Strong and Weak

Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing

By: Andy Crouch

Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan

Flourishing people are strong and weak. Two common temptations lure us away from abundant living: withdrawing into safety and grasping for power. True flourishing, says Andy Crouch, travels down an unexpected path - being both strong and weak. We see this unlikely mixture in the best leaders - people who use their authority for the benefit of others while also showing extraordinary willingness to face and embrace suffering. We see it in Jesus, who wielded tremendous power yet also exposed himself to hunger, ridicule, torture, and death. Rather than being opposites, strength and weakness are actually meant to be combined in every human life and community. Only when they come together do we find the flourishing for which we were made.

With the characteristic insight, memorable stories, and hopeful realism he is known for, Andy Crouch shows us how to walk this path so that the image of God can shine through us. Not just for our own good but for the sake of others. If you want to become the kind of person whose influence leads to healthy communities, someone with the strength to be compassionate and generous, this is the book for you. Regardless of your stage or role in life, whether or not you have a position of leadership, here is a way of love and risk so that we all, even the most vulnerable, can flourish.

©2016 eChristian (P)2016 eChristian

Applicable to the work place

As I listened to this, I got insights on how I might better function in my workplace. I need to think of leadership in terms of authority and vulnerability. I found the many applications of the core ideas very helpful.

It was an easy and rewarding listen. The narrator was so good that I never thought about him reading- I just enjoyed the ideas.

Two words and a 2 x 2

Andy Crouch delivers a meaningful, impactful, and lasting message in two words and a 2 x 2 diagram: people who flourish are both strong and weak. Simple without being simplistic, this book is a "must read" for every leader.

Thought provoking

Good for checking our motivations. Many ideas will stay with me. I'm glad my son recommended it.

eye opening

I really loved how this book expressed not the difference between vulnerability and authority, but the addition of the two. You cannot have one without the other. You cannot have true authority, without also having true vulnerability. Mr Andy crouch I am so very glad to have read your book. holy Spirit has spoken to me through almost every single page. ♥️♥️
although technically I did listen to the audio book 😬

The power of understanding paradoxes.

The power of understanding paradoxes especially in light of salvation is what I gleaned most from this book.

Wonderful

what a wonderful reminder of the power of vulnerability and authority in our daily lives!

Great challenge to common understanding of flourishing

Andy Crouch’s work is deep, heartfelt challenge to common misconceptions of flourishing. Reading the book challenges these notions and propels reads “up and to the right”, to the only life that is truly life

Hits home

Andy truly has a gift at getting to the heart of the truth we all seek each day.

Transformed My Thinking

First heard some of these concepts on a sermon. I found them to be a very relevant restatement of enduring truths that make me pay attention to them as if it was my first encounter with them.

Brilliant

A provoking and brilliant continuation of the conversation Crouch has been engaged in his books Culture Making and Playing God. A very welcomed addition to how we understand flourishing.