In "Open to the Spirit," Scot McKnight offers a compelling call to engage with the Holy Spirit as a necessary aspect of the Christian life. McKnight blends personal history with sound theology and Biblical exegesis to invite earnest disciples of Christ to discover the value of a deepening relationship with the Holy Spirit. He makes it clear that the Holy Spirit and all of the gifts given through the Holy Spirit remain valid for the Christian today. He explores the value of engaging with the Holy Spirit through benefits such as moral guidance, healing of physical disease, strengthening of Christian community, assurance in Christian witness, and a life filled with worship of our Creator God. Diving into this book will encourage your walk with God and open a longing for communing with the Holy Spirit.
This book's greatest weakness is also its greatest strength. McKnight trims away the academic flavor of many books on the Holy Spirit so that the true inquirer can quickly launch into an understanding of this person of the Godhead. The reason this is a weakness is that the book sometimes comes across as not grounded in scholarship. But the great boon found in this approach is that the Holy Spirit becomes accessible to everyone just as the Holy Spirit should be. If a person is looking for a treatise on pneumatology this book is not likely to satisfy, but if a person is looking for an invitation to understand this person of the Trinity and engage with the Holy Spirit then this book is a solid beginning.
I received this book as part of the Blogging for Books program with the Random House Publishing Group.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Fantasic Journey Through Reimagined History
Emily Barton paints a realistic world with realistic scenarios and characters in "The Book of Esther." Her love for her faith of Judaism shines through as she deals with the various cultural and religious distinctives. As someone looking in on that culture, this book offered an eye opening look into another faith. As she declares in the discussion at the end of the book, some of the representation of the Jewish faith within this book is distinct to the Khazar culture that she builds from mythology and history.
Barton also does an impressive job in presenting the steampunk genre. She takes a historical setting, that of WWII, and adds a unique history blended with both fantastical and mechanical creatures. The fantastical creatures are pulled form Jewish folklore, which only strengthens their presence in the book. This also strengthens the mythology she creates as a whole.
There were moments that the plot could have moved a little quicker, but once the story gets where it is going, it became evident why the plot needed to move at the speed it did. There was some expectation for a grand victory, as the Biblical Esther, has a grand victory of Haman. This never happens and leaves the reader wanting something more. Do the Khazars and their allies defeat the Germans and send them back across the boarder into Europe? Do they pursue the Germans into Europe and join in the on going battle to free humanity from the tyranny of the Nazi regime? This would be a fantastic story to read! There would also be a more satisfactory conclusion had the book resolved more firmly the relational issues between Esther and Shimon and Esther and Amit. Speaking of Amit, what an interesting literary approach to the transgender debate.
Overall, "The Book of Esther" provides a solid read with believable characters and a satisfactory plot. I received this book as a blogger for the blogging for books program through Penguin/Random House.
Barton also does an impressive job in presenting the steampunk genre. She takes a historical setting, that of WWII, and adds a unique history blended with both fantastical and mechanical creatures. The fantastical creatures are pulled form Jewish folklore, which only strengthens their presence in the book. This also strengthens the mythology she creates as a whole.
There were moments that the plot could have moved a little quicker, but once the story gets where it is going, it became evident why the plot needed to move at the speed it did. There was some expectation for a grand victory, as the Biblical Esther, has a grand victory of Haman. This never happens and leaves the reader wanting something more. Do the Khazars and their allies defeat the Germans and send them back across the boarder into Europe? Do they pursue the Germans into Europe and join in the on going battle to free humanity from the tyranny of the Nazi regime? This would be a fantastic story to read! There would also be a more satisfactory conclusion had the book resolved more firmly the relational issues between Esther and Shimon and Esther and Amit. Speaking of Amit, what an interesting literary approach to the transgender debate.
Overall, "The Book of Esther" provides a solid read with believable characters and a satisfactory plot. I received this book as a blogger for the blogging for books program through Penguin/Random House.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
A Good Read of a Sad Reality
J. Patrick Black offers a strong first novel with "Ninth City Burning." Black creates a compelling dystopian reality after an alien attack upon earth. Within this reality he paints a clear picture of the breakdown of people groups within the society, showing both how it is constructive for the society and flawed in its secret keeping. Black also creates compelling characters, drawing each of the main ones from different parts of society -- a couple from one of the central cities, a couple from the armies of earth, a couple from the towns created to support the central cities, and a few from the tribal groups that wander earth. Each of these people seeks survival in the world that have been forced to live within.
These compelling characters and the fantastic reality make for a great book that is hard to put down. The only negative is that it took way too long to get places. It took too long to understand the threat of the Valentine Aliens. It took too long to come to a firm grasp of thelemity. It took too long for the various character arcs to come together and accomplish the purpose set out for within the narrative. Some of these things sill remain unresolved at the conclusion of this first book in a series. This may be by design of the author, but as a reader I find this slightly frustrating.
I received this book as part of the blogging for books program from Penguin/Random House.
These compelling characters and the fantastic reality make for a great book that is hard to put down. The only negative is that it took way too long to get places. It took too long to understand the threat of the Valentine Aliens. It took too long to come to a firm grasp of thelemity. It took too long for the various character arcs to come together and accomplish the purpose set out for within the narrative. Some of these things sill remain unresolved at the conclusion of this first book in a series. This may be by design of the author, but as a reader I find this slightly frustrating.
I received this book as part of the blogging for books program from Penguin/Random House.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
The Highway of Life
As the pages turn in "We Stood Upon Stars" the reader would benefit from the accompaniment of Americana music. This book serves as the words to the soundtrack of the postmodern traveler, seeking to discover God in the lost places around our country. The stories from Roger Thompson's travels succeed in entertaining the reader and helping the reader discover the journey that Thompson travels, both on the road and in his soul. In "We Stood Upon Stars," the stories invite one into a wandering of the highways of America and into a wandering of the spiritual highways of a unique soul seeking to love his family, friends, and God. The book offers many inspirational thoughts for how to live life with those we love. A great take away from this book is the invitation to travel ourselves, both down the physical highway and the spiritual highway, discovering the fullness of family and faith.
This book would benefit from two changes. First, if the stories read more like a travel narrative in sequential order, the reader would engage more deeply in Thomson's life. Secondly, the spiritual lessons could be deeper, with more intimate interaction with Scripture so that we can discover how important living by Biblical truth as we travel the highways of life. I received this book from Random House's blogging for books program.
This book would benefit from two changes. First, if the stories read more like a travel narrative in sequential order, the reader would engage more deeply in Thomson's life. Secondly, the spiritual lessons could be deeper, with more intimate interaction with Scripture so that we can discover how important living by Biblical truth as we travel the highways of life. I received this book from Random House's blogging for books program.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Stone Catcher
In John 8, their is a story about Jesus. He is approached by some community leaders who are leading a condemned woman for stoning. She is condemned to death because she has been caught in the act of adultery. The leaders ask Jesus what they should do with this sinner. They seek to trap Jesus. Rather, Jesus challenges the leaders by stating that only one who is without sin can cast the stone. Eventually all the leaders realize their own brokenness and walk away. Jesus then tells the woman that he does not condemn her, but she should go and sin no more. This is a great story, illustrating the fullness of God's mercy while also illustrating the calling upon all people to seek to live a holy life, particularly after an encounter with Jesus. This story is also a beautiful picture of how Jesus applies justice to all people. He declares that we are all broken together and all in the need of the same freedom from our brokenness.
Bryan Stevenson uses this story from the life of Jesus toward the end of "Just Mercy." Stevenson uses it while speaking of an encounter with a woman at a courthouse, a woman who seeks justice for all people. A woman who lost her own son to an act of homicide. This woman said that all of us need to become stone catchers. A stone catcher is a person who stands between the condemners, who are looking to stone (kill) a guilty person and the guilty party. A stone catcher does just that, while standing in between, they catch the stones so that a life might be saved.
After reading the narrative of the innocent Walter McMillian who had been condemned to death row by an unjust, racially biased system, I have come to realize that being a stone catcher is what followers of Jesus should be doing. We should not easily sit by while many face death in our nation's justice system. We instead need to stand in the gap between the unjust system and the condemned, raising our voices, speaking against the death penalty and allowing the justice of our ever loving God to reign supreme.
From my testimony above, it is likely obvious that I feel this book was wonderfully written. Stevenson weaves the tale of the McMillian case with ease while also pointing out the injustices that exist in our society. All those seeking to know and respond to the amazing grace of Jesus Christ should read this text and consider our calling to speak up for those condemned in our society.
The only thing that detracts from the flow of the narrative is when Stevenson explores other cases in the chapters between the primary story of Walter McMillian. These are great stories. They would likely have worked better, in terms of narrative flow, at the end of the book. The story of Walter should have been told first and then the other stories should have been shared to bolster the case for seeking justice in our broken society.
I received this book as a part of Random House Publishing Group's Blogging For Books program.
Bryan Stevenson uses this story from the life of Jesus toward the end of "Just Mercy." Stevenson uses it while speaking of an encounter with a woman at a courthouse, a woman who seeks justice for all people. A woman who lost her own son to an act of homicide. This woman said that all of us need to become stone catchers. A stone catcher is a person who stands between the condemners, who are looking to stone (kill) a guilty person and the guilty party. A stone catcher does just that, while standing in between, they catch the stones so that a life might be saved.
After reading the narrative of the innocent Walter McMillian who had been condemned to death row by an unjust, racially biased system, I have come to realize that being a stone catcher is what followers of Jesus should be doing. We should not easily sit by while many face death in our nation's justice system. We instead need to stand in the gap between the unjust system and the condemned, raising our voices, speaking against the death penalty and allowing the justice of our ever loving God to reign supreme.
From my testimony above, it is likely obvious that I feel this book was wonderfully written. Stevenson weaves the tale of the McMillian case with ease while also pointing out the injustices that exist in our society. All those seeking to know and respond to the amazing grace of Jesus Christ should read this text and consider our calling to speak up for those condemned in our society.
The only thing that detracts from the flow of the narrative is when Stevenson explores other cases in the chapters between the primary story of Walter McMillian. These are great stories. They would likely have worked better, in terms of narrative flow, at the end of the book. The story of Walter should have been told first and then the other stories should have been shared to bolster the case for seeking justice in our broken society.
I received this book as a part of Random House Publishing Group's Blogging For Books program.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Wrestling in Faith
In "Misfit Faith: Confessions of a Drunk Ex-Pastor" Jason Stellman offers a compelling narrative born out of his life. This life led him through a myriad of experiences as an attendee and then missionary in the Calvary Chapel movement, as an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church, and as a member of the Roman Catholic Church. All of these experiences have allowed Stellman to wrestle with his faith in an honest way. The narrative produced here is his narrative. The story inspired by his experiences. In this regard it should not be judged. Stellman is honest with where he is at in relationship to God and the Scriptures.
He tells the narrative of his life in a way that is captivating and full of humor. His wit often challenges the reader to consider where their narrative has taken them. He encourages all of us to ask how our journey has produced in us the way which we practice religion or do not practice religion. He challenges each of us to consider our practice of faith and how that practice may or may not align with God and Jesus Christ as presented in the pages of Scripture. In this regard, Stellman offers a compelling and soul-searching narrative.
I find myself struggling to agree with much of his theology though. This could be because my narrative and Stellman's narratives are very different. The largest aspect of Stellman's argument that I wrestle with is that his primary approach to God is through the image of God as Father. This type is certainly well represented throughout Scripture, but God is presented as so much more than a Father throughout the pages of Scripture. He is the Holy One. He is the Creator. He is the Provider. He is the Peace-Bringer. He is the Covenant Maker. He is the Judge. He is so much more than Father. In one quick line, Stellman acknowledges that his primary motif is God as Father and this is not the only way that God is described throughout Scripture, but it is a throw away line that receives no further comment.
Stellman is correct that God is love and that love is inspired by God's character as Father. Yet, Stellman is mistaken to claim that fathers never have to judge their children's behavior or correct their behavior.
Perhaps, the modern church's predilection toward judgment and hell is not entirely healthy and it is likely not completely Biblical (we spend way too much time talking about hell and not understanding the cultural milieu that birthed the concept of hell). Yet, there remains in Scripture testimony to a God who judges out of love and offers freedom out of love.
I pray that Stellman continues to explore and consider who God is. I myself will commit to doing so, praying that my understanding of God is informed by Scripture and truth, more by God's narrative than my own.
I received this book from Penguin/Random House as part of the Blogging for Books Program.
He tells the narrative of his life in a way that is captivating and full of humor. His wit often challenges the reader to consider where their narrative has taken them. He encourages all of us to ask how our journey has produced in us the way which we practice religion or do not practice religion. He challenges each of us to consider our practice of faith and how that practice may or may not align with God and Jesus Christ as presented in the pages of Scripture. In this regard, Stellman offers a compelling and soul-searching narrative.
I find myself struggling to agree with much of his theology though. This could be because my narrative and Stellman's narratives are very different. The largest aspect of Stellman's argument that I wrestle with is that his primary approach to God is through the image of God as Father. This type is certainly well represented throughout Scripture, but God is presented as so much more than a Father throughout the pages of Scripture. He is the Holy One. He is the Creator. He is the Provider. He is the Peace-Bringer. He is the Covenant Maker. He is the Judge. He is so much more than Father. In one quick line, Stellman acknowledges that his primary motif is God as Father and this is not the only way that God is described throughout Scripture, but it is a throw away line that receives no further comment.
Stellman is correct that God is love and that love is inspired by God's character as Father. Yet, Stellman is mistaken to claim that fathers never have to judge their children's behavior or correct their behavior.
Perhaps, the modern church's predilection toward judgment and hell is not entirely healthy and it is likely not completely Biblical (we spend way too much time talking about hell and not understanding the cultural milieu that birthed the concept of hell). Yet, there remains in Scripture testimony to a God who judges out of love and offers freedom out of love.
I pray that Stellman continues to explore and consider who God is. I myself will commit to doing so, praying that my understanding of God is informed by Scripture and truth, more by God's narrative than my own.
I received this book from Penguin/Random House as part of the Blogging for Books Program.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
More Word when Talking
"Talking With God" by Adam Weber is not a theological treatise on prayer. It also does not provide you with specific prayers. It does not openly explore various forms or types of prayer. What this book does is give a very clear look at prayer in a very understandable manner. Weber explores prayer as it has come to have meaning for him. It has become the linchpin in his relationship with God. Without prayer, Weber would not be able to walk in the intimacy with God that God offers. This is not only true for Weber, but for all of us.
Prayer is the path to intimacy with God. Prayer is the grace of God manifest. Prayer is conversation. Prayer offers words of wisdom and fulfilment. Prayer deepens. Prayer assures. Prayer is the path down which we should walk. Prayer helps guide us in discovering life's purpose. Weber explores all these facets of prayer and more.
If you are looking for a book that explores Biblical passages on prayer, this one does not go in that direction too readily. For me, who experiences faith through knowledge and depth of knowledge I found this aspect disappointing. I wanted more Bible and less personal testimony.
Yet, what Weber offers is encouraging and urges the reader in discovering the value of prayer for the Christian life.
I received this book from Waterbrook as part of the Blogging for Books program.
Prayer is the path to intimacy with God. Prayer is the grace of God manifest. Prayer is conversation. Prayer offers words of wisdom and fulfilment. Prayer deepens. Prayer assures. Prayer is the path down which we should walk. Prayer helps guide us in discovering life's purpose. Weber explores all these facets of prayer and more.
If you are looking for a book that explores Biblical passages on prayer, this one does not go in that direction too readily. For me, who experiences faith through knowledge and depth of knowledge I found this aspect disappointing. I wanted more Bible and less personal testimony.
Yet, what Weber offers is encouraging and urges the reader in discovering the value of prayer for the Christian life.
I received this book from Waterbrook as part of the Blogging for Books program.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Too Many Angels
"Too many angels near the ground they're buzzin' 'round like lovely killer bees. . ." These words begin the song "Too Many Angels" by Terry Scott Taylor. Throughout this song, Taylor questions and wrestles with what part angels play in our faith. He vacillates between believing in angels and wondering if we have twisted the purpose of these heavenly beings to our own desires. Later in the song, speaking of angels and how they are perceived in our society, Taylor sings, "They're tuned to amuse you and fill you with dread. They're beneath your feet and over your head. You see them hitchhiking and under your bed. They hang around gift shops pretending their dead." In all this poetry, Taylor lays it before us that we are a society that does not know what to make of angels. Are they magic, holy gift charms that grant our wishes? Are the holy beings we should fear as they fight celestial battles? Are they cute little cherubs? What are angels?
Scot McKnight does a worthy job in "The Hum of Angels" answering this question from a Biblical perspective. After raising some of the same concerns regarding society's misconstrued and often faulty understandings of angels, McKnight beautifully explores Scripture to give us a picture of angels that is Biblically accurate and clear to understand.
McKnight begins by defending the existence of angels, declaring that Scripture attests to their existence and so those of us who seek to be faithful to Scripture should acknowledge their existence and believe in them. McKnight declares that many people do believe in angels. Yet many people believe in angels in ways that come from popular culture and not in ways that are attested to in Scripture.
After defending the existence of angels, McKnight lays out a beautiful picture of who and what these heavenly beings are. They are messengers from God. They declare the Bible's main themes. They do God's work in the world. They bring about God's wrath. They are heavenly beings that point to God's redemption through Jesus Christ. They do indeed guard our lives, our nations, and our churches. They serve God. They lead the faithful in worship. They praise God, gathering around His throne, declaring God's holiness. They witness to God and God's full grace for all humanity.
Anyone with an interest in angels and a true portrayal of angels as documented in God's holy word should study this book. McKnight offers a readable text that allows the reader to understand the presentation of angels within the pages of Scripture. That readability is sometimes interrupted by humor. The flow of the text breaks because of these small humorous asides. The book is still a great read, but I feel these aspects could have been avoided to the benefit of the text as a whole.
Yet, do yourself a favor and read "The Hum of Angels: Listening for the Messengers of God Around Us."
I received this book as part of the Blogging for Books program with Multnohmah Publishing Group.
Scot McKnight does a worthy job in "The Hum of Angels" answering this question from a Biblical perspective. After raising some of the same concerns regarding society's misconstrued and often faulty understandings of angels, McKnight beautifully explores Scripture to give us a picture of angels that is Biblically accurate and clear to understand.
McKnight begins by defending the existence of angels, declaring that Scripture attests to their existence and so those of us who seek to be faithful to Scripture should acknowledge their existence and believe in them. McKnight declares that many people do believe in angels. Yet many people believe in angels in ways that come from popular culture and not in ways that are attested to in Scripture.
After defending the existence of angels, McKnight lays out a beautiful picture of who and what these heavenly beings are. They are messengers from God. They declare the Bible's main themes. They do God's work in the world. They bring about God's wrath. They are heavenly beings that point to God's redemption through Jesus Christ. They do indeed guard our lives, our nations, and our churches. They serve God. They lead the faithful in worship. They praise God, gathering around His throne, declaring God's holiness. They witness to God and God's full grace for all humanity.
Anyone with an interest in angels and a true portrayal of angels as documented in God's holy word should study this book. McKnight offers a readable text that allows the reader to understand the presentation of angels within the pages of Scripture. That readability is sometimes interrupted by humor. The flow of the text breaks because of these small humorous asides. The book is still a great read, but I feel these aspects could have been avoided to the benefit of the text as a whole.
Yet, do yourself a favor and read "The Hum of Angels: Listening for the Messengers of God Around Us."
I received this book as part of the Blogging for Books program with Multnohmah Publishing Group.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
HTF?
Following the Jesus way could be transformative for the world. This is a great summation of "Confessions of a Secular Jesus Follower" by Tom Krattenmaker. Krattenmaker explores the thoughts and life of Jesus, applying them to a myriad of life's realities. He does this all while seeking to motivate those who call themselves secular or atheist to follow the lifestyle, example, and morals of Jesus while retaining their status as secular or atheist. He does this in a way that would shame how many Christians explore their own discipleship to their Lord.
In looking at issues such as politics (loving your enemy), violence (live by the sword, die by the sword), sexual obsessiveness or sexploitation (if you look at a woman lustfully. . .), imprisonment (I was in prison and you did not look after me), anxiety (do not worry), and other very contemporary issues, Krattenmaker challenges the secularist to follow the ethic of Jesus.
He presents Jesus as a legend or morality tale, which offers us a wonderful model for approaching these issues and all of life. There seems to be a battle in such a presentation though as he seems to struggle between using miracle stories such as the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 who seeks healing for her daughter. Krattenmaker was plenty willing to use the story to make his point about loving those who society looks down upon, yet immediately needed to disregard the miracle. He seems to wrestle with how to view the miraculous when approaching the person and example of Jesus. The legend label certainly helps him to do this, but even he sometimes seems unconvinced. I admit though that this could be skewed by my reading this from my background as a disciple of Jesus Christ, my Savior.
Overall, the book is well written and offers convincing arguments to follow the ethic and example of Jesus. The world would certainly be changed if we could all come and understand the person of Jesus and follow. He asks who do we follow? We all should look to the example of Jesus and follow in order to bring healing to our broken world. In this way we might all discover salvation.
I received this book as a review copy from blogging for books and Penguin/Random House.
In looking at issues such as politics (loving your enemy), violence (live by the sword, die by the sword), sexual obsessiveness or sexploitation (if you look at a woman lustfully. . .), imprisonment (I was in prison and you did not look after me), anxiety (do not worry), and other very contemporary issues, Krattenmaker challenges the secularist to follow the ethic of Jesus.
He presents Jesus as a legend or morality tale, which offers us a wonderful model for approaching these issues and all of life. There seems to be a battle in such a presentation though as he seems to struggle between using miracle stories such as the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 who seeks healing for her daughter. Krattenmaker was plenty willing to use the story to make his point about loving those who society looks down upon, yet immediately needed to disregard the miracle. He seems to wrestle with how to view the miraculous when approaching the person and example of Jesus. The legend label certainly helps him to do this, but even he sometimes seems unconvinced. I admit though that this could be skewed by my reading this from my background as a disciple of Jesus Christ, my Savior.
Overall, the book is well written and offers convincing arguments to follow the ethic and example of Jesus. The world would certainly be changed if we could all come and understand the person of Jesus and follow. He asks who do we follow? We all should look to the example of Jesus and follow in order to bring healing to our broken world. In this way we might all discover salvation.
I received this book as a review copy from blogging for books and Penguin/Random House.
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