Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 22:43 (Autumn 2009)
Article: Dangerous Words: A Review Of "Crazy Love" By Francis Chan
Author: Bruce Bauer

JOTGES 22:43 (Autumn 2009) p. 75

Dangerous Words:
A Review Of Crazy Love By Francis Chan1

Bruce Bauer

Lancaster, CA

I. Introduction

A. Drenched In Hype

“Waking up the sleeping church!” “Potent paradigm shift.” “A clarion call to ‘on-fire’ living for Christ!” These are a sampling of glowing tributes found on online book sites about Francis Chan’s Crazy Love. A minority of comments stands in stark dissent: “Works-based theology!” “Mean-spirited.” “Confused.” “Unbiblical.”

Count me among the latter group, the disenchanted.

B. About The Author

Francis Chan is the senior pastor of Cornerstone Community Church of Simi Valley, California. He is a graduate of Master’s College and Seminary, both founded by and presided over by John MacArthur. Chan also established a school himself called Eternity Bible College, having the goal of making Bible education affordable. The college meets at the church and at satellite facilities.

The church’s website contained a standard evangelical statement of faith. The school’s statement was more extensive, having strong Calvinist (TULIP) doctrines subtly interwoven.2

In addition to his duties as a pastor and college president, Francis Chan speaks regularly at conferences, particularly

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youth gatherings, nationwide. He also preached to millions as a guest on the Hour of Power program in February of 2009. Chan maintains a website with videos introducing each chapter of Crazy Love.3

II. Strengths Of Crazy Love

A. The Book’s Popularity

Since its release in May, 2008, the book Crazy Love has climbed the sales charts worldwide. As of July, 2009, Crazy Love stands in the number three ranking out of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s Christian Bestsellers.4 It ranks ahead of such top-sellers as, The Purpose Driven Life, 90 Minutes in Heaven, and perennial favorite, My Utmost for His Highest.5 An old saying goes, “Never argue with success!” However, I question such wisdom when referring to a book which may be proffering unsound doctrine.

B. Its Good Intentions

After reading Crazy Love and after viewing several of Francis Chan’s sermons online, I believe that he is sincere in wanting Christians to experi...