The Simple Pastor

Book Reviews

2009-11-13T22:58:00.000Z

I've tried to make all my book reviews more easily accessible (and for my own records) so this post will be updated once a year with that years reviews in them.

2007
2008

Posts of the Week (13/11/09)

2009-11-13T09:56:00.006Z

Dave Matthias on Newfrontiers' new apostles
Luke on wedding nonsense
Cat thinks about time now she's in Peru
I have no idea what to make of this. I'm so glad there are American Christians that think this is insane
Al Mohler on the hypersocialized generation
Challies has put his posts on sexual detox into an e-book
More on what's wrong with Capitalism from a Green Christian
Breathe encourages you to value Autumn
My old tutor Carl Trueman makes a good point on responding to criticism

Reviews: 2008

2009-11-13T09:13:00.000Z

UnChristian by David Kinnaman (extended here & here)
FB Meyer by Bob Holman
When the Game is Over it all goes back in the box by John Ortberg
The Jazz of Preaching by Kirk Byron Jones
The Disciple Making Pastor by Bill Hull
Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne
Growing for God by Simon Robinson
Free of Charge by Miroslav Volf
Dissolution by CJ Sansom
Humility by CJ Mahaney
Seven Ways to Change the World by Jim Wallis
Small Footprint, Big Handprint by Tri Robinson
Bind us Together by John Fleming
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem
The Shack by William Young
It by Craig Groeschel
Becoming a Contagious Church by Mark Mittelberg
12 Books that changed the World by Melvyn Bragg
Jesus wants to save Christians by Rob Bell & Don Golden

Reviews: 2007

2009-11-13T08:31:00.000Z

Intelligent Church by Steve Chalke
Bono on Bono - conversations with Michka Assayas
The Good, the Bad and the Difference by Randy Cohen
What Matters Most by Doug Fields
Kingdom Come by JG Ballard
Serve God Save the Planet by Matthew Sleeth
Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster
Remarriage after Divorce in today's Church: 3 views
The Power of Generosity by Dave Toycen
Confessions of a Reformission Rev by Mark Driscoll
They Like Jesus but Not the Church by Dan Kimball (extended parts 1, 2, 3, 4)
Pierced for our Transgressions by Ovey, Jeffery & Sach
Generosity by Michael Wakely
The Myth of Happiness by Rich Wagner
Fallen by David Maine
The Pocket Guide to the Apocalypse by Jason Boyett
One Touch from the King by Mark Stibbe
Augustine and his World
Doing Church as a Team by Wayne Cordeiro
Total Church by Steve Timmis and Tim Chester
Who am I? by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dictionary of Mission Theology
Holy Discontent by Bill Hybels
Monster by Frank Peretti
Christmas with Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What's important to me politically? Wise foreign policy

2009-11-12T16:35:00.001Z

I don't know if this is the top of my list, but it is important. Really important. We live in a nuclear, globalized world, we're members of the European Union, there are four countries in our nation, and despite (thankfully) no longer being an empire, we're still a major power (politically, economically, culturally and occasionally militarily). We may not be top dog any more (not that that matters) but we're a long way from the bottom. So how our government conducts itself on the world stage is crucial.

Generally, we talk a better game than we deliver something that's true of most governments I suppose. But it wold be nice to think we will deliver sometimes as well. And if we were to deliver, here would be my shopping list.

Active lead role in nuclear disarmament (and I mean setting an example)
Delivering on our commitments to the UN Millenium Goals
Delivering on our commitments made at Kyoto (and hopefully Copenhagen)
Greater leadership to end the European Common Agricultural Policy. It's hard to be for free trade, fair trade or pro-developing countries when Europe spends €50 billion a year on farm subsidies
I haven't thought about it too much but I'm generally pro-Europe and think active engagement is a better way forward
Arms dealing is a murky business, it's complicated - and quite often immoral. We sell a lot of arms. We must do better.
Since I'm on the subject of weapons - it would be great to have some debate on what is a good use of our armed forces. I generally lean towards pacifism but sometimes we do so badly at diplomacy and the world is sinful that we force can't always be ruled out - In the last 20 years Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone were not unreasonable uses of our military. Few argued even with Afghanistan after 9/11. It's just a shame we didn't use them in Rwanda or Sudan. On the flip side of the coin I'm not sure two wars in Iraq were our finest hour.

There's probably more but that's a start right...

Social Justice

Book Review: The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness

2009-11-12T11:44:00.002Z

I'm rapidly becoming a fan of Tim Chester's books (I think I own 4 at last count) and I think you should be too. I'm convinced that most of us western Christians have a very poor handle on our time, we're pushed around by the culture and our busyness makes our relationship with God thin and weak. Which isn't surprising because Jesus' warned us that this would be this case if we were preoccupied with the cares of this world.

The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness tackles our priorities and our ineffectiveness. But it's not really a time management book but a book which exposes the lies that lie behind our over-busyness. The lies that we prefer pressure but actually procrastinate (that's me), to needing the money or the lifestyle, to remain in control, to maximise our life or to feel significant. Yet each lie is countered by truth from the scriptures that bring us to a place of rest, confidence and peaceful trust in God.

The examples are helpful, the scriptures enlightening, the style is readable and most important of all the message is vital. Too often I hear about people who'd love to love God more but busyness kills the desire dead. Rules and time management principles will become the pharisees rules when what we need is more grace.

This is an excellent book that deserves a wide audience because we need to heed its message. You can read an extract here.

What you've been reading (12/11/09) and other bookish things

2009-11-12T09:53:00.001Z

Gary McMurray has read Fern Seed and Elephants by CS Lewis
Kevin DeYoung has read Dead Aid by Dambisi Moyo

Another salutary note in the power of the internet to kill concentration and good writing

Now that's what I call talent

2009-11-09T09:31:00.000Z

OK we have urban dance acts and singers...but would we ever get this on Britain's Got Talent. Sadly I think not. Compelling art that tells a story is a powerful thing.

HT: Peter Ould

Church merger: Theology

2009-11-07T20:08:00.000Z

At some point early on you have to discuss theology. We can be theologically similar and have differing visions and the project will fall at the start. However if we have the same vision but differing theology the likely prospect is division but later on - vision (or necessity) will carry things for a while but sooner or later the theological fault lines will emerge.

You can't rush this process, you can't bypass it and you mustn't ignore it. If you do the pain will be great later on. So we hit it in the third week and we're still at it...we're in no hurry.The danger of rushing the process is that without rigorous and honest discussion, if differences develop later on, one party will feel not listened to, wounded, neglected or walked over. Hardly Christ-honouring.

So far we've had some pretty frank and helpful discussions - we agree on all the headline issues. We agree on the authority of Scripture, the humanity and divinity of Jesus, the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ. We agree on believers baptism, the importance of preaching, the urgency of mission, the need for compassion and mercy, the call to love one another. There's lots of agreement.

We also agree in some areas where we don't believe we need complete agreement. In some areas we're willing to agree to disagree. We don't need to think the same about the details of the second coming (only that there will be one), in a similar way we don't need to think the same about the beginning (only that God began the beginning), we can even live with differences within the reformed movement. Not all of us sign up to all of TULIP for example.

Having said all that there are some differences that we're working through - the place, role and appointment of deacons and elders, the role of Ephesians 4 ministries, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the place of the gifts of the Spirit today and healing for example...no doubt there will be some more issues to work through as well.

So far the discussions have been productive, fruitful, generous, open, passionate yet lacking in the kind of heat that so often keeps Christians apart. Please pray that our discussions will continue to be Christ-like, and that we receive wisdom to work things through biblically. I'll keep you informed.

Posts of the Week (06/11/09)

2009-11-06T10:52:00.007Z

Mint charts the rise of digital music. Could books go the same way I wonder?
The most vulnerable people in our world are children. Randy Alcorn gives us some facts
Stephen Gray wonders what's wrong with capitalism?
Why are we so busy? Good question...

Write down guidance

2009-11-05T15:16:00.000Z

Here's some advice and I'll let you have this one for free. When you believe God is speaking to you write it down and don't lose the notebook. I discovered today an old notebook that I haven't looked in for years.

In 1996, five years before I was asked to plant a church, I felt the call of God to do that. The call to plant churches, to teaching, preaching and justice. It would have helped if I'd had that notebook in 2001!

More encouragement to come because there are things that God has spoken about that I cannot let go. How about these things from the summer of 1996:

"Commitment to the poor, to live with open hands, to discipline myself to give generously and make it a lifestyle."

Long before I knew what consumerism was, it seems God was speaking to me about generosity, compassion, simplicity, church. I'm very grateful for God's grace to me in all of this...so we keep going.

What you've been reading (05/11/09) and other bookish things

2009-11-05T10:51:00.001Z

Jeremy has read Why your world is about to get a whole lot smaller, by Jeff Rubin
Tim Challies has read Unleashing the Word by Max Mclean

Bonhoeffer on: Cheap Grace

2009-11-04T15:06:00.000Z

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a hero of mine. His words about grace remain relevant still. This is from his famous The Cost of Discipleship.

"The price we are having to pay today in the shape of the collapse of the organised church is only the inevitable consequence of our policy of making grace available to all at too low a cost."

and

"We gave away the word and the sacraments wholesale, we baptised, confirmed and absolved a whole nation unasked and without condition. Our humanitarian sentiment made us give that which was holy to the scornful and unbelieving. We poured forth unending streams of grace. But the call to follow Jesus in the narrow way was hardly ever heard."

I think a case can be made for those words applying to Britain in 2009.

Is capitalism bankrupt?

2009-11-04T14:34:00.000Z

I've found a few articles and blog posts on this recently, so here they are:

Green Christian begins his critique here
Michael Schluter of the Jubilee Centre points out 5 flaws
A summary of that is here and they question the value of GDP
For a regular critique don't forget to read Make Wealth History
Bishop Paul Richardson critiqued capitalism in the October 9th edition of The Record. Download it here

Simple Christmas

2009-11-04T12:57:00.000Z

It's getting towards that time of year again when everyone goes a little crazy and overindulges, over spends and over commits. We'll recover in February 2010. It won't come as any surprise that I'm no fan of this feast of consumption we call Christmas. Most of it (around 99% I reckon) has almost nothing to do with Jesus.
So if you want a different kind of Christmas start thinking now if you haven't already. Here are some places you can look for inspiration:

The EA has some ideas on how to simplify and strengthen Christmas
Here are some thoughts from last year that remain pretty relevant
I'll spend Christmas Day like this again
also from the EA Simplify Christmas
Living Lightly Christmas
Not Just for Christmas looks like an interesting project
Just Christmas is a great project from a local church
Advent Conspiracy
Buy Nothing Christmas

This video is on my front page for a reason

The Prosperity Gospel

2009-11-03T16:20:00.000Z

This video makes for uncomfortable watching

The Prosperity Gospel from The Global Conversation on Vimeo.

HT: Out of Ur

Church merger: Values

2009-11-03T13:15:00.001Z

The second question we asked ourselves related to values. What would the characteristics of the new united church be? If you like, what would it's personality be? Every church has a personality - some churches are friendly others are not. Some are committed to excellence and professionalism, others are laid back and scruffy round the edges.

We asked ourselves, what would we change about our current churches and what we continue? Again, it seemed that in many ways, though our demographics are miles apart, our intentions and hopes were pretty similar.

We want to be a church on a mission to the community around us, so we want to continue to be welcoming, friendly and warm towards the guest and newcomer.
Our community and our world is full of need and brokenness. We see it every day. We want to be full of the compassion of Christ for the broken and the lost.
We want to love one another and truly be God's new people. Here we had different words for the same thing: fellowship, family, community.We want the world to see that we are His disciples by the way we love one another (John 13:35).

These are things that express the grace of God to us - He reached out to us (Rom 5:8), He showed compassion to us (Micah 7:18-19) and he adopted us into His family (Ephesians 1:3-7).

So far, so good. We feel comfortable with our vision and with our values. Next up: theology!

What about...updated

2009-11-01T23:04:00.000Z

A while ago I read my friend Dave's account of the impact of a talk I gave, and he listed the questions I posed that night, I've turned those questions into a series of posts which I've now finished. Here's the complete set

Posts of the Week (30/10/09)

2009-10-30T13:05:00.004Z

Jeremy is right about this. Ouch. He's also upset about this and rightly so.
I'm going to read Tim Keller's Counterfeit Gods soon. Here he is on his own experience
Celebrity is the ambition of many, to the folly of some
For Jon, global warming has just got personal
The Gospel and a heart for the poor brilliantly put
Tim Challies has written a series called sexual detox. Worth a read
Josh Harris on how you can insult God
I think Randy Alcorn is excellent on Choosing a God-Honoring Lifestyle

John Hosier on: Simplicity & Generosity

2009-10-29T17:07:00.000Z

From a talk John Hosier did on 'remembering the poor' at CCK Brighton.

"If we reject materialism and asceticism it seems to me we are left with the biblical way of generosity, which in turn is linked with simplicity. Simplicity is not to be understood in 'nothing' but 'enough.' When we consider the needs of the poor, and indeed the needs of world mission, then there is a challenge to generosity - something that can always be increased as we simplify our lifestyle.

This is a sensitive area, for simplicity can easily become pharisaical when we begin to bring our opinion and judgement to bear on how others should simplify their lifestyle. (And particularly pharisaical if others should suggest how we might simplify our lifestyle!) The reality is that we are all extravagant in different ways. Voluntary simplicity of lifestyle is a way to increase our generosity."

What you've been reading (29/10/09) and other bookish things

2009-10-29T13:02:00.006Z

Tim Challies slams Karen Armstrong's The Case for God
I posted this review on Church Planting
Also this one on the Bible and Homosexuality
And this one on Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll
Lex Loizides reviews Philip Norman's John Lennon: The Life
Tim Chester has reviewed Tremper Longman's commentary on Proverbs.
Gary McMurray has read Preach the Word by Kent Hughes
This is Kevin DeYoung's book log. I'm not reading enough and he's wrong about who's right on no4.

This is on the death of the (professional) book review (HT: Challies)

Why do I do it?

2009-10-28T13:51:00.001Z

I've no idea, it's a fool's errand, it's the craft of a fine procrastinator, it's stupid. Yes I've gone and changed the look of my blog again. I've made a few other changes too - comment forms are now embedded at the end of each post, I've switched from Sharethis to Add this. And made it a bit easier to find a few key posts or thoughts on some of the main issues that this blog features - consumerism, generosity & simplicity. I'll probably tweak it for a while, but this is the new look unless of course everybody hates it.

Because I'm an idiot I did this in December 2008, May 2008 and July 2007 and some other times as well. This is now at least the 5th new look in 3 years. Anyway it's done now and hopefully it will last a year before I get bored and start messing around again. Here are some previous looks as the blog has evolved from standard blogger basics to the fine art you see today!

Comments? Which look did you like best?

The post-crisis consumer

2009-10-28T12:19:00.000Z

TED consistently produces thought provoking videos. This one is on how consumerism is changing and shifting. It's not all bad it seems, although I think it's a bit early to be so certain...

Book Review: Vintage Church

2009-10-27T13:14:00.008Z

Not so long ago I also reviewed Mark Driscoll's Vintage Church for Christianity Magazine.

"What is the church? If you repeat the historic belief in 'one holy catholic Church' what is it exactly that you are affirming? Mark Driscoll believes that not enough people, leaders included, know how to answer that question well.

Driscoll was baptised and brought up in the Roman Catholic church before coming to faith in Christ as a teenager. While in his mid-twenties he planted Mars Hill Church Seattle, now one of the largest and fastest growing in America, and he has become one of the leading voices in what has become known as the 'new Calvinism.' His earthy, blunt approach to preaching and leadership, frank talking about sex, calls for men to be men and his willingness to wade mouth first into controversy have gained him followers and critics in almost equal measure.

In Vintage Church the authors argue that the substance of the church must remain orthodox faith while ensuring the style of church is relevant to the time and place the church is in. This position is clearly contrasted with liberal and emergent churches that have rewritten what the church believes or equally others that have failed to remain relevant to their culture.

The opening chapter deals with 'what is a Christian?' and declares salvation to be 'by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone' and the centrality of penal substitution is defended while at the same time other views of the cross are warmly affirmed. The heart of the book lies with his views on eight characteristics of a biblical church: regenerated church membership, qualified leadership, preaching and worship, rightly administered sacraments, spirit unity, holiness, the great commandment to love and the great commandment to evangelise and make disciples. Each chapter is written by Driscoll and is followed by short answers to common questions on the topic penned by co-author Gerry Breshears.

The 'timeless truths' that Driscoll defends include a men-only view of senior church leadership, believers baptism, the centrality of the sermon and preaching and a better understanding of church discipline. The 'timely methods' he advocates are a clearer view of what it means to be missional, a smarter use of technology, a strategic focus on cities, a generous approach to funding church plants, an investment in compassion ministries and a stronger understanding of how we can see our culture transformed by the gospel.

On the whole the book is much more open handed and generous to differing approaches to church than you might assume but every now and then this helpful approach is undermined by shots fired across the church barricades. For example in the chapter on church unity, the authors make a really helpful attempt to distinguish between issues to 'die for' (like the resurrection) and issues to 'divide for', debate for' or 'decide for.' Differences on gender roles may have been put in the 'divide for' category but in other places in the book it definitely feels as if it should have been in the 'die for' category.

My one other main complaint is that I thought the book should be called, 'Vintage Mars Hill: Time to follow our lead' because it is so clearly a manifesto that explains how and why they do church in the way they do. As a result the breadth and diversity of expressions of the global church narrows down to this one very particular expression of it. So if you want to do church and lead the way Mark Driscoll does it, then this is the book for you.

If you don't want your church to go down that route, there are still plenty of excellent reasons why you should read this book. There are helpful insights and into preaching, cultural transformation and multi-campus churches and mission. The chapters on church unity and church discipline effectively challenge a consumer approach to church that fails to take discipleship or personal holiness seriously while doing its best to safeguard against spiritual abuse which is not an easy line to get right. There is a pastoral heart to the book that desires people to be mature in Christ that is very much in evidence. Most helpfully every chapter has countless footnotes referencing sources and Scripture making it easy to check his working out as well as his answers.

The answers that Mark Driscoll articulates in Vintage Church clearly aren't going to be to everyone's liking, however he makes his case in a straight forward and forthright style aimed at equipping church leaders to think clearly, lead clearly and teach their people clearly about what a church is and what it means to be a part of one. That is a good goal and one that in many ways this book may well succeed in achieving."

Through the eyes of a child

2009-10-27T09:48:00.002Z

I'm not sure anything goes slower than a toddler learning to walk. First of all the steps are generally unsteady, the direction uncertain and the focus unclear. The toddler I have in mind is easily distracted. The dullest of twigs, stones and leaves all get special attention with a pause, crouch and close inspection. You're lucky if you move a dozen steps (toddler steps mind) before some thought you can't comprehend results in a sudden change of direction, often towards some hazard or other. In other words progress is painfully, desperately, dreadfully slow. Possibly slower.

I didn't cope well. It started cute, minutes later it became boring and my mind wandered, I became impatient, irritable, keen to get a move on. I feel the same way in traffic jams or when my computer won't boot up quickly enough. The world moves fast and you have to hurry to keep up. Life is busy and head, heart and soul get used to operating at a high gear. The next thing you have to do continually intrudes into the present. We're distracted from the moment by the thought of the whatever is happening next rushing headlong towards us.

The busy we get, the faster the pace of life the more likely it is that we will grow in impatience. It's a necessary by-product of our over-connected, over-wired, over-busy lives.

The problem in the case of my walk with my toddler is that I had nothing particular to do afterwards, nowhere particular to be and nothing more important to be doing. I was impatient for no very good reason. Once that insight began to take root, I began to make a conscious effort to slow down and appreciate watching my son learn to walk, something I will only get to do once. To appreciate a day I will never live again, to see colours and leaves, and appreciate the fresh air on my skin. To savour the time with my wife and son. To thank God for the rich blessings that are my life, to get to the end of the day and say, "I am blessed".

It's good for the soul to slow down, good too for the heart and body. I recommend the pace of a toddler.

Tim Chester on: Fasting

2009-10-26T14:23:00.000Z

Tim Chester has some good things to say about fasting. If the queue at McDonalds the last time Newfrontiers leaders gathered to pray and fast was anything to go by, it probably wouldn't hurt to remind ourselves of why we fast. Here's a taster:

"When we in the western world have emotional needs many of us turn to food for refuge. We self-medicate with food. The result is ill-health and weight gain. The result is an over-consumption of the world’s resources that contributes to the hunger of other people. And every time we miss the opportunity to turn to God. We don’t live by bread alone. We need God in our lives so that life without God is an empty life."

Book Review: Planting Churches - A framework for practitioners

2009-10-26T09:08:00.002Z

A while ago, I reviewed this book for Christianity magazine

"Murray tackles the six questions of why, where, who, when, what and how of church planting with perceptive insight and balanced judgement. I identified many scenarios and situations that were true to my experience and felt here was an author who really knows his subject.

Despite its relevance and wisdom it was still a real effort to read. Lacking real life examples or case studies it all felt very theoretical and dry. I would have liked some of his observations and experiences brought to life to give it some vitality. I didn't finish this book thinking, 'I want to do it again!'

However the real strength of this book lies in the questions it asks, there were more than a few I'd never considered but wish I had. Anyone considering leading a church plant or 'fresh expression church' would do well to read this book before setting out because the conversations that result will be tremendously helpful. As a basis for discussion in the planning for church planting this book should not be ignored."

The Sunday Video: One Day's Wages

2009-10-25T12:36:00.003Z

I like this.

The Movement of One Day's Wages from One Day's Wages on Vimeo.

A Virtual Church

2009-10-23T17:45:00.000+01:00

I've been asked to review a book and it's causing a bit of a stir. Here's the case for and against.

And some wise words on the issue from John Stott 27 years ago!

Book Review: Homosexuality and the Bible

2009-10-23T16:25:00.001+01:00

Homosexuality and the Bible: Two Views is a debate between Dan Via and Robert Gagnon, both New Testament professors. Via takes the view that the church should affirm gay marriage, Gagnon affirms the traditional view of homosexual sex as sinful.

What was interesting and surprising to me was that Via affirmed that 'the Biblical texts that deal specifically with homosexual practice condemn it unconditionally' (p93). He believes that rules (Biblical injunctions in this case) can be overrided if you have enough good reasons (p21).

His view of Scripture is essentially that it is 'authoritative only in those parts that are existentially engaging and compelling' and should be re-interpreted in the light not only of new knowledge but 'in the light of one's own interpretation' (p2).

Via's main argument rested on the issue of orientation. He argues that Paul (Romans 1:24-27 and 1 Cor 6:9-10) and the Biblical witness against homosexuality applies only to those who are acting against their nature. So straight people acting gay. What it does not apply to are people who by nature are gay. For them it is natural to live gay, it's not against their nature but with their nature. He argues that if Paul knew then what we knew now he would say the same. That denying gay marriage both encourages promiscuity within the gay community by not supporting faithful, monogamous relationships and is unjust by denying some of God's creation the possibility of finding sexual fulfilment.

Gagnon by contrast deals comprehensively with every Biblical passage, examines context, makes good exegetical links and connections (and one or two weaker suggestions such as reference to Ham & Noah that is far from convincing). He agrees with Via that the Bible uniformly, unequivocally and consistently calls same-sex sex sin and sees no reason why the church should change its mind now.

He argues that instead, the Bible offers the 'beautiful image of 'one fleshness' of marriage as a reunion of an original binary whole' (p89). The joining of two constituent parts male and female, that together reflects the image of God in a way that one half on their own cannot. Anything contrary to that falls short of God's creative intent.

Via sees orientation as unchangeable and refers to gay experience to support that (I assume not really giving weight to the experience of those who are post-gay and have left that lifestyle behind), while Gagnon believes God's grace is more powerful than even the strongest of our desires.

In terms of use of the Bible I struggle with Via's liberal approach but perhaps if the case is so weak then what options does he have? I see Scripture as more authoritative, and am unsure of where Via would reasonably draw the line, a point Gagnon makes well.

Robert Gagnon has made available a wealth of articles available on his website.

Posts of the Week (23/10/09)

2009-10-23T13:39:00.003+01:00

I'm on Facebook as are lots of people. 300 million and counting. To keep the show on the road, they need these
You might wonder whether there's any point to Facebook and Twitter, John Piper & Randy Alcorn thinks there is
I've been thinking for a while I need to find out more about the ministry of Francis Chan. This article confirms it. I really do. (HT: Gospel Coalition)
Some encouragement to have a less busy heart
This is a vision of life in Britain I could vote for, only none of the parties are offering that vision I think
Some more encouragement to remember that busy isn't always better
Matt Hosier reckons that art is of more significance than shopping but the church provokes less reaction than a shop!
I like Mint's visual comparisons. This one is Russia vs USA
Here are two on money - Gary McMurray wonders if generosity could so overflow we would be asked to stop giving?!
Will Willimon doesn't have that problem because he's cutting his budget, but realises that money follows mission

20 ways of avoiding consumptive society

2009-10-22T16:24:00.002+01:00

This is a great list of actions and attitudes. I particularly like and am challenged by 7,8 & 9.

What you've been reading (22/10/09) and other bookish things

2009-10-22T14:55:00.005+01:00

Tim Challies has read Richard Dawkins' The Greatest Show on Earth
Here are some of the academic books and commentaries Tim has been sent
Jeremy read The Great Transition report from NEF
He also read a book on Local Food by Pinkerton and Hopkins
Scot McKnight lists 10 leadership books. Not your usual list.
Tim Challies has also read Tim Keller's Counterfeit Gods which is near the top of my to-read pile
Mark Powley lists his top 10 books on consumerism. It's a good list.

Should the UK have nuclear weapons?

2009-10-22T13:27:00.000+01:00

Yes	2 (15%)
No	11 (84%)
Don't know	0 (0%)

Votes so far: 13

Well that's fairly conclusive - readers of this blog are against nuclear weapons by a massive majority. That's kind of comforting. Anyone a member of CND?

Top 10 books on consumerism

2009-10-21T15:58:00.000+01:00

My friend Mark has posted his top 10 books on consumerism. It's a good list and there's quite a few I've not read. That's mostly because Mark is smarter than me. Having read a draft of Mark's book (to be published by Zondervan next year), I'm confident that his book would make my top 10. But it's not out yet so here's my list.

Money, Sex & Power by Richard Foster. Foster just captures superbly the dangers and temptations and with great humility points towards a better way of living. A must.
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. From a Christian perspective our treasure lies elsewhere, not on earth, not in earthly things. Get this right and consumerism loses lots of its power. Alcorn very simply with some great lines, points us to better treasure. (Review)
Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster. Foster expands his theme of the call to simplicity that is an essential part of the Christian life. A book widely read and widely ignored. He nails it though. (review)
Neither Poverty nor Riches by Craig Blomberg. The most comprehensive and thorough review of the Bible's approach to money and possessions and the relationship between wealth and poverty. This is great theology - that leaves you in no doubt about the issue. His application seems both utterly reasonable, understated and at the same time challenging. Highly recommended.
Beyond Greed by Brian Rosner. A clear understanding that greed is idolatry and that much of what passes for contemporary life should be understood as greed. Challenging stuff. (Review - under a previous title)
Serve God, Save the Planet by Matthew Sleeth. One of the most compelling stories of conversion I've read. From consumption machine to simple living all for the glory of God. It's a changed life. (review)
The Divine Commodity by Skye Jethani. An excellent look at how consumerism has infected the American church. (Review)
Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ron Sider. One of the most influential books in my life. First it helped me see that the Bible was just as concerned by what my eyes were seeing as I was. Secondly, it helped me on the road to seeing the response of Christians in the west should be increased generosity and increased simplicity.
When the Game is Over it all goes back in the Box by John Ortberg. Just great at compelling stories that make you realise that the way to win in life is not to end up with lots of toys. (Review)
Affluenza by Oliver James. Wanting more stuff and finding your identity in it (ie.Consumerism) will probably make you ill or unhappy. Or both.

Big Ideas that changed the world: Consumerism (4)

2009-10-20T13:27:00.001+01:00

Meant to post this ages ago - sorry

Not every thought should become a post

2009-10-20T13:20:00.000+01:00

It's a funny thing blogging. It is both personal and impersonal. I don't know personally the majority of people reading this but I am sharing insights into my family, my church and my head (scary for everyone, I admit). I haven't set out to become anything or anyone with it, the blog has a simple goal of helping me articulate thoughts as I seek to make sense of the world around me by holding it up against the plumb line of Jesus.

But sometimes you can get caught up in all, number of readers, number of visits, number of comments or links. Well I can anyway, and it's easy to play to the gallery. Which can be OK as long as you don't score any own goals in the process. Which no doubt I've done.

Recently I met with a friend and mentor, he cautioned me back to the path of wisdom and humility when it comes to blogging. A helpful reminder that people actually read what I say, so I need to choose my words with care.

Its nice to know that people consider your thoughts worth reading and perhaps thinking about it but with that (just as with all communication) comes the responsibility to do it well and honour Christ in it. It was pointed out to me perhaps a couple of places where I didn't do that as well as I could have. I appreciate people that care enough to point that out to me, to challenge me to do better, to think it through.

It's too easy to be careless in the virtual worlds of blogs, twitters and facebook - yet every publicly accessible comment, link, tweet becomes a testimony to my witness (or lack of it) to Christ. It's just as important in these virtual worlds that virtues such as integrity, honesty, graciousness, purity, accountability and wisdom are held just as they should be in the off-line world.

I'm grateful for the reminder to blog wisely.

Adbusting: Dove - Evolution

2009-10-18T13:46:00.000+01:00

Actually this isn't a proper adbust. In fact Dove have done most of the hard work for me.

HT: Richard Walker "In it's so-called wisdom, our culture has tried to divorce just about everything from its source in Christ, including notions of beauty and strength. Beauty is vanity unless it springs from Christ-like reverent holiness. Strength is vanity if it isn't, merciful, just and self-giving like Jesus." - Great quote

Posts of the Week (16/10/09)

2009-10-16T15:36:00.001+01:00

Marcus wonders if you are thrilled with the Word
I get insulted during a lively debate about the Story of Stuff over at Breathe
This could be a book for Calvin & Hobbes fans
Do you get your clothes from any of these shops? Perhaps its time to think again
Sean Green continues to think about rest
Dave Bish ponders the differences between the family trees in Matthew and Luke's gospel
Jeremy draws attention to Sao Paolo the advertising free city
Colin Hansen wonders about counterfeit gods
Kevin DeYoung isn't worried about overpopulation

Bodies

2009-10-15T14:18:00.000+01:00

I did an assembly to a group of Year 10 students this morning & I played them this:

It's a spiritual song of searching and longing. It's also one of confusion and at the end of the day hopelessness. You get the feeling from the song that they think, 'it would be nice if Jesus did die for me but I just can't believe it'. There are a lot of obstacles to faith.

I talked of the search for significance and meaning, the quest for hope and love and I said it could be found in Jesus. I had less than 10 minutes, so I've no idea what sunk in, but maybe something did.

Here are some others that have reflected on this new Robbie Williams song:

Matt Hosier
Jon Matthias
David Keen (lots of links here to other discussions)
Glen Scrivener

What you've been reading (15/10/09) and other bookish things

2009-10-15T09:34:00.000+01:00

Tim Challies lists a few books he hasn't reviewed

Posts of the Week (09/10/09)

2009-10-09T11:36:00.003+01:00

I appreciated Kevin DeYoung's thoughts on church membership
Will Willimon has a strategy for growth in his patch and some good priorities for churches
My friend Jon has some interesting thoughts on Robbie Williams' new song Bodies
How many times has the Olympics been held in the Southern Hemisphere? Click here for the answer
If you're a premillenialist do you really believe this?
Mint has the real deal behind reward points (US but principles apply)
Why aim for carbon neutral when you can make buildings that are energy positive?
Catalyst conference in the US has some interesting talks - here are three that caught my eye on don't pity the poor, Matthew Sleeth on the environment and doing justice

Book Review: Out of Egypt

2009-10-08T15:34:00.000+01:00

I'm continuing to read books on the issue of homosexuality, trying to gain a better understanding of the issues involved. Jeanette Howards' Out of Egypt is aimed at those who struggle with lesbianism and those who counsel them.

Jeanette would have identified herself as a lesbian for many years but does so no longer. The book mixes elements of her own story with counselling sessions she has with women struggling with lesbianism. In those sessions various lessons are drawn out relating to identity in God, roots of our sexual choices and how to make changes.

Jeanette's view is fairly simple. Active homosexuality is a sin but with God's help that lifestyle can be left behind (1 Cor 6:9-11 being a key passage for Jeanette). Although there are stories of women who lived a lesbian lifestyle and who later met God, married and had children, the book does not present that as the norm for those who leave behind the lesbian life.

At the same time the book makes abundantly clear that making such choices is incredibly difficult and painful, walking alongside those who are struggling means there must be more love than judgement.

I found the device of the counselling sessions somewhat forced, because it was too obviously a device being used to walk people through some of the key steps involved. While it left plenty of questions unanswered it did offer a clear presentation of the conviction that the lesbian lifestyle can be left behind and that a deeper, healthier identity can be found in God.

Church merger: Vision

2009-10-08T12:54:00.000+01:00

The first question we asked as we look into merging relates to vision. We wanted to find out what the call of God on each church was and were they the same? In order to walk together going forward we need to be walking in the same direction, it's a basic point but quite an important one. It relates to our understanding of what the church is for, what is our purpose and what is our mission? Who are we here to serve, to simply care for the sheep or to reach the lost?

Fortunately, in this case there was complete agreement. Our churches exist to serve God in the north of Shrewsbury, to make disciples and to proclaim Jesus Christ as risen Lord & Saviour, calling people to follow Him. The church exists to be a blessing to the community by demonstrating the love of God to the people in practical ways. The church exists to continue the mission of the church of Jesus.

There are around 20,000 people in this part of the town and there are less than 300 Christians worshipping in the area. The area comprises of 2 of the 3 neediest areas in the town yet opportunities for the Gospel remain significant. We have a clear and united commitment to bring the good news of Jesus to this generation. We just have to figure out how!

What you've been reading (08/10/09) and other bookish things

2009-10-08T12:46:00.004+01:00

Jeremy read Money Matters by David Boyle. He reckons it is, "It’s the most accessible book on economics I’ve come across, by a considerably distance"
Kevin DeYoung has a thorough review of Deep Church by Jim Belcher
Tim Challies has read Calvin by Bruce Gordon and reckons that it's "the best biography of John Calvin to date."

Political posts

2009-10-07T12:47:00.000+01:00

Matt Hosier lists some questions to ask prospective MPs
Jeremy argues for compassionate spending cuts
I've never understood the US love affair with guns, and Christians support for it even less, but given that you're 4.5 times more likely to be shot if you carry one & 4.2 times more likely to die if you do, then why would you?

Government responds to trade badger

2009-10-06T14:30:00.000+01:00

A while ago I used the Facebook application Superbadger to hassle the government over trade justice. This is the email I sent, with their reply below.

"Dear Minister

Almost two years after EPA talks were due to conclude, negotiations are far from over. More than half of the ACP countries have not reached any form of agreement because of their deep concern with the proposed deals.

Following the 2007 deadline for wrapping up EPAs, the European Commission promised to be more flexible. Instead it has:
• continued to push countries into liberalising further and faster than is wanted or appropriate for these economies
• insisted that countries sign Interim EPAs, without removing ‘contentious issues’, despite regular requests from ACP countries for these to be renegotiated
• persisted in pressuring countries to take on new obligations that go beyond what is required under World Trade Organisation rules.

The EU’s approach to EPAs has failed to provide a basis for development-friendly agreements and has set back regional integration. This is unacceptable – a new approach must be taken.

Please urge the Commission to:
• unconditionally renegotiate contentious issues in Interim EPAs
• stop pushing to extend the agreements beyond trade in goods
• fully support any requests from ACP countries for alternative solutions.

Yours sincerely"

They replied

"Thank you for your e-mail to the Minister. Thank you for your emailed correspondence about Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

Trade has a vital role to play in economic and human development. That is why the UK Government is committed to concluding development-friendly Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

The UK Government has consistently pressed the European Commission to be flexible in negotiating EPAs and believes that ACP countries should decide upon the content, scope and timing of their respective EPAs, within the limits of compatibility with the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). As stated in our recent White Paper, “Eliminating World Poverty: Building our Common Future,” we have used our influence to shape EPAs, ensuring that they provide ACP countries with:

Duty and quota free access to EU markets.

Long transition periods for developing countries to open up their markets.

Safeguards that allow countries to protect vital products.

While we continue to urge maximum flexibility from the Commission on EPAs negotiations, we do not believe that it is in the best interest of any party to re-open the negotiations on interim EPAs. We need to conclude these agreements by signing them to prevent WTO legal challenges. Otherwise ACP countries risk serious trade disruption by losing preferential access to EU markets. However, we have secured a commitment from the European Commission to review any provisions that ACP countries may wish to reconsider in the context of moving from interim to full regional EPAs and are supporting ACP countries to undertake their own analysis to further the negotiations.

Although we believe that the inclusion of deeper integration issues such as services, investment and competition in EPAs can be of benefit to ACP countries, we have consistently encouraged the Commission to ensure that such issues are only included in EPAs if and when specifically requested by the ACP countries concerned. For example, while the Caribbean counties requested the inclusion of services and investment in the EU-CARIFORUM EPA, the West African region has chosen instead to pursue a regional goods-only EPA, negotiations for which are actively under way. We welcome the way in which the Commission has respected the different decisions of the two regions.

Regional integration is vitally important for development and we will continue to urge the Commission to fully support the development of regional integration mechanisms. EPAs can stimulate cross-border trade within the region by reducing barriers to trade between ACP countries in the regional EPAs, creating conditions for greater competition, business and job opportunities. This is why we consider it a priority to continue to negotiate full regional EPAs with each EPA region. The UK is also working with regional trade groups to ensure ACP countries benefit from the growth and regional integration opportunities that EPAs offer, through support for infrastructure, private sector development and improving trade across borders.

Looking forward, it will be essential to have appropriate mechanisms in place to monitor the development impact of EPAs and to assess their impact on poverty alleviation. We will continue to work with the European Commission and ACP countries to ensure that EPAs deliver real development benefits to poor countries.

Thank you for your interest in these matters.
Kind regards,
David
BIS Ministerial Correspondence and Enquiry Unit"

Big Ideas that changed the world: Consumerism (3)

2009-10-04T12:59:00.000+01:00

Cash convergence

2009-10-03T22:56:00.000+01:00

Spotted a few similar posts at the same time on all things money, giving related. So here they are:

Randy Alcorn on tithing in the OT and Christians today
Mint.com asks the question 'Does good debt exist?'
At ReJesus they wonder if capitalism is anti-jesus

Posts of the Week (02/10/09)

2009-10-02T10:46:00.004+01:00

Some amazing pictures that make you say 'wow'
The cost of divorce from another angle
Russell Moore thinks about Michael Moore, Mammon and Me
Allen Baker writes a good article for Banner of Truth about living under heaven
Jeremy points out the Banking fix we're in here in the UK
Tim Challies has a great quote from Todd Gitlin on consumerism
There's a massive amount of plastic in the worlds oceans - this illustrates the cost
Rick Warren on beating temptation
Owen Strachan on debt as a moral issue is good (it applies in the UK as much as it does in the US)
Over at Good they ask "How Can We Measure What’s Most Meaningful?"