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Review Summary: Some Interesting Insight, But Nothing Revolutionary |
Date: 2006-03-29 |
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Details: This book is both a biography and a book about leadership. Following the life and principles of the apostle Paul, the author draws leadership principles that Paul espoused and modeled. Sweeping a large range of topics, Oswald Sanders highlights the qualities that made Paul the great leader he was. The book argues that Paul had and has major influence on modern Western society, thus making him a very influential person. The book claims that Paul was a great leader because of the legacy that he left behind. Using this as a premise, the book uses Paul as a model for Christian leadership.
Different than many other leadership books, this book emphasizes the importance of leadership based on the Bible. Paul had many different views about leadership that would not be accepted by many leadership experts today such as exalting in one's weakness, focusing on prayer, and having an exalted view of God. Christians cannot separate leadership principles from their Christian faith, so the Christian leader must be humble, must love and must serve those they lead. The book is generally easy to read.
I especially enjoyed the chapters on communication (a very important and powerful tool), the woman's role (after all, the world is over one half female), and the chapter entitled `A Philosophy of Weakness." Paul was a man, who struggled with life just like people today do. Yet he took a different approach to his problems, trials and weaknesses, he actually delighted in his weakness. Why did he do this? Because he believed that through our human weaknesses God can be exalted all the more. The only way people will grasp this concept is through humility. People generally want glory. Abraham Lincoln once said, "It's surprising how much you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit." The problem with many leaders today, is that they seek glory, they seek power. This is the opposite of the Christian message and the message advocated by the apostle Paul.
On the negative side, I thought the book goes off topic quite a bit, the main point of the book (leadership) is often forgotten. Also, Sander's propensity to quote poetry and hymns is annoying and rarely contributes any kind of meaning to the book.
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Review Summary: Good Leadership Devotional Based on the Apostle Paul |
Date: 2005-02-07 |
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Details: This book is not a study or a biography on the Apostle Paul, but a leadership devotional. As such, it offers a variety of practical lessons and insights on the man and his mission. This title is good, but not great. It is however, the best leadership devotional I have read based on Paul's life. If you're a Christian leader who has a very strong interest in the Apostle Paul, then this book probably would be a good buy. |
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out of 2 Reviews
