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Being the Body (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.06) - 323 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In 1992, Charles Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship International, penned The Body, an important work on how Christians have emphasized individualism to the detriment of the church, or the body. More than a decade later, Colson is back with Being the Body, a revised and updated edition of his award-winning book. It opens with the gripping personal accounts of several September 11 survivors, then states that in the immediate days following the World Trade Center attacks, the church was at last doing what it is supposed to do: it was being the body. As time went on, Christians' purpose veered off course, and the sense of community that was forged by the tragedy faded into memory. The book draws upon politics, philosophy and religion, demonstrating Colson's trademark breadth in its quest to foster Christian community. While some nonevangelical readers will likely be offended by aspects of the book (such as its broad generalizations about Islam), it will certainly be as influential and provocative as its predecessor.
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"In this 1993 ECPA Book of the Year, Colson sounds a clarion call for the church to rise above traditional divisions and market-driven programs to be what God has called her to be-His people. In doing so, the Body of Christ can reclaim God's holy vision for His church. Truly a modern-day classic. "
— Widsith (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Scriptural, searching, haunting, humbling, challenging, energizing, down-to-earth, up-to-the-minute—all of this and more is true of Being the Body, a radical update of Colson’s blockbuster of a decade ago, now even more powerful than it was before. Here is visionary dynamite. Read it thoughtfully and it will mark your life.”
— J. I. Packer, professor and bestselling author of Knowing God -
“No one can match Colson’s unique blend of story-telling contemporary insight and prophetic vision.”
— Philip Yancey, bestselling author of Soul Survivor -
“Chuck Colson and Ellen Vaughn have once again given us a compelling and humbling testament to how God’s grace and truth are best embodied when the church truly lives Coram Deo…before the eyes of God. Through numerous stories from the earliest days of Christianity to the present…your heart will be touched and your mind challenged.”
— Ravi Zacharias, bestselling author -
“Colson is a national treasure—not only that, he is a light for the universal church. The church, as Dr. Colson teaches us again, that embodied presence of Christ active in the world, today as yesterday.”
— Michael Novak, George Frederick Jewett Chair in Religion, Philosophy, and Public Policy, American Enterprise Institute
Being the Body Listener Reviews
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" This book by Chuck Colson focuses on the implications of the body of Christ and is a great argument against lone gun Christianity. Colson and Vaughn weave together compelling stories with a strong call to the church, which is trademark Colson and which makes his books so readable. "
— Jkanz, 11/3/2013 -
" I actually read the earlier edition first and then got the newer one. This is a look at the Christian Church and the things we have in common rather than the things that seperate us. "
— Mike, 4/26/2013 -
" I almost always like Chuck Colson. Here he's promoting both holiness and the unity of the church. Excellent. "
— Brent, 6/10/2012 -
" I read it a long while back but remember it being a good book. "
— Mary, 4/7/2012 -
" The church is the body of Christ. I especially liked the stories of Eastern Europe and Christians standing up to communism. The final chapter about a man on death row who comes to know Christ is heartbreakingly beautiful. "
— Barbara, 2/6/2012 -
" chock full of good sermon illustrations and anecdotes "
— Mark, 2/3/2012 -
" Published in 1992, it's a little dated (there is a newer version out called "Being the Body") and not without flaws, but this book should serve as a wake-up call to the church. "
— Jud, 11/2/2011 -
" This is a good book but admittedly I didn't finish it. It didn't seem to fit my season appropriately. I did enjoy what I read though. "
— Valerie, 8/24/2011 -
" This is my second time through on The Body. The authors are not harbingers of doom, but rather reveal to the Church in America what everyone outside the church sees. This is an encouraging volume with practical direction form becoming what God intended for His Bride. "
— William, 4/3/2011 -
" Pretty good book about what the Church is and should be. Lots of real life examples. "
— Pete, 3/3/2011 -
" My personal favorite from Colson. wonderful style, crisp prose. "
— Rick, 2/9/2011 -
" I read this as a memorial to Chuck Colson who went to be with the Lord this year. He was the epitome of someone redeemed by God and transformed into a new person. This book will haunt me and spur me on to live for others--to live outside myself. "
— Robi, 2/4/2011 -
" chock full of good sermon illustrations and anecdotes "
— Mark, 12/15/2010 -
" The church is the body of Christ. I especially liked the stories of Eastern Europe and Christians standing up to communism. The final chapter about a man on death row who comes to know Christ is heartbreakingly beautiful. "
— Barbara, 1/24/2010 -
" I actually read the earlier edition first and then got the newer one. This is a look at the Christian Church and the things we have in common rather than the things that seperate us. "
— Mike, 10/9/2009 -
" This is a good book but admittedly I didn't finish it. It didn't seem to fit my season appropriately. I did enjoy what I read though. "
— Valerie, 9/1/2009 -
" My personal favorite from Colson. wonderful style, crisp prose. "
— Rick, 7/31/2008 -
" Published in 1992, it's a little dated (there is a newer version out called "Being the Body") and not without flaws, but this book should serve as a wake-up call to the church. "
— Jud, 7/10/2008
About the Authors
Charles W. Colson (1931–2012) was a popular and widely known author, speaker, and radio commentator. A former presidential aide to Richard Nixon and founder of the international ministry Prison Fellowship, he wrote several books that have shaped Christian thinking on a variety of subjects, including Born Again, The Body, Loving God, How Now Shall We Live?, The Good Life, and The Faith.
Ellen Vaughn is an award-winning author and speaker. She speaks frequently at Christian retreats and has been featured at writers’ seminars in the US and Canada. A native of Washington DC, Vaughn and her husband, Lee, live in Virginia with daughter Emily, twins Walker and Haley, and an enormous dog named after C. S. Lewis.
About Greg Wheatley
Greg Wheatley is the host of Prime Time America, Moody Broadcasting’s afternoon magazine, syndicated to more than two hundred outlets across the country. In addition, Greg hosts the program Sound of Majesty, and is heard on Radio School of the Bible. Greg and his wife Jennifer have three children and live in Wheaton, Illinois.