CBA Reatilers + Resources, August 2007 Being a Christian means living the way Jesus lived, Wilson Says. He sees the Sermon on the Mount as the best description of Christlike living. In it he finds and focuses on 14 values: authenticity, vision, significance, holiness, purity, forbearance, charity, spirituality, trust, tolerance, faith, kindness, integrity, and commitment. He uses real-life stories to illustrate and explore each one With self-depreciating humor, Wilson examines his life in light of these values and invites readers to do the same. His observations are thought-provoking and sometimes provocative. He believes it’s possible for Christians to apply these values to their lives—indeed, to live like Jesus.
A Different Kind of Crazy includes a four-topic study for groups and is appropriate for seekers and new and longtime Christians. It’s ideal for groups, providing plenty of material for meaningful reflection and lively discussions—Dan Johnson
Author Lawrence W. Wilson shares his life perspectives on authentic Christianity in his new book "A Different Kind of Crazy". He asks readers whether or not they truly walk in the footprints of Jesus. Wilson is an author, editor, and popular speaker at Christian conferences.
With topics ranging from purity to trust, "A Different Kind of Crazy" covers a lot of ground in a small amount of time. Wilson begins each section with a story from his personal life. He then transitions into his point that is supported by scripture. The book also comes complete with a discussion guide.
Throughout, Wilson remains the humble narrator, often using his own shortcomings to make a statement or ask a question. This humility allows readers to connect. Wilson also does a great job of giving the reader something to ponder even when the cover is closed. Unfortunately, the story, message, verse pattern quickly becomes repetitive, so this is not the kind of book to read in one sitting. Rather, it works as a weekly through-provoker. Some of the deeper topics, such as sustained faith, are simply not given enough pages due to the compactness of the book. That may leave room for a companion volume or sequel. All in all, readers looking to examine their own emulation of Christ should consider this "crazy" option.
Publishers Weekly, May 28, 2007
Wilson (Why Me? Straight Talk About Suffering) gets in the face of evangelicals as he writes in a somewhat acerbic style, posing challenges to today's church on matters both personal and societal. This book will spur readers to examine their motives, actions and reactions to life's dilemmas in light of Jesus' teaching and example. Tackling those niggling character qualities that Christians often make excuses for not exhibiting, Wilson uses personal narratives and brief vignettes from today's news to expound upon the Christ-like responses the world requires of God followers: authenticity, vision, significance, holiness, purity, forbearance, charity, trust, tolerance, faith, integrity and commitment. Throughout this work, Wilson generates a good share of his material by citing stories from his own childhood and past. This works both for and against him; some Christian readers will relate to his frankness and the criticisms he lodges against the church, finding his jeremiad hard-hitting but necessary. Others, however, will wince as he describes his own missteps in relating to others, as the book's tone alternates between cynicism and contrition. Rather than encourage change, this book can leave a bitter aftertaste. (July)
Wolseley (Sask.) Bulletin
by Helen Gwilliam
Once in a while a book will cross our path that will rattle our cage and cause us to wonder if our ducks are all in a row. Lawrence Wilson’s book “A Different Kind of Crazy–Living the Way Jesus Lived” is such a book.
While it is an easy read in that it is not laced with heavy and endless religious jargon, it is not a quick read. Many of the author’s statements caused me to put the book down to chew reflectively on his words, or to reread paragraphs that challenged my way of thinking.
“A Different Kind of Crazy” is a book about life and faith, and living an authentic Christian life. Lawrence Wilson was raised in a Christian home, the son of a Pastor, who himself was also a Pastor for a time. In the book he pulls an assortment of colourful characters and amusing anecdotes from his own life. His stories include those of Joey Stanley—an 8 year old version of Mickey Mantle, Arnie Brinkman—the high school geek, Albert Harkima—the too good to be true school teacher, who turns out to be not so true, and dear sister Mitchell—the pleasant old lady who gave the Wilson family a television set in the 1960’s. Unfortunately she took it back—three times!
Wilson shares candidly his responses to many of these people—while in his heart he wanted to do the right thing, he is brutally honest is sharing that he often bowed to peer pressure and regretted his choices; or at times in trying to do the right thing he ended up being more like the Pharisee who followed the letter of the law, but had no love in his heart. As we reflect on his writings we become a little uncomfortable when we realize that many of his stories are our stories with only slight variations.
This is a book that will challenge our belief systems and expose the cracks in the false religious structures that we have insulated our lives with. Sometimes his words are like a glass of cold water that hits us in the face as he wakes us up from our lifeless traditions, and asks the question “what does it really mean to be a Christian?”
In his own words he states “Authentic Christianity is that which originates with Jesus. Authentic Christians are those who associate themselves with Him, who know Him, who learn from Him, who emulate Him. Christian identity is not a bracelet or a necklace or a set of lingo. It is a way of being.” In a nutshell it is “knowing Jesus”. He quotes the scripture from Matthew chapter 7, “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Wilson says at times we think the Bible is a nice bit of writing, but hardly applicable in this day and age. He asks us to daringly take God at His Word and believe that we can live a life of forgiveness, service to others, showing mercy and compassion to the poor and sick, honouring our promises, holding money loosely, telling the truth at all times and not tolerating sin in our own lives.
This book is not for those who are comfortable or satisfied with their Christians walk, but for those believers wishing to ignite a fresh spark in their spiritual lives. It is for those Christians who have counted the cost of following Jesus and are willing to make necessary adjustments in their calculations to make the journey more vibrant and authentic. Sound crazy?—yes a different kind of crazy!
