Source: booklookbloggers.com
I'm sorry; I just can't be at peace with this book.
I've read many Christian books and this is the first book that drew many questions from me that is not in a good way.
The writer, Michael Yankowski, is a Christian motivational speaker. Paraphrasing the book's summary, he got disillusioned with his lifestyle and decided to pursue a year of "focused engagement with spiritual practices" to experience faith.
Guided by the voice of Father Solomon--a local monk--Yankoski's Sacred Year slowly transforms his life... His story will resonate with those who wish to deepen their own committed faith... for their own authentic encounter with the Divine.I have conflicting feelings about the book. The summary above alone should've been a red flag. Referring to God as merely "the Divine" and spiritual realizations guided by the voice of a monk? They seem harmless until you realize that throughout the book, there isn't much focus on the Christian God and Jesus' Gospel.
Okay, so it's not a book about the Gospel. That can happen. But what bothers me most about this book is how it tries to mix Christianity and mysticism or new age-ism together and how it doesn't bother to help readers know God's Word and will.
It is supposed to be a spiritual journey, isn't it? I'm sorry, but I can't be at peace with an idea of a spiritual journey where God's Word takes a backseat.
The premise of learning to focus initially sounded interesting. However, I find his depiction of focus mystical and, frankly, unrealistic. I'm glad he has the time to look at an apple for hours, but what about us? I also find it new-agey. I actually expected the book to begin talking about the secrets of the universe or something.
Besides that, I didn't feel comfortable reading a supposedly Christian book that barely refers to the Bible. It does refer to the Bible a few times but only in passing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's a point in the book where the writer truly meditated on it. This is, of course, debatable because I want to give the book benefit of the doubt.
Maybe it's just me.
In the end, I'm disappointed. I thought this book will help me grow as a Christian by teaching me how to be still to hear God's voice. I was disappointed because the book focuses on understanding ourselves. I'm sorry, but since my identity in rooted in Christ, shouldn't I be understanding the Word and not focusing on myself?
Maybe it's just me.
On the other hand, I can't deny how skillful the author's writing is. I felt drawn to the almost poetic words. But this can be dangerous if these words are used to deliver a gospel that is not Christ's.
Source: bibleencyclopedia.com
I am convinced that devotion to Jesus is simple. I believe it shouldn't be weighed down by practices and works and humanly attempts to understand the "divine." Otherwise, our faith will become something to boast about rather than a complete dependence on God.
Again, I'm sorry for writing a negative review. This is actually unpopular opinion as most reviews of this book are positive. I'd like to understand what I missed, but to be honest, I'll probably won't read the book again.
DISCLOSURE: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions I have expressed are my own.
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