Category Archives: Not quite a review

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

Posted on by
Reply

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
by Francis Chan
Product Details
Paperback: 186 pages
Publisher: David Cook
Date Published: 2008

Point: If we are to claim the name of Christ, than we must live as dedicated followers of Christ. This includes not only loving God with our whole existence, but loving others over ourselves.
Path: Chan challenges the average American Christian to a life of dedicated discipleship. Using Scripture and taking it literally, the author demonstrates that lukewarm Christianity is no Christianity at all.
Sources: Life stories, Scripture, and A.W. Tozer.
Agreement: Living life to the fullest does not mean living for this life, but the next. Chan encouraged me to live a meaningful life by loving God over all. Chapters four and eight are the best chapters.
Disagreement: At times it seems as though Chan is more concerned with limiting suffering than sharing the Gospel. But his point stands that many people accept or reject the Gospel message based on their view of Christians. He makes the comment that the “cloud of witnesses” is composed of God and angels.
Personal App: Am I seeking to help others as though they were Christ himself? Not really.
Favorite Quote: Most are interested in God saving them from the punishment of sin, not being saved from sin. (paraphrase)
Stars: 3.5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

Law And Grace: A Study of New Testament Concepts as They Relate to the Christian Life by Alva J. McClain

Posted on by
Reply

Law And Grace: A Study of New Testament Concepts as They Relate to the Christian Life
by Alva J. McClain
Product Details
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: BMH Books
Date Published: 1954
Owner: My library
Date of reading: 1st – 11/29/11
Point: The Christian is not under the law, nor any part of it.
Path: McClain discusses “The Law” in NT usage, How the Law could give eternal life, Law unable to save men, the Divine purpose in giving the Law, God’s written Law and Israel, The Mosaic Law and Gentiles, the Christian and the Law, Dangers of putting Christians under the law, the standard of life for Christians, and finally objections, questions and problems.
Sources: McClain primarily substantiates his argument through his study of Galatians.
Agreement: Many have tried to divide the Law into different categories, and therefore show how the believer is still under sections of the Law. As I read the New Testament it seems to teach that the believer is not under the law because the Holy Spirit indwells and guides. Therefore, it is no longer the law that leads, corrects, and stimulates to do good, it is the Holy Spirit. He has essentially “written the law upon their hearts” (I am sure McClain would cry if he saw that).
Disagreement: I have not yet struggled through teaching the Sermon on the Mount nor the 10 Commandments, otherwise I am sure I would find fodder.
Personal App: All Scripture is profitable.
Stars: 4 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

The Synagogue: Its History and Function by Isaac Levy

Posted on by
Reply

The Synagogue: Its History and Function
by Isaac Levy
Product Details
Hardcover: 150 pages
Publisher: Vallentine and Mitchell
Date Published: 1963

Point: The synagogue, birthed into a culture of prayer and worship, can be traced back to pre-exilic days of Israel. The appearance, activities, and leaders have varied throughout the centuries, but it has kept the Jewish people distinct.
Path: The author looks at the synagogue from its earliest forms until present day.
Sources: Variety of early 20th century and ancient Jewish writings.
Agreement: His point that synagogues would not have miraculously appeared during the exile if there had not been some precursor in Jewish life is an interesting observation.
Disagreement: The author tries to cover too much time. The synagogue has changed throughout the past 2500 years (+ for Levy).
Favorite Quote: “Because the synagogue has primarily served as a medium for spiritual inspiration it has provided ample scope for the development of the arts.” (1)
Stars: 2.5 out of 5

Rethinking Retirement by John Piper

Posted on by
Reply

Rethinking Retirement 
by John Piper
Product Details
Paperback: 30 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Date Published: 2008
Free pdf here

Point: Don’t waste your final years by living for meaningless pursuits which quickly fade. Live to love Christ.


Path: Piper encourages believers to persevere to the end through evading two deadly traps. One trap is believing that perseverance in unnecessary. The other trap is that perseverance puts or keeps God on our side. Both are false views.


Sources: By using examples from the ages and Scripture passages, Piper shows the danger and foolishness of living the “American Dream.”


Agreement: Why do we expect and feel as though we deserve retirement? Have any of the great individuals of history ever retired?


Personal App: Am I merely seeking to save my life in my everyday pursuits and goals?


Stars: 4 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.


Note: I didn’t read this because I was worried about my early retirement at age 28.

The Old Man And The Boy by Robert Ruark

Posted on by
Reply

The Old Man And The Boy
by Robert Ruark
Product Details
Hardcover: 303 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Date Published: 1953

Point: A philosopher is born next to a pond.
Path: A grandfather passes on the wisdom of life to his grandson through fishing, hunting, and time outdoors. The boy learns life’s major lessons from a caring old man who desires his progeny to be ready and useful in the world.
Sources: A thorough understanding of the great outdoors, and all that goes into a genuine sportsman.
Agreement: I found this to be both a humorous and thoughtful book. The wisdom of the old man made me remember key old men in my life and what they taught me through walks in this world. 
Disagreement: The old man can be cantankerous at times, and uses the language suited for his demeanor. I also would disagree with his view of religion.
Personal App: Am I listening to the Old Men in my life? 
Favorite Quote: “You can’t pour a gallon of knowledge into a one-quart brain.”
Stars: 4 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

Good Read

Posted on by
Reply

The Organized Heart

Staci Eastin

Product Details

  1. Kindle Ebook
  1. Publisher: Cruciform Press
  1. Date of reading: January 10, 2012


Point: Eastin says, “My hope for this book is that it will help you serve God and your family more effectively, more fruitfully, and with greater peace and joy.”


Path: The author delves into the reasons behind the disorganized lives we sometimes live. Showing how the sinfulness of our heart often is the reason that we are not organized, she covers four main idols of the heart: perfectionism, busyness, possessions, and leisure.


Sources: She refers to several other books such as Lou Priolo’s Pleasing People, Carol Cornish and Elyse Fitzpatrick’s Women Helping Women, and Jeremiah Buroughs’ Contentment.


Agreement: This was a wonderful look at organization. Eastin brings out many reasons why we do not live organized lives, and also many reasons that the “organized” lives that we live may not be pleasing to God. Are we fearing what man may think of us if we are not organized and seemingly put-together, or are we striving to honor God?


Personal App: This was a great and refreshing way to view organization. In a culture where organization is sort of the “in” thing to do, it was a blessing to be able to look at why it is important to be organized. It makes me double-check my life and see if I am trying to be organized for the right reasons!

One of my favorite quotes was this: “God is not glorified in the amount of things we get done, the number of spaces we fill on our calendars, or the length of our to-do lists. God is pleased when we serve him with sincere hearts.”


Stars: 4.5 out of 5


It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

The Gospel Is For Christians by Mitchell Chase

Posted on by
Reply

The Gospel Is For Christians
by Mitchell Chase
Product Details
Paperback: 274 pages
Publisher: Lucid Books
Date Published: 2010

Point: The Gospel is the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners in order to appease the wrath of a righteous God. This truth has an incredible impact on every aspect of the life of the believer.
Path: Chase divides his book into two sections: The Glorious Good News, and Growing in the Gospel. The first details the Gospel and the second deals with its practical ramifications.
Sources: Primarily current evangelical leaders. The quotes and thoughts are taken from men such as Piper, Bridges, Carson, Dever, Mohler, etc.
Agreement: The Gospel is the believer’s only hope in salvation and spiritual living. Without the work of Christ on the cross there is no hope for the justification of sin nor the freedom from sin’s rule.
Disagreement: I agree with the majority of the ideas presented by the author, however there were some statements which I am not sure have been properly thought out. The author begins by stating that the redemptive story is “the story.” I agree that redemption is a center piece of all that has happened, but was that the complete idea. Was the only purpose for God’s creation to have Christ die? It seems that Christ death, while key to the plan of God, was done for something greater, to demonstrate his rule over all things on earth as it is in heaven.
Another side statement made was “This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t schedule a revivalist who preaches the gospel, or bring a Christian band to your Disciple Now event” (pg 192). It seems as though those two things completely go against all which he was trying to say in that chapter.
I felt reading through this that I was reading a sermon from Piper, Dever, or any number of evangelical leaders. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as they are excellent leaders, but it seemed awkward. 
Personal App: The Gospel is my hope for today and eternity. I am never over the Gospel.
Favorite Quote: “The fall was worse than a bad stumble…” (pg 42)
Stars: 3.5 out of 5
It would be worth lending to a new believer.

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien

Posted on by
Reply

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again

by J.R.R. Tolkien
Product Details
Hardcover: 255 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Date Published: 1997
 
Point: Bilbo Baggins, a good, adventure avoiding Hobbit, is sucked into a thrilling adventure by ever wise Gandalf and 13 treasure seeking dwarves.

Path: The story leads the reader through the realities of the human race. Fear, friendship, greed, courage, jealousy, sacrificial giving, lies, and loyalty all play out before the reader’s eyes. Most often the greatest danger lies not in a fire breathing dragon, but in the heart of the hero.

Sources: Based on an incredible imagination and expertise in ancient English history, Tolkien weaves a time tested story.

Agreement: This is probably my favorite book of the entire Fantasy genre, and probably Fiction as well.

Favorite Quote: “There is more than meets the eye.”

Stars: 5 out of 5

It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made by Mark Dever

Posted on by
Reply

The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made
by Mark Dever
Product Details
  1. Publisher: Crossway
  2. Date Published: 2006
    Point: The Old Testament is a compilation of writings which reveal God’s plan for His people, Israel. This story of God’s holiness and love help the believer to properly understand the cross of Christ.
    Path: Each Old Testament book is given a chapter, whether Genesis or Obadiah. These chapter (or sermons in their original form) are purposely meant to be “airplane views” of God’s divine working in history.
    Agreement: I have found these sermons to be very helpful. I have not read through the whole book, but I am using the discussion/thought questions at the end of each chapter for a study through the prophets in our church.
    Disagreement: At times the applications seem a little stretched.
    Personal App: I would use this book along side of Old Testament devotional reading, or individual Bible studies with the provided questions.
    Stars: 4 out of 5
    This is a helpful volume to receive the “big picture.”

    Bible Prophecy Made Easy by Mark Water

    Posted on by
    Reply

    Bible Prophecy Made Easy
    by Mark Water
    Product Details
    Paperback: 64 pages
    Publisher: Hendrickson
    Date Published: 1998

    Point: Prophecy plays an important role in the Scriptures and deserves to be studied and understood.
    Path:  The author overviews key passages, presuppositions, errors, and interpretations of prophetic material in the Scriptures. 
    Agreement: This short work is a helpful compilation for the beginner. Throughout most of the book the author conceals his own hermeneutical grid, and presents possible options. The short overviews of the OT prophets are also helpful.
    Disagreement: The author endorses a combination of a historic and symbolic views in regards to the book of Revelation. I am not sure how this preference coincides with his next statement: “Many prophecies in the Bible have two points of reference. They refer to their own day and they point forward to a future fulfillment. 
    Personal App: God knows what He is doing.
    Stars: 3.5 out of 5
    It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.