I wanted to offer a review and a recommendation of Bob Franquiz’s new book Elements: Starting a Revolution in Your World. First, because I think it’s a great book, and second, because I feel a strong brotherhood with other bloggers, and I think we ought to support each other.
In Elements, Bob Franquiz cracks open a treasure chest of insight into the life of someone Jesus described as “the greatest man who ever lived” ~ John the Baptist. By investigating the humble life of this often-overlooked prophet, Bob identifies the essential elements in John’s life that sparked a revolution for Jesus Christ.
Before I get into content, let me say the book is extremely well-written, with chapters that work together like one of those cheesecake samplers. Each section has a unique thesis that could stand on its own, but the entire book works toward a rich, common theme. I’ve put down a lot of books mid-way through that are poorly written and unoriginal, but this wasn’t one of them.
I don’t want to shoot the book’s bullets, but it’s hard for me to contain some of the fresh thinking that makes it so terrific. For example, Bob points out that John was such a remarkable figure that it almost caused Apollos to miss Jesus. I’ve always blamed Apollos for this misunderstanding, but it never dawned on me that John was such an influential person that he could be a stumbling block to others. There are tremendous implications in this story for pastors in particular.
Another eye-opener comes when Bob explains the dialogue between Jesus and an imprisoned John the Baptist. This lesson is too valuable for me to expose in a review, but let me just say that it dramatically transformed my understanding of their relationship. I had to pause for a moment of solenmness and holy awe to let this insight sink-in.
In addition to nuggets like these, Bob writes a section on baptism that will likely become required reading for new members in our church. And chapters 7 and 8 were well-worth the price of the entire book for me. I was stopped dead in my tracks by some powerful questions that I have never dared to ask myself. But Bob hit me between the eyes.
I came away inspired by the life of John the Baptist, and Bob deserves credit for pointing the spotlight at someone in the Bible whom we tend to gloss over as a peripheral character. After all, Jesus said we have the capability to be greater than John the Baptist. We have the chance to make a bigger impact, to spark a revolution in our own worlds for Christ.
Apart from content, the book reflects Bob’s keen sensibility toward marketing and culture. The cover is alluring, the graphic design is smart, and the table of contents reads like a CD track list. Bob weaves references to his own life, music, and movies throughout the book. He is clearly a student of culture, although he may have to update some of the illustrations in future editions (I’m not sure how many people will remember Queer Eye for the Straight Guy 10 years from now =).
Bob was privileged to solicit a forward from Bob Coy, pastor of the powerhouse Fort Lauderdale Calvary Chapel. However, Pastor Coy seems a bit surprised at Bob’s wisdom beyond his years ~ feelings he probably should have worked out in another context. =)
Judging not only from this book, but also from Bob’s church, teachings, and radio ministry called Fuel, I believe that God is going to do something mighty in Bob Franquiz’s life and ministry. The quality of this book is no surprise to me.
You can get a copy of Elements at Amazon.com for $11.99 new. Bob has a blog at bobfranquiz.typepad.com, and his church, Calvary Fellowship, can be found at their new website: http://www.calvarywired.com/.
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