Love Trumps Karma

Love trumps Karma says it's NOT about getting what's in your head to your heart but getting what's in your heart to your head...and that's a welcome and much needed message for a generation tired of intellectual gymnastics. In many instances we teach our kids and others about Christ without them ever experiencing Christ himself. Karyn reminds us that knowing Christ who lives in our hearts and the resulting effects of that relationship are the keys to abundant living and freedom. Karyn helps us see how we 'normal folk' can communicate the gospel that we know is true, simply and effectively, without a seminary degree or four step guideline...we speak from our heart. Christ isn't a belief, he's a person and we know and love that person from our hearts not our heads. Great book, order the ten pack and hand them out to your friends and family!

There are a few books I'm compelled to actively recommend to others and Love Trumps Karma is one of them. Sadly, religion often divides people and provokes an "us" and "them" mentality. I am so thankful for Karyn Henley opening my eyes to recognize more clearly what all truth-seekers share in common. After reading Love Trumps Karma, I was left with an image of Jesus as one who unconditionally and indiscriminately loves all people, and offers something unique and beautiful beyond what could be achieved by any religion. As a person immersed in postmodern culture and connected with people of differing religious and spiritual beliefs, the book stimulated a new freedom to share my spiritual journey with others and respect how God is uniquely at work in others. Some books absorb you, others increase your understanding, and still others offer spiritual wisdom and insight. Love Trumps Karma does all of this, but I feel it's greatest impact was deepening within me the desire to be like Jesus in his love for all people.

In the beginning was the dhamma, And the dhamma was with God, And the dhamma was God... The true light that enlightens everyone. - John 1:1 (Sri Lankan translation) Many Christian writers, speakers and theologians today are clamoring to find a grip on this "emerging culture" we find ourselves in the midst of. Do we embrace a kind of moral relativism, or should we entrench ourselves in fundamentalist defense? More importantly: how do we prepare our own church body to interact in a rapidly changing world, with relevance, and still remain Christ-sustained believers? What if there were ways to introduce the language and heart of Postmodern Culture to a younger Christian audience while simultaneously equipping them for a new kind of Christian apologetic? It could be practical, but not confining. It would instill confidence, but demand sympathy and understanding. It might be radical, but never antagonistic. Piece-by-piece, Love Trumps Karma constructs a defense of Christianity aimed at young people living in a pluralist society such as ours. Particularly profound, Henley builds her Christian arguments using pieces of non-Christian (often Buddhist and Hindu) philosophies. If you grew up in the church, as I did, you were probably taught to avoid other religions like the plague. As Henley herself writes, "Lots of Christians are afraid to ask these questions. Some of them are afraid to even think about karma or dhamma... but it's important to figure out what you believe and why. So while we're not going to do an in-depth study of Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism, and Islam in this book, we are going to take a look at what we, as human beings together on this planet, have in common." Instead of using Christian reasoning to demean other ideas and beliefs, Henley takes a radical approach of using other ideas and beliefs to support Christianity. In Acts, Paul modeled this method at Mars Hill, yet we rarely see it in action today. I find such a journey incredibly refreshing. But Henley never stops with the affirmation of other journeys. Every chapter maintains a consistent move toward the life and godhood of Jesus Christ, culminating in the development of a profoundly simple, infinitely adaptable Christian apologetic. Henley's book reminds me that I want my own Christianity to be contagious, not just convincing. All that convincing requires is intellectual assent. A contagious Christianity is believable, but also so invigorating to those who come in contact with it that they cannot help but be pulled into what the book calls "a dance with the Divine." Much like Brian McLaren's More Ready than You Realize, Love Trumps Karma demonstrates that joy-filled Truth will lead you into a dance, not a wrestling match. Peter J. Walker "worldspeak" (www.essenceproject.blogspot.com)