AnyBook4Less.com	Find the Best Price on the Web Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Home  |  Store List  |  FAQ  |  Contact Us  |
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money Keyword AuthorISBN

Title: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J. Foster ISBN: 0-06-104385-0 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 January, 1998 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99

Your Country USA Canada United Kingdom Australia Austria Belgium France Germany Italy Netherlands Switzerland Currency AutoUSD CAD GBP EUR AUD CHF Delivery Only cheapest delivery All delivery options Include Used Books Are you a club member of: Barnes and Noble Books A Million Chapters.Indigo.ca

Average Customer Rating: 4.3 (10 reviews)

Rating: 3
Summary: Mixed Blessing
Comment: I bought this book based on the glowing recommendations posted here and, although I definitely got some good out of it, I'd have to say it was a mixed blessing. I have no doubt of Mr. Foster's sincerity and am sure he is the kind who practices what he preaches. The earlier sections which explore the Old and New Testament basis for simplicity provide much food for thought.

Unfortunately, the later sections on practicing the simple life often range from the somewhat silly to the surprisingly naive. For example, his suggestion to get rid of a beloved possession if we suspect we may be valuing it more than God seems misguided. His logic is that if we are convinced we are idolizing the possession then we should get rid of it. But if we are convinced that we aren't idolizing it, then there's no harm in getting rid of it, anyway. It saddened me a little that some earnest young Christian might actually be convinced by this counsel to give up something of great sentimental value.

Also, Mr. Foster could benefit from a solid course in basic economics. He seems to be of the well-meaning but rather dingy liberal school that believes taking a smaller slice of the economic pie means more slices for everyone else. This, of course, is simply not the way it works. The best thing that is happening to many third- and second-world countries is the development of market economies whereby the desire to achieve a better lifestyle leads to an expanding economy, more jobs, and much better lives for many more people.

I do not mean to downplay the importance of giving generously out of what God has given us, and I suspect that most Christians who have picked up this book already feel this way. I am only concerned that some will be misled by Mr. Foster's rather limited view of how to improve the lives of those in need.

Rating: 5
Summary: A Tool for the 21st Century spiritual traveler
Comment: This book gives a delightfully profound look at the need for simplicity in life. It forces us to look at the way we live, use our time, and relate to others. Foster searches many of the great spiritual leaders from Pascal to Kempis to provide documentation and perspective on the spiritual life. His writings help to rediscover prayer, meditation, and the "Divine Center" necessary for walking daily with Christ... This is a book to read and re-read. It is one gift that any Christian would find liberating and inspiring

Rating: 1
Summary: A great disappointment
Comment: This book was written in 1981 and, unfortunately, it hasn't aged well. It is loaded with unfulfilled sky-is-falling, doom-and-gloom predictions that look pretty silly in retrospect. I have great respect for Foster's other books, but this one is in desperate need of a rewrite -- with a lot less agitprop and a lot more spirituality.

Similar Books:

	Title: Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, 25th Anniversary Edition by Richard J. Foster ISBN: 0060628391 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 19 October, 1988 List Price(USD): $22.95
	Title: Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard J. Foster ISBN: 0060628464 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 11 September, 1992 List Price(USD): $22.95
	Title: Devotional Classics : Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups by Richard J. Foster ISBN: 0060669667 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 11 June, 1993 List Price(USD): $16.00
	Title: Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith by Richard J. Foster ISBN: 0060628227 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 27 November, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.00
	Title: Richard J. Foster's Study Guide for "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard J. Foster ISBN: 0060628332 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 16 February, 1983 List Price(USD): $12.00