Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say

Pastor Adam Hamilton addresses five well-known sayings often misattributed to Christian Scripture: "Everything happens for a reason"; "God helps those who help themselves"; "God won't give you more than you can handle"; "God said it, I believe it, that settles it"; and "Love the sinner, hate the sin." These common statements, though they contain grains of truth, he writes, are not found in the Bible and can cause divide and create misrepresentation of Christ. He goes on to dissect each of these seemingly bland statements, offers real-life stories that help to clarify their meanings, and considers the principles within each statement from a biblical perspective, noting that taking them literally often falls short of Christ's teachings. Hamilton's work here is interesting and somewhat denser than the title suggests. Christians open to discovering inspiration in non-traditional sources will appreciate this fresh perspective on often misused aphorisms. (Apr.)