John Pavlovitz: "Unlock the Power of Love and Avoid Being a Jerk"

B. ARMSTRONG: This book put the state of Christianity in this country in a very serious light. Having recently published my own spiritual journey, this book gave me a more complete picture of what I tried to present in my own book “A Spiritual Journey: Leaving Trails and Building Bridges”. If I ever write a sequel, this book will no doubt be an integral part of it.

United States on Sep 26, 2023

Adele S.: From the beginning I was hooked and very moved.
It's words touched my heart and opened my mind to see more clearly what path I should follow.
Haven't finished it yet, as I savour every page for it's wisdom and deep spiritual truth..
Have been feeling in alignment with this way of thinking and being for some time.
Recommended by me, especially if you feel jaded.

United Kingdom on Aug 07, 2023

JDunn: It's definitely food for thought and conversation. IN the climate we live in - much needed!

United States on Jul 27, 2023

William H. Murphy: I haven’t read the whole book, but what I’ve read is “right on” for Christians to read! Too many of us, yes all, qualify as jerks to other Christians and people of other or no faith. Good news: We can be redeemed!! In today’s harsh polarized national climate, this book needs to be on your reading agenda. The author resides in my home state of North Carolina and even subtly mentions the Baptist seminary I attended ages ago before it became quite fundamentalist, so immediately I felt a kinship. Order a copy!

United States on Jul 17, 2023

UpNorthGal: I have found this book SO refreshing! I have it on audible, as well as the tangible book.
(I especially love the audible version because it is narrated by the author).

I find it so disheartening that the teachings of Christ are often overlooked in the self-serving, judgemental attitudes of pious pew warmers. Those who do not practice in their daily life, that which they profess to believe in! It’s so ironic!
I was brought up in a liberal Methodist church. I married a Catholic man, who became disenchanted with the dogma of the Catholic religion. We raised our kids within the Lutheran Church, as it was a fairly good representation of both the Catholic and Methodist ideologies of representing the teachings of Christ.
When my son grew older, and married a evangelical, Catholic woman, he became “brainwashed“ by the dogma, rules and regulations of the Catholic Church, as well as today’s “political religious shadow” that has befallen the teachings of the Catholic Church, most notably, those evangelical followers. Our family relationship have been very strained under this atmosphere of small mindedness and hatred.

Reading this book has made me realize...

United States on Feb 10, 2023

JacLynn Zohfeld: A pastor that tells me that my growing ambivalence toward organized, denominational religion is not my singular experience but rather a wide spread dissonance. That the teachings of Christ are often overlooked in the self-serving, judgemental attitudes of pious pew warmers.
I found myself nodding and saying "Amen!" out loud as Pastor John called out the pretentious, self- righteous judges in our midst. People who claim Jesus as their leader and lord, but in practice continue to degrade, marginalize, exclude those they deem "not the right kind of people."
Even our politicians have realized the market value of making people who don't look like, speak like, or worship like the rest of us as potentially a danger to our country. These political parasites remind of the dangers of "them" without fully revealing the beast of fear these same politicians feed from within.
John doesn't preach so much as he takes us through current Chritian pratice, revea!ing the uglies: exclusion, judgement, lack of charity and the overly zealous rebuke of "sin and sinners."
John's view is that as believers, we're putting God in boxes that our limited understanding of God can conceive, but which...

United States on Sep 21, 2022

Homer Noble: For far too long liberal moderate practitioners in many faiths have allowed narrow fundamentalist approaches to trumpet their hate and bigotry as if that were the true voice of Jesus. How refreshing to have a voice that calls them on their selfish, intolerant, self-righteous pride, and tells them in no uncertain terms that they are abominable, not followers of Christ’s way at all.

Canada on Jul 14, 2022

Andy: I had not heard of John Pavlovitz until a recommendation for this book from Shane Claiborne popped up on a social media feed. I was intrigued by the title and ordered on impulse. This is a book that will speak deeply into the situation faced by people brought up in the theologically prescriptive world of Evangelical Christianity. It also has a lot to say for people looking to explore the richness of the Christian faith, but who are put off by formulaic approaches to Christianity. In short it cuts through the crap and gets to the central basis of Christian faith - a God of love who calls his followers to love as he does, as exemplified in the person of Jesus. It is written very much for an American audience but as a British reader I found a lot that speaks to the UK context, where although the Christian faith is less overtly politicised it is nevertheless tainted by the ludicrous maxim “love the sinner, hate the sin”. As Pavlovitz states “these six words are responsible for more loveless Christianity than any combination in recorded history”. (Of course in the context of LGBTQ+ people and in many other contexts as well.) In summary this is a thought provoking and refreshing...

United Kingdom on Nov 18, 2021

Mick Fane: I have read a number of John’s previous books but this is the best by far. I love his direct style of communication that comes from the heart. If indeed God is love, then why are so many of his followers acting like jerks? This book helps to explain why this is so and outlines a way to more resemble Jesus. It clearly speaks to the toxic culture of present day evangelicals in the USA and how that brand of religion has aligned itself with the flawed MAGA cult of the GOP. It is a book of hope for it is firmly planted on the bedrock of Jesus, the one who spent time with the publicans and prostitutes of his day. John makes it quite clear that he way you treat others is an intimate expression of how you treat God. In other words, whatever is your declared theology your actions clearly reveal what you truly believe. So do you want to be a jerk or an agent for goodwill to all people. Choose wisely.

Australia on Oct 09, 2021

Ian Easter: I first started reading John Pavlovitz when I was first coming out (literally) as a pastor/chaplain from a conservative, evangelical denomination. John's posts were a comfort to my broken soul and it often felt like he was the lone, prophetic voice - calling out truth to such a dark and demonic culture of hate towards queer folk (in particular). This book is a culmination of John's teaching about the essence of what the Gospel and indeed, faith, should be about. I highly recommend this book - especially for those who are trying to make sense of an evangelical world that has been overtaken by politics of hate. In his book, John presents a model of the Gospel that actually capitalizes on the very essence of the Christian faith: to love. Pure and simple - and yet the message seems to be lost in today's evangelical church. I am so grateful to John Pavolvitz for reminding us all in his writing that the message of love is simple, but working it out in our broken world is going to take a lot of effort and courage. Highly recommend this book and check out John's blog as well. His voice is so needed in our world today.

Canada on Oct 02, 2021