Simply put – Os Guinness is brilliant. His writing is clear and concise with solid theology and practical application. His use of history, particularly biographical vignettes from throughout history, give richness and realism to his writing. He writes with purpose, not just to fill pages with recycled ideas and obvious conclusions. Though an academic (he has a Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford), he writes with a novelist’s ear, giving smooth, easy reading prose with deep, thoughtful themes.
“The Call” centers on understanding what it means to be called by God. Os quickly throws out the modern notions of calling as merely fulfilling an obligation or living out an occupation. Calling is an experience of understanding God’s purpose for life and living that life in the will and drive of Christ. We are called “to be” more than we are called “to do.” Our calling is about who we are, not about what we do, though certainly what we do flows out of a true understanding of who we are. “The Call” gives a clear guide to understanding this call and practical steps to living it out both in being and in doing.
Though recommending it is a danger (I fear you’ll recognize quite a bit of his writing in my messages!), it is one I’m glad to take. This is the first book by Os Guinness that I have read, but it will certainly not be my last. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
Next up in my reading – “Reaching for the Invisible God” by Phillip Yancey
