Review of muscle and a shovel by michael shank part 1 john. Church of christ men authors is dedicated to sharing books. Muscle and a shovel is a first hand account from michael shanks detailing how he left denominationalism for the church of christ. This muscle and a shovel newsletter is a monthly publication for the purpose of giving you strength and encouragement by sharing reader responses of conversions and restorations as a result of the book, muscle and a shovel. Review of muscle and a shovel by michael shank part 3. It was strewn with typographical errors and poor grammar, had no table of contents or means by which to jump to. Muscle and a shovel student workbook the muscle and a shovel student workbook is designed to be the premiere companion training tool for anyone who wants to become a randall in effectively sharing christ s gospel message. Michael shanks book the muscle and the shovel is a powerful tool for the church. Hello jay, i am a pastor serving a nondenominational church in tennessee. The inclusion of authors and books does not represent endorsement of the works by larry elliott or by the authors listed on church of christ.
In the process, a man befriends them who turns their belief about god, their church, and their faith upside down. Their beliefs about god, faith, and the bible are turned upsidedown after befriending. A baptist man i know was given a copy of the book and is offended by the hard line church of christ doctrine that judges all other flavors of faith as deceived and bound for hell. The 10th edition is the original version that has been professionally edited and includes the updated cover pictured here. Shanks previous book, muscle and a shovel, took the churches of christ by storm after its release in 2011. This edition also includes randalls secret, end notes, bibliography and the complete index of all. In fact, a number of readers have asked me to post something on muscle and a shovel by michael shank. It gave a clear and simple method to help show others gods path to salvation. Before i ever began blogging, i wrote a book on that very subject, do we. Muscle and a shovel is an account of one mans quest and realization of gods plan for saving mens souls. Muscle and a shovel is a true story about a pair of young newlyweds who move to the city to chase the american dream. The workbook engages the student in a threefold training system which brings about lively group discussions, practical homework assignments, and proven. Muscle and a shovel will set exiting beliefs on fire. Those outside the churches of christ are treated as having wicked motives, even believers in jesus in other denominations.
It is all about a person lining up with the right steps. In essence, muscle and a shovel is about how to obey the gospel and what constitutes the true church of christ. Home muscle and a shovel online study are you ready contact bible quiz gospel meetings. Join dennis as he teaches some of gods truths that came to life in a young newlywed couple chasing the american dream. For those not familiar with the book, it recounts the spiritual journey of the author as he was guided by a coworker with scripture. But, the teaching of this book leads one to put their trust in themselves rather than jesus christ. Muscle and a shovel was written for nonchristians, but it became a great tool to teach faithful members of the lords church that evangelism doesnt have to be hard. This book just might turn the religious world on its ear. Pages community organization religious organization limestone church of christ videos we are studying the book muscle and a shovel. Therefore, the shank family gives god the entirety of credit, honor, and glory for his hand of blessing on muscle and a shovel.
The book is structured around scripture and has converted through the word, 50,000 plus people since it came out in 2011. Review of muscle and a shovel by michael shank part 1. If you choose to read this book, your beliefs will be challenged in ways you. This book is backed up by scriptures throughout it.
The title, muscle and a shovel, refers to the mental muscle and a willingness to use honest intelligence to dig deep beyond all of our preconceived ideas, our false beliefs and our comfortable traditions, according to the book. Gospel meeting with jim turner confession limestone. In the process theyre befriended by a man who turns their belief about god, their church, and their faith upside down. Muscle and a shovel noncatholic religions catholic. Muscle and a shovel the kitchen of halfbaked thoughts. Muscle and a shovel is a raw and gritty true story about a pair of young newlyweds who move to the city to chase the american dream. We hope you will come join us today at the limestone church of christ. Am i allowed to say that it is what i thought it was. The shank family has heard of approximately 52,000 baptisms into jesus christ as a result of gods power and grace in using this humble tool called muscle and a shovel. In the book, shank describes his friendship with his church of christ coworker, identified as randall edges, in the context of their daytoday lives. My thoughts on muscle and a shovel by michael shank.
The gritty account of his movement from the baptist faith to churches of christ has in some ways become a litmus test for where one stands in our fellowship today. I understand that this book is anticatholic and i have no interest in reading it, but i would appreciate the comments from those who have read it. Baptists, methodists, presbyterians, catholics, the community churches none are spared when truth is at stake and their new friend randall. Muscle instructions by michael shank ministries, llc issuu. Muscle and a shovel is a raw, gritty, true story about young newlyweds, michael and jonetta shank, who move to the city to pursue the american dream. Written in an autobiographical style, its intended to be an apologetic for traditional church of christ beliefs. You argue in muscle and a shovel that law refers exclusive to the law of moses.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the rss 2. This is a true story about john, a christian man who is on the brink of suicide. I first want to address the form of the book muscle and a shovel by michael shank that i purchased. We in the churches of christ have a very inconsistent position on. The high school bible class has been studying from the muscle and a shovel student workbook. If you desire a copy of the book muscle and a shovel to read for yourself then email me with your address and i will mail one to you for free. Unlock your evangelistic gift and find where your godgiven role lies. Muscle and a shovel official website by michael shank. Michael shank came to the conclusion that though he was saved at the age of eight in a. This book logically outlines the church of the new testament and what individuals must do to become part of the body of christ. A story that will take you on a journey to finding christ and help you learn key bible truths, on salvation, bible authority, and the church. This book offers an analytical look at the biblical model of evangelism. Muscleandshovel this book was ed in 2011 and has been a popular read among members of the churches of christ in the last.
Struggles, discouragement, and disappointment in god caused john to leave his faith and the lords body, the church. How can there be so many different groups claiming to be following christ with varying answers to bible questions, even the all important question, how can i be saved. Michael shank in his book muscle and a shovel recounts his biographical experience of learning from a coworker that he should let the bible interpret itself. This is not even mainstream conservative church of christ thought and yet many congregations are buying this book and passing it around as though its all just excellent teaching. I am going into this book skeptical as its written to be promoting the church of christ, from what i understand but i am interested to read the story. A protestant friend of mine excatholic suggested that i read the book muscle and a shovel. A true story about eighteenyearold newlyweds, michael and jonetta shank. Muscle and a shovel is one of those rare books that will raise your heartrate, your bloodpressure and turn your view of religion upside down.
One baptist preacher described it as one of those rare books that will raise your blood. For most members of a church of christ, this sentiment is one that makes us feel comfortable and at home, but is this idea a reality. Muscle and a shovel the church of christ radio show. Its my hope that your faith and zeal for the gospel will be renewed acts 5. Church, churches of christ, eccelesiology, hermeneutics, michael shanks, muscle and a shovel. This book is focused around the church of christ, and it will try and convert you to. Frankly, id not heard of it until i began receiving reader emails about it in the last few weeks. Both books are selfpublished from within the churches of christ. Muscle and a shovel author reflects on falling away.
Muscle and a shovel spanish version musculo y pala. It does take a muscle and a shovel to dig through gods word. Muscle and a shovel places the emphasis for salvation on the sinner and the sinners obligation to god. God receives all of the glory for the fruits of this project.
There is a plethora of religious groups teaching varying doctrines today. We are studying the book muscle and a shovel limestone. Muscle, a shovel and thousands of baptisms the christian. In the end, michael and his wife jonetta were baptized at the jackson street church of christ in nashville, tn. Randall, the guy who studies with michael, is a member of the church of christ. I admit i have been there and done that i tell my story of redemption in a little book entitled, heavens star however scripture places the emphasis on jesus christ and the provision of salvation through him romans 5. I recently did a quick read of the book muscle and a shovel by michael shank. Muscle and a shovel is one of those rare books that will raise your heartrate, your. Muscle and a shovel the churches of christ salute you. In the middle of their pursuit theyre befriended by a man who turns their beliefs about god, their church and their faith upsidedown. The book shows us how scriptures within the bible can be used to change lives forever by simply starting the conversation with a few questions and following it.
Members at the fort logan church have been reading muscle and a shovel and would encourage you to read it as well. Muscle and a shovel kindle edition by shank, michael. Its the authors story of being converted from being a southern baptist to a church of christ. In the middle of their pursuit they are befriended by a man who turns their. The book has a 1 out of 12 conversion ratio, in just handing the material out. The book, written in 1995, anticipates and answers most of the arguments in muscle and a shovel, guin said. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. The muscle and a shovel student workbook is designed to be the premiere companion training tool for anyone who wants to become a randall in effectively sharing christ s gospel message. Stoney creek church of christ and tricities school of preaching. Click the picture above to link to our online study of the book muscle and a shovel how can we pray for you today. The inclusion of authors and books does not represent endorsement of the works by larry elliott or by the authors listed on church of christ men authors. According to shank, one must be immersed in water for the right reason for the remission of sins and be faithful to the right church 25.