Critical Book Analysis (Example)
Purpose of the Book Paul’s Spiritual in Galatians
In this critical book analysis, it is noted that the Christian spirituality’s landscape and the competing host’s visions of the real meaning of living without faith are discovered.
This particular diversity exists since most Christians establish their spirituality based on personal taste, cultural influence, and ecclesiastical tradition.
This means that the ways they formulate the standards to live out of faith are usually something other than the Bible.
When someone’s personal preference exceeds God’s objective truth, the outcome is usually confusion.
In Paul’s Spirituality in Galatians, Adam McClendon purposes to provide clearness to that particular confusion.
His primary objective is not to elaborate on what the Bible talks about Christian spirituality but to show how the Bible should shape Christian spirituality.
McClendon accomplishes his objective by closely examining Galatians 2:20. In that verse, Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ… gave himself for me.”[1]
McClendon selects this particular verse since its four major phrases deliver the key essentials of spiritual life.
He expounds on each essential of spiritual life showing how Paul’s spirituality stances in noticeable difference from what is recently acknowledged as Christian spirituality.
Chapter Chosen and its Accomplishment of the Book’s intended Purpose
Chapter one, the chosen chapter, where Paul’s cross-positioned revelation of the Christian life issues various trends within popular Christian spirituality.
McClendon turns his focus to the individuals who lay off the cross as they entirely focus on Christ’s alleged example as the foundation of their spirituality[2].
He argues that they have a habit of reinterpreting the Bible through a personal experience lens based on gender, culture, status, and race. This interpretation is then used as their basis of social action.
The book’s purpose is evident in this chapter, where McClendon asserts that such a method of Christian spirituality is a fundamental movement from the Bible since it gives ultimate authority to people’s cultural and personal experiences.
Besides, it entirely fails the essential place engaged by the cross in the believer’s life.
Ways in Which Interaction with Alternative Points Help to Strengthen the Argument
Through the ongoing importance of Christ’s crucifixion in the believers’ life, a significant conclusion is derived.
This is based on the cross’s centrality, “I have been crucified with Christ,” which is the first essential of spiritual life.
This strengthens the argument because a critical conclusion is made, thus serving the purpose of the book.
Here is an example from the chapter where interaction was made with an alternative viewpoint, “The spiritual reality of what happened…transforming effect”[3].
This brings out a clearer meaning that our identity with Christ’s crucifixion is a permanent impact that governs our lives.
Conclusion
The central argument of this particular analysis is based on the book Paul’s Spirituality in Galatians.
The key purpose of the book is to try to clear the confusion that exists regarding Christianity spirituality.
The confusion arises mainly due to diversity due to the formulation of spirituality based on personal, cultural, and ecclesiastical traditional influence.
However, the book, especially chapter one, serves a significant purpose of clarifying the confusion.
Bibliography
McClendon, P. Adam. Paul’s Spirituality in Galatians: A Critique of Contemporary Christian Spiritualities. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015.
Biblehub.Com. Accessed 21 November 2020. https://biblehub.com/galatians/2-20.htm.
[1] Biblehub.Com. Accessed 21 November 2020. https://biblehub.com/galatians/2-20.htm. (Galatians 2:20)
[2] Adam McClendon. Paul’s Spirituality in Galatians: A Critique of Contemporary Christian Spiritualties. (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015). 20
[3] Adam McClendon. Paul’s Spirituality in Galatians: A Critique of Contemporary Christian Spiritualties. (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015). 27
Critical Book Analysis is a critical assignment in many colleges thus requires experts to handle it.
