"The Day I Met Jesus" (Frank Viola and Mary DeMuth)

TITLE: The Day I Met Jesus: The Revealing Diaries of Five Women from the Gospels
AUTHOR: Frank Viola and Mary DeMuth
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015, (208 pages).

History is very much a storytelling of the past. In some sense, Bible paraphrases do try to reveal past stories using modern language and contextual understanding. With imagination and prose, stories in the Bible can be given a dramatic re-telling without losing their theological significance. In this book, authors Viola and DeMuth retell the stories of five women from the gospels. Frank Viola is no stranger to storytelling, having written books like "God's Favourite Place on Earth" which retells Jesus' journeying in and out of Bethany. Mary DeMuth is a long time blogger and author who had written much about brokenness and abuse, and shares a unique perspective with regards to brokenness, regrets, hurts, and shame. It is one thing to read the gospel stories according to the perspective of the gospel writer. This book reveals the stories from the perspective of the five women. With DeMuth's expertise as a Christian fiction writer, the authors selected:

1. The woman caught in adultery (John 7:53-8:11)
2. The prostitute who loved much (Luke 7:36-50)
3. The desperate Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42)
4. The woman with a flow of Blood (Matthew 9:18-22, Luke 8:42-49)
5. The woman that Jesus loved (Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-7, 17-44)

"Launch Your Encore" (Hans Finzel and Rick Hicks)

TITLE: Launch Your Encore: Finding Adventure and Purpose Later in Life
AUTHOR: Hans Finzel and Rick Hicks
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015, (208 pages).

In America, more than 76 million people are above 60 years of age. Some call it retirement phase. Others call it the golden years or the silver hair period of life. After many years of active working, this phase of life is often marked by slowdowns  physically, mentally, and emotionally. In such later years, what can these people do? They may retire from their jobs but they cannot retire from life altogether. Moreover, with more people living longer and the pace of society getting quicker, it can be very challenging for people in this age group to cope. Rather than to be shoved aside, the authors of this book believe that retirement is more an opportunity rather than an unwelcome phase of life. The premise is this.

"The word retirement should not be an exit sign, but a door into something fresh, new, and exciting." (17)

This "final act" may very well be this particular generation's "greatest contribution." How is it possible, one may ask. The authors frame the process in four parts.

"Becoming Worldly Saints" (Michael E. Wittmer)

TITLE: Becoming Worldly Saints: Can You Serve Jesus and Still Enjoy Your Life?
AUTHOR: Michael E. Wittmer
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015, (208 pages).

Is it possible to be a Christian and still enjoy life? How can we practice a faith that is both world-affirming as well as world-denying? What does it mean to live in this world and not be of the world? Simply put, just because we are Christian does not make us less human. Just because we are called to be saints does not mean we are no longer sinners. Just because we are heaven bound does not mean we ignore our life on earth. In fact, we are called to live out heaven on this earth.  In order to do this, author and Professor of Systematic Theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, Michael Wittmer affirms the joy that every believer can exhibit, whether serving, working, or enjoying this present life. We need a larger narrative that is able to embrace both the "high purpose of heaven" as well as the "normal pleasures of earth." When we do affirm both together, we are saying no to the extremes of naturalism and spiritualism. The former is fixated on things physical and existential while the latter tends toward an extreme version of supernaturalism.

Wittmer helps us appreciate the one biblical story through four aspects: Creation, Meaning, Fall, Redemption. In doing so, we are led through various aspects of life's paradoxes. We are liberated in Christ, yet are subjected to the Lordship of Christ. We are concerned about present human suffering but also mindful of the eternal suffering. Two distinctions are emphasized. The first is that of the natural and the supernatural. The second is the unique distinction of us being redeemed despite our fallen nature, which ought to inform our mission whether we are giving people a fish or teaching them how to fish. In much Christian humanitarian work, people tend to focus on doing things for people. However, the greatest need for all people is Christ. He offers two pieces of encouragement.

1. It is impossible to do only what is important. We still need to do the routine and mundane stuff of life.
2. There will always be a tension between what we do and what we ought to do, a tricky balance between earthly and heavenly mindedness.

"Praying With Paul" (D. A. Carson)

TITLE: Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation
AUTHOR: D. A. Carson
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014, (216 pages)

Think of the epistles of Paul and what comes to mind? You may see Romans as a book with deep theological underpinnings or Galatians as a letter which focuses on law and grace. Maybe Ephesians is about the Armour of God and Colossians about Christology. Perhaps there are some of us who see Thessalonians as a warning about the end times and Timothy as instructions from an elder to a junior. What about using the Pauline Epistles as a way to pray? More specifically, what about letting the letters of Paul reform the way we pray? With this book, we learn to avoid the frenetic tendency of using the Bible to run programs, to plan preaching schedules, or to structure Bible study sessions using the letters of Paul. What about letting Paul inform us in terms of knowing God more personally and devotionally? What about letting Paul shape our own theology of prayer? Indeed, the most pressing need in the Church is more praying.

After setting forth eight lessons from the school of prayer, Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School examines several Paul's letters to highlight some ways we can learn to pray. In 2 Thessalonians1:3-12, readers learn about the framework of prayer of thanksgiving in spite of trials and tribulations. Instead, persistence in prayer is linked to the promise that believers will be vindicated and those who persecute them will be judged. The goal of Paul's prayer is about glorifying God. The basis of prayer is via the grace of God. We learn how Paul prays for others. We sense Paul's deep passion for the people he wrote to.

"How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor" (Mark Yarbrough)

TITLE: How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor: A Practical and Entertaining Exploration of the World's Most Famous Book
AUTHOR:  Mark Yarbrough
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Faithwords, 2015, (368 pages).

Have you ever been in Bible studies where people seem to lack a sense of proper interpretation, choosing instead to depend on individual feelings and experiences? What about cases where members seem to talk over the Scripture with personal opinions instead of proper Bible study? At the same time, there are those sessions that appear too difficult for the laymen to grasp, ending up with confusion and frustrations at knowing the text but failing to see the God of the text? Associate Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr Mark Yarbrough, offers this volume to assist Bible studies for folks like you and me. The title of the book appears rather intimidating as readers may harbour negative views of theologians and seminarians as people who talk above the normal head. While people do not want to skip important theological themes, they too do not want to let Bible studies become exercises of subjective opinions and individual fancies.

Yarbrough writes with tremendous empathy of the struggles of the layperson. He uses his coursework to help readers anchor themselves in a "Know It, Work It, and Live It" model. In KNOWING IT, readers will learn the general structure, story, and the substance of the text.

The basic plan for the book is based on the sequence of numbers:

• Old Testament (5-12-5-5-12)
• New Testament (4-1-21-1)

"Shifting Stats" (Patricia Paddey and Karen Stiller)

TITLE: Shifting Stats Shaking The Church: 40 Canadian Churches Respond
AUTHOR: Patricia Paddey and Karen Stiller
PUBLISHER: Mississauga, ON, World Vision Canada, 2015, (241 pages).

Resource Link

The world is changing, and changing fast. As the people of God continues to live in the world, remembering that they are not of the world, it is still important to remember the unique witness churches have for God. In spite of shifting sands and changing environments, the Church must learn to stay the course in proclaiming Jesus everywhere she goes. Amid the struggles, there are successes. Amid the good happenings, there are challenging moments. Whatever the circumstances, churches will do well to know the contexts of the ministries they are in. Beginning with a startling foreword that paints the unique times of Canadian culture and religious climate, faith journalists Patricia Paddey and Karen Stiller were commissioned by World Vision Canada to help tell the stories of Churches in Canada that are making a difference in their neighbourhoods, how they are contributing to society, and the unique roles they play. The forty churches in this study range from churches as small as 15 to as large as 3500+. Based on stories shared at "World Vision's 2014 Shifting Stats Church Leaders Forum," the forty stories span every Canadian province and territory, multi-ethnic and multi-denominational settings, both rural and urban centers, covering churches of different sizes. The stories focus on creative adaptations and ministry initiatives that are sensitive to immigration patterns, changes in family, youth, volunteer work, and other important aspects of Canadian society. From Victoria BC, we read of how Emmanuel Baptist Church open their doors and hearts to students at the University of Victoria, with welcoming hospitality, warm meals, and friendship. Providing dinners, space, as well as free Wi-Fi, the initiative has become so popular that students even say that the thing they miss about leaving school eventually is the time with EBC. From Fredericton, New Brunswick, we read of Smythe Street Cathedral reaches kids through a leadership camp called "Camp Lead" that goes beyond mere Vacation Bible School, and empower kids toward real-life interactions and contributions to community. By training young children and youths about the potential of changing the world, readers are given a fresh does of how to engage the young. From Mississauga, Ontario, Gateway Church welcomes new immigrants through a 25000 square foot community center that not only meets for weekly worship but also provides various forms of programs to help integrate new immigrants to Canadian society. It has also received government funding as it helps contribute positively to Canada. Emmanuel Mennonite Mission Church (EMCC) based in Altona, Southern Manitoba adopts a "tapping shoulders" approach in reaching out the newcomers such as new immigrants. Through their ESL programs and a welcoming community, they begin with building friendships. They also use the shoulder tapping strategy to enlist volunteers for the outreach programs. What is needed it genuine interest both ways.

"Praying the Bible" (Donald S. Whitney)

TITLE: Praying the Bible
AUTHOR: Donald S. Whitney
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015, (115 pages).

Prayer is important but it can from time to time become boring, shallow, or even meaningless. What then do we do about it? Is there a problem we need to take note of? Have we become too individualistic in our prayer concerns? It can happen, sometimes way too often. From safety in school to studies, parents pray the same things for their kids. From time management to work performances, employees pray for their work. Families pray for finances, jobs, or various family concerns. Church groups pray for their Church programmes or members who are hurting. Young people pray for their direction and future. Believers pray for their Christian concerns. After a while, even if one does not know the specific requirements, somehow, the requests of each person do not actually vary. The end result is a series of repeated, monotonous, and similar prayers. Even the most pious and persistent prayer warriors will be uttering the same kinds of prayers. According to author and professor, Donald S. Whitney, the problem lies in the method. His premise is simple. Pray through Scripture.

Use the Psalms as a way to weave in our everyday concerns with God's pattern of communication. Use the day of the month to pray through five different kinds of psalms. Let the needs of our present moment be interwoven with the pattern of Scripture. For instance, in Psalm 23:1, when we pray "The Lord is my Shepherd," pray all manner of needs around God as Shepherd. Bring forth our present, our past, and our future before the Shepherd who knows exactly who we are, how we are doing, and what we are feeling. When ready, feel free to move on to the next verse. Whitney assures readers that it is ok not to be too Bible-study-centric. In fact, he advises us to avoid turning the Bible into some kind of a study. Instead, use it devotionally without being distracted by the theologies and the technical details of each word or phrase. While the author proposes the Psalms as the mainstay of prayer, he does not stop there. He shares how we can use the New Testament as well as other parts of Scripture. The most important thing of all is to put the method into practice, which is exactly what he did more than half-way through the book.

My Thoughts

Honestly, I am stoked about this method as it is simple and Bible-based. It is encouraging to most of us who lack seminary training. All that is needed is the ability to read the Bible, and to let the Bible lead us. There is no need for us to have training in Greek/Hebrew (though it can be very helpful). there is no need for us to be stuck at some verses or to feel guilty about skipping parts of the Scripture. After all, we are aiming at communing with God and to let the Word lead and to guide us. We are not coming up with some revolutionary doctrine or theological dogma. We are simply increasing our desire to pray creatively in the Word, and to be empowered to pray more in depth and in scope.

The biggest benefit to reading this book is actually the prayer experience itself. I find it a very simple and creative method to adopt. Like many methods, it is important to put what we learn or read straightaway into practice. Only then, we can benefit most. My friends, this book is a very useful resource to help us get back to active and creative praying. For the faithful, use it to supplement your existing methods of prayer. There is no need to discard your old ways. For the busy, do not be pressured into using large chunks of the Bible each time. If you felt led to focus on just one verse, that may very well be most appropriate for you at that time. God understands. In fact, by memorizing the Word, we can even pray throughout the day. Know what, this method can also be used in groups. It can even enable groups to pray together in unison and with multiple perspectives of the same verse!

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Crossway Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Truly Free" (Robert Morris)

TITLE: Truly Free: Breaking the Snares That So Easily Entangle
AUTHOR: Robert Morris
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: Thomas-Nelson, 2015, (240 pages).

Freedom is much touted and cherished in the West. From the Declaration of Independence to the enshrinement of freedom in anthems, oaths, and pledges, we may have from time to time be guilty in taking our common freedoms for granted. In fact, we may enslaved more than we are aware of. When Christ came to set us free, we will be free. Unless we become deceived, distracted, discouraged, or depressed. According to lead pastor and author, Robert Morris, for one to be truly free, discipleship and deliverance must go hand in hand. He laments the fact that Christians who are supposed to be living in freedom are unfortunately living in enslavement and snares to several temptations. In a series of what looked like three-point sermons that make up the chapters of this book, Morris begins by systematically using the biblical principles and teachings of Scripture to remind us that freedom in Christ means following Christ and being delivered from the trickery of the evil one and the temptations of the world, and the vulnerabilities of the flesh Dispelling two popular myths, he draws from the wisdom of CS Lewis who wrote in the popular book, The Screwtape Letters:

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."

"The Better Life" (Claire Diaz-Ortiz)

TITLE: The Better Life: Small Things You Can Do Right Where You Are
AUTHOR: Claire Diaz-Ortiz
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015, (160 pages).

Good things come in small packages. Learn to start where you are rather than to wait for the improbable perfect situation. This is what the popular author and speaker, Claire Diaz-Ortiz says in thirty over vignettes that inspire one toward a better life. Diaz-Ortiz is also known as a "top-level Twitter employee" as well as her humanitarian work, especially through her organization, "Hope Runs" which is a non-profit organization supporting AIDS orphanages in Kenya. This book is an example of why her influence is infectious. With her winsome approach, she puts together a book that truly inspires one to do more with the present resources rather than to wait in vain for more resources that may never appear. Tips like learning to set our intention using the power of one word; to become morning people who usually get more things done; to do the seven most important things each day using the PRESENT acronym; the need to say no and rest; and the need to say no and work; and many more.

The author weaves in her own life stories in the book about how the smallest decisions in life can affect her journey in life. Like the time when she said yes to an invitation to work for Twitter, and 99 ways in which one need to say no to things that really do not matter, and also in order to protect that one focus for the year. Many things she shared appear to be common sense, like learning to accept the hurts and disappointments that come our way; as well as perseverance to accomplish something and the openness to learn. It is really easy reading and the short snippets make this book an easy pick-up and perk-me-up reading material when traveling to work or home on the bus or train. While there could be other ways to nuance her observations and sharing, the moment we over-analyze her memoir, the less beneficial the book is for us. If we were to simply read and watch her reveal her learning in life, it will be a lot more meaningful for us as eavesdroppers instead of judges of what is happening in her life.

Better life or not, we can choose to think and live positively through the ups and downs of life. Not all of the author's chapters may appeal, but if there is just one that does help, it would have worth the price of the book. So, pick up this book and read away.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Moody Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Faith Speaking Understanding" (Kevin J. Vanhoozer)

TITLE: Faith Speaking Understanding: Performing the Drama of Doctrine
AUTHOR: Kevin J. Vanhoozer
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014, (298 pages).

Mention doctrine and there is a good chance that people would yawn. The central theme is that the world changes most when the Church stays the same, doctrinal, theologically, and faithfully. Even as the world spins itself dizzy in various directions, the Church can choose to be faithful and steadfast to the good old gospel story of the Old Rugged Cross of Jesus Christ. Using the metaphor of theatrical performance, Kevin Vanhoozer affirms the importance of doctrine as a necessary teaching in Churches and as a key part of discipleship. He takes a “high view” of Scripture that underlines the basis of all doctrinal discussions. Nine interrelated themes underline how the Church can become a living Bible.

1. About Being Biblical
2. About Theology
3. About Church Doctrine
4. About the Gospel of Jesus Christ
5. About Life
6. About the Reign of God
7. About the Church
8. About Public Theology
9. About Reality

"What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality?" (Kevin DeYoung)

TITLE: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
AUTHOR: Kevin DeYoung
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2015, (160 pages).

Many people claim that the Bible speaks specifically about homosexuality by simply quoting the few popular verses. Not many offer to begin by asking the fundamental question, "What does the Bible really teach about everything?" This is what author and pastor, Kevin DeYoung did. He goes back to the beginning of creation, the Fall, the land, the temple, the coming Messiah, and the expectant future of a new heaven and new earth. He points out that the Bible is not about God giving us a lecture about homosexuality. Rather, it is learning to see what the Bible really focus on before we even talk about homosexuality. Having said that, he makes this statement about the book, that it is a "Christian book, with a narrow focus, defending a traditional view of marriage." In other words, DeYoung is writing from a Christian point of view. He is exploring the way the Bible verses talk about homosexuality. It is about defending the traditional view of marriage as between a man and a woman. Aware of the contentious subject, he addresses three groups of potential readers. The first group is the already convinced where he aims to remind them to argue respectfully and appropriately. This means learning to recognize one's sinfulness and imperfections too. The second group are the skeptics or contentious, where he hopes will argue strictly on biblical grounds rather than on charged up emotions. The third group are the confused or those who just do not know how to respond.

"Saturate" (Jeff Vanderstelt)

TITLE: Saturate: Being Disciples of Jesus in the Everyday Stuff of Life
AUTHOR: Jeff Vanderstelt
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2015, (256 pages).

This book is about ordinary Christianity being put into practice in everyday life. It is for imperfect people trying to do something good in this world. It is about believers wanting to obey the Word of God. It is about discipleship in simple terms. It is also about putting theory into practice, where theology's rubber hits the road of discipleship. Jeff Vanderstelt, lead pastor of Doxa Church in Bellevue, WA in confessing that he dislikes writing, has decided to publish the book because of a vision in Habbakuk 2:14, "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea." He believes that it is possible for every believer to practice discipleship in a way that saturates the world they live in with Christ's love and influence. Presenting his idea in four frames of thought, he begins by mentioning the idea of church not as an event or program but a lifestyle of hospitality. People want to be participants and not mere spectators. Opportunities need to be given to such people to contribute. It is better to be a fisherman instead of watching people fish. He goes back to Jesus' willingness to meet people where they are, at weddings, parties, houses, and ordinary places. It is not the religious events that matter but all the ordinary activities through the day. His vision of church is essentially the people of God living together on a mission in everyday living. Church does not end in a Church service on Sunday. It begins on Sunday and Church happens in everyday living through the rest of the week.

"Finding Truth" (Nancy Pearcey)

TITLE: Finding Truth: 5 Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes
AUTHOR: Nancy Pearcey
PUBLISHER: Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook Publishers, 2015, (384 pages).

Christianity is facing growing opposition on many different fronts, some of which are also hostile and defiant. Even among believers, there are many who are leaving the faith, discouraged or disillusioned. One example is a congressional chief of staff, Bill Wichterman who said he "lost his faith at an evangelical college." At the heart of the problem is the perception that Christianity had no intellectual foundation to meet the challenges of atheism, secularism, and other principalities that dominate the world today. No way! said the author of the bestselling book TOTAL TRUTH, and Director of the Francis Schaeffer Center for Worldview and Culture at Houston Baptist University. Using the inspiration of Bill Wichterman, who eventually "studied his way" back to faith, Pearcey puts together five principles to engage critics, skeptics, and disillusioned individuals to affirm the integrity and rationality of the Christian faith. Based on Romans 1:1-2:16, Pearcey's five principles are:

"Spiritual Friendship" (Wesley Hill)

TITLE: Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian
AUTHOR: Wesley Hill
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2015, (160 pages).

Must all relationships be sexual in one way or another? Is there a place for celibacy in the modern debate over homosexuality? Can there be genuine friendships without any sexual connotations?More importantly, is there a place for friendship in spite of one's sexual orientation? According to Wesley Hill who is celibate and also gay, the answer is yes. In this book about spiritual friendship, Hill attempts to show us that friendship is "the freest, the least constrained, the least fixed and determined, of all human loves" and "entirely voluntary, uncoerced, and unencumbered by any sense of duty or debt."  He believes that friendship must stand alone and above all kinds of opinions or prejudices. He sees Simon bearing Jesus' cross as "an icon of friendship." He separates the idea of sexual attraction from the development of true spiritual friendship. Having done that, he moves toward distilling the essence of spiritual friendship based on acceptance, grace, and love. Hill believes that the gospel says "No" to same-sex relationships but "Yes" to spiritual friendship that is not necessarily sexual in any way. This sets him on a path to finding out love as a celibate and spiritual friendship without sexual implications.

"Rhythms of Worship" (Michael Waschevski and John G. Stevens)

TITLE: Rhythms of Worship: The Planning and Purpose of Liturgy
AUTHOR: Michael Waschevski and John G. Stevens
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015, (96 pages).

What are the rhythms of worship? How do we plan a good and well-rounded weekly service? Instead of re-inventing the wheel, is there some kind of a model to follow or to adapt? In this little book, we learn about the purpose and the planning behind worship services. With simple description and steps, pastors John G. Stevens
and Michael Waschevski share a number of ways in which we can incorporate various rhythms of worship in our churches. Beginning with the general outline of worship, they note that most mainline denominations follow a four-fold structure for worship, what I would call an “order” rhythm.

1. Gathering in response to the love and invitation of God
2. Hearing and responding to God’s Word
3. Sharing the meal and giving thanks
4. Departing to serve God in the world

One can summarize the four steps into an easy to remember 4Ws. At the start, the people are welcomed as they gather, for each time the people of God come together, there is the Church. Next is the reading of the Word with participation in mind. The congregation is given a chance to respond to the worship leaders. The sermon is then preached and congregations are encouraged to interact where possible. With the Holy Communion as a common meal for the people, members participate with the warmth of fellowship in remembrance of Christ’s death as well as celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Finally, the people can go forth into the world to be conscious toward good works where possible.

There is the rhythm of music selections where congregations are encouraged not to be distracted by the traditional vs contemporary songs divide, but to learn to have an openness for greater repertoire of old and new songs. The authors suggest that congregations begin and end with familiar songs. If there are any new songs to be introduced, let them be proportioned no more than one-third of the total number of songs. In terms of technology, while powerpoint projectors are ok, it is beneficial to have printed hymnbooks or songs in the event of some technical hiccups.

The rhythm of seasons is like the Church calendar. Special days include Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Pentecost, and other significant days of the Christian calendar. The authors provide Scripture references and support to guide readers through the planning. They teach us the historical background of each special day. They suggest creative programs as well as sensitivity to the emotional needs of various groups. For example, when celebrating Christmas, be aware that it may evoke memories of some members who are lonely or had lost loved ones recently.

One can also plan personal spiritual rhythms to coincide with the rhythms through the year. For example, the season of Lent can be a time to fast while the Christmastide can be a time to celebrate and to feast. The days following Easter can be filled with celebrative moments leading to the Pentecost where one observes the teachings of the Holy Spirit more, and perhaps a spiritual revival.

The last chapter of the book comes back one full circle to ponder on the meaning and reason for worship. Worship is about “being the church” that God has called. It is not simply an idea or concept. It is a living organism in Christ. Worship is community life in action. It is a holy community set apart for God. This book on worship is important simply because worship is important.


Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Westminster John Knox Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Preaching with Accuracy" (Randal E. Pelton)

TITLE: Preaching with Accuracy: Finding Christ-Centered Big Ideas for Biblical Preaching
AUTHOR: Randal E. Pelton
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2014, (176 pages).

Time and topic are two of the biggest challenges facing preachers who have to preach frequently, especially weekly. While books on preaching are many, books that directly speak to pastors who preach every week are less numerous. With such people in mind, Pelton shares his method to preach with accuracy. He begins with Os Guinness's apt warning about our tendency to be so relevant to culture that we lose faithfulness to the gospel. He wants to highlight the need for expository preaching rather than for pastors to search for the hippiest, trendiest, or most 'relevant' topic to preach each week. There is a danger of the pastor turning the preaching time into a relevance-driven pulpit. The central concern is that the Word of God needs to be preached. Rather than to let topics drive the Word, we need to let the Word drive the relevance effort.

According to Pelton, choosing the passage to be preached is important because it has implications on whether the passage has a big idea, many ideas, or simply no clear idea. The apostle Paul uses "attention-getting observation" before unloading biblical truths on the situation. Jesus's model does not seek to be seeker-sensitive but to minister the Word to the condition of the hearts of individuals. In preaching with accuracy, one needs to be aware of the multiple ideas of the chosen texts as well as the multiple ways they could be perceived by listeners. Accurate preaching means being able to connect these dots into one central theme, how little ideas within the texts add weight to the major idea or theme of the text. He states:

"Preaching with greater accuracy involves knowing how big ideas and little ideas interrelate to create meanings. We run the risk of misinterpreting and misapplying preaching portions if we major on minor ideas." (33)

"Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory" (Jerry L. Walls)

TITLE: Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory: Rethinking the Things That Matter Most
AUTHOR: Jerry L. Walls
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2015, (190 pages).

Recently, there has been a spate of books and publications that spooked the interest on heaven, hell, and in some cases, the doctrine of purgatory. With books like Rob Bell's "Love Wins" that argued very much in the direction of universalism, and counter vigorous reactions like Mark Galli's "God Wins" and Francis Chan's "Erasing Hell," the evangelical world has been up in arms about the doctrines of heaven and hell, and how it is increasingly relevant in our modern society. According to popular speaker and author, Dr Jerry Walls, much of the books, films, and publications out there now about the afterlife tend to be "sentimental, simplistic, and emotionally manipulative." Walls wants to go beyond mere fascination toward an affirmation of the reality of heaven and hell. For we cannot affirm the Trinity, the Incarnation of Christ, the Atonement, and the Resurrection of Christ without affirming the doctrines of heaven, hell, and the life everlasting. Having written earlier books like "Hell, the Logic of Damnation" in 1992, "Heaven: The logic of Eternal Joy" in 2002, and "Purgatory: The Logic of Total Transformation" in 2011, Walls has brought all of these and condensed it with additional updates into this new work. He is convinced that there is purgatory simply because it makes a lot of sense to the doctrines of heaven and hell. Like hell can be understood best in the context of heaven, heaven and hell can be understood better with the doctrine of purgatory. His reasoning is like trying to understand the reality of the fallen world by making reference to the beginnings of a originally good world.

"Lectio Divina" (Enzo Bianchi)

TITLE: Lectio Divina: From God's Word to Our Lives (Voices from the Monastery)
AUTHOR: Enzo Bianchi
PUBLISHER: Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2015, (128 pages).

We have many books on theology and Christian living. What about how to read the Bible devotionally? According to the Enzo Bianchi, a Catholic layperson who founded a monastic community in Italy, he believes that reading the Bible well is the central part of discipleship. The author is founder of the Bose Community, an ecumenical monastic community of 80 brothers and sisters in Magnano, Italy.

We need to be caught up in Bible reading. We need to be absorbed by the Word. We need to commune with God in the Word. Writing from his experience with a group of believers to surround their whole lives around the Word of God, Bianchi's overriding passion is to encounter Christ as he reads the Word of God. This is the method of lectio divina which helps us avoid some of the pitfalls of humanistic reading. Pitfalls such as:

• Reading for simple emotional experience
• Rigid fundamentalism that keeps the letter but ignores the spirit of the letter
• Ignoring the traditions and histories of the Word
• Using the Word of God as a polemic or literary weapon against one another

Set in two parts, Part One of the book is "Bible and Spirit" which is about entering the rooms in the Bible with the Holy Spirit holding the keys to usher us in. The third century Church father, Origen explains it as "Scriptura sui ipsius interpres" (Scripture is its own interpreter).This means that the Bible is a unity that does not contract itself. It also means the Spirit teaches us. The Bible is not merely an objective document to analyze and study. It is a subjective living Word that puts us as the object as willing servants and God as the Person revealed to us. We read in faith, desiring the truth instead of impatiently demanding answers to our needs. The Bible calls us to be personally involved in the Word instead of an impersonal stance to see things from a distance. We need to be open to what the Bible is saying and be open to what the Bible is not saying. It needs to be read, studied, and understood in the Spirit. Bianchi is also aware of how the Bible can be read in an "overly spiritualized, allegorical, literal, or fundamentalist" manner. The way to avoid that is to keep the Bible central in liturgy, preaching, theology, and Christian living, not just Bible study time. He advocates "spiritual exegesis" which is an approach to the Bible that believes God is found in the Word. It goes beyond methods or mere applications. It engages the whole person that the reading of the Word results in a transforming of one's life. Spiritual reading means reading the Bible as a single book on Christ. I like what Hans Urs von Balthasar's comment about the four senses of Scripture:

The four senses of scripture are celebrating a hidden resurrection in today’s theology. The literal sense appears to be analogous to the historical-critical approach, the spiritual sense to the kerygmatic, the tropological to the existential, and the anagogical to the eschatological.

The first sense is the literal sense which is how we exegete the Word, do word studies, and practice sound interpretation. The second sense is the spiritual in which we move to the tune of the Holy Spirit helping us to interpret and understand the meaning and significance of the Word for us today. The third sense is the tropological which is the moral interpretation of the story. Some would use the word allegorical to describe it. The fourth sense is anagogical which is to read Scripture with the view of the future coming Kingdom of God. Thus, reading the Bible transcends time as it embraces all the past, the present, and the future. Read the Bible over and over again until we are connected to God in love and adoration. We understand the Bible according to how we live it. Reading it involves two more elements: life of the Church and what it means to be human. The trouble with people is that they hardly read the Word and then complain about the lack of God's presence when we are in trouble. He connects the Bible as sacramental with the Eucharist as Christ's presence. In all, there is a stress on unity and the community of God.

Reading the Bible involves listening as well for the Bible is dialogical and relational. We listen to God and sense God listening to us. Obedience is listening in faith. Listening in faith means learning to move from letter to spirit, to let the Spirit guide our understanding of the ancient texts to the practice of modern living. Soon, Bianchi launches into the four levels of lectio divina.

1. Historical-Literary level (lectio)
2. Glimpsing Christ (meditatio)
3. Dialogue that engages and interacts (oratio)
4. Seeing God face to face (contemplatio)

Part Two of the Book deals with Lectio Divina in the Church. It is an interpretive trip down historical lane. We note how the Old Testament books interpret each other. We learn about the Jewish midrashic as well as the Church Fathers' use of allegorical methods. Different eras tend to focus on different senses of Scripture at any one time. Some good tips are as follows:

"Lectio divina, whether by ourselves or in community, requires a context of faith and prayer. We start in silence, confessing our faith that the Lord is speaking to us today through the biblical page. We invoke the Holy Spirit and open ourselves in humility to his action, because insight into the text is a Spirit-led event, not an intellectual pursuit." (90)

One chapter is dedicated to the foundations and practices of lectio divina and two chapters on the challenges of doing lectio divina. We learn about setting aside time and space intentionally, to enter into a place of solitude and silence. We cultivate our listening skills and discernment. We go through the exercises of lectio, oratio, meditatio, and contemplatio. Though brief, it offers readers a quick glimpse into what the exercises entail. Sometimes, brevity is golden as we can be quick to jump into the Word rather than to plow through pages and pages of instructions that can easily numb our enthusiasm.  Other practical tips include:

• Daily reading of the Word
• Planting God's Word in the hearts of people
• Avoid the temptations of extremes

So What?

In some societies, reading is fast becoming a lost discipline. This is particularly so for an increasingly digital generation where people skim web pages instead of reading; browsing instead of meditating; and clicking various apps and links instead of beholding the Word before us. The medium we use is important and can affect the way we do lectio divina. We need to learn the four senses of Scripture simply because the Word of God cannot be hemmed into any one dimension. Just as we know that the Bible has many genres, so too we need to be sensitive to the Word in their original contexts. At the same time, the Spirit of God can lead us to discern what it means then and for us now. 

When I started to read this book, I thought it was a book that is about the practice of lectio divina. Instead, it is a book that lays the foundations of what Scripture is about first. It then shows us reading the Bible has to be done God's way, not human methods. Sometimes, an overly sola scriptura mindset risks reading the Word in humanistic ways. We need to go back to the sources, and be willing to be led by the Spirit to teach us as we participate humbly as a community of God.

If the book can have more examples and illustrations on various passages of Scripture, it would be wonderful.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Paraclete Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.