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The Body, with Study Guide
In this watershed book, Charles Colson castigates today's consumer-oriented "McChurch" mentality that has Christians flitting from church to church in search of soothing sermons and a feel-good gospel.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
15 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Charles W. Colson
135 books193 followersAlmost 40 years ago, Charles W. Colson was not thinking about reaching out to prison inmates or reforming the U.S. penal system. In fact, this aide to President Richard Nixon was "incapable of humanitarian thought," according to the media of the mid-1970s. Colson was known as the White House "hatchet man," a man feared by even the most powerful politicos during his four years of service to Nixon.
When news of Colson's conversion to Christianity leaked to the press in 1973, The Boston Globe reported, "If Mr. Colson can repent of his sins, there just has to be hope for everybody." Colson would agree.
In 1974 Colson entered a plea of guilty to Watergate-related charges; although not implicated in the Watergate burglary, he voluntarily pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in the Daniel Ellsberg Case. He entered Alabama's Maxwell Prison in 1974 as a new Christian and as the first member of the Nixon administration to be incarcerated for Watergate-related charges. He served seven months of a one- to three-year sentence.
After leaving prison, Colson founded Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, which has since become the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. Today, Colson remains a member of the board of Prison Fellowship Ministries.
A sought-after speaker, Colson has written more than 30 books, which collectively have sold more than 5 million copies. His autobiographical book, Born Again, was one of the nation's best-selling books of all genres in 1976. Another bestseller, co-authored by Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live, is considered one of the most important books written on the subject of Christian worldview. His most recent book, The Faith, is a powerful appeal to the Church to re-embrace the foundational truths of Christianity.
In 1991 Colson launched BreakPoint, a unique radio commentary that provides a Christian perspective on today's news and trends. BreakPoint is currently aired weekdays to more than 1,300 outlets nationwide that reach and estimated 2 million listeners.
Today Colson is focused full time on developing other Christian leaders who can influence the culture and their communities through their faith. The capstone of this effort is The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, an online research and training center launched in 2009 for the promotion of Christian worldview teaching. In addition to a vast library of worldview materials, the Colson Center provides online courses and serves as a catalyst for a growing movement of Christian organizations dedicated to impacting the culture. The Colson Center website also hosts Colson's popular weekly Two-Minute Warning video commentary aimed at engaging a younger generation with a biblical perspective on cultural issues.
In 2009, Colson was a principal writer of the Manhattan Declaration, which calls on Christians to defend the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage and religious freedom. Nearly half a million people have signed the Manhattan Declaration. Collaborating with other Christian ministries, BreakPoint aims to launch other ecumenical grassroots movements around moral and ethical issues of great concern.
In recognition of his work, Colson received the prestigious Templeton Prize for progress in religion in 1993, donating the $1 million prize to Prison Fellowship. Colson's other awards have included the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor (2008); the Humanitarian Award from Dominos Pizza Corporation (1991); The Others Award from The Salvation Army (1990); the Outstanding Young Man of Boston from the Boston Chamber of Commerce (1960); and several honorary doctorates from various colleges and universities (1982-2000).
When news of Colson's conversion to Christianity leaked to the press in 1973, The Boston Globe reported, "If Mr. Colson can repent of his sins, there just has to be hope for everybody." Colson would agree.
In 1974 Colson entered a plea of guilty to Watergate-related charges; although not implicated in the Watergate burglary, he voluntarily pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in the Daniel Ellsberg Case. He entered Alabama's Maxwell Prison in 1974 as a new Christian and as the first member of the Nixon administration to be incarcerated for Watergate-related charges. He served seven months of a one- to three-year sentence.
After leaving prison, Colson founded Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, which has since become the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. Today, Colson remains a member of the board of Prison Fellowship Ministries.
A sought-after speaker, Colson has written more than 30 books, which collectively have sold more than 5 million copies. His autobiographical book, Born Again, was one of the nation's best-selling books of all genres in 1976. Another bestseller, co-authored by Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live, is considered one of the most important books written on the subject of Christian worldview. His most recent book, The Faith, is a powerful appeal to the Church to re-embrace the foundational truths of Christianity.
In 1991 Colson launched BreakPoint, a unique radio commentary that provides a Christian perspective on today's news and trends. BreakPoint is currently aired weekdays to more than 1,300 outlets nationwide that reach and estimated 2 million listeners.
Today Colson is focused full time on developing other Christian leaders who can influence the culture and their communities through their faith. The capstone of this effort is The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, an online research and training center launched in 2009 for the promotion of Christian worldview teaching. In addition to a vast library of worldview materials, the Colson Center provides online courses and serves as a catalyst for a growing movement of Christian organizations dedicated to impacting the culture. The Colson Center website also hosts Colson's popular weekly Two-Minute Warning video commentary aimed at engaging a younger generation with a biblical perspective on cultural issues.
In 2009, Colson was a principal writer of the Manhattan Declaration, which calls on Christians to defend the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage and religious freedom. Nearly half a million people have signed the Manhattan Declaration. Collaborating with other Christian ministries, BreakPoint aims to launch other ecumenical grassroots movements around moral and ethical issues of great concern.
In recognition of his work, Colson received the prestigious Templeton Prize for progress in religion in 1993, donating the $1 million prize to Prison Fellowship. Colson's other awards have included the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor (2008); the Humanitarian Award from Dominos Pizza Corporation (1991); The Others Award from The Salvation Army (1990); the Outstanding Young Man of Boston from the Boston Chamber of Commerce (1960); and several honorary doctorates from various colleges and universities (1982-2000).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 9, 2018
While reading the book, I had a faint recollection of having read it before; however, I kept plugging along since it was worthwhile to read again. The book convicted me about the importance of sound doctrine, theology, and, ultimately, church unity. In addition, I was reaffirmed in my belief how important discipleship is to the new believer. Discipleship is almost a lost art as few churches concern themselves with this important aspect once a new believer is converted. A "won" soul for Christ is great, but what about growth? Even though this book was written in the early 1990s, it ought to be the handbook, second only to the Bible, on how to live and act as the church, not as a building, but as a group of Spirit-filled believers. I definitely recommend Mr. Colson's book to anyone who calls themselves a Christian.
May 4, 2009
The cover of our most recent church directory shows a picture of our church building. It's a nice building, but using that picture sends an unfortunate message: This is our church.
It's not. "Our" church is the people pictured inside the directory.
Charles Colson and Ellen Santilli Vaughn, in "The Body," are writing about the church, and they make it clear from the outset that the church is the people of God. It's not an institution; it's certainly not a building, or a "campus."
They also make it clear that the church is the instrument God chooses to represent Himself in our world. There is no place for "Lone Ranger" Christianity. For better or worse, God works through the church. And the church is made up, as one of my favorite pastors often said, of plain old humans.
No wonder it fails so often, and so badly.
It is still God's chosen instrument to bring light to the darkness.
Colson and Vaughn illustrate their points about The Body by telling true stories, and they are all well-told.
Among my favorites:
* How God used the Hungarian Reformed Church in Timisoara, Romania, to bring about the downfall of the Communist government in that country. (This story especially resonates with me because I got to spend a few days in Timisoara, and to see the bullet holes left from those fateful days, and to talk to people who were there.)
* The larger story of the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, and again, how God used the church.
* The story of Martin Luther ... an excellent, concise account of the highlights of Luther's life.
* The story of Fred the abortion clinic bodyguard. I especially like this story because it doesn't have a neat, happy ending. Christians tend to like to have their stories end happily, so I admire Colson and Vaughn for including this one. Real life isn't scripted by Disney, even for Christians.
* The concluding story of Bob McAlister, the high-ranking South Carolina official; and Rusty Woomer, the death-row inmate. They saved the best for last. "Amazing" is an overworked word, but this is an amazing story. I don't know how anyone could explain it away without acknowledging the work of God in people's lives.
It's not. "Our" church is the people pictured inside the directory.
Charles Colson and Ellen Santilli Vaughn, in "The Body," are writing about the church, and they make it clear from the outset that the church is the people of God. It's not an institution; it's certainly not a building, or a "campus."
They also make it clear that the church is the instrument God chooses to represent Himself in our world. There is no place for "Lone Ranger" Christianity. For better or worse, God works through the church. And the church is made up, as one of my favorite pastors often said, of plain old humans.
No wonder it fails so often, and so badly.
It is still God's chosen instrument to bring light to the darkness.
Colson and Vaughn illustrate their points about The Body by telling true stories, and they are all well-told.
Among my favorites:
* How God used the Hungarian Reformed Church in Timisoara, Romania, to bring about the downfall of the Communist government in that country. (This story especially resonates with me because I got to spend a few days in Timisoara, and to see the bullet holes left from those fateful days, and to talk to people who were there.)
* The larger story of the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, and again, how God used the church.
* The story of Martin Luther ... an excellent, concise account of the highlights of Luther's life.
* The story of Fred the abortion clinic bodyguard. I especially like this story because it doesn't have a neat, happy ending. Christians tend to like to have their stories end happily, so I admire Colson and Vaughn for including this one. Real life isn't scripted by Disney, even for Christians.
* The concluding story of Bob McAlister, the high-ranking South Carolina official; and Rusty Woomer, the death-row inmate. They saved the best for last. "Amazing" is an overworked word, but this is an amazing story. I don't know how anyone could explain it away without acknowledging the work of God in people's lives.
May 13, 2016
This book was written in 1992, but its message is relevant for today. Chuck Colson emphasizes that the Church is not a religion or a building, but a community of believers around the world. Theology is mixed with testimonies of how God builds his church even under the most adverse circumstances. His message includes such quotes as "The church hs been entrusted with the truth in an age that knows not truth. We've been entrusted with a message of hope in an age that puts its home in temporal toys and trasient things." And "As alien and archaic as the idea may seem, the task of the church is not to make men and women happy; it is to make them holy."
March 19, 2020
A look at the Church in America, also compared with int'l scene, how morality seems to be failing in our society - As good/better on second reading - First read 1994
March 7, 2013
Problems aside, this would be a very good book. If I would recommend this book, I think I'll do to those whose doctrinal beliefs would not be shaken, especially about ecumenism. Colson's reference to Catholicism and other denominations are many, and all with great approval. He really believes they are Christians. He believes the Universal, Invisible Church, and it reflects throughout the book. Without a strong doctrinal foundation, you would be swayed easily.
Anyway, I have so much positive to say. His historical references, philosophy and worldview research, and real life examples are very compelling, overwhelming, informing and thought provoking. If the points are taken carefully, you can benefit much from this book. This book points that necessity for the church to be strong, ready and wise to face the world's challenges and touch people's lives.
Anyway, I have so much positive to say. His historical references, philosophy and worldview research, and real life examples are very compelling, overwhelming, informing and thought provoking. If the points are taken carefully, you can benefit much from this book. This book points that necessity for the church to be strong, ready and wise to face the world's challenges and touch people's lives.
October 9, 2009
I actually read the earlier edition first and then got the newer one. This is a look at the Christian Church and the things we have in common rather than the things that seperate us.
May 25, 2014
A brilliant book that reminds the church that her first duty is to be 'the Church.'
May 16, 2016
When one becomes a Christian, what follows? Is it an individual pursuit, a private and personal faith? Or is there a larger, grander involvement at stake? What does it mean, what does it entail to be part of the body, the church? In his easily accessible style, Chuck Colson dives deep into what it really means to be living as a Christian today. I love that he sprinkles in stories from throughout history to quickly draw you in. Although the current issues he wrote about in the '90s are not exactly the same as ones we face today, the book is still incredibly relevant and a powerful reminder of how strong an influence the body of Christ was and could be in the world. I drew a lot of good things out of this and will definitely come back to it.
Favorite quotes: "But as alien and archaic as the idea may seem, the task of the church is not to make men and women happy; it is to make them holy."
"But Patty, like Ruth Graham and millions of others, cannot pinpoint a precise moment or sudden awakening. She grew up in a Christian home, always attended worship services, can never remember a moment when she didn't believe, and in recent years she has experienced an ever-deepening relationship with Christ."
"For there is a great difference between a decision and a true conversion."
"The world isn't looking at our tracts and rallies and telecasts and study manuals. It is looking at us and how we behave. When it fails to see the unity of Jesus' followers-the church-it fails to see the validation that Christ is indeed the Son of the living God."
"The church is not a democracy and never can be. We can change rules and practices and sing new hymns and use different styles of worship. We can change forms, but not our foundation. For the church is authoritarian. It is ruled over by Christ the Head and governed by a constitution that cannot be ignored or amended."
"The church must stand apart from the state. Independence from the culture is what gives the church its reforming capacity and enables it to point society toward the truth. The church must be free to address issues biblically across the spectrum and to speak prophetically, regardless of who is in power."
"Suddenly the men around me looked entirely different. I was no better, nor more important, nor less deserving of punishment. They were my brothers."
"For being Christ's witnesses involves every aspect of what we are and do, individually and collectively as the community of faith."
Favorite quotes: "But as alien and archaic as the idea may seem, the task of the church is not to make men and women happy; it is to make them holy."
"But Patty, like Ruth Graham and millions of others, cannot pinpoint a precise moment or sudden awakening. She grew up in a Christian home, always attended worship services, can never remember a moment when she didn't believe, and in recent years she has experienced an ever-deepening relationship with Christ."
"For there is a great difference between a decision and a true conversion."
"The world isn't looking at our tracts and rallies and telecasts and study manuals. It is looking at us and how we behave. When it fails to see the unity of Jesus' followers-the church-it fails to see the validation that Christ is indeed the Son of the living God."
"The church is not a democracy and never can be. We can change rules and practices and sing new hymns and use different styles of worship. We can change forms, but not our foundation. For the church is authoritarian. It is ruled over by Christ the Head and governed by a constitution that cannot be ignored or amended."
"The church must stand apart from the state. Independence from the culture is what gives the church its reforming capacity and enables it to point society toward the truth. The church must be free to address issues biblically across the spectrum and to speak prophetically, regardless of who is in power."
"Suddenly the men around me looked entirely different. I was no better, nor more important, nor less deserving of punishment. They were my brothers."
"For being Christ's witnesses involves every aspect of what we are and do, individually and collectively as the community of faith."
August 11, 2016
God certainly works in mysterious ways. I have always felt, since becoming a Christian, that my calling was to become a pastor. I really was mentally preparing myself for whatever God had in store for me.
All of this started for me when I began to read my Dad's theology books as he is a pastor. The first one I read was Chuck Colson's The Body. It is twenty years old now, but its' call to be a witness in times of darkness is even more relevant in the digital and internet age. On so many community message boards people can hide behind the safety of the anonymous handle and feel free to verbally insult and outright assault anyone whom does not hold the same view as them. This can be anything from liking the same sports team to religious or scientific views.
The body was a fantastic book that touches on issues like this that extend to today. How can you be a light in a dark world? How does your community(whether that is a message board or a church) react to the assaults of the dark forces of this world? Read this book and glean the necessary insight to answer these necessary questions.
Five out of five from me.
All of this started for me when I began to read my Dad's theology books as he is a pastor. The first one I read was Chuck Colson's The Body. It is twenty years old now, but its' call to be a witness in times of darkness is even more relevant in the digital and internet age. On so many community message boards people can hide behind the safety of the anonymous handle and feel free to verbally insult and outright assault anyone whom does not hold the same view as them. This can be anything from liking the same sports team to religious or scientific views.
The body was a fantastic book that touches on issues like this that extend to today. How can you be a light in a dark world? How does your community(whether that is a message board or a church) react to the assaults of the dark forces of this world? Read this book and glean the necessary insight to answer these necessary questions.
Five out of five from me.
July 23, 2012
This book was wonderful. I understand it was a updating of the book he had written earlier. So the one I read was called "Being the Body". It was co-written with a woman named Ellen. The book was structured in a way that made it exciting to read and poignant. The true stories are told in detail well researched and are about things and events that I had heard of but knew little about. They then reflect on the lessons learned and the application for individual Christian living for our time. Some of these are the crises of decision in the lives of Martin Luther, Father Maximilian Kolbe, and a Romanian pastor I had never heard of but who was instrumental in beginning the rebellion that brought down Ciocescue government. The stories are inspiring and the book is encouraging. I recommend it to believers and to non believers as well...because the stories concern moments in history and give detail and clarity and highlight the heroism of individuals caught in situations which call for courage and integrity.
April 24, 2012
In this book Chuck makes an extensive review of where the 20th century church is, how it arrived spiritually and where it should be biblically. Throughout are many stories and antedotes that drive home real examples of the body operating as it should in todays culture.
A wonderful historical perspective of the fall of communism is also included with stories from a number of Eastern Europe countries and the struggles that they went through, beginning from approximately the 2nd World War on through the mid to late 20th Century and how the "Church" was instrumental in changing the political and social climate during those times.
I would recommend this book to any serious follower of Christ who would like a complete and proper perspective on the Church and how it is intended to operate in our post christian culture.
A wonderful historical perspective of the fall of communism is also included with stories from a number of Eastern Europe countries and the struggles that they went through, beginning from approximately the 2nd World War on through the mid to late 20th Century and how the "Church" was instrumental in changing the political and social climate during those times.
I would recommend this book to any serious follower of Christ who would like a complete and proper perspective on the Church and how it is intended to operate in our post christian culture.
July 9, 2013
Too sanctimonious. Christians of all stripes worship God in the way that they believe pleases him the most. If you're a Byzantine Orthodox or a Pentecostal, you worship that way you believe is the best. It doesn't mean you're right or wrong, because no one knows. Oh, lots of people think they know. They're SURE they know, and they love to tell everyone the "true way". If we really knew, we would all worship the same. But we don't. To declare certain people as "apostates" really rubs me the wrong way. Who are you to judge that? There is only one Judge.
That being said, he has some good and inspiring anecdotes and his heart is in the right place. It just wasn't for me.
That being said, he has some good and inspiring anecdotes and his heart is in the right place. It just wasn't for me.
January 7, 2019
It’s been a few years since I read this book. The one thing that still stands out to me all this time later is Chuck Colson’s description of the effectiveness and the impact that the praying Global Church had in the tearing down of the Soviet system. Overall, taking time out to read a book by Chuck Colson is always edifying, inspiring and never a waste of time. What a gift to the Church he remains, to this day!
October 26, 2017
A close Christian friend gave me this book. What she might not have known is that I used to read his books. This one has a lot of history in it. I learned about circumstances that the Eastern Europeans faced as they overthrew their oppressive government through the unity of God's people. He explains the concept of a Biblical worldview. I had to put the book down for a while. But when I returned to it, everything became easier for me to understand.
January 24, 2010
The church is the body of Christ. I especially liked the stories of Eastern Europe and Christians standing up to communism. The final chapter about a man on death row who comes to know Christ is heartbreakingly beautiful.
April 26, 2012
I read this as a memorial to Chuck Colson who went to be with the Lord this year. He was the epitome of someone redeemed by God and transformed into a new person. This book will haunt me and spur me on to live for others--to live outside myself.
August 12, 2018
This is my second time through on The Body. The authors are not harbingers of doom, but rather reveal to the Church in America what everyone outside the church sees. This is an encouraging volume with practical direction form becoming what God intended for His Bride.
July 15, 2013
Colson is always a thoughtful and well-researched read. This was a treatment of prescient issues on the essence of the church, the believer's participation and what it means to be Christ's body in the world. The footnotes are always beneficial to read as well.
September 28, 2014
An excellent analysis of the state of the church today. It opens my mind about the church role in affecting change from without and within. The part of the church in communist eastern Europe is worth the time reading. I will read more of Chuck Colson's book.
March 6, 2015
Read this back in 1992 or 1993, it challenged me to see the church in a totally different way. While I might have now "matured" beyond this basic primer of narratives showing us what the church should be, I will never forget the influence it had on me.
September 15, 2015
Truly an amazing book. I believe every Christian minister should read this book. Every church volunteer should read this book. This is one of those books that has a profound affect on your walk. It is definitely in my top 10 favorite books after the Bible.
July 11, 2008
Published in 1992, it's a little dated (there is a newer version out called "Being the Body") and not without flaws, but this book should serve as a wake-up call to the church.
November 26, 2010
This is a good book but admittedly I didn't finish it. It didn't seem to fit my season appropriately. I did enjoy what I read though.
June 18, 2012
I almost always like Chuck Colson. Here he's promoting both holiness and the unity of the church. Excellent.
January 3, 2012
I read it a long while back but remember it being a good book.
April 17, 2012
Pretty good book about what the Church is and should be. Lots of real life examples.
July 23, 2013
this was a difficult read for me.. A deep subject that is covered well.
July 21, 2013
I don't necessarily agree with all of Colson's doctrine, but I've read the book twice and been so convicted.
August 1, 2014
Great book on church and it's role in the world today. How much individual fighting among the church has sidetrack it from its real purpose. The church need to be noticed in our society today.
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October 12, 2014There is No-Better reading...I have read this book 4 times and preached it's material...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews