Review: The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity

 Book Review: The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity by Matthew Kelly

The real point of this book is not that it is about the "biggest lie in the history of Christianity" but that it can be overcome.  I'll admit, I thought this book was going to be completely different.  I assumed it would be about some "boogeyman" like lie or some giant glaring technical error that is never corrected.  I was far from the mark.  What this book delves into is a lie that has been propagated by society and even ourselves that ultimately separates us from being as close to God as he wants us to be and becoming the best versions of ourselves that God wants us to be.  

Ultimately I read this book in a total of a few hours over two days.  It wasn't gripping in a sensational way but in a way that left me thirsting for more information on how to combat this lie, live a better life and change the world in the process.  I wouldn't say its a playbook on how to change the world, because ultimately, as Kelly explains, it really isn't that complicated.  The premise around creating "holy moment" was really a game changing way to look at things.  I do many things in my daily life that I had never really stopped to consider as "holy moments" as Kelly lays them out, but they fit the mold.  Now armed with the gravity they carry, I yearn for more moments to do more things to make the world a better place.  Kelly really hits home some points on how anti-Christian the world has become when but a few centuries ago Christianity was in full vogue, now it has become a dirty word and opens up its practitioners to derision, ostracization and in some corners of the globe, danger.  

The build up to the main premise, I found a little slow, however, having finished the book, it is a necessary process to properly frame the arguments.  There was a chapter titled, "So Many Lies About Christianity" in which Kelly states, "my purpose here is not to provide comprehensive rebuttals to each of these lies...," however that is what I found myself yearning for.  I think the chapter made some great points, but might have been repetitive for those reading that are already well versed on the matters.  In the chapter "History is Presenting Christianity with a New Opportunity" Kelly provides a list of ten things that he believes weigh heavily on the minds of, "the people who show up to church on Sunday and those that done..."  While the list was good, I thought the supporting paragraphs were slightly lacking in supportive framework.  

Once the book hit the "here's what you can do" mode, I really couldn't put it down.  The simple, no brainer tasks that Kelly lays out truly make the task at hand seem attainable.  But here's what you, me and everyone else need to do... we need to work hard, at the small things and bring about the change.  All of that being said, I could not recommend this book more.  I plan on buying some more copies and handing them out to some friends to help implement the "Spiritual Multiplication" model laid out within.  Buy the book, read it, read it again, do what it says and then pass it along.  As the author states, "Now is your time."

"Prayer of Transformation"

Lord,

Here I am.

I trust that you have an incredible plan for me.

Transform me. Transform my life.

Everything is on the table.

Take what you want to take and give what you want to give.

I make myself 100 percent available to you today.

Transform me into the person you created me to be, so I can live the life you envisioned for me at the beginning of time.

I hold nothing back.

I am 100 percent available.

Lead me, challenge me, encourage me, and open my yes to all your possibilities.

Show me what it is you want me to do, and I will do it.

Amen.