Book Review - Bold as Love by Bob Roberts, Jr.

Bold as Love is written by Bob Roberts, Jr. and is published by Thomas Nelson.

"What can happen when we see people the way God does" is basically the entire synopsis of this engaging and terribly challenging book. Bob Roberts, Jr. is a Baptist evangelical pastor in Texas who sees people of different faiths (those who are not Christian) a little differently than most Christians in the USA do. After September 11, 2001, Americans - Christians and non-Christians alike - suddenly became more than a little fearful of Muslims. And then there are those of Jewish faith, atheists, Budhists, New Agers - whatever.

Bold as Love is written to Christians as a challenge to go ahead and become friends with those who do not share their faith. It is a bold message about bold and radical witnessing. The premise is that you build deep and lasting relationships that are based upon respect and friendship. Once the respect is there, we can quite often win others to the saving message of Jesus Christ.

I felt an immediate bond with Pastor Bob immediately because I not only have friends who are Muslims, I have a sister, brother-in-law, and nieces and a nephew who are all Islamic. I have to admit that I have struggled over the years as to whether we could ever just be family without us all sharing the same faith. The message in this book is a resounding yes. Maybe my family will find their eyes opened to the Gospel someday and maybe they won't. My job is only to love them and to share my faith with them in love and with respect. The Holy Spirit does the rest.

Pastor Bob talks a lot about going overseas and into Islamic countries. He mentions Viet Nam quite often. He also talks about Palestine. What is going on in the Middle East right now is frightning to us here in the States. We just don't live with that sort of life and death stuff here - though we read in the Bible about the many persecutions and fearful situations the early Jewish people suffered. They still do. But then, so do the Muslims. How can we befriend them both?

I have not been challenged on such a deep level in a very, very long time. Bold as Love really has me thinking and praying about where I fit into this plan of God's to fulfill the Great Commission? (Matthew 28:16-20) If you're up for a good challenge, get a copy of Bold as Love and pray that the Lord would place some people of different faiths and backgrounds directly in your path. Then love them as Jesus would (and does).

*I received a copy of Bold as Love in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.*