Official Review: Come to the Father by Lou Bloss
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SpiMer
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Official Review: Come to the Father by Lou Bloss
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Come to the Father" by Lou Bloss.]
2 out of 4 stars
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“Come to the Father: Finding the Way to God,” by Lou Bloss, is a book that can introduce the reader to the Bible, or deepen one’s knowledge of the Bible. The author states that he had two audiences in mind when he wrote this book. First, people who have little or no knowledge about religion. Second, people who have religious experience and could use a new way of looking at things. He divides the book into ten chapters, which address issues about who God is, how to get into Heaven, and problems on Earth today. Included is a section about doubt, and his answers to these doubts that readers may have about the Bible, or about God.
Chapter 1 addresses the beginning of things- the creation of Earth and mankind, as well as the fall of mankind. Chapter 2 introduces a discussion about ways one can find their way back to God, after the fall. It also discusses prayer, and what to “expect” from prayer. Mr. Bloss includes an explanation of the Last Supper, and how the disciples may have been feeling at the time. Their confusion mirrors our confusion today. The disciples wanted to know how they could follow Jesus when they could not see him and did not know where he went. We want to follow Jesus, but cannot see him and do not know where he is.
Chapter 3 is a discussion of what Heaven and Hell may be like. Who lives in Heaven and in Hell, and why will some people be in the presence of God after they die, and why will some be exiled to Hell? Chapter 4 contains the author’s thoughts on who God is, and how we can learn about Him through the Bible and everyday life. Chapter 5 is about eternal life. What do we need to do to get into Heaven? What is Heaven like?
Chapter 6 begins by the author’s assertion that people are “unrighteous beings,” and he elaborates for the rest of the chapter. God loves us, even though we are imperfect, and all we have to do is accept his love. Chapter 7 is Mr. Bloss’s personal story about how he came to accept God, which is a segue into Chapter 8, in which Mr. Bloss states that we can either accept God’s love and all that goes along with it, or turn away from Him.
Chapter 9 is intended to address any lingering doubts about God that the reader may have, and Chapter 10 is a list of additional facts about the Bible.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. As a regular church-goer, and a Sunday school teacher, I fit right in to the author’s second targeted demographic, and I was interested to see what he had to say about the Bible and God. Unfortunately, the tone of the book was off-putting. At one point, Mr. Bloss states, “Have you ever wondered why God just didn’t….? Maybe you aren’t a deep thinker” (101). I’m unsure why Mr. Bloss would think that insulting the reader would fulfill either his evangelical goal, or provoke any beneficial thoughts in any of his audience. A minor annoyance was the smattering of typographical errors in the book. They jumped out to me at times, but did not alter my understanding of any of the author’s points.
I also take issue with some of the content of the Author’s Notes. The beginning of Mr. Bloss’s introduction seems focused on education for people who have little experience with Christianity and the Bible. The Author’s Notes seem to make an about-face, and threaten with fire and brimstone. Is it effective to frighten someone into accepting God’s love? I think it is counter-intuitive to expect someone to open their hearts to God after reading about how they are hugely flawed and doomed to the tortures of Hell.
Additionally, it might be attributed to Mr. Bloss’s passion for evangelism, but his cut-and-dry interpretation of the Bible was frustrating. He allows no room for differing opinions, which is remarkable, considering the wide range of belief systems based on the Bible.
If the tone of this book had been less condescending, I would have enjoyed it a great deal more, and had no problem giving it 3 or more stars. I believe a 2 star review is fitting, as this book may not have offended others.
******
Come to the Father
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like SpiMer's review? Post a comment saying so!
2 out of 4 stars
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“Come to the Father: Finding the Way to God,” by Lou Bloss, is a book that can introduce the reader to the Bible, or deepen one’s knowledge of the Bible. The author states that he had two audiences in mind when he wrote this book. First, people who have little or no knowledge about religion. Second, people who have religious experience and could use a new way of looking at things. He divides the book into ten chapters, which address issues about who God is, how to get into Heaven, and problems on Earth today. Included is a section about doubt, and his answers to these doubts that readers may have about the Bible, or about God.
Chapter 1 addresses the beginning of things- the creation of Earth and mankind, as well as the fall of mankind. Chapter 2 introduces a discussion about ways one can find their way back to God, after the fall. It also discusses prayer, and what to “expect” from prayer. Mr. Bloss includes an explanation of the Last Supper, and how the disciples may have been feeling at the time. Their confusion mirrors our confusion today. The disciples wanted to know how they could follow Jesus when they could not see him and did not know where he went. We want to follow Jesus, but cannot see him and do not know where he is.
Chapter 3 is a discussion of what Heaven and Hell may be like. Who lives in Heaven and in Hell, and why will some people be in the presence of God after they die, and why will some be exiled to Hell? Chapter 4 contains the author’s thoughts on who God is, and how we can learn about Him through the Bible and everyday life. Chapter 5 is about eternal life. What do we need to do to get into Heaven? What is Heaven like?
Chapter 6 begins by the author’s assertion that people are “unrighteous beings,” and he elaborates for the rest of the chapter. God loves us, even though we are imperfect, and all we have to do is accept his love. Chapter 7 is Mr. Bloss’s personal story about how he came to accept God, which is a segue into Chapter 8, in which Mr. Bloss states that we can either accept God’s love and all that goes along with it, or turn away from Him.
Chapter 9 is intended to address any lingering doubts about God that the reader may have, and Chapter 10 is a list of additional facts about the Bible.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. As a regular church-goer, and a Sunday school teacher, I fit right in to the author’s second targeted demographic, and I was interested to see what he had to say about the Bible and God. Unfortunately, the tone of the book was off-putting. At one point, Mr. Bloss states, “Have you ever wondered why God just didn’t….? Maybe you aren’t a deep thinker” (101). I’m unsure why Mr. Bloss would think that insulting the reader would fulfill either his evangelical goal, or provoke any beneficial thoughts in any of his audience. A minor annoyance was the smattering of typographical errors in the book. They jumped out to me at times, but did not alter my understanding of any of the author’s points.
I also take issue with some of the content of the Author’s Notes. The beginning of Mr. Bloss’s introduction seems focused on education for people who have little experience with Christianity and the Bible. The Author’s Notes seem to make an about-face, and threaten with fire and brimstone. Is it effective to frighten someone into accepting God’s love? I think it is counter-intuitive to expect someone to open their hearts to God after reading about how they are hugely flawed and doomed to the tortures of Hell.
Additionally, it might be attributed to Mr. Bloss’s passion for evangelism, but his cut-and-dry interpretation of the Bible was frustrating. He allows no room for differing opinions, which is remarkable, considering the wide range of belief systems based on the Bible.
If the tone of this book had been less condescending, I would have enjoyed it a great deal more, and had no problem giving it 3 or more stars. I believe a 2 star review is fitting, as this book may not have offended others.
******
Come to the Father
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like SpiMer's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Cookie Cutter" by Jo Richardson
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zeldas_lullaby
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Great review! I hate books that perpetuate the notion of a fiery Hell. But, oh well. Everyone's entitled to their beliefs, I suppose.
