Book Review: Fearless

Title: Fearless
Author:Max Lucado
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Can you imagine a life without fear?

That’s the question posed by Max Lucado’s latest, Fearless.

It was with some trepidation that I dug into Fearless. The last time I read one of his books, it was painfully squishy—big on feelings, light on content. And I honestly expected another squishy book about how we’re all snowflakes and God loves us with a love not unlike sappy teen romance  (this does show up—once—when Lucado writes about how “[God] can’t stop thinking about you!” in chapter 2).

What I got instead was a book that actually provides the answer to overcoming our biggest fears: Jesus. Over the course of 14 chapters, Lucado emphatically states that it’s only when we take our eyes off of Christ that fear overcomes us, and it’s only as we focus on Him that we have the ability to overcome fear.

I was impressed by Lucado’s boldness in the final two chapters.  He (rightly) names someone as a false prophet, and he gives a great definition of false teacher: One who fails to direct his or her listeners to Jesus, maximizing the role of humanity at His expense.

That’s a huge deal, and a much needed reminder for all of us today to be, in his words, “doctrinally diligent” (p. 155).

He also boldly asserts that there is one healthy terror that we need: The Fear of the Lord. Many of us lack this, and instead have created a god-of-our-own-imagining, who won’t call us out for our sin, who will only pat our heads and tell us things will be okay, but has no power. Instead, we need to embrace the God of the Bible, our fears are less powerful. Because “[w]hen Christ is great, our fears are not” (p. 169).

Bravo, sir.

So, the real question: Would I recommend Fearless?

Particularly on the strength of the final two chapters, I would. It’s a book that, ultimately, directs people to Christ as the true answer to overcoming fear. It’s not a perfect book (none of our books are, after all), but it’s one that I believe many will find profitable.

Purchase your copy at Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

Posted by Aaron Armstrong

Aaron is the author of several books for adults and children, as well as multiple documentaries and Bible studies. His latest book, I'm a Christian—Now What?: A Guide to Your New Life with Christ is available now.

Reader interactions

5 Replies to “Book Review: Fearless”

  1. Aaron, your review is more positive than mine as well. You must be going soft on us. 🙂 Don’t you know that there are certain authors we Piper-Driscoll fanboys are obligated to give negative reviews to?

    Mine is here: http://bit.ly/3N6d52

    1. Sorry, guys, I forgot protocol. I’ll make up for it on Donald Miller’s book perhaps.

  2. Aaron, not having read Lucado prior to this book I had no real back drop of which to compare it against. You’re review is more favorable than mine. Maybe I’m too critical and just can’t let certain things go. There is a lot of good in the book, but I think people expect that and would not think about some of the issues I point out. They might not agree with me though.

    🙂

    1. Mark, now I’m really looking forward to reading your review! I’m really curious what you noticed. As I mentioned, I was actually very surprised that I enjoyed it at all, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I have a few “hey, I didn’t notice that” moments when I read your’s.

      1. Love to hear your feedback.

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