of sin's effect...we never outgrow the need for Christ's finished work on our behalf--we never graduate beyond our desperate need for Christ's righteousness and His strong and perfect blood-soaked plea 'before the throne of God above'."
...that is why the Gospel is just as much for Christians as it is for non-Christians. Our dire need for God's grace doesn't get smaller after God saves us. In one sense, it actually gets bigger. Christian growth, says the apostle Peter, is always growth into grace, not away from it.
So Christian growth does not involve becoming stronger and stronger, more and more competent every day. It involves becoming more and more aware of how week Jesus was and continues to be for us. p223
The Gospel is Good News indeed for me. Again. Still. After 42 years.
One-way love is grace.
God is the primary force of one-way love.
Grace motivates love in action unlike law or Law (we may think) is supposed to do.
This guy's life was a train wreck for his family, himself until his father's unrelenting grace led him to Christ.
As a Christian he developed a performance mindset, a "I need to be better and more" attitude until his people in his new congregation led him to the end of himself and his 'doing'. His idol of pleasing everyone and being affirmed by everyone did not produce for him and he was left with really, what Jesus has done for him. Not what he can / must do for Jesus.
Jesus has done it all, it is finished.
He wraps the message of the Gospel applied to himself, his marriage, his family, his work --- through this understanding of one-way grace. The Gospel is enough, Jesus is enough. Relax. Trust. Rest.
"Because of the totality of sin's effect...we never outgrow the need for Christ's finished work on our behalf--we never graduate beyond our desperate need for Christ's righteousness and His strong and perfect blood-soaked plea 'before the throne of God above'."
...that is why the Gospel is just as much for Christians as it is for non-Christians. Our dire need for God's grace doesn't get smaller after God saves us. In one sense, it actually gets bigger. Christian growth, says the apostle Peter, is always growth into grace, not away from it.
So Christian growth does not involve becoming stronger and stronger, more and more competent every day. It involves becoming more and more aware of how week Jesus was and continues to be for us. p223
The Gospel is Good News indeed for me. Again. Still. After 42 years.
October 16, 2013
One Way Love
By: Tullian Tchividjian
Great book on Grace. By God's Grace we are forgiven. Something we really don't deserve but am given by God. This book will make you search your own life and what you are doing. Are you giving Grace as Christ would you! Loved the book very well written.
Book Description
Real life is long on law and short on grace--the demands never stop, the failures pile up, and fear sets in. Life requires many things from us--a stable marriage, successful children, a certain quality of life. Anyone living inside the guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life knows that the weight of life is heavy. We are all in need of some relief.
Bestselling author Tullian Tchividjian is convinced our exhausted world needs a fresh encounter with God's inexhaustible grace--His one-way love. Sadly, however, Christianity is perceived as being a vehicle for good behavior and clean living--and the judgments that result from them--rather than the only recourse for those who have failed over and over and over again. Tchividjian convincingly shows that Christianity is not about good people getting better. If anything, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good.
In this "manifesto," Tchividjian calls the church back to the heart of the Christian faith--grace. It is time for us to abandon our play-it-safe religion, and to get drunk on grace. Two hundred-proof, unflinching grace. It's shocking and scary, unnatural and undomesticated ... but it is also the only thing that can set us free and light the church--and the world--on fire.
By: Tullian Tchividjian
Great book on Grace. By God's Grace we are forgiven. Something we really don't deserve but am given by God. This book will make you search your own life and what you are doing. Are you giving Grace as Christ would you! Loved the book very well written.
Book Description
Real life is long on law and short on grace--the demands never stop, the failures pile up, and fear sets in. Life requires many things from us--a stable marriage, successful children, a certain quality of life. Anyone living inside the guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life knows that the weight of life is heavy. We are all in need of some relief.
Bestselling author Tullian Tchividjian is convinced our exhausted world needs a fresh encounter with God's inexhaustible grace--His one-way love. Sadly, however, Christianity is perceived as being a vehicle for good behavior and clean living--and the judgments that result from them--rather than the only recourse for those who have failed over and over and over again. Tchividjian convincingly shows that Christianity is not about good people getting better. If anything, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good.
In this "manifesto," Tchividjian calls the church back to the heart of the Christian faith--grace. It is time for us to abandon our play-it-safe religion, and to get drunk on grace. Two hundred-proof, unflinching grace. It's shocking and scary, unnatural and undomesticated ... but it is also the only thing that can set us free and light the church--and the world--on fire.
June 3, 2014
"The one-way love of God frees us from the oppressive pressure to perform, the slavish demand to 'become.' God is not waiting for us to do or not do something in order to unlock his love. The gospel declares that in Christ, we already are everything that we need to be."
This book, like the gospel message itself, is as simple--and profound--as it gets. What both Christians and non-Christians need to hear, clearly, unapologetically, and repeatedly, is the life-changing, world-altering truth that in Christ, "it is finished." In this book, Tullian communicates that absolutely fundamental message in a powerfully straightforward way, rejecting our culture's constant attempts to modify it, qualify it, and explain it away. From the pages of Scripture, personal experience, and abundance of vivid examples, he shows that only pure, unadulterated grace of the kind that God demonstrated to us "while we were yet sinners" has the power to end our incessant striving for acceptance in the eyes of God, ourselves, and others. In a culture obsessed with performance, merit, results, and effort, the gospel speaks a word of indescribable, inexhaustible relief, inviting us to find rest, freedom, and peace in the perfect accomplishment of Jesus Christ. There is no one who will not benefit from reading this book, because there is no one who does not need to hear--and hear again--that incredible, radical good news.
This book, like the gospel message itself, is as simple--and profound--as it gets. What both Christians and non-Christians need to hear, clearly, unapologetically, and repeatedly, is the life-changing, world-altering truth that in Christ, "it is finished." In this book, Tullian communicates that absolutely fundamental message in a powerfully straightforward way, rejecting our culture's constant attempts to modify it, qualify it, and explain it away. From the pages of Scripture, personal experience, and abundance of vivid examples, he shows that only pure, unadulterated grace of the kind that God demonstrated to us "while we were yet sinners" has the power to end our incessant striving for acceptance in the eyes of God, ourselves, and others. In a culture obsessed with performance, merit, results, and effort, the gospel speaks a word of indescribable, inexhaustible relief, inviting us to find rest, freedom, and peace in the perfect accomplishment of Jesus Christ. There is no one who will not benefit from reading this book, because there is no one who does not need to hear--and hear again--that incredible, radical good news.
January 30, 2015
I had read Tchividjian's "Jesus + Nothing = Everything" a while back and found it good, but didn't give it a lot of thought once I had finished it. I was reintroduced to him through his connections with the Mockingbird ministry/blog and even the controversy related to him and The Gospel Coalition. Then I recently had some conversations with someone who was greatly helped by his teaching. All of that led me to want to read more of his books, so when I saw the Kindle version of this book at a low price, I bought it. I noticed the sub-title, "Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World" and thought of recent conversations I've had with and about fellow Christians that just seemed beat down and tired.
This book was very encouraging, and I believe I'll be thinking about it for a while. I've seen a lot of people really struggling to work to gain acceptance (perhaps without knowing it) from God and others. We seem to be unable to latch on to the truth that through the work of Jesus, we have a perfect love and acceptance that can never be taken away. We don't need to work for those things any more. This really is a battle we all fight because God's grace is so counter to how the world operates, the voices we constantly hear telling us we need to work for all we get.
That's why Tchividjian's message is so refreshing and helpful. It brings up a lot of questions, a lot to think through, but that is good. I think this would be worthwhile read for every Christian.
This book was very encouraging, and I believe I'll be thinking about it for a while. I've seen a lot of people really struggling to work to gain acceptance (perhaps without knowing it) from God and others. We seem to be unable to latch on to the truth that through the work of Jesus, we have a perfect love and acceptance that can never be taken away. We don't need to work for those things any more. This really is a battle we all fight because God's grace is so counter to how the world operates, the voices we constantly hear telling us we need to work for all we get.
That's why Tchividjian's message is so refreshing and helpful. It brings up a lot of questions, a lot to think through, but that is good. I think this would be worthwhile read for every Christian.
August 25, 2015
A fun book to see a non-Lutheran fall in love with Luther's theology. Coming from a pastoral context, Tchividjian finds the wealth of greatness that comes from using Luther's theology as pastoral care. The author has a great eye for keeping theology practical in understanding your own story and helping people get through questions of identity.
The theme exhaustion was only found in the first few chapters and left me wanting more. Exhaustion is a wonderful conversation starter in our over worked culture. The doctrine that our identity is given to us and not earned is a mind blowing proclamation that our world needs to hear.
Being a Lutheran, I was excited to see how a non-Lutheran would pick up Luther's theology. Tchividjian did quite well in making Luther's theology accessible to a diverse audience. The only point that I that could have been improved was the chapter on good works. Luther has profound things to say about good works, but they fall under the banner of sanctification and not justification. This book does a great job in talking about law/gospel dynamics but could be even more strengthened if the author continued for a few more chapters leading to a conversation that draws the line between sanctification and justification.
Highly recommend reading this book. I read it as a devotional and it worked really well.
The theme exhaustion was only found in the first few chapters and left me wanting more. Exhaustion is a wonderful conversation starter in our over worked culture. The doctrine that our identity is given to us and not earned is a mind blowing proclamation that our world needs to hear.
Being a Lutheran, I was excited to see how a non-Lutheran would pick up Luther's theology. Tchividjian did quite well in making Luther's theology accessible to a diverse audience. The only point that I that could have been improved was the chapter on good works. Luther has profound things to say about good works, but they fall under the banner of sanctification and not justification. This book does a great job in talking about law/gospel dynamics but could be even more strengthened if the author continued for a few more chapters leading to a conversation that draws the line between sanctification and justification.
Highly recommend reading this book. I read it as a devotional and it worked really well.
March 27, 2014
The concept of grace, like love, completely and thoroughly intrigues me. I cannot learn enough about it. Perhaps, this is because it is so grand and so good. Maybe it is because it is so freeing, being something that we all want but nothing that we can do for ourselves. All in all, I knew I had to read this book.
Tchividjian has a way with words. The way he communicates is...encouraging just as much as it is convicting. It is sobering just as much as it is hope-filled. In this book, he shared many things. The two points that stood out to me dealt with performancism and law/legalism. I love how his presentation of content was a mix of Scriptual, intellectual, and raw realness. That somehow made it easier to see self and to understand the beauty of being able to move beyond self via grace.
In my opinion, it would be impossible to read this book and not be impacted, influenced, or inspired in some way. It is a a simple yet hard read that is a heart read. (You will understand that once you read the book.)
Rating: 4.75
Recommend: Yes
Bookshelf Worthy: Yes
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own.
Tchividjian has a way with words. The way he communicates is...encouraging just as much as it is convicting. It is sobering just as much as it is hope-filled. In this book, he shared many things. The two points that stood out to me dealt with performancism and law/legalism. I love how his presentation of content was a mix of Scriptual, intellectual, and raw realness. That somehow made it easier to see self and to understand the beauty of being able to move beyond self via grace.
In my opinion, it would be impossible to read this book and not be impacted, influenced, or inspired in some way. It is a a simple yet hard read that is a heart read. (You will understand that once you read the book.)
Rating: 4.75
Recommend: Yes
Bookshelf Worthy: Yes
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own.
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