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God Is for Real, Man
Kids from city streets reveal starting insights into Bible passages . . . as they translate them into their own language.
128 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 27, 2024
I was given this book by my mother as a gift on the occasion of my (believer's) baptism when I was ten years old. It was quite popular in the 1960s when it was very trendy to try to make Christianity "relevant" to modern times. I think my mom may have assumed that the lingo in which it paraphrased Bible stories was merely the "youth" slang of the day. What I realized in reading it was that it was actually written in the slang of the urban ghetto, not just of generic youth (the author was chaplain of a jail in Buffalo, New York). My mom might not have given it to me if she had realized that it actually includes several mild profanities. It was fun to read, and might be thought-provoking for someone who dismisses the Bible as being boring; but this book seemed a bit dated itself at this point.
January 5, 2022
'God is For Real, Man' is a follow-up to Todd Burpo's account of his son's visit to Heaven. In 'Heaven is For Real', the events of his young son are recounted. In 'God is For Real, Man', Burpo shares much of his own experience, from an uncertain and confusing childhood to current day. His faith in God and Christ is shared in easy-to-understand and concrete images, with no difficult theology or 'church-words' to interpret. In fact, Burpo poopoos 'church people' as the Pharisees of our day, and makes a clear distinction between true followers of Christ who serve and worship in churches and those who use the church as a whip to create false authority and piety over others.
I enjoyed this read. It wasn't difficult and went by quickly, although I reread parts simply to hear them again. His delivery and manner make you feel like you're listening to a neighbor or relative. The stories he tells are sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, and always have a point.
I think my favorite story is about a hunting trip he and a group of friends took in my home state of Texas. They came in search of wild hogs, destructive beasts which are a blight not only to Texas but to many rural areas across the country. A new member had joined their group - a Navy Seal. This Seal was like most of his kind - quiet, unassuming, and with nothing to prove to anyone. But he did put the others in an interesting position.
Bupro, wandering through the wilderness in search of a hog, came across a snoozing, coiled rattlesnake. With his rifle scope set for 200 yards, he took a couple of cautious steps backward watched in horror as the deadly serpent opened its eyes and focused on him, and hastily drew his pistol, and fired. Shooting cans on a fence is different from shooting a rattler that's within striking distance of your feet, he points out, but his aim was true. Score one for Burpo and zero for the snake.
When he returned to camp and relayed his experience, the Seal asked to see the proof. The two of them returned to the scene, where a surprised Burpo discovered that he'd managed to shoot the snake in the head. But care still had to be taken. He discovered that an estimated 50% of rattlesnake bite victims are struck by snakes that have already been killed. The nervous system of that particular beast is so sensitive that it will still strike for hours after death.
Burpo equated that to sin. We may think we've defeated something in our lives that is harmful, not only to our relationship iwth God, but to ourselves and our relationship with others. But, without warning, it will rear its ugly head and strike again. Care must always be taken in the 'area' of that sin.
It was those kinds of real-life examples that made me reread sections of the book. Things I've known and taught for years were made so simple that I fully plan on using this pastor's examples in my own classrooms in the future.
For Christians or, more specifically, for non-Christians, 'God is For Real, Man' is an excellent read. Believers: strengthen your faith.
Non-believers: See what the fuss is about. It may not sway you, but at least you'll get a better understanding of those of us who follow Christ.
I enjoyed this read. It wasn't difficult and went by quickly, although I reread parts simply to hear them again. His delivery and manner make you feel like you're listening to a neighbor or relative. The stories he tells are sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, and always have a point.
I think my favorite story is about a hunting trip he and a group of friends took in my home state of Texas. They came in search of wild hogs, destructive beasts which are a blight not only to Texas but to many rural areas across the country. A new member had joined their group - a Navy Seal. This Seal was like most of his kind - quiet, unassuming, and with nothing to prove to anyone. But he did put the others in an interesting position.
Bupro, wandering through the wilderness in search of a hog, came across a snoozing, coiled rattlesnake. With his rifle scope set for 200 yards, he took a couple of cautious steps backward watched in horror as the deadly serpent opened its eyes and focused on him, and hastily drew his pistol, and fired. Shooting cans on a fence is different from shooting a rattler that's within striking distance of your feet, he points out, but his aim was true. Score one for Burpo and zero for the snake.
When he returned to camp and relayed his experience, the Seal asked to see the proof. The two of them returned to the scene, where a surprised Burpo discovered that he'd managed to shoot the snake in the head. But care still had to be taken. He discovered that an estimated 50% of rattlesnake bite victims are struck by snakes that have already been killed. The nervous system of that particular beast is so sensitive that it will still strike for hours after death.
Burpo equated that to sin. We may think we've defeated something in our lives that is harmful, not only to our relationship iwth God, but to ourselves and our relationship with others. But, without warning, it will rear its ugly head and strike again. Care must always be taken in the 'area' of that sin.
It was those kinds of real-life examples that made me reread sections of the book. Things I've known and taught for years were made so simple that I fully plan on using this pastor's examples in my own classrooms in the future.
For Christians or, more specifically, for non-Christians, 'God is For Real, Man' is an excellent read. Believers: strengthen your faith.
Non-believers: See what the fuss is about. It may not sway you, but at least you'll get a better understanding of those of us who follow Christ.
July 3, 2025
This book, written in 1966, is a compilation of New York inner-city kids interpreting the Word of God. It is raw. It is honest. It is thought provoking, showing us how children who grow up in a very messy environment can comprehend the love of God, where they struggle, and why.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews