Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe: Are Urban Legends & Sunday School Myths Ruining Your Faith?

by Larry Osborne

Book Overview

In this delightfully personal and practical book, respected Bible teacher Larry Osborne confronts ten widely held beliefs that are both dumb and dangerous.

People don't set out to build their faith upon myths and spiritual urban legends. But somehow such falsehoods keep showing up in the way that many Christians think about life and God. These goofy ideas and beliefs are assumed by millions to be rock-solid truth... until life...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1601421508
• ISBN13: 9781601421500
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe

We bought this book for our in home Bible Study. It has already opened people's eyes to myth's they have believed for years and has led to some interesting discussions. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get deeper into the true meaning of the Bible, either individually or as a group. Larry speaks down on a easy to understand level and everyone is able to follow along! All in all a great book! You won't be dissapointed!

Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe

The author has a razor sharp wit about him. I found the contents of the book to be enlightening; helpful in clarifying confusing misconceptions about why we believed some things were a certain way for so long.

Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe

Interesting read. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. I know many Christians have the same issues Larry writes about and Larry explains them very clearly. A great book for all christians and Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believebelievers to read.

"You who are foolish, gain understanding"

This quote from Proverbs 8:5 captures the spirit of, and the reason for, this book. Many well-meaning Christians are victims of sloppy thinking. Sentimentality and wishful thinking too easily replace common sense. Of all people, Christians should be able to face the most unpleasant facts about reality without falling apart. Unfortunately, it's too easy for many Christians to cling to an alternate reality, as if they are immune to the very world they are part of. This book should be on the desk of every pastor and Christian counselor. Though the initial effect may be similar to a bucket of ice water in the face, those who internalize the message of this book will find genuine healing and restoration because it is based on truth rather than fantasy.

Compelling book will unsettle readers

10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe by Larry Osborne is going to shake up more than a few readers faith! There are many beliefs that are consistent across denominations, but as Osborne points out, not all of these are Scriptural, and some are actually likely to damage believers' faith. He calls them spiritual urban legends like: God brings good luck, all things happen for a reason, and my personal favorite being raised in a godly home guarantees good children. Despite what other writers will have you believe, it's not necessarily so. Osborne uses short anecdotes and lots of Scripture to point out how these beliefs arose and why they continue in popularity. The book is like a cold splash of water: it's at first a bit shocking and maybe even unpleasant but cleansing. For example, believing that raising your children in a godly home guarantees that they will be good people will cause one of two reactions if your children are struggling and not walking with the Lord. First, parents may blame themselves and feel unnecessary guilt and causing stress on their relationship as well as deep grief at having failed their child. Or parents could be unrealistically optimistic, believing that while the child may be conflicted now eventually he/she will come to faith because of the false promise in that belief. Either of these can devastate a relationship with the Lord. Osborne wants readers to have a solid faith in God based on the rock of Scripture instead of the unsteady sand of spiritual urban legends.