rancis Chan’s debut book “Crazy Love” (published by David C. Cook) is exactly what the title suggests: a book about the Christian life so focused on God’s love that it can only be described as crazy. Chan, the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, describes his book with the tag line on the cover “overwhelmed by a relentless God.” Even the cover art – one arrow pointing up and one arrow pointing down – shows the message Chan has to bring; God has a crazy love for each and every one of his children.

The book opens with an introduction by worship leader Chris Tomlin. Tomlin describes Chan and his message as a depiction of the life that Christ calls each of us to follow. The message: Christ’s calling for our lives is craziness to the world outside of his kingdom.

From the very beginning Chan had me hooked. Chapter one is titled “Stop Praying.” In the first few words, Chan brings a message of crazy obedience to God. Instead of talking at God, Chan says it is important to be silent and acknowledge God for who he is: the Author of life. God tells us the same in Psalm 46:10, to “… be still and know that I am God.”

Straight out of Scripture, Chan shows how Christians should live their lives. Key points he brings out are that our hope is not in this life but in the one to come, God demands all of our hearts and not just “leftovers” and true obedience to Christ’s calling is a radical change in our lives.

As I began reading this book, I couldn’t imagine people who actually live like this. I know the Bible describes many men and women with deep passions for God, but it seems to me that times have changed. Many of my questions were answered in the chapter “Who Really Lives That Way?” Chan tells the short, beautiful stories of many men and women: Rich Mullins, Jamie Lang, the Robynson Family and an old man simply called Rings.

On the other side of the Christian spectrum, Chan addresses those who love Christ but are lukewarm in their faith and their lives. The chapter “Profile of the Lukewarm” gives an understanding as well as a warning of the life some Christians find themselves living. Armed with an arsenal of parables and scriptures, Chan fully explains how even the smallest thoughts can lead us away from Christ.

The message of Chan’s writing challenged me and will surely do the same for any person who reads this book. He speaks of an obsession for Christ that transcends any understanding. I had many questions while reading this book and frustrations on exactly what this means for my life. The final chapter entitled “The Crux of the Matter” answers every question.

What is at stake in this life? What are Christ’s expectations? How can we as Christians put our hope in the life to come? Only God has these answers, and they are found in his Word; but Francis Chan does an excellent job at helping his readers understand in simple language what God’s love really means.