Truefaced.

Book Review

Thrall, Bill. McNicol, Bruce. Lynch, John. TrueFaced. Trust God and Others with who you really are. NavPress. 2003.

All the authors are associated with an organization called, Leadership Catalyst, located in Phoenix, AZ.

Comment. Henry.
This is a re-read of a book that I have had for several years.
The book speaks very clearly to the common problem of being hypocritical with those who know us best. It is described very simply as ‘mask wearing’ which is a result of unresolved sin. It is illustrated as a three-phase process; “Act of sin > Involuntary Response > Inevitable Effect.” (29) Dallas Willard describes this book as “one of the best books on practical theology” with regard to giving meaning to humility, grace and repentance. Becoming “TrueFaced” is a very freeing concept.

When it comes to who we are, it is “a waste of energy and soul” (11) to be wearing a mask. Such behavior is fear motivated. Like ancient Greek actors we all tend to be ‘masked performers’ at times. Mask wearing in its various forms is really denial (at various levels). Eventually the mask will crack and this is good news because it will lead to reality.

Mask-wearing is the inevitable result of unresolved sin causing guilt and/or hurt. “Guilt and hurt turn (mutate) into shame, blame, fear, denial and anger”. (24) Each of these debilitating responses must be dealt with.

Involuntary (sinful) responses result in inevitable effects (sinful behavior). One such behavior is becoming judgmental. It is devastating and is often passed from generation to generation. Hiding one sinful behavior (masking) makes us vulnerable to other sinful behaviors.

Another common mask is the need to control. “Performance driven cultures can never promote healing. Rather they create more wounding.” (73)

“Our motives always direct what we value and how we act. Motive> Values> Actions.” (88) Pleasing God is a by-product of trusting God. Trust must be the foundation. It must be our primary motive.

“Grace changes our life focus, lets God handle sin, melts masks, changes how we treat each other, and is attracted by humility.” (110) “Grace helps people trust.” (127) Love, repentance, and forgiveness are God’s gifts of grace.

First we must learn to receive God’s love before we can love. We cannot receive love on our own terms. Once we have experienced love we will be able to love others. “People who are unable to trust will never experience love.” (140)

Repentance is a gift of grace. It is appropriated through trust (faith). It is reinforced in the community of grace. “Grace begets repentance, and repentance nurtures forgiveness.” (165)

Forgiveness is a mysterious gift of grace. Seven “keys of forgiveness are discussed,” (176) e.g. forgiving consequences, forgiving the offender, reconciliation, etc.