Book Review - INTERIOR CASTLE by Teresa of Avila

Interior Castle, which can be purchased from Christian Audio, http://christianaudio.com/, centers on prayer and the reflections of the soul. The author pictures the soul of a person as a castle with many rooms, which she calls mansions. The book conveys the journey of a person into the various mansions, seven in all. It could be seen as a journey of sanctification. There is a progressiveness of maturity pictured in each of the mansions, of which the last, the seventh, is seen as the central dwelling place of Jesus in the soul.

This book is read most excellently by Susan Deneker. I believe she captured the intent of the author through her skilled reading.

As a Protestant evangelical Christian, I had some theological differences (some of which were serious) with this book, which was written from a Roman Catholic perspective. However, having said that, I would not reject it and would even encourage people to read it. A Scripture came to mind as I was meditating on the things:

Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.

                                                                        1Thessalonians 5:20-21

While I had my differences, I found that the good was worth holding on to and very uplifting to my faith.                      

What was good that I could hold on to? This author had a very biblical view of man as concerns his state of sin and separation from God. It was this view that caused the author to offer a very biblical view of true humility. Both of these themes are heard throughout the book.

It was these two themes that naturally brought the reader to another theme, we are nothing and God is everything. This resulted in much praise and glory to be given to God. I was much moved by a name that she used often for God – “His Majesty”.

Much more could be said but my favorite moment in listening to this was her encouragement to contemplate, meditate on Jesus and his work on the cross.

I have reviewed this audio book for the christianaudio Reviewers Program, of which I am privileged to be a member.

LOOKING FOR A BIBLICALLY MINDED LIFESTYLE - READ CRAZY LOVE by FRANCIS CHAN

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan is an Oasis Audio book distributed by Christianaudio (http://christianaudio.com).

I have listened to this twice. It has been well worth the listening. The Church needs to hear this message, especially the American Church.

The author, himself, reads with a calm even voice. It is not the dynamic voice which I usually like to listen to (it took some getting used to). But, I will say it again; I have listened to this twice. It has been well worth the listening.

In the first part of the book the awesome glories of God are extolled. Chan then contrasts man with God. Yes we are the pinnacle of God’s creations but we are marred by sin. This is where the title of the book especially comes in. In light of our sin, how crazy is it that God would even be mindful of us. Then, on top of that, He sends His Son to die for our sins?

In light of this wonderful knowledge we are encouraged to follow God’s lead. By living what seems to be a radical life of crazy love. But what seems to be radical and crazy is actually biblical. Chan basically says that such a life is not only reasonable but the only rational choice in light of God’s overwhelming relentless love of us.

By the way, he is not just another writer telling others what to do; he and his church are living this Crazy Love life.

As a part of the christianaudio Reviewers Program it is my pleasure to highly recommend this book.