Reviews

"Gods at War" by Kyle Idleman

2013-04-12T17:46:00.000-04:00

Idoaltry isn't just one of many sins; rather it's the one great sin that all others come from. So if you start scratching at whatever struggle you're dealing with, eventually you'll find that underneath it is a false god. Until that god is dethroned, and the Lord God takes his rightful place, you will not have victory.

Idolatry isn't an issue; it is the issue. All roads lead to the dusty, overlooked concept of false gods. Deal with lie on the glossy outer layers, and you might never see it; scratch a little beneath the surface, and you begin to see that it's always there, under some other coat of paint. There are a hundred million different symptoms, but the issue is always idolatry. (22)

That adequately sums up Kyle Idleman's helpful book Gods at War: Defeating the Idols That battle For Your Heart (Zondervan, 2013). As a pastor I have seen the argument of this book every day. As the above quote suggests, the author argues that every issue, sin, challenge, and problem we face is rooted in a false god that we worship.

The book is pretty straight forward. In part one, Idleman defends his thesis arguing that God, out of love, is a jealous God. He pulls examples out of Scripture with special emphasis on the first two commandments. From there, the author breaks down common idols into three categories: Pleasure (the gods of food, sex, and entertainment), Power (the gods of success, money, and achievement), and Love (the gods of romance, family, and me).

In essence, there is very little new in this book. What the author does here is summarize much of Scripture's teaching. The Bible is a book of war over the hearts of men. God, the only true deity, crushes all false idols in the end, but in the meantime, man is naturally inclined to worship the self oftentimes through the means of these lesser so-called deities.

One part of the book that sticks out to me regards the god of food. The reason I find this chapter noteworthy is that it is the first idol the author notes. I am not sure I have read a book, especially a Christian book like this, in which food is identified as an idol. I would have naturally have thought that he would begin with sex and entertainment and include food as a last example of the "temple of pleasure" but instead the author puts it first and rightfully so.

Overall, this book is worth the investment for both the pastor and the average believer. Once we identify our idols we can be free from their lordship and truly worship our Savior. This is the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastors need to preach this message. Instead of flirting with the surface, let us dive into the heart. Let us crucify our idols and live for Christ. Idleman shows us how.

"Reasons to Believe" by Norman Geisler and Patty Tunnicliffe

2013-03-27T10:41:00.000-04:00

There is no doubt that Christianity and the sacred text that defines it is under a daily assault. To the average Christian it may feel as if the questions are too difficult, the answers are too obscure, and the evidence for the faith are lacking. In their book Reasons for Belief: Easy-to-Understand Answers to 10 Essential Questions, authors Norman Geisler and Patty Tunnicliffe set out to serve the average believer in giving them answers and the logic and evidence to support them.

This book seeks to be both ammunition for the believer and a dagger for the skeptic. The ten questions include the existence of God (does He exist?), the reliability of Scripture, the historicity of the resurrection, the exclusive claims of Jesus, the deity of Jesus, miracles, and other common objections to Christianity.

As the subtitle of the book suggests, its main audience is not academics. Geisler, well known for some of his academic writings in various fields, and his co-author offer to provide basic answers and evidence to the average Christian. This means that at times the book is oversimplistic to those who already know these basic answers. For example, the authors argue that archeology supports the Old Testament. That much, for the most part is true. To support this claim they suggest, among other things, that the discovery of Jericho verifies the Joshua account. However, to the academic and scholar such an answer is not good enough. The early claim that the walls of Jericho appear to have fallen from the inside out, instead of outside in, is questionable.

This is not a criticism, but an important point for the reader to understand before diving into its many helpful pages. Understanding the books audience also explains why the authors spend more time on some things and overlook other answers. For example, the authors dedicate two chapters to the question of God's existence and rightfully so. If it can be established that God does not exist or that Deism is valid, then Christianity falls. As a result, the authors walk the reader through various evidences and arguments for the existence of God. They highlight the Cosmological, the Teleological, and the Moral arguments. Absent is, among other arguments, the Ontological argument. But then again, have you ever tried to explain the Ontological Argument for the existence of God to someone for the first time?

Overall, this is a helpful book. The authors offer more than just a book with simple answers but go out of their way to guide the reader and to provide the reader with easy-to-understand charts, graphs, illustrations, and examples to make the concepts easier to grasp. This is a helpful resource for those who do not possess these basic answers to some of the most often-used challenges to the Christian faith. As a pastor I would recommend it to most in my congregation.

Christianity is a historic faith built on events of history. Therefore we need credible answers for our many critics. Geisler and Tunnicliffe provide them.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House for the purpose of this review.

For more from Bethany House:
"Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes a Day" by Dr. Daryl Aaron: A Review

"Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day" by Garry R. Norman: A Review

"Taking God Seriously" by J. I. Packer

2013-03-19T15:33:00.003-04:00

As the years go by, I am increasingly burdened by the sense that the more conservative church people in the West, Protestant and Roman Catholic alike, are, if not starving, at least grievously undernourished for lack of a particular pastoral ministry that was a staple item of the church life of the first christian centuries and also of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation era in Western Europe, but has largely fallen out of use in recent days. That ministry is called catechesis. It consists of intentional, orderly instruction in the truths that Christians are called to live by, linked with equally intentional and orderly instruction on how they are to do this. (10)

That is from the introduction of theologian J. I. Packer's wonderful book Taking God Seriously: Vital Things We Need to Know (Crossway 2013). The above quote is a basic introduction to yet another masterful book from Packer. We are not taking God seriously as a church and as Christians. We are not taking the doctrines of the faith seriously. We are not taking the gospel seriously. As a result, the church is sick. Christians are sick.

Packer identifies this sickness with apathy, ignorance, complacency, and, to use the book's title, not taking God seriously. Somehow we have bifurcated faith from life. A common theme that runs through the book is the church's moral weakness when it comes to confronting the cultural shift in favor of homosexual behavior and marriage. Packer writes as if that is the last straw. His primary audience is the Anglican community he is a part of and frequently writes as an Anglican and to Anglicans (he frequently quotes from Anglican confessions of faiths). However, he repeatedly points out that this is not an Anglican problem alone. In this sense, Packer is sounding an alarm. We need to make serious changes, and take God and the gospel seriously, before it is too late.

This book is based on a series of lectures Dr. Packer gave and at times it reads that way.* But overall, each chapter provides excellent insight into the "vital things we need to know." Consider the table of contents:

1. Taking Faith Seriously
2. Taking Doctrine Seriously
3. Taking Christian Unity Seriously
4. Taking Repentance Seriously
5. Taking the Church Seriously
6. Taking the Holy Spirit Seriously
7. Taking Baptism Seriously
8. Taking the Lord's Supper Seriously

This is not a new approach to systematic theology. Though packer does deal with Theology Proper, Sin, Sovereignty, the atonement, Ecclesiology, etc., this book ought not to be read that way. Instead, Packer offers, not a basic introduction to the topic at hand, but real insight into why this matter matters. He critiques and confronts where we have gone wrong (liberalism, etc.) and what we must recover in order to right the ship. In his chapter on faith, Packer identifies two movements that have seriously affected our faith in general and our faith in the Bible in particular. The nineteenth centruy introduced us to biblical criticism, evolutionary dogma, socialist utopianism, and scientific pragmatism (30) which question basic tenets of the faith established in Scripture. This then led to another assault in the 20th century which has recast biblical narratives to which thyey have denied factual status (miracles stories, . . . in the first instance) as symnolizing aspects of the inner experience of the churhc and the Christian (30-31). This has led to catestrophic results. Packer writes:

The effect, as anyone can see, is to turn Christianity into a historically continuous church-based mysticism of transcendental God-feelings and attitudes of benevolence, none of which depends on any space-time events, and all of which, it seems, might cheerfully continue into the future even if it could be shown that Jesus Christ had never lived and that the gospel of salvation from sin is a mere mirage. (31)

He's right. And this is the spirit of the book. The solution to the challenges we face, he argues is a return to the orthodox, historical faith. We must take it more seriously or else we will lose it.

Overall, this is a great book well worth the read. Whatever JI Packer has to say, it should be heard around the evangelical community. There are some theological points here worth griping about (he defends infant baptism for example), but one must remember that this is a book adapted from a series of lectures that emphasizes the Anglican church. I know he is an Anglican. I am not, therefore, surprised to find Anglicanism throughout its pages. I give this book five stars. The church is sick and Packer's message is needed now more than ever.

*Typical of books based on sermons, speeches, or lectures, there is no conclusion. It just ends with the final address. In this case, Packer concludes the book on taking the Lord's Supper seriously.

"Sacred Sex" by Tony Evans: A Review

2013-03-14T16:23:00.003-04:00

Sex is hot topic today and many Christians seems pulled between the culture which has turned it into a god and religion which has turned it into a necessary evil. The gospel, on the other, presents sex in a much different, and better, light. Sex is a gift meant to be enjoyed between a married man and woman. Such an understanding of sex, though commonly derided by the lustful culture, is best for the individual, couples, families, and society. In his short book Sacred Sex pastor Tony Evans lays out a defense of what Scripture says about sex and why it is best.

The book is broken into three chapters. The first chapters plays on main verb that describes the first moment of sexual intimacy in scripture. There in Genesis 3, Scripture says that Adam knew his wife Eve. That word (yada in the Hebrew). Sex is more than physical, it is emotion, mental, and spiritual. Evans writes, [S]exual intimacy involves far more than merely two bodies experiencing contact and exchanging fluids. If it were all hat was required for intimacy to occur, then prostitutes would be the most intimate people in the world (9). There is another way of putting this. If sex is just physical and nothing else, then please explain the lifelong heart ache of the rape victim or the young child molested. Our culture, then, has cheapened sex and cheapened those who engage in it.

From there he moves to discuss sexual purity. One section in particular is worth highlighting. Here he discusses the desire among many, especially men, to simply get rid of their strong sexual desire. Evans writes:

Sex is a legitimate and lawful passion given to us by God. So if you are struggling sexually, you don't pray that God will take away your sexual passion. You are then asking not to be human. What you pray is that you not be mastered by your legitimate and lawful sexual passion so that the expression of it becomes your obsession no matter what God's rules say. Sex is part of your God-given DNA, but it was never designed to be your master. (35)

Exactly.

The third and final chapter is, I believe, the best. A big part of the chapter plays on Paul's language in 1 Corinthians 7 that the woman's body is the man's and the man's body is the woman's. Thus it is the duty of each to serve the other. Evans gets very practical here and begins with the husbands. He essentially calls for men to serve their wives by meeting their needs first. He rightly says that sex begins, not at night before going to bed, but in the morning, during breakfast, during the day, while your out, etc. That is to say that men are to always be pursuing their wives, not simply waiting to engage in sexual intimacy. Sex, again, is more than an act. Thus men ought to continue to date their wives, love their wives, meet her emotional needs, and then reap the rewards. This always means for women to serve their husbands. Love goes both ways.

Overall, this is a helpful book in many ways, but not the best book on the subject. I was a little disappointed, not with its brevity but with how little of the gospel there is. Though he explains how the sexual sinner can reclaim their purity again (a great section at the end of the book), there is little gospel here. Sex is the climax of marriage which is a picture of the gospel. Sex is more than pleasure, procreation, and knowledge. It is also oneness, comfort, and a reminder of the gospel. The gospel puts sex on a level the culture has tore it down from. The culture worships sex all the while robs it of its true beauty.

So though the book is helpful in many ways, it certainly is not the best book on the subject. Evans doesn't answer some of the common questions we must answer now. What about homosexuality? What about boundaries within marriage? How ought the church address these issues publicly or from the pulpit? What about contraception? Simple books that offer a basic introduction on biblical sexuality aren't good enough anymore. We are quickly becoming Sodom, Gomorrah and Corinth.

This book was provided by Moody Press free of charge for the purpose of this review.

For more:
"How Should Christians Vote?" by Tony Evans: A Review
A Must Read: Searching For God & Settling For Sex
"Surfing For God" by Michael John Cusick: A Review
"Vote Like Your Lady Parts Depend on It": The Duhumanization of Women
An Exaggerated Feminine Type: Uncle Screwtape on Beauty
A Must Read: What If It Were Your Daughter?
The Great Recession or the Recession That Made Us Great?: Pornography and the Frugality of Lust
Pornography for the Blind: Our Continuing Fantasy With What Is Not Real
It Takes One to Know One: Large Families and Smug Fecundity
"Real Marriage" by Mark & Grace Driscoll

"The Good Life" by Trip Lee: A Review

2013-03-12T17:11:00.000-04:00

Trip Lee is one of my favorite rappers. His most recent album, "The Good Life" is great in terms of music, lyrics, themes, and features. The artists featured on the disc are top notch and the theme of living what Trip Lee calls "the good life" is very much needed today. The good life to Trip Lee can be summed up in the line, "The good life is the life that's been laid down."

Since the release of his top selling album, the early twenties rapper has since released a book with the same title tackling some of the same issues. The book is simple, but the message is profound and beautifully shows why the gospel is, well, so beautiful. Trip Lee's basic argument in both the album and the book is that we are all chasing after the good life, but we are looking for it in the wrong places. Scripture refers to these objects and people as idols: money, pleasure, power, influence, a family, a spouse, upper mobility, pride, a resume, early retirement, etc. Trip argues that these things, all temporary of course, will not give us the good life. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can. He writes:

As you know, hip-hop is always good for a heavy dose of hedonism. The images slowly seduce us and draw us in. I know this is the picture I was chasing after: Coke bottle figures and seven-figure checks. But what happens when you get there? Even the most beautiful women are imperfect an let us down from time to time. and surly, shiny machines rolling on wheels can't be what we were made to live for. They break down, they get dented in accidents, and they eventually go to the same junkyard as Hyundais. Surely we can do better. This is not a good life. (39-40)

That is the message of the book and he doesn't veer from it. The writing is very simple and it is clear that Trip Lee is not a professional writer or an academic. He is a young Christian armed with the gospel and an audience that will listen to him. He comes from a unique perspective, especially in the world of books, of being a rapper who understands the culture, the language, and the universal desire to seek the good life in our selves and our own abilities.

But the simplicity of the book is not necessarily a weakness. However, if you are looking for a more thorough and deep discussion on idolatry, etc. perhaps this isn't the right book for you. But that is not its primary goal. Trip shows that simplicity can be, at times, more powerful than depth and sophistication. His chapter on the church is particularly helpful. There is nothing profound or necessarily new here, but Trips matter-of-fact way of showing how the church contributes to the good life is powerful. He writes:

Imagine for a second a young boy, living as an orphan, who was adopted by a loving family. They bring him home, fee him, and give him his own room. He loves his new parents, and he's learning how to spell his new last name! But when his new parents introduce him to his new brothers and sisters, he wants nothing to do with them. He's glad to be a part of the family, yet he rejects his brothers and sisters?

All believers have been adopted by God and are now His children. But we often forget that we were adopted into a family of adopted children. We can't take on our Father's name and ignore the rest of the family. (79)

There is a solid treatment of the Christian doctrine of adoption applied directly to the doctrine of the church in an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand way. In the same chapter, he briefly deals with the popular assertion that one can be spiritual but not religious. To that, he briefly notes They figure they can love God without loving His people (81). Exactly! He later adds that talk that Christianity is communal is scarey because all that "spiritual, but not religious" talk is really just an excuse to hide. Again, exactly!

Beyond this chapter on the church, Trip deals with a variety of issues in this sort of manner. He notes the emptiness (vanity is the word Solomon would use) of materialism. Have you not noticed, he asks, that the riches people in the world spend their time trying to get richer? It all seems so vain. So empty.

Overall, for the right person, this is an excellent read. I would not recommend this to a seminary professor or one of his students. But for the pastor who ministers to new believers, those on the fence, and young students, Trips influence as a popular rapper and artist and his ability to write in such a simple, yet direct manner takes this gospel message far.

This book was donated to me for the purpose of this review.

For more:
GBC - Trip Lee - "War"
"A Satisfied Mind" by Johnny Cash
"Be Present" by Propaganda
Listen to & Download Propoganda's Album "Excellent"
"Lofty" by Propaganda, Beautiful Euology & Joel
A Beautiful Eulogy
Listen To & Download Lecrae's "Church Clothes" For Free
The Gospel Illustrated
Some of Their Best: DC Talk
GBC - Flame- The Great Deception
GBC - FLAME - Power [with Rap-Along lyrics]
GBC - Shai Linne: Triune Praise

"The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism" by Carl FH Henry: A Review

2013-03-12T17:10:00.000-04:00

Today is the 100th birthday of the late Carl FH Henry, an important voice of 20th Century Evangelicalism. His book, The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism is a classic and I repost this review of it in light of his birthday.

You know your reading a classic when after decades of a book's original publication, it is still relevant and it reads as if it is hot off the press. Carl F.H. Henry's classic The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism is one of those books. There is a context. Fundamentalism by the mid 20th Century, the word "fundamentalism" had a meaning that was actually helpful. Today we may call such fundamentalists "evangelicals," or "conservative." A fundamentalist, at this time, was someone who actually took Scripture and the gospel seriously. They believed that the Bible was inerrant, the Virgin Birth is historical, Jesus was fully man and God, Jesus death was propitiatory, and the resurrection is not only historical but necessary for genuine faith. In other words, the fundamentalists believed, articulated, preached, and defended the fundamentals of the faith.

Fundamentalism is in contrast to modern liberalism which denies everything (and more) mentioned above. Liberalism is a flirtation with the age. Guys like Henry, Warfield, Machen, and others dealt with modern liberalism which reflected modernity more than it did the historical faith. Liberalism has since transitioned from modernism to postmodernism. They still reject the same doctrines, but only the culture has changed.

But what makes this book so interesting is that Henry is not primarily critiquing liberalism, but fundamentalism. The book certainly includes many words of condemnation of modern liberalism. Henry repeatedly equates, or at least struggles to define the difference between, humanism (perhaps what we would call today "secularism") and Christian liberalism.

The book is a wakeup call for orthodox believers to do more than just defend orthodox doctrine, but to apply the truths of the gospel in wake of the world in which they live. Henry's basic argument is that right doctrine leads to transforming a society. Liberalism and humanism/secularism seeks "social justice," or at least fight for some just causes but because of their bad theology they fail miserably.

This is one of the things I loved most about this book. Henry shows why theology is necessary to bring real transformation and regeneration. Liberals and secularists foolishly and wrongly adopt a false anthropology and a wrong soteriology. They believe that man is inherently good even though the two world wars, and remember that Henry is writing in 1947, ought to proven that man is not good, but inherently wicked. Likewise, liberals and humanists try to establish a Utopia here through social change instead of reforming the heart.

This is where orthodoxy comes in. What we need is regeneration. Only the pure gospel regenerates the heart and changes society because it deals with the root problem: sin. Thus fundamentalists must be active in apply their faith to the society around them. This is a wake up call: get off your pew and out into the world with the gospel that you proclaim and believe. The faith ought to be active.

This does not mean that Jesus is just a political figure who came to set up a perfect government. Not at all. Jesus came to bring redemption, but that fundamental message has social implications. Henry writes:

Of course, Jesus does not declare that all effort must be bent for world peace; He shares the Biblical conviction that neither peace nor war is as deterministic of human felicity as redemption. Of course He does not declare that there must be a communistic distribution of world goods; He shares the Biblical conviction that redemption is the essential ingredient in the solution of economic problems. Of course He does not declare in formula how a western democracy and a Soviet communist state are to carry on international relations; he shares the Biblical conviction that there is a more relevant need in political science that the intercourse of secularized nations.

But he is not on that account disinterested in the nations and in the global man. One of the blind modern prejudices is our feeding that unless another mind attacks a problem in the way the contemporary mood does, he is not interested in it. The methodology of Jesus is a redemptive methodology, and the modern formulas have been so different simply because of their presupposition that redemption is an alien concept for the contemporary world. But there is not a problem for global consequence but that, from the viewpoint of Jesus, redemption is a relevant formula. it is offered as the only adequate rest for world wariness, whether political economic, academic, recreational. it stands in judgment upon all non-Christian solutions. (35-36)

Redemption is the message of Christianity because it is the message of Christ. Redemption is what we need and this orthodox doctrine has immense social implications. Thus for Christians to sit on their hands while people suffer is to not fully understand the faith they are defending.

This then leads to the topic of the Kingdom of God. Henry should be credited, in some part, for the recovery of preaching both a present, yet future Kingdom. Henry is certainly not the first nor the most influential in this regard. An inaugurated eschatology was lost for many years primarily because of a wrong understanding of the Kingdom from liberalism. Liberals, like Walter Rauschenbusch and Albrecht Ritschl, emphasized the presence of the Kingdom and that it is our job as Christians to establish this Kingdom through humanitarian aide and the "teachings of Jesus."

As a result, fundamentalists failed to preach the Kingdom because they did not want their theology and preaching to be equated with liberalism. But Henry calls us back to a proper theology that is from the lips of Jesus and does have implications. On the Kingdom, Henry writes:

The writer was cautioned . . . to 'stay away from the kingdom.' There is growing reluctance to explicaate the kingdom idea in Fundamentalist preaching, beacuse a kingodm now message is too easily confused with the liberal social gospel, and because a kingdom then message will identify Chrsitainity further to the modern mind in terms of an escape mechanism.

Yet no subject was more frequently on the lips of Jesus Christ than the kingdom. He proclaimed kingdom truth with a constant, exuberant joy. It appears as the central theme of His preaching. To delete His kingdom references, parabolic and nonparabolic, would be to excise most of His words. The concept 'kingdom of God' or 'kingdom of heaven' is heard repeatedly from His lips, and it colors all of His works. (46-47)

The two points he raises here are important. Preaching the Kingdom was absent, and in many places still is, because believe that the Kingdom is here and now is associated with theological liberalism while preaching that the Kingdom is not yet is associated with while end-times theories that becomes a mechanism to do nothing and just wait for Jesus to return - i.e. escapism.

But Henry goes on to show that inaugurated eschatology, as proclaimed by Christ and the apostles, is the means by which orthodox believers ought to seek real change in the culture and in society.

Thankfully a recovery of inaugurated eschatology is alive in conservative circles today. I am currently preaching through the Gospel of Matthew and it is impossible to ignore the message of the Kingdom and it is imperative that Christians live in both worlds. The Kingdom is here, yes, and we must work in this Kingdom, but we are not the one's that makes it grow. God is. Yet at the same time, the Kingdom will come. Now let's get to work!

There is much to like about this book. It is imperative that every conservative Christian consider Henry's argument. This is a classic in its own right and has called generations of believers to apply their faith to the world around them. We will not save society, but it is inexcusable to sit on our hands and let the liberals and government to do our job for us. The gospel has societal implications and we dare not miss that. Henry does not advocate a certain economic theory or tax policy, but instead demands that we proclaim redemption and watch what God does in society with it.

I conclude with Henry:

Modern evangelicalism need not substitute as its primary aim the building of 'relatively higher civilizations.' To do that is to fall into the error of yesterday's liberalism. Its supreme aim is the proclamation of redeeming grace to sinful humanity; there is no need for Fundamentalism to embrace liberalism's defunct social gospel. The divine order involves a supernatural principle, a creative force that enters society from outside its natural sources of uplift, and regenerates humanity. In that divine reversal of the self-defeating sinfulness of man is the only real answer to our problems - of whatever political, economic, or sociological nature. Is there political unrest? Seek first, not a Republican victory,k or a labor victory, but the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then there will be added -- not necessarily a Republican or labor victory, but -- political rest. Is there economic unrest? Seek first, not an increase of labor wages coupled with shorter hours, with its probable dog-eat-dog, resultant of increased commodity cost, but the divine righteousness; this latter norm will involve fairness for both labor and management. But there will be added not only the solution of the problems of the economic man, but also those of the spiritual man. There is no satisfying rest for modern civilization if it is found in a context of spiritual unrest. This is but another way of declaring that he Gospel redemption is the most pertinent message for our modern weariness, and that many of our other so-called solutions are quite impertinent, to say the least. (84-85)

Originally posted on February 16, 2012.

For more:
Where Are They Now?: Moore on God's Providence & the Next Billy Graham
The Reservoir & Conduit of Divine Truth: Carl FH Henry on Revelation
Is Social Justice an Essential Part of the Mission of the Church?: The Wallis-Mohler Debate
Accommodationism Breeds Irrelevancy: Why Liberalism Fails and the Transcendent Gospel Triumphs
Repost Friday | How To Change the World: The Advantage and Power of the Gospel and the Limits of the Social Gospel
"The Kingdom is Always But Coming"
"Theology Is Not Superior To the Gospel": Rauschenbusch, Liberalism, and the Old Old Story
What Would Jesus Vote?: Jesus, Health Care, and the Gospel
Have We Forgotten the Gospel? Glenn Beck, Social Justice, and the Gospel
Who Isn't One?: Brian McLaren and Social Christians
Repost | What Did the Cross Accomplish?: External Hope or Internal Reformation
Have We Forgotten the Gospel?: Glenn Beck, Social Justice, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Crossing the Wall of Separation: The Danger of the State Wooing the Church
Weekly Recommendation - "Generous Justice" by Timothy Keller
Repent for Health Care is At Hand: Did Obama Just Legislate the Gospel?
The Postmodern Social Gospel: Brian McLaren Proves My Point
The Bible and Poverty: The Gospel as the Remedy
What Does It Mean to be Christian?
"Jesus Wants to Save Christians"
"UnChristian"
"The Justice Project"
"The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns
"The Gospel According to Jesus" by Chris Seay
"Outlive Your Life" by Max Lucado
"When Helping Hurts"
"Everything Must Change"
"The Great Awakening" Part 1
"The Great Awakening" Part 2
Glenn Beck and Social Justice
The Power of the Gospel in Bringing Social Change: Perhaps We Need to Reconsider Our Efforts
Is Wallis a Marxist? A New Video Surfaces

"Flourishing Faith" by Chad Brand: A Review

2013-03-12T17:09:00.003-04:00

. . . most Baptists, especially Baptist evangelicals, have strongly contended for the free market. (120)

On January 21, 2013, our nation re-inaugurated the most liberal, big government President of its history. His speech, reflecting both the 2012 campaign and his overall approach to government as an executive, was about more government, more spending, more entitlements, and more class warfare (not to mention moral warfare). It is in this context of an American celebration of such a President that I began to read Dr. Chad Owen Brand's book Flourishing Faith: A Baptist Primer on Work, Economics, and Civic Stewardship.

The book is one of four volumes from various theological viewpoints that deal with the subject of work, faith, money, politics, economics, and stewardship. Dr. Brand, professor at Boyce College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes from the Baptist point of view (the other three in this series are Pentecostal, Wesleyan, and Reformed). The quote above is a basic summation of his conclusion. Rooted in Baptist doctrines like religious liberty, autonomy, priesthood of all believers, etc., Brand defends limited government and economic liberty (commonly referred to as Capitalism).

The book itself walks the reader through this argument. Brand, a theologian, goes into detail tracing what the Bible says and what Christians have argued throughout the centuries on work, economics, government, the state, and wealth. Brand offers a theology of work, a theology of wealth, and a political theology taken from Scripture and how Christians have thought about these issues throughout history. In other words, Brand approaches this topic of economics, wealth, and the governments role through the realm of theology - biblical, systematic, and historical theology.

I found this extremely helpful. Consider his chapter on work for example. There he begins with a biblical survey of the subject tracing it from Creation to Consummation. His basic argument is that work is good and reflects our image bearing status. We work and find dignity in work. But consider how this has been applied throughout history. Rome, Brand argues, contributed virtually nothing to the world of inventions and technology. The reason is because Rome was built on the back of slaves. The wealthy did not work. The philosophers argued that work was undignified. Thus the slave owner had no motivation to improve work conditions or utilize new tools and technologies to make work easier because they were not the ones in the field. Brand goes as far to say that Europeans in the year AD 500 used essentially the same kind of wagons, plows, ships harnesses, weapons, farming techniques, and blacksmithing that they had used a thousand years earlier. (14) The monastic movement, however, changed all of that. Seeing dignity and godliness in work, the monks updated technology and farming techniques.

Brand does the same thing throughout the book. He makes an argument based on an exposition of Scripture and then looks at how influential thinkers and leaders have thought about the issue throughout history. His concluding chapter looks at what the Bible and Christian theology has to say about economics in a political context. Brand looks at three options: socialism (as articulated by Karl Marx), the Keynesian Model (named after John Maynard Keyne), and Capitalism (as articulated by Adam Smith).

Brand begins by noting that the Bible does not explicitly lay out a theory of economics in a political context. But it does address issues of freedom, the use of resources such as money and time, justice, generosity, and governance (113-114). With that said, Brand rejects socialism on the basis that Scripture as it advocates a limited state and . . . it teaches that remedial justice, that is, the care of the genuinely poor, is primarily a function of the church and generous individuals who give of their own initiative to help others (114).

Regarding the Keynesian model, Brand too rejects it as it too grants government sweeping powers that have no biblical justification. The reason goes beyond this. The second half of the book criticizes the current administration and its Keynesian model of governance and economic policy. Both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama's stimulus passages are a reflection of the Keynesian model. As Brand shows clearly, this model simply does not work. This model assumes that the free market can be fixed with the right manager at its head. This Utopian dream, which sounds nice to the voter, is a just a dream especially from the Christian perspective and doctrine of depravity. Brand is no fan of President Obama's policies as the book makes clear. We are in real danger!

That leaves us with the free market approach. Brand prefers this model as it encourages citizens to work (a biblical concept), reflects a biblical view of depravity, and Adam Smith encouraged benevolence. This does not mean that there shouldn't be some safety net for those who desperate need it, but that our current nanny state is on the verge of taking money from a few who work and giving it to the many who refuse to. That is a recipe for disaster.

This third option is the Baptist approach to economics and I think he is right. From the beginning, whether it be the Anabaptist or the English Separatists, Baptists have argued for religious liberty. No marriage or close relationship between faith and politics is ever good as the state always becomes coercive and tyrannical. Freedom reflects Scripture better. This is true, not just in the realm of faith, but also in the realm of economics and wealth. In a fallen world, a system that promotes the dignity of work, generosity, and the rule of law is best though still imperfect.

Overall, this is a great book that is full of information, theology, and practical insights. I am barely scratching the surface here. As a pastor I really appreciated his final section on what minsters are to do with the information in this book. How do we preach this and take it to our congregation? I strongly encourage you to pick up the book and read it especially in light of what will likely take place the next four years. The state has grown immensely the past 12 years and shows no signs of slowing down. We should be concerned about that and Christian theology is not silent on these issues. So let's stop being silent.

For more:
Why Capitalism is More Progressive Than Progressive Socialism
"Capitalism and Freedom" by Milton Friedman
The Economic Value of Marriage
Poverty and the Breakdown of the Family: Santorum Raises an Important Point
Economic Freedom Is Better: A Video Worth Considering
The Gospel and the National Debt: Why Only the Cross Can Save Us From Ourselves - Part 1
The Gospel and the National Debt: Why Only the Cross Can Save Us From Ourselves - Part 2
The Economics of Greed: What Economics Can Teach Us About the Gospel
Occupy Wal-Mart?: So This is What the Kingdom of Heaven Looks Like
"A Patriot's History of the United States"
"A Conflict of Visions"
Occupy Wal-Mart?: So This is What the Kingdom of Heaven Looks Like
Glenn Beck on Fabian Socialism
The Transcedence of Greed: What Economics Can Teach Us About the Gospel
World Magazine: Why Intellectuals Hate Capitalism

"The Fantasy Fallacy" by Shannon Ethridge: A Review

2013-03-12T17:09:00.000-04:00

The Fifty Shades of Grey book and trilogy has now sold in the millions and millions. The phenomenon has been labeled "mommy porn" and depicts all kind of surprising sexual fantasies and acts that women are consuming at an alarming rate. As a pastor, understanding what is going on, beyond the characters and their author, behind this phenomenon is important. It is for this reason that I picked up Shannon Ethridge's book The Fantasy Fallacy: Exposing the Deeper Meaning Behind Sexual Thoughts.

I first became interested in this book after reading Ethridge's article on CNN called Searching for God, Settling for Sex. The article excellently identifies what is really wrong with us: idolatry. I was hoping that this book, described at the top of the cover as "A response to the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon," would live up to the hype, but I'm afraid to failed to fulfill what the publisher teased. The Grey series is rarely mentioned. Its fullest treatment is given in the chapter on bondage, domination, etc. Even then the books are more of a cultural phenomenon than a literary, theological, or Christian critique of the series.

I picked up the book as a male pastor wanting to understand more about why the trilogy is so popular. What does it say about our culture? Women? Fantasies? Sexual ethics? What women want in marriage, sex, relationships, intimacy? How do men and women differ in these areas? What does the gospel have to say about these things? Virtually none of this is discussed.

That is not to say that this book is useless, but that the cover is a bit leading (I know, I know, don't judge a book by its cover). I have great respect for Ethridge and her ministry and was hoping her book would be the best one to read on the Grey series, but it was not what I had assumed it would be.

With that said, there are other things that disappointed me. Near the beginning of the book, the author notes that Christians ought to be able to embrace both psychology and theology. To a certain extent this is true, but we, and I believe Ethridge would agree with me here, are Christians first. There is no doubt that Christian theology and secular psychology disagree on many things and thus theology ought to drive our conclusions and words. Ethridge's book, however, favors a more psychological view of fantasy and sexuality than I care for. This is not to say that she abandons the gospel, but that her insights reflect a more psychological approach than a gospel-centered, theology approach.

For example, the book is dominated by mommy and daddy issues. The author's premise is that our sexual fantasies reveal something deeper about ourselves. Theology agrees. But in each example the author gives of porn addicts, adulterers, etc., the author shows the reader, almost universally, that the fantasies are rooted in certain events surrounding their parents. An abusive father. A bitter mother. Almost each chapter includes such examples.

Certainly nurture has a lot to deal with the decisions we make - whether good or bad. But the author limits the discussion almost exclusively to that. This is not to say that there is no Christianity or no theology, it is there (she discusses sin, creation, God, the sufficiency of Christ, our hope of eternal life), but the discussion is dominated by psychology, not theology.

So overall, I would say that I was a bit disappointed. Though there is much to take away from the book, the book didn't live up to its promise. I enjoyed her discussion of pornography. Her honesty critique and revelation of what goes into making the films, images, and clips is really insightful. What a porn "star" must go through, the abuse, the injections, the makeup, etc., plus what many of their lives are like behind the camera is frightening. Such a chapter ought to be read by many especially those who struggle with it.

I also appreciate her honesty. Not only does she share some of her struggles, but she speaks bluntly to a Christian audience that has been pretending that reality ends when he enter the church doors. Ethridge discusses things the church needs to be open about including sexual fantasies, intimacy, sex, etc. The gospel has answers but the church has been too silent.

So would I recommend this book? Maybe. It depends on who is asking. This certainly is not the book I had hoped it was going to be and it fails to deal deeply with our temptation towards idolatry (the root of most sexual sins). It does, however, continue the conversation that Ethridge has been leading. A conversation that we need to have.

For more:
"Surfing For God" by Michael John Cusick: A Review
"Vote Like Your Lady Parts Depend on It": The Duhumanization of Women
An Exaggerated Feminine Type: Uncle Screwtape on Beauty
A Must Read: What If It Were Your Daughter?The Great Recession or the Recession That Made Us Great?: Pornography and the Frugality of Lust
Pornography for the Blind: Our Continuing Fantasy With What Is Not Real
"Father Hunger" by Doug Wilson: A Review
It Takes One to Know One: Large Families and Smug Fecundity
"Real Marriage" by Mark & Grace Driscoll
"Rid of My Disgrace": A Review

For more from Thomas Nelson:
"Grace" by Max Lucado: A Review
"Twelve Unlikely Heroes" by John MacArthur: A Review
"Surfing For God" by Michael John Cusick: A Review

"Father Hunger" by Doug Wilson: A Review
"The Truth About Forgiveness" by John MacArthur
"The Truth About the Lordship of Jesus" by John MacArthur
"Real Marriage" by Mark & Grace Driscoll
"Why Men Hate Going to Church" by David Murrow
Repost | "Nearing Home" by Billy Graham
America: The Last Best Hope - Volume 3
"Has God Spoken?" by Hank Hanegraaf
"Why God Won't Go Away" by Alister McGrath
"Billy Graham in Quotes"
"No He Can't" by Kevin McCullough
"Washington: A Legacy of Leadership" by Paul Vickery
"Max on Life" by Max Lucado
"Slave" by John Macarthur
"The Jesus Inquest" by Charles Foster
"Finding Our Way Again" by Brian McLaren
"Outlive Your Life" by Max Lucado
"The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns
"Saint Patrick" by Jonathan Rogers
"A Century Turns" by William Bennett
"Sir Winston Churchill"
"On this Day in Christian History"
"Storm Warning" by Billy G
"Exploring the Unexplained" by Trent Butler: A Review

"Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart" by JD Greer: A Review

2013-03-12T17:08:00.001-04:00

Stop asking Jesus into your heart. That's the title of the new book by J. D. Greer* which tackles the recent controversial question of the sinner's prayer and assurance. During last years annual Southern Baptist Convention, a resolution was brought forward warning of the dangers of saying the sinners prayer. It did not pass. Ever since then, the question over the legitimacy of the sinner's prayer has remained a rather hot topic among conservative Christians.

I picked up this book because of that debate. I assumed, rightly it turned out, that Greer was in the tradition of David Platt which is to not think that saying the sinner's prayer is what actually saves the sinner. I agree with that position. Though his book raises the issue, the purpose of this book, as the subtitle suggests ("How to Know for Sure You Are Saved") is assurance.

Greer begins the book telling his story of setting the world record for asking Jesus to come into his heart. He did so in pursuit of assurance. It is that issue that dominates its pages. Greer does not pass the sinner's prayer. In fact he goes through some pains to make it clear to the reader that there is nothing inherently wrong with the prayer and that he encourages those in whom he evangelizes to say a prayer. However, Greer is concerned with those that justification takes place when a prayer is given. Prayer does not save the sinner. Jesus does. And Jesus saves those who both believes in the gospel and repents of their sins.

Each chapter lays out the gospel. Greer assures us that assurances can be known. He also assures us that affirming justification by faith alone offers greater comfort than more works-based, sinner's prayer salvation does. The books longest chapters regard what the Bible says regarding believing and repenting. These two chapters I found to be extremely helpful. He explains that to believe in Jesus means more than mere intellectual belief. Likewise, repenting goes beyond apologizing for sin. When we have believed and repented, as defined by Scripture and not pop-evangelicalism, then we can be assured that we are saved.

But what about the hard cases. He concludes the book with that question. The answer. Keep believing in the gospel. Keep preaching the gospel to yourself. The gospel is what saves. Not a prayer. Not good deeds. Nothing but the gospel. Greer helpfully points out that those who struggle with knowing whether or not they are bearing enough fruit are likely under the control of the Spirit. After all, one who desires to grow more and to do more for the Kingdom and the King, is likely already saved.

Overall, this is a great book. I began it thinking it was going to bash the sinner's prayer. Instead I read a book from a pastor who desires to comfort the reader regarding assurance. Greer is a clear writer and I would recommend this book to anyone in my congregation where I serve.

Christianaudio was kind enough to allow me a free digital download of this book. The quality, as always, was great.

"Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart" Book Promotion from Josh Sliffe on Vimeo.

* The full title is Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved.

"Who Do You Think You Are?" by Mark Driscoll: A Review

2013-03-12T13:07:00.002-04:00

The absolute worst place to begin constructing an identity is you, which is precisely where most counseling begins. The absolute best place to begin constructing an identity is Jesus Christ, which is precisely where Scripture begins. Knowing Jesus and being saved by him in faith is the key to your identity and the defeat of your idolatry. It's not about you. It's all about Jesus. (17)

Who are you, really? Wherein lies your identity? In one of the most important and helpful books I've read in recent years, Mark Driscoll addresses these important issues in his book Who Do You Think You Are?: Finding Your True Identity in Christ. Driscoll, a controversial pastor for various reasons, leaves most of that controversy behinds and seeks to show how liberating a life in Christ truly is.

This is a book about idolatry. In it, Driscoll shows how our identity in things, people, accomplishments, etc. rob us of real joy, contentment, peace, love, and satisfaction. To make his case, Driscoll walks the reader through the book of Ephesians.

The first chapter well introduces us to the challenge of our identity. The firm belief that we are made in the image and likeness of God is central to what it means to be a Christian and living free of idols. Early in the book, Driscoll writes:

Here is the truth: God made us with our eyes open in his "likeness," which is our true identity. But Satan and people like him, with the same sinful motives . . ., lie to us about who we are in order to serve their own plans. And here is the lie: we will be "like" God if we'll base our identity upon someone or something else other than God and the grace God bestows upon us. Adam and Even fell for it. Rather than simply believing that they were already "like God" because God made them in his "likeness," our first parents disbelieved their God-given identity and instead sought to create their own apart from him. The result was the first sin and the Fall. WE humans have had an identity crisis ever since, seeking to construct an identity ourselves while forgetting about the one God has already given us. (5)

So taken from the book of Ephesians, the author shows how our identity is forged in the gospel and we are, therefore, in Christ. This message is truly liberating and frees us from fear, bitterness, despair, and sin and instead brings us joy, contentment, peace, and true love. Here are the chapter titles which helpful summarizes the book:

I Am _________?
I Am in Christ
I Am a Saint
I am Blessed
I Am Appreciated
I Am Saved
I Am Reconciled
I Am Afflicted
I Am Heard
I Am Gifted
I Am New
I Am Forgiven
I Am Adopted
I Am Loved
I Am Rewarded
I Am Victorious

This is an excellent book. I am already planning on using this book in various ministry formats and as an aide in my own ministry. Is there some controversy in the book? Some. In his chapter on the spiritual gifts, Driscoll helpfully looks at all of the New Testament and not just Ephesians as there is not a single list of spiritual gifts supplied in Scripture. Regarding this point, Driscoll adds Since no two lists of gifts in New Testament are the same, it's unlikely that even combining all the lists gives us a complete picture of all the gifts that we are given and which the Spirit empowers. (123) On this point I think he might be right though some wisdom has to be exercised here. He goes on, however, to lay out the various spiritual gifts and includes knowledge, healing, miracles, and tongues. There really isn't anything controversial here knowing Driscoll's Reformed charismatic theology. He believes in speaking in tongues and prophecy, but "with a seat belt" (as he says).

Perhaps the chapter that is most controversial is the final chapter (I Am Victorious) which emphasizes demons, Satan, and spiritual warfare. Though I am on board with some which is here, I have always felt that Driscoll's understanding of victory, whether it be the doctrine Christus Victor or our identity as victorious, the author/pastor really limits the full picture of victory. Victory goes beyond the demonic realm. We are victorious, yet over the crushed head of the Serpent, but also over the law, sin, and death. What good news this is!

Beyond these minor points, the book hits the nail on the head. Idolatry is the opposite of Christianity, not atheism and most of us, even we Christians, struggle with spiritual adultery. Our identity is in things, people, power, possessions, opportunities, fixes, careers, family, religion, and on and on. These idols - these identities - fail us, betray us, and destroy us. But as image bearers, if we find our identity in Christ, then everything changes. This book is good news and among all of Driscoll's many books, this certainly is among one of his best.

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.”

For more from Driscoll:
"Death By Love" by Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears: A Review
Doctrine by Mark Driscoll
"Real Marriage" by Mark & Grace Driscoll
Religion Saves by Mark Driscoll
The Radical Reformation by Mark Driscoll
Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll

Driscoll on Abortion
How Much Do You Owe?: Mark Driscoll on Our New For Redemption
Churches Helping Churches: MacDonald Makes His Plea
The Myth of Adolescence: Mark Driscoll Weighs In
Does Satan Exist? Debate
Driscoll on ABC
What Creation Reveals About God
Driscoll Sermon: God the Creator
The Church as Family

Driscoll on What Forgiveness Is Not

"God's Hand in Our Suffering" by Mark Driscoll

For more from Thomas Nelson:
"The Fantasy Fallacy" by Shannon Ethridge: A Review
"Grace" by Max Lucado: A Review
"Twelve Unlikely Heroes" by John MacArthur: A Review
"Surfing For God" by Michael John Cusick: A Review
"Father Hunger" by Doug Wilson: A Review
"The Truth About Forgiveness" by John MacArthur
"The Truth About the Lordship of Jesus" by John MacArthur
"Real Marriage" by Mark & Grace Driscoll
"Why Men Hate Going to Church" by David Murrow
Repost | "Nearing Home" by Billy Graham
America: The Last Best Hope - Volume 3
"Has God Spoken?" by Hank Hanegraaf
"Why God Won't Go Away" by Alister McGrath
"Billy Graham in Quotes"
"No He Can't" by Kevin McCullough
"Washington: A Legacy of Leadership" by Paul Vickery
"Max on Life" by Max Lucado
"Slave" by John Macarthur
"The Jesus Inquest" by Charles Foster
"Finding Our Way Again" by Brian McLaren
"Outlive Your Life" by Max Lucado
"The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns
"Saint Patrick" by Jonathan Rogers
"A Century Turns" by William Bennett
"Sir Winston Churchill"
"On this Day in Christian History"
"Storm Warning" by Billy G
"Exploring the Unexplained" by Trent Butler: A Review

"Christ's Prophetic Plans" by John MacArthur & Richard Mayhue: A Review

2013-02-20T17:47:00.000-05:00

How certain is Futuristic Premillennialism? As certain as the truthfulness and the promises of God in Scripture? (203)

These bold words from John MacArthur in Christ's Prophetic Plans: A Futuristic Premillennial Primer, the book he co-edited along with Dr. Richard Mayhue, reflect the spirit of the book itself. John MacArthur and company have never been short on certainly when it comes to their theological and biblical conclusions. And in the one area where Christians have almost university agreed-to-disagree, MacArthur and Mayhue have put together a book that seeks to offer a primer which defends forcefully dispensational premillennialism.

The book begins, again from MacArthur, highlighting "pro-millenialists" and "pan-millenialists." These are the sort of people who are for (pro) the millenium and believe it will all "pan" out in the end. I consider myself among them. Though I have grown up affirming the eschatology put forward in this book, MacArthur assures me that I can be assured that dispensationalism is right and biblical.

To put together all of the arguments, their plus and minus', and whether the contributors prove futuristic premillennialism goes beyond the purpose of this review. Let is suffice to say that there is little new in this book. Its advantage is not in its argument, which they argue well, but in that it a helpful resource for understanding premillenial eschatology.

At the end of the day, one will likely have the same conclusion after reading this book they had when they picked it up. Personal bias is key here. If one is an amillenialist, you are likely reading this book as a critic. If you are a dispensationalist, you are likely reading this book as a defense of your position. The amillenialist will find what he is looking for and the futurist will find what he is looking for.

The benefit I found in the book is to see such a book as a key resource in this debate. If you want to understand futuristic, dispensational, pretrib premillenialism, this is one of the best resources to turn to. The authors make the traditional case from Scripture and early church history for their position.

So can we be as confident of such an eschatology as MacArthur would have us believe? I still don't believe so, but certainly what we have here is a helpful resource that helps us cut through all of the fog.

"The Fellowship of the Ring" by J. R. R. Tolkien

2013-01-05T22:14:00.003-05:00

I have a new personal rule. When watching a movie based on a book, I do not read the book before. I have learned that maybe outside of action scenes and emotions, the book is always better especially when it comes to character development, plot, and resolution. Furthermore, Hollywood writers, producers, and directors can rarely honor the book and the author's story because movies are expensive and the Box Office means everything.

So since the release of The Hobbit and since it will not be completely done until 2014, I will not be re-reading Tolkien's classic. However, that doesn't mean that I can't read his triology, The Lord of the Rings. I read the series in college (along with the Hobbit) before the third movie was released in theaters and loved them immensely. However, unlike most books-turn-movies, I struggle reading Tolkien's vision without seeing Jackson's art. And with the performance of Gollum and Gandalf in the movies, how can you not?

But there are a couple of thoughts I will say in review regarding the first book of the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring. First, Tolkien spends a lot of time in the Shire. The story moves slowly here. We are told of Bilbo and Frodo preparing for a party and Bilbo is a very old man. We are told that he is going to sneak away during the party and leave for good. He slips on the ring. Gandalf suspects. There's a long conversation. Bilbo leaves. Frodo returns too late to say goodbye. There's another long conversation about what Gandalf suspects about the ring. Gandalf leaves. He returns (17 years later!) and another long conversation pursues about the ring. They then leave the Shire.

Tolkien clearly loves the Shire and wants the reader to appreciate the world there. Throughout the books and the trilogy, the reader is reminded of this oasis-like place where simple folk live peaceful simple lives. There are family rivalries, but no wars and no fights. That is contrasted to the world of men where they are always at war, even with each other. That could be what we love most about this trilogy. It is four Hobbits from the Shire who must face down the enemy and carry the burden of the ring. The most innocent of creatures must carry the burden that is too great for fallen men. Tolkien wants us to regret having to leave the Shire and the Hobbits are hesitant to leave (Sam is even given a box of seed from Lothlorien for his garden when he returns to the Shire).

Secondly, the theme of racism this time of around was more prevalent. Gollum is hobbit-like, but we never quit figure out what he was or what he is. Dwarves and Elves hate each other. Gimli was almost not welcomed to Lothlorien and wouldn't have been if it wasn't for Elrond. Sauron is unaware, it seems, of what a Hobbit is or where the Shire is located. It is the Fellowship that is able to breakdown those barriers. It is made up of an old wizard, a ranger, a wanna-be prince (Boromir), an elf, a dwarf, and four hobbits. The mission to destroy evil once and for all breaks down those unnecessary barriers.

Thirdly, where are the women in middle-earth? Have you ever noticed that? The main women thus far are Galadriel, Aragorn's elvish girlfriend, and just a few others. I have a theory why. Most of the women in the trilogy represent peace. Galadriel, for example, is beautiful, and yet strong, heavenly and does not give into temptation (unlike Boromir, the man). Even Gimli is smitten with her (he asks for a string of her hair) and regrets continuing the mission as he wishes to remain near her and what she represents. It isn't until the third book where we meet a woman, to my knowledge, that anticipates, participates, and desires war. The characters of the story seek to return to the world that the women in the story represents.

Overall, this is a great story and a great book. You already knew that. These books have been analyzed by smarter people than me. The Fellowship of the Ring has always been the slowest of the trilogy, but it sets up the rest. In it Tolkien is in no hurry wanting the reader to experience Middle-Earth. The story picks up the pace from here.

Regarding the movie. Jackson and company made some big changes of course. Some of it might have been necessary (I can kind of sympathize with his reasoning for axing Tom Bombadil, one of my favorite characters who is quit mysterious) for a movie audience, some of it unfortunate (I like that Jackson explained the backstory of the ring at the beginning and not wait until the Great Council). In the end, enjoy the book and enjoy the movie. Its easy to do.

For more:
An Encouraging Thought: Gandalf on Providence

"Most Misused Verses in the Bible" by Eric J. Bargerhuff

2013-01-05T22:13:00.003-05:00

We've all been there. In the middle of a Wednesday Bible study, someone encourages the pastor by saying "Pastor, Jesus said that where two or three gather I am there with them." Almost always that means that there are only two or three gathered at that church Bible study. But when Jesus offered that promise in Matthew 18, is that what he really meant?

In his helpful book Most Misused Verses in the Bible, The: Surprising Ways God's Word Is Misunderstood, author Eric J. Bargerhuff debunks many of the common (mis)interpretations of common verses. The author seeks to compile the seventeen most abused and misused verses in all the Bible and show why a more correct interpretation of the given verse is better and more glorious.

Bargerhuff's approach and correction of these verses reminds me of the often said phrase, A text without a context is pretext for a proof text. Graduates who turn to Jeremiah 29 for inspiration is case in point. We could add also to the warning against judging from Matthew 7. And the author corrects them all. Here is the complete list of verses discussed in the book:

Matthew 7:1 - Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 - For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
John 14:13-14 - Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
2 Chronicles 7:14 - and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Colossians 1:15 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go,Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Exodus 21:23-25 - But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
James 5:15 - and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
Acts 2:38 - Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:23 - Watch over your heart with all diligence,For from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,But happy is he who keeps the law.
John 12:32 - And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”

I am hard pressed to find any other obvious verse that should be added to this list. Let me add just a few thoughts. First, the author reminds us why proper interpretation is vital to Christianity. The author does a wonderful job showing how the proper interpretation is better that the popular interpretation. This is the problem with our drive-thru theology that fits on a bumper sticker or in a tweet but not in the gospel.

Secondly, the author helpfully did not shy away from theology. Consider more example his discussion of Acts 2 regarding the question of baptismal regeneration. The author walks the reader through the context of the passage, what Peter means when he says "Repent and be baptized" and how it fits within the biblical narrative. I was grateful to see that the author didn't shy away from passages that might seperate him from some denominations and movements.

Finally, some of these I had not thought of before. Proverbs 29:18 being one of them. I had not considered the real meaning of "vision" in that verse (given to us from the KJV). The author shows how in 1611 that word was an appropriate word to use, but now in America "vision" means something entirely different.

Overall, this is a great book. It has got me thinking that perhaps this would make a great sermon series to do at our church for we are guilty of this. The author does not write in the tone of a scholar but of a pastor which makes it more assessable and readable. He is not given us Greek syntax, but practical (and correct) interpretations of Scripture and of the gospel.

For more:
"Understanding the Big Picture of the Bible" by Grudem, Collins, & Schreiner: A Review

"Exploring the Unexplained" by Trent Butler: A Review
"Revisiting Inerrancy" at SBTS: A Panel Discussion
Inerrancy and the Early Church

"The Natural" by Joe Klein

2013-01-05T22:12:00.004-05:00

In my ongoing pursuit to read at least one biography on a President, I recently read Joe Klein's book on former President Bill Clinton entitled, The Natural: The Misunderstood Presidency of Bill Clinton. To begin, one must admit that it is difficult, at this point in history, to find an honest biography of the President that one can enjoy. Most are either over the top for the President, downplaying many of his flaws and turning his enemies into villains, while others portray Clinton as the False Prophet of Revelation. Neither is helpful.

I was also unwilling to read Clinton's own autobiography. Being the nature of Clinton, always the politician, to highlight himself without his obvious flaws made me avoid his book. I frankly don't want to read hundreds of pages about Clinton from Clinton.

After several attempts and research into some books, I settled in the end for Joe Klein's look at the man. Grant it, it is not a biography in the strictest sense. As the subtitle suggests, it is limited to the presidency of Bill Clinton and obviously has a certain point of view. To Klein, Clinton was a natural at the game of politics - and that he was, even his political opponents have to admit that.

With that said, perhaps a brief view of Mr. Klein's book is needed. In short, the title and subtitle are adequate enough. Though Klein didn't convince me that Clinton was the perfect politician or even the "natural" politician (implying that he was always smooth and always got what he wanted), but in the end convinces the reader that Clinton was a different type of politician.

This is a look inside the Clinton White House. The author shows just how informal, chaotic, messy, and almost unprecedented it was. The President was always notoriously late. They made serious mistakes their first two years that cost them dearly in the mid-term elections. Clinton looked weak. In fact, Klein suggests, if it hadn't been for certain events like the Oklahoma City Bombing and Republicans being blamed for the government shut down, Clinton likely would have been an unsuccessful one-term President.

Klein highlights both Clinton's natural abilities, the emphasis "I feel your pain" sort of lines, as a politician and also his flaws. Clinton was his greatest weakest. Hillary, likewise, was both his greatest strength, she famously gave him the line "I still believe in a place called Hope," and his greatest weakness. Klein tells how the President would walk in sunny in the morning until he'd receive a phone call from the residence. Hillary wasn't happy and now Bill wasn't.

Klein does deal with some of the more juicier things that we remember most about Clinton. Hillary was at times too powerful. The saga that was and remains the Clinton marriage gets some treatment in the book. That relationship is one of the great mysteries of the ages. Klein also deals with the infamous Monica Lewinsky scandal. Klein reports how shocking it was (and still is really) that sitting president would parse the word "sex." Is oral sex technically sex? To him it wasn't, therefore he did not "have sexual relations with that woman." However, what remains so frustrating to me about the whole ordeal, and Klein highlights this in great detail, was how Clinton's "natural" ability in front of a camera, in this case the grand jury, not only exonerated him and got him out of hot water, but made the Republicans look petty and Clinton look above it all. How did that happen? Klein offers little to know detail into how Clinton and Lewinsky "hooked up." She was an intern. He was a womanizer. We are told virtually nothing else (not exactly in those terms though).

One more thing. Klein's look at the Clinton presidency errs on the side of turning Clinton's opponents into villains. Klein has nothing nice to say about the media. Maybe the media was harder on Clinton that other Democratic Presidents (certainly more than President Barack Obama). But Clinton had a lot of juicy stories that the media knows will bring in ratings. A womanizing President is just too juicy to ignore. Add on top of that accusations regarding real estate, etc. and how could Clinton not be in the tabloids.

But beyond the media bias, Klein torches the Republicans, especially Newt Gingrich. Klein goes into great detail on the rise of Gingrich through the ranks and how he was bent on destroying Clinton. Gingrich was the perfect villain for Clinton, no doubt. But more surprising than Gingrich was Klein's treatment of Dick Morris. Morris, in my estimation, was a real asset to Clinton, while Klein has little to nothing nice to say about him. Morris, I believe, is a big reason why Clinton won re-election. No one thought that Clinton would coast to victory following 1994 especially with Gingrich always breathing down his neck, yet he did just two years later. All of this talk about Clinton's enemies and turning them into the villains they weren't (can't forget about Ken Star), at times makes Clinton look like a victim. Certainly a lot of things were overblown, but let's be honest, as we said earlier, Clinton was his greatest enemy who brought a lot of his own problems on himself.

Overall, however, I would say that if you like politics and you want to know more about the Clinton political machine, this isn't a bad read. But if your looking for a more historical approach to the Clinton White House, perhaps you ought to look elsewhere. Klein is a fan of the President and at times too much so. However, the book isn't so over the top that it has no value.

For more on the Presidents
President Barack Obama - "The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama: A Review
President George W. Bush - "Decision Points" by George W. Bush
President Ronald Reagan - "Ronald Reagan" by Dinesh D'Souza
President Abraham Lincoln - "Abraham Lincoln: A Man of Faith and Courage"
President Richard Nixon - "Breach of Faith"

"Scottish Theology" by T. F. Torrance

2013-01-05T22:11:00.004-05:00

I have a special love for Scottish Theology. For that reason, I recently picked up and read the late Thomas F. Torrance's wonderful book Scottish theology: From John Knox to John McLead Campbell. The book does exactly what the title and subtitle suggest. Torrance offers a historical sketch primarily through theological biographies of Scottish theology beginning with John Knox (1514-1572)though he briefly makes mention of those who came before him like John Duns Scotus and others) and finally ending with John McLead Campbell.(1800-1872) - a period of 300 years.

The spirit of the book regards both the general theology of each individual highlighted and some of the controversies they might have been embroiled in (especially the latter chapters concluding with McLead Campbell). My favorite section regarding John Knox and those who were his colleagues and followed him (like John Craig and others). The chapter on Knox is worth the book itself. There, the author walks the reader almost through a systematic theology course from the perspective of Knox. He discusses Theology Proper, Christology, the Trinity, soteriology, Ecclesiology, the ordinances, etc. This is full of riches. Torrance shows how, to Knox, the death and resurrection of Jesus were essentially one event. The death of Christ, he says, is the negative aspect of salvation - propitiation, etc. - while the resurrection is its opposite. However, this singular act cannot be separated from the ascension of Christ.

Consider the following quotes from Knox quoted by Torrance:

John Knox himself was essentially a preacher-theologian, one who did not intend to be a theologian, but who could not help being a theologian int he fulfilment of his vocation. (2)

And:

The price of Christ Jesus, his death and passion is committed to our charge, the eyes of men are bent on us, and we must answer before the Judge, who will not admit everie excuse that pleaseth us, but will judge upryghtly, as in his words he hath before pronounced . . . Let us be frequent in reading . . . earnest in prayers, diligent in watcheing over the flock committed to our charge and let our sobrietie and temperate lyfe eshame the wicked, and be example to the godly . . . (3)

From there, he looks at those who followed him. He traces the theology of one often overlooked Scottish theologian, John Craig whose catechism (usually referred to as Craig's Catechism) was widely used for decades in Scotland. I have not come across any better resource discussing Craig's theology than this.*

Overall, I would say that if you love theology in general and Scottish theology and history in particular, this is a wonderful resource. Many of the great books on such topics are quit old (Torrance highlights some of them, most out of print, in his introduction). However, if you are new to theology and new to Scottish history, you will struggle to work your way through this book.

However, there is one concern I do have. Though I am not an expert on Torrance and his theology and have not read many of his other works, at times I do wonder if Torrance flirts with speaking through the various theologians and his survey of them. One example regards John Knox's view of particular redemption. Torrance writes that Knox believed that limited atonement implied a form of Nestorian Christology. Upon further research, I found that Torrance has made this same claim elsewhere. Torrance does not offer any direct quotes from Knox nor interact with his works or other authors who have said the same. Is this what Knox believed? We will have to take Torrance at his word, but the thought has crossed my mind.

But in the end, your first thought upon seeing this book will likely be the same on whether or not you choose it and read it. If you do not like theology or Scottish theology you will probably move on. But if you hold it in your hand and begin to read its rich pages, then it is likely you love Scottish theology. In which case, you will love it. A rich resource it is with insights you are unlikely to find anywhere else from a more capable theologian and writer.

This book was given to me by T&T Clark for the purpose of this review.

* I would, however, point you to another one of Torrance works which includes Craig's Catechism along with others in the Reformation with an extensive introduction: The School of Faith (which has been reviewed here).

For more:
"The School of Faith" by Thomas F. Torrance: A Review
An Introduction to the Life and Works of Scottish Reformer John Craig
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism: A New Translation - Introduction
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism: A New Translation - Chapter 1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 2
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 3
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 4.1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 4.2
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 4.3
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 5.1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 5.2
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 6.1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 6.2

For more on Knox:
"John Knox: An Introduction to His Life and Works" - A Review
"The Mighty Weakness of John Knox" by Douglas Bond: A Review
"John Knox & the Reformation" by M. Lloyd-Jones & Iain Murray: A Review
"John Knox" by Rosalind K. Marshall
Douglas Bond on the Legacy of John Knox

For more on Calvin and Calvinism:
"Foundations of Grace" by Steven Lawson: A Review
Was Calvin a Calvinist? Helm Weighs In
Counterintuitive Calvinism: Tim Keller on Calvin's Institutes

For more on the Reformation:
"The Reformation for Armchair Theologians" by Glenn S. Sunshine: A Review
The Theology of the Reformers
The Unquenchable Flame
"On the Necessity of Reforming the Church" by John Calvin
John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology
Christianity's Dangerous Idea
"Five Leading Reformers"
Was Calvin a Calvinist? Helm Weighs In
He Turned the Water Into Wine: MacArthur, Alcohol, & Christian Liberty
Theology Thursday | Calvin on the Redemptive Necessity of the Resurrection
Calvinist Baptists and the Many (False) Misconceptions
"Without the Gospel": A Gem From John Calvin
Calvin on God in Theology and the Christian Life
Calvin on Providence
Calvin on Treasures in Heaven
Calvin on Fasting
Calvin on Prayer: Why Bother?

"Foundations of Grace" by Steven Lawson

2013-01-05T22:10:00.002-05:00

Calvinism is a hot topic right now. The lines are pretty well established and most know where they stand. The problem for many, including myself, is that word Calvinism. John Calvin, regardless of your theological position, did not invent Calvinism. Most would argue that Calvin is simply developing old Augustinianism (like Martin Luther before him) and Augustine was simply expounding on the Apostle Paul. Paul, of course, was a Christian preacher, a missionary, a theologian, a writer, a pastor, and an expositor of Holy Scripture.

This is precisely why I recently picked up and read Dr. Steven Lawson's first volume in the five volume A Long Line of Godly Men series (volumes 3-5 have yet to be published) entitled Foundations of Grace (Reformation Trust, 2006). The concept of the book is quit simple. Lawson seeks to defend the traditional Five Points of Calvinism from each book of the Bible.

But of couple of points of clarification. First, not every book is surveyed. Most notably absent is Song of Solomon. There is one brief reference Song of Solomon later in the book and it is only to clarify a very different context. Certainly the one book that consistently interrupts such surveys is Song of Solomon. Yet beyond this one example, the author walks the reader through book by book, author by author through the major points of soteriological Calvinism.

Secondly, the book goes beyond the five points of Calvinism. For the Five Points, Lawson uses the phrases Radical Depravity, Sovereign Election, Definite Atonement, Irresistible Call and Preserving Grace. Though I think there are better term than these, these are better than the more traditional TULIP. Beyond these five points, and each chapter tries to highlight each of them though not every book includes a discussion of all five, Lawson discusses Divine Sovereignty (defined in Calvinist terms of course) and Divine Reprobation. A fuller discussion of this latter category goes beyond the scope of this review, but throughout the book Lawson defends this common Calvinist tenet in his survey of Scripture.

With all of that said, there are a few points worth adding in terms of review. First, the introduction from Dr. John MacArthur is worth the price of the book. MacArthur begins by discussing the wonderful doctrine of Divine Immutability. Like John Knox of the 16th Century, MacArthur uses this doctrine as a launching pad into Calvinist assumptions. He presents a theocentric theology rather than the more common anthropocentric theology. He defines justice not by our perceptions of it (anthropocentric) but as defined by God (theocentric). This is a wonderful essay that perfectly introduces the book. MacArthur defends the doctrines of grace rooted in a fundamental view of God.

Secondly, this book is needed in Calvinist circles. I have heard many say that any Bible teacher/preacher/reader who presents the text without any bias will embrace a more Calvinistic understanding of grace and Theology Proper. This book proves it. The amount of texts discussed by the author is astounding and overwhelming. Though some verses used may not be the best texts to point to in defending a certain Calvinist doctrine, there is no doubt that the evidence presented here, from the biblical text, makes the point clear. The God of Arminianism, Weslyanism, and Semi-Pelagianism simply isn't big enough to be the God of the Bible.

This makes this book a monumental resource for Calvinists. It puts together countless references, passages, and brief commentaries on them that explain how it defends Calvinist doctrine and the doctrines of grace. It is simply overwhelming. I would recommend this book as a one stop resource for explaining important texts from a Calvinist perspective and an easy to use book to defend basic Calvinist doctrine.

Finally, this is a great resource for those who are struggling with some of these points. Admittedly, I am hesitant to embrace Particular Redemption (Lawson uses the phrase Definite Atonement) and Double Predestination. Though Lawson doesn't really defend or deal with double predestination, his defense of Divine Reprobation brings the issue to mind. Yet Lawson's defense of these issues forces me, the reader, to consider the biblical evidence. It is easy for theologians to make arguments based on feelings (Jesus didn't die for the whole world?!) rather than on the biblical text and this book forces us to reconsider some of our preconceived notions.

There is much to say about this book, but one thing is clear, volume two is now on my to-do list.

Reformation Trust was kind enough to provide a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review.

Reviewed Books on the Reformation:
"The Reformation for Armchair Theologians" by Glenn S. Sunshine: A Review
The Theology of the Reformers
"Five Leading Reformers"
The Unquenchable Flame
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil
The Trial of Luther
Martin Luther: The Christian Between God and Death
"On the Necessity of Reforming the Church" by John Calvin
John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology
Christianity's Dangerous Idea
"The School of Faith" by Thomas F. Torrance: A Review
"The Wit of Martin Luther": A Review

For more on the Reformation:
Why the Reformation Matters: A Lecture By Stephen Nichols
On the Reformation: An Interview With Glenn S. Sunshine
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
The 95 Theses, 490 Years Later
For Reformation Day: An Insightful Documentary
Was Calvin a Calvinist? Helm Weighs In
He Turned the Water Into Wine: MacArthur, Alcohol, & Christian Liberty
Theology Thursday | Calvin on the Redemptive Necessity of the Resurrection
Calvinist Baptists and the Many (False) Misconceptions
"Without the Gospel": A Gem From John Calvin
Calvin on God in Theology and the Christian Life
Calvin on Providence
Calvin on Treasures in Heaven
Calvin on Fasting
Calvin on Prayer: Why Bother?
The Story of Martin Luther: An Interview With Michael Haykin
The Real Divide: Luther, the Reformation, and the Fight Over Perspicuity - Part 1
The Real Divide: Luther, the Reformation, and the Fight Over Perspicuity - Part 2
The Real Divide: Luther, the Reformation, and the Fight Over Perspicuity - Part 3
The Real Divide: Luther, the Reformation, and the Fight Over Perspicuity - Part 4
The Real Divide: Luther, the Reformation, and the Fight Over Perspicuity - Part 5
The Real Divide: Luther, the Reformation, and the Fight Over Perspicuity - Part 6
Christ Is The Head of the Church: MacArthur, Huss, & History's Sea of Blood

For more on John Knox and the Scottish Reformation:
"John Knox: An Introduction to His Life and Works" - A Review
"John Knox & the Reformation" by M. Lloyd-Jones & Iain Murray: A Review
"The Mighty Weakness of John Knox" by Douglas Bond: A Review
"John Knox" by Rosalind K. Marshall
Douglas Bond on the Legacy of John Knox
An Introduction to the Life and Works of Scottish Reformer John Craig
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism: A New Translation - Introduction
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism: A New Translation - Chapter 1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 2
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 3
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 4.1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 4.2
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 4.3
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 5.1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 5.2
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 6.1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 6.2

"Exploring the Unexplained" by Trent Butler

2013-01-05T22:09:00.006-05:00

A peculiar book lies before you. This book isn't peculiar because it is about the Bible, but much of what the Bible says can be peculiar to our modern ears. Here we will explore and elaborate upon some of the more unusual aspects of the Bible's people, places, events, things, and stories. -7

Those are the opening words of author Trent Butler in his book Exploring the Unexplained: A Practical Guide to the Peculiar People, Places, and Things in the Bible. It is a dictionary styled book which highlights, as the title and subtitle suggests, peculiar people, places, and things in the Bible. The author describes it as a book which skips over the people, place, an things you already know about, and focuses on the things that you might not understand and sometimes avoid. This peculiar dictionary invites you to develop new and interesting ways to put it to good use (9).

This means that what is missing from this dictionary is the typical stuff you would use the average Bible Dictionary for - Israel, Jesus, Elijah, or Moses. Instead it includes very brief entries on Micaiah, Tema, and Chedor-Laomer. To get an idea of what this dictionary is like, consider the entry on Micaiah (who is one of my favorite minor characters in the Bible):

Micaiah was a prophet of God who opposed four hundred court prophets of King Ahab of Israel when he predicted Ahab's defeat and death. He had a vision of a member of the heavenly council becoming a lying spirit to delude the four hundred court prophets.

Issue: Discerning God's will is not a simple process. We fight against evil powers and lying spirits. How do you determine the divine will when you have to make a decision? -186

This is typical of most entries. Brief and right to the point with an addition "Issue" portion seeking to make the subject more relevant. Some entries might be questionable. The entry for "Nephilim" only offers the interpretation that they are the offspring of fallen angels and human women. Though that may be a possible interpretation, it leaves out the possible interpretation of Genesis 6 as the offspring of Cain's line mixing with Seth's family line.

Nonetheless, books like this are helpful. As a pastor, I find myself in the Bible a lot oftentimes scratching my head. What does that name mean? Where is that located? What in the world does that word mean? These are common questions and resources like this are helpful.

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.”

For more from Thomas Nelson:
Blogizomai - "Father Hunger" by Doug Wilson: A Review
Blogizomai - "The Truth About Forgiveness" by John MacArthur
Reviews - "The Truth About the Lordship of Jesus" by John MacArthur
Reviews - "Real Marriage" by Mark & Grace Driscoll
Reviews - "Why Men Hate Going to Church" by David Murrow
Blogizomai - Repost | "Nearing Home" by Billy Graham
Reviews - America: The Last Best Hope - Volume 3
Reviews - "Has God Spoken?" by Hank Hanegraaf
Reviews - "Why God Won't Go Away" by Alister McGrath
Reviews - "Billy Graham in Quotes"
Reviews - "No He Can't" by Kevin McCullough
Reviews - "Washington: A Legacy of Leadership" by Paul Vickery
Reviews - "Max on Life" by Max Lucado
Reviews - "Slave" by John Macarthur
Reviews - "The Jesus Inquest" by Charles Foster
Reviews - "Finding Our Way Again" by Brian McLaren
Reviews - "Outlive Your Life" by Max Lucado
Reviews - "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns
Reviews - "Saint Patrick" by Jonathan Rogers
Reviews - "A Century Turns" by William Bennett
Reviews - "Sir Winston Churchill"
Reviews - "On this Day in Christian History"
Reviews - "Storm Warning" by Billy Graham

"Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day" by Garry R. Norman

2013-01-05T22:09:00.002-05:00

The world is getting smaller. The advances in technology and the continued use of the internet has made the world a much smaller place. Postmodernism encourage syncretism wherein the individual can explore the buffet of beliefs and create their own plate. Immigration, immigration policies, and increase in travel has brought various cultures, customs, and faiths to our next door. No longer must Christians understand just what they believe and maybe one other faith - Jehovah Witnesses, Mormonism, etc. - but must now have a basic understanding of all of the worlds major religions and faiths.

To help, Garry Morgan has written a helpful book Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day: Learn the basics of: Islam Buddhism Hinduism Mormonism Christianity And many more with the purpose of offering a basic introduction, with special and more attention given to the larger religions (like Islam and Hinduism). The book discusses much more than just Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, and Christianity but also introduces the reader to Zoroastrianism, Native American religions, animism, Judaism, the Nation of Islam, Taoism, and many many others.

As the book's title suggests, each religion is given a brief treatment. However, Islam, Hinduism, and others are given several chapters but still remains basic. It is impossible to understand much about each religion, but the author does offer a helpful introduction and clarification of many of the world's religions. This is a helpful resource worth investing in. As the nations continue to come to us, it is imperative that we have a basic understanding to what they believe and their history.

At the same time, though, it is imperative for Christians to understand their own faith much better. Morgan writes from a Christian perspective and throughout shows the reader how each religion differs from Christianity. It is a reminder that knowing what others believe makes it imperative to understand the gospel and what God has revealed in His Word.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House for the purpose of this review.

For more:
The Mormon Faith of Mitt Romney: A Review
Joseph Smith's Last Minutes: The True Story
On God, Religion, Politics, and Mormonism: Robert Jeffress on Bill Mahar
Here We Go Again: Mormonism and Presidential Politics
An Important Read: Is Mormonism "Having a Moment?"
An Important Read: Jeffress on Faith, Politics, & Secularism

"The Creedal Imperative" by Carl Trueman: A Review

2013-01-05T22:08:00.002-05:00

I want to argue that creeds and confessions are thoroughly consistent with the belief that Scripture alone is the unique source of revelation and authority. Indeed, I want to go somewhat further: I want to argue that creeds and confessions are, in fact, necessary for the well-being of the church, and that churches that claim not to have them place themselves at a permanent disadvantage when it comes to holding fast to that form of sound words which was so precious to the aging Paul as he advised his young protege, Timothy. (19)

We've all heard the phrase, "no creed but the Bible," and it sounds really pious, but in all honesty, what heresy hasn't said the same thing? In his book The Creedal Imperative , Dr. Carl Trueman makes the case that the Reformed conviction of sola Scriptura must be accompanied with a robust orthodoxy expressed creedally or confessionally.

Admittedly, I hesitated to pick up this book and read it. Who wants to read a book about creeds especially in the 21st Century? Though I have read various confessions of faith (and as a Baptist I affirm the Baptist Faith & Message) it is not a habit of mine to read books on creeds. This book isn't about specific creeds or comparing the advantage or disadvantage of certain ones, but rather is about why they are necessary for orthodox Christians.But as I continued to turn the pages, I found myself thankful for reading what Trueman has to say.

The book begins, after some introductory remarks, by laying out the case for anti-confessionalism. Trueman offers a cultural backdrop to why he is writing this book - why he is having to defend creedalism. Trueman writes that Christians have historically been a confessional people. As his later historical survey will reveal, Christians have always affirmed not just the authority of Scripture, but an adopted theological document that defined the terms of orthodoxy. But suddenly all of that has changed. Why is that?

In what I think is the most helpful chapter of the book, Trueman explains where this anti-confessional attitude has come from. He shows that our attitudes regarding the past have changed dramatically. He begins by looking at science. Science, by its very nature, assumes that the present is better than the past and the future will be better than the present

The problem is that science also comes loaded with a certain philosophical bias, and that is, as stated above, that the past is inferior to the present. It has a built-in narrative of progress, whereby everything - or at least almost everything - just keeps getting better; and the problem is that this tends to inculcate a broader cultural attitude that applies the same kind of expectation in other areas. Throw concepts like evolution into the mix, and you have a gravitational pull within the culture toward the future, built on the assumed inferiority of the past. (25)

The second reason he gives is technology. Technology is the pride of the young and the disdain for the old. All of us have witnessed a teenager showing their parents or grandparents how to work a common gadget - a cell phone, a DVR, or a tablet. In previous generations, the young relied heavily on the insights of the elderly, but technology has turned that completely around. Technology is built for younger generations and is leaving the older generations behind.

The third reason why the present is held more highly than the past is consumerism. [C]onsumerism is as much a function of boredom as it is crass materialism(27). In a consumeristic society, you don't fix the old to keep it working, you simply buy a new one. Companies are always updated their products suggesting that the new is better and without the new product you are left behind.

He also adds that our postmodern tendency to devalue words and our flirtation with mysticism (mixed with a heavy dose of pragmatism) has caused to devalue the past. We live in a world that suggests my feelings are more truthful than the truth, if you will. How something makes me feel or what insight I glean from a text is what matters. I shape orthodoxy, it doesn't shape me.

He then offers this sharp rebuke, as it were, of the modern church that has follow for this cultural change towards pragmatism. He writes:

Ask yourself this: if my church put on a conference about how to have a great Christian marriage and fulfilled sex life, would more or fewer people attend than if we did one on the importance of the incarnation or the Trinity? The answer to that question allows an interesting comparison between the priorities of the church today and that of the fourth and fifth centuries. It is not that the people in your church do not believe that, say, Christ rose from the dead and the tomb was empty; rather it is that such belief has no real usefulness to them other than as it provides them with what they are looking to obtain in the here and now. In such a context, orthodoxy as expressed in the great creeds and confessions is not rejected; it is simply sidelined as irrelevant and essentially useless.

He then adds antiauthoritarianism, the fear of exclusion, the disappearance of "human nature," and other reasons. The point is well received. Society has changed to glorify the future and to demonize the past. Lewis called this "chronological snobbery." The idea that the past offers little for us today. And when the church adopts this sort of worldview, it quickly abandons the historic faith. The problem with this is that the church is historic. The faith is historic. The gospel is based on a historical event of creation and salvation.

Trueman then goes on to show the tradition of creedalism from the beginning. Even within the New Testament there appears to be some creedal or confessional statements (see Philippians 2:5-11 and 1 Corinthians 15:1ff). After the apostolic age, there was the Rule of Faith. Then came the Apostles Creed, the the Creed of Nicea, and on and on it goes. Trueman spends several chapters surveying the history of the church and its embrace of creeds.

He then concludes creeds benefit the church and Christians. Some of his arguments might surprise you and are worth your investment and consideration.

Overall, this is a really insightful and helpful book. I agree with Trueman's basic belief that Christians are to be confessional. The challenge will be shepherding each congregation towards such a worldview. It is liberating and offers a foundation for the church that the church is losing everyday. So in the end, maybe the future of the church will be secured when we affirm its past.

This book was given to me free of charge for the purpose of this review.

For more:
"The Good News We Almost Forgot" by Kevin DeYoung
"The School of Faith" by Thomas F. Torrance: A Review
An Introduction to the Life and Works of Scottish Reformer John Craig
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism: A New Translation - Introduction
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism: A New Translation - Chapter 1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 2
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 3
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 4.1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 4.2
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 4.3
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 5.1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 5.2
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 6.1
A Short Summary of the Whole Catechism - Chapter 6.2

"Obama's America" by Dinesh D'Souza

2013-01-05T22:07:00.002-05:00

The most dangerous man in America currently lives in America. (215)

That is the first sentence of the final chapter of author and thinker Dinesh D'Souza's best selling book Obama's America: Unmaking the American Dream. The book was inspired by D'Souza's blockbuster (blockbuster by documentary standards) hit 2016: Obama's America. Both the book and the movie (released around the same time) make the argument that President Barack Obama has an anti-colonial ideology.

This, along with the movie, is not primarily a book about policies, but about ideology. D'Souza suggest that many of Obama's detractors have tried to pigeonhole President Obama into the wrong categories. Birthers say he's a Kenyan born socialists. Others suggest he a secret Muslim bent on replacing the US Constitution with Sharia Law. Some have labeled him a radical liberal/progressive. Others a racist.

The problem with these, and other theories is that they cannot fully explain some of his actions. For example, if Obama is simply a racist, then why has the black community felt so betrayed? If he is a socialists, then why not confiscate private land. If he's Kenyan born, then, good luck with that. If he's a Muslim, then, well, good luck with that.

D'Souza has another theory - a theory that seeks to put all of the pieces together. Why would President Obama return a bust of Winston Churchill given to President Bush by the British following 9/11? Why would he go into Libya and remove its dictator for humanitarian reasons but not Syria? Why has he increased our national debt at catastrophic levels with little to no concern? Why does he hate the rich so much and yet live so luxuriously? Why does lecture the American people about being our "brother's keeper" and yet ignore the poverty of his own family - his own brothers? D'Souza's answer: anti-colonialism.

D'Souza's thesis throughout this book and some of the straightforward language used by the author will shock most readers. Early in the book, D'Souza suggests, Obama is not merely the presiding instrument of American decline, he is the architect of American decline (6). To the average reader, the idea that the President of the United States actually wants to downsize America is impossible. Why would he do such a thing. But that is the key question. Why would he? To D'Souza, we have been viewing Obama through an American story. We see him as a black man, or as a progressive lawyer, etc. But D'Souza, whose own story shares striking resemblance with the President, suggests we view the President through a foreign lens. Obama's story is as foreign as it is American.

The book, like the movie, is broken down into two parts which defend his thesis. The first part is more biographical. Throughout the book, D'Souza offers more insight and detail than in the movie. In the movie, D'Souza focuses mostly on Obama's father, Barack Sr., and on his "founding fathers." In the book, however, these same five men are given equal treatment to Obama's mother and others. Key to all of this is that Obama seeks to fulfill his absent father's dream (which explains the title of his first book Dreams From My Father) - a father who was Kenyan and anti-colonial. In addition, Obama was partly raised by his mother who was anticolonial as well who hated capitalism and the "American way" and did all that she could to insure that Obama would not embrace Americanism.

From there, D'Souza points out particular policies from the President's record to make his case. He looks at energy (why is Obama promoting drilling in other countries but not in America?), the debt (why did he ignore the Simposon-Bowles commission?), foreign policy (why support the Arab Spring in ally countries like Egypt and Libya but not our enemies like in Iran and Syria?), nuclear proliferation (why are we getting rid of our weapons but not asking others to do the same nor stopping Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons?), etc. Throughout these pages, D'Souza tries to offer a narrative that makes the anti-colonial theory fit.

What I find most fascinating about this book and what I appreciate most about it is that D'Souza understands that in order to understand one's politics, you have to first understand their ideology. This is true whether discussing Ronald Reagan or President Obama. Early on in the book, D'Souza says, the key to Obama is his ideology, his inner compass (8) and I think he's right. Whether or not his theory regarding anti-colonialism is true I will let the reader decide. There is no doubt that there has been some strange inconsistencies in the Obama White House.

But at the end of the day this much is likely. Those who do not like the President will, like with the movie, shake their head in agreement with D'Souza's theory. At the very least, they will admit that President Obama is a terrible President and is governing American decline. But for those who love the President, D'Souza will (and has) be written off as one in a line of conservative nuts with his own racial, radical theory about a man he simply hates. I will let you decide if you think D'Souza is write. D'Souza is certainly not one fond of conspiracies nor is he ignorant. I have tremendous respect for what D'Souza has to say on matters of theology and politics. But perhaps the only way we will know for sure if he is right is for Obama to speak more honesty. But it won't be until he is out of office and away from the teleprompters will that ever happen.

Here is the trailer for the movie 2016: Obama's America:

For more books by D'Souza:
"God Forsaken" by Dinesh D'Souza: A Review
What's So Great About Christianity? by Dinesh D'Souza
"Life After Death" by Dinesh D'Souza
D'Souza - Letters To A Young Conservative
D'Souza - Ronald Reagan

For more:
D'Souza on Morality and Government Coercion
Is Christianity Good For America?: The D'Souza/Silverman Debate
"A Shrewd Three-Step Maneuver": D'Souza on the Homosexual Movement
D'Souza: Are Atheists Cultural Christians
Freud's Wish Fulfillment: Why Atheism Can't Explain Atheism
The Atheist Debates
Atheism Is Not Great - The D'Souza and Hitchens Debate
Mohler: An Argument Against Atheists - Dinesh D'Souza on Christianity

"The Good Life" by Trip Lee

2013-01-02T18:16:00.002-05:00

Trip Lee is one of my favorite rappers. His most recent album, "The Good Life" is great in terms of music, lyrics, themes, and features. The artists featured on the disc are top notch and the theme of living what Trip Lee calls "the good life" is very much needed today. The good life to Trip Lee can be summed up in the line, "The good life is the life that's been laid down."

Since the release of his top selling album, the early twenties rapper has since released a book with the same title tackling some of the same issues. The book is simple, but the message is profound and beautifully shows why the gospel is, well, so beautiful. Trip Lee's basic argument in both the album and the book is that we are all chasing after the good life, but we are looking for it in the wrong places. Scripture refers to these objects and people as idols: money, pleasure, power, influence, a family, a spouse, upper mobility, pride, a resume, early retirement, etc. Trip argues that these things, all temporary of course, will not give us the good life. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can. He writes:

As you know, hip-hop is always good for a heavy dose of hedonism. The images slowly seduce us and draw us in. I know this is the picture I was chasing after: Coke bottle figures and seven-figure checks. But what happens when you get there? Even the most beautiful women are imperfect an let us down from time to time. and surly, shiny machines rolling on wheels can't be what we were made to live for. They break down, they get dented in accidents, and they eventually go to the same junkyard as Hyundais. Surely we can do better. This is not a good life. (39-40)

That is the message of the book and he doesn't veer from it. The writing is very simple and it is clear that Trip Lee is not a professional writer or an academic. He is a young Christian armed with the gospel and an audience that will listen to him. He comes from a unique perspective, especially in the world of books, of being a rapper who understands the culture, the language, and the universal desire to seek the good life in our selves and our own abilities.

But the simplicity of the book is not necessarily a weakness. However, if you are looking for a more thorough and deep discussion on idolatry, etc. perhaps this isn't the right book for you. But that is not its primary goal. Trip shows that simplicity can be, at times, more powerful than depth and sophistication. His chapter on the church is particularly helpful. There is nothing profound or necessarily new here, but Trips matter-of-fact way of showing how the church contributes to the good life is powerful. He writes:

Imagine for a second a young boy, living as an orphan, who was adopted by a loving family. They bring him home, fee him, and give him his own room. He loves his new parents, and he's learning how to spell his new last name! But when his new parents introduce him to his new brothers and sisters, he wants nothing to do with them. He's glad to be a part of the family, yet he rejects his brothers and sisters?

All believers have been adopted by God and are now His children. But we often forget that we were adopted into a family of adopted children. We can't take on our Father's name and ignore the rest of the family. (79)

There is a solid treatment of the Christian doctrine of adoption applied directly to the doctrine of the church in an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand way. In the same chapter, he briefly deals with the popular assertion that one can be spiritual but not religious. To that, he briefly notes They figure they can love God without loving His people (81). Exactly! He later adds that talk that Christianity is communal is scarey because all that "spiritual, but not religious" talk is really just an excuse to hide. Again, exactly!

Beyond this chapter on the church, Trip deals with a variety of issues in this sort of manner. He notes the emptiness (vanity is the word Solomon would use) of materialism. Have you not noticed, he asks, that the riches people in the world spend their time trying to get richer? It all seems so vain. So empty.

Overall, for the right person, this is an excellent read. I would not recommend this to a seminary professor or one of his students. But for the pastor who ministers to new believers, those on the fence, and young students, Trips influence as a popular rapper and artist and his ability to write in such a simple, yet direct manner takes this gospel message far.

For more:
GBC - Trip Lee - "War"
"A Satisfied Mind" by Johnny Cash
"Be Present" by Propaganda
Listen to & Download Propoganda's Album "Excellent"
"Lofty" by Propaganda, Beautiful Euology & Joel
A Beautiful Eulogy
Listen To & Download Lecrae's "Church Clothes" For Free
The Gospel Illustrated
Some of Their Best: DC Talk
GBC - Flame- The Great Deception
GBC - FLAME - Power [with Rap-Along lyrics]
GBC - Shai Linne: Triune Praise

"The Fantasy Fallacy" by Shannon Ethridge: A Review

2012-12-19T11:47:00.003-05:00

"How Should Christians Vote?" by Tony Evans: A Review

2012-10-24T00:50:00.002-04:00

Soon Americans will vote for the next President of the United States. The question is inevitably asked, then, by Christians both who should we vote for and how should we vote. In his new book, How Should Christians Vote? pastor Tony Evans offers a short guide to help Christians think, not about particular issues per se, but about why Christians vote, what the Bible says about government, and how that should affect the choices we make in the voting booth.

Every Presidential election cycle a book like this is published. The late Dr. D. James Kennedy wrote a similar book in 2008 and now Dr. Evans has released a much shorter version that seeks to help Christians think about applying their faith in elections and the public square. The question always becomes, is this book more political than biblical? Is it driven more by the politics of the religious right or by the religious left, or does it seek to present a fuller biblical view of government, society, culture, ethics, the role of the citizen, and the Kingdom of God?

Evans suggests that there are only four legitimate systems of government: Self-Government; Family Government; Church Government; and Civil Government. From this platform, the author presents a type of subsidiarity where a society is served best when the individual is given the most power and freedom. Evans writes that if self-government breaks down, then the rest will break down. Likewise, if the Family Government breaks down, then so will both church and civil government. Though he never uses this language, Evans is promoting a type of subsidiarity that promote small, limited government responsible solely in defending its citizenry and protecting liberty.

Evans is no fan of top-down, big government. He writes in the book that such a government goes against the biblical text and ought to be rejected. He even suggests that the Bible promotes (or even commands) a Constitutional Republic much like the one we have. While critiquing pure democracy (an argument I agree with) he writes:

The danger of democracy lies in its path toward either tyranny or "mobocracy" wherein the 51 percent enforce mob-like rule on the others. A constitutional republic is the biblical form of government that God gave to Moses (Exodus 18:17-27) and that was adopted by the founding fathers as the best way to maintain an ordered society through a bottom-up, and not top-down, system designed to meet the legitimate needs of the people. -77

This is the one section I disagree with the most in this book. I'm not sure Exodus 18 is the best place to defend a constitutional republic and I'm not sure one can chapter and verse that assertion. I affirm that the American Republic is best but to suggest that it is mandated (or strongly encouraged) by God is a bit too far. However, the overall gist of the book that limited government is best, personal responsibility is crucial, and the family and church are important roles to play, is well received.

The book never tells the reader how to vote on specific issues. That is not to suggest that specific issues are not mentioned. Evans is clearly pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-religious liberty, pro-small government, pro-justice, etc. He appears to be very capitalistic (he directly condemns all forms of socialism and communism). Yet, the point of the book is not to say, "vote Republican" or "vote Democrat." In fact the book warns the reader not to become slaves of a political platform or party. The final chapter asks, "is God a Democrat or a Republican?" The answer: neither. The Kingdom of God is above such distinctions.

When assessing books like this, and I read this as a pastor and not just as a Christian voter, I ask myself if I would recommend the book to my congregation. My answer for this one is yes. I do not agree with everything put forward here (though I am a fan in general of Dr. Evans), but the overall spirit and the way in which his argument is put forward is helpful. Evans begins his book by saying we would all come to the Bible for answers on virtually everything except when it comes to the public square. The volume of texts presented here makes his argument that the Bible is very political and has a lot to say about society and politics. But what I loved about this book wasn't just the conclusions of the author (and I agreed with most of them) but the way in which Christians are to particularly think about them and why. I assumed this would be another book that takes issues and tells the reader how to vote, but it isn't that. It begins with Scripture and seeks to formulate a biblical worldview in approaching politics. And if Christians thought more in these terms, being much deeper than we do now, then we would be greatly served and better informed with our votes.

Overall, for as short as this book is this would not be a bad book to have on your shelf and to return to each election year. But warning, it is not a solution to every question we have when going into the voting booth. It is a guide to help us think, but it does not uncover every rock.

This book was provided by Moody Press free of charge for the purpose of this review.

For more:
"How Would Jesus Vote?: A Christian Perspective on the Issues"
"The Debt Bomb": A Review
The Mormon Faith of Mitt Romney: A Review
"The Mormonizing of America" by Stephen Mansfield: A Review
"Be the People" by Carol M. Swain
No He Can't" by Kevin McCullough
"Why Government Can't Save You"
"Is Jesus A Republican or a Democrat?"
"Imagine! A God Blessed America"
"A Conflict of Visions"
"The Great Awakening" Part 1
"The Great Awakening" Part 2
"Red-Letter Christians"
"The Preacher and Presidents"
"American Gospel"

"Twelve Unlikely Heroes" by John MacArthur

2012-09-30T20:47:00.003-04:00

Pastor and author John MacArthur needs no introduction. He has been a leading voice defending Scripture and the gospel over the past forty years. In previous years, Dr. MacArthur has shared with his readers about the 12 Ordinary Men (the disciples) and 12 Extraordinary Women, but now in his most recent book, MacArthur continues his "Twelve" series in his book Twelve Unlikely Heroes: How God Commissioned Unexpected People in the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You. Like the previous two books, MacArthur highlights twelve individuals, common folk we could say, that God used in mighty ways. They heroes, MacArthur writes, because they were people of faith.

The twelve heroes include, Enoch, Joseph, Miriam, Gideon, Samson, Jonathan, Jonah, Esther, John the Baptist, James, Mark, and Onesimus.

There is nothing surprising in the book. Those familiar with MacArthur, his writing and preaching style, and how the two previous books with similar titles are written, will find a lot of similarity here. Each chapter looks at least one individual highlighting their biography, what makes them a great hero of the faith, and how it relates to us.

I would say that each chapter is rich in itself. This series of MacArthur's are great study resources for churches and small groups. My one bit of criticism regards the first hero: Enoch. There is nothing completely wrong here (though I am hesitant to affirm that Jude's quotation of 1 Enoch is to be understand as actually be true of the real Enoch). However, giving the scant information Scripture gives to the man who "walked with God," MacArthur is slightly forced to make some assumptions. Again, nothing major here, but MacArthur does his best to designate an entire chapter to a man who barely appears in the biblical text.

Beyond that, this is a great book. Consider for example what MacArthur has to say about Samson:

If Samson were Superman, how own sinful desires were his kryptonite. He could kill a lion, but not his lust. He could break new ropes, but not old habits. He could defeat armies of Philistine soldiers, but not his own flesh. He could carry away the gates of a city but allowed himself to be carried away when lost in passion. (83)

If you like MacArthur, if you want to dive deeper into the biblical text, if your interested in biographical sketches of great heros of the faith in Scripture, this is a great resource.

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.”

MaArthur Books:
Reviews - "The Truth About Grace" by John MacArthur
Reviews - "The Truth About the Lordship of Jesus" by John MacArthur
Reviews - "Slave" by John MacArthur
Reviews - "Slave" by John MacArthur Audio
Reviews - "The Gospel According to Jesus"
Reviews - Hard to Believe
Reviews - "A Tale of Two Sons"
Reviews - "the Jesus You Can't Ignore"
Reviews - Why One Way
Reviews - "The God Who Loves"
Reviews - "Who Money Is It Anyway?"
Reviews - "The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness"
Reviews - "Lord, Teach Me to Pray"
Reviews - "Our Sufficiency in Christ"
Reviews - "Fools Gold"
Reviews - "The Vanishing Conscience"
Reviews - "Can God Bless America"
Reviews - "Twelve Ordinary Men"
Reviews- "John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology"
Reviews - "Welcome to the Family"
Reviews - "The Second Coming"
Reviews - "God in the Manger"
Reviews - "John MacArthur Study Bible"
Reviews - "Found: God's Will"
Reviews - "Preaching the Cross"
Reviews - "Truth War"

MacArthur Sermons:
Blogizomai - The Consequences of Non-expositional Preaching," by John MacArthur
Blogizomai - The Consequences of Non-expositional Preaching," by John MacArthur
Blogizomai - A Retrospective on 40 Years: John MacArthur and Rick Holland
Blogizomai - "Slaves of Christ" by John MacArthur
Blogizomai - Theology Thursday | MacArthur: A Tale of Two Sons
Blogizomai - "The Greatness of Being a Slave" by John MacArthur
Blogizomai - Honoring God through Edifying Preaching by John MacArthur
Blogizomai - "The Theology of Christmas" (Philippians 2:5-11) by John MacArthur
Blogizomai - MacArthur & The Attacks on the Bible
Blogizomai - "It Pleased God": MacArthur on the Darkness and Drama at the Cross

For more from Thomas Nelson:
Blogizomai - "Father Hunger" by Doug Wilson: A Review
Blogizomai - "The Truth About Forgiveness" by John MacArthur
Reviews - "The Truth About the Lordship of Jesus" by John MacArthur
Reviews - "Real Marriage" by Mark & Grace Driscoll
Reviews - "Why Men Hate Going to Church" by David Murrow
Blogizomai - Repost | "Nearing Home" by Billy Graham
Reviews - America: The Last Best Hope - Volume 3
Reviews - "Has God Spoken?" by Hank Hanegraaf
Reviews - "Why God Won't Go Away" by Alister McGrath
Reviews - "Billy Graham in Quotes"
Reviews - "No He Can't" by Kevin McCullough
Reviews - "Washington: A Legacy of Leadership" by Paul Vickery
Reviews - "Max on Life" by Max Lucado
Reviews - "Slave" by John Macarthur
Reviews - "The Jesus Inquest" by Charles Foster
Reviews - "Finding Our Way Again" by Brian McLaren
Reviews - "Outlive Your Life" by Max Lucado
Reviews - "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns
Reviews - "Saint Patrick" by Jonathan Rogers
Reviews - "A Century Turns" by William Bennett
Reviews - "Sir Winston Churchill"
Reviews - "On this Day in Christian History"
Reviews - "Storm Warning" by Billy Graham

"The Reformation for Armchair Theologians" by Glenn S. Sunshine

2012-09-30T20:45:00.004-04:00

Are there any easy resources out there that explain the Great Reformation in easy-to-understand language that doesn't insult the average persons intelligence? Oftentimes, the easy-to-read-and-understand genre are either insulting to the reader by making things oversimplified or still too complicated. In his book, The Reformation for Armchair Theologians, Dr. Glenn S. Sunshine (accompanied by cartoonist and illustrator Ron Hill) seek to offer the reader a thorough history of the Reformation surveying all of the major events, persons, and ideas in an easy-to-read format.

This is not a "Reformation for Dummies" type of text. Instead, the author, along with the humorist sketches, seeks to tell the story of the Reformation without insulting the reader. My concern when opening this book was that it would be too simple and missing much of the Reformation tale, but it does none of that. This is a great resource for college students, seminarians, and anyone interesting in knowing more about the Reformation and for those new to the Reformation.

Sunshine makes a great effort trying to slowly explain some of the difficult aspects of the Reformation. I have always struggled with keeping all of the Kings and Queens straight. Who are they, when did they live, who were their heirs, what happened to them, who did they marry, how did they die, what role did they play in the Reformation, etc. And though I am still mixed up on some of that, Sunshine takes the time to explain it all to the reader.

This book tells the whole story and for that I am grateful. I have taken entire classes on the Reformation and still the professor overlooked important aspects of it. The author begins with the pre-Reformation era and why the Reformation was needed. He includes the German, Genevan, Swiss, Dutch, Scottish, Catholic, and English Reformations.

My main critique of the book would be the overemphasis on the political players over some of the more theological players. Sunshine does not ignore the theologians (like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, and others) or their theology (he dedicates an entire chapter on the controversy regarding the Lord's Supper and explains clearly what everyone believed and why it mattered), but reading the book made one thing that the Reformation was more political than theological. Certainly you cannot discuss the Reformation without discussing both. You cannot separate Knox from Mary, Luther from Charles, Cranmer from Henry, etc. But as the book progressed, the author found himself tracing the political scene more than the theological scene more than I prefer.

Overall, however, this is a great resource and if the other books in the Armchair Theologian series are like this one, I might be making a few purchases.

This book was provided by the Westminister John Knox Press for the purpose of this review.

For more books on the Reformation:
"The Mighty Weakness of John Knox" by Douglas Bond: A Review
"John Knox" by Rosalind K. Marshall
"Young, Restless, and Reformed"
The Theology of the Reformers
The Unquenchable Flame
"On the Necessity of Reforming the Church" by John Calvin
John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology
Christianity's Dangerous Idea
"Five Leading Reformers"

For more on the theology of the Reformation:
Douglas Bond on the Legacy of John Knox
Was Calvin a Calvinist? Helm Weighs In
He Turned the Water Into Wine: MacArthur, Alcohol, & Christian Liberty
Theology Thursday | Calvin on the Redemptive Necessity of the Resurrection
Calvinist Baptists and the Many (False) Misconceptions
"Without the Gospel": A Gem From John Calvin
Calvin on God in Theology and the Christian Life
Calvin on Providence
Calvin on Treasures in Heaven
Calvin on Fasting
Calvin on Prayer: Why Bother?