A.W. Pink is considered by many to be one of the 20th century's finest biblical expositors. His works on both Old Testament and New Testament themes are widely regarded and continue to be in demand. No less worthy are his theological works. His Sovereignty of God is the standard work on the subject and is characterised by scrupulous faithfulness to scripture.
The Attributes of God maintains Pink's usual high standards. In seventeen short chapters the perfections of God are concisely but accurately outlined. Each chapter is marked by a simplicity of style which renders the work accessible to the layman, but the depth of thought and breadth of scriptural knowledge exhibited commends the book to the more serious bible student.
This book may read in one sitting but it may be of more useful as a daily devotional. Subjects such as the decrees of God, the holiness of God, and the grace of God deserve to be slowly ingested and savoured. A book such as this will help the Christian to meditate upon these grand themes and in become like the Psalmist whose 'delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night'.
Highly recommended.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Review of The First Cadfael Omnibus by Ellis Peters.
This omnibus edition finds Ellis Peters' Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael investigating three complicated medieval murders.
The stories are absorbingly well-written and Cadfael is a very amiable detective. The life of a twelfth century English monastery is vividly brought to life and provides a solid framework for what are essentially medieival whodunnits.
Of the three novels in this edition, the first, 'A Morbid Taste For Bones', is the best but all three are entertaining reads.
Recommended.
The stories are absorbingly well-written and Cadfael is a very amiable detective. The life of a twelfth century English monastery is vividly brought to life and provides a solid framework for what are essentially medieival whodunnits.
Of the three novels in this edition, the first, 'A Morbid Taste For Bones', is the best but all three are entertaining reads.
Recommended.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Review of Fearless
Popular Christian author Max Lucado tackles the perennial problem of fear in his latest book Fearless. He sets himself the ambitious target of eradicating the emotion of fear in the lives of his readers. He encourages us to 'Imagine your life without fear'. And with frequent reference to a variety of scriptures from a variety of bible versions Lucado offers a series of suggestions for dealing with a wide assortment of fears. The fears he addresses include amongst others 'The Fear of not mattering' , ' 'The Fear of Disappointing God' and 'The Fear of What's Next'.
There are some positive aspects to the book. Firstly, Lucado deals with a subject that is undoubtedly an issue in the lives of many people. Few among us are truly fearless. Secondly, seeking to do this in the context of scriptural teaching is commendable. Thirdly, Lucado has a very simple, warm, and effective writing style. It is no wonder that his books have proved enduringly popular with a section of the Christian public.
That said this book has some very serious defects. Lucado's suggestions for dealing with problem of anxiety and fear lack depth. They are at best shallow,albeit somewhat Christianised, suggestions that could be found in a hundred self help manuals. Further I had the continual impression that bible verses were employed to back up Lucado's philosophy rather than the author drawing his teaching from the scriptures.
All in all a disappointing treatment of an important subject.
There are some positive aspects to the book. Firstly, Lucado deals with a subject that is undoubtedly an issue in the lives of many people. Few among us are truly fearless. Secondly, seeking to do this in the context of scriptural teaching is commendable. Thirdly, Lucado has a very simple, warm, and effective writing style. It is no wonder that his books have proved enduringly popular with a section of the Christian public.
That said this book has some very serious defects. Lucado's suggestions for dealing with problem of anxiety and fear lack depth. They are at best shallow,albeit somewhat Christianised, suggestions that could be found in a hundred self help manuals. Further I had the continual impression that bible verses were employed to back up Lucado's philosophy rather than the author drawing his teaching from the scriptures.
All in all a disappointing treatment of an important subject.
Review of Real Church
In this book Larry Crabb sets out what he believes is wrong with American evangelical churches and how they can be put right. In other w0rds 'Real Church' is his manifesto for a model congregation.
The book is simply structured. In the first 60 odd pages Crabb tells us what he doesn't like in churches and in the final 100 we learn what he enjoys and wants from a church.
His vision for the church amounts to four cardinal marks. These are firstly his real church is one of spiritual theology, that is a church that hungers for the truth. Secondly, his real church is one of spiritual formation, that is it's members are becoming progressively Christ like. Thirdly, his real church is one of spiritual community, that is members properly engage and interact with one another, exhibiting true unity. Fourthly, his real church is one of spiritual mission, that is it's members reach out to the world in different ways.
Crabb's writing style is personal and reflective. A style which is sometimes irritating but mostly engaging and interesting. His vision of the model evangelical church is both good and bad. It is good as far as it goes - no conservative is going to argue against hunger for truth, sanctification, evangelism, and congregational unity, but and this is a big but Crabb misses the missing ingredient - it's called the gospel. The biblical gospel is not properly preached from most evangelical pulpits. The gospel proclaims a salvation which is all of God's grace and nothing of man's merit but that message is substituted by "God has done his part, now its up to you to do your part". That is a a deficient, unscriptural gospel which is preached far and wide. Crabb doesn't touch this fundamental issue.
With that criticism and a concern that approving references are made to non-evangelicals without any disclaimers, I give this book a qualified recommendation. It is well written and thought provoking and if it gets us thinking about what has gone wrong in evangelicalism then it will have done some good.
The book is simply structured. In the first 60 odd pages Crabb tells us what he doesn't like in churches and in the final 100 we learn what he enjoys and wants from a church.
His vision for the church amounts to four cardinal marks. These are firstly his real church is one of spiritual theology, that is a church that hungers for the truth. Secondly, his real church is one of spiritual formation, that is it's members are becoming progressively Christ like. Thirdly, his real church is one of spiritual community, that is members properly engage and interact with one another, exhibiting true unity. Fourthly, his real church is one of spiritual mission, that is it's members reach out to the world in different ways.
Crabb's writing style is personal and reflective. A style which is sometimes irritating but mostly engaging and interesting. His vision of the model evangelical church is both good and bad. It is good as far as it goes - no conservative is going to argue against hunger for truth, sanctification, evangelism, and congregational unity, but and this is a big but Crabb misses the missing ingredient - it's called the gospel. The biblical gospel is not properly preached from most evangelical pulpits. The gospel proclaims a salvation which is all of God's grace and nothing of man's merit but that message is substituted by "God has done his part, now its up to you to do your part". That is a a deficient, unscriptural gospel which is preached far and wide. Crabb doesn't touch this fundamental issue.
With that criticism and a concern that approving references are made to non-evangelicals without any disclaimers, I give this book a qualified recommendation. It is well written and thought provoking and if it gets us thinking about what has gone wrong in evangelicalism then it will have done some good.
Review of The Noticer
Andy Andrew's latest self-help book tells the story of Jones an enigmatic old man who has the gift of noticing things in other people's lives. Based in small town America Jones, always seen with an old tan suitcase, transforms lives with his homely wisdom. With his gospel of perspective ( the lack of it is apparently the origin of all our problems !!!) he rescues marriages, lifts young men out of poverty, and generally makes everybody happy. A sort of an older version of Oprah with a suitcase. The book ends with Jones doing a disappearing act, leaving behind his suitcase and a letter inside urging his followers to carry on his good work.
My view of self-help books is that they are a waste of time, ink, and paper. Sadly the Noticer confirmed my opinion. Jones 'wisdom' is claptrap. Articulate, fine sounding, and almost persuasive, yes certainly, but claptrap nonetheless. On page 135 he informs us with the less than thrilling insight that the greatest success secret in existence is to be a person others like to be around. Wrong. People liked to be around Hitler in 1930s Germany but I don't think he has been judged to be a success. In chapter four another Jones gem comes in the form of his solution to worry. In the world according to Jones (or should that be Andrews) only 8 percent of our worries are legitimate concerns and thus we concentrate on dealing with those and hey presto all anxiety is gone. Hogwash. See how the Jones formula works with the guy sitting in a cold, dark, prison cell awaiting execution in a few hours time.
This book described by Nancy Lopez as "the best book I have ever read" (presumably she doesn't read much) is a collection of self-help strategies, none of which stand up to scrutiny. Do yourself a favour, give [...] and [...] a miss try out Moses, Solomon, David Paul, and Peter. They are in the Bible and they know what they are talking about, unlike Jones.
My view of self-help books is that they are a waste of time, ink, and paper. Sadly the Noticer confirmed my opinion. Jones 'wisdom' is claptrap. Articulate, fine sounding, and almost persuasive, yes certainly, but claptrap nonetheless. On page 135 he informs us with the less than thrilling insight that the greatest success secret in existence is to be a person others like to be around. Wrong. People liked to be around Hitler in 1930s Germany but I don't think he has been judged to be a success. In chapter four another Jones gem comes in the form of his solution to worry. In the world according to Jones (or should that be Andrews) only 8 percent of our worries are legitimate concerns and thus we concentrate on dealing with those and hey presto all anxiety is gone. Hogwash. See how the Jones formula works with the guy sitting in a cold, dark, prison cell awaiting execution in a few hours time.
This book described by Nancy Lopez as "the best book I have ever read" (presumably she doesn't read much) is a collection of self-help strategies, none of which stand up to scrutiny. Do yourself a favour, give [...] and [...] a miss try out Moses, Solomon, David Paul, and Peter. They are in the Bible and they know what they are talking about, unlike Jones.
Review of Christianity in Crisis
Christianity in Crisis 21 st Century is Hank Hanegraff's updated critique of the Word of Faith Movement. In this latest edition of his most popular work Hanegraaf sets out three objectives for the book. First, he wishes to help those who are Word of Faith adherents to see the truth of the biblical gospel; second, he seeks to clear up any confusion that may exist in the minds of believers concerning the movement's true nature; third, he wants to demonstrate to outside observers that the Faith movement does not represent biblical christianity.
The book is broken up into seven parts. In part one the reader is given an overview of Word of Faith teaching (mythology not theology) and is introduced to its leading proponents (a veritable rogue's gallery).A galaxy of famous 'Christian' authors and 'teachers' such as Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Ken Copeland, Benny Hinn, and many others are one by one named and shamed. In parts two through to six the movement's heretical teachings are explained and refuted at length. Its doctrine of faith, God, man, Satan, Christ, the atonement, wealth and want, sickness and suffering are all carefully dissected and examined in the light of scripture. They are all shown to be not merely unscriptural but decidedly anti-scriptural. In part seven the reader is given an essentials guide to biblical christian living. The book concludes with an epilogue and some helpful appendices.
In writing this book Hanegraaff has provided a much needed, well organised, extensively documented, thoroughly biblical, and simply written exposure of the Word of Faith Movement. He has unmasked some of modern day Christianity's most famous names as purveyors of soul destroying heresies. Personally, I was constantly shocked by the blasphemous statements and relentless false teaching of this movement. The scale of departure from the most basic tenets of biblical christianity was frankly overwhelming. It is a sad day in evangelicalism when such teachers dominate the shelves of mainstream Christian bookstores and continually preach to meetings of thousands and tens of thousands worldwide (not to mention the millions who constitute their TV congregation).
My one major concern with this book was Hanegraaff's attempt to distance this heretical grouping from the wider charismatic movement. Contrary to his assertion that the charismatic movement is a legitmate one within broad christianity, in fact it represents a departure from historic christianity and its influence in promoting false ecumenism and unscriptural views of the person and work of the Holy Spirit has been wholly negative.
With that important caveat kept in mind I feel this work will prove useful to all who read it with discernment and on that basis I recommend it.
The book is broken up into seven parts. In part one the reader is given an overview of Word of Faith teaching (mythology not theology) and is introduced to its leading proponents (a veritable rogue's gallery).A galaxy of famous 'Christian' authors and 'teachers' such as Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Ken Copeland, Benny Hinn, and many others are one by one named and shamed. In parts two through to six the movement's heretical teachings are explained and refuted at length. Its doctrine of faith, God, man, Satan, Christ, the atonement, wealth and want, sickness and suffering are all carefully dissected and examined in the light of scripture. They are all shown to be not merely unscriptural but decidedly anti-scriptural. In part seven the reader is given an essentials guide to biblical christian living. The book concludes with an epilogue and some helpful appendices.
In writing this book Hanegraaff has provided a much needed, well organised, extensively documented, thoroughly biblical, and simply written exposure of the Word of Faith Movement. He has unmasked some of modern day Christianity's most famous names as purveyors of soul destroying heresies. Personally, I was constantly shocked by the blasphemous statements and relentless false teaching of this movement. The scale of departure from the most basic tenets of biblical christianity was frankly overwhelming. It is a sad day in evangelicalism when such teachers dominate the shelves of mainstream Christian bookstores and continually preach to meetings of thousands and tens of thousands worldwide (not to mention the millions who constitute their TV congregation).
My one major concern with this book was Hanegraaff's attempt to distance this heretical grouping from the wider charismatic movement. Contrary to his assertion that the charismatic movement is a legitmate one within broad christianity, in fact it represents a departure from historic christianity and its influence in promoting false ecumenism and unscriptural views of the person and work of the Holy Spirit has been wholly negative.
With that important caveat kept in mind I feel this work will prove useful to all who read it with discernment and on that basis I recommend it.
Review of Rachel's Tears
On April 20th 1999, two young men, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, students at Columbine High School, in Littleton, Colorado, gunned down 13 of their fellow pupils. Rachel's tears tells the story of one of their young victims, a young Christian girl by the name of Rachel Scott.
The book begins with a dedication to the memories of the 13 victims. with a short paragraph describing their lives. In many ways this is the most moving part of the entire book. The concise details that are given of so many young livescruelly cut short by hate-filled gunmen is heartbreaking. From that point on we move into the specific story of one of the victims, Rachel Scott.
Her story is told through the eyes of her divorced parents and this proves to be a literary drawback (as well as other more obvious problems) as each chapter is made up of two or more separate sections where mother and father separately write their piece. For me this makes for a somewhat disjointed read.
The opening chapter describes the events of that fateful day through the experiences of Rachel's parents. The reader is given an insight into the dreadful trauma that theysuffered. The shock, despair, and searing pain of losing a daughter are all vividly described.
Subsequent chapters continue to detail for us the life and Christian faith of Rachel Scott. The story unfolds of a typical high school American girl struggling with the usual teenage obsessions. However, what sets her about from her peers is her intense faith in Jesus Christ. This passion for God is revealed in her private journals and the selection of writings that are quoted in the book give us a fascinating insight to this young girl's spiritual life. The book concludes with an account of her Dad's ministry to young people which he commenced a little while after his daughter's death.
Rachel's tears is an interesting and at times very touching story. Of course, bearing in mind the subject matter it could hardly be anything else. Sadly though this in itself is not enough to make it a good book Christian book. Rachel's tears has serious faults namely the failure to declare plainly the gospel of Jesus Christ; secondly,the overt promotion of mysticism; thirdly, false ecumenism is encouraged; fourthly, biblical parenting is rejected in favour of modern psychology; fifthly,the biblical view of Christian liberty is rejected in favour of a license to sin.
In closing while one sympathises with the grieving parents I cannot in conscience recommend their book.
The book begins with a dedication to the memories of the 13 victims. with a short paragraph describing their lives. In many ways this is the most moving part of the entire book. The concise details that are given of so many young livescruelly cut short by hate-filled gunmen is heartbreaking. From that point on we move into the specific story of one of the victims, Rachel Scott.
Her story is told through the eyes of her divorced parents and this proves to be a literary drawback (as well as other more obvious problems) as each chapter is made up of two or more separate sections where mother and father separately write their piece. For me this makes for a somewhat disjointed read.
The opening chapter describes the events of that fateful day through the experiences of Rachel's parents. The reader is given an insight into the dreadful trauma that theysuffered. The shock, despair, and searing pain of losing a daughter are all vividly described.
Subsequent chapters continue to detail for us the life and Christian faith of Rachel Scott. The story unfolds of a typical high school American girl struggling with the usual teenage obsessions. However, what sets her about from her peers is her intense faith in Jesus Christ. This passion for God is revealed in her private journals and the selection of writings that are quoted in the book give us a fascinating insight to this young girl's spiritual life. The book concludes with an account of her Dad's ministry to young people which he commenced a little while after his daughter's death.
Rachel's tears is an interesting and at times very touching story. Of course, bearing in mind the subject matter it could hardly be anything else. Sadly though this in itself is not enough to make it a good book Christian book. Rachel's tears has serious faults namely the failure to declare plainly the gospel of Jesus Christ; secondly,the overt promotion of mysticism; thirdly, false ecumenism is encouraged; fourthly, biblical parenting is rejected in favour of modern psychology; fifthly,the biblical view of Christian liberty is rejected in favour of a license to sin.
In closing while one sympathises with the grieving parents I cannot in conscience recommend their book.
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