As a Cincinnati native, I have heard from a distance about the buzz coming from Crossroads Church.  And as a graduate of a school named Liberty, I was really looking forward to diving into the subject of freedom in Christ.  And if you haven’t figured it out by now, the title of this book is reference to freedom and not the price of purchase (hence the asterisk).

But what I found in the first two chapters was disappointing.  The author Brian Tome comes off as a hipster more interested in attracting attention and ridiculing other Christians than digging into the subject.  Matter he makes multiple references to how much Scripture we can expect as he work our way through his work.  But in reality a great deal of his ink is based on his personal opinion (which he honestly asserts most of the time).

Tome takes great joy in mocking one of his church members who is a recovering alcoholic who had the audacity to question the presence of bloody mary cocktails & beer in the Crossroads parking lot for a church Super Bowl tailgate.  In essence, he equates standards with bondage.  That is a notion that I have a tough time swallowing based on Scripture.

In the third chapter he turns his focus to freedom from fear and this is where I believe the book finally hits its stride. He uses some powerful language to help readers visualize what a triumphant life can be achieved when freed from the bondage of our sinful nature.

In summary, Tome’s self-inflation is a bit annoying but his primary efforts to encourage a life of liberty through Christ is probably worth a read … even if it comes with more than a few grains of salt.

Reviewer’s Note: Free Book* was provided at no charge in exchange for this review.

1.  Brain Rules by John Medina (Pear Press) – A colleague at the corporate communications firm where I work suggested I give this book a read to help better understand what communication sticks in our brains.  It is written by a molecular biologist and it offers up 12 principles that have significant applications for those of us who communicate for a living.  After referring it to the Executive Pastor of  my church, he in turn placed it as suggested reading for his teaching staff.  Often times we spend so much time focusing on our messaging that we don’t concern ourselves enough with how it is delivered and to whom is receiving it.  I highly recommend this to my church friends and anyone who wants to be a more effective communicator.

2.  The Last TV Evangelist by Phil Cooke (Conversant Media Group) – Cooke has carved out a niche as a guru in Christian television.  His prior book Branding Faith is a must read for all of those who find themselves marketing their church or Christian organization.  In this 2009 release, Phil focuses specifically on TV ministries.  While little in the book is groundbreaking, it brings together all of the hard facts that many who have been involved in the industry have often been ignoring.   At first glance, Cooke appears to be writing an obituary.  But he actually is looking to reinvigorate the genre to be more effective.

3.  Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson (Thomas Nelson) – I have to be honest, I had more enjoyment reading this 201-page paperback than anything else all year.  Wilson can flat out write in a creative fashion that challenges you to look at everyday life around us from a new perspective.  I literally devoured this little book and then restarted it again to relish the prose a second time around with a different perspective.   I am anxious to see what Wilson produces next because he has significantly raised the bar.

4.  Christianity in Crisis 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff (Thomas Nelson) – The reason why this book struck such a chord in me this past year is because the truths it reveals in regard to the dangers of prosperity theology and more need to be spoken.  As Christians we often turn our head in disgust at the latest hot shot minister to use the greedy motives of men to distort the Gospel.  Hanegraaff demands that we not only be persuaded about the truth but that we be motivated to speak out.  This update on his original classic needs to be read with new vigor these days based on the challenges of today.

5.  Jewels from James by Robert L. Sumner (Biblical Evangelism Press) – OK, I have to come clean up front and admit that the author is also my grandfather.  So clearly you should factor that into your analysis of my review.  But if you are looking for a commentary on the New Testament epistle then you will be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic perspective on the text than this follow-up to his 2003 commentary on Hebrews.