There Is More to the Secret: An Examination of Rhonda Byrne's Bestselling Book 'The Secret'

by Ed Gungor

Book Overview

Is it possible to believe in both God and the law of attraction?

Isn't this all just some New Age, "power of the mind" thing?

If the law of attraction works, why isn't it in the Bible - or is it?

Questions like these are being asked by people around the world after reading the best-selling book, The Secret. According to the law of attraction, you can have virtually anything desired if your...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0849919789
• ISBN13: 9780849919787
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.3" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

I LOVE the Balanced View of This Book!

This is now one of my favorite "Law of Attraction" books. Clearly there can be two very opposing sides on the subject of the Law of Attraction and Christianity but Ed Gungor takes a very balanced, albeit ultimately Christian, view. It was gratifying to know that he isn't out to discredit "the law of attraction," but to explain how there is a Biblical connection. It is unfortunate that the Law of Attraction, once the domain, as it were, for people already into alternative ways of thought anyway, such as massage therapists, Reiki practitioners, chiropractors, yoga practitioners, etc., has now almost become anathema to those who could richly benefit from it and sends up a red flag to many. Unfortunately, the opening up of the Law of Attraction to the masses has had an almost boomerang effect. And it unfortunate that Ms. Bryne herself is the reason for this in my opinion. Watching the DVD is one thing but when I read "The Secret," there were at least three blatant fatal flaws. Before I go any further let me say that I understand and appreciate that the book can be considered a secular book. Furthermore, I daresay I can understand and appreciate those who question why Christians have to see "Christ" in everything. BUT, BUT, BUT, fatal flaw #1. Ms. Bryne bases her whole Creative Process premise on "Ask, Believe, Receive," on the New Testament in the Bible but never mentions Jesus (at least I'm having a hard time find a specific reference to Jesus as I thumb through the book) Fatal flaw #2. she quotes from Matthew and Mark without giving any context (if I were NOT a Christian already I would have no idea where those quotes came from and no way of finding out). Fatal flaw #3. she makes reference to the world's greatest minds in one lump, including Carnegie, Emerson, Shakespeare, Bacon, Krishnamurti, and Buddha. Gee, I guess Jesus was just a "wannabe" in the great minds arena. So at the end of the day "The Secret" really isn't a purely secular book, after all. Toward the end of the book she asks people to open it randomly to find find guidance on something occuring in their life. She draws from the Bible and its teachings albeit kind of "kicking and screaming." It might have been better to have left the Bible out of it altogether -- then perhaps Christians wouldn't be so upset over the fact that the book does nothing to glorify the Kingdom. Given this scenario Pastor Gungor was much more kind to "The Secret" than he could have been and kudos to him for recognizing that people are thirsty to find meaning in life. The way he ties it altogether at the end is absolutely brilliant! This is a MUST HAVE book for those who want to reconcile the Law of Attracrion with their Christians beliefs. And hopefully those Christians who categorically reject the Law of Attraction as New Age will be moved to buy the book and read it.

Good argument with the law of attraction.

As well as other people, I have the "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. I also got the movie. While Rhonda Byrne's book was probably two stars, I felt that Ed Gungor's book put the "law of attraction" into perspective and into a biblical basis that we all need as Christians. Like others, I stumbled on the book by accident. I read it on a Sunday morning and couldn't put it down. I have since let the minister at my church borrow my copy because I thought that he would get a lot out of it. The so called "law of attraction" is simply having a strong faith in God and what he can do for you in your life and this is what this book does. Although Rhonda Byrnd does have a couple of scriptures in her book, Ed Grungor shows the readers that God is the one to look to; not a low of attraction. We need The Law of Attraction that God shows us in the Bible. I strongly recommend to anyone who has read "The Secret" to read this book. It is a fast read and can be done in one setting. Whether you are a Christian or not, this book will put God into perspective.

Clarity to confusion and doubts created by "The Secret"

While I can appreciate the idea and the intended message that was the purpose behind "The Secret," I am alarmed by many of its projections; particularly the fact that your thoughts create your ENTIRE reality. As a parent of a child with a chronic medical illness, I received words of caution from professionals in regards to exposing him to "The Secret." After reading Ed Gungor's EXCELLENT book, his writing on the subject of "The Law of Attraction" has provided relief, compassion, and an enlightening response to the confusion and concern that I was feeling after reading "The Secret." I greatly appreciate the fact that the author took the time to share his light with others and I do hope he is able to reach a wider audience to act as a compliment Rhonda's book.

Much needed response

There are many skeptics of The Secret - as they well should be! This book is a great response to some of the missing elements of the Law of Attraction and what just does not make sense about The Secret. A great resource for people who know someone who has been pulled in by all of the Rhonda Byrne hype.

Awesome Book for Thos who need Relief and Help after reading Rhonda Byrne's Book" The Secret"

I bought The Book "The Secret By Rhonda Byrne" and I bought it without realizing the trash that this book had in it. I threw it away because it was horrid and I am so surprised at how many people have read it, including Oprah Winfrey and praised it.I can tell you being a Christian, I felt something opressing reading it. Its like Rhonda took truth and twisted it to the max-and people actually bought into it- So months later I was at a Best Buy Store in Florida and my daughter came up to me and showed me Ed Gungor's Book 'There is More To The Secret' I thought " Dear Lord, when is this secret stuff gonna end' so I opened up the book and read a few pages and I was astonished. First thing I noticed is that Ed was very gracious in correcting Rhonda Bryne's statments she made in her book. This book should be labeled the TRUE SECRET because everything Ed Wrote could be backed by the bible with truth.The True Secret that all these books from various authors in a NEW AGE way try to reveal only belong to those who are in Christ because all the power that comes from such a Secret is from Christ and his death. You can't go around and try to pull power from the Universe because without Christ, the Universe has no power. I do not understand why people try to go around Christ and make their own magical lifes, when you can have all the power you want in Jesus Christ. Ed's book explains all this and it will help anyone confused about the subject to have comfort in knowing the truth. I hope and pray more people who are upset and confused with Rohonda's book will find Ed's Book, There is More to the Secret, because it takes all the twisted truth from these secular wanna be's and puts Christ back as the source of power and truth. Thank you Ed for this book , I hope it blesses many as it did me--- THANKS ED!!! I highly recommend it to anyone who needs truth and purpose