Author: jimmyreagan

Two New Titles From Hendrickson

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cross giving

Hendrickson has picked up two fine titles from the Lausanne Library.

The Grace of Giving by John Stott and Chris Wright

This short volume is actually two books in one: The Grace of Giving by John Stott written in 2004 and The Gift of Accountability by Chris Wright written in 2013. An easy, but provocative read, these two titles combine well.

Stott deduces ten principles for Christian giving from an exposition of II Corinthians 8 & 9–the kind of exposition where he always found his writing material. The beauty of it is how flawlessly his conclusions sprang from the text. It’s hard to believe that something so condensed could be so powerful, yet that is clearly the case here. Preachers might find it a seed plot for preaching on giving too.

Wright, a colleague and something of a keeper of the flame for the late Stott, did not duplicate Stott but looked at the same passage and found clear principles for accountability. It was a helpful addition to Stott and was particularly potent for our reckless generation.

Small enough for a wider distribution, this volume is a winner.

The Glory Of The Cross by James Philip

Subtitled ” Exploring the Meaning of the Death of Christ”, this volume in a manageable 60 pages well overviews its subject. Its size might make it a particular blessing for those who panic in the presence of larger theological tomes.

Still, don’t label it lightweight as it works to make a theological impact, and succeeds without surrendering accessibility. Tracing Christ from the Last Supper, to the Garden of Gethsemane, and on to the Cross, this book stays in His final 24 hours. No wonder Philip ends with Hallelujah! What a Saviour! before he gives a reminder of Jesus’ Return and the need to share the story of the death of Christ.

Small enough for a wider distribution, this book that could be read quickly might best be read slowly. I recommend it.

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.

Redeeming Sex by Debra Hirsch

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hirsch

Well, Hirsch is certainly tackling the hot issue of our day. While she addresses the big perspective of sex in all our lives, she ultimately writes to confront how Christians and churches interact with the LGBT community. Having been deeply involved in the LGBT lifestyle herself, she writes as a believer now. While some of her insights were profound, I felt she often gave away the farm in an effort to plant the seeds of reaching them.

She did well when she explained that in many such things we are attempting in a flawed way to reach the God we desperately need. When she talked of the brokenness in many lives before and during their LGBT days, she was spot on. When she explained that we have been failing as Christians to reach that group, she often pegged our failures clearly.

The problem with the book is the solutions she presents. I felt that being a celibate gay was enough for her. I don’t know how that position could be maintained biblically, and she made little attempts to do so. She pointed out that we view a man leaving his wife for another woman differently than for another man as if to prove we are unfair. What she fails to see is that there is a possible holy relationship between a man and a woman that could never be true of a man and a man. Suggesting that cultural factors might weaken the force of what she admits are all negative biblical passages is a poor argument too.

She at least seemed sincere and caring as she wrote, but she did not, in my view, strike the right balance between holding to truth and not being overly judgmental. Some will love it, but I cannot give a high recommendation to it.

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.

Martin Van Buren by Ted Widmer (Presidential Bio Series)

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van buren

It seems to me that our eighth President is several notches below the first seven. While Ted Widmer’s volume satisfies me that I have a handle on the man, reading this biography did not change my mind. This volume is part of The American Presidents Series edited by Arthur Schlesinger.

Van Buren followed the wildly popular Andrew Jackson and probably never had a chance. He ascended the presidency by deft political moves instead of passionate principles. He was incredibly unfortunate as well. The Panic of 1837 happened so soon in his presidency that it could not legitimately be laid at his feet. In any event, he was caught up in a vortex from the beginning and never recovered. It doomed him to a one-term presidency too. His political moves after his presidency really failed.

You won’t get far into the volume before you clearly see Widmer’s personal politics. The best biographers don’t usually let that happen. As a Democrat, Widmer really likes Van Buren because he feels like Van Buren shaped the Democratic Party into what it became. Perhaps there is some truth to that. Widmer also came across as one made cynical in the trenches of politics, yet he clearly admired Van Buren.

This volume tells us nothing of his religious views other than he sometimes went to church. Widmer seemed obsessed with Van Buren’s penchant to socialize and hit the party circuit. I see no evidence in this volume of him being a Christian, but Widmer came across as one who would downplay it in any case.

Despite my criticisms of this volume, I still recommend it. It’s the right length for me on Van Buren. Widmer can turn a phrase even if he offers more commentary than a first-class biography usually does. Breezy rather than scholarly, this book will likely satisfy those reading through presidential biographies.

More Presidential Biographies

Disaster Ministry Handbook by Aten and Boan

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disaster

Have you ever wondered how to respond to crisis or disaster as a church? The volume will provide all the detail you could ever need on the subject. The Introduction tells the interesting way the authors developed their passion for this ministry and explains why few have ever thought more deeply about the subject than they have.

I felt chapter two on disaster basics was enlightening. Especially things like disaster phases gave insight into what needs really are present over time, even beyond the initial crisis.

Chapter three was the weakest as it used trendy terms to discuss Christian obligation. I believe a better theological presentation could have been given. The rest of the book is the nuts and bolts of disaster ministry including excellent forms to carry out their recommendations. That could hardly be better.

Few might read it through as it has more of a manual feel, but I doubt any one attempting to implement a large disaster ministry, or write about it, will be able to ignore this volume going forward. My only criticism is that I don’t see how smaller churches could implement it. Still, I recommend it for all those interested in disaster ministry.

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.

Strong and Weak by Andy Crouch

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crouch

 

We all want to successfully live a life of purpose and fear failing. According to Crouch we make a false choice between strength and weakness.In fact, we could fail with either much strength or much weakness.

He divides our lives along where we are in authority and vulnerability. Then he gives us a fine graph of where we end up– one of four quadrants. High authority and low vulnerability makes you exploiting. If you’re low in both, you are withdrawing. If you’re highly vulnerable with little authority, you are likely suffering. That leaves the place you want to be–flourishing. The only way to get there is to earn authority while exposing yourself to vulnerability.

That graph and its careful explanation is the book. It reads well and is not overly long at less than 200 pages. The strength of this volume is its ability to illustrate situations that we can see ourselves in. That helps us see if we are really flourishing or not. Better yet, it will, by its thoughtful discussion, give us guidance in transitioning to a flourishing life. I think you will appreciate this book.

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.

Andrew Jackson by Jon Meacham (Presidential Bio Series)

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andrew

“American Lion” could hardly be more accurate. Jackson had personality and to spare. He strikes me as the first populist President, and was far more loved by the people than his colleagues in Washington. Meacham brought him to life in this Pulitzer-winning volume, making me feel I know Jackson so much better.

Perhaps Jackson is the quintessential enigma. A man who could be tender at one moment and a raging torrent the next, Jackson is hard to fully explain. He was involved in much violence in his life. He was happy to duel no matter how small the disagreement, yet he was an accomplished general. He was bitter over what people said of his Rachel, yet he appears not to be innocent of adultery in the matter. He fought hard over issues he believed in, yet got totally sidetracked in his first term over the Eaton mess.

This dichotomy shows up in the big picture of his presidency too. He accomplished many of the things he sought to do, yet it included his horrible treatment of Indians. He could be shamefully petty, yet marvelously bold. He weathered nullification and held the Union together against some strong opponents in the South, yet he had slaves.

The most fascinating thing about him was his Christianity. He had the questionable marriage, an outrageous temper, and a penchant for violence, yet he said some of the strongest Christian statements I’ve seen from a President. He had a better record of church attendance than most too. Note the statement recorded on page 343 by Meacham about Jesus his Savior “who died upon the cross for me”.

Meacham succeeds in presenting Jackson. Critics point out that his focus on Jackson’s presidential days left the other parts of his life too bare. He got a little carried away on the Eatons to the point that he may have exaggerated their importance in Jackson’s first term. Still, he gave us Jackson the man, and I for one, was glad to read it.

 

Other Presidential biographies

The New Testament: Its Background and Message (2nd ed) by Lea and Black

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nt 2

Are you looking for a fine, conservative New Testament background for your studies? This volume appears to me to be aimed more at pastors and Bible students than scholars, though you will be made familiar with more important scholarly questions.

Part One was exceptional in the big picture background of the NT. The history from the end of the OT to the beginning of the NT well sets the stage. Daily life and the unique religious background of the times are carefully explained. The chapter on the text illumined canonicity in a small compass.

Part Two combines a study of the background of Jesus’ ministry and of the Gospels themselves. The four chapters on Jesus’s ministry and its changing geographical emphasis are essential to properly understanding the New Testament.

The balance of the book covers Paul and the Epistles. It ends with a chapter on Revelation where various viewpoints are covered. Each NT book has its contents, unique features, themes, and an outline given.

There are helpful charts interspersed throughout the text. One of the best traits of this volume that is often missing in such volumes is that it reads well. I recommend it.

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.

Philosophy In Seven Sentences by Groothuis

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philosophy

This book is an experience. It takes an impenetrable subject for many and makes it fascinating. I found this volume far superior to a semester-long undergraduate class I took years ago. He makes it relevant, interesting, and all with a Christian guide to take you along. The writing style is engaging, enjoyable, and captivating. I only use the cliche “I couldn’t put it down” because I never dreamed that would be the case.

Taking seven great philosophers along with their most famous statements was a masterstroke in giving an introduction to philosophy in a small compass. Again, I opened the book thinking that would never work, only to discover it did.

He begins with Protagoras, who I knew nothing about, and taught me about using a measurement outside ourselves. He taught something about today. When he used a statement that many agree with,  including his students,  and then shocked us with the knowledge that it was a philosophy statement of a serial killer, you knew he had something worthwhile to say.

He brought Socrates to life. In fact, I feel I never knew him at all until this book. I learned too how we hear more of a caricature of these philosophers rather than what they really believed. It’s the same with Aristotle. We learn too that if we ignore the basic Law of Noncontradiction we give up everything we could ever know.

He well explained Augustine from a philosophic viewpoint while in no way damaging his theology. He made plain Descartes and Pascal too. He made me realize I had Kierkegard all wrong in that superb chapter.

All in all, this is a masterpiece.
 

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.

Zechariah by Mark Boda (NICOT)

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zech

This is what an exhaustive commentary looks like. This commentary on the Minor Prophet of Zechariah is almost as large as the one on Psalms in this same New International Commentary series. I am not suggesting it is exhausting though. A judicious use of footnotes has made for a volume at once effective for scholarly pastors and academia. I can’t imagine the hours Boda must have put in here.

You would expect the Introduction to be massive in a volume so large, yet it is a manageable 45 pages. That means the bulk of the book is actual commentary on the text.

The Introduction contains a textual history as well as a competent historical background. A section called “Compositional History” overlapped with structure and was worthwhile. I couldn’t personally agree with some of his other conclusions on how the composition came together, but he still trusts the text. His section on the message of Zechariah was good as far as it went.

Again, it’s the actual commentary that will make this volume important for the next 50 years. It seems most every angle is discussed and it is almost encyclopedic. Still, as most will read it one text at a time, the depth will be appreciated. For that reason, I must give a strong 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.

The Message of Ezra & Haggai (BST) by Fyall

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ezra

This is a helpful commentary on two books of the Bible that are not only less studied than others, but rarely seen packaged in one commentary. That is not to say that the combination doesn’t make sense; it does. As Robert Fyall explains, Ezra gives the exciting history while Haggai gives the prophetic voice.

The Introduction is a little longer for Ezra than Haggai, but that is partly because the historical setting is the same and needs no repeating. Particularly, his discussion on the structure of Ezra was fascinating. His selections for the leading themes of Ezra (God, worship of God, the people of God, Scripture and prayer) were well discussed and seemed spot on.

The shorter Introduction on Haggai still sufficiently covered similar territory. Again, the approach was well thought out.

The commentary proper was outstanding in the BST style that we have come to love and expect. In the Preface he pays homage to Derek Kidner’s fine volume on Ezra, but this is clearly a worthy companion to it. I’m sure glad to have it on my shelves when studying these two books, and I highly recommend it.

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.