The Mystery of Christ & and Why We Don't Get It

by Robert Farrar Capon

Book Overview

Capon uses a variety of exchanges to drive home his point that salvation can be achieved not just through faith, but by active works. Along the way, he explores guilt, forgiveness, love, anger,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802801218
• ISBN13: 9780802801210
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 202 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Rare Compilation of Brilliant Insights for Christians

Among countless commentaries on the Bible and Christianity in general, this one deserves this highest praise. Like a skilled surgeon, Capon gently moves his reader through the maze of misrepresentations many of us heard and read in church or on t.v. toward the most convincing array of facts concerning not only the many sayings attributed to Jesus, but also to how we can confidently and safely live into the Way that He promised to us. I found so many useful interpretations and questions in this little volume that I will continue to study and admire it for decades to come. I urge anyone serious about Bible study and living Christianity to read this, one of Capon's best in my opinion.

Christian or not, read this book!

I am not a Christian, and certainly not well read on the subject. But after living around strongly Christian influences my whole life, I feel safe in saying this book is the healthiest, most responsible expression of Christianity I've ever encountered. Anyone overwhelmed by guilt or anxiety over their salvation or what God wants from them will find this a tremendous lift. And anyone who puts themselves on a sanctimonious pedestal would do well to give it a go too!

I think I get it

I read this for the first time shortly after becoming a Christian. Earlier, I thought Christianity meant constantly avoiding sin. Capon points out that we will always sin, but the Good News is that God loves us anyway. He emphasizes love and hope, and does not waste energy on the little questions. And he exhorts us also to remember that we do not need to waste our energy on the little questions, but to instead remember Jesus' commandment to love God, ourselves, and each other. This book increased my new-found joy in knowing God's love.

Very thought provoking

This book was one of the most thought provoking books I've ever read on Christian theology. I read it my freshman year in college, shortly after I had renounced religion. Capon attacked all the elements of religion that I attacked but he answered all of the arguments. I may not have rediscovered religion from Capon's book, but it helped me to rediscover God.

Realization of TRUE Grace!

If such concepts as "Both heaven and hell are populated with forgiven sinners", "God isn't in the sin-prevention business....He is in the sin-forgiving business", and "the argument between Cheap Grace and Costly Grace is ridiculous, because Grace is FREE", are intriguing to you, then get and read this book. It is a thought provoking delight!