Reign Forevermore

Book Review: Billy Graham His Life and Influence by David Aikman

2010-06-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

Billy Graham: His Life and Influence by David Aikman

In this shorter biography of Billy Graham, Aikman focuses on the effects of Graham’s ministry on the American public, US presidents, and the world’s perception of evangelicalism. Beginning with Graham’s childhood, Aikman emphasizes the influence of a more theologically conservative strain of Christianity, fundamentalism broadly, on Graham’s foundational principles and attitudes. He then topically examines the results of Graham’s work on the international image of American evangelicalism (around 100 pages) and Graham’s relationships with US presidents from Truman to Bush Jr. (around 100 pages).

Aikman does not intend this work to be a definitive or exhaustive biography, which is immediately evident given the work’s length, under 400 pages. He highlights certain overseas trips, such as Graham’s visits to Romania, England, and North Korea, to show the growth of Graham’s statesmanlike qualities as well as the theologically influence of Graham’s messages on the next generation of pastors and priests in those nations (North Korea being the exception). Aikman generally sees Graham as intentionally naïve about the realities of international geopolitics.

Graham’s foremost qualities in this work are his desire to be liked and his humility. The author does an admirable job of selecting vignettes that highlight these attributes. He sees Graham first and foremost as an evangelist with the goal of conversion rather than a prophet whose job would focus more on identifying and preaching against injustice and evil. This juxtaposition is used throughout the work to explain Graham’s thoughts and actions on a variety of issues ranging from communism to race relations. This contrast is a useful tool for analyzing Graham’s life, but is less accurate than is immediately apparent. In the Bible, a prophet is primarily one who proclaims truth, specifically truth received from God. In this sense, Graham was very much a prophet due to his focus on explaining and preaching the truth of the gospel.

On the whole, I found this book to be an interesting and engaging work. Aikman’s career in journalism results in very readable chapters. I recommend it to anyone seeking a short biography of “America’s Pastor”, Billy Graham.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

Book Review: Mind Your Own Mortgage by Robert J Berbane

2010-05-29T05:08:00.000-07:00

Bernabe's "Mind Your Own Mortgage" makes the case for using price when selecting a mortgage (preferably a fixed rate mortgage) and paying off said mortgage early. Bernabe begins with a short historical section describing the causes of and responses to the current financial crisis. He then moves into the negative aspects of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and the results of regularly refinancing said ARMs. After making a clear and compelling case for fixed rate mortgages and his own personal system for selecting a mortgage, Bernanbe concludes by extolling the virtues of paying off one's mortgage, primarily more disposable income and a smaller total amount of interest.

Bernabe's case for paying off fixed rate mortgages is attractive and similar in content, if not form, to Dave Ramsey's approach. Bernabe doesn't approach his subject from an overtly Christian perspective (the exceptions being a couple references to God, the introduction, and the conclusion), which may give the work a broader audience. The foundation for Bernabe's position on mortgages is both financial and relational. He, appropriately, views debt as slavery that limits one's ability to spend and live as you wish and sees a greater workload (and hence less time with friends and family) as the inevitable result of this slavery.

I enjoyed this work and felt that Bernabe's presentation was clear and effective. On the other hand, I felt that he was rather belabored when making the case against ARMs. In addition, he seems to focus on refinancing as opposed to acquiring a mortgage in the first place (although this is not a universal flaw) At the same time, he provides easy to use tools for selecting a mortgage with clear explanations of how to use and access these forms (through his website www.mindyourownmortgage.com). The text was well laid out, including helpful tables and diagrams as well as sidebars and short story digressions. I recommend this book to anyone considering acquiring a first mortgage or refinancing.

Available:
Thomas Nelson Amazon

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jacob's Cowardice

2010-05-17T18:48:00.001-07:00

I'm teaching through Genesis at church and we are in Genesis 32-33 next Sunday. All together, Jacob puts 9 groups of people/animals/wives/children between him and Esau.

Messengers (32:3)
Servants, 200 female goats, 20 male goats - Rather lopsided (32:14)
Servants, 200 ewes, 20 rams - (32:14)
Servants, 30 female camels, young camels (32:15)
Servants, 40 cows, 10 bulls (32:15)
Servants, 20 female donkeys, 10 male donkeys (32:15)
Zilpah, Bilhah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher (3:2)
Leah, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah (33:2)
Rachel and Joseph (33:2)

Understand that the last thing Jacob knows about his brother Esau is that Esau was trying to decide whether to kill Jacob with a tree limb or a jawbone (or something like that). At the same time, God has just told Jacob that Jacob should return to the Promised Land and that God would be with him there. The last time God said that to Jacob (on the way to Mesopotamia), Jacob did pretty well.

At the very least, we can say that Jacob is doing everything in his power to be at peace with all men, particularly Esau (Romans 12:18).

Open for Business

2010-05-17T09:01:00.000-07:00