Dr. Larry Crabb - Fully Alive: A Biblical Vision of Gender That Frees Men and Women to Live Beyond Stereotypes

2013 by Larry Crabb

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2013

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-4263-1

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007.

Scripture quotations labeled Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

To protect the privacy of those who have shared their stories with the author, some details and names have been changed.

How the message of Fully Alive is helping people all over the world...

Larrys teaching on gender has impacted my personal life, my marriage, and my leadership of the mens ministry at my church. Moving forward into messy situations in faith rather than passively letting chaos reign has allowed me to see God work in new ways in my marriage and in ministry. Charles B., Chicago, IL, husband/father/pastor

Seeing the potential in giving and receiving, I realize it is a waste of time to compete. Both men and women will benefit greatly by honoring their calling, resulting in freedom and joy. In spite of my age, sixty-five years old, I feel challenged and excited. Tom N., Stange, Norway, husband/father/retired

Feminine and woman used to be words that dripped with connotations of weakness and vulnerabilityan invitation to be used. Yet the essence of my feminine heart longed to be seen, cherished, honored, protected, and enjoyed. This heart of mine has begun to step out of the shadows and into the warm embrace of the True Light Himself. A deep joy has been released in me as I honor the dignity of my heart as a woman. I am more alive now than ever, and I bless God for that. Kjersten H., Colorado Springs, CO, single/counselor

Dr. Crabbs teaching on gender taught me a new way of relating to my wife. There is a drastic shift in my soulmy shrinking back fear has been replaced by a standing tall movement toward her. This new way has breathed life into our marriage. John F., Greensboro, NC, husband/father/pastor

Whether I am counseling a client or journeying through spiritual formation with a brother in Christ, Larry Crabbs teaching on gender roles continues to enlighten my discussions. I experienced a distinct paradigm shift in my counseling upon learning about how gender relates to being created in Gods image. Now there is an increasing desire to live out His strength in being the man He created me to be. David W., Burleson, TX, husband/father/counseling pastor

I had just come out of divorce from an abusive thirty-year marriage when I heard Larry teach on masculinity and femininity. The Lord used that teaching to begin the restoration process of my shattered soul and identity of who God created me to be. I am an image bearer, and as a woman I am called to openly and courageously invite others to be consumed by Gods love. Kerry F., Scottsdale, AZ, single/counselor

Both of us have been through Larrys School of Spiritual Direction, and it was one of the most impactful weeks of our lives. His gender message is biblically based and easy to understand. It has revolutionized the way we relate to each other. We believe this book is vital for those desiring authentic marital intimacy. Ryan and Heather C., Forest, VA, husband/pastoral counselor and wife/mentor

Dr. Crabbs teaching on gender has been the best source for understanding femininity and masculinity that I have found. There is something beautiful and inviting about me as a woman that has nothing to do with my appearance. I love knowing that truth and its biblical foundation. It has impacted the way I view myself as well as how I view men. I hope more people hear it and that we might all be set free to be the men and women God designed us to be. Mary Beth M., Austin, TX, single/spiritual mentor/film producer

The shackles of fear, shame, and confusion have been broken down. Larrys insightful biblical teaching on masculinity and femininity have freed men and women from the bondage placed on them by religion and society. We are now free to move toward and open up to one another in love to reveal the unconditional love of the Trinity. Jason D., Fort Hood, TX, husband/father/military chaplain

This teaching has caused a revolutionary shift in my paradigm of womanhood that is reflected in how I relate to my spouse, my children, my friends, and the world. It forever changes how I am, uniquely as a woman, to reflect the Trinity. Everyone should read this book. It changes everything. Jeanne M. Frankenmuth, MI, pastors wife/mother

Ive struggled my whole life with a debilitating fear of criticism and the need to have the approval of others. Larrys teaching has helped me realize Ive had a false definition of what it means to be a man. Im amazed at how much impact this has had on the quality of my relationships now that Ive stopped hiding. Jon L., Omaha, NE, husband/father/minister

I wasnt able to see myself as a woman the way God created me to be, because I wasnt married yet. I didnt understand what biblical femininity was all about. Through Larrys teaching, I saw for the first time how God created me as a woman who could glorify Him through my femininity, whether married or single. My view about that and myself has changed, and I am now free to be a woman for Gods glory. Natalia M., Moldova, single/missionary

Larrys insight into how God has uniquely created men and women to engage and reflect God to one another has been a challenge and a blessing. Especially in the lives of my clients, the light switch turns on that there is more than just the roles that society and the church have established. God has ordained and created a beautiful dance between husband and wife that only the music of heaven can lead. Greg C., Houston, TX, husband/father/counselor

Hearing Larry explain and express the core terrors of men and women and having accurate biblical definitions of what it is to be male or female has led me to profound longing for the weight of GodHis kabod in my life and joy when, in passing moments, I am aware of being a truly alive man. Graham B., Aberdeen, Scotland, husband/father/pastor

To Rachael,
A God-revealing woman

A student from twenty years ago reminded me of something I said in class when I was in my forties. I remember saying it: I wonder what book Ill write when I care more about what God thinks than what people think.

This may be that book, perhaps the first of many.