"Why do people choose the substitute over God himself? Probably the most important reason is that it obviates accountability to God. We can meet idols on our own terms because they are our own creations. They are safe, predictable, and controllable; they are, in Jeremiah's colorful language, the 'scarecrows in a cornfield' (10:5). They are portable and completely under the user's control. They offer nothing like the threat of a God who thunders from Sinai and whose providence in this world so often appears to us to be incomprehensible and dangerous . . . [People] need face only themselves. That is the appeal of idolatry."
- David F. Wells
Friday, July 31, 2009
I'm gonna give away two copies of my book Your Jesus is Too Safe.
All you have to do is comment and tell me why you'd like to read the book. That's it.
Two winners will be selected randomly on Monday at a time TBD by personal whim and announced on this blog.
Only comment once. Additional comments from same poster will be deleted (and don't use a different name, b/c I can see IP's.)
You have to answer the question to be eligible.
Good luck! predestination!
(P.S. Don't comment if you don't plan on emailing me your shipping info, should you win. I can't endure the pain of "winner silence" again. :-)
UPDATE:
Okay, no more entries.
Using a random number generator, the winning comments are:
#30 Elizabeth
and
#6 Tom
Email your shipping addresses to jaredcwilson AT yahoo DOT com and I'll get your book to you ASAP.
Also tell me if you want it signed, and if addressed to anyone in particular, who and how.
Trackbacks:
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/5535.
Comments on "Your Jesus is Too Safe Giveaway":
3. Matthew Robbins
- 07/31/2009 10:29 am CDT
I'd love to read the book because I'm curious if my Jesus is safe or not. I think he has safe tendencies...
4. Thirsty Bear
- 07/31/2009 10:30 am CDT
I'm reading your book right now. And I believe it would be way too dangerous to give my copy away. So the safe thing to do, would be to acquire a free copy from the humble Author to pass on to my risk-averse Jesus follower friends to read and be enlightened like me. It would be awesome if it were Autographed.
5. Brandon Jones
- 07/31/2009 10:31 am CDT
I'd like to read it because (a) I've heard nothing but good and (b) I'm moving to Africa in 6 months and am trying to read as much as possible now before I move and don't have as easy access to lots of books.
8. Ashley
- 07/31/2009 10:48 am CDT
I'd like to read the book because it probably articulates one of the reasons why I've struggled to find a church in Colorado Springs, where I live.
9. Josh
- 07/31/2009 10:49 am CDT
I've got a few reason's I want to read the book.
(1) I've enjoyed reading your blog for a long time
(2) I've been trying to read more from authors in different traditions
(3) iMonk's review and interview have really gotten me fired up and excited about it
(4) I'm really hoping that it will help me to figure out how to help people in my local congregation to focus on the real Christ
(5) As of this morning Amazon.com only has 4 left in stock. That means it has to be good, right?
10. Lee Anne Millinger
- 07/31/2009 10:52 am CDT
Because I want to know Jesus better. Because I haven't read a real book all year. Because I need something positive to blog about.
11. Greg Mazunik
- 07/31/2009 10:52 am CDT
I would love to receive a free copy of your book so that I can not read it and then write a scathing review on my non-existent blog, denouncing you as an "emergent heretic" solely based on the names on your blogroll (Driscoll! And that pesky iMonk!).
12. Kevin Holtsberry
- 07/31/2009 10:57 am CDT
I would like to read the book so I can say good things about it (assuming it is as good as I think it will be) on my widely read book blog (OK, maybe widely read is a stretch).
13. Brian Roden
- 07/31/2009 11:01 am CDT
I've seen your book plugged at iMonk and Stetzer, two recommendations I highly value. As someone who is beginning Biblical studies after 20 years in computer and information science, I think it would be a valuable addition to my growing library.
14. Ronnica
- 07/31/2009 11:21 am CDT
I'm interested in this book because I want to continue to teach the children in my care that Jesus is not merely our friend, but also holy God.
15. Billy Williams
- 07/31/2009 11:22 am CDT
I would like to read the book to compare it to "WWGD" "What Would Google Do" - which I am currently reading. It would be a "WWJSJWD" "What Would Jared Say Jesus Would Do" read. Plus, I think you are brilliant. Win or lose, I am thrilled for you on getting the book published.
19. Bob Sacamento
- 07/31/2009 11:51 am CDT
I know that someday you will be big and famous and like all over TBN or something and then I can take your autographed copy of your book and sell it on eBay for like a gazillion dollars. Put more succinctly: I have faith in you.
Some other, minor reasons:
I like hanging around here at Thinklings and I've got a feeling that if I don't read your book, I will have no idea what anyone is talking about before long.
I've kind of mined the gold out of the established evangelical authors I am familiar with and I'm wondering what this new whipper snapper might have to say.
Michael Spencer liked it, and Mikey hates everything. (Just kidding. Well ... )
Interesting title that I could apply to alot of the directions evangelicalism has gone (and to myself as well --sigh--).
20. Manders
- 07/31/2009 11:55 am CDT
I've been reading your stuff for years in the form of blog posts and would like them in book form. :)
21. David LaPell
- 07/31/2009 11:56 am CDT
In 2009, God has continued to lay upon my heart that this year, as any year, is an unrepeatable opportunity to grow in the Lord and to minister to the world. Since 2008, God has continued to break my heart about this watered down version of the Gospel that so many churches throw in our direction. If this is a book that continues to explore the real Jesus of the Bible, the Holy Son of God and our Savior, rather than the super nice homeboy that the world tries to paint Him as, I would love to read it.
23. nhe
- 07/31/2009 12:15 pm CDT
I would like to read your book because I will be the one that will email back my shipping information so fast that your head will spin....and you'll think "man, this dude really wants my book, maybe he'll tell his friends and I'll have a display at Barnes & Noble."
......and because a generous offer of a free book on telling it like it is and gospel-centricity just plain rocks.......and nobody does it better (for my well, for my shipping address) than JW.
edit.....rats, Greg's funnier.
27. Laurie M.
- 07/31/2009 1:27 pm CDT
I'd like to read it because is sounds very interesting, and something that might be good to discuss on my blog.
29. Chestertonian Rambler
- 07/31/2009 2:28 pm CDT
...because iMonk said so, because I've enjoyed your blog, and because, while many people have pointed out ad nauseum (and with great justice) that America's Jesus is too safe, not as many are able to quote Piper with equanimity and respect.
(I am not a Calvinist, but I think Calvin, Piper, &c. have a lot to say about grace that can easily get missed when the gospel becomes the good news of serving others.)
32. Lauren
- 07/31/2009 4:48 pm CDT
I want to read your book because the other day my husband and I were sitting at the dinner table and I started talking about some issues and thoughts that I was having and how I was trying to overcome these predispositions that I had about what God would do or wouldn't and why etc. My husband says, "Have you heard of _Your Jesus is Too Safe_? It sounds like you should read it." And I said, "By Jared Wilson? Yes I've heard of it." And I read what the imonk had to say about it. And I'm sold. I want to read your book. And I can think of many people I would want to share it with afterward and who I'm going to buy it for for Christmas :)
Most importantly, Imonk wants me to have this book as he showed in his points:
1-I am younger than 40
2-I teach high school and will be able to relate to the pop-culture references
3-I am not an Episcopal Bishop and rather enjoy having my theological views challenged because it leads me to a)change my view or b)better understand my own view
4-I am not 'looking for an introduction to the quest for the historical Jesus or a fully rounded theological Christology...'I am looking for a "...strong evangelical theology, abbreviated, straight on, evangelistic and experiential, with an orthodox view of Jesus served up for..." me.
5-I am 'capable of moving beyond [my] tribe to focus in on what matters most: Jesus, the Gospel and Gospel application in the church and the Christian life.' I am 'among the “young, restless and reformed.”'
6-I want to read 'about Jesus as revealed in scripture, not about how evangelicals have made Jesus into a dashboard doll.'
7-I like 'less ego and much more focus on Christ.' and I know a young man who will one day be a great preacher who will benefit from this book.
Pretty PLEAAAAAAAAAAASE!!!!!!!!
35. Alec Lichlyter
- 07/31/2009 8:57 pm CDT
I would love to read Your Jesus Is Too Safe mainly because I am currently studying Titus. Paul says in Titus 1:10 that there are those who are "empty talkers" and he is most likely referring to those who push Jesus + Something. In Colossians 2:9-10 Paul states that in Jesus "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him." I would love to see how Jared presents to us a Jesus where the "whole fullness of deity dwells" because I have a suspicion that in this book Jared will show what it means to be full in Jesus and give some great examples of those who are not full in Jesus (i.e. "empty talkers") and thus how their Jesus is too safe.
36. Jim Elder
- 07/31/2009 9:02 pm CDT
I would like to read "Your Jesus Is Too Safe" because I have enjoyed your blog, your book has been recommended by another blog that I have read, and that the title in itself is intriguing. Plus, as a pastor working with multi-generations, your book sounds like a great resource in presenting Jesus Christ and his Gospel more truthfully. But there seems to be others who have made comments that may actually benefit from having the book more than I.
37. Luke
- 07/31/2009 9:05 pm CDT
I would like to read the book because I am always looking to step outside of my typical comfort zone. I am a big fan of chandler and driscoll and who better to read than someone who confesses to be a fan of both. Right out of my comfort zone
39. Alex Costa
- 07/31/2009 10:56 pm CDT
Joe Helt should win.
Here's my reason... I came to faith in Campus Crusade for Christ, and as much as I'm thankful for that, I see this "safe Jesus" you're talking about. After reading sermons and books by people such as Edwards, Spurgeon, Baxter, Calvin, Luther, etc, I have come to the realization that the Jesus I have believed in is indeed, too safe. I want to read it, because you obviously have come to a similar conclusion, and I would love to read what God has lead you to write. Before I even knew of this blog, I heard of the title of your book, and the title alone got me pumped up.
40. joe helt
- 08/01/2009 8:45 am CDT
alec lichlyter or alex costa should win.
i should win because i love d. webb's cd "house show" and he says (talking about Aslan) "the answer wasn't..'yes, he's safe. in fact, he's safe for the whole family...' it was "NO! he's not safe...but he is good."
thanks again for the Godology.
-joe
42. Jared
- 08/01/2009 3:08 pm CDT
Just a reminder that I am not "judging" your reasons. Winners will be picked randomly.
Telling me why you want to read it was just my arbitrary eligibility requirement to make the thread interesting. :-)
So, anyways, whether you're more or less worthy of a free book than anybody else won't affect the outcome.
Carry on, friends.
Winners announced sometime Monday.
45. Weekend Fisher
- 08/01/2009 9:33 pm CDT
I'd like to read it because, when you write, you often present the gospel, and I'm hopeful I'd get a welcome dose of gospel, which is Jesus.
Take care & God bless
WF
46. Milly
- 08/01/2009 10:15 pm CDT
I'd like to read the book because I need me some Jesus. Ok so that's all I have today my brain is toast today. Cancer sucks.
I'd pass a copy on to my minister plus send you a copy of one of his books.
Peace out.
48. G. Frederick
- 08/02/2009 3:48 pm CDT
Though the requirement to comment got my competitive juices flowing, I am glad that it will be random since I don't believe I can one-up any of the previous commenters. here is my reason:
Back when you first announced that you had been published, I was one of the ones to promise to buy one (I even promised to buy two) Well, due to my recent medical problems, I can no longer justify buying two so I will buy one and that one to give away. Now I don't want to be found not true to my word, so I would like a free one to keep. Ok, I have never ever won any random drawing and I have been eligible for quite a few. So, I don't think my being in this drawing will negatively affect any other person.
50. Mara
- 08/02/2009 9:40 pm CDT
I would love a copy of your book because I would like to read it. (I know that's beggging the question, but since reasons are only the entrance fee and I'm not feeling the least bit eloquent tonight, that's my reason plain and simple.) Oh, and I'm a book addict whose budget for books is currently at 0. Please feed my addiction :-)
52. Jared
- 08/03/2009 7:29 am CDT
Okay, that's all for entries. Our winners are:
#30 Elizabeth
and
#6 Tom
Email your shipping addresses to jaredcwilson AT yahoo DOT com and I'll get your book to you ASAP.
Also tell me if you want it signed, and if addressed to anyone in particular, who and how.
54. G. Frederick
- 08/04/2009 1:36 pm CDT
Dang! lost again. It's a good thing I don't play the lottery or anything like that. What a waste of money that would be for me. Just like giving my money away to the government: a big waste down a deep hole with no chance of any positive return on the "investment".
Leave a Comment:
I'd like to read your book because I think a safe Jesus is something other than the real Jesus.