Monthly Archives: September 2015

Book Reviews

Book Review: Humility: True Greatness, by C. J. Mahaney

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HumilityC. J. Mahaney’s Humility: True Greatness is a quick read and quick reminder that if we’re keeping a proper perspective on God and ourselves, then we really have no choice but to be humble. It’s not really something we do; it’s something we are (or should be).

Mahaney begins with his own definition: “Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness” (22). He writes that God hates pride and that the real first sin was Satan’s pride in thinking he could be greater than God (30). “Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him” (31). This is the heart of the book: Jesus paid our ransom and leads us—he’s the only leader. When we attempt to be in control, we can no longer be truly humble.

The bulk of the book presents ways in which we can weaken pride and cultivate humility. Keeping in mind that there’s a good bit of Calvinist language here that those unfamiliar may find confusing (certain “doctrines” aren’t actually outlined for those who don’t know what Calvinists teach), the purpose remains clear. I had been keeping an outline during my reading, only to realize that Mahaney provided a nearly identical list to what I had written at the end of the book. So, with some of my comments in parentheses, here’s that outline:

Always:

  1. Reflect on the wonder of the cross of Christ.

As each day begins:

  1. Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God.
  2. Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God.
  3. Practice the spiritual disciplines—prayer, study of God’s word, worship. Do this consistently each day and at the day’s outset, if possible. (These are not the only spiritual disciplines, but still vital.)
  4. Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripture. (Listening is preferable to reading while driving! Bibles are great for passengers.)
  5. Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

As each day ends:

  1. At the end of the day, transfer the glory to God.
  2. Before going to sleep, receive this gift of sleep from God and acknowledge His purpose for sleep. (We can’t do it on our own, we aren’t all powerful, and we need downtime, unlike our Creator; hence, we remember our place beneath Him.)
    (Not in his outline, but I think was likely meant to be here: “If possible, make your final thought each night an expression of gratefulness for the Savior’s sacrifice on the cross as your substitute for your many sins” [84].)

For special focus:

  1. Study the attributes of God. (This is great if you have a systematic reference and are familiar with what many have to say about God, but Mahaney provides enough in the text to get one started.)
  2. Study the doctrines of grace. (By this he means election, calling, justification, and perseverance, which will take some explaining and convincing [I’m not convinced by the Calvinist core of “TULIP”], but I think Mahaney explains enough to understand one’s place with God here in the text without bringing much controversy to the table.)
  3. Study the doctrine of sin.
  4. Play golf as much as possible. (Stepping away from pure study, Mahaney notes how humbling golf is for him. Pick your own humbling activity.)
  5. Laugh often, and laugh often at yourself.

Throughout your days and weeks:

  1. Identify evidences of grace in others.
  2. Encourage and serve others each and every day.
  3. Invite and pursue correction.
  4. Respond humbly to trials.

 

All in all, I think this can be quite helpful.

Book Reviews

Book Review: Man Enough: How Jesus Redefines Manhood, by Nate Pyle

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Man EnoughNate Pyle’s debut book, Man Enough: How Jesus Redefines Manhood, contributes a much-needed perspective in our churches’ debate over gender roles and what it means to be a man (or woman, as the case may be). Steering away from cultural stereotypes of wilderness surviving, football playing, car fixing men devoid of any emotion other than jealousy and anger, Pyle points us to a more accurate and biblical perspective right from the start: there is no single template for masculinity (19) and that “being a man is not dependent on what one does; rather, a man is a man because he is made in the image of God. . . . Masculinity does not need to be proved; it needs to be affirmed” (25). The same thing can be (and is) said of women! When we look to Genesis, both man and woman are addressed in the mandates to be fruitful and rule—there is no gender distinction between the two (173). Leaping to Paul in his letter to the church in Galatia, Pyle also points out that there is no gender distinction in the fruit of the Spirit that is indicative of Christians, even though our culture (and churches!) tends to think of most of these attributes as being feminine (love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness), Pyle notes how faithfulness and self-control are often perceived as masculine (be faithful to your wife/family, and exercise self-control to be competitive and successful) (158). This certainly needs to change.

Much of the book is a journey through Pyle’s husky childhood to an athletic, adventuresome adulthood and still not “feeling like a man.” I’m sure many will be able to relate, especially in an American culture where bread-winning and other struggles are no respecters of gender and churches tend to push a “man works, woman stays home” mentality (yes, this sort of scripture twisting is still quite prevalent). I’ve recently tossed my hat into the pool of applicants for a “Men’s Ministry Coordinator” position at a local university despite its desire to promote “Biblical masculinity” through “initiatives that are specific to men,” like “Fantasy Football League.” I like to think it’s just a poorly written job description and that it isn’t indicative of an actual university-wide perspective, but either way, I pray it is filled with someone who thinks like Pyle in this regard!

(Kudos to Dual Identity for their cover design! This sucker pops!)

 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Reviews, Theology

Book Review: Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World, 2nd Edition, by Lee C. Camp

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Mere DiscipleshipIt’s a shame that I’ve taken this long to pick up and read a copy of Lee C. Camp’s first book Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World, now it it’s 2nd edition. I studied Political Theology under Camp’s in 2011 at Lipscomb University, and it was the most challenging and time consuming course in all my graduate studies, partly because I was quite ignorant in the ways of politics and felt like I noob. I was, however, already a pacifist, convinced of the necessity to love our enemies and witness to the sacrificial way of the cross as commanded by our Lord, Jesus; but I what I lacked was a fuller understanding of multiple arguments, typical jargon, and a better way to articulate my beliefs. It was unfortunate for class dialogue that every student in the class was already against any form of just war theory, though I did consider it an encouragement and joy to wrestle with all of our differing perspectives on politics as a whole. It was also in this course that I was introduced to John Howard Yoder, whose arguments upon which the book at hand is based. Following in the footsteps of C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, Camp wrote Mere Discipleship after Yoder’s passing to honor his work. It should be noted that this is note merely a work based on Yoder; it is also in line with Camp’s own convictions. So, let’s now (finally) turn to the book!

If you’re looking for a step-by-step book on how to “disciple” (mentor) someone, as it is often called in evangelical circles, this is not that book. Again, Mere Discipleship is like Mere Christianity in that it addresses several contexts and how one ought to be a disciple therein. Given the focus on Yoder’s teachings, it is highly political, and rightly so! Being a disciple of Christ includes a holistic approach to life, not a sectarian approach. As such, all of life must been seen through one’s position as a citizen in the kingdom of God with Jesus as Lord. Any other perspective betrays one’s allegiance to something other than Christ, whether it’s a job, family, country, etc. (A book I previously reviewed, The Myth of a Christian Nation, quotes heavily from works of Yoder and this book.)

Camp structures the work into three parts: 1) what we mean when we talk about “discipleship,” 2) what disciples believe (gospel, savior, church), and finally 3) what disciples do (worship, baptism, prayer, communion, evangelism). Taking us from the first century, through the Constantinian shift of the church becoming the state (convert or die!), and to today whereby there has been a complete separation of church and state in more recent centuries so that we now (wrongly) perceive our lives in compartments: I have duties to God and duties to the state and they are mutually exclusive. This has been detrimental in living as true disciples of Christ, wherein our lives ought to holistically pursue Christ in the way of the cross (it’s never just politics, business is never just business, etc.).

Included in the 2nd edition is a wonderful, in-depth study guide by Joshua Graves for personal and groups use. This is not simply a collection of questions to ponder! A guide for each chapter contains a serious synopsis hitting the big points, a list of important terms and definitions found within the chapter, questions on content, questions relating the material to discipleship, and then a list of relevant bibliography for further reading; truly one of the best study guides you could hope for in a book!

This may end up being a bit more academic for the liking of some, but I still highly recommend it for all.

Book Reviews

Book Review: When Clowns Attack: A Survival Guide, by Chuck Sambuchino

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When Clowns AttackDo you suffer from coulrophobia? Paranoia? Violent tendencies? If so, do not read Chuck Sambuchino’s When Clowns Attack: A Survival Guide! However, if you can keep your emotions in check (and enjoy comedic satire), then it’s probably safe for you to move forward. I picked this one up looking for something off the wall that would have no connection with much of the political and theological pools in which I’m often steeped. How wrong I was!

When Clowns Attack could just as easily have been a serious book written about any group of people another group hates. It has judgmental profiling, fear mongering, violent anticipation, crackpot sources (contemporary and historical) purported as legitimate, paranoid prepping for imminent war: everything one needs to galvanize any emotionally driven hate group, whether they be in fear of clowns, zombies, migrants, blacks, Muslims, or homosexuals, just to name a few who have a tremendous share of irrational haters. So, though I found myself chuckling at some of the wit, my pacifist self couldn’t help but sigh, and the realist in me couldn’t help but be reminded of how much of this is actually out there waiting for someone to buy in and become another member of the ignorant, hate-filled masses.

Two things:

  1. The book is fun. Clowns are creepy. (Stephen King’s It didn’t freak me out because I knew it was a monster. Poltergeist’s was a legit clown doll and instilled an irrational fear of dolls on rocking chairs during thunderstorms at night that haunted me for a couple decades.)
  2. I may keep this in my library just in case I come across someone who needs to see just how ridiculous his or her arguments are against some other people group.

Okay, here’s a 3rd: Clowns are people, too, who bring a lot of joy to many (and creep the rest of us out). Clowns need lovin’, too.

The covers and colors are great, and it feels good in the hand. Some of the pictures are absolutely fantastic, but there are in my opinion a few too many stock photos that are less than convincing in a “creepy clown” book. It saves some money in publishing, but it could have been taken up a notch.

 

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Book Reviews, Children

Book Review: M is for Manger, by Crystal Bowman & Teri McKinley, pictures by Claire Keay

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M is for MangerMother and daughter Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley have collaborated with artist Claire Keay in creating a children’s alphabet book based on the story of Jesus’ birth as recorded in the gospel of Luke. The beauty I find in M is for Manger is in its format. Every letter (including illustration) is on the left page of the open book; on the right is a small illustration on top, four lines of rhyming poetry telling the story (including the word beginning with the relevant letter clearly visible), and a verse from Luke at the bottom (the authors must choose from an array of translations in order to fit the alphabet as best they can, though they primarily use the New Living Translation). Some may find this a bit unwieldy for reading to children, but I think it’s best to approach it in a number of ways that best suits the child and setting. One may simply go through the alphabet (some pictures, like “H is for Holy,” aren’t going to make as much sense without explanation), read the poetry by itself, or even just go through the Scriptures. If it was all read and explained at once, I do think it will lose a lot of connection and particularly detract from the story written as poetry.

I’m a fan of watercolors, and am particularly fond of this medium for illustrations in children’s books. So, kudos to Keay for her soft and “easy on the eyes” pictures!

Now, how does one find an “X” and “Z” in the story of Jesus’ birth? You don’t, so you make it up! Given the purpose of the book, I don’t feel so cheated when “Expected” is used for “X” and “Zillions” (of stars) is used for “Z.” It’ll just take a little bit of explaining on the adult’s part. Another means of expressing some letters of the alphabet is by weaving humanity into the story by further demonstrating the importance of Jesus’ birth for all people—always a good thing!

Overall, I think it’s a cute little book that’s not overtly “Christmas” (thankfully, the authors don’t include any of the controversial “nativity scene” stuff that isn’t even found in the birth passages, though I’d still make the manger out of stone rather than wood ;)). I can see this being used in an out of season, at home and in “Sunday school” classes.

 

*This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for review. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I offered or provided any compensation.

Book Reviews, Theology

Book Review: The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church, by Gregory A. Boyd

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The Myth of a Christian NationGregory A. Boyd’s The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church is a must-read for those who still believe the United States of America was and/or is a “Christian nation,” and still a great read for anyone who wants to look deeper into “American Christianity.” Here are a few major considerations on which Boyd writes:

 

  • Kingdom of the Sword vs. Kingdom of the Cross
  • Whose nation is holy?
  • Warlord Conquerors vs. Sacrificial Witnesses
  • Fallacious presuppositions in “taking America back for God,” “a Christian nation,” and “one nation under God.”
  • Violence vs. Pacifism

 

Before this summer (2015) I had spent about ten months with my former church working through political theology, emphasizing the need to be and working first from the perspective and position of citizens of the kingdom of God. It was a great time, full of diverse backgrounds and opinions as we wrestled with history, scripture, and a plethora of contexts. Boyd’s book was on my shelf the entire time, but it was just one of many in my library waiting to be cracked open. Had I read it beforehand, I certainly would have used it as a group study. There are great discussion questions for each chapter at the end of the book to aid readers in wrestling with Boyd’s postulations, with which I will go ahead and say I agree. One may really appreciate his final chapter, wherein he addresses tough questions some readers would likely pose. It’s always nice to see an author continuing to honestly wrestle with his own tough convictions.

I do wish there had been a section on the importance of better understanding the way laws work, how they are or are not enforced (sometimes rendering them ineffective and pointless), legal rights, what “freedom” really is, and from whom we really receive these things. Boyd does briefly touch on a few of these, but not near enough given his main thesis. Perhaps just one more chapter would have rounded it out a bit better. However, I still highly recommend this one and hope to be able to use it in another group setting!

Art, Book Reviews

Book Review: Q&A a Day for Creatives: 365 Questions, 4 Years, 1,460 Sketches: 4-Year Journal, by Potter Style

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Q&A a Day for CreativesPotter Style, known for their interesting journals and quirky books related to games and literature, present their latest: Q&A a Day for Creatives, a four-year journal of a sketch-a-day with short bits of inspiration. Here’s how it’s laid out: Every page follows the solar calendar and contains an inspirational text and four 3.75”x3.75” (roughly) squares with “20_ _” in the bottom-left corner of each square. The idea is that one may begin anywhere in the calendar (say, the day you buy it), jot down the rest of the year in the first square (“2015”), read the text (September 15 reads, “What if you had to wear a disguise today? Picture it here.”), sketch whatever comes to mind, and repeat for four years, each year seeing those previous while sketching in the next square. (If you’re as curious as I am, you’ll quickly find that there is a page for February 29 with four squares. I say just fill them all in on that special day!) It’s certainly a neat idea to break up your day with a fresh idea and sketch to keep the brain going and seeing how one changes through the years. I like the idea, and I’m interested in seeing what comes from continued use.

With all that in mind, I’m a little disappointed in the paper used in this book intended for creative sketching. Crayons and colored pencil may do well, and graphite is fine on most paper but often smudges onto the opposite page. Any liquids (e.g., water color, pen & ink, etc.) should be avoided since the paper is too thin. Even using a normal felt or ballpoint pen is going to show through the other side if it doesn’t outright bleed through. So, keep this in mind if you’re looking for something to really have fun with. I’m probably going to stick with a simple, gel ink, ballpoint pen throughout.

 

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Book Reviews, Theology

Book Review: Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb Into the New Creation, by Michael J. Gorman

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Reading Revelation ResponsiblyMichael J. Gorman’s Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb Into the New Creation proposes exactly that: read Revelation well (stop taking symbols literally), worship and be a witness of the Lord (not governments, and be especially mindful of those that co-opt Christianity and claim to be the mighty savior), and follow the Lamb (imitate him by being nonviolent and sacrificial—lay down your life, don’t take others’) into the New Creation (there will be a new creation!). “Yes” on all fronts!

Gorman briefly describes several ways people read and interpret the last book in our canon, noting some of the problems that arise and unhealthy conclusions thereby taken from the text. He helpfully explains not only what we know of apocalyptic writing, but that the book of Revelation is actually a collection of genres: apocalypse, prophecy, and letter, as well as being both liturgical and political. There’s a lot going on here, and it cannot be simplified into one narrow way of interpreting the entire text—certainly not a literal approach (e.g., 1,000 years does not mean a literal 1,000 years). We are reminded that the sacrificial Lamb is the central image of the drama, and that when the Lord comes with sword in mouth (not in hand!) his robes are already bloodied—his own blood from already conquering evil through sacrificing himself!

Revelation is about worshiping the true Lord and living that out (discipleship). It’s not all about either what was (the Roman empire) or will be (a blueprint for the “end times”), but encouragement for us in the end times (between Jesus’ ascension and future return) while we live as witnesses of the Lord. Empires will rise and fall, but freedom, salvation, and truth are in Lamb!

I highly recommend this one. It may be particularly helpful for those who currently find themselves in the hermeneutical camp of dispensationalism.

Aside: I read the book in Kindle format, which has no page numbers and is sometimes a bit clunky in the formatting.

Book Reviews, Theology

Book Review: After Virtue (3rd Edition), by Alasdair MacIntyre

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After VirtueThis is one of those books that I’ve had for several years, really wanted to read, but kept putting off to get through some easier reads. It took me a few days to get through this dense work of philosophy, but I am blessed to have finally completed Alasdair MacIntyre’s After Virtue (3rd ed.). I’ve had concerns and suspicions for years as to the foundations of moral arguments, particularly those of political establishments, but did not have the philosophical and historical background with which to articulate those concerns beyond simple observations of impractical and illogical teleological claims (or lack thereof). Without being well read in Aristotle, Nietzsche, Sartre, Hume, Hegel, Hobbes, Marx, and many others, some of us are unable to fully appreciate and adequately assess MacIntyre’s arguments; so, we are left having to trust that MacIntyre has himself fairly and honestly done so with other philosophers. I do; and still lacking in this area, I am going to piggyback on MacIntyre with this one.

MacIntyre, a self-proclaimed Aristotelian, ultimately argues that Aristotle was wrong in his approach to morality, but that his arguments can be (are) broken down and restated to express a proper view. Basically, MacIntyre corrects Aristotle and helps us understand modern morality and the faults of arguments therein. This is an eye-opener; however, now thirty-four years since its first publication, it seems we still have a long way to go from academia to expressing these things in a way that pragmatically appeals to the general populous in order to make any kind of real change in the way we approach morality, virtue, and governance by way of such arguments.

I think I am right to assume this isn’t going to be on most people’s reading list, and even fewer will get excited enough about the material to do anything with it. So, I am going to make specific recommendations with this one. If you are or anticipate finding yourself working in any of the following fields, read and wrestle with this book: ethics, law, philosophy, politics, theology.

Art, Book Reviews

Book Review: Apartment Therapy: Complete + Happy Home, by Maxwell Ryan & Janel Leban, Photographs by Melanie Acevedo

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Apartment Therapy: Complete + Happy HomeI picked up Apartment Therapy: Complete and Happy Home by Maxwell Ryan and Janel Laban because I thought it was going to be a helpful book for getting ideas for apartments; you know, those places where you have little decision in floor plans, can’t really change appliances, can’t paint walls, etc. Basically, I was really excited about the “Apartment Therapy” part. Though most wouldn’t know it, I do like interior design—the artist in me can’t not care about it. I tend to lean in the practical, functional, and economical (#cheap #poor), so I was hoping for some ideas in aesthetic appeal with my frugality. Well, “Apartment Therapy” is a company (see the website of the same name), not the leading title of this book. So, approach it as the follow: Complete and Happy Home: Some Helpful Tips and Inspiring Picture for the Wealthy, Brought to You by Apartment Therapy. Yes, my dreams were dashed, and my humble apartment will likely benefit very little from this book. That said, let’s move on to some substance.

The authors went around the world looking at different homes and apartments and used a collection thereof as examples of different kinds of spaces, styles, etc. in this beautifully organized and bound book (seriously, I really like how this hefty hardback looks and feels). They begin with some general tips on where one may begin with determining his or her own style (home type, style, color schemes, etc.). (Minor peeve: In the first few pages, someone forgot to put the image layers below the text layers in the page layout, so some paragraph text gets cut off and is not visible. Oops!) These offerings are extremely general and sometimes pigeonholed, but the reader isn’t really expected to run with them as they are. One is encouraged to determine his or her style according to what makes one happy (that’s often emphasized throughout). So, one must prepare to do more research after getting a few insights from this book.

Complete and Happy Home is broadly divided into three parts: setting up your home, living in your home, and maintaining you home. The latter section is surprisingly encouraging and helpful! I particularly appreciate the brief “year-round healthy & happy home calendar” (278–81). It offers a sentence or two on what to do each month in the following areas: clean, maintain, let go, decorate, and enjoy. Good stuff that may find its way being copied into my actual calendar.

The book is a bit too general in its tips and too specific in its examples for my preference, but I do want emphasize that it’s my preference that gets in the way of my appreciating this book more than others might. Someone else may love it. Though there are tips on saving money and repurposing things, those on a tight budget won’t benefit quite as much from this read. (Note to authors, publisher, etc.: Consider making one of these for those who tend to live like college students even when approaching their 40s? Thanks!)

One final note: Melanie Acevedo did a great job with the photography, the bulk of the book’s real estate. If nothing else, this could be a helpful coffee table book in a waiting room for people to browse and perhaps feel a little inspired. That’s likely where my copy will end up. Kudos, Melanie!

 

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.