Monday, November 11, 2013

Why Christ Came - A Review

"Our salvation does not depend on our performance but on Christ's." - Joel Beeke and William Boekestein, "Why Christ Came - 31 Meditations on the Incarnation"

I've read several books by Joel Beeke.  I've enjoyed all of them, but many are written with a college level in mind.  This book was different, but that doesn't mean it was a theological lightweight.

I was drawn to the concept.  Beeke and Boeestein explore 31 reasons Jesus came.  While timely for the advent season, this book is much deeper than the Baby in the Manger.  Much like John Piper's "Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die,"  this book explores topics outside of the normal meditations.

I really appreciate how scripture-soaked the book was.  Every topic is bathed in Bible passages.  This (1) adds credibility to the arguments, and (2) gives a starting point for further meditation. 

To give a little flavor of the Gospel-rich writings, I quote this from Chapter 26, "To Restore Human Nature to Holiness":

"Many people are quite satisfied with a religion of external rules and ceremonies because they have a superficial view of sin.  Perhaps they have fairly loose rules, such as a minimum requirement to attend public worship now and then. Or maybe they have stiff and complex rules consisting of behaviors almost as  intricate as a Japanese tea ceremony.  Either way, changes in behavior cannot purify the heart, for it is the seat of our corruption."


The authors continue to explain the Gospel in clear, concise terms.

This book would be great all year, although Advent or Lent would be great times to read.  The chapters are relatively short, which would make this a great devotional.  Fathers, if you're looking for a good family devotional for your older children (maybe 12+), this would be great; younger kids probably wouldn't grasp some of the ideas, but it's not inappropriate for that age group. 

I highly endorse this one.  Well done, Mr. Beeke and Mr. Boekestein.

Note: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher.  I was required to provide an honest, not necessarily favorable, review, and the opinions expressed are mine.

Friday, November 01, 2013

AsaSure

Now that ObamaCare is the law of the land, and now that the bill's been passed and we can now see what's in it, I've decided we need to propose something similar for auto insurance.  I hereby introduce AsaSure.

First of all, everyone will need to participate in AsaSure.  If anyone chooses to drive without insurance, it drives up the cost for everyone. If you don't drive, you'll still need AsaSure, in case you do. But don't worry, if you like your current insurance, you'll be able to keep your insurance, provided it meet some common-sense standards. 

Every policy will need to cover some basic, common-sense standards.  Body work, collision and routine maintenance will need to be covered.  So will window-tinting, filters, fluid changes and roadside assistance. Custom wheels and high-performance tire replacements will be covered under AsaSure.

Even though the very young drivers have traditionally cost more in claims, we cannot burden this very vulnerable age group.  Therefore we will switch to a community rating system, where everyone in a geographic area will pay the same, regardless of claim history.

Oh, and to protect drivers (and potential drivers) from those evil insurance companies, we'll preclude pre-existing incidents.  But don't worry; drivers are too honest to add AsaSurance after the accident.

Again, like I said at the outset, if you like your insurance, you can keep your insurance.  Unless, of course your policy is underinsurance (meaning you don't have roadside assistance or prepaid fuel); then, if your policy changes, even the premiums fluctuate a few cents, your policy will no longer be valid, and you'll have to purchase an AsaSure.

One final benefit of AsaSure.  We'll set up private exchanges for AsaSure-eligible companies to compete for your business.  Oh, sure, we'll collect ALL of your information in our secure (as we define secure) system and will know whether you purchase.  And we promise the exchange will be fully functional with no major outages.

AsaSure.  The better way to insure driving. 

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Looming Shutdown

Tomorrow could be an interesting day in my world of forecasting business trends.  This Government has done pretty much everything possible to screw up our feeble recovery.  From the Republicans' Obamacare fight (ignoring the larger spending problem - even ADDING to spending merely to repeal Obamacare) to the President's unwillingness to do any negotiation to Harry Reid's idea that negotiation is "give me everything I want, and we'll talk later."

This was wholly unnecessary.  The Republicans zeroed in on Obamacare at the expense of entitlement spending.  They successfully took focus off the President's signature legislation and turned onto themselves....all negative.  The better strategy would have been to force the bill to be implemented as written and focus on bigger spending problems we have; let Obamacare collapse in on itself and propose true free-market solutions to fix the entire mess.

The president has been no better. His list of negotiable items was so short, it could be written on a 1x1 post-it note.  He's claimed a willingness to compromise, but the amount he's been willing to move is so miniscule it's hardly detectible.

And then there's Harry Reid.  He's said he'll talk after the debt ceiling is raised and Sequester 2.0 (I still can't call an 83% open government "shut down") is ended.  This would be like offering to buy a car, getting the seller to sign over the title and handing over the keys, and then negotiating a price several months later.

And who's to blame?  We are.  You and me.  We cast our ballots, and we got what we voted for.  I've talked to several people at conferences lately, and they all say the same thing: elections have consequences.  I guess we have ours. 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

The New Conservatives - It's Time

I've changed my mind about the Republican Party.  I used to think that the party needed to purge the Lindsay Grahams, Peter Kings, John McCains and Olympia Snowes.  No longer.

It's time for a true third party to rise. It's time for the Ted Cruz's, the Mike Lees, the Rand Pauls, the Rick Perrys, the Bobby Jindahls and the Nikki Haleys to rally under a new banner truly built on the principles of liberty and smaller government.  It's time to put our house of state in order, not attempt to manage the affairs of the world. It's time for the Marco Rubios and the Mitt Romneys choose their political allegiances.

Let the Republican and Democratic parties reunite under one party.  Let them fight among themselves about the rate of expansion within the government.  It's time for a new voice.  It's time for those who just want to be left alone to rally and be heard.  It's time to push back on being labeled simply to avoid debate.

It's time for a new party constructed by and for the people, not just for the special interests. It's time for a party focused on the First Principles of the Constitution.  It's time for a party unashamed to say no.  It's time for a party to foster personal responsibility and community care, not an excuse to allow an inefficient government to absorb the roles of local charities, school boards and town councils.

It's time.

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

The Emotional Issues with Gen X and Gen Y

I'm not a psychologist, and I feel that qualifies me to talk about emotional issues.  Hey, Oprah and Maury Povich do all the time, so why not me?  Before I get into the topic at hand, I should start by saying this: I should never eat lunch alone, especially when I'm taking cold & allergy medication; I think that may have been the cause of this post.

Now on to the topic at hand.  It dawned on me the source of the emotional problems in my generation.  While I grew up in an age with MTV, rampant violence in entertainment, broken homes, overly high - or overly low - expectations, academic pressure and rampant materialism, I don't think that's the problem. No, I blame The Oregon Trail and the Choose Your Own Adventure book series.

"Seriously, ReallyAsa?  Oregon Trail and Choose Your Own Adventure? These were great learning tools, getting kids interested in learning history and decision-making skills."  True, they did teach those things, but they taught a whole lot more.

Let's start with The Oregon Trail.  The player, some eight-year-old in Mrs. Padenska's Red reading group, finishes his assignments early and gets to play on the computer for 1/2 hour.  He chooses to be the doctor, since he starts with the most money, and names the travelers after Gramma, PopPop, and his baby sister.  During the course of the game, he hunts and trades...and watches the entire party die of a high fever, dysentery and starvation.  Wow.  Some eight-year-old killed his entire family, all because he earned computer time for finishing his vocabulary worksheet early.

Onto Choose Your Own Adventure. That same eight-year-old rushes home with his latest installment from his book series. Mystery, intrigue, treasure - what's not to like?  It's like the other stories he's read, but he gets to be the protagonist AND gets to dictate the story by the choices he makes. It's like an arcade game in printed form. He chooses his path through the house, he navigates his way....and BAM! "You died."  What?! He goes back and tries again - same result.  Wow.

This post is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but there are some serious undertones.  While these tools taught problem-solving skills, the stakes portrayed were high and the decisions were left somewhat to chance.  There was little in the way of learning to weigh the options; it was more of a lottery approach.

Fast forward to high school, college, employment, marriage.  The lessons taught may have inadvertently paralyzed some from making decisions.  What if my college choice is a dud?  What if I choose the wrong career path?  What if someone better comes along?

We need to be cautious of the educational and entertainment choices we select in Choosing our Adventure of life.


Tuesday, October 01, 2013

The Debt Ceiling - My Doomsday Scenario

First, let me preface this by saying I doubt this will happen.  That said, it's a real possibility.

Today is the first day of the Federal Government shutdown.  Recent history - recent as in the past 5 years - has shown Congress is so entrenched that compromise is nearly impossible. And this is the precursor to the bigger showdown: the debt ceiling debate.

Maybe today's shutdown will delay our reaching the Congressionally-imposed debt ceiling by a few days, and maybe that will delay what I think could be a major crisis in this nation. When the debt ceiling is reached, however, stakes will be raised.

Here is what I see as the potential, however unlikely, scenario. Congress has the responsibility to authorize borrowing and spending per the Constitution (I could spell out the enumerated powers, but I'll let you read the Constitution; sections 7.1 and 8.2 are starters).  Provided Congress cannot agree upon a new spending limit, things start moving.

Some are arguing the President violate The Constitution, because, to ignore it, is to violate other aspects of his oath.  This is where things get interesting. At this point, I won't discuss what I see are the potential financial implications; I'll stick to the political.

Should the President ignore the debt and continue to borrow, the House will have no choice but to draw up Articles of Impeachment. The House will, most likely approve the charges, and the Senate will then be forced to try the case.  Given the Senate's loyalty to the President, I doubt they will convict.

Once the President is cleared of the charges, Texas, Oklahoma and, potentially, Arizona and the Carolinas, will withdraw their Congressional representation - leaving their Senators to continue to voice protest - and cast no-confidence votes in the Federal Government.  When this happens, they will withdraw all participation in Federal programs.  Other states will hold votes to determine their stance.

I doubt this will play out, but it's not out of the question.  What will happen?  We shall see.


Friday, September 27, 2013

Review - Apostate: The Men Who Destroyed the Christian West

I'm neither a philosophy major nor a theology major.  That said, I know how to reason and think logically through conclusions.  My personal conclusion of Apostate: The Men Who Destroyed the Christian West is that this book makes bold and dangerous conclusions.

This book could have been great, but, instead, Kevin Swanson ruins it with his own personal political and economic viewpoints. In many cases, I actually agree with his personal views, but I would never argue that my views are "biblical," as I could easily argue the opposite view from the Bible as effectively.

First, let me start with what I believe Kevin Swanson does well. Swanson's summaries of the various individuals he profiles is short, succinct and effectively summarizes each person's ideas. He can summarize the teachings in a very short space.

And that leads me to several challenges and issues I have with this book.  My strongest frustration is his misapplied alliances. Far too often he masks his democratic hyper-capitalistic through the cloak of the Bible. Repeatedly he argues that Matthew 20:1-15 is a defense of privately-negotiated labor contracts.  He also uses other passages out of context or a complete different conclusion from the accepted point - the very error he says individuals like Thomas Aquinas make.

Second, which is like the first, he argues often for a "Godly" form of government by arguing the Hebrew laws from Exodus - Deuteronomy....even those that were specifically applied to the Hebrew people, not just those which God commanded to multiple people. To make such an assertion is dangerous and a misuse of Scripture.

Third, Swanson repeatedly oversells his arguments. He could allow the philosopher's words convict; instead, he makes wild accusations, often without strong proof.  Rather than merely stating the viewpoint, and maybe add a small commentary, he greatly oversells his critique.  

To keep this short, I'll conclude with my personal frustration.  Early, he makes this statement, "If professing Christians disagree with me on this point,I wonder if they have joined the other side, or if perhaps they are too fearful to recognize the true magnitude of the social and cultural problems that confront the modern world."  This is a bully's technique, employed by other philosophers like Richard Dawkins; to disagree is to be unintelligent, or in his case, not a "good Christian."

Bottom line: I feel this book is very dangerous, but at least those who would be most swayed by his misused assertions won't likely be drawn to this book. His summaries of the philosophers could be helpful, but his personal commentaries are very dangerous. Take my advice: skip this book.


Note: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher.  I was required to provide an honest, not necessarily favorable, review, and the opinions expressed are mine.

Friday, September 20, 2013

God in My Everything - A Friendly Critique

"What if there was a way to experience God as your deep center, not only in your formal prayers and Bible reading, but in the midst of your studies, work, exercise and play?" - Ken Shigematsu, God in My Everything

I was intrigued by this book.  I knew nothing about Ken Shigematsu, Tenth Church, or the overall concept of his theory.  But, as spiritual beings, I was interested in his thoughts. Here is a trailer to the book: http://youtu.be/SgtA_hbrgyg.

The overall thought behind God in My Everything  is developing a "rule" for life.  He explains why, but he treats a rule like a trellis - a plan for living life.  The trellis for life is built on three main foundations and is both about personal care and interpersonal life.

Many of his examples and framework come from, of all places, medieval (and modern) monastic life.  To be honest, I was very skeptical of applying a "how to live" for people sequestered from society in a very different time from now.  I was pleasantly surprised.

Personally, I enjoyed the book.  I've learned much about the rhythms of life, how to enjoy God in every aspect of life and how to build a workable structure for life.  That said, I'm a bit hesitant to recommend the book.

First, and this is a critique I have of many evangelical books, it assumes the reader has an understanding of the Gospel.  That very well may be, but it's dangerous to assume the reader is starting from a classical Christian understanding.

And that leads to my other concern.  Because Shigematsu assumes a Christian understanding, the book could have a bit of a universalistic or pantheistic feel to it. I think that's because common grace is very real.  And because of this, the book could become a tool for promoting all sorts of cultist or non-christian views.

Overall, I found the book very enjoyable and beneficial.  I would shy away from using this book outside of a strong theological underpinning, but it would make a great discussion book for a discipleship book or church leadership discussion. 

Note: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher.  I was required to provide an honest, not necessarily favorable, review, and the opinions expressed are mine.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Review - Humble Orthodoy

"Shouldn't individuals and churches that hold most faithfully to orthodoxy and biblical truth be the most frequently filled with godly repentance?" - Josh Harris

Before I get into the bulk of my review, I am going to say this: get Humble Orthodoxy: Holding the Truth High Without Putting People Down.  Normally I don't endorse a book this strongly, but this one is very important.

Humble Orthodoxy was taken from Joshua Harris' Dug Down Deep.  Based on what I read in this book, I have added Dug Down Deep to my short list of "to-buy" books.

In some ways, I was a bit surprised at this book.  Harris navigates maybe one of the most challenging tensions in the Christian faith: how do we hold to both humility and truth?  He skillfully demonstrates the pitfalls in both camps - those that claim to hold to truth and those who claim grace.

Harris articulates that 1) truth (orthodoxy) matters, and 2) so does our approach.  To emphasize one over the other is a biblical error.  In many ways, he successfully offends both the "truth" and the "grace" crowds...and we need it, because, I believe, it's a Godly conviction.

Harris highlights throughout the book that this is an issue of the heart.  This is steeped in attitude.  For example, on page 5, he says, "We must care deeply about truth, and we must also defend and share this truth with compassion and humility."  This is a theme repeated throughout the book.  Truth matters, but so does the attitude in which it's delivered.

I think what I appreciated most was the humility with which Harris writes and also the conviction in the message he shares.  He never advocates for softening the message, but he implores sharing with a tenderness.  Much of what he shares is pointing back to our own conversion, remembering the gentleness in which Jesus welcomed us.

This may be one of the most crucial books for our generation.  Truth is being attacked from many sides, and there are two dangerous tendencies within the church.  First, some advocate for turning aside from the truth, embracing a more Universalist approach to the faith.  Second, others are determined to defend the truth, regardless of how the message is perceived.  The message Harris leaves with the reader is this: we should absolutely defend the truth, but we should do it with the humility of an individual who recognizes what they've been saved from.

I'll close with my favorite quote from the book.  On page 57, Harris writes, "In eternity we'll see the silliness of self-righteousness and quarreling over non essentials.  But we'll also see with piercing clarity just how essential the essentials really are." When speaking of revealing the very nature of God, sharing orthodoxy with humility is imperative.   

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

"Unveiling Grace" - A Review

Normally, with my reviews, I start out with a quote or an anecdote from the book.  This time, I'm taking a different approach.  I want to start with a confession.

As I read Lynn Wilder's Unveiling Grace - The Story of How We Found Our Way Out of the The Mormon Church, I wanted the story to be false.  I wanted to learn that what she was revealing was untrue about the Mormon faith.  Sadly, it's not.

Before I get into the topic of the story itself, let me comment on the style.  Wilder shares their story more like a narrative, and, within their story, she weaves in teachings from the Latter Day Saints (LDS).  The story has almost the feel of a clandestine spy novel.  Her storytelling style pulls the reader along, much like a well-written dramatic tale.  From a pure storytelling standpoint, I enjoyed it.

From the content, however, I was very disturbed.  It was not her story that disturbed me, however, but rather the content of her story.  To get a first-hand story of the LDS church, I was very much shocked and saddened at what she reveals. 

Unveiling Grace is not a story written by an embittered ex-member of the LDS.  Rather, this is the story of a couple steeped in the faith (he was very active in Temple activities, teaching, leading; she was a full professor at Brigham Young University) and their journey to the biblical Jesus.

Back to my first comment.  I really wanted this story to be false.  Why do I say that?  Even if Wilder exaggerated facts - even if only 10% of her story was true (I believe her story is as she tells it) - it saddens me to know so many people have been, and are continually being, wooed to a false gospel.

Wilder adds three appendices which I found to be of great use.  First, she lists a series of resources for Mormons seeking to know the truth about LDS teaching and for help in leaving the Mormon faith...and for non-Mormons to understand the truth about the LDS.  Second, she adds a rather large appendix that lists what the Doctrines & Covenants (an LDS book) teach compared to the Bible; this alone is probably worth the price of the book.  Third, she includes a glossary of Mormon terminology; reading the book, I referred to this often, even though she does a great job of defining terms within the text.

One small critique I have, overall, is sometimes it's a bit challenging, especially near the end of the book, to track with the timeline.  At times, I was a bit confused, as she starts interweaving story lines, and it would have been helpful to have dates more explicitly called out.  This is a small critique, and when this book goes for its second printing (as I hope it does), it would be nice to see that cleaned up a bit.

One final thought.  As a Christian, I found myself very convicted reading Wilder's story.  Too often we take our faith, and our interactions with others, far too lightly.  Wilder has encouraged me to engage people respectfully, but honestly, probing what they believe and why.  In some ways, I felt the same conviction I felt from David Platt's statement about a "functional universalism" in the church.

Did I agree with everything in the book?  No. There were some aspects of the Christian faith that I'm not sure I agreed with Wilder.  But my understanding of biblical Christianity and the view she espouses were congruent on the "big" topics, and my disagreements were more on the road of sanctification, not salvation.

Overall, I found this book to be very helpful.  Key audiences would be 1) Mormons - both practicing and non-practicing, 2) Christians, especially those with an active Mormon congregation in their area, and 3) those seeking out faith in general.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  
  

Friday, July 26, 2013

Is God Anti-Gay? A review

Many books deal with important topics.  Some books are timely.  But it's not often that I read a book I feel is of utmost, timely importance. Sam Allberry's Is God Anti-Gay? is one of these rare works.

Initially I was intrigued by the title and description of the book.  When I saw a comment written by Dr.  Russel Moore, I was more interested.  It turned out this was a book that helped me process, as a Christian, a difficult topic, leading me to repentance, and helping me better process how to interact with those who claim homosexuality.

Before I get into the depth of my review, I would like to thank Pastor Sam for his work.  That this is a deeply personal topic for him must have made writing this very challenging.  I appreciate his honesty and candor, and I am impressed with this book.

Allberry does several things - some of which may have been unintentional - and they help frame his argument.  First, he explains the biblical purpose for marriage.  Second, he demonstrates that homosexuality is a sin, a grave sin, and one that is among other grave sins.  Third, and probably the most convicting for me (and, hopefully, from believers in my thread of the church), he affirms godly singleness as the gift that it is.

As a heterosexual Christian in a committed marriage, I learned more about the meaning of marriage reading this book.  The deep insights Allberry demonstrates early was very illuminating, and I found myself in worship for the picture and parallel that marriage demonstrates.  This alone was worth the read.

Second, Allberry writes from a very personal struggle, and it's in that context that he demonstrates, from Scripture, the sin that homosexuality is.  Four things become very clear: homosexuality is a sin, it is one of a multitude of sins (and one among many abominations), we all struggle with sin, and we all need a Savior.  He is honest in his struggle, and he is honest in his need for a Savior. One particularly profound quote was how he describes his struggle,

But describing myself like this [as struggling with same-sex attractedness] is a way for me to recognize the kind of sexual attractions I experience are not fundamental to my identity.  They are part of what I feel but they are not who I am in a fundamental sense.  I am far more than my sexuality.

Allberry is not excusing or denying the sin; he's identifying it so he can deal with it.  He also shows how this sin is grave, but it's grave along with many other sins that take away our attention from Christ.  For that, he reminded me personally that we all struggle with sinful tendencies.

Third, and maybe somewhat unintentionally, Allberry affirms singleness.  Singleness is praised and highlighted throughout the New Testament, but, in many veins of the church, singles are relegated to second-class citizens.  This is a serious injustice we pay to those in our churches who are single, for whatever reason.  Allberry reminds us to affirm, care for, and utilize the singles among us.

He closes the book with some very practical ways to love those we may encounter who struggle with homosexuality.  I highly recommend these two chapters...but only after reading the rest of the book.

I cannot commend this book strong enough.  Please, please read this one.

Note: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher.  I was required to provide an honest, not necessarily favorable, review, and the opinions expressed are mine.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Review: Prepared by Grace, for Grace

Some theology books are written for the philosophical and theoretical knowledge.  Some are written for the practical application. Some are a blend of both and leave the reader to apply the knowledge.  This book is probably best described in the final category.

I've read a couple of other books by Joel Beeke. I've really enjoyed his books in the past, and this one was one of the best. As someone who never really considered the deeper aspects of theological thought, especially Reformed Theology, Beeke and Smalley have been a great help in understanding the implications of Reformed Theology in life at full speed.

This book does feel a bit more like a college textbook.  The topic is pretty deep, and they rely heavily on direct quotes, so, for me, reading it took a bit longer than I expected.  Plus, it's a deeper topic in the way a person understands the path to salvation, so I had to take extra time to process. 

It would be easy to write off the topic for two reasons.  First, it's a theological topic that many may not ever encounter.  Second, it's dealing with the views of people long gone.  Beeke and Smalley explore the theological writings of the Puritans to lay out what their view of preparation is and why it matters...and how it does not conflict with classical Reformed Theology.

I think the book could have been a bit more readable, but, early on, the authors explain why they deliberately did not make it such.  While I may not agree with their explanation, I respect their argument and hold it as valid.

Great audiences for this book are: people interested in evangelism, pastors, group leaders, those involved in grooming church leaders and adult Sunday School classes.

Note: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher.  I was required to provide an honest, not necessarily favorable, review, and the opinions expressed are mine.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Home Run: A Novel



Sports as an analogy for life.  Yes, this is a predictable clique.  "Home Run" isn't just another Christian novel based on a Christian movie. 

I enjoyed this novel a lot.  I'm not generally a Christian novel person, as, all too often, the stories tend to wrap up in a nice bow.  Not so with this novel. It went much, much deeper.


The story is about a troubled all-star baseball player coming to grips with a dark past in a place he wished to forget.  Through the twists and turns of his story, he is forced to deal with what was done to him, his own choices, and the intersection of his life in the lives of others.  Through the story, he is challenged with choice after choice after choice.

I was pleasantly surprised at this story.  Characters were developed quickly and with amazing depth.  The story line gripped me, sometimes I was wincing at the choices of Brandt, sometimes I found myself identifying with his choices, and sometimes I found myself yelling at him.

Through the story, I was unintentionally (may intentionally) confronted with some of my own choices.  It became a chance to pray and repent myself.

Three slight challenges I had to the story. First, this is an allegory, and, as such, there are some theological gaps.  I felt that the author, however, kept the truth very plain and did a great job of laying out a biblical viewpoint without being preachy.

Second, some of the language was a little coarse.  Not overly vulgar, but I was a little disappointed with some of the word choices.  I wasn't terribly bothered by it, however, and I would have no problems letting a an older teen read the book if they can handle the topics discussed.

Third, this story deals with some very heavy topics.  In a future revision, I would highly recommend the author or publishers include an appendix with some resources.  I think that the topics addressed could surface some deep emotions, memories and behaviors, and such a resource would be a quick chance to review.

Overall, I highly recommend Home Run.
                                                                                                                            
Note: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher.  I was required to provide an honest, not necessarily favorable, review, and the opinions expressed are mine.

Monday, May 27, 2013

The Sin of Forgiveness - A Review

"The beauty of God's forgiveness is it's not a blanket waiver from our responsibility to react to His unmerited grace, but rather the opportunity to respond to the gift" - Edward F. Mrkvicka, Jr., The Sin of Forgiveness

I wanted to like this book.  The title was very provocative, and that was OK with me.  What was more interesting was the content, and, from the description, it sounded like Mrkvicka was using the title somewhat tongue in cheek.  Reading the book, however, I discovered he wasn't.

In short, if this book makes it to a second printing, it is in serious need of both a stylistic editor and a theological editor. I really like a book written in a conversational tone, but this one meandered continuously, and it made following the thought process challenging.  His use (or maybe misuse) of Scripture screamed loudly for a good, solid, theological editor to review his arguments through the lens and filter of the Bible. 

What was Right
Terminology aside, I think Mrkvicka's concept of restoration was accurate.  We need to be cautious about too quickly restoring the person who has committed an offense, although I think that varying degrees of wisdom need to be applied.

Also, in the body of Christ, we need to be cautious about ignoring the victim.  One particularly pointed quote really struck me, "The sinners, via the squeaky wheel theory, receive all the attention while the target of their sin (innocent spouses and children) are ignored, or at best are made to feel guilty when they don't want to forgive without restitution."  Far too often the victims do get pushed aside as the church works to restore the offender, and I think his critique was valid.

What was Wrong
This book was wanting in many ways. Theologically, it was shallow and misleading. Stylistically, it was hard to follow the flow of logic.  Overall, his conclusion does violence to the beauty of the Gospel.

I won't spend much time on the stylistic aspects.  A good editor could clean up the flow of the narrative, and it would make it much more readable.  The grammatical errors and word choices could be easily corrected.

More importantly, this book is very dangerous, as it perverts the Gospel. Mr. Mrkvicka's conclusions, at best, leads to a works-based Gospel.  This may sound harsh, and that's why I will take some time to explain my statement. 

First, he confuses forgiveness with restoration.  These are two very distinct acts.  The first is the act by which we release the charge against another.  The latter is the act of fully restoring the relationship.  The latter is a two-way street; the former can be carried out by one individual.

In his chapter "I'm Sorry" is not Good Enough, Mrkvicka, maybe unintentionally, boils the miracle of the cross down to a moral example. He doesn't expressly state this, but that's what his statements conclude.  His statements, in this chapter and other chapters, make the cross a moral example, not the very way by which we are justified before God.  He makes statements that lead to a works-based salvation, not a grace-based gospel by which our sins are transferred to Christ, and Christ's righteousness is transferred to us.

The most troubling statement was this one from page 57, "Why would so many of us refuse to learn from Jesus' example?  Using the logic of seculars, all Christ had to say was, 'On behalf of mankind, I'm sorry,' and all would have been forgiven." His statement makes the cross nothing more than an example that sacrificial restitution is the only way to be forgiven, where the truth is the cross is the only way by which we can attain salvation.

Another troubling statement Mrkvicka states, on page 78, "The divorced wife is also to be removed from God's eternity for the same reason; i.e., she is now an adulterer, because she remarried."  Mrkvicka twists Scripture to fit his view and transfer the husband's sin onto the wife.  In the very passage he quotes - Matthew 19:9 - Jesus states that, because of the husband's sin, the wife is freed from her marital covenant because the husband broke the covenant.

Mrkvicka spends considerable space arguing against "once saved, always saved." Where I agree is that this is not a license to sin.  Where I disagree is his assertion that human atonement is required for salvation. Resting on Christ's sacrifice for sins committed - past, present and future - isn't enough for salvation; continued repentance is absolutely necessary or salvation may be lost. At any point a person could be saved, the next moment could be lost, and the moment after that, saved again...in total contrast to Hebrews 6:4-7, which clearly states that, once salvation is lost, it's lost forever.

My final critique is Mrkvicka's use of passages for setting aside people for the purpose of discipline.  Mrkvicka uses these passages (Matthew 5:22-24, etc.) as "proof" that we are to separate from
non-believers in hopes they are restored.  Paul, Peter, John, and other NT writers make it clear that "brothers" are those in the fold walking in deliberate sin, and the separation (not greeting the person, etc.) is a form of church discipline.  His arguments make me wonder if he believes at all in evangelism.

By all conclusions, if Mrkvicka is correct, I'm left wondering if we will see Stephen the Martyr in heaven.  In Acts 7:60, Stephen prays, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." Everything in The Sin of Forgiveness would lead a reader to believe the answer would be 'no.'

I could continue, but I won't.  My bottom line is this: do not read this book.  I took the author's advice, from page 131, where he says, " I pray that all of my Christian writings are rock-solid biblically. If not, please discard anything I say." I will be discarding his writings, as he is preaching a man-centered, works-based gospel, not a gospel where Christ is the author and finisher of the work of salvation.

If you are looking for help on the topics of relationships, guilt, forgiveness, etc., skip this book.  Instead, I would recommend the resources of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation.  Ed Welch, Paul Tripp and David Powlison are solid theologically, and these resources will help you in living a more Christ-like life.

I received this book for free through Cross-Focused Reviews (a service of Cross Focused Media, LLC) for this review.


 



  

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Gods at War - A Review

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"Anything at all can become an idol once it becomes a substitute for God in our lives" - Kyle Idleman, Gods at War.

What a timely book for me.  I'm noticing that I go through seasons where book after book, show after show, conversation after conversation, lead to the same topic.  Modern-day idolatry seems to be the topic de jeur.

Idleman starts the book with a personal story about his daughter.  It was a sweet, innocent exchange that provoked his thoughts, primarily about the topic of idolatry. An innocent statement about the 2nd Commandment, that it's the one we don't struggle with, led to this book.

The book is great at demonstrating how we encounter idolatry every day.  The quote above clearly defines idolatry, and Idleman expounds on that topic.  He is especially skilled at demonstrating how many good things, even godly things, can become idols.

One quote that I found particularly compelling was this, "You can't understand the seriousness of idolatry without understanding the jealousy of God.  And you can't understand his jealousy without some understanding of his relentless, powerful love for you, because they are intertwined."  This quote demonstrates the tenor and thrust of the book. 

I felt that the 2nd 2/3rds of the book droned on.  For me, these examples felt like he was "piling on." For many readers, however, the very practical examples could be very helpful.

Overall, this was a good book, and it will be one that I may recommend to those I disciple, as it's a very practical guide to help think through the topic of idolatry and how to guard for it in our lives. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Friday, April 05, 2013

A Review - Crucifying Morality

"The Beatitudes are a profile of the Christian.  They are a description of people who would never dream of turning the characteristics God has given them by grace into a list of moral commands because they know Jesus as crucified even their best attempts at self-centered, self-propelled morality on the cross." - R.W. Glenm, Chapter 1: "Jesus Crucifies Morality as You Know It," Crucifying Morality



Overall Impression

Before I get into my review, I need to confess something.  I chose to read this book for three reasons.  First, the title caught my attention, even though I knew little about the premise.  Second, I saw the author was from my home state of Minnesota, and he's about 20 miles from my home. Third, it was endorsed by a few speaker/authors I greatly respect.


Am I glad I read this one!  This book transformed my approach to Sermon on the Mount. As someone who grew up in the church, I have tended to see The Beatitudes as a moralistic to-do list...and I've been condemned by them time and time again, as, so often, I fall short of living up to the standards established in the Sermon on the Mount.  Crucifying Morality helped me to see the purpose of The Beatitudes clearer.

Approach

Glenn's approach helps reorient a person's approach to the Beatitudes.  While laying out the argument that this is a picture of a biblical life, Glenn convincingly filters this through the redemptive work of the Gospel.  Quickly it becomes clear that living out the Beatitudes is the product of a transformed life, not the path to a transformed life.

Glenn sets the entire tone for the book early on. "Think of the Beatitudes as a gospel litmus test.  They show how much (or how little) your faith is in the gospel of grace."  This is a theme he returns to again and again from various directions. In some cases he helps the reader evaluate his own life.  In other cases he assists the reader examine how the reader views other believers.  Throughout, Glenn effectively guides the reader on a journey to evaluate his own faith walk.


This book oozes with the redemptive message of the gospel - that we are sinners, unworthy of the grace of God, who are redeemed by His atoning sacrifice - and, while rebuking, it was such a gentle rebuke that I felt encouraged to press into the grace of God.  By making the gospel the central point of the book, it clearly lays out the purpose of the book: as Glenn says, "the fundamental character of the Christian faith is that you live conscious of your utter dependence upon God."


Application

"Crucifying Morality" is all about discipleship, and I will be adding it to my short list of resources for that purpose.  But that doesn't mean it's simply for young believers. These are deep, probing topics, and it makes for deep, prayerful reflection.  For the young believer, it lays out a model for Christlike living...and the pathway to emulating Christ.  For longer-term believers, it's a reminder of the work of the cross and a test of our submission to the finished work of Christ in our lives.

At the end of each chapter, Glenn add a four-part section, with the same headings, that help process the themes of the chapter.  These headings are:
  • For Your Head.
  • For Your Heart.
  • For Your Church.
  • For Your City.
These series of questions make for great reflection questions (especially the first two sections) and discussion questions (the second two sections).  As a tool, this book would be great for a small group, and the four sections help guide the processing of each chapter.

I highly recommend Crucifying Morality.  This book was a great help for me, and it will make a great tool for my future discipleship groups and those I'm mentoring.

I received this book for free through Cross-Focused Reviews (a service of Cross Focused Media, LLC) for this review.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

My thoughts on "GREATer: Dream Bigger. Start Smaller"

"Most of us aren't in danger of ruining our lives.  We're in danger of wasting them." - back cover, GREATER.

I didn't know much about Steven Furtick before I read this book. I'd heard a sermon or two, I knew of his church, Elevation, and I knew he had really cool hair.  Beyond that, I didn't know much.

When I saw the title and description of GREATERI was intrigued and excited.  The idea that we are created to do great things for God is very exciting.  Learning how to get from here to my end-calling seemed very helpful.  And to read it in a cool, conversational voice, even better!

Getting ton the book, however, was slow, disjointed and never really gets off the launch pad.  I read and read, hoping to learn something, and I was very disappointed. Furtick would make a statement, and then his examples seemed to contract that statement. One of the most glaring was when he talked about not making drastic changes...and then used the example of him selling everything and moving to Charlotte to launch Elevation Church.

Starting at page 132, I finally found something useful.  I appreciated his comments on fasting, and I'd encourage him, at some point, to expand his thoughts on fasting.  Unfortunately, page 132 is way too late in a 190 page book to start making points.  

Bottom line, here's my conclusion.  If you like hip-sounding platitudes, you'll love this book.  If you're looking for substance, skip this one and, instead reach for David Platt's Radical or Francis Chan's Crazy Love.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Friday, February 01, 2013

Dreams and Visions: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World? - A Review

"What would you do if Jesus appeared to you in a dream? What if He came to you in a vision and told you to follow Him? What if these visions continued for over thirty days?  Would you believe?  Would you put your trust in Him? Would you devote your life to Him?  Would you if you were Muslim?" - Dreams and Visions, back cover

I grabbed this book because of some first-hand stories I've heard.  I know those who relayed them to me, and I trust these individuals, and I was very interested in what Pastor Tom Doyle had to say.  I was not disappointed.

Doyle does a great job of laying out, story by story, a pattern of the use of dreams and visions of Jesus in the a hostile part of the world.  This is a part of the world where people are murdered simply for their faith.  Conversion is not taken lightly.

My favorite story was the story of Amir, a Jordanian in Saudi Arabia. I think what I most enjoyed about this story was how a man, who was about his daily life, was abruptly interrupted by the Gospel. And it was in one of the most hostile parts of the globe.  I won't give away the full story, but I was very moved.

I do have three minor concerns with the book.  My first concern is with many evangelical books. I wish the Gospel was more explicitly stated in the book.  It is communicated, but it wasn't overtly stated.  

Second, I wish Doyle would have put Appendix 2 near the beginning of the book - maybe around chapter 2 or 3.  The appendix is key to the story, as it lays out the biblical defense for dreams and visions, and is critical to the story.  

Third, and this is not the book's fault, but I am concerned that some may use dream activity as an excuse not to go.  Doyle tries very hard to counter this, and so my concern is not with the book itself but with some people's approach.

Concerns noted, I would highly recommend this book. It's compelling.  It's movingAnd it's motivating.     

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”