This is a fresh and honest look at some of the "lies" that we are taught to so readily accept as truth. I don't know that I agree with all of the conclusions made by young here, but I think it's worth a read to gain some perspective.

I didn't care for the motif of blindness throughout the book to describe how we tend to embrace these lies. Also it would probably be helpful to have read The Shack before reading this one. I still haven't and there are a lot of references to it throughout.

Could quite easily have titled the book “Lies I believe about God.” Every chapter is a dog’s breakfast. It is clear that man is the center of Young’s theology as you read chapters that speak of the helplessness of God and how God relies on us and our response to him. It is like Luther wrote, “Even Lucifer was not guilty of so great a sacrilege in heaven, for he only presumed to be God's equal. God help us!”

I will probably have to read this book over and over again, because it has the kind of truths that we so easily forget but need to be reminded of. Great read!

William Paul young offers rich text for us to consider God and the Christian faith from some different perspectives. I thoroughly enjoyed his commentary on a variety of beliefs and narratives that we are prone to develop in certain Christian traditions, that may not actually line up with what it means to follow and be in relationship with a Triune God. I do feel like the titles of his chapters didn’t always quite capture the actual content provided within. I sometimes found myself thinking, “oh, so THAT’S what you mean by that.” Certain chapter titles feel... reaching. Additionally, I think I would have liked less “lies” to be covered, with more in-depth looks at the ones presented. Nevertheless, lots of good nuggets of to reflect upon and consider.

Review to follow.

I think Paul is right on in a lot of areas of this book, but I do disagree with universalism. If you are strong in your convictions and know how to read something and still enjoy parts of it and get value from it (mining for the gold) then I think you'll enjoy this book. If you dismiss entire books and people because you disagree with them, it's best for you to leave this on the shelf.