Max on Life

Over the years I have read a number of books by pastor, teacher and author Max Lucado.  All of those books are what I would call devotional fiction.  He took a biblical event and then created a story around it trying to teach what he felt was the biblical lesson.  As I have said other times, I find his style simplistic and sweet --- I often think that we don’t live in the same world.  That notion really struck home as I read his latest book: Max on Life.  It is, as best I know, Max Lucado’s first attempt to really state his theology, in a semi-systematic way.

The genesis for the book is a collection of questions that Lucado has collected over his 25 plus years in ministry.  The questions came the way that questions usually do, sometimes solicited, other times spontaneous.  The questions came through letters, e-mails, even, he tells us, on a Dunkin Donut napkin.  In Max on Life, Lucado gives his answers to these often provocative questions.

The book covers questions about everything, from prayer to suffering in the world.  It also includes the seemingly mundane like parenting issues and financial questions.

While many reviewers love his answers, I find them trite and simplistic.  This book is meant for the choir --- if you are not a believer (or at least a non-believer who wants deep answers) you are not going to be satisfied with the answers that Lucado gives.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book, it isn’t bad, it just isn’t very good.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”