What does it take to reach people who just aren’t listening? Sometimes it takes something extreme to show people that you are sincere. For Francis of Assisi, that meant giving up his lavish lifestyle as the son of a wealthy merchant and embracing a life devoted to poverty. Not just assisting the poor, but literally giving up everything, owning nothing, begging for the barest of necessities, and calling others to do the same in an effort to live out the “literal Gospel” as he understood it.
The people of Francis’ day had become disillusioned with religion and found it hard to trust anyone who represented the church. This was due in large part to the opulence of the clergy, contrasted to the poverty of much the populace. Along comes Francis of Assisi and shatters this image of opulence and by so doing, gains access to the hearts of women and men. In Saint Francis by Robert West, we are given a glimpse into the life of one of history’s most influential, albeit odd, Catholic churchmen. As the originator of the Franciscan Order, Francis has left an indelible mark on the church as we know it and shows us that the key to reaching the world for the glory of God lies not in showmanship, but in sincerity.
This is a very well written book that is easy to read; with just enough history to be educational, but not at all “textbookish”. The life of Saint Francis is remarkable and this work is a great introduction that left me with a desire to know more about this amazing individual.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”