Hello, my name is Raegan Holle. I am a world wide book critic out of Lincoln, Nebraska. I travel around the world Evaluating books so that you may know more about them and especially so that you may know more about the book Outlive Your Life. I am writing this for my religion 8 class for Mr. Weishaar.
I believe that the overall theme of chapter 9 is hypocrisy. Max states on page 92 that “This is the working definition of hypocrisy: “to be seen by men.” The Greek word for hypocrite, hupokrites, originally meant “actor.” First century actors wore masks. A hypocrite, then, is one who puts on a mask, or false face”. This definition goes along perfectly with the story of Ananias and Sapphira, which Max used as an example for this chapter. Max is saying that Ananias and Sapphira, in Acts chapter 5, were hypocrites. They wanted to be seen by men, so they told their whole church about the generous gift that they were going to give. But once they found out how much money they got for their land, they put on a false face and lied to everyone. Max tells us that hypocrisy turns people away from God, and that is the exact opposite of what we as Christians want to do. But how can we avoid such hypocrisy? Max Lucado tells us on page 93 that by expecting no credit for good deeds, by giving financial gifts in secret, and lastly by not faking spirituality, we can avoid such hypocrisy.
Max makes a great point on 93 that goes along with the theme well. Max states that “Bottom line: don’t make a theater production out of your faith” (Lucado 93). He also states on page 94 that we are to “Do good things. Just don’t do them to be noticed”. Max is telling us plainly that we should be humble when it comes to our faith, and not make a huge performance about it and how good of a Christian we are.
I think that the author is trying to imply/the author’s goal was to inform the reader on what hypocrisy is, how we can avoid it, and why we should avoid it. First and foremost we should avoid it because it can separate one from God. As Christians, we are to build up a relationship with God, not tear it down. As I stated earlier, hypocrisy is to be seen by men or to put on a false face. Max’s goal was to inform us how to avoid it. By not faking our faith and being a Christian just to become closer with God and not to be heard, we can avoid hypocrisy.
Did Ananias and Sapphira deserve that hard of a punishment?
Yes, I do believe that Ananias and Sapphira did deserve the punishment of death. Peter and the other disciples needed to make the stamens that God is not to be tested. And that is exactly what Ananias and Sapphira did. They tested the Holy Spirit and lied to the church about their donation.
