Max Lucado's "In the Grip of Grace"

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the work of Max Lucado, "In the Grip of Grace." The author first discusses Lucado's opening parable based on a father and five sons. The author then goes onto criticize it as unnatural and states the firm view that from the characters of the parable who are dismissed as savages, to the people who complain that their parachutes are the wrong color, Lucado manages to write off a great deal of humanity as not worth consideration. While he touts the grace of God, he creates the impression that he, Max Lucado, has a key that no one else has been given.

From the Paper:

"As an exegesis on Paul's epistle to the Romans, this book is an earnest attempt to expand and illuminate Paul's teaching. While this is one of Lucado's earlier books, it shows that strength of intellect that would carry him through more than fifty books. ("Max Lucado") Unfortunately, it also shows an off-putting stiffness. The parable illustrates this. Comparing Lucado's parable to such parables as the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, Lucado's tale feels strained. Jesus' parables sound reasonable. Consider the opening to the Good Samaritan. 'There was a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when robbers attacked him, stripped him and beat him up, leaving him half dead.' (Luke 10:25) It is simple and direct, and what comes after follows logically. The characters react in genuinely human ways. The Samaritan shows love for his neighbor, although this man is a stranger. The faithful son is offended when his father responds to the prodigal's return with a feast."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Romans. Lucado, Max. In the Grip of Grace Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1996.
• Luke. "Max Lucado." Christian Book Previews. Undated; accessed August 3, 2007; from <http://www.christianbookpreviews.com/ christian-book-author.php?isbn=0849917603> Internet.

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