What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue
Kindness is not what we have been taught it is. It isn’t a soft virtue, expressed only by sweet grandmothers or nice Boy Scouts. Kindness is neither timid nor frail. Instead, it is brave and daring, willing to be vulnerable with those with whom we disagree. It is the revolutionary way that Jesus himself called us to live. The way of selfless risks. The way of staggering hope. The way of authenticity.
Dr. Barry Corey, president of Biola University, believes we tend to devalue the importance of kindness, opting instead for caustic expressions of certainty that push people away. We forget that the essence of what God requires of us is to “love kindness.” In this book, filled with stories from his travels around the globe, Barry shows us the forgotten way of kindness. It is a life that calls us to put ourselves at risk. A life that calls us to hope. A life of a firm center and soft edges. It is the life Christ invites us to follow, no matter what the cost.
Dr. Barry Corey, president of Biola University, believes we tend to devalue the importance of kindness, opting instead for caustic expressions of certainty that push people away. We forget that the essence of what God requires of us is to “love kindness.” In this book, filled with stories from his travels around the globe, Barry shows us the forgotten way of kindness. It is a life that calls us to put ourselves at risk. A life that calls us to hope. A life of a firm center and soft edges. It is the life Christ invites us to follow, no matter what the cost.
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2016
50 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Barry H. Corey
3 books8 followersA native of Boston, Dr. Barry H. Corey has been president of Biola University since 2007. He previously served as vice president for education at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Corey received a BA in English and biblical studies from Evangel University and an MA in American studies and a PhD in education from Boston College. As a Fulbright scholar, he lived in Bangladesh, where he researched educational programs for children of the landless poor. He and his wife, Paula, live in Southern California and have three children: Anders, Ella, and Samuel.
Connect with Barry on Twitter and Facebook.
Connect with Barry on Twitter and Facebook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 9, 2016
Firm center.. Soft edges! There are so many key statements made in this book that I personally marked as "key". What I loved was getting to the last few chapters and being reminded I'm not called to bring "them" to Christ, I'm called to bring Christ to them.. You know, the One that is in me!
This book offers such authentic vulnerability! It is a must read!!!
This book offers such authentic vulnerability! It is a must read!!!
July 15, 2016
The life of kindness is not living to be accepted. It's living to be obedient. The way of kindness is self-exposing and hazardous. It compels me to open up to people I would otherwise avoid because of their different beliefs or social norms. If we are kind simply to receive kindness back, then our kindness will wither when it gets the stiff arm or even the fist. If our kindness goes in just one direction and does not expect to be returned, then our kindness won't recoil at rejection. Then we are obeying Christ, who called us to be receivable and never promised us we'd be received. Living to be received focuses on how others respond to us. This is narcissism, and it's beyond our control. Living to be receivable focuses on how we open in new and sometimes uncomfortable ways for others to receive us, whether they choose to or not. This is kindness, and it's within our control
I am looking at kindness in a whole new way after reading this book. I was somewhat put off at the start as he claimed that Christians need to be known more for what they are for than what they are against. My thinking on this statement is what Christians are against many times reflect what they are for. However, towards the end of this study on kindness he revisited that claim and was more forth coming that in expressing the "what we are for" builds bridges rather than walls. Kindness builds bridges and if you are building walls, than your kindness needs to be re-evaluated.
Each 13 Chapters reveals a "way of kindness" that is intentional, not passive, engaging, and most of all life changing that is transforming. However, it is the Holy Spirit that changes but it is in kindness that we allow the Spirit to work in our own hearts and those that we come into contact with. Barry Corey learned of kindness by his own father who thru out the study, shares how his father's kindness influenced him and lead him to be intentional about kindness. He shares his journey and how the gift of kindness has led him to God himself.
What does kindness look like that leads us to repentance? "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4. It is a kindness that is void of affirmation and pride. Many times I think I have been kind when my kindness has been rooted by my desire for affirmation and my lack of kindness has been pride.
Is grace pitted against truth? Kindness leads us to grace that ultimately leads us to the truth which Corey expressed quite well. It can be difficult to discuss a topic such as kindness and have healthy balance of truth and grace but with the gospel and our need for the gospel always at the forefront it becomes possible. I was very much encouraged with this great kindness.
A Special Thank You to Tyndale House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
I am looking at kindness in a whole new way after reading this book. I was somewhat put off at the start as he claimed that Christians need to be known more for what they are for than what they are against. My thinking on this statement is what Christians are against many times reflect what they are for. However, towards the end of this study on kindness he revisited that claim and was more forth coming that in expressing the "what we are for" builds bridges rather than walls. Kindness builds bridges and if you are building walls, than your kindness needs to be re-evaluated.
Each 13 Chapters reveals a "way of kindness" that is intentional, not passive, engaging, and most of all life changing that is transforming. However, it is the Holy Spirit that changes but it is in kindness that we allow the Spirit to work in our own hearts and those that we come into contact with. Barry Corey learned of kindness by his own father who thru out the study, shares how his father's kindness influenced him and lead him to be intentional about kindness. He shares his journey and how the gift of kindness has led him to God himself.
What does kindness look like that leads us to repentance? "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4. It is a kindness that is void of affirmation and pride. Many times I think I have been kind when my kindness has been rooted by my desire for affirmation and my lack of kindness has been pride.
Is grace pitted against truth? Kindness leads us to grace that ultimately leads us to the truth which Corey expressed quite well. It can be difficult to discuss a topic such as kindness and have healthy balance of truth and grace but with the gospel and our need for the gospel always at the forefront it becomes possible. I was very much encouraged with this great kindness.
A Special Thank You to Tyndale House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
March 16, 2018
The author hits some good points on the topic of kindness, but there are some chapters where he says the same thing in 15 different ways, and these chapters have no direction. In other sections of the book, the concepts are too abstract and wordy; the points aren't clear. I have to guess what the author is trying to say.
I liked the personal stories. They made the book interesting and somewhat relatable to my life. I give this book 2.5 stars.
There are better books than this, so only read Love Kindness if you have spare time and don't have anything else to do.
I liked the personal stories. They made the book interesting and somewhat relatable to my life. I give this book 2.5 stars.
There are better books than this, so only read Love Kindness if you have spare time and don't have anything else to do.
February 13, 2018
This book was great. Having been an employee at Biola University, of which Barry Corey is the president, I have his experienced his leadership and seen much of his character exemplify the courage with convictions message (firm center, soft edges) that he discusses in the book. I love how he discusses the different ways of kindness throughout this book, and also weaves in personal stories. The writing style in this was captivating to me. It seemed like a personal mentor, coming alongside, sharing his life experience and his wisdom.
It gave me another view of him as a leader, and it was one that caused me to think of him even more fondly than before. I think this book is a very necessary one for Christians in this day and age to learn how to engage with culture and the world around us in a firm, but kind manner. Two-thumbs up.
I have a signed copy, so will be holding onto the book, if anyone wants to borrow it!
It gave me another view of him as a leader, and it was one that caused me to think of him even more fondly than before. I think this book is a very necessary one for Christians in this day and age to learn how to engage with culture and the world around us in a firm, but kind manner. Two-thumbs up.
I have a signed copy, so will be holding onto the book, if anyone wants to borrow it!
August 5, 2016
A really well written book and very timely. He challenges all of us to love kindness in new ways as we navigate a culture that is all too often not kind at all. It is honest, practical and while he does not shy away from saying hard things, he says them with love and humility. I am so grateful and proud that he is the President of the university that I work for.
March 12, 2018
This book by Biola University (interesting how all those Bible colleges have become universities) president Barry Corey was of interest. Two things stand out to me. First, the way the ESV translates Micah 6:8 where the traditional "love mercy" becomes "love kindness" (and thus the title of the book) was new to me. Don't know enough Hebrew to assess the change, but it does seem a little more democratic, as mercy seems to infer hierarchy, thus one above having mercy on one below. Whereas kindness seems to infer equality of position, thus showing kindness to one of similar status.
Second, his central theme is that as Christians we should have firm centers with soft edges. The idea is that we must have core convictions on which to stand but civility in how we engage those with whom we disagree. Oftentimes, Christians are perceived (and rightly so) as having both firm centers and firm, if not rigid edges, which makes us less able to engage the culture in a Christlike way. It's an image I will likely use in preaching at some point.
Overall, there isn't anything particularly new here in terms of ideas, another example of how there isn't anything new under the sun. But it is a good reminder that we can be solid in our beliefs without being obnoxious in our presentation of those beliefs. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit more of us need to allow to ripen in our lives.
Second, his central theme is that as Christians we should have firm centers with soft edges. The idea is that we must have core convictions on which to stand but civility in how we engage those with whom we disagree. Oftentimes, Christians are perceived (and rightly so) as having both firm centers and firm, if not rigid edges, which makes us less able to engage the culture in a Christlike way. It's an image I will likely use in preaching at some point.
Overall, there isn't anything particularly new here in terms of ideas, another example of how there isn't anything new under the sun. But it is a good reminder that we can be solid in our beliefs without being obnoxious in our presentation of those beliefs. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit more of us need to allow to ripen in our lives.
June 12, 2019
The main argument of the book is that Christians need to have a 'hard center' but 'soft edges,' which will keep them from being culturally and emotionally aggressive on the one hand (hard edges) and also from being doctrinally or morally wishy-washy on the other hand (soft center). This metaphor is, I think, good and memorable and useful. And thus the introduction is very worth the reading.
The rest of the book is unfortunately another story. The chapters are meant to be applications of kindness-so-defined, but kind of read instead like illustrations of how the author is awesome. A little, ah, smarmy, in fact. For instance, things like: Was it really the right thing for me, for my family, to take the presidency of a university? (This as an example of 'vulnerability,' sandwiched by evidences of every type of the author's professional success.)
This when we have scriptural and real life evidence that for most of us a more appreciable question is something like: Was it really the right thing for me, for my family, to come forth out of my mother's womb, to not hide sorrow from our eyes?
Corey at one point admits that he's tempted to a form of triumphalism. Self knowledge is a virtue.
The rest of the book is unfortunately another story. The chapters are meant to be applications of kindness-so-defined, but kind of read instead like illustrations of how the author is awesome. A little, ah, smarmy, in fact. For instance, things like: Was it really the right thing for me, for my family, to take the presidency of a university? (This as an example of 'vulnerability,' sandwiched by evidences of every type of the author's professional success.)
This when we have scriptural and real life evidence that for most of us a more appreciable question is something like: Was it really the right thing for me, for my family, to come forth out of my mother's womb, to not hide sorrow from our eyes?
Corey at one point admits that he's tempted to a form of triumphalism. Self knowledge is a virtue.
July 13, 2017
A personally challenging and provocative book. Knowing Barry Corey a little, only made it more powerful as I can see him living his thesis out practically. A firm centre and soft edges is how Barry describes living out of the virtue of kindness (not niceness). Learning to be "receivable" means extending kindness to others whether it is ultimately received or not. I am challenged by the way Barry points out how much kindness can influence so much of the way we live. I strongly recommend this book for those who want to know how to live well as a Christian in this fast-changing world.
November 8, 2023
Nothing groundbreaking. I wouldn’t say don’t read it because I don’t think a reminder to live out the hesed love of God is ever a waste of time, but you could also just read the Bible.
August 18, 2021
I think this book is really practical even more today than it was when it was written. Dr. Barry Corey wrote a book that was clearly from his heart and I am impressed that even through the tough year that 2020 was, I have seen him still lead Biola with kindness that is demonstrated by a firm center and soft edges.
May 23, 2017
Barry H. Corey, Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2016).
Few things set off heated arguments on my Facebook timeline like posts about politics. Never in my lifetime have disagreements among friends—well, Facebook “friends”—been so sharp, so heated, so personal, and so deep. Even the language used is extreme: People aren’t just upset, they’re outraged. They don’t just disagree with someone else’s beliefs, they destroy her arguments. They don’t think she’s a nice person in the other political party, they think she’s a fool who belongs to an evil organization. And the vast majority of my friends are Christians!
In Love Kindness, Barry H. Corey writes that Christians’ political aggressiveness is counterproductive. “Our increasingly shrill sounds in the public square are not strengthening our witness but weakening it.” He contrasts aggression (“firm center, hard edges”) with niceness (“squishy center, soft edges”), and concludes that neither should be our objective. Rather, with Micah 6:8 in mind, he urges us to “love kindness,” to combine “firm centers” and “soft edges.” We need, if I could paraphrase his point, both conviction and civility, both good principles and good manners.
Kindness is much more than manners, of course. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). And it keeps company with other virtues, such as humility, hospitality, and authenticity. Christians who want to change the world might keep in mind that “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). If we haven’t changed people’s minds, perhaps it’s because we haven’t followed God’s example. Through poignant storytelling, self-deprecating humor, and insightful biblical analysis, Corey points the way to a lifestyle of kindness.
In the final chapter, Corey outlines what loving kindness means in seven statements. He writes, “A firm center and soft edges means…”
…we become more involved in the culturally unfamiliar.
…we are creators of goodness and beauty.
…we approach the growing opposition in our day by leading with humility.
…we fear not when our grace is met with humility.
…we remain even more deeply rooted in biblical faithfulness.
…evangelism is at the heart of why we live this way.
…we need to remember that Christ-centeredness means we will never be marginalized.
If you’re tired of reading (or writing) heated Facebook posts that don’t seem to change anyone’s minds, I encourage you to read Love Kindness. And then to do it.
_____
P.P.S. This review originally appeared at InfluenceMagazine.com.
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
Few things set off heated arguments on my Facebook timeline like posts about politics. Never in my lifetime have disagreements among friends—well, Facebook “friends”—been so sharp, so heated, so personal, and so deep. Even the language used is extreme: People aren’t just upset, they’re outraged. They don’t just disagree with someone else’s beliefs, they destroy her arguments. They don’t think she’s a nice person in the other political party, they think she’s a fool who belongs to an evil organization. And the vast majority of my friends are Christians!
In Love Kindness, Barry H. Corey writes that Christians’ political aggressiveness is counterproductive. “Our increasingly shrill sounds in the public square are not strengthening our witness but weakening it.” He contrasts aggression (“firm center, hard edges”) with niceness (“squishy center, soft edges”), and concludes that neither should be our objective. Rather, with Micah 6:8 in mind, he urges us to “love kindness,” to combine “firm centers” and “soft edges.” We need, if I could paraphrase his point, both conviction and civility, both good principles and good manners.
Kindness is much more than manners, of course. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). And it keeps company with other virtues, such as humility, hospitality, and authenticity. Christians who want to change the world might keep in mind that “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). If we haven’t changed people’s minds, perhaps it’s because we haven’t followed God’s example. Through poignant storytelling, self-deprecating humor, and insightful biblical analysis, Corey points the way to a lifestyle of kindness.
In the final chapter, Corey outlines what loving kindness means in seven statements. He writes, “A firm center and soft edges means…”
…we become more involved in the culturally unfamiliar.
…we are creators of goodness and beauty.
…we approach the growing opposition in our day by leading with humility.
…we fear not when our grace is met with humility.
…we remain even more deeply rooted in biblical faithfulness.
…evangelism is at the heart of why we live this way.
…we need to remember that Christ-centeredness means we will never be marginalized.
If you’re tired of reading (or writing) heated Facebook posts that don’t seem to change anyone’s minds, I encourage you to read Love Kindness. And then to do it.
_____
P.P.S. This review originally appeared at InfluenceMagazine.com.
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
December 29, 2016
There is a deep polarization in Christianity today. Thankfully, it is not around the doctrine that Jesus Christ is Lord. It mostly centers around social issues, and how we respond to them. Barry Corey, the president of Biola University, has a suggestion: Love kindness.
He writes in his Introduction:
In today’s polarized culture, we are often pulled toward one extreme or the other, soft centers or hard edges. I’m proposing a different approach, a third way. Rather than the harshness of firm centers and hard edges, and rather than the weakness of spongy centers and soft edges, why don’t we start with kindness? Kindness is the way of firm centers and soft edges.
Corey comes from an evangelical, traditional background. He is open and honest about that throughout his book. As such, he does not suggest that his tradition changes their mind regarding the “truth” about key issues. While at times, that is distracting, his message remains strong: We should love kindness more than we love debating.
Read more at http://jasoncstanley.com/book-review-...
He writes in his Introduction:
In today’s polarized culture, we are often pulled toward one extreme or the other, soft centers or hard edges. I’m proposing a different approach, a third way. Rather than the harshness of firm centers and hard edges, and rather than the weakness of spongy centers and soft edges, why don’t we start with kindness? Kindness is the way of firm centers and soft edges.
Corey comes from an evangelical, traditional background. He is open and honest about that throughout his book. As such, he does not suggest that his tradition changes their mind regarding the “truth” about key issues. While at times, that is distracting, his message remains strong: We should love kindness more than we love debating.
Read more at http://jasoncstanley.com/book-review-...
April 26, 2020
Kindness is not just a meek niceness, it is a firm opinion/stand offered amicably and/or respectfully, seeing the other one/s not as your enemies or rivals, but as children of God.
This is a very useful lesson to take. And I generally could not agree more. We are here to spread the gospel, the good news of love, hope and salvation. And we should not forget that we are in this living here on this Earth together, too, so we better do it right!
The book has many interesting topics and tidbits of information. I can agree (or at least understand) the most of the works (one difference might be the chapters on communicationg with the LGBTI+ crowd - and do not get me wrong, I stand firmly on treating them with respect and dignity as every person is valuable child of God. Yet, sometimes I am afraid that "being kind" might translate here into being misleading concerning the sin. I do not have a recipe for the right behaviour here and I write this with humility as I see the good intentions - but let´s not forget that grave sins harms and hurts the souls).
Also, somehow the author seems a bit self tribulatory to me. I did this right thing, we at the Biola University (where I am the president) are doing that right thing. But I am not American, so this might be a different cultural norm of speaking/writing.
This is a very useful lesson to take. And I generally could not agree more. We are here to spread the gospel, the good news of love, hope and salvation. And we should not forget that we are in this living here on this Earth together, too, so we better do it right!
The book has many interesting topics and tidbits of information. I can agree (or at least understand) the most of the works (one difference might be the chapters on communicationg with the LGBTI+ crowd - and do not get me wrong, I stand firmly on treating them with respect and dignity as every person is valuable child of God. Yet, sometimes I am afraid that "being kind" might translate here into being misleading concerning the sin. I do not have a recipe for the right behaviour here and I write this with humility as I see the good intentions - but let´s not forget that grave sins harms and hurts the souls).
Also, somehow the author seems a bit self tribulatory to me. I did this right thing, we at the Biola University (where I am the president) are doing that right thing. But I am not American, so this might be a different cultural norm of speaking/writing.
July 1, 2019
Lots of great insights from this book! The author's lived experiences across different times in his life were great touchstones for his points. Some things seemed a bit repetitive, but not annoyingly so. More of the speechwriter's "tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them" format. My only negative thought when reading this book was his story about his "leadership development trips" with selected students. Those students all being male (for probably legitimate reasons based on the nature of these wilderness trips and chaperoning logistics). I just had to wonder, do female students get the same opportunity for such targeted mentoring experiences? I could only hope.
March 26, 2016
Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. ~Matthew 10:40
I knew that Love Kindness by Barr H. Corey would be a great book within the first chapter. Kindness is not just random acts of kindness or loving those who love you - it's a lifestyle that brings Christ's love to the world.
"The way of kindness is not just having right theology; it's being the right kind of people. It's understanding that our lives as Jesus' followers mean we have a common humanity with everyone, and therefore there's no need for exceptionalism. We owe all human beings the honor due to them as beings made in the image of God." ~Page 9
"The point of being kind to those with whom we disagree is not to be respected or befriended. That may never happen. Nor is the point of kindness to avoid wither ruffling feathers or feeling awkward, which is cowardly "niceness". The point of kindness is to represent Jesus. Being kind to those with whom we disagree helps bring Christ to the center of the situation. Being kind is how Jesus acts. Kindness is His way. When we walk that way, we reflect and honor Him, and it opens doors for what we say about Him and the gospel." ~Page 54
"We can choose to model kindness and charity across deep differences without sacrificing the claims upon which we stake our lives. That posture will affect how we talk to and treat others. The aspirations of tolerance, humility, and patience do not prevent us from expressing moral judgments or public claims of faith. But they will inform how we express such judgments and faith claims." ~John Inazu
Corey describes how kindness is how we relate to people just as much as what we do for people. It may be easier to buy a stranger behind us in line a coffee than it is to really sit down and listen to someone's opposing views or be there for someone during a difficult time. It's about not having to be right but rather to be kind.
"When the apostle Paul writes to the church in 2 Corinthians 2:16 about how we need to be the aroma of Christ, he says that some will sense our aroma as the "smell of death". We are seeing this around the world today as more Christians are being persecuted and killed than ever before. Jesus never said we would be received. He actually said that often we will be rejected. When Jesus sent out the Twelve he gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and heal them from sickness and disease. As he sent them, he gave them a caution because he knew there would be many wolves set on destroying them. "I am sending you out like sheep among the wolves," Jesus warned his closest followers, "Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)
Kindness means loving our enemies in a gentle, dove-like way. Kindness, however, is not naive. Living the way of kindness means that we accept that we will be rejected. But we must be also be aware that there are not only those who will ignore us but also those whose intent is to crush us. Discernment and wisdom are components of kindness.
Kindness means we won't back down on speaking out against the Satan-smelling evil in the world. hatred, racism, violence, exploitation, and greed all smell like the devil. We need to be concerned about and combat the spirit of this age that is rampant. We need to stay strong in our faith and fear not, despite those who are committed to upending the message of the gospel and who refuse to engage in gracious conversations. We need to be aware of the growing nihilism in our society, the rejection of principals based on moral reasoning and biblical truths, leading to a belief that life is meaningless. We need to strengthen our resolve against the truthless and graceless claims of radical religious types globally who would rather choose violence than collaborate toward peace. We need to face these movements as the people of God with steadfastness through the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Page 210-211
"Living to be received and living to be receivable are quite different. Kindness is living to be receivable, opening ourselves to others whether they receive or not. Living to be received focuses on how others respond to us. This is beyond our control." ~Page 174
Corey often talks about a firm center and soft edges. We can have strong convictions without being hard-hearted.
He also goes on to say that if we proclaim to be Christians, then the world will look at us and judge us more harshly for our failings. Those who despise Christians will want us to fail, will point out all our shortcomings. While Christians are only human, sinners like everyone else in the world, we do need to try to do our best at all times and kindness is the way. Respond in kindness to those people - put aside our pride and clothe ourselves in humility so that Christ can shine through us. Luke 6:35 tells us "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."
No one ever said that kindness would be easy.
I highly recommend this book to everyone - I marked so many pages and will be reading it again and again as a reminder to myself. I learned so much from my little Jacob, who was the epitome of kindness, and I want to carry that kindness in my heart and show it to others. Not always easy, but so, so important. As Corey states: are we to bring all the world to Christ or is our job to bring Christ to all the world?
This book was given to me by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
I knew that Love Kindness by Barr H. Corey would be a great book within the first chapter. Kindness is not just random acts of kindness or loving those who love you - it's a lifestyle that brings Christ's love to the world.
"The way of kindness is not just having right theology; it's being the right kind of people. It's understanding that our lives as Jesus' followers mean we have a common humanity with everyone, and therefore there's no need for exceptionalism. We owe all human beings the honor due to them as beings made in the image of God." ~Page 9
"The point of being kind to those with whom we disagree is not to be respected or befriended. That may never happen. Nor is the point of kindness to avoid wither ruffling feathers or feeling awkward, which is cowardly "niceness". The point of kindness is to represent Jesus. Being kind to those with whom we disagree helps bring Christ to the center of the situation. Being kind is how Jesus acts. Kindness is His way. When we walk that way, we reflect and honor Him, and it opens doors for what we say about Him and the gospel." ~Page 54
"We can choose to model kindness and charity across deep differences without sacrificing the claims upon which we stake our lives. That posture will affect how we talk to and treat others. The aspirations of tolerance, humility, and patience do not prevent us from expressing moral judgments or public claims of faith. But they will inform how we express such judgments and faith claims." ~John Inazu
Corey describes how kindness is how we relate to people just as much as what we do for people. It may be easier to buy a stranger behind us in line a coffee than it is to really sit down and listen to someone's opposing views or be there for someone during a difficult time. It's about not having to be right but rather to be kind.
"When the apostle Paul writes to the church in 2 Corinthians 2:16 about how we need to be the aroma of Christ, he says that some will sense our aroma as the "smell of death". We are seeing this around the world today as more Christians are being persecuted and killed than ever before. Jesus never said we would be received. He actually said that often we will be rejected. When Jesus sent out the Twelve he gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and heal them from sickness and disease. As he sent them, he gave them a caution because he knew there would be many wolves set on destroying them. "I am sending you out like sheep among the wolves," Jesus warned his closest followers, "Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)
Kindness means loving our enemies in a gentle, dove-like way. Kindness, however, is not naive. Living the way of kindness means that we accept that we will be rejected. But we must be also be aware that there are not only those who will ignore us but also those whose intent is to crush us. Discernment and wisdom are components of kindness.
Kindness means we won't back down on speaking out against the Satan-smelling evil in the world. hatred, racism, violence, exploitation, and greed all smell like the devil. We need to be concerned about and combat the spirit of this age that is rampant. We need to stay strong in our faith and fear not, despite those who are committed to upending the message of the gospel and who refuse to engage in gracious conversations. We need to be aware of the growing nihilism in our society, the rejection of principals based on moral reasoning and biblical truths, leading to a belief that life is meaningless. We need to strengthen our resolve against the truthless and graceless claims of radical religious types globally who would rather choose violence than collaborate toward peace. We need to face these movements as the people of God with steadfastness through the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Page 210-211
"Living to be received and living to be receivable are quite different. Kindness is living to be receivable, opening ourselves to others whether they receive or not. Living to be received focuses on how others respond to us. This is beyond our control." ~Page 174
Corey often talks about a firm center and soft edges. We can have strong convictions without being hard-hearted.
He also goes on to say that if we proclaim to be Christians, then the world will look at us and judge us more harshly for our failings. Those who despise Christians will want us to fail, will point out all our shortcomings. While Christians are only human, sinners like everyone else in the world, we do need to try to do our best at all times and kindness is the way. Respond in kindness to those people - put aside our pride and clothe ourselves in humility so that Christ can shine through us. Luke 6:35 tells us "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."
No one ever said that kindness would be easy.
I highly recommend this book to everyone - I marked so many pages and will be reading it again and again as a reminder to myself. I learned so much from my little Jacob, who was the epitome of kindness, and I want to carry that kindness in my heart and show it to others. Not always easy, but so, so important. As Corey states: are we to bring all the world to Christ or is our job to bring Christ to all the world?
This book was given to me by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
May 21, 2022
Firm center and soft edges is the main take away. Christian’s are called to maintain biblical convictions while also loving others in any context. I loved how Jesus centered this book was. It was a little repetitive but I think for good reason, being able to see how being receivable is different in all of life’s contexts.
The book is written as if the author was having a conversation with you. A coffee shop chat with strong moral implications.
Four stars only because I did get a little bored with the story telling.
The book is written as if the author was having a conversation with you. A coffee shop chat with strong moral implications.
Four stars only because I did get a little bored with the story telling.
November 5, 2019
I loved this book because it really made me think. It challenged me to be kind and not just “nice”. Some parts of the book made me uncomfortable, even a bit anxious. I read this book one chapter at a time and would sometimes take several days to process a chapter. My husband and I had several interesting conversations when I’d read him excerpts. This is one of my favorite types of books - thought provoking and at the end maybe we make choices that bring us closer to God.
March 8, 2017
A Must-Read for ALL Christians
In a contentious global culture in which the Church either rejects the world to hold to fundamentals or compromises biblical conviction to peddle a "social gospel", we must take the higher road: kindness. Engaging the world with soft edges while holding firmly to our Center. This book is intensely relevant to 21st-century Christianity.
In a contentious global culture in which the Church either rejects the world to hold to fundamentals or compromises biblical conviction to peddle a "social gospel", we must take the higher road: kindness. Engaging the world with soft edges while holding firmly to our Center. This book is intensely relevant to 21st-century Christianity.
November 14, 2017
Live for Christ in loving kindness
How are Christians to live in an increasingly anti-Christian culture loving those who disagree with us while living in an uncompromising way for the glory of Christ? This book has so much to offer the Church today as we seek to be wise as serpents and meek like doves. Read it and ask the Lord to give us a firm center with soft edges.
How are Christians to live in an increasingly anti-Christian culture loving those who disagree with us while living in an uncompromising way for the glory of Christ? This book has so much to offer the Church today as we seek to be wise as serpents and meek like doves. Read it and ask the Lord to give us a firm center with soft edges.
November 25, 2017
Thoughtful. Challenging. A book that every Christ-follower should read in an age of so many challenges to our faith. A challenge to live a faith that has a firm center and soft edges. I’ll recommend the book to everyone who cares to thoughtfully and winsomely live their faith in an increasingly unreceptive culture.
April 24, 2023
I enjoyed the emphasis on kindness as an often overlooked virtue and the message of this 2016 book is only more relevant 7 years later as the landscape of evangelicalism is only more contentious.
A few times I felt the editing was a bit sloppy and some of the more repetitive phrases could have been trimmed.
A few times I felt the editing was a bit sloppy and some of the more repetitive phrases could have been trimmed.
July 23, 2024
4.5 ⭐ Although some of the content was very repetitive, the message of this book is so important and so needed today.
As Christians we must have "firm centers and soft edges." Too often "we've ranted before we've related." And "erring on the side of being too kind is better than never trying to build a bridge at all." These words will stay with me.
As Christians we must have "firm centers and soft edges." Too often "we've ranted before we've related." And "erring on the side of being too kind is better than never trying to build a bridge at all." These words will stay with me.
June 22, 2017
Hopeful. Inspiring. Barry offers practical examples of kindness in action... and why this virtue is so important. True, he says that he is "overcompensating" by focusing more on kindness than the "hard truth" side of things, but we need this direct focus/challenge to bring kindness wherever we go.
September 4, 2017
Forgotten Virtue made Visible and Viable
Dr. Corey re-presents Biblical Kindness that moves into the real world with a full measure of Grace and Truth. Helpful personal anecdotes and thick challenge for living lives of kindness that reflect Jesus Christ.
Dr. Corey re-presents Biblical Kindness that moves into the real world with a full measure of Grace and Truth. Helpful personal anecdotes and thick challenge for living lives of kindness that reflect Jesus Christ.
February 26, 2018
Firm center. Soft edges. This is how I am to engage with people and Culture. Do others receive me as approachable and kind? Or do my convictions Create a barrier so others only experience harshness and judgment? Softness so others receive me, Jesus and the One who sent Him (Matt 10:40).
March 19, 2020
This is an excellent book. One that challenges me to live a life of kindness as described by President Corey by having a firm center to do justice with soft edges of loving kindness while walking humbly with God.
March 6, 2021
A collection of stories exalting the art of kindness with very little scripture and very little Gospel. I would not recommend for those who are not deeply rooted in the Word, as its stories and avoidance of clear truth could be theologically confusing.
September 15, 2022
I feel like this had some good things to say, but also I was confused by his non-understanding of other things. All of what he said might have been condensed down as well. My biggest takeaway is you can’t be kind with a bullhorn.
May 11, 2017
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. A lovely reminder to Christians to not just talk the talk but walk the walk. Loved it.
May 26, 2017
Worth reading and re-reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews