tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22632466622223476262024-03-15T18:11:53.414-07:00Panorama of a Book Saint<small><i>"Good books do not make saints, but they can nudge one a little closer."</i> (Conrade Yap)</small>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.comBlogger1743125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-18780812563225545042024-03-11T08:25:00.000-07:002024-03-11T08:25:36.863-07:00"Hard and Holy Work" (Mary Alice Birdwhistell and Tyler D. Mayfield)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/47V4HSt" target="_blank">Hard and Holy Work: A Lenten Journey through the Book of Exodus</a><br />
AUTHOR: Mary Alice Birdwhistell and Tyler D. Mayfield<br />
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: <u>Westminster John Knox Press</u>, 2024, (122 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_hUqMedWgKXo5i394CfEvFS0syUSmuNsxEA_lmggfXYoRqaxGxtFODi8oDSW7ijElWNNDwwwtL0cSGJgy4Y0ylUb3gefPehiN8mMNhOELN6LRGbph5KnsRWvqhLhSRrIc378PZJ9e0norS1Kxb8c-7f_wvw8Coe_wQ6RxNiBodppjSvXaj0UlU2tWLhM/s2550/HardNHolyWork.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_hUqMedWgKXo5i394CfEvFS0syUSmuNsxEA_lmggfXYoRqaxGxtFODi8oDSW7ijElWNNDwwwtL0cSGJgy4Y0ylUb3gefPehiN8mMNhOELN6LRGbph5KnsRWvqhLhSRrIc378PZJ9e0norS1Kxb8c-7f_wvw8Coe_wQ6RxNiBodppjSvXaj0UlU2tWLhM/s320/HardNHolyWork.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Traditionally, devotionals on Lent tend to focus on self-reflection and quiet meditation. While it is a good spiritual practice to be mindful of the meaning of Lent, sometimes it can be accused of being impractical in a world of trouble and despair. Is there more to simply fasting and praying? Can we adopt practices that will lead us toward betterment for the common good? How can Christians observe Lent without forgetting that although they are not of the world, they are in the world? This book was inspired by the life of the Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, who found himself smack in the middle of Fourth and Walnut in Louisville, Kentucky, to be awakened to the needs of the world, and what God is prompting one to do: Paying attention and awakened to work toward justice. Using the book of Exodus, the authors highlight themes of liberation, justice, faithfulness, storytelling, and attentiveness to the marginalized. Useful for individual and group studies, each week contains stories from the Exodus narrative and ends with invitations to reflect, engage, and respond. These three invitations are summarized as "Paying Attention," "Sharing Together," and "Taking Action." <span><a name='more'></a></span><br />
Week One begins with a call to pay attention to the hidden members of our communities. From the way women were marginalized in ancient times, we are encouraged to learn to listen to those not in power. Mary Alice shares her deep experiences of being a victim of sexism. It brings comfort to know that God understands even when the world does not. Week Two helps us to reflect on Moses's action toward injustice when he witnessed a fellow Jew being bullied by the Egyptians. We think about the issues related to rights and privileges. We are encouraged to do a "privilege audit" to identify with the have-nots even as we enjoy our haves. Week Three covers Exodus chapters 3 and 4 to help us notice God's presence more intently. We learn how to encounter God in both religious and non-religious settings. Week Four focuses on Exodus 14 about the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Battle fears and not simply wallow in any state of despair. Using the metaphor of crossing the Red Sea, we are challenged to see how God can deliver us from our difficult moments in life. Perhaps, we are called to be the Moses for whatever specific communities we know. Week Five covers Exodus 16 where we look at themes of rest, sabbath, and the balance between waiting and call to action. Palm Sunday and Holy Week takes us through the events leading to Easter. At the same time, we are called to take courage to do the right thing.<br />
<br /><u>My Thoughts</u><br />This book of Lenten reflections is a call to battle all forms of discrimination, especially on racism, sexism, and gender-related matters. Lent is not simply a time to look inward. It is a call to action as well. Both spiritual awakening and social action are asserted together. This makes this book unique. The title shows us what we ought to be doing. Holy work and Hard work go hand in hand. Lent is not simply a retreat from the world. It is an increase of attentiveness to what God is doing inside us and outside in the communities we live in.<div><br /></div><div>One word of caution though. The human nature is one of restlessness. It could be said that while the authors urge us to use Lent as both reflective and active, be careful not to miss out on one of the most important parts of Lent, which is self-examination and spiritual attentiveness to the ways of Jesus. A counter-argument would be this. Christians are already called to live out their gospel calling daily throughout the year. They are supposed to be both reflective and active throughout the days of the year. If we make Lent both reflective and active just like the other days of the year, would that not nullify what Lent is about? Will we then lose the uniqueness of Lent? This calls for a proper understanding of what Lent is about. Fasting, pausing, reflecting, and attending to the movements of the Spirit are supposed to be heightened practices during Lent. This should not be compromised. Perhaps, a balanced approach would help. Start with the inward practices but always be ready for what the Spirit is calling us to do. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Self-awareness is key to knowing what is the best way to practice Lent. The introvert might want to incorporate a more active element in their Lent observance. The extrovert might want to pause to reflect a little bit more. If in doubt, join a group to share our thoughts, reflections, and questions. This book provides us material through Exodus toward both reflection and action. They are there for our benefit. Let our desire to please God drive us. </div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Mary Alice Birdwhistell</span>
is the pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior
to coming to Highland, Birdwhistell served on ministerial staff at
Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, for eleven years. She received an
MDiv from Baylor University in 2013.<br /><br /><span class="a-text-bold">Tyler D. Mayfield</span>
is A. B. Rhodes Professor of Old Testament and Faculty Director of the
Grawemeyer Award in Religion at Louisville Presbyterian Theological
Seminary. He is the author of <span class="a-text-italic">Literary Structure and Setting in Ezekiel</span>; <span class="a-text-italic">A Guide to Bible Basics</span>; <span class="a-text-italic">Unto Us a Child Is Born: Isaiah, Advent, and Our Jewish Neighbors</span>; and <span class="a-text-italic">Father Abraham’s Many Children: The Bible in a World of Religious Difference</span>.</div>
<br />
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Westminster John Knox Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-75276274451895489972024-02-05T12:46:00.000-08:002024-02-05T12:52:05.390-08:00"Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body" (Hilary L. McBride)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/4aem7el" target="_blank">Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body</a> <br />
AUTHOR: Hillary L. McBride<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Brazos Press</u>, 2024, (160 pages).<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9kbIkn7SaDwp0f2oKoSzKev8D4cs0EoT_PLVSzjIl5ExrcKeiIezH31IzE-VsPPzDxeUyu88POs0FteMQkKQlze8u6IYcU5uCSSEtu5plgSTxWbVgwwvqCwSbAd-5q7LJI6CxLh5PSdlqx6PxKm7E0hERAasPCPmEzv-yzf5AXfflbk2IXSYqqgysASy/s435/Practices4EmbodiedLiving.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9kbIkn7SaDwp0f2oKoSzKev8D4cs0EoT_PLVSzjIl5ExrcKeiIezH31IzE-VsPPzDxeUyu88POs0FteMQkKQlze8u6IYcU5uCSSEtu5plgSTxWbVgwwvqCwSbAd-5q7LJI6CxLh5PSdlqx6PxKm7E0hERAasPCPmEzv-yzf5AXfflbk2IXSYqqgysASy/s320/Practices4EmbodiedLiving.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Our experiences do not define us. Our real selves do. Our bodies are not simply what we have but they are who we are. We are more than mere subjective people. We are valued for who we are and not what we do. All that we encounter in this life, the highs and the lows, can all be experienced in the very bodies we have. Unfortunately, many people still have not learned how to appreciate their bodies. In doing so, they fall victim to lies and myths that throw negativity to their physique or biological selves. Lies such as the need to subdue our bodies because they are inherently evil; that some bodies are better than others, or fat bodies are unhealthy, etc. As our bodies get devalued, we become disembodied beings. Disembodiment separates our physical selves from the rest of our mental and emotional faculties. Embodiment brings all of them together. More importantly, we are called not to learn or relearn what our bodies are or represent. We simply need to remember that. These and many more underline the premise of this book, which is to bring back a healthy appreciation of the bodies we have so that we can live well. This also means we need to see personhood in a holistic manner: Emotionally, Mentally, Physically, Socially, and even Spiritually. Besides helping us address lies we tell ourselves, this book also looks at the violence on our bodies, such as stress and trauma; illnesses, injuries, and pain; oppressive forces; self-esteem; etc. <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><div>As a book on how to remember our whole selves, author Hillary McBride provides us many different practices that we can use. On stress, we learn about the implications of stress, both positive as well as negative parts. What is important is to learn to see the beauty of our created selves, and not let uninformed world opinion shape us into what we are not meant to be. This book thus counters such disembodied philosophies in the hope that we can stop them from tearing us further apart. McBride does this by:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Guiding us toward healthy narratives about ourselves;</li><li>Helping us to feel at home inside ourselves;</li><li>Feeling positive about ourselves as we navigate the spectrum of emotions;</li><li>Processing our pains constructively;</li><li>Learning to deal with the five circles of sexuality (sensuality, sexual identity, intimacy, sexual health & reproduction; power & sexualization);</li><li>Resisting guilt when embracing pleasure;</li><li>Embodying prayers;</li><li>...</li></ul></div><div><div>Gradually, she leads us toward seeing and experiencing our bodies holistically, reconciling both body and spirit together as one. </div><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u></div><div>This is a unique book about bringing back a semblance of self-respect and appreciation for who we are, what we have, and how we should treat ourselves. McBride addresses some of the underlying issues of flawed self-perceptions. This is made worse by societal expectations that often rub us the wrong way. The list of lies that the author highlights are not the only ones that damage our self-perceptions. With technology use on the rise, it is so easy to spread falsehood and misinformation about people. Just look at how Deep Fake technology is wreaking havoc on star personalities. All it takes is a little tweak or a sinister photoshop and the end result is a dramatic devaluation of a person's body and worth. Like it or not, technology through social media is a potent force for disembodiment. Tempted to look good to others in public, we become sensitized to nasty public comments. One thing is for sure. We can never be able to stop the torrent of public opinion. We need a healthy understanding of self-worth and personal value so that we do not sway or unwittingly accept unhealthy criticisms. </div><div><br /></div><div>
One of the questions I ask is this: In an already hyper-individualistic world we live in, do we still need a book to feel good about ourselves or our bodies? My answer would tilt toward a marginal yes. Why yes? That's because God has created us good. For a sinful world, God has sent Jesus to this world to redeem us from our sins. Our world has been badly corrupted with falsehood and deceptions. The way forward is to redeem what is good while rejecting what is evil. Plus, the world we live in today is seriously broken. Like the saying "hurt people tend to hurt other people," a broken person will tend to break another person. This book brings a good dose of healing for those who have been deceived by lies, hurt by false accusations, discouraged by ugly comments, or simply disillusioned by the dizzy world of changing expectations. The exercises mentioned justify the title of the book. Why "marginal?" That's because the individualism in society still looms large. Just as there is low self-esteem that plagues many people, there are also unhealthy levels of pride and self-deception. What is needed is Truth. The tilt toward a "yes" is because this book works like a reset button to help us see ourselves afresh. </div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Hillary L. McBride </span>(PhD, University of British Columbia) is a registered psychologist, an award-winning researcher, and the host of the <span class="a-text-italic">Other People's Problems </span>podcast.
She has a private practice in Victoria, British Columbia, and is a
sought-after speaker and retreat leader who specializes in embodiment.
McBride's work has been recognized by the American Psychological
Association and the Canadian Psychological Association. She is the
author of <span class="a-text-italic">The Wisdom of Your Body</span> and <span class="a-text-italic">Mothers, Daughters, and Body Image</span>, and coeditor of <span class="a-text-italic">Embodiment and Eating Disorders</span>. Learn more at www.hillarylmcbride.com.</div>
<br />
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Brazos Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-26367510310287455242024-02-02T11:22:00.000-08:002024-02-02T11:22:01.104-08:00"Gender as Love" (Fellipe do Vale)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3toR2UC" target="_blank">Gender as Love: A Theological Account of Human Identity, Embodied Desire, and Our Social Worlds</a><br />
AUTHOR: <span class="a-text-bold">Fellipe do Vale</span><br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Baker Academic</u>, 2024, (272 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWGKg9ACciyTi6thyuoSbvHcZbRqxxFyA743z5116KCt4xl614egZSIjv4dScDtxG8Um7dFXtCd_tpcS2UBNIg69HMnFFqUOhYFZ0rUYHpbFWFe2H4qos97J8X7kaPhp6ClIHtlrmT5VwoZDeqmUX1dyAW7EtxBB61jUnVyqMrNpmJoS09s8oKtz9gaik/s900/GenderAsLove.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWGKg9ACciyTi6thyuoSbvHcZbRqxxFyA743z5116KCt4xl614egZSIjv4dScDtxG8Um7dFXtCd_tpcS2UBNIg69HMnFFqUOhYFZ0rUYHpbFWFe2H4qos97J8X7kaPhp6ClIHtlrmT5VwoZDeqmUX1dyAW7EtxBB61jUnVyqMrNpmJoS09s8oKtz9gaik/s320/GenderAsLove.png" width="213" /></a></div>One of the biggest contentions today in the Church has to do with gender. In the past, there used to be constant debates about what it meant to be male or female, and what roles they were supposed to be playing. Then we have the feminist movement that pushes back against male dominance. Those issues remain active in many parts of society but are increasingly eclipsed by debates surrounding multi-gendered definitions and nuanced multi-dimensionally. Today, the line between male and female is increasingly blurred. The core issue is not sexuality but what it means to be human. Realizing that gender issues are becoming more divisive each day, we need to have a way to talk about these matters rationally and theologically. Thus, this book probes the biblical understanding of gender sexuality and tries to make sense of it in an increasingly complex social construct today. Simply put, it is to shed light on the question: "What is gender?" and How do we understand gender theologically? With so many different theological interpretations today, how do we do "theological theology?" Author-Professor Fellipe do Vale kicks off by laying out the categories in terms of two "bifurcations":<div><div><ol><li>Divisive Philosophy: Between proponents of gender as "Essence" vs that as "Social Construct."</li><li>Divided Theology (Methodological): One anchored on modern academic discipline and the other on traditional beliefs.</li></ol></div><span><a name='more'></a></span>He spends some time unpacking "theological theology" as a way to do theology well. He distinguishes it from other disciplines by saying that it is both biblical reasoning and also God-centered thinking. From this central thesis, one can then proceed onward with interpretations of all other narratives, and in this case, anthropology and gender matters. He presents four theses for our consideration.<div><br /><div><div>Chapter Two lays out the most prominent view of gender as "a social construct." Chapter Three covers broadly the rest of the views via the four theses:</div><div><ol><li>Gender is an essence</li><li>A full understanding of gender will be revealed in the eschaton</li><li>Any theory/theology of gender must be in line with the cultivation of justice</li><li>Gender and identity go hand in hand.</li></ol></div><div>Chapter Four deals with the fourth thesis. Chapter Five is a conversation with Sarah's Coakley's asertion that gender and desire are intimately linked. Chapters Six and Seven look at gender via the theological narratives of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. The concluding chapter of the book lays out the author's position on the question of gender. After acknowledging the various angles of interpretation, he proposes a unifying position that we all understand gender as love. We all need to learn the "task of loving rightly."</div><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u></div><div><div>The Bible has said that God created humans as either male or female. As time goes by, many have not only challenged the binary definitions of created beings but introduced multidimensional views on gender. Some countries have even introduced Gender X to allow individuals for whatever reasons not to choose either male or female as their gender. In the name of inclusivity, Canada has even introduced terms like 2SLGBTQIA+ as an umbrella term for a third gender category. Is there a way to challenge any of these positions without being branded judgmental or labeled a bigot? Fellipe do Vale shows us a way to do just that, to focus on points of view instead of persons of whatever gender persuasions. </div><div><br /></div><div>This book is an academic treatment of gender and sexuality. Knowing full well the controversies surrounding the question of gender, he urges us to return to the true nature of theology: To see God and God's purposes for creation. We should not let modern social constructs manipulate our theology. Rather, we should adopt the position of engaging with love especially when we deal with contentious matters at hand. Learn to recognize the pain experienced by the marginalized. Our identity is less about desire and more about love. We should let our theologizing be based on Scripture and not let human emotions dictate our positions. I appreciate the care the author takes to explain what "social construction of gender" means. Many contemporary academics and theologians seem to be taking this "social construct" as the "right" way to interpret gender, that is, preferring "gender-neutral" instead of "gender-specific" positions. The most common reason is to push back against "oppressive social structures," referring usually to those who take the "gender-specific" position. </div><div><br /></div><div>I must commend the author for his nuanced understanding of "social constructs" and his careful reasoning about his own stand. One needs to read his work carefully in order to avoid jumping to conclusions about his conclusion. A key point is how he qualifies his arguments to show that he is in neither the "social construct" camp nor the "gender as essence" camp. He proposes that we recognize this diversity of views to welcome all to the table of conversation. In summary, this book is about a conversation over arguments, and not judgment statements per se. In that light, we should not see this book as some ammunition for any one particular position. His compromise is to simply conclude with the term "gendered pilgrims," which I feel in itself is already a form of label influenced by the very social construct he is arguing about.</div><div><br /></div><div>That said, this is not an easy book to read. In fact, it might be quickly misunderstood without careful reading. His four theses cover a wide range of views surrounding gender today. Basically, our identities should transcend our various views of gender. This is exactly what the author encourages us to do. Chapter 5 is a key chapter to understand his proposal. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="a-text-bold">Fellipe do Vale</span>
(PhD, Southern Methodist University) is assistant professor of biblical
and systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in
Deerfield, Illinois. He specializes in the juncture where theological
anthropology and moral theology meet and has published widely on gender,
ethics, and systematic theology. He lives in the Chicago area with his
family.</div><div>
<br />
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-6438354550331843842024-01-30T15:50:00.000-08:002024-01-30T15:50:58.971-08:00"Waiting in Gratitude: Prayers for Joy" (Walter Brueggemann)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3GFWSE9" target="_blank">Waiting in Gratitude: Prayers for Joy</a><br />
AUTHOR: Walter Brueggemann<br />
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: <u>Westminster John Knox Press</u>, 2024, (148 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEt-iSu9E-3z9z_egnhFiE5t2S_eadE6DoXbbs1YSDfB40tHDIG2l0djMGkHHUGAOE_nBCZewQ45znLkXvzuEdQdnNjP8veS7iBpDohzOgdHsL8Y-46iDNzKEr5KJZfFO3kMOQ4TsW6mVlurieKdE669oAbWro-bEpVGB0XMul7KXaQw13yAx4Y9B9JfbG/s2400/WaitingInGratitude.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEt-iSu9E-3z9z_egnhFiE5t2S_eadE6DoXbbs1YSDfB40tHDIG2l0djMGkHHUGAOE_nBCZewQ45znLkXvzuEdQdnNjP8veS7iBpDohzOgdHsL8Y-46iDNzKEr5KJZfFO3kMOQ4TsW6mVlurieKdE669oAbWro-bEpVGB0XMul7KXaQw13yAx4Y9B9JfbG/s320/WaitingInGratitude.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Prayer is more than asking for things. Prayer is listening to God. It is cultivating our relationship with God. Whatever it is, regardless of emotional conditions, we can all pray to God at all times. Having written considerably on the prayers of lament, author and retired professor Walter Brueggemann focuses on the movement of tears, desperation, and pain toward joy. Savoring the "peculiarities" of our life's journey, we turn our very living from lament to waiting, from waiting to gratitude, and from gratitude to joy. How do we do that? Begin with the why. Continue with the "chewing of the world" of ups and downs. Finally, arriving at complete joy. Brueggemann reasons as follows: "<i>The sum of these prayers is to voice our life back to God in wonder and gratitude for God’s “countless gifts” that are indeed beyond our counting. We nevertheless continue to count them!</i>"<div><div><br /></div><div>Indeed, praying is learning to count our blessings and this book is designed to help us through our journey of life. Part One comprises prayers for all kinds of occasions. From anniversaries to baptisms, birthdays to confirmations, weddings to memorials, Brueggemann shows us how we can pray for all occasions. With the help of hymns and Scripture, he guides us to look to Jesus in acknowledging the present with gratitude and look to the future with hope. He has prayers for individuals, for those in specific vocations in life, and in particular, for those called to the ministry. Part Two takes us deeper into what it means to experience joy in Christ. No longer about specific occasions or callings, the prayers reflect a longing for God. Using the created world as a platform for prayer, Brueggemann weaves his prayers and tightens them with biblical texts and principles. Some of the prayers can also be used as congregational prayers. Many of the prayers are steeped in Scriptural reflection. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u><br /><div>Let me frame my thoughts via three questions. <b>First, what is the purpose of this book?</b> Basically, it is about learning to practice the presence of God in all circumstances. The Bible teaches us to pray in all circumstances for that is God's will for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Some people limit prayers to just mealtimes or Church Sundays. Others simply need help to learn how to pray in different circumstances. This book is a guide to do that. With many examples and familiar occasions, Brueggemann teaches us that it is not only possible but we can also enjoy the praying moment. Hopefully, once we learn the framework of prayer, we can creatively pray in other situations unique to us. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second, how can we use this book?</b> We all need to learn how to pray. Many churches use the Lord's Prayer as a weekly ritual for the congregation. However, it is always good to incorporate fresh prayers to complement the ritual. The prayers in this book can be used as material for that. In Part One, we can benefit from learning to pray in all circumstances of life. While some of the prayers could be used as is, we can always creatively personalize these prayers for our respective contexts. Contextualizing is usually preferred as it helps us connect better with the people we are praying for. For some people, it might be good to use the prayers in this book as a way to improve our personal prayers or congregational prayers. However, we should learn to write or prepare our own prayers. This book is not a replacement for our own. We need to let God assist us in this spiritual journey of prayer. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Third, why should we read or buy this book?</b> This is the author's third collection of prayers, the first being "Acting in the Wake: Prayers for Justice," and the second "Following into Risky Obedience: Prayers along the Journey." While recommended, it is not necessary to read the earlier books before we can benefit from this book. The simple reason to buy this book is to pray better, pray deeper, and pray wider. The prayers in this book are non-repetitive but highly creative. It showcases the wealth of biblical knowledge and spiritual awareness of God's presence in the author's life. </div><div><br /></div><div>I warmly recommend this book as a way to improve our praying.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Walter Brueggemann</span>
is William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at
Columbia Theological Seminary. An ordained minister in the United Church
of Christ, he is the author of dozens of books, including <span class="a-text-italic">Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">A Gospel of Hope</span>, and <span class="a-text-italic">Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out</span>.</div>
<br />
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Westmonster John Knox Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-48003988598602741272024-01-25T10:44:00.000-08:002024-01-25T10:44:10.022-08:00"The Practice of Remembering" (Casey Tygrett)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3N4F9tY" target="_blank">The Practice of Remembering: Uncovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life</a><br />
AUTHOR: Casey Tygrett<br />
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: <u>InterVarsity Press</u>, 2023, (216 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarui9YkNcLPJknKZlKUhhSatNGyMHLPga7jhpgWvZdkRyy9MufoBR_mmPFV64wqomfLAID4l23m2uiVb2Y9tFclxB7lle4UpZELs5-J4R87mGvtsZkYV5ej9JjgGVU2XBKkXQB8Zto5WeZZrOGfigq9HoBWEoLECOvTsUByBW9NUz1q3Av4RunIFYlwno/s550/PracticeOfRemembering.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarui9YkNcLPJknKZlKUhhSatNGyMHLPga7jhpgWvZdkRyy9MufoBR_mmPFV64wqomfLAID4l23m2uiVb2Y9tFclxB7lle4UpZELs5-J4R87mGvtsZkYV5ej9JjgGVU2XBKkXQB8Zto5WeZZrOGfigq9HoBWEoLECOvTsUByBW9NUz1q3Av4RunIFYlwno/s320/PracticeOfRemembering.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>"Memories light the corners of my mind," so sings Barbra Streisand in one of the most cherished classics of the modern age, "The Way We Were." As author Casey Tygrett writes, "Without memory, there is no formation," that we are "memory-made people," and that without memories, "we cannot become." We are who we are by learning and remembering. Whether it is writing a memoir or penning a journal, our acts of recalling something are crucial aspects of being. Using the various aspects of "experiences, memories, stories, and scripts," Tygrett guides us through an amazing journey of the practice of remembering. <div><br /></div><div>He helps us explore the four movements of remembering: <div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Like shells that possess incredible memories, we first bring forth these shells;</li><li>Honest engagement with the implications;</li><li>Create stories out of these implications;</li><li>Explore how God is molding us through these.</li></ol>All these can be sparked with one prompt: "<i>I remember the moment when ________.</i>"</div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>In the first movement, he uses the metaphors of shells to help us see how our memories are born from experiences; how memories build stories; how we listen to our own stories; and how we find ourselves in the script of life. Rather than separating the four aspects of remembering, he shows us how all of them are part of the same story. Memories make for storytelling. As we remember our past experiences and stories, we can begin writing a script of the past, present, and also the future. Not all remembering is kind. There are some that we would rather not recall at all. Tygrett guides readers into our memories with honest confessions and the gentle interplay of remembering, forgiving, and redeeming. We learn that every memory belongs and once we reconcile them, they could point us forward to help determine the paths God intended for us to go. He shares various illustrations of biblical characters who experience various challenges in life, such as freedom from captivity, Israel's time in the wilderness; and how God takes us from our weaknesses to strengths while traveling through the wilderness of life. It is interesting to see how mental memories and physical places are connected, such as forgetfulness in exile and remembrance as redemption. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is also the part about remembering the dark side of our memories, such as disappointment, embarrassment, failures, pain, etc. This calls for a time of learning from our past. Memories also play a part in building communities and gaining wisdom. This is exemplified by teaching and passing down of history to the next generation. With each storytelling and retelling, we learn. Other memory devices used include music, emotions, incidents, and mealtimes at the table. </div><div><br /></div><div>
<u>My Thoughts</u><br />Let me give three thoughts about this book. <b>First, this book is a profound work of art and spirituality.</b> There are many pockets of opportunities to pause at the words and to reflect on what it means for us personally. Tygrett uses many active and lively words to guide our thoughts. Words like discipline, experience, learning, noticing, rhythms, and of course remembering. Each chapter is full of poignant quotes, with engaging examples to help us relate our invisible memories to our visible world. His use of shells is a simple yet effective one. From his personal experience of gathering shells on the beach, he begins with the gathering of shells (experiences), choosing which to keep (memories), and learning to lay them out before us (making meaning of our memories). We can bring them out, count them, reflect on them, and choose which to keep and which to discard. All of these are components of our own spiritual formation. Gathering shells as memories is both personal and communal, with lots of opportunities for self-reflection and storytelling.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second, this book is filled with practical tips to challenge us to lay hold of our memories and to make meaning out of them.</b> There are practices for narrating our memories, journaling, staging, pausing, writing spiritual autobiographies, sabbath rest, the prayer of examen, writing our own psalms, hospitality, and incorporating rhythms of pause. This turns this book into a 2-in-1 resource with theory and practice all in one place. The author does not shy away from incorporating the sciences of health and psychology with biblical faith and spirituality. This gives the book a more holistic treatment which should appeal to a wider audience. Some of the most challenging stuff is dealing with the dark side of our memories, something that many people tend to shy away from. With pastoral sensitivity, Tygrett is a competent guide to help us through that journey. One of the hardest things about remembering is about the dark memories of the past. Avoiding them might be okay at first but doing that might mean we lose a part of our identity. Tygrett assures us that the benefits can outweigh the cons when we courageously deal with those bad experiences. More importantly, they are part of our identity, for better or worse. With Jesus as our guide, we can reshape those memories and tell a story that heals.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Third, this book is a pointer to help us look back meaningfully and to help us live forward purposefully.</b> The last two chapters of the book are intriguing. Tygrett merges memories with the future to encourage us with hope through love and resilience. If the past has been bad, hope urges us toward creating a better tomorrow. The fruit of doing that is increasing wisdom and a better understanding our our experiences, stories, and identities. Like what the Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard used to say, "<i>Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards</i>." We might not understand why certain events happen in our lives. When we reflect and contemplate on the meaning of it all later, we can learn from it and hopefully become better people. </div><div><br /></div><div>May this book inspire more of us toward the rhythms of work and rest, and a constant awareness that in God, nothing is wasted, including all of our memories, past, present, and future.<br />
<br />Casey Tygrett is an author, pastor, and spiritual director in the
Chicago, IL area. He is the author of three books as well as the host of
the "Restlessness is a Gift" podcast. His passion is for compelling
content that leads people to lives of beauty and grace. Booking for
speaking & leading retreats as well as more information can be found
here: www.caseytygrett.com or on social media (@caseytygrett)<br /><br />
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-69115609621884888612024-01-19T16:47:00.000-08:002024-01-19T16:47:53.101-08:00"The Lost World of the Prophets" (John H. Walton)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/4a4k1gW" target="_blank">The Lost World of the Prophets: Old Testament Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature in Ancient Context</a><br />
AUTHOR: John H. Walton<br />
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: <u>InterVarsity Press</u>, 2024, (192 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUTY3yPfHIxqw8Mva0QlC0TAXlquB_0RB0P5E6gKl0bHdVIhTMqjXmmrU1Ns_Bhes-rl2ErjoIKIUCFZJdX4mU8djpxHZR0AzdZzwXWR7NsOZ8P9fPIxQYH-Wj4CxZx2T_wj6HgoP63QvHLC8d9_vu2IgDh6xtyh49HHi25b_NtlwJcIWlEG1EH3q0qyw/s550/LostWorldofthe%20Prophets.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUTY3yPfHIxqw8Mva0QlC0TAXlquB_0RB0P5E6gKl0bHdVIhTMqjXmmrU1Ns_Bhes-rl2ErjoIKIUCFZJdX4mU8djpxHZR0AzdZzwXWR7NsOZ8P9fPIxQYH-Wj4CxZx2T_wj6HgoP63QvHLC8d9_vu2IgDh6xtyh49HHi25b_NtlwJcIWlEG1EH3q0qyw/s320/LostWorldofthe%20Prophets.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>What comes to mind when we hear the words, "prophets," "prophecies," and "prophetic word?" For many, prophets are seen as "predictors" of the future, and "prophecies" are like future events waiting to be fulfilled. Such an understanding has unfortunately crippled the original meaning of what biblical prophecies mean. Calling this situation a "lost world of the prophets," esteemed author-professor John Walton helps us to recover the original meaning according to the Bible and to rediscover a deeper understanding of the different types and forms of prophecies. The author laments how prophetic books have been misunderstood by so many people. The "potential misuse" includes the unhealthy focus on end times (eschatology) and the use of prophetic texts merely to prove Jesus' deity (apologetics). He says that both of these are paths toward "fulfillment" theology. Using "cultural rivers" as a metaphor, he reminds us that if we want to understand the biblical prophecies, we need to soak ourselves in the biblical cultural river. At the same time, we need to avoid superimposing our modern cultural rivers on the Bible. This book is essentially about helping us swim and rediscover the lost world of the prophets. Walton guides us through five parts, each part leading us through the history, the process, and the ways to interpret the events based on the original authorial intent. The whole process is detailed and informative. Each part delineates various aspects of understanding the ancient cultural rivers. Using sixteen propositions as titles, Walton supports each proposition with examples and alternative readings. <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><b>Part One kicks off with a preamble about prophecies and what the ancient cultural rivers looked like.</b> During that time, divination is a common method of communication between the natural world and the supernatural domain. Walton asserts that prophecy is a subset of divination (P1), meaning they were generally concerned about the present and immediate future rather than the distant future. He then compares and contrasts the differences between various prophecies in the Ancient Near East and ancient Israel (P2). Both have similarities in terms of commonality and continuities. There is however some Israelite distinctiveness, namely the volume, the relationship between kings and prophets, and the place of the covenant. The most distinct difference is the context of the covenant. <b>Part Two looks at the institutions of prophecy with a focus on prophets.</b> He claims that prophets of old were spokespeople of God rather than predictors of the future (P3). It is another way of saying prophets were forth-tellers rather than foretellers. Old Testament Prophecy is also something that is developing rather than a massive revelation of future events (P4). Then there is the relationship of OT Prophecy to the covenant (P5). In times of crisis, prophecies were used as spiritual guidance for the people of Israel and sometimes other nations. Walton then distinguishes the different shapes of OT prophecies and their uniqueness from times beyond the Old Testament era (P6). He lists 8 different categories of prophetic activities ranging from preclassical prophets to those in the New Testament Church. <b>Part Three <br />examines the prophetic literature, the literary genres, the types of authors, and who the prophecies were for.</b> Walton then proposes that to be better-informed readers of prophecies, we must recognize the different categories of prophetic messages (P7). He gives us four types: Indictment, Judgment, Instruction, and Aftermath. He also tells us that prophets themselves were typically not authors (P8). For a decent authorship, they will need some strategic stages to move from word to book. This opens the door to the possibility that even when certain prophets have books named after them, there is a possibility that the original writers might be anonymous scribes. About who the audience(s) were, Walton asserts that the audience(s) of the prophetic books were not necessarily the audience of the prophet(s) (P9). This helps in understanding the nuances of each prophecy and seeing the bigger picture from God's perspective. <b>Part Four delves into methodological and interpretive issues.</b> Walton moves to distinguish prophecies between message from fulfillment (P10). This helps us maintain two sets of lenses whenever we read prophetic literature. At the same time, we avoid interpreting prophecy merely in terms of fulfillment, but more importantly, to see them as a proclamation of God's Truth, plans, and purposes. Even among fulfillment interpretations, Walter also suggests that there are many different "oblique trajectories" (P11) which reminds us not to make quick conclusions about any one trajectory. Moving to the New Testament, Walter shows us how the NT uses OT prophecy more as fulfillment rather than a message (P12). One reason is how Jesus frequently uses himself as the fulfillment of OT texts. He reminds us not to be overly focused on future fulfillment to the point of forgetting how it reveals the Person of God (P13). <b>Part Five looks at the apocalyptic nature of prophecies.</b> A key point is to distinguish apocalyptic literature from classical prophecy (P14). Another is to understand that visions are not the message but the "occasion" for the message (P15). After distinguishing OT and NT interpretations of prophecy, Walter comes back to the common point of principles. As far as apocalyptic literature is concerned, both NT and OT share common principles, especially about God's plans and purposes. Walter then concludes with a helpful reading strategy.<br /><br /><u>My Thoughts</u></div><div>Let me share three thoughts about this book. <b>First, Walter has highlighted the importance of understanding authorial intent rather than reader-centered interpretation. </b>Our evangelical tendencies of emphasizing New Testament fulfillment in Christ might have derailed a better appreciation of Old Testament prophecies. For too long, modern readers have emphasized fulfillment, and future predictions as the way to understand biblical prophecies. Here, we learn to nuance the interpretation through many different ways. From the understanding of cultural rivers to the different types of prophecies, we learn to read prophecies in their original contexts, something that not many of us are familiar with. He is not telling us to abandon our regular modes of fulfillment interpretation. Rather, he is reminding us that there is more than one way to understand prophecy. When studying the Bible in context, we should adopt exegesis (reading out of the texts) instead of eisegesis (reading into) of the texts. In the same manner, we should learn authorial intent over reader-centered intent. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Secondly, this is a wonderful box of tools to understand and interpret prophecies.</b> If all we have is a hammer, then everything would look to us like a nail. In this book, Walter equips us with many different tools for reading biblical prophecies. His sixteen propositions should position us toward a more humble and open attitude when it comes to prophecies. Even though some readers might push back against specific propositions, one thing that we can agree on is that nuancing is needed as far as biblical interpretation is concerned. God's plans and purposes often have a multidimensional and multi-perspectival pattern. The more angles we can see, the better and more holistic our understanding.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Finally, this is one of the best books about understanding biblical prophecies.</b> Hopefully, with this renewed and refreshed look at prophecies, more people will be able to approach the prophets and the prophetical books with enthusiasm. If there is one book that we need to read before approaching any prophet or prophecy, this is it!</div><div><br /></div><div>John H. Walton (Ph.D., Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old
Testament at Wheaton College. Previously he was professor of Old
Testament at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Some of his
books include Ancient Near Eastern Thought Essential Bible Companion),
Old Testament Today (with Andrew Hill), Genesis NIV Application
Commentary and IVP Bible Background Commentary (with Victor Matthews and
Mark Chavalas).</div><div>
<br />
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-31063614591073414302024-01-12T16:39:00.000-08:002024-01-12T16:39:25.699-08:00"Rethinking the Police" (Daniel Reinhardt)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3QIBLqF" target="_blank">Rethinking the Police: An Officer's Confession and the Pathway to Reform</a><br />
AUTHOR: Daniel Reinhardt<br />
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: <u>InterVarsity Press</u>, 2023, (224 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXFNdcanDApOErpg3wmYWUGyVi0SqfxMG0-QH4HV7sRxlWsS33ixocJOHEA_yAB8ZuVJPULaCjeAN0fDO2ed59DYjnrJbjMzTL_w0bhRILdr2EjTbCOMnIBHL1Cabe23NKOz-D-4OXJqz-j0wDK_Cc1UE-CFZQgwldlArDwQy0ixrtZTq-MvY8F1PanLk/s550/RethinkingThePolice.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXFNdcanDApOErpg3wmYWUGyVi0SqfxMG0-QH4HV7sRxlWsS33ixocJOHEA_yAB8ZuVJPULaCjeAN0fDO2ed59DYjnrJbjMzTL_w0bhRILdr2EjTbCOMnIBHL1Cabe23NKOz-D-4OXJqz-j0wDK_Cc1UE-CFZQgwldlArDwQy0ixrtZTq-MvY8F1PanLk/s320/RethinkingThePolice.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>The general perception of the Police force has taken a beating these days. From Michael Brown to Breonna Taylor, Daniel Prude to George Floyd, instances of police brutality on minority communities are becoming far too common. Those who claim that the issue is due to individual racists will have to explain why in 2023, five African American policemen killed Tyre Nichols, a black. According to author Daniel Reinhardt, the problem is beyond individuals. It is embedded in a system that nourishes systemic discrimination. In other words, if the perpetrators are guilty, the environment that breeds them is worse. As a 24-year-veteran of the police force, Reinhardt knows the system from the academy to street patrols. The question remains. If law enforcement agencies, courts, the federal agencies are aware of the problem, then why is there so little progress for better policing? Reinhardt puts his finger on the lack of changes from the inside out. With so much attention on external factors, internal factors have unwittingly been minimized. These factors refer to culture, worldview, and "implicit social structures." He goes on to describe the three key cultural factors: "Social distance," "Unchecked power," and "social structures." <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>With public admission of "systemic racism" in the system of policing and the unjust treatment of minority communities, many are clamoring for seismic changes. Reinhardt defines "systemic racism" not as something external like laws or written policies, but as unwritten laws and entrenched practices. He frames the book in two parts. Part One traces the history of the Police and highlights the ups and downs of the force. He asserts that the foundation of the Police was essentially based on Christian principles of fairness, peace, and "judicious exercise of power." The trouble begins when people start to diverge from the original principles. With corruption comes greed. Wth civil protests come power unhinged. The author goes on to describe how the three cultural factors led to dehumanization and abuse. Add to that is toxic leadership that makes positive changes difficult, even impossible. This caused the rise of problems like biased enforcement, brutality, and unjust use of power. The fight against crime led to "zero-tolerance policing." Statistical analysis reduces neighborhoods into mere numbers instead of understanding the contexts of each community. He points out a major cause: That the rules the police followed nourished the spread of systemic racism. <div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, Reinhardt provides us with a bigger writeup in Part Two of the book about reforming for positive change. He calls the policing leadership to go back to the Christian foundations based on servanthood, service, true peace, fairness, and justice. Sharing his personal expression about hitting a wall of resistance, he urges the reformation of police culture toward one of humility and willingness to change. He proposes a model of servant leadership that is based on John David Trentham's principle of integrating social sciences and law enforcement. This includes a "follower-first" practice that includes union, community, and mission. They are summarized as follows:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Leaders are followers first, meaning they practice what they preach</li><li>They are "one" with the people they lead</li><li>Authority and power are to be used "judiciously and benevolently."</li><li>Mission as justice and peace</li></ol></div><div>It also includes the need for a "shepherd" attitude and leadership characteristics. He then proposes a "new strategy of peace" that encapsulates the principles he had listed. At the very top are leaders who focus on influencing and inculcating the virtue of servanthood. They lead the way for everyone in that policing is not simply enforcing the law but building relationships with the communities they serve. </div><div>The next level of leadership is the officers and subcultures needed to infuse the principle of servanthood. In the interactions, the model must be exercised with the fundamentals of professionalism, respect, equitable treatment, trust, and public cooperation. Community policing means a deeper level of personal interaction with citizens and crime prevention. This calls for a smaller geographical area of responsibility to enable each officer to spend time building rapport with the community. A key focus is on how to improve relations with the African-American community. </div><div><br /><div><u>My Thoughts</u><br />I want to offer three thoughts about this book. <b>First</b>, I feel that the idea of servanthood is sound but the learning curve is steep. The subject of servant leadership has been around for over 60 years but we are still talking about putting such a theory into practice. This proves the age-old maxim that the longest distance in the world is the distance from the head to the heart. I could even venture to say that servant leadership is necessary in all spheres of society. Yet, in some way, the author might have seen this concept as a necessary corrective to what is happening to police forces in America and most of the Western hemisphere. The key driver for reform seems to come from the strong pushback from the public who are fed up with the racist treatments of the Rodney Kings and the George Floyds are becoming more blatant and frequent. Is systemic racism the cause? The author says yes. Is the solution to defund the police? The author says no. That would be a blunt strategy that is likened to throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Perhaps, the way forward for the police is to maintain the mindset of a servant. Like running a marathon, as long as one paces in the right direction, the goal will be in sight eventually. As the author admits, there are "no quick fixes" so readers will need to check their expectations when reading this book.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second</b>, though difficult, reforming the police is increasingly a necessity. With widespread public negativity, every single mistake by the police will be scrutinized meticulously. There is very little room for forgiveness. As long as positive steps are being put forward and implemented, there is hope. This is not simply about systemic racism. It is about the safety of all communities and the trust between the police and the public. Just like what the German Pastor Martin Neumueller warned about the failure to speak up for the needy, we should not see systemic racism as something affecting any one specific race alone. The biblical understanding of community is that, if one part of the body hurts, everyone hurts. It takes two to tango, so while it requires the police to make changes to their policing, the community needs to play its part to be more cooperative instead of confrontative. Be supportive of reforms. Be patient for as long as possible. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Third</b>, relationships matter and they matter greatly. This is the single biggest takeaway that I have when reading this book. Just like servant leadership needs to be propagated at all levels, relationship-building needs to happen at all levels. That means the police hierarchy and their fellow officers; the cooperation between neighbourhood watch groups and the police; relationships between the authorities among neighbouring jurisdictions; and regular human bonding events between the law enforcers and the public. At the end of it all, we should not simply be defined by the colour of our skin or the uniforms we wear. We need to respect the sanctity of life, to build trusting relationships with the people we live and interact with daily. In this regard, the author is wonderfully positioned to show us the way. As a former police officer, he understands what it means to serve, to protect, and to uphold the law. As a Christian, he knows the gospel as a bridge that brings together law, grace, and peace. Thankfully, he has written this book as a resource to help us think Christianly about policing and the foundations of decent and just policing. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Daniel
Reinhardt (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) served as a
police officer near Cleveland, Ohio, for twenty-four years. After
retiring from the police force, he was assistant professor at the Heart
of Texas Foundation College of Ministry at the Memorial Unit, a prison
in Rosharon, Texas. Currently, he is associate director of student life
and applied ministry at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He
lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Yvette.</div><div><br /></div><div>
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.<div><br /></div>
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.<br /></i></div></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-58264491214562620182024-01-05T18:52:00.000-08:002024-01-05T18:52:52.993-08:00"Reforming Criminal Justice A Christian Proposal" (Matthew T. Martens)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/47opgpV" target="_blank">Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal</a><br />
AUTHOR: Matthew T. Martens<br />
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: <u>Crossway Publishers</u>, 2023, (416 pages).<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk7p7O8IrFb6zmTzvtRnM-JNpONj46jaZM8KV6zn3CM5jLbJSECVL2yi80pTuB2vE64_PQ1wtg6cj13RbkJ9RAJpRWdGIeC97gigIhvk2dy8EHEsufoEUXngWCeekQR2OyJYRgh3zea-tYmcUPbE8D_Y8EYlaFm-vLxBIZ_zhCGDweUkzNVO-_pOR46ue/s569/ReformingCriminalJustice.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk7p7O8IrFb6zmTzvtRnM-JNpONj46jaZM8KV6zn3CM5jLbJSECVL2yi80pTuB2vE64_PQ1wtg6cj13RbkJ9RAJpRWdGIeC97gigIhvk2dy8EHEsufoEUXngWCeekQR2OyJYRgh3zea-tYmcUPbE8D_Y8EYlaFm-vLxBIZ_zhCGDweUkzNVO-_pOR46ue/s320/ReformingCriminalJustice.jpg" width="215" /></a>The American leadership system comprises three branches that counterbalance one another: The Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial branches of government. This ingenious system of government was first drawn up by the framers during the Declaration of Independence. Most people would have taken sides in the oft-divisive decisions taken by the first two branches. On a relative scale, the legal system seems to be the last branch standing when it comes to having a fair and just society. The Executive and the Congress frame the laws. The judicial system enforces the laws of the land. By definition, the American criminal justice system is essentially about "state-sponsored violence." This is because the state is legally empowered to inflict physical punishment on lawbreakers. While most of the time the punishment is legitimate, there are times in which injustice happens. As far as the law is concerned, justice means enforcing the laws of the land. The highest court of the country is the Supreme Court. As far as the Word of God is concerned, the highest order is love. This book is essentially about how the imperfect and flawed American criminal justice system can be reformed from this biblical perspective. Such flaws include the "us-versus-them" mentality that leads to societal divisions, the presumed "law and order" which could be overly subjective for comfort, and the infusion of political concerns into the practice of laws. Written in two parts, author Matthew Martens aims to "fashion a criminal justice system more in line with biblical teaching." Part One looks at what a biblical justice system looks like where Martens sketches out the contours of Christian ethic of justice. The first thing he does is to blur the lines of "social justice" and "criminal justice" to put them under the umbrella of redemption: of forgiven past and present love. <span><a name='more'></a></span>This is what the gospel is about: Salvation and Transformation. Social justice is not about how the world sees it but how God sees it, which is justice in society for both individuals and communities. Justified people act and behave justly. Martens uses the just-war analogy to inform the use of criminal justice. He raises the question of who are our neighbours by raising the five pillars of biblical justice: Accuracy, Due Process, Accountability, Impartiality, and Proportionality. Accuracy means justice must be measured precisely. "Due Process" means procedural fairness using the all-reasonable-means test. Accountability means any form of injustice needs to be properly compensated. Martens warns that laws themselves can be immoral. He warns of 9 ways where injustice can happen under the pretext of just following the law. Impartiality means learning to let Truth prevail without discrimination of any kind. Proportionality means any form of punishment must fit the crime.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Part Two looks at the present American Criminal Justice system where the author proposes certain improvements. Before passing judgment, readers get to learn about the history of the justice system. We learn about the differences between crime, breaking the law, and immorality. Many things are often not clear-cut black and white. This calls for wisdom and discernment which should form a big part of "prosecutorial discretion." Christians should be constantly comparing and contrasting the legal definition of a crime and moral considerations. Martens applies various aspects of the five pillars of biblical justice to the various forms of American justice: Plea Bargaining, Jury Selection, Judges, Assistance of Counsel, Exculpatory Evidence, Witnesses, Sentencing, Death Penalty, etc. "Plea bargaining" can be flawed as lawyers often pressure people into pleading guilty for expediency instead of Truth. On Jury Selection, juries must not just protect against lawlessness, they need to be vigilant against "callousness." Judges are human too, and so the test of impartiality is crucial. "Assistance of Counsel" ensures that everyone has a right to an attorney, even when they cannot afford one. "Exculpatory Evidence" means the obligation to seek truth regardless of which side one is on. On the death penalty, Martens had a change of heart from a "full-throated supporter" to a crusader against it. </div><p><u>My Thoughts</u> </p><p>I ask myself: "What did the author do well in this book?" My <b>first </b>thought is an appreciation for the detailed look into the world of American Criminal Justice. Many of us have been influenced by the courtroom scenes portrayed on TV such as "Blue Bloods," "Ally McBeal," "Law and Order," "Suits," and movies like "A Few Good Men," "Jack Reacher," "Just Mercy," etc. None of them has the comprehensiveness of this book. For non-American readers, the justice system might seem a little foreign. However, the principles can be applied in all cultures. This is where the five pillars of biblical justice apply. Many of them can be adapted for legal systems throughout the world. Using the examples of how biblical justice can be applied to the American system, the rest of the world can do the same to their own national systems. While those with some legal training would benefit most, that does not mean the rest of us cannot learn a thing or two. In fact, just like the rationale for using jury systems, sometimes inviting non-professional individuals helps make the justice system more inclusive. </p><p><b>Secondly</b>, Martens reminds us that no justice system is perfect. That is why the title of the book is significant: "Reforming Criminal Justice." There are many flaws in the existing systems. As long as the powers-to-be are open to reasonable changes, there is hope for a better legal system for future generations. For the uninitiated, Marten's four suggestions on what we can do will be most helpful. "Think different," "Speak different," "Work different," and "Vote different" are ways in which we can all play our part. They are listed in increasing levels of pressure. Even though changing any institutional system is difficult or seemingly impossible, as long as we keep trying, there is a chance. </p><p><b>Finally</b>, from a pastoral perspective, dealing with justice is just one side of the coin. Injustice is the other side. The root of all forms of reformation has to be redemptive love. For all the elaborate laws and legal procedures, many flaws could derail the recognition of Truth and the exercise of justice. By showing us the different processes and entities in the legal system, Martens explains the many facets of the practice of law from history to the contemporary era to give us space to explore ways how to improve them. Love is not just the future but needs to be very much present. Just because something is legal does not mean it is ethical. Just because something is lawful does not mean it is beneficial. </p><p>A word of caution: The present system might very well be the best we have today. We should not jettison everything simply because of their inherent flaws or imperfections. An imperfect system is better than no system at all. Do not throw the baby (legal systems) out with the bathwater of flaws. The single biggest reason to read this book is essentially on how we can think and behave Christianly when dealing with the legal systems in our society.</p><p><span class="a-text-bold">Matthew T. Martens</span>
(JD, University of North Carolina School of Law; MABS, Dallas
Theological Seminary) is a trial lawyer and partner at an international
law firm in Washington, DC. He has spent the bulk of his more than
twenty-five-year legal career practicing criminal law both as a federal
prosecutor and as a defense attorney. He served as a law clerk to Chief
Justice William Rehnquist at the US Supreme Court and also as a
political appointee in the criminal division of the US Justice
Department under Attorney General Ashcroft. Matt and his wife are
members at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and have two
sons and a daughter. </p><div>
<br />
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-32030611056983723682023-12-21T11:41:00.000-08:002023-12-21T11:41:25.644-08:00"40 Questions About the Apostle Paul" (Miguel Echevarria and Benjamin Laird)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/487CGXV" target="_blank">40 Questions About the Apostle Paul</a><br />
AUTHOR: Miguel Echevarria and Benjamin Laird<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Kregel Academic</u>, 2023, (320 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSRMcy1tjj-CtRfKJEqD_JD1BSy8Kxtqle8fTnlBFFsPsq9NDyU0uP2TMbkPEjVjZSgqXUflHr7SYQm0NKHis9SsMtWkyKNwTdvMB-3gcbLm9cBq7zc8on01BdeFZkPvI64JQSXozTP5QsmhpTF2u0pxMF3CkTA7iPv_Ldv7DcR8AuvfQzmcqokTvjJxW/s1050/40QsApostlePaul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSRMcy1tjj-CtRfKJEqD_JD1BSy8Kxtqle8fTnlBFFsPsq9NDyU0uP2TMbkPEjVjZSgqXUflHr7SYQm0NKHis9SsMtWkyKNwTdvMB-3gcbLm9cBq7zc8on01BdeFZkPvI64JQSXozTP5QsmhpTF2u0pxMF3CkTA7iPv_Ldv7DcR8AuvfQzmcqokTvjJxW/s320/40QsApostlePaul.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>What is there to learn about the apostle Paul? A lot. In fact, many scholars have gone on to do PhDs on this eloquent and influential character of the Bible. Apostle to the Gentiles, author of the bulk of the New Testament, and traditionally a martyr for Christ, Paul has become a key figure in New Testament studies. From the life of Paul to Pauline theology, scholars have combed his writings both canonical and non-canonical to find out more about his personal character, background, history, theological orientations, and many more. A decent bibliography of all the research done on Paul could be published into a book! Instead of a mere 40 questions, one could even propose a 100-question volume. Thus, it is commendable for the authors of this book to condense the most critical questions into 40. Most of the material in this book will be gleaned from the New Testament, namely, the book of Acts and the letters written by Paul. The three parts of the book comprise:<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Questions about Paul's Life</li><li>Questions about Paul's Writings</li><li>Questions about Paul's Theology</li></ol><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>Beginning with questions about Paul's life, Echevarria and Laird answer questions about Paul's background, family, education, and faith. We learn more about Tarsus, his birthplace, and his Jewish upbringing. On his family, one interesting question happens to be a discussion about his marital status. While many people assumed that he was single, some studies suggest he was married at some point in his life. We also learn about his early convictions about the need to persecute the Church. After his conversion, the authors help illuminate his role in spreading the gospel. The questions also summarize his early years of ministry, his three missionary journeys, his final years, his missionary strategies, and his struggle against opposition. </div><div><br /></div><div>Part Two contains 8 questions about Paul's writings and 4 questions about his authority. Echevarria and Laird date each of Paul's New Testament letters and where they were written. While most of them were written from known, locations, some like Titus remain a mystery. We also learn that Paul did not write his letters alone. He had helpers to distribute, deliver, and disseminate the letters to the respective churches. There is the conventional structure of Paul's literary artistry and communications strategy. One question is devoted to the question of authorship of the book of Hebrews. While the authorship is disputed, many who argue against Pauline authorship tend to agree that Paul remains an influence on its writing. The four questions on authority are important because it is connected to the canonicity of the letters. Echevarria and Laird list some common scholarship objections to the canonicity of the 13 letters to increase our awareness. They then give us some reasons why they believe the letters are authentic and authoritative. </div><div><br /></div><div>Part Three is quite extensive. Comprising 9 general questions and 8 specific ones, Echevarria and Laird provide a bird's eye view of Pauline theology such as Christology, Conversion, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, etc. The question of Paul's central theme is an important one. The authors list a summary of some of the most common themes by various scholars. Chapter 24 itself is worth the price of the book. Looking through ten of the most prominent proposals, Echevarria and Laird encourage us to keep an open mind for further discoveries as well as research. Safe to say, the various proposals together give us a fuller picture of the theology of Paul. Other more specific questions include the "New Perspective of Paul," his views on marriage and singleness, the controversial role of women in the church, slavery, racial divisions, spiritual gifts, the position of Israel, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u><br />This book can be used as a primer as well as a launchpad into more advanced research. For those who are new to Pauline studies, this book is an invaluable guide to the many possible angles of research. Echevarria and Laird have put together an accessible volume that is clear and concise. For the new seminarian or keen layperson, some of the questions asked might be unfamiliar. By having the questions asked for us, readers can get a leg up on the field of Pauline studies. The summary section at the end of each question is helpful. The reflective questions should also energize the inquisitive to initiate more research. The bibliography is brief and can be used as a primer to do that. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I read the book, the questions bring back a flood of memories when I was in Bible School. One of my favourite courses was Pauline Theology which could very well provide a sizable chunk of systematic theology curriculum. This book does not replace the core courses. Instead, it can be a quick refresher for those of us who have forgotten what we have learned in seminary. I like the question-and-answer format as it resembles an extended theological catechism. That way, for anybody who is intimidated by the theology and writings of Paul, this book could very well spark a new interest and excitement in the study of Paul's life, his writings, and his theology. <br /><br />In summary, this book continues in the popular Kregel series of 40 Questions that puts complex issues into a simplified format. I recommend this book as a reference for Bible study leaders, pastors and preachers. For the layperson, I highly recommend this volume as an introduction to all things Paul, especially with the apostle Paul being such a significant figure in the Bible.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Benjamin P. Laird</span>
(PhD, University of Aberdeen) serves as associate professor of Biblical
Studies at the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, Liberty University.
He is the author of the forthcoming volume <span class="a-text-italic">The Formation, Publication, and Circulation of the Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity</span>.<br /><br /><span class="a-text-bold">Miguel G. Echevarría</span>
(PhD in New Testament from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
serves as Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern
Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of <span class="a-text-italic">The Future Inheritance of Land in the Pauline Epistles</span>.</div>
<br />
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Academic without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-92011230485869746532023-12-19T19:07:00.000-08:002023-12-19T19:07:00.734-08:00"Hear Ye the Word of the Lord: What We Miss If We Only Read the Bible" (D. Brent Sandy)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3QQbC9G" target="_blank">Hear Ye the Word of the Lord: What We Miss If We Only Read the Bible</a><br />
AUTHOR: D. Brent Sandy and John Walton<br />
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: <u>InterVarsity Press</u>, 2024, (192 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kgGVr74iZRMZZTnQ4HzWx64v0dEHqMGt4OzBSb8LaS4Fc02uofea-6RMDUFCVh_R81r_mOD6RtFQi4gNAvsM6KdJAVi21QgB_CJyIorEJL4YTnqzJfy_6Xl2RtCVdPu-A-r3s55bMfxKgzv93zrzoctw6jV0pdELt7-FSObhn504PxZnwQ_4oBx-Zx6j/s1000/HearYeTheWord.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kgGVr74iZRMZZTnQ4HzWx64v0dEHqMGt4OzBSb8LaS4Fc02uofea-6RMDUFCVh_R81r_mOD6RtFQi4gNAvsM6KdJAVi21QgB_CJyIorEJL4YTnqzJfy_6Xl2RtCVdPu-A-r3s55bMfxKgzv93zrzoctw6jV0pdELt7-FSObhn504PxZnwQ_4oBx-Zx6j/s320/HearYeTheWord.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>We often think of the Bible in terms of a Holy Book. So we encourage people to "read" the Bible like a text, study the Scriptures like an ancient document, and interpret each verse with careful eyes. If we limit ourselves to such a view, we would have missed the very essence of God's message to us. The Word was first delivered to human ears rather than eyes. Right from the beginning, the standard form of communication was oral. The receivers were listeners. Plus, it was noted that, unlike today, ancient people had fewer authors and more speakers; more hearers than readers. How the world has changed. The key premise of this book is that if we want to read the Bible well, we need to remember the original contexts of the Bible given to us to listen rather than to read. It is ok to read texts but do not miss out on the importance of listening to the Word. So convicted is author Brent Sandy that he puts forth 18 propositions about the what, the why, and the what then. Categorized in four parts, Sandy urges us to understand the original stage of communications, understand God's agenda, learn about the implications of oral scripture, and practice listening on top of mere reading. <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Part One sets the stage for recovering some oral awareness in our world inundated with texts. We are reminded that we were never born to read. If we are truly passionate about understanding the Bible in its original contexts, then we need to adopt a posture of "hearing" above our tendency toward "reading." There are five propositions in this "Setting the Stage" section. It tells us about God's original method of communicating His Word. Not only must we understand how God speaks to us today, we need to learn of how God spoke to people in ancient times. Knowing that the original revelation was for hearers, we need to remove our hats of "What the Bible means to me?" and put on the hat of "What the Bible means to the original hearers?" This calls for research that is not just archaeological but also other forms of scholarly research. In reading Scripture, we need a second key: How did people hear Scripture back then? The goal of good Bible reading is to incorporate "their hearing." </div><div><br /></div><div>Part Two describes the different ways of God speaking. The Psalms shine forth a rich oral culture through God speaking and people praising. The creation begins via speaking. God spreads His Word through the speaking capability of his servants. Through Moses, God spoke the Law into being. Through the prophets, God uses prophetic oracles, narratives, and wisdom sayings to propagate Truth. Through Jesus, God's authority was spoken and repeated. Sandy notes: "Jesus didn't compose a text. He spoke the text. He embodied the text." Likewise, Jesus' disciples proclaimed the gospels far and wide, typically via speech. <br /><br />Part Three looks at the implications of oral culture. Jesus himself told stories. We can learn from Jesus. In fact, the New Testament authors transcribed what they heard into written words. We need to learn from the oral culture in storytelling, speaking narratives, and oratory skills. In doing so, we can become better hearers and speakers of Scripture. Hopefully, we can push back against an increasingly impersonal and individualistic textual world of today. </div><div><br /></div><div>Part Four gives us some practical experiments for oral interpretation. We are reminded that holistic reading involves listening. We are encouraged to use more of our ears in creation and incarnation. Some experiments include listening to poetry and reading it aloud. Listen to plays and vocal variety to heighten or lower the effects. <br />
<br /><u>My Thoughts</u><br />Let me offer three thoughts about this book.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>First, this book shines a new perspective on Scripture Reading and congregational listening.</b> We often want to encourage people to read the Bible more. Some churches regularly teach the RPG formula to Read, Pray, and Grow. With this book, we add a new prefix L: Listen. In fact, churches during regular worship services should have a special oral reading of Scripture every time. Instead of simply letting congregation members refer to the passage on their phones or pew Bibles, read them aloud! During Bible studies, read the passages out loud. During prayer meetings, read the Bible out loud for all to hear. Dr Brent Sandy does a good job of showing us the ancient contexts of oral communication. this might be the key that unlocks the Bible in ways that we have never really discovered. Part One of the book is necessary reading, or perhaps, reading aloud!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second, this is a needful corrective against an increasingly textual culture.</b> I remember reading about the French philosopher's experiment that compares images and the Word. He contrasts the two and insightfully reveals to us how watching images tends to be self-centered while listening to the Word is more other-centered. We consume a lot of textual material today. From reading web pages to browsing social media, there are a lot of words to take in. That kind of culture has become a way of life today. If Ellul's experiment holds true, this might very well be a major cause of increasing self-centered behaviour. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Third, we need more listening in so many ways.</b> Hopefully, by incorporating a greater oral component in our Bible studies, we can have a richer understanding of the Bible in its original context. Sandy's case is pretty convincing, but in the light of an overwhelmingly reading culture, moving anyone toward a more oral culture will take a while. I encourage readers to listen more to the Bible. There are plenty of resources out there on the Internet today. The free YouVersion Bible is widely available for download on mobile devices, computers, and websites. Perhaps, when we incorporate a greater amount of oral applications, that might facilitate a spiritual formation that cannot be done via mere textual reading. I look forward to that day. Until that happens, let our Churches and community groups read the Bible aloud at all opportunities. It builds community. </div><div><br /><div>D.
Brent Sandy (PhD, Duke University) taught New Testament and Greek at
Wheaton College and chaired the Department of Religious Studies at Grace
College. He is coauthor (with John Walton) of <span class="a-text-italic">The Lost World of Scripture: Ancient Literary Culture and Biblical Authority</span> and author of <span class="a-text-italic">Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic.</span></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"><p><span class="a-text-bold">John Walton </span>is professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. He is coauthor of <span class="a-text-italic">Manners and Customs in the Bible</span> and <span class="a-text-italic">The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament.</span></p></div>
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-54695422059254212762023-12-12T16:03:00.000-08:002023-12-12T16:03:00.449-08:00"Wounded Pastors" (Carol Howard Merritt and James Fenimore)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3EXhvej" target="_blank">Wounded Pastors: Navigating Burnout, Finding Healing, and Discerning the Future of Your Ministry</a><br />
AUTHOR: <span class="a-text-bold">Carol Howard Merritt</span> and James Fenimore<br />
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: <u>Westminster John Knox Press</u>, 2024, (190 pages).<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz4q7uftaW7QqwpOsAcAQNMo74JAUv1E9b8OMtnvEONL7MuEaQHAQaPH3j4vqQS5xr-3KcBAXIx-oBRwgsLSZt5_fLDVZYtld4tvBldmWsL18D0mEzm5d65ktVstKOdrBrGhKHyqX4O3nfuCmhF-0bJ4t9xXZt14oElDGrBuSQCL85p8p3Rnix-8QYUZM/s1400/WoundedPastors.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="906" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz4q7uftaW7QqwpOsAcAQNMo74JAUv1E9b8OMtnvEONL7MuEaQHAQaPH3j4vqQS5xr-3KcBAXIx-oBRwgsLSZt5_fLDVZYtld4tvBldmWsL18D0mEzm5d65ktVstKOdrBrGhKHyqX4O3nfuCmhF-0bJ4t9xXZt14oElDGrBuSQCL85p8p3Rnix-8QYUZM/s320/WoundedPastors.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Saying pastoral ministry is not easy is an understatement. Many enter the call to full-time ministry at some level of social and economic disadvantage. Well-remunerated pastors are few. Many struggle even to make ends meet. Having written about wounded Christians in all walks of life, there is one group of people that the authors have left out: The clergy. This book is the answer to the many criticisms about excluding the clergy in the woundedness category. From burnout to blatant hurts, healing is a necessary process, and some of us might say, even more so for the clerical vocation. Frequently, those in the ministry of helping others need help themselves. It is widely expected that pastors have to comfort others in their times of grief. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said the other way around. Who comforts them when they are grieved? In some congregations, expectations of pastoral perfection can even lead to unrealistic assumptions that pastors with special calling will automatically experience God's comfort. What if God is using ordinary people to help the hurting pastors? What if we recognize that not everyone is like the Bible heroes of old, like Moses, Joshua, David, etc, where God was their personal Comforter, Deliverer, and Saviour? God can use supernatural means to help, but we should not restrict God from using ordinary people via ordinary means. This book is one ordinary way in which pastors can find a way to heal from their wounds. Written in three parts, authors James Fenimore and Carol Howard write about this process.<span><a name='more'></a></span><div>In Part One, we learn about "Identifying our Pain." The first step in any process of healing is to state the facts upfront. For Carol, she dealt with her pain by going on a spiritual journey to Israel. This was amid the pandemic. While she stayed on in the pastorate, her co-author James quit. Not only do they need to identify their pain, they need friends who understand what they are going through. Here, the authors show us how some of these friendships can be tricky. Questions need to be asked about whether one should share their struggles within the Church. Should one then always look outside the Church for a friend? They point out that we should think out of the box, find a hobby, to connect with others through continuing education, geographical conveniences, specialized support groups, etc. We also need to learn how to tell our own stories. They provide a helpful list of "reflection prompts" to enable us to share well. <div><br /></div><div>Part Two is the heart of the book that deals with healing proper. It guides us to look honestly at our reactions and the reasons behind them. Many people try to cover up their hurts inappropriately. Whether it is through over-functioning or under-functioning, or how some react to various relationships in the organization, anxiety can push us over the limits of our behaviour. When we lose healthy boundaries, our hurts deepen. Other self-diagnostic measures include healthy recognition of expectations, grounded faith, secure identity, dealing with old baggage, etc. One of the most difficult is about forgiving those who have hurt us. The chapter "Forgiving Our Antagonist" is a tough one to read. The more wounded one is, the harder the read. Thankfully, the authors take the time to describe what forgiveness is and what it entails. </div><div><br /></div><div>Part Three on "Nurturing Our Growth" is an important step to build on any recovery. The world out there is cruel and difficult. Anyone who has been hurt before might be hurt again. The way forward is not to avoid interactions but to find ways to deal with them when the hurt happens. An important point is to tell the difference between seeing oneself as a "hurt victim" vs "wounded pastor." The former regrets and retreats into one's shell while the latter learns to deal with any disappointment and works toward recovery. <br /><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u></div><div>Let me offer three thoughts about this book.</div><div><br /></div><div>First, it is a necessary resource for anyone in ministry. Who doesn't get hurt? Everyone gets hurt from time to time. Even for those who are not easily offended, it is simply a matter of time before someone does something to grieve them. Like driving on snow. One can be the most careful driver but there is no guarantee that others will do the same. Other drivers might lose control of their vehicles and hit us. Put simply, one should never assume "hurt immunity" syndrome. Having written a book for the general audience about identifying, recovering, and growing despite hurt situations, authors Merritt and Fenimore target this book at those in ministry, especially pastors. Truth is, pastors struggle a lot inside their closets. In the family, there is the challenge of having to manage family relationships amid a busy Church climate. There is the economic challenge where some pastors had to take on a second job just to make ends meet. One of the most challenging parts of ministry is none other than expectations. While it is generally agreed that it is impossible to please everyone, in practice, everyone expects to be pleased. There is also the frequent clashes between the various power bases in the Church. Many situations wound pastors, whether it is the diocese leadership, local Church boards, or even among fellow colleagues in the Church office.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second, the book is targeted at healing and recovery.</b> This is the key reason why anyone should pick up this book. With so few people in ministry and the needs overwhelming, we need to do what we can to help existing and prospective ministry workers. The last thing any Church needs is to lose capable and experienced people simply because they cannot recover from their wounds. As Ecclesiastes 3:7s reminds us, "there is a time to tear and a time to mend." For all the altruistic reasons to push on in ministry, workers need to pay more attention to self-care and soul-care. Some people think that they need to push on all the time because the needs are so great. No. Regular maintenance and healing is required. When wounds become learning lessons for healing, that would have been worth the price of this book.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Third, this book is a reminder for us to learn to sabbath regularly.</b> The sabbatical principle of rest and restoration is a big opportunity for healing. Some churches do not believe in sabbaticals for their pastors. That is a real pity. We are all human. Pastors are not superhumans. I have heard some of my peers working non-stop because they are so devoted to their calling. Truth is, we should take sabbath intentionally to remind us that the ministry belongs to God. A burnt-out pastor is of no use. There is a threshold that if exceeded will result in diminishing returns. Sabbath is a way to give ourselves some space to hang out freely without guilt or expectations from others. A good healer is one who knows how to take care of himself/herself. Sabbath is more than simply a vacation time. It is a time to establish our links with God, the one who started the calling ministry altogether. Going back to the Creator without being obligated by outside pressures is a gift of Sabbath. <br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Carol Howard Merritt</span> is the pastor of Bedford Presbyterian Church in Bedford Village, outside of New York City. She is the author of <span class="a-text-italic">Healing Spiritual Wounds: Reconnecting with a Loving God after Experiencing a Hurtful Church</span> and <span class="a-text-italic">Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry in a New Generation</span>. She has also written two devotionals and is a popular speaker for preachers and church groups.<br /><br /><span class="a-text-bold">James Fenimore</span>
is a psychotherapist and congregational consultant with the Samaritan
Counseling Center and is based out of Bedford, New York. He has served
as a pastor and district superintendent in the United Methodist Church
and is a licensed marriage and family therapist in New York state. He
holds degrees in technology, theology, and psychology, often pursuing
programs and projects that merge the three areas of study.</div>
<br />
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Westminster John Knox Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-967438489121004902023-12-01T17:10:00.000-08:002023-12-01T17:11:51.973-08:00"Light of the Word" (Susan C. Lim)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3R06EHC" target="_blank">Light of the Word: How Knowing the History of the Bible Illuminates Our Faith </a><br />
AUTHOR: Susan C. Lim<br />
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: <u>InterVarsity Press</u>, 2023, (240 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46LaKYoJ6u7QVwE-O0nvU8WaVWe5BZhTRrSJj11zSR7uwFVmJOwGRTPEvYTJlR5uo47ZkyslxtcRjgGJIdhAQ3HXLt9qrnAQno_NIxZeEcoSOzkYTylKPu2kHBOWDhkxs-EbXbuHiV9iNbz9aS3B8ZOYHSuA2aWR5q54Nv3Uc_9_4uShvU5IdmVbJSZYt/s550/LightOftheWorld.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46LaKYoJ6u7QVwE-O0nvU8WaVWe5BZhTRrSJj11zSR7uwFVmJOwGRTPEvYTJlR5uo47ZkyslxtcRjgGJIdhAQ3HXLt9qrnAQno_NIxZeEcoSOzkYTylKPu2kHBOWDhkxs-EbXbuHiV9iNbz9aS3B8ZOYHSuA2aWR5q54Nv3Uc_9_4uShvU5IdmVbJSZYt/s320/LightOftheWorld.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div>The Christian faith is anchored on the Bible. Without the Word, we cannot know God and there is no Christianity of today. Without knowing the history of the Bible, we might not be able to fully appreciate the Truth. In fact, knowing the history of the Bible is to know the context of its formation. In Bible studies, one of the most important principles is to interpret the verses in context. That means recognizing the embedded meaning within the passage instead of mere verses alone. Context depends not only on literal meaning but also on literary forms. Other contextual considerations include cultural awareness, linguistic nuances, genre types, historical backgrounds, etc. Knowing the history of the Bible is like the study of the contextual origins of the Bible, that a good understanding will increase our faith and insight. It is the key to unlocking the Truth and build up our faith. Not only that, as far as the author is concerned, the Word has become her strength and refuge in many personal circumstances. Seeing the history of the Bible helps her to visualize her faith profoundly. In both her first and second confessions of faith, it was the Word that consistently guided and encouraged her. She begins with the angle of Scriptures and Salvation, to point out the reliability of the Bible even when many of us have expressed different types of doubts from time to time. Whatever it is, doubts do not negate salvation. Instead, they spur us to a deeper knowledge of the Word. She guides us through the origins of the canon, what it means, why it is important, and what it means for her personally. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>In the same way, she points out how the Bible was inherited via Old Testament traditions, rooted in history, and carefully passed down from generation to generation. She encourages us to read the Bible not in some mechanical "life manual" but a living Word that we can "dance with the Lord." That means "absorbing, meditating, responding, and living out" the Word. Apart from the canon, she also covers the pseudepigrapha and apocryphal works, showing us why they do not belong to the canon. On how the Bible changes lives, she gives us the testimonies of Billy Graham and Charles Templeton, who used to serve together in many evangelistic events. Their paths shifted dramatically because of their fundamental disagreements over the way they see the Bible. Graham takes his doubts as a way to cultivate greater faith in God. Templeton's doubts led to his own downfall as he sank deeper into the valley of constant suspicions about the reliability of the Bible. On miracles, she gives us reasonable explanations on why the miracles in the Bible are believable. She does the same for the New Testament, giving us summaries of each book, providing historical evidence, the canonization process, with witness and support from the Church Fathers, and many believers of old. </div><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u><br />The Bible is not an easy book to read. For a modern audience to understand ancient texts is already a tall order. Add to that the many doubts about the reliability of the Bible, it can be daunting to those who are unfamiliar with the history of the Bible. For those who are long-term believers, it can also challenge them to move beyond any complacency and find ways to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Bible.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me give three thoughts about what this book means to the believer, the doubter, and the skeptic. For the <b>believer</b>, this book raises good questions about the history and reliability of the Bible. Some believers do not ask enough questions to increase their understanding. That will be a pity because asking questions opens up many learning moments. For there is a kind of doubt that leads to faith. Believers should not be discouraged whenever they have doubts about the Bible or Christian faith. In fact, the Word of God is more than able to stand on its own. We need to be challenged to learn and to grow in appreciating how the Bible has survived the many formidable challenges of old. This book should equip believers with basic questions and tenets that underscore the reliability and authenticity of the Bible.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the <b>doubter</b>, do not be afraid to let the doubts drive the search for Truth. This book is essentially written by a doubter, the author herself. Sharing her many moments of searching for answers, Susan Lim has done for the Bible what Lee Strobel has done for proving the authenticity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lim shows her own personal journey from confession to conviction, and from doubts to deeper faith. This is something that readers can take note of. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the <b>skeptic</b>, I urge you to give this book a chance. Explore the points mentioned and the evidence shown. I do not presume that the book can provide all the answers that you are looking for. At least, see the reasons and evidence in the book as probable answers to any doubts you might have. Be honest about your default views. For many people, their default views are already biased in some ways. Whether it is a believer or unbeliever, secularist or skeptic, we all have some philosophical leanings or assumptions that we hold on to. Read this book with an open mind. </div><div><br /></div><div>So whether you are a believer, a doubter, or a skeptic, have an open mind to give this book a read. Who knows, it might very well be a light to deeper insights about the Bible.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Susan C. Lim (PhD, UCLA) is a historian and writer. She has been a
professor of history at Biola University in La Mirada, California, and
is a speaker at conferences, churches, and retreats. She loves to share
God's Word and serve at her home church, Mariners Church in Irvine,
California. She resides in Southern California with her husband, Brian,
and their two children.<br />
<br />
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-7605114217771072452023-11-28T17:35:00.000-08:002023-11-28T17:35:46.844-08:00"Numbers" (Mark A. Awabdy)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3PGV4Ak" target="_blank">Numbers (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Pentateuch)</a><br />
AUTHOR: Mark A. Awabdy<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Baker Academic</u>, 2023, (672 pages). <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu4mlVBtTgVqqEg2tD_PjnlnSVlzTZeXIJCoSMMyj0IaNje8d7VMKa-f9AOq_hAsTZqNY9skslsui9inMP4bGulVt5Ic1oD33bgU6ttvuxrmbqyQJ0jhhO75LqtTyBKQVLspj1WT9-aICwj_5zN0r-gZDukEAESOAXtUXzU0VyNN8yMl_HW-8HnlLuSsb/s897/Numbers_Awabdy.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu4mlVBtTgVqqEg2tD_PjnlnSVlzTZeXIJCoSMMyj0IaNje8d7VMKa-f9AOq_hAsTZqNY9skslsui9inMP4bGulVt5Ic1oD33bgU6ttvuxrmbqyQJ0jhhO75LqtTyBKQVLspj1WT9-aICwj_5zN0r-gZDukEAESOAXtUXzU0VyNN8yMl_HW-8HnlLuSsb/s320/Numbers_Awabdy.png" width="214" /></a></div>Despite its dated content, the Old Testament continues to be revered and cherished by many people, especially believers. The challenge for modern readers is how such ancient writings relate to contemporary times. Most people would know Genesis as the first book of the Bible. Many might also know about Exodus, given the popularity of the classic movie "The Ten Commandments" usually screened during the Easter and Christmas seasons. As one moves further down the Pentateuch, so does familiarity. This series of Baker commentaries focuses on the Pentateuch of which the book of Numbers is the fourth. The intent is to provide a reliable resource for modern readers to understand "the nature of God, creation, humankind, sin, salvation, atonement, sacrifice, holiness, and righteousness." This is done through multiple bridging of the old and the new. The author helps bring to life the ancient meaning and contemporary relevance of the texts; to help modern readers dialogue through themes that flow consistently throughout the Bible. One important aspect of this commentary is how the author addresses the issue of reader boredom or reader confusion when reading Numbers. Sharing the "grief" that many people might have experienced in this fourth book of the Pentateuch, author-professor Mark Awabdy guides us through each chapter with the help of primary Hebrew manuscripts, Qumran/Dead Sea scrolls, Samaritan fragments, Early and Modern Translations, and many other exegetical tools. He laments how the title Numbers is a misnomer which often misleads readers into downplaying its importance. After all, only four out of 36 chapters contain statistics. Instead, he prefers the Jewish title "In the Wilderness." I concur as that is a lot more representative than mere "Numbers." Why the misleading label? The reason is partly historical reliance on the translators of the Septuagint which results in a literal translation of the Greek word "Arithmoi" into its title. That said, the numerical sections of the book are deemed "theological," not simply statistical facts. He calls the book an "unfolding story" of literary forms that consists of one whole story and a series of individual units embedded within it. The challenge is to try to interpret it as coherent as possible, according to the literary Hebrew narratives and cultural uniqueness. <div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Awabdy makes an astute insight concerning interpreters and readers. Readers tend to see the book's substructures as separate units while the interpreters need to sense an overarching theme. Getting at the unity of the various compositions is a key purpose in this book. He gives us five pointers on how to do that:</div><div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Identify the intertexts while exegeting any passage</li><li>Recognize the contrasting materials</li><li>Summarize the discrete theology of each layer</li><li>Describe the different theologies in tension with one another</li><li>Explain the overarching theological message</li></ol><div>Understanding the ancient contexts requires a knowledge of the land, familiarity with the literature, iconography, awareness of archaeology, and an identification of the theological themes. This is what Awabdy has tried to do in this commentary. With the knowledge of geography, we understand why things happen in various terrains. Like camping in a place without much rainfall or water sources, leading to a desperate reliance only on the LORD. Archaeology helps us piece together the history of the texts. Literature and iconography provide additional contexts for a more accurate interpretation. Theologically, the author helps us to understand Numbers' portrayal of God and contrasts it with the other gods of the Ancient Near East. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Three Thoughts</u><br /><div>First, the commentary clarifies a number of misconceptions, especially about "Numbers" being a misnomer. Many people commonly believe that "Numbers" is simply about mundane statistics and repetitive numerical details. That is far from the Truth. Yet, this is how many people let titles guide their reading or studying choices. If in the past a reading generation still gets misled by titles and erroneous synopses, the problem might be even more acute for today's browsing and TLDR generations. The age-old maxim bears repeating: Do not judge a book by its cover. In this instance, do not judge the Book of Numbers by its title. Thankfully, Awabdy helps us debunk such ideas in favour of the Hebrew title, "In the desert." Such an insight should help teachers and preachers in promoting the study of the Book of Numbers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Secondly, the commentary is not strictly verse-by-verse but follows the chapter flow of the Book. This makes it a quick and helpful reference resource. Each chapter comes with an Introduction, a translation, interpretation, and Implications. While the Interpretation happens at the exegesis level, the theological aspects are mostly located in the implications section. Many of the intertextual comparisons are done at the Interpretation section. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I like the way the author is sensitive to modern minds. As many of the ancient texts are based on the Ancient Near East cultural origins, it can be difficult to make sense of it for the modern person. Awabdy helps us to understand not only what it means then but also what it means for us at the present time. He does this by asking questions that we are all familiar with. Questions like:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Is taking a census in the Army a test of trust in human power or in God?</li><li>Is there a hierarchy within the people of God?</li><li>How do we understand the Theology of the Passover then and now?</li><li>Why is Sabbath breaking taken so seriously in Numbers 15?</li><li>What was the sin of Moses and Aaron?</li><li>How do we make sense of bizarre passages in Numbers 5, 11, 31?</li></ul></div><div><div>The Book of Numbers is definitely one of the least read and understood. Have no fear. If there is ever any doubt or uncertainty, this commentary can be a helpful guide to help us read, study, and apply its theological implications. <br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Mark A. Awabdy</span>
(PhD, Asbury Theological Seminary) is a professor of Old Testament and
biblical languages, who teaches in the Arabian Gulf and South Asia. He
is the author of <span class="a-text-italic">Immigrants and Innovative Law </span>and a commentary on LXX Leviticus.</div>
<br />
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-84838610538370719452023-11-22T11:32:00.000-08:002023-11-22T11:38:40.092-08:00"Faith Beyond Youth Group" (Kara Powell, Jen Bradbury, and Brad M. Griffin)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3rPBiJw" target="_blank">Faith Beyond Youth Group: Five Ways to Form Character and Cultivate Lifelong Discipleship</a><br />
AUTHOR: Kara Powell, Jen Bradbury, and Brad M. Griffin<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Baker Books</u>, 2023, (224 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0EIJ52z30duMijQ_L9NBiUTF489PEf_KSHsBEvSDC8eE5r1hfm8u9PomZ-8lX4SfpvuWwIwgINAGMSOZMEn7M2EvLguHTaEjZ7Q7h_Sqzb1N85r606DTUsQ2XItomqqfRN1D-yl1KU8Opd1Rv3EN34pToINveZuUas3gE0Q41lfiNZtnkx-VBIUfMykK/s1000/FaithBeyondYouthGroup.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0EIJ52z30duMijQ_L9NBiUTF489PEf_KSHsBEvSDC8eE5r1hfm8u9PomZ-8lX4SfpvuWwIwgINAGMSOZMEn7M2EvLguHTaEjZ7Q7h_Sqzb1N85r606DTUsQ2XItomqqfRN1D-yl1KU8Opd1Rv3EN34pToINveZuUas3gE0Q41lfiNZtnkx-VBIUfMykK/s320/FaithBeyondYouthGroup.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>What about the rest of the week? Is there more the faith than the weekly meetings? In recent times, there have been questions about what Church-goers do beyond Sundays. In marketplace ministries, this concern comes in the form of Faith beyond Sundays. Paul Stevens coins this as "The Other Six Days." Laura Nash and Scott McLellan write about this in "Work on Monday, Church on Sunday." Several other authors such as Wayne Jacobsen, Maurice Johnson, and Tony Carvalho word prefer to describe such emphases as "Beyond Sundays." All of these authors want to encourage believers to practice their faith not just on Sundays but every day of the week. What these authors have done, Kara Powell, Jen Bradbury, and Brad M. Griffin want to do the same for youths. Faith should not be limited to a mere once-every-weekend or regular once-a-week youth group meetings. It should be daily, or as often as possible. When interviewing youth ministry leaders, Powell et al note a common occurrence, that after a while, the enthusiasm loses steam. The "<i>We agree it's not working</i>" feedback is sending alarm bells across churches with conventional youth program models. Factor in the high burn-out rate of youth workers, perhaps, it is a good time for leaders to look at some of the more specific areas of concern beyond the mere rest of the week question. Questions such as:<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Are the lives of teenagers improved because of their time at youth groups?</li><li>How is their faith strengthened?</li><li>Are they becoming a positive force for the gospel? </li><li>Have they become more engaged in the spiritual disciplines in their personal time?</li><li>How do we engage kids in such a way to form their faith in Jesus?</li><li>........</li></ul><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>While statistics are pointing to lower levels of depression and drug use as well as improved academic performance, there are troubling numbers about parental relationships. The authors peel off the outer layer of youth group ministry to uncover the struggles of ministry with youths. An important purpose is to discover ways to instill faith in them. They look at the need for character development. They help us ponder the differences between character formation vs our culture's version of "good kids." They point out three reasons why "character gaps" exist and the need to ask three big questions: "Who am I?" "Where do I fit?" "What difference can I make?" They also take notice of cultural changes and how we need to adapt the way we approach the ministry. This includes a deeper sensitivity toward mental health concerns. Another concern is about how past strategies, even those well-intentioned ones (from predominantly white cultures) have unwittingly harmed marginalized communities. We read about the five-point compass to build character, and the need to incorporate trust through consistency and closeness. In looking at modeling growth, they show us the four barriers to modeling growth and propose some navigational tools to model growth for youths. </div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter Six shows us the limits of conventional models of Youth ministries. People increasingly do not want to accept the formula of: "Game+Worship+20min Talk+Small Groups = Success." This is due to a misplaced mental model as well as a gradual decline in trusting authority figures. If one shifts more toward critical thinking instead of conformity-type strategies, youths will be more receptive. Even the conventional ways of urging Bible reading and prayer can fall on dull ears and uninspired hearts. The chapters on "Practicing Together" give us ways in which we can go beyond mere instruction into inspired practices. One effective way is to share our struggles so that youths will identify with our stories. Another way is to work on making meaning in the activities we do. Finally, the authors help us to map our own life of faith. </div><br />
<u>My Thoughts</u></div><div>Let me offer three thoughts about this book. <b>First, every generation has its own set of challenges.</b> We should not downplay or embellish the problems of any one generation. When it comes to youth ministry work, I have often heard the comment that "Youth ministry nowadays is harder than before." That is at most only partially true. Working with youths has always been challenging. More accurately, youth ministry is essentially about adaptation. The better and faster we understand the uniqueness of each generation, the better we can equip ourselves to work with new generational thinking. This is what this book is trying to teach us, about the unique changes that are occurring in the minds and hearts of Gen Z folks and beyond. One key strength the authors have consistently done is the compare and contrast past strategies and to chart out the way forward. I find that particularly helpful because they are familiar anchoring points so that we can see the differences for ourselves. By first acknowledging where we are, we can then navigate to where we want to go.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second, the need to establish trust is more important than ever.</b> Past strategies often deal with assumptions that the programs and activities automatically attract people. Faith development is assumed rather than actively engaged with. If the hard skills are the programs and techniques of youth ministry, then the soft skills are the relational aspect. Cultivating trust is an essential soft skill we all need to do. With a deepening loss of trust in authority and the cultural disdain over leaders in general, cultivating trust should be key, and all planned activities need to have this focus. Modeling growth is part of that trust strategy. Using the bank account metaphor, Church perception generally begins with a deficit of trust. We need to make deposits to bring the balance back to a healthy level. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Finally, how effective will this book be for the future of youth ministry?</b> That depends on several factors. Are leaders willing to acknowledge changes happening in the youths of today and tomorrow? What about the willingness to let go of outdated investments and start afresh with new ones? How quickly can we educate Church boards (especially those majority seniors-led) to change? Where are the role models of today? How do we develop new models that would appeal to the younger folks? We need to make a distinction between keeping timeless principles and accommodating changing trends. For instance, Bible study is a timeless principle for spiritual growth. How we approach it can be adapted according to the questions young people raise. Do not be afraid to deal with these questions head-on. By showing young people that we genuinely care about their faith, they will open up and help us in the youth ministry. We need to move away from the "sage-by-the-stage" to become the "guide-by-the-side" model.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tough challenges remain for anyone who refuses to adapt. Eventually, I believe we all need to apply the questions of trust to ourselves. If we have not learned to trust God, why should anyone else learn of us? Youth ministry is tough when we do it on our strengths and resources. When the Spirit of God blows, we need to raise our sails to go along. Thanks to Powell, Bradbury, and Griffin, we have a new necessary resource to help us do just that.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Kara Powell</span>,
PhD, is the chief of leadership formation and executive director of the
Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) at Fuller Theological Seminary (see
FullerYouthInstitute.org). Named by <span class="a-text-italic">Christianity Today </span>as
one of "50 Women to Watch," Kara serves as a youth and family
strategist for Orange and speaks regularly at parenting and leadership
conferences. Kara has authored or co-authored numerous books, including <span class="a-text-italic">3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">Growing With</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">Growing Young</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family</span>
and the entire Sticky Faith series. Kara and her husband, Dave, are
regularly inspired by the learning and laughter that comes from their
three teenage and young adult children. You can find Kara at
KaraPowell.com.<br /><br /><span class="a-text-bold">Jen Bradbury </span>serves
as content director for the Fuller Youth Institute and a volunteer
youth pastor at her local Episcopal church. With more than twenty years
of experience in youth ministry, she's the author of several books,
including <span class="a-text-italic">The Jesus Gap</span>,<span class="a-text-italic"> The Real Jesus</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">Called: A Novel About Youth Ministry Transitions</span>,and <span class="a-text-italic">What Do I Believe About What I Believe? </span>Jen
and her husband, Doug, live in the Chicagoland area where they can
regularly be found adventuring with their two young daughters. You can
find Jen at YMJen.com.<br /><br /><span class="a-text-bold">Brad M. Griffin</span>
is the senior director of content and research for the Fuller Youth
Institute, where he develops research-based training for youth ministry
leaders and families. A speaker, writer, and volunteer pastor, Brad is
the coauthor of over fifteen books, including <span class="a-text-italic">3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">Growing Young</span>,
and several Sticky Faith books. Brad and his wife, Missy, live in
Southern California and share life with their three teenage and young
adult children. You can find Brad on Instagram at @BGriffinFYI.</div>
<br />
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Books via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.<br /></i></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-18090431681620219532023-11-09T07:00:00.001-08:002023-11-09T07:00:00.136-08:00"40 Questions About Bible Translation" (Mark L. Strauss)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3QVC3uZ" target="_blank">40 Questions About Bible Translation</a><br />
AUTHOR: Mark L. Strauss<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Kregel Academic</u>, 2023, (352 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsiyiUou2AfSjzzToLHhPGFjKZEztquHqyfkR5MwhmTEVGyynLqtTzg0Up1FExDsDJujqzFVhI6zaLxyTHHiaNoRsu6iBM7kwvWkIZv5q2Tc2XQjemlzFSg3TdlLJMtxVGg7kMous_8Arr0D09ZXe00I0n1KS6qJz30w0qCYGRiS6ihdV-ONogL1DwHhp/s900/40QsBibleTranslation.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsiyiUou2AfSjzzToLHhPGFjKZEztquHqyfkR5MwhmTEVGyynLqtTzg0Up1FExDsDJujqzFVhI6zaLxyTHHiaNoRsu6iBM7kwvWkIZv5q2Tc2XQjemlzFSg3TdlLJMtxVGg7kMous_8Arr0D09ZXe00I0n1KS6qJz30w0qCYGRiS6ihdV-ONogL1DwHhp/s320/40QsBibleTranslation.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>The Bible is the bestselling book in the world. It is one of the most read, studied, referred to, quoted, and translated works in history. The originals were all written in ancient Aramaic/Hebrew and koine Greek. Since the rest of the world doesn't generally know these biblical languages, translations are needed. This book looks at many aspects of Bible Translation, focusing mainly on English translations. The questions start from the basic like, "Why do we need Bible Translation?" strengths and weaknesses of literal, formal equivalence, functional equivalence, and philosophies used in translation. It then moves toward a more technical area to help readers appreciate the challenges of Bible translation. Toward the end, we get a survey of modern English translations and the many different revisions. The 40 questions are divided into six parts:<div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Necessity, Goals, and Methods of Bible Translation</li><li>Preparing to Translate</li><li>Challenges for Translators</li><li>History of English Bible Translations</li><li>Contemporary English Versions</li><li>International Bible Translation</li></ol><span><a name='more'></a></span>Philosophically, the author highlights the different approaches adopted by translators. This is important for readers of different translations because very translation is itself an interpretation. Knowing the philosophy adds in the translation contexts for us to be aware of. The technical portion includes the selection of manuscripts in the translation, translating the metaphorical languages, figures of speech, euphemisms, cultural nuances, and measurement units. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>The author also deals with controversial issues especially those related to gender and patriarchal contexts for modern readers. Strauss spends some time with the well-regarded KJV providing the pros and cons of it. Other questions include the Apocrypha, canonization, the Name of God, and the bridging of time.</div><div> </div><div></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u><br />
This book is a precious and useful resource to have in the library of any believer. With an easy to refer Q&A format, it resembles the church catechisms in some mainline churches. Let me give three thoughts about this book. <b>First, it makes the art and science of Bible translation accessible for laypeople.</b> Though it is targeted at English translations, we can appreciate the principles and tough choices needed in the translation process. I am more familiar with the translation continuum that goes from "literal" to "dynamic equivalence" to "paraphrase." Strauss puts it as "formal equivalent," "mediating equivalence," and "functional equivalence" respectively. Both are essentially the same thing, though the descriptive words differ. There is clear description of the various Bible translation philosophies. Strauss also takes pains to explain the many challenges translators have to make in their translation work. It is no easy task and each time any of us picks up a translation, we should be thankful for the blessed work conveniently made available for us. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second, translation is an ongoing work that involves both historical discovery as well as cultural progression.</b> With the discovery of new manuscripts or new archaeological findings might lead to revisions of the best words to use or contexts to know. With cultural progression, translations may need to be modernised to bridge the ancient with the modern. This does not necessarily mean compromising the original texts. That is why I believe one of the best ways to study the Bible (without knowing the original languages) is to use at least 3 translations, one from each category of translation principle. That is, at a minimum, chose a formal, a functional, and a mediating equivalent. (My Bible school professors recommended seven!) Translation is a difficult work. One needs to be faithful to the original while making the texts as clear and understandable for the layperson.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Finally, this book updates the latest in modern English translations. </b>I find it extremely helpful to learn about the reasons for updating popular versions like the NIV, NASB, and the KJV. Many of the resources that cover Bible translations are dated. This book updates a lot of the latest development. Nearly all the popular versions have been updated with new translations. The NASB in 2020, the NRSV in 2022, ESV in 2016, NET in 2017, the updated HCSB (now CSB in 2017), NIV in 2011. The LSB is a result of unhappiness with the NASB-2020 edition. I appreciate these updates and hope that there will be a way to update this book when important new changes occur.<br /></div><div> </div><div>This book should be on the shelf of every Christian, especially those who have more than one Bible version. </div><div> <br />
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Academic without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-85727278556624230822023-11-08T12:05:00.003-08:002023-11-08T12:05:25.204-08:00"A Basic Guide to the Just War Tradition" (Eric Patterson)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/46y4sMD" target="_blank">A Basic Guide to the Just War Tradition: Christian Foundations and Practices</a><br />
AUTHOR: Eric Patterson<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Baker Academic</u>, 2023, (176 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTt35nYzIinsA3xq7r7N0_FW6hooqXYO8n_lh10-dy5EPaACKJmkNGOuasy4neR4t5ZC-Zku4EG4iFZqlCx89D6_twDfy_nh0p-deiwfVZaU05TwHIAtQPX9G3BEFubTGztd9g2abKDh3hAKCJhFcOSOubOMDKrRuITMykjgkHn-fzs8DqL_d1XAKmDJE/s927/BriefGuideJustWarTradition.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTt35nYzIinsA3xq7r7N0_FW6hooqXYO8n_lh10-dy5EPaACKJmkNGOuasy4neR4t5ZC-Zku4EG4iFZqlCx89D6_twDfy_nh0p-deiwfVZaU05TwHIAtQPX9G3BEFubTGztd9g2abKDh3hAKCJhFcOSOubOMDKrRuITMykjgkHn-fzs8DqL_d1XAKmDJE/s320/BriefGuideJustWarTradition.png" width="207" /></a></div>In wars, there are generally no winners. All parties involved would have suffered losses regardless of the numbers. How can anyone quantify suffering? How do we measure the emotional trauma we bring back home after a war? How can we even justify the loss of a single human being? The costs of war go far more than mere soldiers and machinery. It involves many conflicts ranging from ethical dilemmas to mental distress. At a theological level, making justification for wars could be breaking the Sixth Commandment in some way. How then can we justify any war? CS Lewis believes that it is a Christian duty to fight evil. In order to preserve peace, order, and justice, states need to be vigilant against evil, for doing nothing is worse. According to author Eric Patterson, a just war is basically a means to achieving peace and justice. Ironically, just war is a quest for peace. Governments need to uphold their duty to protect and defend their people, and sometimes this means going to war. This book explains, describes, and defends the use of just war in the quest for peace and upholding justice. <div><br /></div><div>Chapter One defines what just war is and what it is not. Going back to the roots of WWI and WWII, Patterson uncovers the deficiencies of a pacifist or non-aligned policy that emboldened countries like Germany to invade other territories. The just war foundational premise is: "<i>legitimate political authorities have a responsibility to protect and defend those in their charge (just cause) and should do so with restraint in motivation and action (right intent).</i>" Once the decision has been made, the next set of criteria is about "<i>military necessity, proportionality, and discrimination.</i>" Just war advocates include people like Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Luther, and Wesley. </div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>Chapter Two looks at the theological foundations of the Just War Statecraft. Using the story of Nehemiah, we learn of the use of courage, crisis, and prayer in the face of imminent danger. The three primary institutions for any form of organization revolve around family, church, and government. Patterson connects vocation, calling, stewardship, governance, and public service, to highlight the just causes of our stewarding responsibilities. </div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter Three takes us through a historical overview of the Just War Tradition. He takes us back to the Roman era to look at how various parties achieve "order, justice, and peace." We learn from history about the war criteria, security dilemmas, the rise of pacifism in the early church, obeying the harsh authorities, etc. We get a glimpse of various struggles during the Middle Ages, Reformation, to the modern era. Patterson then summarizes the three criteria for Just War: "legitimate authority, just cause, and right intention." </div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter Four probes the moral implications of contemporary warfare. The author helps us distinguish moral resistance from violent rebellion. Different situations require different approaches. Believers have committed acts from civil disobedience to aggressive warfare. We learn about the different approaches with regard to terrorism and holy war. The difference between extremists and just-war advocates is the purpose of it all: Peace settlement. The former sees peace in the form of total annihilation of the enemy while the latter believes in peaceful settlement. We learn from the various Old Testament books like Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Judges, about divine wars which we need to learn the contexts before any modern application. </div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter Five covers the motivations and characteristics of just warriors. From the WWII hero Alvin York to Martin Luther King Jr, Pat Tillman to those who joined the military because of 9/11, Patterson gently shows us the need to cultivate the virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. Power needs to be used for good. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, Chapter Six looks at ending wars well. Christians need to think biblically, especially in times of war. </div><div><br /></div><div>
<u>My Thoughts</u><br />This book is written to explain what Just War is, why it is necessary, and how we can cultivate Christian thinking if anyone needs to go to war. It can be seen as a necessary defense for taking up arms, albeit as a last resort. Using many examples from both the Bible and from history, Patterson makes a strong case to show us that Just War is inevitable in a world that is filled with evil and hatred, much of it beyond our control. We can preach all the faith, hope, and love, but that works only if the other party is on the same page. How can we talk peace to groups intent on total destruction? How can we talk sense when the perpetrators have lost all common rationality? The author makes strong arguments to show us that sometimes, the bigger responsibility is to do something instead of nothing. Edmund Burke once said that the greater evil in the light of many evils is to do nothing. For anyone who is still ambivalent about taking up arms against evil, this book might be the essential tool to tilt the balance toward just war. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having said that, there is a role for non-violent protests in the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, Desmond Doss (of Hacksaw Ridge), and the Christian teaching of turning the other cheek. The key is discernment like how CS Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and many others have advocated. This is a complicated world, and because it is such, we cannot rely on simplistic solutions. Just saying one is always "Just War" or absolutely "Pacifist" is already an oversimplification of a complex problem. Life can be simple but it is the presence of people that make it all so complicated. Reading this book might give us a sense that fighting is justified under certain circumstances. The big argument is about how one draws the line. What is fair to one might be grossly unfair to another. What is reasonable force might be construed as unreasonable violence. We need a community to discern together the best course of action. At this time, at least two major wars are occurring, one in Ukraine and the other in the Gaza strip in Israel. Everywhere you turn, there seems to be non-stop violence. Sometimes, there are parties hardened to believe that no peace can happen until the enemy is eradicated. Sadly, that is wishful thinking. Civil wars, internal conflicts, and crimes against one's own people continue to occur. How should we think biblically? This book shows us the way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, for whatever the causes, just or unjust, wars will continue to be fought way into the future. If we cannot prevent all wars, at least do all we can to minimize them. That is why our tasks as peacemakers must remain a top priority. Even if there is no true peace until Christ comes again, we can try our best to build bridges instead of walls, seek to understand rather than be understood, and to ask God to help make us a channel of His Peace. </div><div><br /></div><div>I look forward to the coming of the Prince of Peace, but until then, there is much to do with regard to mediating, peace-making, and the practice of justice and love.</div><div><br /><div>Eric Patterson (PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara)is president of the Religious Freedom Institute and scholar-at-large and former dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He previously served in the US military and at the US State Department. He has authored and edited numerous books on the ethics of war, including Just American Wars: Ethical Dilemmas in US Military History and Just War and Christian Traditions.</div><div><br /></div>
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-24698588899710054962023-11-06T09:41:00.002-08:002023-11-06T15:49:52.148-08:00"Parenting Generation Z" (Jason Jimenez)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3OSv5Eo" target="_blank">Parenting Gen Z: Guiding Your Child through a Hostile Culture</a><br />
AUTHOR: Jason Jimenez<br />
PUBLISHER: Carol Stream, IL: <u>Tyndale House Publishers</u>, 2023, (288 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKFTXbWbx5OzaIzqzTcCpIkzFEdtteymzeL0phm10rumpxz_MoDyQt1it_88ZSBlw_k8N9MWZmJNLnOZWQRZEMbCyl_qUd5-PJhJ264GQVDXsP7oDl2nmjBAnPHSCSqvbZh16iD8n7nDEngZJM91sD2uATuSoRU870_Gjds0IWdEd0TO6hFjmsupyuYUS/s1200/ParentingGenZ.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKFTXbWbx5OzaIzqzTcCpIkzFEdtteymzeL0phm10rumpxz_MoDyQt1it_88ZSBlw_k8N9MWZmJNLnOZWQRZEMbCyl_qUd5-PJhJ264GQVDXsP7oDl2nmjBAnPHSCSqvbZh16iD8n7nDEngZJM91sD2uATuSoRU870_Gjds0IWdEd0TO6hFjmsupyuYUS/s320/ParentingGenZ.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>The Greatest Generation (1901-24), the Silent (1925-1945), the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Gen X (1965-1980), the Millennials (1981-1996), Gen Z (1997-2012), and Alpha (2013-2023). Every generation has its fair share of parenting challenges. What makes it more challenging is the generational gaps between grandparents, parents, and their kids. As society becomes more sophisticated, eclectic, and complex, parents have to grapple with a whole new dimension unfamiliar to them. If you are a parent of Gen Z child, this book might very well open up your eyes to a deeper understanding of Gen Z culture. Written in four parts, Jason Jimenez shares his knowledge and experience as a pastor, youth pastor, and apologetics speaker. The broad purpose of this book is to help parents become the parents God has called them to be. More specifically, it is to equip parents with knowledge of Gen Z culture and the wisdom to address pressing concerns both in the present and future. <br /><br /><div><div>Part One looks at the 8 core characteristics of Gen Z. They are quite a mouthful to read, let alone understand. They are like the main character in the movie <i>Divergent</i>, whose identity comprises a combination of unique traits. <span><a name='more'></a></span>They are most comfortable in the digital world and they are increasingly using their content creativity as a way to express themselves. They are also religiously disaffected. The list of social profiles should make us pause and reflect upon the Gen Z kids we know. They are the most ethnically diverse, openly progressive, sexually fluid, language-sensitive, emotionally unstable, and lonely generation. when parenting these kids, we need to know that there are parents from different generations too. From older Gen X to younger Millennials, parenting paradigms differ from generation to generation. Jimenez then shows us some parenting flaws to avoid. These are the controlling, the paranoid, and the detached parenting styles. </div><div><br /></div><div>Part Two looks at concerns facing Gen Z that parents need to know. This is an eye-opening chapter where the author identifies concerns like digital obsession, 8-second attention span, artificial maturity, and being misled by fake information on the Internet. Thankfully, he gives parents some workable strategies to learn. He even suggests parents do not give their kids their first smartphone prematurely. Of greater concern would be the declining levels of faith in Gen Z kids, especially with regard to their negative opinions about Jesus, God, and the Bible. Other challenges include the matter of sexuality, gender identity, porn, depression, abortion, suicide, racism, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>Part Three is about adjustments we can make to connect with our kids. I like how Jimenez uses L.O.V.E. as an acronym to remember: <b>L</b>augh together, <b>O</b>pen up sharing, <b>V</b>alue one another, and <b>E</b>ncourage one another daily. His four strategies for discipline are not easy but would require firmness, for the sake of good parenting. They have to do with teaching about respecting authority, constructive correction, allowing some levels of protest, and showing consequences for disobedience. He then supplies some family strategies to develop good communication within the family. This includes learning to put church as a priority.</div><div><br /></div><div>Part Four is about biblical strategies where we learn five ways to nurture Gen Z faith. Readers who are anxious about matters of faith should find this section helpful. Jimenez gives six ways to model our faith, five ways to nurture children's future, and a chapter just for single parents. </div><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u></div><div>Let me share three thoughts about this book. <b>First, it is a timely resource.</b> Books about parenting are a dime a dozen. Faith books about a specific generation that is increasingly prominent in society are few and far between. Those of us who are Gen-Xers, Millennials, and older will appreciate learning about the different aspects of Gen Z culture. Understanding any culture will require a basic knowledge of historical contexts that influence their upbringing. We are all byproducts of our culture. A key difference is the depth of digital influence. Like the proverbial "born with a silver spoon" to indicate blessed with plenty at birth, Gen Z are kids "born with a digital platter." They are digital natives who breathe, eat, and live all things digital. This is something parents need to understand. A key insight is the recognition of how Gen Z kids are more connected and open in an online world but clam up or unsure of how to inteface-to-face face. This book provides a big list of technological apps for us to learn, or at least know what they are. We don't have to be an expert. We just need to learn to understand their lingo and the reasons why they are so popular. <br /></div><div> </div><div><b>Second, parenting is always a challenge.</b> Like previous generations, our parents too would have found us challenging as they grappled with our differences. Thus, I caution anyone from putting Gen Z kids in that "impossible" category in any trivializing manner. Anyone who ostracizes anything Gen Z should take a step back and ask: "Who birthed the cultural environment in the first place?" The founders of FaceBook, MySpace, Reddit, TikTok, Twitter, and WhatsApp are all Gen-Xers and Millennials! Every generation has its own challenges and we should not isolate Gen Z unfairly. Instead, the key to getting acceptance lies in humility. We are products of our parents' culture. The way we raise our children can sometimes be a reaction to or against how our parents treated us. With humility, we restrain our controlling mechanisms and ask for help when needed. With wisdom, we avoid fear-parenting. With courage, we engage instead of avoiding Gen Z altogether. So, don't single out Gen Z by accusing them of being "digital zombies" or some nasty nicknames. There are universal human needs in every generation, and parenting is about learning to contextualize the meeting of these fundamental needs for a new era. <br /></div><div> </div><div><b>Finally, practice what we preach. </b>I like the section on faith. That makes this book different from other parenting resources on Gen Z. If we want our kids to influence the world positively, there is no substitute for faith. Thus, I encourage parents who want to bring up their Gen Z kids well to anchor them in faith. Model our lifestyles so they can learn by seeing us pray, study, and serve. Model our personal relationship with God. If we want our kids to read the Bible, we need to read and be seen to read the Bible. If we want our kids to serve in Church, serve and be seen to serve. If we want our kids to participate actively in a community, do the same ourselves. It is the age-old practice that we ourselves preach. One more important note. Parents are to counter unhealthy culture. They also need to teach their Gen Z kids to do the same. Behind every digital platform lies multitudes of deceivers, fake news, predators, scammers, etc. They are also getting sneakier by the day. So it is good for parents to continue to learn. This book is just the beginning.<br /></div><div> </div><div>Any parent of Gen Z kids or anyone who has to interact with Gen Z will find this book a godsend. It is highly educational, illuminating, and more importantly, faith-based. It takes one who has personally experienced the highs and lows of Gen Z people to come up with a book resource like this. Thankfully, Jimenez shows an understanding of Gen Z from a parental perspective. He is a competent guide and I warmly recommend this book for parents of anyone, especially Gen Z. <br /></div><div><br />
Jason Jimenez is a pastor, Christian apologist, and the founder of STAND STRONG Ministries. He is a widely recognized worldview expert who specializes in cultural, philosophical, theological and religious issues, and, as a national speaker, addresses numerous topics including religious freedom, Islam, same-sex marriage, and the reliability of the Bible. Jason has authored/co-authored several books including The Raging War of Ideas, Stand Strong America, and The Bible’s Answers to 100 of Life’s Biggest Questions. He and his wife, Celia, have four children and reside in North Carolina.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-86685335321601897702023-10-30T20:32:00.004-07:002023-10-30T20:32:30.655-07:00"Mind Your Manners" (Sara Jane HO)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3Zg86rB" target="_blank">Mind Your Manners: How to Be Your Best Self in Any Situation</a><br />
AUTHOR: Sara Jane HO<br />
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: <u>Hachette Books</u>, 2024, (304 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzZLtFMmEWbHEdF-aeVFtYWnilSMKpHuqonVa61pQX9WUottJjiQXKPjh-wS4MEu8CxA7hKX6x-ZyhVDs6R9MSKfLBdDV7CWJo3t1DzLwsemXJi-vqn91RvnGz448lfPW-ULYrmwBwTwx4jruvOZ52VLkWtrBzuZLGOPzq3nKID_pJ5v_zQ5ea-4VUVE8/s810/MindYourManners.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzZLtFMmEWbHEdF-aeVFtYWnilSMKpHuqonVa61pQX9WUottJjiQXKPjh-wS4MEu8CxA7hKX6x-ZyhVDs6R9MSKfLBdDV7CWJo3t1DzLwsemXJi-vqn91RvnGz448lfPW-ULYrmwBwTwx4jruvOZ52VLkWtrBzuZLGOPzq3nKID_pJ5v_zQ5ea-4VUVE8/s320/MindYourManners.png" width="212" /></a></div>Human beings are social creatures. Even for the most individualistic person, one cannot avoid interacting with another person, unless one lives as a hermit in some secluded part of the world. In general, we all need to learn some forms of social behavior and etiquette. This is necessary for society to function well, and it is applicable for both children and adults. Unfortunately, schools do not often teach such stuff. Those that do often cover them at a superficial level. Etiquette is about connection, says author Sara Jane Ho, a vocal advocate for meaningful social communications in various settings. It is also contextual, meaning we need to adapt our understanding and practice of etiquette based on the geographical locations. In our globalized interconnected world, we also need to expand that to cultural settings. Popularized by a Netflix series with the same name as the book's title, this book is a print version of the streaming platform. In meaningful etiquette, we need "social fluency" which is essentially about reading people quickly and accurately as well as interacting with them confidently and effectively. Mindful of the growing mental health concerns globally, she helps us remember that therapy alone cannot solve issues related to social awkwardness. In a post-pandemic world, some might even need to relearn "social fluency" to help us relate to people. <span><a name='more'></a></span>She guides us through five major categories of everyday life:<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Social Life & Friendships</li><li>Work</li><li>Dating & Relationships</li><li>Family</li><li>Food & Travel</li></ol><div>She teaches us about conversational starters, making a first impression, continuing or courteous breakaways, and even various forms of "non-sexual flirting." She shares advice about getting a job, what to do in a job interview, how to write resumes, and growing in career-building soft skills. On Dating and Relationships, she shares witty tips on communication, observing boundaries, and a list of FAQs on dating and love. On Family, she stresses the importance of cultivating ties, dealing with sibling rivalries, managing money requests, parenting, learning how to say no graciously, and also dealing with in-laws, especially mother-in-laws. Finally, she shows us some valuable lessons on table manners and cultural awareness. For those who enjoy traveling, the chapter on traveling etiquette is a must-read. </div><div><br /></div><div>
<u>My Thoughts</u></div><div>I remember a popular book back in the 80s entitled: "What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School." It describes some of the necessary entrepreneurial life skills that even famous schools like Harvard do not teach. This book continues that tradition to teach us some essential social etiquette for life. In fact, there are five separate categories of etiquette that readers can learn of. These five categories comprise the majority of daily activities during our waking hours. I call it the five essential stones of social etiquette. Not afraid to use her own life experiences to illustrate her points, Ho comes across as an authentic guide to encourage us to do the same. After all, if we want honest interactions, we need to be honest as well. Let me share three thoughts about this book.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>First, it contains lots of wise and witty tips for life.</b> What we often call common sense might not be so common for some people. For many, it takes a lot of years and embarrassing mistakes to learn these things. Thankfully, Ho has not only described for us some basic etiquette to observe, she shows us why we need them. Soft skills are often learned the hard way or through the school of hard knocks. Some of the things Ho writes about can easily stir up memories of any of our clumsy efforts in the past. One of the most useful parts of this book is the interaction between East and West. Though Ho's background is from the East, she has decent experiences in the West which makes her a pretty credible etiquette mentor. Those who share her background would nod frequently with many of her observations about Asian culture. Those who are non-Asians might struggle a little to understand where she is coming from. As long as such readers maintain an open mind, this book could be a useful cultural eye opener. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second, I appreciate the way Ho infuses the need for digital awareness.</b> As more people spend their lives online on a daily basis, we need guidance on how to interact in a digital world. New realities require new paradigms for engagement. One example is how to deal with interviewers who ask us whether we have any questions. In the past, most questions about the company can only be found by asking those who worked there. Nowadays, with so much information freely shared on the Internet, we need to do extra homework to find out what is obvious and what is not. Every category has a section on digital engagement. From using social media to digital work-from-home etiquette, actual dating to online matching, Ho has it well covered. Some other useful tips include food photographs, travel moments, and also dealing with conspiracy theories!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Finally, I want to caution readers about wearing any premature sense of confidence after reading this book.</b> Even though many of the things talked about in this book are practical stuff, it takes practice in order to live them out. More importantly, humility must remain in the forefront of any etiquette. With humility, things done right lead to appreciation while any fumbles could more easily be forgiven. One of the most important reminders in this book is that etiquette is not just about us. It is about putting others at ease. Humility could ease us into that. </div><div><br /></div><div>How do I find this book? Useful and highly appropriate for building first impressions. Everyone should read this book. Even if one does not agree with Ho's point of view, at least, the topic can become interesting discussions.</div><div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <p><span class="a-text-bold">Sara Jane Ho </span>is the founder of China's first etiquette school Institute Sarita and host of the Daytime Emmy-nominated Netflix series <span class="a-text-italic">Mind Your Manners</span>.
A cultural polyglot who speaks German, French, Mandarin, and Cantonese
in addition to English, she lived in Papua New Guinea, the UK, and
Hong Kong before moving to the US to attend Phillips Exeter, Georgetown,
and Harvard Business School. Her surprisingly down-to-earth demeanor
and genuine passion and gift for helping others transform their lives
cemented the success of her feel-good makeover show, and her book
carries her deeper, more expansive definition of etiquette to a global
audience. Sara Jane divides her time between Shanghai, Hong Kong, New
York, and London. </p></div>
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Hachette Books via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.<br /></i></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-81192803621666991172023-10-19T07:53:00.000-07:002023-10-19T07:53:18.857-07:00"Dictionary of the New Testament Use of the Old Testament" (G.K. Beale, D.A. Carson, Benjamin L. Gladd, and Andrew David Naselli)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3sVCoUn" target="_blank">Dictionary of the New Testament Use of the Old Testament</a><br />
AUTHOR: G.K. Beale, D.A. Carson, Benjamin L. Gladd, and Andrew David Naselli<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Baker Academic</u>, 2023, (992 pages)<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp88fryDhaYjSK8uq8zhZhnLf3tJT06sEQffmL7POFedoTEG7b75tLzLWaE8VdPslWebk1fGZc7G9Xv2hv8uNWxk2yH34qwmgnKlghjegQtHmcTibSM0Fcj4-oY_CB8jM7PJI8MwSZ8LVRDiltWcwhod5e81NXD9P-UnXAaK4HScytxrkoMEKvIp-7Y7M/s863/DictionaryOfNT.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp88fryDhaYjSK8uq8zhZhnLf3tJT06sEQffmL7POFedoTEG7b75tLzLWaE8VdPslWebk1fGZc7G9Xv2hv8uNWxk2yH34qwmgnKlghjegQtHmcTibSM0Fcj4-oY_CB8jM7PJI8MwSZ8LVRDiltWcwhod5e81NXD9P-UnXAaK4HScytxrkoMEKvIp-7Y7M/s320/DictionaryOfNT.png" width="222" /></a></div>The Old Testament and the New Testament are related in more than verbatim references by Jesus or any NT writers. Philip Yancey calls the Old Testament the Bible that Jesus read. The Scriptures pointed out in the New Testament are all (if not most) from the Old Testament. Jesus too quotes regularly from the Old Testament during his ministry on earth. It is quite surprising that only in recent years do we hear more about scholarship that examines the New Testament use of the Old Testament. Better late than never. According to the editors, this field of study is "blossoming." Following the highly successful commentary as well as the handbook, author GK Beale has teamed up with prominent Old and New Testament scholars, theologians, and researchers to compile a dictionary of terms used in this field. The editors anticipate greater interest in this area of study and research. Written to complement the commentary edition (CNTUOT), this specialized dictionary consists of entries that focus on five categories:<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Surveys of Biblical Books (55 entries)</li><li>Biblical-Theological Topical Essays (54 essays)</li><li>Jewish Exegetical-Traditions Essays (25 entries)</li><li>Inner-Biblical Exegesis (26 essays)</li><li>Systematic Theology (5 essays)</li></ol><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>Such a dictionary will help supplement this subdiscipline which examines the relationship of the two testaments from a New Testament perspective. A key principle used in the survey of biblical books is the canonical approach which examines each book from the full revelation of God's Word. With so many biblical scholars as contributors, it is unsurprising that the biblical-theological section takes up a third of the book. Like the biblical surveys, the interpretation is "more synthetic" because the interpretation of the Old Testament culminates in the New Testament. The Jewish exegetical tradition gives us an extra-biblical view to shed more light to provide greater clarity to the interpretive contexts. This section brings in scholarship from traditional sources like the Aramaic (Targum), Jewish rabbinic (Talmud, Mishnah, Midrashim), Latin (Septuagint), non-canonical works (Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Philo). The Inner-Biblical exegesis discusses the various exegesis tools used to equip readers on the study. The systematic theology comprises five essays to bring out the systematic theologian in the New Testament writers. </div><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u><br />I remember when the commentary was first published back in 2007, there was a lot of fanfare about "what" it is and "why" it is important. Some of my seminary professors also contributed articles to that book, which goes through every New Testament book. In 2011, a "New Testament Biblical Theology" was released to deal with the concepts continued in the NT from the OT. Then in 2012, a handbook was released to be a more readable version of the original commentary, that focuses on the "how to." Now, the latest book on the discipline is a dictionary. Let me offer three thoughts on this dictionary. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>First</b>, apart from the alphabetical order of the entries, this dictionary is not like the conventional theological dictionary. The scope is limited due to the specialized NT usage of the OT. The entries are also longer so if readers expect a short paragraph, they will find each entry looking like an academic essay. For these reasons, I think it is more like a theological handbook than a dictionary. I like the way the editors arrange the dictionary index alphabetically as well as topically. Perhaps, the index can be repeated at the end of the book as well for conventional ease of reference. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second</b>, the scholarship is impressive as the contributors bring in not only their expertise but also resources for further research. They show us not only the canonical use of the OT by the NT, they they weave in different perspectives from non-canonical sources to give us a bigger picture of the interpretation as well as the hermeneutical process. Just reading about the multi-layered manner of examining each topic is already an experience to behold. For example, the essay on marriage is not just about one layer of any one NT book interpreting the OT. It combs the whole Bible to highlight important themes pertaining to marriage matters. I appreciate the "see also" segment that points readers to consider other closely related essays. Having said that, be prepared to work through the academic nature of the dictionary. This dictionary is not for the lay reader, but more for academics, seminarians, teaching pastors, or anyone interested in the field of biblical theology, hermeneutics, and interpretation. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Third</b>, this field of study is relatively young. I suppose this kind of resource is just the beginning of a slew of resources that will come in the near future. I believe there will be expanded editions as well as additional articles to be added within the next few years. This book should be used as a supplement to the larger volume CNTUOT. I would not suggest readers read this like a regular book. It should be a resource to help us expand our understanding of any Bible book, selected characters, theological theme, or other topics related to the hermeneutics of the Bible. The way to benefit is to see ourselves sitting in the passenger seat, learning and watching how the expert drivers navigate the fascinating and sometimes unknown terrains of this new field of biblical theology.<br /><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"><span class="a-text-bold">G. K. Beale</span>
(PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and
biblical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He
has served as president and as a member of the executive committee of
the Evangelical Theological Society. He is coeditor (with D. A. Carson)
of the <span class="a-text-italic">Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament </span>and the author of numerous books, including <span class="a-text-italic">A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament</span>, and commentaries on Colossians and Philemon, Revelation, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians.<br /><br /><span class="a-text-bold">D. A. Carson</span>
(PhD, University of Cambridge) is emeritus professor of New Testament
at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and is
the author or editor of more than fifty books, including <span class="a-text-italic">The God Who Is There</span>,<span class="a-text-italic"> Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament </span>(coedited with G. K. Beale), and <span class="a-text-italic">How Long, O Lord?</span> He is a founding member of The Gospel Coalition and an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world.<br /><br /><span class="a-text-bold">Benjamin L. Gladd </span>(PhD,
Wheaton College) is professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological
Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author or coauthor of
several books, including <span class="a-text-italic">From Adam and Israel to the Church</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament</span> (with G. K. Beale) and <span class="a-text-italic">Making All Things New </span>(with Matthew S. Harmon). He also edits the Essential Studies in Biblical Theology series and serves on the editorial board of <span class="a-text-italic">Themelios</span>.<br /><br /><span class="a-text-bold">Andrew David Naselli</span>
(PhD, Bob Jones University; PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)
is professor of systematic theology and New Testament at Bethlehem
College and Seminary. He is also one of the pastors of the North Church
in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the author of several books.</div><br />
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-78171644444314002222023-10-16T11:48:00.006-07:002023-10-16T11:48:49.041-07:00"Exegetical Journeys in Biblical Greek" (Benjamin L. Merkle)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/4585225" target="_blank">Exegetical Journeys in Biblical Greek</a><br />
AUTHOR: Benjamin L. Merkle<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Baker Academic</u>, 2023, (288 pages).<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLSEVVpFOlecr2AyQHoNgueOdQij-WLRwYodY9niPgvYIyMtH2dzgALjUdinXG3V8Yiza9hA48lDZzrf7dlzFAWLLrTG4E7jG4OTMdu95TL4kukj-wu-EaB_okRv8ue8a3Y68vWj-weeTGh2pCyfz5vA7X24q_b3BE6lSDSXPVGp8anbs_R0UxggpcfmH/s1000/ExegeticalJourneysGreek.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLSEVVpFOlecr2AyQHoNgueOdQij-WLRwYodY9niPgvYIyMtH2dzgALjUdinXG3V8Yiza9hA48lDZzrf7dlzFAWLLrTG4E7jG4OTMdu95TL4kukj-wu-EaB_okRv8ue8a3Y68vWj-weeTGh2pCyfz5vA7X24q_b3BE6lSDSXPVGp8anbs_R0UxggpcfmH/s320/ExegeticalJourneysGreek.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>One of the challenges of learning any language is the frequency of usage. The old adage "Use it or lose it" is particularly true for languages. Even for those who grow up in their native languages, lack of usage will impact fluency. Learning the ancient biblical languages is the same. Whether it is Hebrew or Greek, constant practice makes perfect. For many who had studied the biblical languages in seminary, chances are, they would have lost their learning through lack of usage in an English-speaking world. Author Benjamin Merkle calls this "linguistic apostacy." This book is about helping seminarians, and those who had learned biblical Greek at some point in their lives to practice its use over a period of 90 days. It is a follow-up to "Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek" published in 2019. The journey is arranged from elementary (Gospel of Mark and John) to advanced (later part of the New Testament) levels of reading. Comprising three journeys labeled "Easy," "Intermediate," and "Difficult," readers have 90 lessons to work through. The hope is that this guide gives one a starting torque toward making such journeys a way of life. Each day comprises a sequence as follows:<span><a name='more'></a></span><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Reading aloud the selected text</li><li>Identifying the nouns</li><li>Translating the Greek to English</li><li>Noticing significant exegetical and syntactical insights</li><li>Searching for the significance of the passage</li></ol><div>
<u>My Thoughts</u><br />Learning Greek is hard for many. Keeping it might be even tougher. In school, we have a community of learners to push us and professors to guide us. Once we finish school, it takes lots of self-discipline in order to study. In the absence of a community of learners, this book is a nice go-between learning alone and learning with others. The guide provides the Greek text and parsing tables for us to work through. By starting off with easier phrases, one will be encouraged to persevere. The first month is the easy month where the passages are shorter. The subsequent months pack more verses into each day with more complicated grammar. Despite the different degrees of difficulty, the framework for practice is the same. It is hoped that the daily exercises will set in motion a pattern of reading, exegesis, and translation. It is a journey and the journey can sometimes be hard. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before one jumps into this book, there are prerequisites. There is no transliteration so readers will have to read the Greek well. This is a key skill to have. For those who have forgotten the Greek alphabet and its pronunciation, this book will not supply any such assistance. Hence, the pre-requisite would be a familiarity with the alphabet and a basic understanding of the vocabulary. Some revision of the grammar will be necessary as well. This can be found in the Appendix on "Supplementary Vocabulary." Once those are completed, the process of learning will be smoother. Perhaps the answer keys could be placed at a less conspicuous location to prevent "accidental" peeking. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a useful resource for Greek revision. The hardest part is actually not the text but the discipline needed to work through it regularly. Thankfully, while the initial work through might seem dry, the short reflection "For the Journey" provides a refreshing insight into the text. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="a-text-bold">Benjamin L. Merkle</span>
(PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the Dr. M. O. Owens
Jr. Chair of New Testament Studies and research professor of New
Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake
Forest, North Carolina. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of more
than forty books, including <span class="a-text-italic">Greek for Life</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">Linguistics and New Testament Greek</span>, <span class="a-text-italic">Beginning with New Testament Greek</span>, and <span class="a-text-italic">Going Deeper with New Testament Greek</span>. He is also the editor of <span class="a-text-italic">Southeastern Theological Review</span>.</div><div>
<br />
Rating: 4.25 out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.<br /></i></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-84898690857019435562023-10-06T15:23:00.004-07:002023-10-06T15:23:25.068-07:00"Digital Liturgies" (Samuel D. James)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3YMHo9N" target="_blank">Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age</a><br />
AUTHOR: Samuel D. James<br />
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: <u>Crossway Publishers</u>, 2023, (208 pages).<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78PJ1JRgd3puHigyrODmB5zoDWf55xYYKCUVZYOP3-H1OXSgYWJfJ5lGYKmGWOs1egvpO_RzMeTZlBzR21IIwYsS2mwvuqAfabV5FtgGGlX2WjG05pfllotssTA6Dga5GOS-ESjegNB7shS-2tzwRPabhMUMb3graN5Iy52lFsnULeBJai0nYX3EWLGvh/s761/DigitalLiturgies.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="503" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78PJ1JRgd3puHigyrODmB5zoDWf55xYYKCUVZYOP3-H1OXSgYWJfJ5lGYKmGWOs1egvpO_RzMeTZlBzR21IIwYsS2mwvuqAfabV5FtgGGlX2WjG05pfllotssTA6Dga5GOS-ESjegNB7shS-2tzwRPabhMUMb3graN5Iy52lFsnULeBJai0nYX3EWLGvh/s320/DigitalLiturgies.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div>Just saying that the digital revolution has changed the world is an understatement. Like the story of two young fish that fail to understand what water is, some of us who have been so immersed in technology do not understand what it means to live without technology. Digital immigrants are those who have "immigrated into" the modern technology platforms while digital natives are those who grew up in technology right from the start. Regardless of whether one is a digital immigrant or native, the inherent threats to personality are the same for all. No one will be able to escape the far-reaching tentacles of the Internet and modern digital technologies. This book is a critical look at the way technology is shaping us and its implications for Christians wanting to live fruitfully in an increasingly complex world. He attempts to help us discern the digital world with biblical wisdom ethically, practically, and theologically. Concerned about the incredible amount of time people spend online, author Samuel James reflects on the significance of living in a world of "screens, algorithms, and pixels." From the threat of fake news to the dangers of disembodied living, this book is a crucial alarm to wake us up from becoming too trusting to the point of idolizing technology. It is also a wake-up call for any uncritical use or reliance on the technology we have gotten so used to using. He asks questions like:<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Is technology merely a tool to use or is there more than meets the eye?</li><li>Is the Internet a tool or a teacher?</li><li>How humane is the Internet environment?</li><li>Are we becoming too comfortable in an increasingly disembodied environment?</li><li>How is "expressive individualism" going to affect us in the long run?</li><li>Is the Internet shaping us negatively or positively?</li><li>Is technology really neutral?</li><li>Are we losing touch with reality amid an online world of virtual reality?</li><li>How do we live out our faith in this kind of technological environment?</li></ul></div><div>Written in two parts, Part One deals with the need to discern Truth from everything else. From the seductiveness of "expressive individualism" to the alienation from the real community, we need to deal with the implications of a faceless age where people feel more comfortable dealing with machines instead of people. James makes a case about the deceitfulness of technology. He warns us about how technology dislocates us. He highlights the tendency of us to create our own realities to turn the use of technology into an end in itself. He laments how technology is making us change our way of thinking, perceiving, and acting. While the Bible calls us to delight in the LORD and to meditate constantly on the Word, modern technology is gradually tempting us to move away from all of that. Technology indeed has shaped our world. This has led to a deterioration in some of the most important human faculties and functions. For instance, we have shorter attention spans that do not help cultivate patience. We are tempted to treat people the way we treat our digital devices. </div><div><br /></div><div>Part Two gives us five ways to develop proper digital liturgies. The first way is to develop authenticity in a world mixed with half-truths, fake news, and make-believe. Underlying this is how we hide behind technological facades to hide our pride. The second is about addressing online outrage that is becoming more commonplace today. James shows us the need for Christian thinking that is careful, truthful, and communal. The third way is to address the shaming (or cancel culture) with repentance and grace. Fourth, we need to push back against a culture of unfettered consumption of "I am what I eat" with godly virtues that begin with seeking after God. Fifth, we need to recognize that technology too will fall into the realm of meaninglessness, as presented by the writer of Ecclesiastes. Uncritical use of technology can lead to distraction, discontentment, and dislocation. By cultivating a heart of wisdom, we can indeed develop good habits that form us into Christlikeness.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u></div><div><b>First, this book is Samuel James's wake-up call for us.</b> Since the turn of the century, technological pace has quickened at a speed that is unheard of in the past. We need biblical wisdom and discernment to sieve out the Truth from the rest. The way to do it is to strengthen our inner spiritual core. The central premise of this book is to build our life foundations on the Rock of the Word of God and to let the Word guide and lead us in all things. This is especially so in a world that inundates us continuously with all kinds of images and information that blur the line between Truth and falsehood. Thanks to technology, we are forced to reckon with misinformation and all kinds of fake news. The Internet is no longer simply a tool to offer us the information that we need. It is a tool that is used to manipulate people's minds for godless motives. Even Christians are caught up in the unwitting acceptance of the information being pushed at them. Like the proverbial frog in a warming pot, if we are not careful, we might end up getting cooked willingly! With regard to the rising influence and presence of technological reach, the earlier we wake up from any form of slumber the better.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second, technology is here to stay so we better learn how to deal with it.</b> There is no going back to a world without the technology of today. Trying to do so is like seeking to return to the Stone Age era. Just today, I read about how schools are finding it hard to deal with digital distractions in the classroom. One <a href="https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2023/10/03/smartphones-classrooms-big-story-podcast/" target="_blank">report</a> says that the issue is getting "out of control." This is simply the tip of the iceberg. There are many more challenges that are to come. Samuel James joins a chorus of witnesses speaking out against uncritical acceptance of technology. Nicholas Carr, Marshall McLuhan, Cal Newport, Sherry Turkle, and others write from a secular perspective while Marva Dawn, Archibald Hart, Neil Postman, Trevin Wax, and now, Samuel James write from a Christian perspective. Both groups point to the danger of uncritical acceptance. What I like about James's book is the five astute observances that point to the dangers for us to be aware of. I believe there are more challenges for us to deal with, such as the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the use of social media, <br /></div><br /><b>Finally, we need to stop seeing technology as a neutral tool.</b> After acknowledging what technology can do for us, it is high time to study what technology is doing to us. This is what Samuel James has done. However, I get a sense that mainly digital immigrants will get to appreciate James's perspectives. It will take a Millennial, or a Gen Z, or someone from this generation to express what James has laid out in their own words. Just like there is a generation gap between parents and their kids, perspectives on technology can vary from generation to generation. Having said that, I believe that truth is being threatened by the way people are insisting on their rights to self-expression. James hits the mark with his first observation about authenticity. I concur with his observation that while technology has erased traditional barriers to personal expression, it has also created a new breed of people who are quick to speak but slow to listen. If technology is being used to spread such evil, something must then be done at relevant levels to curtail or prevent such occurrences.<div><div><span class="a-text-bold">Samuel James</span> is the associate acquisitions editor at Crossway. He is the author of <span class="a-text-italic">Digital Liturgies</span>,
a regular newsletter on Christianity, technology, and culture. He lives
in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Emily, and their three
children. </div><div>
<br />
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-24780285037840493482023-09-27T06:35:00.006-07:002023-09-27T06:35:49.975-07:00"Persuasive Apologetics" (Jeffrey M. Robinson)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3syBCwB" target="_blank">Persuasive Apologetics: The Art of Handling Tough Questions Without Pushing People Away</a><br />
AUTHOR: Jeffrey M. Robinson<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Kregel Academic</u>, 2023, (152 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoswPookXqPWSPFtIswSIT__rPt7jS7HPxLyOo68sIL4OKLMxFCXso75YPwG50cexw2v3fbovBuMazMfJHQdI8_zmETau42rFostGmuczzxRTR4Pg_1zyS_vg1GugTzzSzpjEBaaW4XLkLkqjutTqb7R8LsZXAbxcy-y5wS2XOPm09jskDBAmF50spXN-j/s618/PersuasiveApologetics.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoswPookXqPWSPFtIswSIT__rPt7jS7HPxLyOo68sIL4OKLMxFCXso75YPwG50cexw2v3fbovBuMazMfJHQdI8_zmETau42rFostGmuczzxRTR4Pg_1zyS_vg1GugTzzSzpjEBaaW4XLkLkqjutTqb7R8LsZXAbxcy-y5wS2XOPm09jskDBAmF50spXN-j/s320/PersuasiveApologetics.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Apologetics is not simply about facts or clever arguments. It has a lot to do with emotional sensitivity to the receiver. Like the age-old phrase, "People don't care how much we know until they know how much we care." In this book, the author's key point is that one needs to speak respectfully in order to persuade effectively. The mode and tone of communication matters because people matter. Instead of a typical comparative religion manner of argument, Robinson guides us through several levels of doing apologetics. One of the key reasons why people find apologetics difficult is because they lack anticipation of the objections thrown at them. Being able to explain our theological reasons is one thing. Responding in a manner that does not become combative is yet another. That calls for both self-examination and preparation. In self-examination, we are called to avoid positional pitfalls such as the "Church Curmudgeon" who does not care about the opposition. Neither should we go to the other extreme of compromise. In addition, we should not remain silent but need to be prepared to give an answer to anyone asking why we hope in Jesus. Anticipation also means understanding the worldviews the opposition might have. Many objections are often based on erroneous presuppositions. Dealing with these will help remove a major obstacle. Anticipation also means equipping, which is why Robinson gives an overview of various approaches one should learn of. From the abrasive classical methods to the use of Reformed Epistemology, there are many popular ways in which Christians tend to adopt primarily, at the risk of pushing biblical reasons to the secondary level. Respectable apologetics also means we learn to listen well without compromising our biblical faith. If there is one key point, it is the importance of biblical grounding for anyone who wants to do apologetics. <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>I find chapter 4 particularly relevant for this modern era. It is about "Undercutting Defeaters" where people are quick to cancel and unwilling to listen to anything other than their own. There are many useful strategies that Robinson gives for us to use in rational dialogue. He helps us anticipate scenarios such as dealing with these objections:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"There is no absolute truth."</li><li>"Faith is irrational, and believing in God is kissing your brains goodbye"</li><li>"Hypocrites in the Church disproves Christianity."</li><li>Islam claims that "Jesus was never crucified."</li><li>Hinduism claims about reincarnation</li><li>Buddhism views on suffering and meaning</li><li>...</li></ul><div>Gradually, the author brings us back to the biblical faith and the centrality of Jesus Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u></div><div>This book does two things well. <b>First</b>, it builds in us a sense of anticipation of various objections, A good apologist needs to be able to anticipate and prepare a proper response to all kinds of questions. Some of these include the need to uncover the question behind the question. Robinson not only helps us look at the outside world, he reminds us to take a good hard look at ourselves as well. Each of us has our own presuppositions that are often not based (or not based strong enough) on the Bible. Instead, they are based on the preferred human wisdom that lacks biblical potency. This reminds me of Paul's example to the Corinthians about engaging the world not with human wisdom but with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:4-5). He knows about the Corinthian situation even before addressing the other core issues in the divided Church. Just like we often do Bible Study by studying the contexts of the passages we choose, in apologetics, we need to understand the other person(s) worldviews or unique circumstances. Robinson gives many examples, one of which is how Lee Strobel manages to identify the lack of a father's love in many of the strongest atheists in the world. This should not lead us into attitudes of condescendence but of empathy. When others can see and feel that we have their best interests at heart, they will be more open to receive our message. Receiving is one thing, but accepting is another. Our responsibility is to create an environment for the former. The latter requires God's intervention. The <b>second</b> thing is to be equipped with some basic responses to different kinds of objections. Know your audience is a key mantra for any speaker. We have three writeups on the mainstream religions in society such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. This helps us with some fundamental understanding of what the adherents believe. The purpose is not to dumb anyone down but to help them see the relevance of Jesus. The way Robinson deals with the historical Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad, is a demonstration of how to do just that. Being equipped also means we need to deal with the Enlightenment and Post-Enlightenment generations. Find the cultural pulse so that we can recognize the unique struggles of the people. One such impulse is the tendency to put personal feelings and relevance more important than facts. The way is not to bounce their feelings off but to help embrace BOTH their feelings and the facts we have. Caring is an effective way to disarm naysayers. Of course, we need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Not every situation demands a verbal response immediately. Jesus sometimes walk away from situations not because He cannot but because it was untimely.</div><div><br /></div><div>People need hope. This is the key need that has not changed. This book can give hope not just to non-believers who challenge Christianity but also to believers. The way is the "art" that is woven throughout the book. Before persuading others, we need to be persuaded. This book does that well.</div><br />
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Academic without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-55866878826999902902023-09-25T15:06:00.000-07:002023-09-25T15:06:03.359-07:00"Eve Isn't Evil" (Julie Faith Parker)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3EqZGEl" target="_blank">Eve Isn't Evil: Feminist Readings of the Bible to Upend Our Assumptions</a><br />
AUTHOR: Julie Faith Parker<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Baker Academic</u>, 2023, (224 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNRfyc9yDvmK-hW67wfPuKZR4vITDwkQxroJcwwtHLVAuLCq1TZrCn-tp3tTr1xkkHlZSlFp_cBpW3le7kLSz6RFgMrGa94ZZzo7V10oLDjOhp0LIs1CENaRNXKgNERJRd9duuoqQR9VNSPB9qZ-Jb7LoEA4PBw2yISfZEbvh-6nz0UBLzs5dtv7v5OFx/s279/EveIsntEvil.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="181" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNRfyc9yDvmK-hW67wfPuKZR4vITDwkQxroJcwwtHLVAuLCq1TZrCn-tp3tTr1xkkHlZSlFp_cBpW3le7kLSz6RFgMrGa94ZZzo7V10oLDjOhp0LIs1CENaRNXKgNERJRd9duuoqQR9VNSPB9qZ-Jb7LoEA4PBw2yISfZEbvh-6nz0UBLzs5dtv7v5OFx/s1600/EveIsntEvil.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>Throughout the ages, biblical interpretations are often influenced by their respective cultural changes. Such changes involve situations like new archeological discoveries, philosophical inclinations, political alignments, social norms, and religious affiliations, just to name a few. Christians too have to constantly grapple between biblical faithfulness and cultural relevance. In this day and age, several movements have taken over mainstream cultural perceptions. Movements like Black Lives Matter, Feminism, #MeToo, etc. are becoming commonplace. As far as the Bible is concerned, there has been pushback against the patriarchal culture that was so predominant in the ancient texts. Some modern interpreters are taking the bold step to fight against any form of interpretation that leads to modern justifications for male superiority. This book is written as a way to promote an alternative interpretation to conventional patriarchal ones. Author-Professor Julie Faith Parker offers this alternative to the "traditional (read: male-centered) eurocentric" approaches we can find in many libraries. Parker is aware of the negative connotations behind the word "feminist," so she carefully qualifies her use right from the beginning. Her intent is to help readers understand that there are broader alternatives to the traditional views of the patriarchal nature of the Bible. She does so on the basis of helping us increase our knowledge of the Bible, appreciating "cutting-edge scholarship," and forming a less judgmental spirit in interpretation. She demonstrates this by dealing with seven Old Testament texts and one New Testament passage. <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>The first OT text is Genesis where popular interpretations tend to paint Eve as the evil (or relatively more evil) partner. Such interpretations could lead to erroneous modern applications such as misogyny or absolute male superiority. She retells it by showing us how men too are complicit in the evil occurring in the world. Plus, Eve's desire for wisdom should not be interpreted as an absolute negative as well. Yet, she has a big role to play in the downfall of humankind, but that should not be completely on her. The second text compares the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) with the matriarchs (Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel) to show us that they all fumble. Families then are also messed up, so we should not paint the guys as heroes nor label the ladies as the villains. The third text warns us about stereotypes. by dealing with unsavory female characters like Rahab the prostitute, two sex workers quarreling before Solomon over a baby, and ancient perceptions of gods and goddesses. The fourth text is about female prophets and relatively lesser heralded leaders like Deborah, Miriam, and Huldah. The fifth text looks at Job where the author helps us appreciate Job's predicament from the standpoint of Job. She uses this to show us that we, especially male readers ought to learn to see biblical passages from the standpoint of women from time to time. The sixth text looks at psalms which sometimes give us a sense of "binary gender constructs," which are often not the main point. Often, these gender constructs are means God uses to show us the meaning of core issues that are not related to gender. The seventh text covers the Song of Songs and the poetry genre to show us that God created everyone equal. Finally, Parker covers the NT text with a description of NT women in the gospels. <br /><div><br /></div><div><u>My Thoughts</u><br />What happened in the past is one thing. Biblical interpretation is another thing. The application can also be different altogether. Reading Scripture well means we learn to do three things. Like the first step of the Inductive Bible Study format, it begins with good observation of the texts. This is what Parker has helped us to do. For example, anyone who claims that Eve should be blamed more for the eating of the forbidden fruit should take note that Adam was also present with her in the temptation episode. All the characters are punished for their unique offenses. Is it right to assign blame on any of them? Probably. Did their actions lead others to error? Definitely. Should we then judge Eve more than we judge Adam? Not really, because both Adam and Eve are complicit in the sin. Parker helps us read the text better. That is learning to see the texts from the texts.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second step in understanding the Bible is Interpretation, which is about what the text means. We need to be careful not to turn this interpretation into "What does it mean to me?" The difference is primarily between asking the questions objectively or subjectively. Doing so helps us avoid the danger of bias. What helps is how Parker compares and contrasts the different interpretations of the text, past and present. For example, in the chapter about gods and goddesses, Parker reminds us about how pre-judgment can blur our understanding of ancient contexts and cultural needs. Instead of straitjacking our understanding of the way ancient people worship, we ought to read the texts as they are based on ancient challenges such as lack of modern medicine, low survival rate, high infant mortality, etc. By reading with understanding, we are less prone to judging the biblical characters with a self-proclaimed sense of righteousness, and to let any judging be God's alone. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, this book shows us the important role of non-judgmental and non-biased forms of application. In opening our eyes to a broader appreciation of the biblical characters and contexts, we become better readers first, careful interpreters second, and wiser applicants third. Parker also provides a nice set of appendices to help us understand fundamental bible basics and other bible resources. We learn to see the texts from the perspectives of the characters and ultimately, on what God is trying to tell us. The danger for modern Bible readers is that rush to apply things based on our preconceived ideas. Parker helps us be more patient to consider the texts before attempting any such leap. </div><div>
<br />One more thing. If there is any one reason to buy this book, it would be equipping us with an additional perspective on biblical interpretation. Feminism is not something totally negative in the first place. It came up due to the unfair abuses and historical mistreatment that need to be addressed. Nothing happens in a vacuum. Once we learn of the reasons behind any movement, we will better appreciate the reason why certain things happened. More importantly, we get to the point in which we grow as humans learning to live with one another based on a "I may not agree but I can understand" position.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Julie Faith Parker</span>
(PhD, Yale University) lives in New York City where she is a visiting
scholar at Union Theological Seminary and biblical scholar in residence
at Marble Collegiate Church. She has taught biblical studies at General
Theological Seminary, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Colby College, and also
at New York Theological Seminary, where her students were incarcerated
in Sing Sing Prison. She is the author of <span class="a-text-italic">Valuable and Vulnerable: Children in the Hebrew Bible, Especially the Elisha Cycle</span>, editor of <span class="a-text-italic">My So-Called Biblical Life: Imagined Stories from the World's Best-Selling Book</span>, and coeditor (with Sharon Betsworth) of the<span class="a-text-italic"> T&T Clark Handbook of Children in the Bible and the Biblical World</span>. Visit her website at <a href="http://juliefaithparker.com" target="_blank">juliefaithparker.com</a>.</div>
<br />
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-83556567577890341652023-09-18T21:12:00.006-07:002023-09-18T21:12:42.969-07:00"Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age" (Rosaria Butterfield)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/3QsONZM" target="_blank">Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age</a><br />
AUTHOR: Rosaria Butterfield<br />
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: <u>Crossway</u>, 2023, (368 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsxV4x51ulzOZhMbLa4tmeZTX46pRGDQhp1HvN8px5q3TyW33C1lg5-LEBkGhVwyBW_fL7kl0K8W0d2MJ9wiN6I1Z8GjjBFUeDu88NiRh1BWm91lvrUGp0U7msUxcbqwCYOxqOv477GW-VdM3Kl_zd8hCFTCdGOxW5wWQW2bz8zoUSLUuzqnj9QJDGigI/s1000/5LiesAntiChristianAge.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="644" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsxV4x51ulzOZhMbLa4tmeZTX46pRGDQhp1HvN8px5q3TyW33C1lg5-LEBkGhVwyBW_fL7kl0K8W0d2MJ9wiN6I1Z8GjjBFUeDu88NiRh1BWm91lvrUGp0U7msUxcbqwCYOxqOv477GW-VdM3Kl_zd8hCFTCdGOxW5wWQW2bz8zoUSLUuzqnj9QJDGigI/s320/5LiesAntiChristianAge.png" width="206" /></a></div><p>In a post-Christian world, speaking out against mainstream societal beliefs is becoming harder. In some cases, it is virtually impossible to speak out without becoming ostracized or persecuted for asserting biblical truth. Politicians wanting to be elected or re-elected often have to mirror the mainstream opinions about some of the most divisive issues of this age. Ongoing divisive issues include Abortion, liberal views on Sexuality, Gender Bias, Women's roles, etc. Before anyone starts labeling the author with nasty labels, note that author Rosaria Butterfield writes with a specific audience in mind: "<i>This book is for Christians not embarrassed by the Bible and its teaching on women’s roles and callings.</i>" She writes with conviction on what the Bible teaches. Her targets are not fellow humans per se but on how the devil is poisoning society with lies, in particular, lies that accelerate the anti-Christian mindset. Such mindset has emboldened extremists to threaten anyone holding on to a biblical standpoint with increasing hate, verbal abuse, and even violence. Instead of obeying the laws of God, humans are increasingly building a modern tower of Babel, one that defies biblical wisdom and challenges God's authority. Highlighting five lies in such an anti-Christian era, Butterfield boldly challenges the status quo that claims the following: <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><br /><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>"Homosexuality is normal"</li><li>"Being a spiritual person is kinder than being a biblical person"</li><li>"Feminism is good for the world and the Church"</li><li>"Transgenderism is normal"</li><li>"Modesty Is an Outdated Burden That Serves Male Dominance and Holds Women Back."<br /></li></ol><p>Before dealing with these, the author lays down some foundational premises. Beginning with the creation ordinance in Genesis, she shows us that there is an authoritative order for the world; men and women are relational; God has established gender binary; and the roles and rules pertaining to Adam and Eve. All the lies mentioned in the book challenges one or more of these ordinances. Simply put, the mainstream acceptance of these lies are challenging biblical Truth. Sometimes, they even try to silence God's Word with human sense of entitlement.<br /></p><p>The first lie is the hot issue of homosexuality. In many countries, it has become an accepted practice so much so that in some places, the teaching of homosexuality as a norm has become part of the school curriculum. Butterfield writes that this teaching of homosexual norm is to say God's Word does not apply to sexual orientation. The second lie of presuming "spiritual persons" are kinder than biblical ones is based on an erroneous philosophy that is self-promoting and narcissistic. The third lie that espouses feminism as good for all has less to do with the Truth of God's Word but more to do with a self-proclaimed form of defending against any kind of abuse by males. The fourth lie has somewhat displaced feminism because it affirms "gender fluidity" to the point that one can determine one's own gender to the point that some even claim that gender is no longer some biological fact but personal choice. The fifth lie looks at the place of modesty as outdated, serving only male dominance and holding women back. <br /></p><p><u>My Thoughts</u><br />When I read the title of this book, my first thought was "Wow! What a courageous lady." In our modern climate, speaking biblical truth is becoming an increasingly uphill task. People would quickly shut down any challenges to their rights, whatever their rights may be. Just the mention of words like "homosexuality," "transgenderism," "feminism," and "biblical" would quickly produce a defensiveness that amount to an atmosphere of hostility that utters "bigot," "intolerance," "gay-haters," etc. I caution anyone from jumping into that state of mind, especially in a TLDR era. Our society is breeding a generation of people who are quick to fire accusations and slow to listen to the actual contexts. So one of the contexts to remember is that the author is writing to "<i>Christians, especially Christian women who aren't ashamed of the Bible and its teachings</i>." It is like a society giving a specific seminar to interested members who want to honour the principles of that society. There will be people who will criticize Butterfield for her views but let those be the people she is addressing in the first place: Christians, especially Christian women who are not ashamed of biblical teachings.</p><p></p><p>Secondly, this book will offend some people. Some might even start condemning the author even before reading the book. We need to be careful not to put words into the author's mouth. Even though her views might be unpopular, there is always room for constructive criticism. Dissent is ok but let that be done with civility and mutual respect. When she writes that the statement "Homosexuality is normal" is a lie, she is not attacking gay rights. Neither is she saying that one cannot legally be gay or lesbian in society. She is criticizing those who might be teaching homosexuality as some divine gift from God. She is not attacking homosexual persons or transgenderism, but an uncritical spread of a false teaching that contradicts biblical teaching. If left unchecked, God's order will be disrupted with increasing recklessness. Imagine a road system where there are multiple junctions without working traffic lights or orderly rules of the road. If every driver sets their own right of way rules, it would lead to many dangerous situations and fatal accidents. Likewise, in the philosophical and theological traffic system, if anybody decides for themselves their own gender, sexual orientation, and their self-entitled right to write their own biological make-up, it would cause confusion and disorder, especially among younger minds who might not even be aware of what is male or female in the first place!<br /></p><p>Finally, I appreciate where Butterfield is coming from and her courage to speak biblical truth in the way she has done. The Bible teaches us to speak the Truth in love as well as to expect persecutions in an increasingly ungodly world. By writing specifically to Christians, and not just any Christian, but those who want to be unashamed of biblical teaching, she is equipping Christians to defend the faith as per biblical principles and teachings. She is concerned about people who have been silenced by mainstream opinions that are deceptively right on the outside but erroneous on the inside. Christians have a duty to speak up in the Name of Truth. Godless society is deceiving ordinary Christians in a big and insidious way. By letting biblical truth shine the path for us, Christians can learn to be sober minded and watchful of the lions waiting for any chance to devour them. Kudos to the author for a courageous pushback against a world that is not only deceiving others but also itself. <br /></p><p class="description"><span class="a-text-bold">Rosaria Butterfield </span>(PhD,
Ohio State University) is an author, pastor’s wife, homeschool mom, and
former professor of English and women’s studies at Syracuse University.
She is the author of <span class="a-text-italic">The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert</span>; <span class="a-text-italic">Openness Unhindered</span>; and <span class="a-text-italic">The Gospel Comes with a House Key</span>. <br /></p><div>
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div><p></p>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263246662222347626.post-51816604173999386022023-09-15T15:28:00.001-07:002023-09-15T15:28:42.109-07:00"Wake Up to Wonder" (Karen Wright Marsh)TITLE: <a href="https://amzn.to/44EUzvJ" target="_blank">Wake Up to Wonder - 22 Invitations to Amazement in the Everyday</a><br />
AUTHOR: Karen Wright Marsh<br />
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: <u>Brazos Press,</u> 2023, (208 pages).<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDKn4lkM0g1ViBX27Qa9vCpFL_mYJUbs6e5aX3jdx887hrNmJQpQSOOuIFFuKe093jtSeCsPTNY0iKH9L5ju8y3fdhKcXLM3i_O8-ckJCrVMQ2T2Rc_rQbvpm5iJiet6eBFM-qULunBPxTXF4jiuOPt5oxNKNHg0NnTM_37CegOI02kgUFPvhFhOwC8Md/s440/9781587435805.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="285" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDKn4lkM0g1ViBX27Qa9vCpFL_mYJUbs6e5aX3jdx887hrNmJQpQSOOuIFFuKe093jtSeCsPTNY0iKH9L5ju8y3fdhKcXLM3i_O8-ckJCrVMQ2T2Rc_rQbvpm5iJiet6eBFM-qULunBPxTXF4jiuOPt5oxNKNHg0NnTM_37CegOI02kgUFPvhFhOwC8Md/s320/9781587435805.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>There is a joke that talks about the three types of people in this world. The first type waits for things to happen. The second type makes things happen. The third type wonders what happened. The first type is the slacker. The second type is the planner. The third type is the ignorant. From a project management perspective, the joke is a fun way to inject urgency into the team. This book does not deal with project management per se. It is about discerning the exercise of faith, the relevance of hope, and the power of love. It might even encourage us to be the fourth type of person, a wakeful person in discernment about a time to wait, a time to work, and also a time to wonder. Instead of going it alone, author Karen Wright Marsh collects wisdom from 22 different sources of spiritual leaders on discernment. From Henri Nouwen, we learn how a man trapped in the cycle of busyness was able to discern his own identity through writing and conscientious reflection. Martin Luther reminds us of the gift of music to learn to sing our faith out loud. Thomas Merton's life of contemplation teaches us about cultivating prayer to become as natural as breathing. Hildegard Von Bingen points us toward personal healthcare to bring the body and soul to be in harmony. That involves deliberate food choices and health awareness. Margery Kempe shows us the simplicity of journeying spiritually by walking and thinking. <span><a name='more'></a></span>Wangari Maathai expresses her faith through awareness of the stewardship of earthly resources to grow trees of both nature and faith. Caedmon invites us into a world of gratitude while Amanda Berry Smith shares about passionate prayer that is not shy about pouring out emotions and questions to God. Augustine's work and life demonstrate the power of confessions and confidence in God. Lilas Trotter wakes us up to wonder about artistry both within and without. Fannie Lou Hamer defends the weak and uses music to sing about salvation, redemption, and struggle. Patrick of Ireland helps us to embrace aloneness without guilt. Hans and Sophie Scholl caution us about evil indoctrination in an Information-loaded environment. Howard Thurman highlights stillness as an opportunity for renewal and fresh courage. Pandita Ramabai lives through various struggles of injustice and finds much solace in Scripture. Ephrem the Syrian surprises with a fresh look at the beauty that resembles hope even as we live through a world peppered with pain and loss. Ignatius of Loyola guides us through the daily examen. Benedict and Scholastica frame a disciplined way for us to work through the week. Brother Lawrence mentors us through intentional work and prayer. Francis of Assisi and Clare of Assisi reveal unique callings of God to us, sometimes in ways that are different from conventional thinking. Dorothy Day directs us toward balancing work, life, worship, and rest. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee's life is an expose to the unexpected ways God raises leaders. <br /><br /><u>My Thoughts</u><br />
One of the ills of modern society is the rush to busyness. We are always busy doing something. If we are not busy, we will find something to busy ourselves with. This is symptomatic of a restless soul and an anxious heart. In a society that is never satisfied, people gravitate to many activities in order to feel fulfilled. Like drinking and eating that only satisfy us momentarily, we live from one meal to another, from one project to another, and from one program to another. We switch channels on TV when bored. We browse different websites to kill time. We flip social media pages searching in vain for something to satisfy our inner cravings. What if the answer is not outside but inside? This book shows us wonderful things we can learn about ourselves as we wake up to the undiscovered longings in our inner beings. Author Karen Marsh reminds us about our inner inclinations toward stories. By giving us 22 stories about people in the past and present, we learn to write our own stories. Thus, this is a book about stories that speak to us when we take time to ponder and wonder. I am sure Marsh could have talked about many other people but curiously selected 22 unique individuals, some of whom I have not heard of. I wonder about what criteria Marsh uses to choose these people. Her five orientations will help us understand. It begins with "Wake Up" where Marsh helps us see the extraordinary in the midst of ordinary people in ordinary circumstances. This is perhaps the most important step for any busy person. If one can take time to ponder, it would have given any fatigued soul some space to breathe. "Reach Out" goes beyond the wakefulness to be conscious of the things and people around us. In a technology-full world, we have lost the art of stillness. Only in moments of stillness can we "Go Deep." Only when we learn about deepening our understanding can we appreciate the importance of growing a relationship with God as well as with fellow people. There is no quality time without quantity time. Hopefully, we can cultivate a lifestyle of work, rest, and play in order not to let the unhealthy spirit of busyness control us. <div><br /></div><div>Thanks to Marsh, we have a resource to give us at least 22 illustrations of how to rest, find ourselves, and to be able to look beyond our own needs toward others. There are many lessons we can pick up in this book. The exercises at the end of each invitation can spur us to put the call to wake up to wonder into practice. <div><div><br /></div><div><div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Karen Wright Marsh</span>
is the founding director of Theological Horizons, a ministry at the
University of Virginia that hosts lectures, spiritual studies,
dialogues, and mentoring initiatives. She is the author of <span class="a-text-italic">Vintage Saints and Sinners: 25 Christians Who Transformed My Faith</span>, which was named an <span class="a-text-italic">Outreach</span> Resource of the Year, a Logos Booksellers Book of the Year, and a <span class="a-text-italic">Foreword</span>
INDIES finalist. Karen holds a degree in philosophy from Wheaton
College and a degree in linguistics from the University of Virginia.
She lives with her professor husband, Charles Marsh, at the Bonhoeffer
House in Charlottesville, Virginia.</div>
<br />
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
conrade<br />
<hr /><i>This book has been provided courtesy of Brazos Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.</i></div></div></div>Conrade Yap, (Dr)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12256834680709396244noreply@blogger.com0