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.

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.

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.

"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.”  
  

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.