| | Freedom of simplicity |  | Author: Richard J Foster
Publisher: Harper & Row
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 786967
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 200
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.7 x 1
ISBN: 0060628324
EAN: 9780060628321
ASIN: 0060628324
Publication Date: 1981
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 18 | | NEXT » |
 A book every Christian interested in personal finance should wrestle with. January 5, 2009
I'd definitely give this one five stars... not because it all the sudden will "simplify" your life. Just the opposite, in fact.
As Christians living in America, there's an interesting tension we do not address enough. Namely, what is it to be both a Christian who is called to live with abandon, who also simultaneously doing things like saving for retirement or spending large amount of times tracking our stocks, etc.
Foster's book (which is an expansion of a chapter from his masterpiece, "The Celebration of Discipline") forces us to take a hard look at what all this focus on the material has brought us.
It leaves me both motivated to simplify, but also overwhelmed with how much a part of me enjoys the complexity of my own plans.
I'd definitely recommend it. I'd put it in my top five or ten personal finance books for Christians.
Ken Clark, CFP
Simply Excellent! August 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I must say Richard Foster's Freedom of Simplicity ranks among the most helpful and spiritually formative books in my personal life. It is so well-written that there's not a wasted line in it and it's cogently presented, biblically grounded and immensely workable! No, it's not a book about how to save the world economically, or even about winning the world to Christ, or making heroic sacrifices. Rather, it's about what the Danish prophet Kierkegaard calls 'the purity of heart' - the simple intention in seeking the Kingdom of God. In it is freedom, joy and fruitfulness which Jesus speaks of when one chooses God for his master, over and above all others, not least the spirit of mammon.
I especially love his chapter on the Divine Centre which Thomas Kelly has taught us about. Oh what a life it is to slip into that oasis, that wellspring that nourishes our lives amidst the frantic pace and noise that so easily pushes us over!
Foster is an excellent writer who demonstrates how writing can be such an art. It is informative but not stuffy, revolutionary but not naive - he exercises great poise and deliberation even when discussing the intricate balance one needs to strike in living simply. He invites us to see how the life of simplicity is such a joy, that even the seemingly arduous discipline of 'praying unceasingly' can be a game we could delightfully enter into. I find myself informed, uplifted and challenged on nearly every page.
It is a very well-rounded book that draws deeply from the rich resource of ancient spiritual tradition (which is vintage Foster!) as well as from scriptures and offers practical strategies for both novices and the experienced how simplicity can be embodied both individually and corporately in our world today. If the modern church were to embrace just a fraction of its counsels, she will be a great beacon of hope to a world bent on destroying itself with its militant consumerism and be a credible witness to the in-breaking Kingdom of God which is one of justice and compassion.
Personal Freedom as a lifestyle March 19, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent material the updated edition is underscored with author's personal experience. Excellent resource for resource management people as well those subscribing to The Volantary Simplicity lifestyle. Those seeking security in life will also profit from Foster"s work.
 If you're looking for a HOW-TO book, this ain't it! February 2, 2008
0 out of 5 found this review helpful
Don't look for any helpful insights on how to live live more simply. Just be prepared for a book full of socialist propaganda about how there are only so many resources in the world, and anything you use is stealing from someone else less fortunate!
I'm already sold on the IDEA of simplicity or I wouldn't be buying this book. I want a book with useful suggestions for living a more simple, down to earth life. If that's what you're looking for, buy Eliot Wiggington's FOXFIRE books, or Tom Brown's Survival Guides. You get really useful suggestions without the attempt at a guilt trip.
 Solid three star book November 12, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Richard Foster's Freedom of Simplicity starts off very well. I was expecting a book focusing out outer forms of simplicity such as doing without, and ridding ourselves of materialism. Foster instead spends the first third of the book detailing what the bible has to say about inner simplicity. He suggests that we can not have outer simplicity without inner simplicity. Inner simplicity keeping Christ at the very center of our lives. If we live a life of "radical obedience" to him our daily decisions become very simple. There is less inner turmoil, and less desire for things we cannot have.
The second 2/3s of the book are less insightful. Watch less TV., spend less money, ride your bike to work, be satisfied with what you have, don't be sucked into commercials stirring up desires you don't have. All very sound advice, but not as perceptive as the first portion of the book. With respect to Mr. Foster, perhaps I was missing some larger point he was attempting to make.
Overall, I'm glad I read this book and at this point could not recommend a better book on the subject.
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