The Inward Man(ning)

Goff, Bob. Love Does. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012. 240 pp. $15.99

Never heard of Bob Goff? You likely have a better chance of him tracking you down by accident than you tracking him down. That is unless you call him using his phone number that he provides in the back of the book.

Bob is one unique individual. Some people are good storytellers and some just with good stories but Bob is both, not in balance but to extremes in their own right.

In his first book, Love Does, Bob combines stories most people only dare to dream of and application for how to look at them differently. Granted, these stories he tells leave the reader dumbfounded saying Really? Since Bob seems to be in a league of his own it leaves the common reader left pondering how disinteresting their own life is. 

He has a fascination with whimsy, that is a playfully quaint or fanciful behavior or humor. When I was reading his anecdotes this is the impression that I was left with afterwards. Bob sees something and despite how awkward it could be or how disappointing the outcome could be he sees it as an opportunity to do something extraordinary. 

His point to it all is that friendship says “I’m with you”, circumstance are there to shape us, and that love does not think. Love does.

He begins each chapter with a short statement that begins, “I used to think…” For example, chapter 11 says: “I used to think I needed an invitation to get into most places, but now I know I’m already invited.” The chapter proceeds then with a story and what he learned in that experience, ultimately pointing to his “I used to think…” lesson. 

Most of these, if not all but one, worked for me. This reviewer was/is encouraged and challenged to press more into life and people. Bob is a fantastic example of what the book title he chose. I did find, however, a particular point that I disagree.

In this same chapter, Bob makes the point that we receive an invitation to fully live everyday.

“I get the invitation every morning when I wake up to actually live a life of complete engagement, a life of whimsy, a life where love does (80).”

 He then uses the example of Jesus’ parable about the banquet where the invited guests declined. There is much to be said about this passage in its context. However, the point can be simply made that an invitation to the banquet was refused. We can tell people they are invited to the party but they must accept the invitation to come. Sure, the point could be made that it doesn’t seem like Christians are inviting these days but it does not change the invitation from the King Himself. Bob says that the point of the story is “there’s more room”. It is about the invitation. I would contend too that there is the refusal as well and not only to a full life but the explicitness that is a full life in Christ.Bob says:

“I don’t think God is the kind of guy who forces Himself on anybody either. If people don’t want to come to the banquet, He’s not bitter or anything. He loves them all the same, but He’s not going to force them. Instead, He just keeps looking. He keeps saying there’s more room to those who really want to be invited to where He is (81).” (italics mine)

While it may be true that God doesn’t force Himself upon anybody, He is relentless in His pursuit. He is also set in His ways against sin and rebellion against Himself. The “he hates the sin but loves the sinner” has some truth but it is not the most helpful statement. When the time comes God will crush the sinner and those who were adamant in their rebellion. The point of the banquet invitation is that the Jews refused to come and now the invitation is to the Gentiles. The invitation is not merely moving from “the bleachers to the field (82).” It is moving from death the life.

There is something to say about good theology leading to doxology, making the connection between what we believe with our mind and what we do in our actions. Our brains determine what our bodies do and our knowledge or understanding of something determines what we believe and what we believe should determine what we do.

I believe Bob thinks much of grace. It shows in his life. I’m thankful for his stories, his example, and his ability to make the connections between knowing and doing. I believe, though, that doing at the sacrifice of knowing fully (that is what the Bible says) leads to an easier life than what Jesus has called us to. Sure, it is difficult to love people regardless of whether Jesus is there or not. There should be a proper understanding, however. To read the Bible is not to see one or the other but both.

I recommend that you read Bob’s engaging & whimsical book. Be challenged to live a “secretly incredible” life like he has. Go write all the leaders of the world, become a Ugandan consul, and sit outside the office of the one who can let you into school until he lets you in. See the opportunity in all circumstances and make much of the one who orchestrates it all.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Posted at 12:53pm and tagged with: bob goff, love does, one column,.