Summary of Decide for Yourself: A Theological Workbook by Gordon R. Lewis

Embark on a personal theological journey with Gordon R. Lewis's 'Decide for Yourself'. Challenge your beliefs and think critically about your faith!

Welcome, weary souls! If you've ever felt like your beliefs were just someone else's leftovers that you were forced to swallow, then Decide for Yourself: A Theological Workbook is about to be your new best friend. Yes, that's right, put down that pre-packaged theology and let's dive into some good ol' fashioned thinking. Just because it has "workbook" in the title doesn't mean it comes with a side of indecision. Spoiler alert: you get to choose!

First off, let's talk about what this book is NOT. It is not your typical snooze-fest theology textbook full of dusty old doctrines and rules handed down from a divine authority (a.k.a. Theologians Gone Wild). Instead, Gordon R. Lewis invites you to roll up your sleeves, grab a pen, and join the fun of questioning, exploring, and maybe even changing your mind about some seriously heavy stuff.

The workbook is divided into several juicy sections, each designed to make you sweat a little-intellectually, of course. It tackles key topics in theology, such as the existence of God (Surprise! He's not hiding under your bed), the nature of sin (spoiler: it's more than just stealing candy), and the meaning of salvation (hint: it's not just a get-out-of-jail-free card). Each section is filled with thought-provoking questions, exercises, and scenarios that are meant to make you think outside the box (or the pew). Seriously, if you've been sitting in the back row of church feeling like just another face in the crowd, prepare to stand up and make some noise.

Lewis doesn't just hand you the answers wrapped in a bow. Oh no! He challenges you to filter through traditional beliefs, come up with your own thoughts, and make a punchy case for them. It's like being in a debate club where everyone's opinions get challenged, but with a divine twist, of course. And yes, this might mean uncomfortable moments where you question everything you thought you knew-like that embarrassing phase of wearing socks with sandals.

Now, let's tackle the elephant in the room: why should you care? Well, in a world where everyone seems to have a direct line to the divine, it's refreshing to have a guide that encourages you to think for yourself instead of just nodding along like a bobblehead. Lewis empowers you to explore your own beliefs and wrestle with the big questions, thereby preventing you from becoming a theological sheep. Or should I say - a sheeple?

In the end, Decide for Yourself isn't just an invitation to explore theology like it's your personal buffet-it's a clarion call to take ownership of your beliefs, dabble in some critical thinking, and emerge not just as a believer, but possibly a thinker. So grab a highlighter, your favorite snack, and prepare for a personal theological adventure that might just leave you wondering what the real truth is. or at least getting really good at asking questions.

Well folks, that's it! If you're still sitting there thinking, "Should I read this?" then I'd say "decide for yourself!" But here's a tip: It's way more fun to have a seat at the table than to just be a wallflower in the realm of theology. Happy pondering!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.