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Secondhand Jesus: Trading Rumors of God for a Firsthand Faith
God wants us to know Him deeply and personally. But there are no shortcuts to God. "The way to life-to God!-is vigorous and requires total attention."
(Matthew 7:14, The Message) God has offered us firsthand knowledge of His love, His grace, and His power. Yet so often, we too easily settle for someone else's descriptions, the Cliff notes from another's spiritual journey. We are content for "God-experts" to do the heavy lifting and then give us the bottom line. And like any secondhand information, after enough times through the grapevine, the truth about God deteriorates and crumbs of rumor are all that remain. But when life derails, and things don't go as we had planned, our thin view of God is challenged. In those critical moments, we can choose to walk away from God, or to let our questions lead us home. When we choose to wrestle with God, to engage Him for ourselves, we-like Jacob and Job and David-will see rumors die and revelation come alive. It's time to hear the magnificent, Divine Invitation. It's time to take God up on His offer and embrace the mystery and majesty of knowing Him for ourselves.
(Matthew 7:14, The Message) God has offered us firsthand knowledge of His love, His grace, and His power. Yet so often, we too easily settle for someone else's descriptions, the Cliff notes from another's spiritual journey. We are content for "God-experts" to do the heavy lifting and then give us the bottom line. And like any secondhand information, after enough times through the grapevine, the truth about God deteriorates and crumbs of rumor are all that remain. But when life derails, and things don't go as we had planned, our thin view of God is challenged. In those critical moments, we can choose to walk away from God, or to let our questions lead us home. When we choose to wrestle with God, to engage Him for ourselves, we-like Jacob and Job and David-will see rumors die and revelation come alive. It's time to hear the magnificent, Divine Invitation. It's time to take God up on His offer and embrace the mystery and majesty of knowing Him for ourselves.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
55 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Glenn Packiam
19 books79 followersGlenn Packiam is a the lead pastor of new life DOWNTOWN, an extension of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he also serves on the Executive Team. Having earned a BA in Theological/Historical Studies and a Masters in Management, Glenn is now in the process of completing a Masters of Arts in Theology/Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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May 15, 2015Good read
This book is a good choice for anyone who is questioning their Christian faith. However, the author relied a bit too heavily on The Message, for my personal taste. I see The Message as more of a devotional interpretation of scripture than a legitimate translation. Therefore, in a book that is talking about getting your information straight from the source rather than just believing what you are told, I was disappointed in the heavy leaning on The Message.
This book is a good choice for anyone who is questioning their Christian faith. However, the author relied a bit too heavily on The Message, for my personal taste. I see The Message as more of a devotional interpretation of scripture than a legitimate translation. Therefore, in a book that is talking about getting your information straight from the source rather than just believing what you are told, I was disappointed in the heavy leaning on The Message.
October 14, 2009
The last 2 chapters spoke to me the most. Very convicting of the reality that I can't "know" Jesus through someone else...I need to know him MYSELF.
December 13, 2022
spiritual lessons
This book gave me a lot of perspective about the way we look and treat God. It shows that just being a good person is not enough and helps define what worship is.
This book gave me a lot of perspective about the way we look and treat God. It shows that just being a good person is not enough and helps define what worship is.
May 20, 2012
Formulaic, but not Bad
Glenn Packiam is one of the latest authors highlighted in a series of releases from David C. Cook publishers which appear to be focused on finding "fresh voices" from larger congregations. It's not a bad strategy. Glenn Packiam has the advantage of being a fairly well known worship leader and band member as well and provides a ready-made audience which already carries some name recognition.
Glenn Packiam is the Associate Worship Pastor from New Life Church in Colorado Springs. That should be a familar name to many as Packiam's former Senior Pastor was Ted Haggard, whose fall from power as a former head of the National Assocication of Evangelicals received a great deal of press a few years back. Further, more recently, the Church campus was the scene of a shooting that also garnered national attention. In fact, both these events factor into the book as Packiam deftly navigates them (Haggard's name is not mentioned directly, for instance) and shares from his heart and from his training these and other life lessons he has carried away.
Glenn's is a fresh voice and the book worked for me overall both on the basis of the content, which theologically was not all that powerful and followed standard fare for what you'd expect in a sermon series on the Ark of the Covenant, but then also Glenn's open heart takes his experiences and incorporate in his cross-cultural perspective as someone born and raised outside the United States.
The recurring theme apart from the Ark of the Covenant thread is Packiam's realization that the pedestal is a dangerous place to seek significance before God and others and that one's personal walk with Christ in the end is all one can hold onto when the storms and disruptions of life come. Packiam's perspective being closer to some of the more media covered events of the past 10 years and the personal impact upon him (his family was in the thick of the shooting event for example) gives him a voice that he uses effectively.
The book will likely hit those reading it more by the inspirational and personal elements than from the theological teaching. The teaching is standard fare and many may take heart from it. The writing and editing are competant and easy to read.
4 Stars. Probably one of the better offerings from David C. Cook publishing in this genre they appear to be pursuing.
Bart Breen
Glenn Packiam is one of the latest authors highlighted in a series of releases from David C. Cook publishers which appear to be focused on finding "fresh voices" from larger congregations. It's not a bad strategy. Glenn Packiam has the advantage of being a fairly well known worship leader and band member as well and provides a ready-made audience which already carries some name recognition.
Glenn Packiam is the Associate Worship Pastor from New Life Church in Colorado Springs. That should be a familar name to many as Packiam's former Senior Pastor was Ted Haggard, whose fall from power as a former head of the National Assocication of Evangelicals received a great deal of press a few years back. Further, more recently, the Church campus was the scene of a shooting that also garnered national attention. In fact, both these events factor into the book as Packiam deftly navigates them (Haggard's name is not mentioned directly, for instance) and shares from his heart and from his training these and other life lessons he has carried away.
Glenn's is a fresh voice and the book worked for me overall both on the basis of the content, which theologically was not all that powerful and followed standard fare for what you'd expect in a sermon series on the Ark of the Covenant, but then also Glenn's open heart takes his experiences and incorporate in his cross-cultural perspective as someone born and raised outside the United States.
The recurring theme apart from the Ark of the Covenant thread is Packiam's realization that the pedestal is a dangerous place to seek significance before God and others and that one's personal walk with Christ in the end is all one can hold onto when the storms and disruptions of life come. Packiam's perspective being closer to some of the more media covered events of the past 10 years and the personal impact upon him (his family was in the thick of the shooting event for example) gives him a voice that he uses effectively.
The book will likely hit those reading it more by the inspirational and personal elements than from the theological teaching. The teaching is standard fare and many may take heart from it. The writing and editing are competant and easy to read.
4 Stars. Probably one of the better offerings from David C. Cook publishing in this genre they appear to be pursuing.
Bart Breen
June 18, 2009
Glenn Packiam, the author, was a young pastor songwriter who had everything going for him and suddenly one Thursday his world crumbled when the head pastor of his church was found to not be what he was thought to be, in other words, he was sinful. From this shock, Mr. Packiam discovered something that many of us have discovered ~ not all pastors, ministers, leaders, and other scholars in the Christian world really know what they are talking about. They don't know God. They know bits and pieces of God, especially those pieces that we all like to think about, the God of prosperity, of rewards, of love, of forgiveness, of all the good things. The God of Psalm 23. But, he is also the God of Psalm 22, the God who doesn't seem to be always there, the God who demands vengeance. This book is written in a manner that the average person can understand, it is not scholarly nor brilliantly theological. That's a good thing, the average person doesn't bother to read those kind of books and gain insight from them. Mr. Packiam has chosen to write about the God of the Ark of the Covenant. How the Ark has shown some of His characteristics over the centuries. And how these characteristics are different from the way that most Christians view God, especially now that main-stream media churches are presenting him in an almost New Age type way. Do as God says, follow the rules, and you will be blessed. Of course, this is wrong but we are so brain washed and so materialistic that we believe it anyway. It's time Mr. Packiam declares, to get out the bible and discover for ourselves what and who God is. This book is an excellent reminder that our relationship with God is exactly that, a relationship, and we need to treat it as such.
July 19, 2012
I will admit to only reading this because it was free and my mom liked it :) Having said that, it took me a LONG time to read and it was not "fun reading" for me. I enjoyed and agreed with most of what the author said though. I think my main problem with this book was it seemed to be all over the place. Although he had a big umbrella he was working under, I felt like he got REALLY side-tracked over small things. At the beginning of the book I had a hard time overcoming his negativism and it felt like the book was going to be more of a complaint and rant about his church issues. I was glad that tone filtered out eventually but I still kept asking myself, "is he writing this for readers or just for himself?" many times. As I said, I got what he was saying and do agree with it, but I felt his approach wouldn't reach many non-Christians, not that that was his point, as it wasn't, but I guess I was hoping it would be more of an evangelical book and it just wasn't in my opinion. All in all, it was packed full of ideas and the best thing I got out of it was his tidbit on forgiving and that every act of forgiving comes at a cost. I REALLY liked that point and as a former non-Christian have always struggled with "why did Jesus have to die at the cross?" and it helped explain that point to me in a way I had never thought of before.
June 30, 2012
I usually don't take this long to read a book. According to Amazon, this one is only 225 pages or so. I took a long time with this one because, it really made my Christian skin crawl--in a good way-- and could only read it in small bits. I needed time to process and digest. This book is about what the author calls "rumors of God." Basically little bits of half truths that slither their way into a Christians faith unseen as they do hold a nugget of truth. Most of the points the author made I was aware of; however, I was not aware that they had creeped into my own faith life! I picked this ebook up for free from Inspired Reads and had been feeling that little persistent nudging in the back of my mind ever since I "purchased" it. Now I know why. The main theme of the book is that we as Christians need to encounter God on a personal level and not rely on others to "do the heavy spiritual lifting" for us. We need to get down and dirty and wrestle with God like Israel. I guess that's what God's been trying to beat in my head these past several months and my and hubby's search for a church in our new town; I needed to get my personal interaction with God straight before I could properly participate in a church. Ok, God, I gotcha, loud and clear.
July 7, 2012
A great book!! The author takes the Old Testament story of the Ark of the Covenant and its history and relates it to our lives. He explains how many of us Christians get Jesus "second-hand"; through conferences, books, other ppl... which are all good things, but not when that is our only way of going to Jesus. Instead the author encourages us to take those unexpected, tragic, out of control events that happen in life and use them to choose to wrestle with God- to get to know Jesus "first-hand" in a more personal way. Sure, there is nothing wrong with conferences, books or other Godly ppl, but the encouragement is to be sure that we are not simply accepting the "crumbs" from the tables of others, when we have been invited to sit and feast with Jesus and know the joy of that personally. An excellent book, and a real encouragement to my faith!
October 4, 2012
A simply wonderful book that touched on a wide variety of issues in our relationship with God. Each time I picked it up, it hit me right where I was with things I was learning and going through. My only criticism is that the title does not adequately describe the content, as the content is much broader than the title leads uoj to believe.
October 29, 2014
It's not a way to get God to do something for us. In fact, obedience isn't about getting anything; it's about giving everything. Obedience does indeed lead us to blessing - God himself, the greatest blessing of all. P.80
We don't need someone to worship for us; we can bring our lives, broken as they are....we are all sons and daughters p169.
We don't need someone to worship for us; we can bring our lives, broken as they are....we are all sons and daughters p169.
May 28, 2015
You will see attributes of God that you never thought of before.
This book should be read by everyone desiring a closer walk with God. Sometimes we blame God for our own decisions brought on us by us. This book let's you back up and take a closer look. I would recommend it to anyone desiring a closer walk!
This book should be read by everyone desiring a closer walk with God. Sometimes we blame God for our own decisions brought on us by us. This book let's you back up and take a closer look. I would recommend it to anyone desiring a closer walk!
Want to read
May 21, 2013So far, i am REALLY enjoying Glenn's book. His writing is very rich in word, but at the same time, it is easier reading than books by Ravi Zacharias. I sat down and began reading this book and had a hard time putting it down.
December 14, 2015
I liked the book, but I had a hard time getting 'hooked' on it, meaning it took me a long time to read, but by the end I found myself
underlining a lot of nuggets and as a whole its a good book to read and
makes you think about your christian walk.
underlining a lot of nuggets and as a whole its a good book to read and
makes you think about your christian walk.
January 26, 2016
Thought provoking and a unique way to look at the stories of the ark of the covenant. It's an interesting mix of scholarship and personal anecdote. I think most people would find that it challenges a few of their own "rumors" that they've been using to practice their Christian faith.
January 16, 2018
A good read , grace based reminds what it means undeserved favor , how not to put the lord in a box, or a Guine in a bottle. He is so much more , his headed grace will help to will and put desire in us to do things that glorify Him not based o. Our own self effort, flesh.
January 25, 2010
Great book written by a friend of mine. Love his insights and his honesty!
May 7, 2010
This is a very honest book. Glenn does a wonderful job of sharing his journey and encouraging us to reevaluate our own.
Want to read
May 29, 2012[free nook book]
June 17, 2012
good book!!
June 18, 2012
It is a must read. "Each page is refreshing, challenging, and thought provoking."
September 25, 2012
One of the best books I've ever read. Convicted, inspired, and gave direction for my ministry and my life!!!
December 17, 2012
It is a most read book!
August 10, 2015
Amazing book!
Such a good book! Lots of truth. Lots of challenging moments for me! Easy to read while still having lots of depth. Would highly recommend!
Such a good book! Lots of truth. Lots of challenging moments for me! Easy to read while still having lots of depth. Would highly recommend!
Want to read
March 19, 201410.00 kindle 7.50 redeemed
April 2, 2017
I read this book somewhat hesitantly...the title I found to be somewhat off-putting, yet I was, at the same time, intrigued by it.
I am so glad I decided to read this book! I work at my own church as Office Administrator and as Secretary to the Pastor. He and I frequently have conversations about theology, and one of the topics we discuss is having a relationship with God. He always stresses that it's not about being spoon-fed what someone else wants you to believe...it's about engaging in a relationship, it's about doing your part in a two-way relationship.
Glenn Packiam brings this to life in this book, and for that I want to thank him! I especially love what he says about worship near the end of the book.
If you are struggling with understanding what having a relationship with God means, I urge you to read this book! For me, reading this book gave me a great sense of reassurance that I was on the right track in my search for finding out all I can through the Word, and by reading other helpful books like this one!
I am so glad I decided to read this book! I work at my own church as Office Administrator and as Secretary to the Pastor. He and I frequently have conversations about theology, and one of the topics we discuss is having a relationship with God. He always stresses that it's not about being spoon-fed what someone else wants you to believe...it's about engaging in a relationship, it's about doing your part in a two-way relationship.
Glenn Packiam brings this to life in this book, and for that I want to thank him! I especially love what he says about worship near the end of the book.
If you are struggling with understanding what having a relationship with God means, I urge you to read this book! For me, reading this book gave me a great sense of reassurance that I was on the right track in my search for finding out all I can through the Word, and by reading other helpful books like this one!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews