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Take Charge of Your Life
- 01/19/09
- 25
There may be some who will get no further than the cover or even the title of Take Charge of Your Life. There on the cover is the smiling face of the author, rather a rarity for a book that is actually worth reading. And that title sounds like it may just be the title of a book by Dr. Phil or Joel Osteen. And yet at the top are these words by John MacArthur: "Superb...Prepare yourself for a study that is at once challenging and uplifting." It seems a study in contradictions. Yet behind the cover and behind the title is a solid book, a very good book, that will challenge any reader, believer or unbeliever alike.
If you think Ganz has written something a little bit like this before, you're both right and wrong. In its opening pages he writes, "Take Charge of Your Life is what I had hoped a previous book, The Secret of Self-Control [Crossway 1998], could have been, but wasn't." This new book, he promises, "will show you a revolutionary way of life. You are about to enter the world of power-charged, super-charged, God-charged, Take-Charge living." By carefully describing what he calls a Take-Charge life, he teaches how any person can live the life God intends for him.
In Take Charge of Your Life, Ganz deliberately takes the words, the look, the feel of a self-help book and permeates it all with Christian meaning. His constant exhortation is to live a take-charge life--or, to use the words of Scripture, to work out your salvation. It is a book about sanctification, about living a life for God's glory, about living a life that is distinctly Christian in its emphases and in its characteristics. He divides the book into six sections: The Start of a Take-Charge Life, the Heart of a Take-Charge Life, The Action of a Take Charge Life, the Challenges of a Take-Charge Life, The Mentality of a Take-Charge Life, and The Extent of a Take Charge-Life. Through them all he leads the reader from Christian infancy to Christian maturity. He does so by appealing constantly to Scripture. As the long-serving pastor of a church that is part of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, he does so in a way consistent with sound theology.
It has long been my observation that when the face of the author is on the book's cover, more often than not, the book's pages offer lots of the author and little Scripture. Take Charge of Your Life is a great exception. But don't take only my word for it. Derek Thomas, Professor Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary declares it "a winning combination. It helps reform and strengthen biblical Christian discipleship. It is solid yet accessible. Highly recommended." Jay Adams says "Rich Ganz has done it again! With his biblically-oriented pen, Rich Ganz, in "Take Charge of Your Life" shows us how to live in a way that is pleasing to God. As has been true of all of his other books, once again, what he has written, will be a real blessing to many. It is my pleasure to highly commend his work to you. Read and be blessed."
This is a unique book and one that has a lot to offer. I recommend it to you. I believe it can be particularly useful to those who are drawn to this genre, this format, of book. Get past the title, get past the cover if those trouble you, and you'll find a deeply challenging book inside.
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Published in 2008, this book
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Comments (25)
Sheep in wolves clothing. Heheheheh just kidding.
I laughed outloud over your first paragraph. I subscribe to your feed and when the cover of the book popped up in my reader I let out a comment. The cover is a turn off (with all due respect for Ganz). It is, as you say, usually an indication that the book is going to be filled with the author's own advice when their picture is plastered all over the front.
I was glad to hear your thoughts on the book though and its good to know that it is a worthy read. Thanks much!
I'm glad to hear that you liked this book. I have it on my list of things to get to but was a little bit skeptical. Knowing that it's biblically sound is a reassurance I'm happy to have.
I'm wondering if this approach isn't actually brilliant. It's a title that instantly appeals to anyone who has ever watched Oprah or roamed the Costco aisles looking for THE book to solve all their problems. I wonder if people's objections might partly come from the myriad of books that offer the exact same thing and yet never fulfill it. We're jut so used to being lied to.
Plus, I remember for a while a lot of John MacArthur's books had covers that made them look like dimestore potboilers
Challies,
I often judge book by its cover. Though thanks for the review :)
Tim,
If you say this is a good book then I’m sure it is, the problem I see is that regardless of the source of the advice the work of living and taking charge is not easy. Motivation doesn’t work for everybody and the Bible already offers us wisdom. In general, I think the people who buy self-help books are looking for the ‘silver-bullet’ that will fix everything instantly; they don’t want to be ‘challenged’ they want the easy way out. How many fad diets have made people rich while the people who try them remain unchanged or even worse become discouraged.
Of course, your readers probably don’t buy self-help books so your choice to post was a good one.
God bless,
-jim
You're right...I wouldn't have even looked twice - unless I noticed John MacArthur's plug. Then, still....So, thanks for the review. I'll have to give it a going over at the bookstore. B.
In my humble opinion, the choice of cover and title is brilliant for the very reasons that many will cringe at it! People who are spending their time reading Christian blogs and systematic theologies will probably already know the bulk of what's in the book, but for the people who would generally buy the Christian self-help books, this may well be their first introduction to a deeper Christianity. Brilliant strategy!
[Quote] "...Rich Ganz, in “Take Charge of Your Life” shows us how to live in a way that is pleasing to God."
I have a book like that. It's called "The Bible"
Regardless of the review, I think I'll pass.
Hum. I'd have to agree with Rachael and Nick. It really is a brilliant approach. My sister wrote a post about a fictional "Christian Romance Novel Converter". It was more for laughs than seriousness, but Dr. Ganz' ingenious book cover made me laugh just as hard.
Think it will make Oprah's book of the month?
Tim
When I read your discription of the book, I was reminded of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones book 'Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cure'.
Tim Irwin said:
"I have a book like that. It’s called “The Bible”
Regardless of the review, I think I’ll pass."
It is your right to pass on the book, but then again any sermon or book or article that is worth while is based on the Bible itself.
Would you have the same attitude about your pastor's preaching?
Let's change your words a bit.
"I don't need to listen to sermons, because I have the Bible"
Regardless of how good the sermon is, I think I 'll pass".
Hey Tim-- I'm glad you're also recommending this book.
I'm reading it now. I was looking for a Christian book to start of 2009 with that would be inspirational, motivational and theologically sound. I'd read Ganz's previous book on Self-Control and liked it, plus this one gets very solid endorsements, as you point out.
Well, my initial impression is that the book is different than some other reformed books (not so dry and heavy). I like the author's light touch and sense of humor, while at the same time, I don't think it's superficial (though maybe though the first few chapters felt a bit fluffy).
I will post another comment when I'm finished reading and let you know my final thoughts. Or possibly I'll write a review over on Jordan's View and post the link here.
Wow, maybe we just need some Reformed Theology books with some cheesy titles and smiling authors on the front to sneak RT out into the general church populace. Just kidding; that's not necessary. Funny, though.
This review makes me wonder if it's similar at all to The Pursuit of God by Tozer. ?
Jeff
@Tom Hardly
The Lord chose to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. I'm a lot less critical when it comes to sermons. And, the pastor isn't trying to sell me anything through his sermon.
A book is a book, #1, to be sold. If it was a ministry it would be available for free, like a sermon.
Some things just get to me, like misspelling a name when it's right there in front of you. :)
Tim Irvine
"@Tom Hardly
The Lord chose to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. I’m a lot less critical when it comes to sermons. And, the pastor isn’t trying to sell me anything through his sermon.
A book is a book, #1, to be sold. If it was a ministry it would be available for free, like a sermon.
Some things just get to me, like misspelling a name when it’s right there in front of you. :)"
Ouch, sorry about misspelling your name.
I take it then that you will not be buying Tim Challies book.
I assume your book case must be fairly empty. ;-)
Tim Irvine
Since I replied to your response to me, I took the time to see if I could find out a little bit about you. I found out you have a web site and that you have read Tim Challies book. You even gave it your endorsement.
With that in mind, I can honestly say that you have me totally confused brother.
@Tom Hardy,
Tim Challies acknowledges that this book fits into a "genre". I'm not a big fan of this genre. One reason are statements like these, which I find above, concerning this book:
"Through them all he leads the reader from Christian infancy to Christian maturity."
Well, that's just great. No need to read anything else or go any further. From infancy to maturity in a couple of hundred pages.
Books like this are built from the author's point of view which is flavored by the life that he has lived. You just can't place everyone in the same nitch. Peter followed the Lord for three years and then denied Him three times, it's a shame he didn't have this book. Demus served the Lord with the Apostle Paul and then forsook him, it's a shame he didn't have this book.
I have found that when I take charge of my life it usually ends in disaster. I'm trusting the Lord to be in charge of my life. If the title of the book was, "Learning to trust the Lord who is charge of your Life" I might have paid more attention. But, titles like that don't sell books.
I have found that books like this, that attempt to teach us how to "Work out our Salvation", often leave out the "with fear and trembling" part. The emphasis of the verse is the "fear and trembling" but the emphasis in books like these is the "work out".
I'm not trying to be controversial. Mr. Challies knows my feelings on the matter because this isn't the first time he's reviewed a book n this genre and I've commented on it in the same manner.
If error is harmless, then truth is useless. Call me in five years and tell me what this book has done for you.
To Tim Irvin (his comments)
Thank you for your comments here. I do not like people being tricky about their products! Seems that this books cover and title are quite different. One to bait some and than sneak in a different agenda. Seems cunning but also so worldly. Your comments helped me to see that this book might not be so great after all. Why MacArthur endorsed it must lead one to think it is good and should be read. John can make errors as well and ought to think about these things a little more - being a public figure (sorry John)! Why can't christians just be truthful in a world so filled with this kind of deception already everywhere??? Just no transparency!!! Why???
Nick said, "sheep in wolves clothing". Insightful!!! I say the same but do not laugh and am not kidding!! This has the appearance of evil! Paul said he is all things to all man. I really do not believe he meant he could transform himself into a wolf to attract the wolves to a way of life so to work out their salvation! Repentance never comes in the form of a wolf!!!! Hiding the truth in other forms is not what the Holy Spirit does! He doesn't need to!!! Why should we!!! I wished this site would stick to its intended content as stated and not controversial book reviews as this one! I know it is innocent but the site ought to think of the readers and their intended purpose - Gods word and ways and not mans works and ways! Please remove this review from us "immature christians" eyes! It is just not so pleasing to us to see more chaos than already exists in this world and in our lives! Get all wolves clothing out as it causes us distress of soul! No trickery please!!! Joel Osteen all over again and in my face!! Sorry, I have so much flesh!!! God help me a great sinner dying to rid my flesh!
Bruce,
What specifically in the book has the appearance of evil? And how has the book "hidden the truth"? From the Amazon description, it says
"Rich Ganz does a superb job of unwrapping and explaining the practical principles found in Scripture to help us gain the sort of self-control that is the fruit of a Take-Charge life surrendered to the Holy Spirit. Prepare yourself for a study that is at once challenging and uplifting."
Doesn't sound all that hidden to me...
Tim Irvin
Thank you for being a little clearer on why you will not read the book.
The problem I now have however about what you said is basically that I see no solid evidence to support your claim.
Perhaps if I actually read the book myself, I might be able to know if what you said is correct. But, what you said seems to me to be based on assumption.
For instance, does this book actually leave out the “with fear and trembling” part?
Perhaps, Tim Challies (or someone who has read the book) could shed some light on this matter.
One thing I do know about John MacArthur is that he is usually a stickler when it comes to matters like this and it would seem strange that he would endorse a book that is of the ‘genre’ you think it is.
I am curious if you have read D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones book ‘Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cure’. From the description that Tim Challies gave of the book, it reminded me of it.
If you haven’t read Lloyd-Jones book, I highly recommend that you do.
'Take charge of your dentistry' - that's what the cover says to me. But nice to know there are some exceptions to the 'author on cover = ego inside' rule.
There is a lot of assumption happening in this thread. Just because there is a picture of the author on the cover, doesn't mean that he has an ego problem.
Yes, it is true that he might have an ego problem, but perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt and read the book. Only then can we make an informed judgment on the matter.
Just so you know, I am not sure I will be buying this book, however the reason is because I have too many books already that I want to read that are more of a priority.
Also, when it comes to non-fiction, I am generally a slow reader. Besides based on what I know about the book, I am already reading one on that particular topic.