Month: February 2013

Desiring God–A Book Review For The Christian Who Seeks Joy

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desiring godCan we make sense of satisfaction or real joy? It’s one life’s most common questions. Answers for most people are rather less common. I’m interested in knowing, aren’t you? Here’s a book to show us the way.

The subtitle of “Meditations of a Christian Hedonist” tells you what a unique writing John Piper presents to us in this revised edition published by Multnomah. It’s interesting that he has to answer for his writings 25 years later when life had opportunity to test his theories. I found it a real challenge to my Christian life. He goes against so much conventional wisdom, but really discusses the subject with a Bible ever in his hands.

Don’t let the term “Christian Hedonist” turn you off. He certainly isn’t suggesting that you throw your life away in a pointless pursuit of worldly pleasures. Quite the opposite, he simply believes that life’s greatest joy comes from seeking joy in God. He further proves that this is exactly what the Lord enjoys from us. As he says, “This is a serious book about being happy in God.” We all want to be happy and this truly is the only way. This works beautifully in that: “We get the mercy; He gets the glory. We get the happiness in Him; He gets the honor from us.”

He tweaks the famous confession to “The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.”  I think he makes a powerful case that the Bible actually teaches this very thing. His chapter on the “The Happiness of God” is hard to refute. Apparently, in the last 25 years several have tried.

Mr. Piper weaves his premise through many of the most important aspects of the Christianity. Happiness in God is all through the warp and woof of our Christian experience in conversion, worship, love, and prayer. It gets especially interesting and life-altering when he speaks on things like money, missions, and suffering. Our modern-day Christianity comes out of those chapters bloodied but perhaps that is fair as this same modern Christianity has slaughtered our happiness on many occasions!

You simply must read this book. There’s not much Calvinism to work around if you are more of a whosoever-will man like I am. I read each chapter so much more slowly than usual. There was so much to think about, so much heart-searching demanded, but I assure you that you will be glad you took the time to read it. I can see myself referring to it again and again in the years ahead.

I received this book free from the publisher. 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.

Good Mood, Bad Mood–Answers On The Subject Of Depression

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moodFinally a book that settles the matter of what a Christian should think about depression. I’ve always had trouble arriving at a firm conviction as there is so much conflicting information making the rounds. Charles Hodges is both a doctor and a Christian and has carefully researched the subject in this volume published by Shepherd Press.

Don’t panic. Whatever he has to say, he says compassionately. He never has a “just-get-right-with-God” attitude! Still, he demands that the subject be looked at both from the point of verifiable medical fact and the Bible. What could be more fair?

He discusses what we have probably all noticed–an amazing number of people now have a diagnosis of having depression. He explains how a so-called “chemical imbalance” in the brain is a theory that has never been proven at any level. He further explains that diseases that have legitimate diagnosis capabilities have a clear pathology (structural and functional cellular changes) that you can see. In depression, or a chemical imbalance, there is no such pathology.

There are, however, several ailments that have mood changes as a symptom and he suggests you check these out if you think you are depressed. (He lists them in an appendix). If this is not the case, then likely you are sad. He beautifully shows how our Creator made sadness as an emotion in us to deal with life and drive us to God. Though we may not respond properly, it can help us. Unfortunately, “depression” as a medical diagnosis can be a label that short circuits the process our Creator designed. We quit seeking–we stop at our label instead of the arms of our God.

He tackles the issue of so many not only having this diagnosis, but being prescribed anti-depressants as well. Beyond having their own side effects and dangers, these medicines have little success according to studies. Placebos (sugar pills) and no medicine at all have better results in patients!

He takes Bible characters like Hannah and shows how they would have gotten a “depression” diagnosis. Their real problem was normal sadness and in being driven to God they got real relief. He really puts the Bible to good uses in later chapters!

The last few chapters tackle Bipolar Disorder. It used to be called Manic Depression. He proves it is a rare but real disorder. There are now a wave of people getting a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. This is because they came up with Bipolar Disorder II that has a weak criteria that really can’t be verified and now we are giving away a false label and hurting people in the process.

He writes in a way that we can all understand. If you want to know what I think on the subject of depression now, just read this book. As individuals who will have sadness, worse moods and feel depressed, this book is a real help. Were it fall to us to help someone we think acts depressed this book is an indispensable guide. I give it the highest recommendation.

I received this book free from the publisher. 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.

Addendum

I had a fine Christian lady write me and pointed out a few things to me so I want to clarify and share what I told her.

Here’s a few things the book said that I didn’t say clearly enough:
1. He says 90% of people labeled depressed are only sad, which means 10% do have  real medical issues.
2. He says some do feel better with anti-depressants (but some get better with placebos and some with nothing).
3. He says to talk to the doctor before you change your medicine (I SHOULD HAVE TOO).
4. He never writes in a way that treats depression as something to be ashamed of and I agree. It is something to deal with and try to figure out.
This kind lady also recommends that we remember that this is just one Christian doctor and we should read others. She recommends Donald P. Hall- “Breaking Through Depression: A Medical and Spiritual Approach to Emotional Wholeness” and Tim LaHaye’s “How to Win Over Depression”. It is good to read widely!
I made it sound like this book has the final say on the subject and that is a little strong!
I suggest we use this information to encourage and not discourage! Suicide and other such things mean we should be cautious in what we say.I still think this is a great book!

Parenting On Your Knees– Book Review

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parenting kneesDo you have preschool children? Then this volume by Vicki Tiede and published by Pix-N-Pens could be a real help to you. I review this book from the perspective of a pastor and parent with 2 preschool children and 4 beyond it. So I have had some time and opportunity to try various ideas and both fail and succeed at parenting in this age group. My assessment is that this book could both really help a new parent or help tweak a more experienced one. It’s so easy to fail at being diligent and to need a reminder. You will get that and some new ideas as well here.

The book aims at providing “prayers and practical guidance for the preschool years.” It is broken down into the subjects of character that should most appeal to us: self-control, responsibility, respect, honesty, conscience, etc. That is the proper beginning place.

From there it turns to even more practical subjects concerning development and social skills. Finally, it ends where most parents want to begin: behavior! Mrs. Tiede has the proper order. Still, her advise here is creative and sensible. There are things we simply must deal with if we love our children.

The book fortunately doesn’t talk down to us and has a real spiritual tone. Every chapter ends in a suggested prayer.

The only drawbacks that I could see are that, strangely, spanking is not really discussed either in a positive or negative manner, or at all really. This book, I guess, offers other creative options to either replace or supplement spanking depending on you point of view. The author is a mother and so the mother’s perspective shines a little stronger. Still, I find it helpful.

God bless on raising those little gifts from God!

I received this book free from the publisher. 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.

Books On The Study Of Bibliology (The Doctrine Of The Bible)

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Bible picThis doctrine has lived in the battleground for years. This was, of course, always  true, but since the 1920s it has reached epic proportions in the struggle between God and Satan. Were I the Devil, I too, would focus on destroying trust in God’s Word. Without that trust, how could you ever know what God really has to say to us? Then why pursue what could never be known? You see why this study is essential to Christianity itself?

There are many great books that help with the key to this doctrine: the inspiration of Scripture. Here are some that I find to be the most helpful.

1. Theopneustia-The Plenary Inspiration of the Holy Scripture by L. Gaussen

This book had such a strong influence on later volumes that held to a full inspiration of Scripture. Heavy perhaps, but so accurate in sharing the biblical position. A real classic.

2. The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible by B. B. Warfield

Perhaps the most well-known volume of all on the subject. It has graced the shelves of most conservative pastors since written. It would be a boon to the cause of Christ if more pastors read it today. Somewhat scholarly in tone, but worth mastering.

3. Our God-Breathed Book–The Bible by John R. Rice

 I read this 20 years ago and it really helped me. It makes a very understandable case for an inerrant, infallible Bible. He really wrote with passion. He was criticized by scholars for having a position they labeled as “mechanical dictation”, but what he wrote really corresponds to what the Bible says. The last part of the volume was about translation and his position has made this book fall from favor with independent Baptists, but the bulk of the book is fine no matter where you fall on the translation issue. You might enjoy the 2 volumes he compiled on the subject, The Sword Book of Treasures and A Coffer of Jewels, as well.

4. The Savior and the Scriptures by Robert Lightner

He makes a powerful case for inerrancy in a shorter volume. Not as deep as some volumes but very helpful. Teachers and preachers will especially enjoy his contribution.

5. The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture by Rene Pache

If you need to teach this subject, you will find this volume very accessible and helpful. I recommend it.

Other volumes of note:

You might like Inspiration of Holy Scripture by Robert Haldane as it makes a strong case (look for the beautiful Klock & Klock volume now out of print). Has God Spoken? by Hank Hanegraaff is written in a popular style. Here’s some others I consulted in varying degrees: The Story of the Bible by Frederic Kenyon, Thy Word Is Truth by Edward J. Young, The Old Testament in the New by S. Lewis Johnson, Jr., All About The Bible by Sidney Collett  (Different), The Battle For the Bible by Harold Lindsell, Inspiration and Interpretation edited by John Walvoord, and God’s Inerrant Word by John Warwick Montegomery.

Canonicity


1. The Canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce

So very helpful. I couldn’t agree with every conclusion but much insight is gained in reading this volume.

2. Inspiration and Canonicity of the Bible by R. Laird Harris

Extremely helpful and so I highly recommend this volume.

Also look for:

How We Got Our Bible by Neil Lightfoot, General Introduction to the Old Testament by William Henry Green, and How We Got Our Bible by W. H. Griffith Thomas.

English Translation

I am a Received Text man and recommend The Identity of the New Testament Text by Wilbur Pickering. I really enjoyed Burgeon’s Warnings on the Revision by D. A. Waite. I’d love to secure Dean Burgon’s writings some day. You might enjoy A Brief History of English Bible Translations by Laurence Vance.

I must say a word about some unhelpful pro-KJV writings floating around that have done the KJV and the TR (Textus Receptus) more harm than anything out there. Never use nonsense to prove a point when you actually have logical points. The racist, cruel writings of Peter Ruckman as well as the dishonest scholarship of Gail Riplinger are an embarrassment to all independent Baptists. We have much better. As I often do, I read from the other side to fully hammer out my position. The King James Only Controversy by James White and The King James Version Debate by D. A. Carson, both warm-hearted believers whose writings I have enjoyed at other times, wrote calmly, though I personally wasn’t persuaded by the minority text position they espoused. I still think that a majority of manuscripts is the best checks and balances to combat error in the text and so I follow the TR myself. Plus what God’s people have believed to be God’s Word for centuries carries much weight to my mind.

I pray you enjoy studying this great doctrine on the Book we can build our lives on! 

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