2010 Book Reviews:

Leading Across Cultures, James Pluddemman, 2009.
Currently reading.

An Urban Strategy for Latin America, Roger S. Greenway, 1973.
"The church should provide what is needed for the rural people moving to cities, supply both socially, and psychologically, and above all spiritually."  Growth of democracy and freedom in LA depends to a large extent on the spread of evangelical values." Democracy brings more choice. The failure of existing urban churches and foreign mission agencies to reach the city in the areas where the majority of the new migrants are located represents the largest most tragic "leakage" of the christian community in the third world."  The best thing that can happen for rural evangelism is the rapid growth of evangelicalism in the cities." [posted July 18, 2010]

The Rural Church: Learning from Three Decades of Change. Edward Hassinger, John S Holik and J. Kenneth Benson, 1988.
The main satisfaction of rural ministers was that they could work closely with people on a personal basis. Rural churches are local orientated and dependent. They are "primary groups", face to face.[posted May 25, 2010]

Rural Ministry and The Changing Community. Rockwell Smith, 1971.
The world is more - much more - than the local community, but it is the local community, that contact with the world begins." American culture stresses the centrality of the individual person as a value in himself, education for all men as an economic advancement and socially as the norm of personal and occupational behavior and free mobility in spacial and mental limits. Our ethnocentrism has blinded us to the fact that these values are the values of a particular culture growing out of particular history, not universal values of and for men everywhere." [posted May 25, 2010]

Rural Preaching, Ziegler, Edward K, 1954.
"The bible has peculiar appeal to rural people because of its origins among pastoral and agricultural people, the wealth of its allusions to country life, the profound simplicity and grandeur of its concepts, free as the country air is free form artificiality and verbal excess baggage."[posted May 25, 2010]

"Growing Slowly Wise," David Roper, 2000.
This is a study on the letter from James.
"The weaker and more vulnerable we are, the more God can protect us."
"Pure religion shows itself in quiet, spontaneous acts of love - looking after 'orphans and widows in their distress,' caring for the helpless, the mournful, the friendless, the forsaken, the ragamuffins, 'the wretched of the earth.' It does what most people are unwilling to do. It 'exaggerates what the world neglects." G.K. Chesterton.
"We are most like God when we care for those He cares for."
"Worldliness is not necessarily the "filthy five" of my youth (smoking, drinking, moveies, dancing, card playing). It is indifference, preference, discrimination, snobbery, prejudice, and pride."
"Faith is a profoundly intimate relationship with God that involves agreement of mind, body, and soul with all that God has in mind for us and doing it no matter what our circumstances are, or how we feel about it. Anything else is just words."  [I recommend this book. posted 4/23/10]

"Global Mission Handbook," Steve Hoke & Bill Taylor, 2009.
This is the revised version of "Send Me." It is a great resource and tool for those looking to serve as a missionary whether full or part time. [posted April 23, 2010]

"A Sweet and Bitter Providence," John Piper, 2010.
  Good book. This is Piper's last book before his sabbatical. Piper writes, "Ruth is an unclean Moabitess. But she is drawn into faith and into the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Her marriage is an interracial marriage. There are lessons here that we need as much today as ever." They are; the sovereignty of God, Risk taking love, and the importance of the Glory of Christ.

"Seek the Peace of the City," Eldin Villafane, 1995.
This is a book written about urban ministry and is meant to encourage a new strategy to reach urban areas with the gospel. [3/28/10]

"Planting and Growing Urban churches," Harvie Conn, ed. 1997.
This book is organized in a series of essays around the theme of strategy, research, targeting, and successful examples of urban ministry. [3/28/10]

"Master Plan of Evangelism," Robert Coleman, 1965.
We are reading this book for our home gatherings. Must read for everyone! [2/15/10]

2009 Books Read: 

"Fathered by God," John Eldredge, 2009.
I am a part of a men's group in the local church I attend here in Fort Mill.  We are in the process of reading this book and watching a corresponding video on each chapter.  I found the book to be very good, challenging, and one that I hope inspires me to "ask God" more and more in my life.  It also encourages me to be the Father to my son that I should be and father him in his growth of becoming a man. [posted 12/04/09]

"A Christian Perspective on Research," Jeffery Forrey.
This was a paper written by a professor as a part of this class.  Good insight into research. [posted Dec. 2009]

"The Discipline of Grace," Jerry Bridges, 1994.
This is a good book.  I read it as a preparation for a seminar I attended in October with CAM International.  Understanding grace helps us as Christians in our spiritual growth specifically as we become more like Christ. [posted 11/9/09]

"The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God," John Frame, 1987.
This is a book on the theology of knowledge, or Christian Epistemology.  Frame writes; "For Calvin, the knowledge of God," was a foundational concept, a concept by means of which he intended to bring all other of his other concepts into focus, a concept by which he sought to make all his other concepts understood." I read this for a class called "Research of a Christian Worldview."  [posted Oct. 2, 2009] 

Naming the Elephant, Worldview as a Concept, James Sire, 2004.

This book seeks to answer a basic question, "what holds up the universe?"  A boy's father finally said to his son, "an Elephant."  James Sire says that Elephant is none other than God Himself.  "A worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsitently) about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being." [posted 7/17/09]

"Missional Church," ed. Guder & Barrett, 1998.

"The North American church is in crisis.  The basic thesis of this book is that the answer to the crisis of the church will not be found at the level of method and problem solving.  We share the conviction of a growing consensus of Christians in North america that the problem is much more deeply rooted. It has to do with who we are and what we are for.  The real issues in the current crisis of the Christian church are spiritual and theological.  We have affirmed that the particularity and translatability of the missio Dei will always result in diversity of organized structures of the church. In one way or another the church must express the onesness, the holiness, the catholicity, and the apostolicity of the body of Christ in order to be a church.  The church is called and sent to be apostoloc, catholic, holy, and one, to be proclaiming, reconciling, sanctifying, and unifying." [posted April 18, 2009]   This book is packed with thoughts and ideas in regards to the local church and missions.  I am not sure why I didn't read it soon after it came out.

"The Community of the World," Husbands & Treier, 2005.

Surely some criticisms of evangelical ecclesiology stem from dislike or disdain, rooted in a flase depiction of the church as institution.  By way of contrast, when the church is regarded and inhabited as a community of the Word, living in constant submission to and reliance upon God of the gospel, there is ample reason for hope.  We believe the evangelicals from diverse traditions can maintain their Christ-centeredness, celebrate the variety of the Spirit's ministry, and emphasize personal conversion, while being a genuine community of the Word." [posted 3/28/09] 

"An Introduction to Ecclesiology," Veli-Matti Karkkainen, 2002.

"Karkkainen provides an overview of both traditional and contemporary expressions of the Christian church.  It also includes  and overview of the unity and diversity of understanding and practices within the one church of Jesus Christ." [posted 3/27/09]

The Continuing Conversion of the Church, Darrell Guder, 2000.

This institutional reductionism of the church's mission has meant that evangelism has been reshaped into a program of the church "business."  We have noted before that it is always reductionistic to speak of the church's evangelistic ministry as "church members recruitment" and "new church planting." These aspects of evangelistic witness surface as priorities in a church whose ethos is defined by the values of the large corporation.  This is where evangelism becomes something that can be counted, evaluated, and "re-tooled." [posted 2/15/09]

Fireproof, Eric Wilson, Alex Kendrick, & Stephen Kendrick, 2008.

This was a good inspiring book to always be on guard in your marriage.  To love your wife, and wives to respect their husbands.

2008 Books read:

Christ Centered Preaching, Bryan Chapell, 2005.

Christ centered - redemptive foci:  Every text has at least one;
Predictive, preparatory, reflective, or resultant of the work of Christ.
[posted Dec. 6, 2008]

"Preaching to a Shifting Culture," Scott Gibson, 2004.

This is a book that gives 12 perspectives on communicating to different current cultural beliefs and worldviews.  It was a good description of today's anti-authority and pluralistic mindsets.  [posted Oct. 14, 2008]

"Preaching with Convitction," Kenton Anderson, 2001.

Preaching is when human beings, created in God's image, bear witness to the incarnate Christ as described in the inspired Scriptures, under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. Preaching is the point of integtration for all four aspects of God's self-revelation: initiation, incarnation, inspiration, illumination. [posted Nov. 3, 2008]

"Preaching Re-imagined," Doug Pagitt, 2005.

Progressional Dialogue:  Intentional interplay of multiple viewpoints that leads to unexpected and unforeseen ideas. Relational conversation, the messgae changes depending who is present and who says what. This is dynamic in that the outcome is determined by the participants.  [posted Dec. 6, 2008]

"If Jesus Were Mayor," Bob Moffitt, 2006

"The local church is of pivotal importance to the welfare and development of its community.  Jesus' agenda for community health and transformation is expressed and modeled through His church.  How can local churches be equipped and mobilized?  The church is far more important for the transformation of a society than the president of the nation.  The principal amd most strategic institution God appointed to carry out His big agenda is the church.  We serve the head of the church." 

I liked this book.  Good stuff.  Fits well within my Mission's vision and passion.  [posted Sept. 22, 2008]

"Breakfast with a Perfect Stranger," David Gregory, 2005

A quick morning read.  [posted Sept. 15, 2008]

A Basket of Fragments, The Sermons of Revival," R.M. McCheyne, 1996

An old time preaching series from the Scottish traditions.  [posted Sept. 15, 2008]

"Leadership Lessons from Robert E. Lee," Bil Holton, 1995

This book is review on Lee's life and the qualities he had as a leader.  They include such things as Grace, Honesty, Vision, Strategy, Discipline and Compassion.  It was a quick reed and worth it. [posted May 11, 2008]

"Pages From Church History," Stephen Nichols, 2006.

Traversing the line of great Christian writers from Augustine and Anselm through Carey and Bonhoeffer.  I really enjoyed this book.  The biographies are not too long and the readin is enjoyable.  [posted April 14, 2008]

"Surprised by Jesus," Tim Stafford, 2006

This book is a quick read looking at the life of Jesus and His agenda for changing everything in A.D. 30 and today. 

"The first lesson we learn from Jesus is to know scripture.  Don't think you are smart enough to argue and fight your way through temptation yourself."

"The dilema is just as real today.  Christians claim that Jesus was the most significant figure in history fo the world.  Yet history goes on, apparently indifferent.  Wars, disease and prejudice still plague us; money and might rule our everyday lives.  What difference did Jesus make?  Who cares if He rose again?  [posted Mar. 3, 2008]

"Beyond the Compass," Dave Wager, 2007.

This a short devotional book written by the President of silver Birch Ranch, a camp located in Northern Wisconsin where my son attended one year on a furlough.  It is comprised of 21 thoughts, one each day, with the desire that each of us in our Christian journey use God's words as the compass to navigate through life. [posted 3/23/08]

"Contours of Christology in the New Testament," Richard Longenbecker, ED. 2005.

This is not your Sunday read.  It looks at the NT writers and their differing christological perspectives.  The idea of the book is to follow this throughout the early church and to today seeing how Christology as a theology and doctrine has developed. [posted Mar. 2008]

"Preface to Theology," Anne Yoder, 2002.

This book took a while to get through, it is deep theology.  This is a section of it to give you an idea of the discussion topics etc.

"It could be argued that all 'major theologieans and denominations' are still under the impact of Augustine and that therefore their tendency toward Hellenism cuts at the historicity of fulfillment.  What does it mean to say that God is fulfilling history, if at all the same time God must stop it?  Whatever God does , God does immanently - using the laws, techniques, and resources of historical process to bring history to its conclusion.  these resources of course can include evolutionary development - development that goes beyond where it started."  [posted Feb. 3, 2008]

2007 Books read:

Confessions of a Reformission Rev.  “Hard lessons from an emerging missional church.”  Mark Driscoll, 2006.

Gospel+Culture+Church =Reformission

Emerging is not "emergent." The goal of a church should be both missional and attractional following the example of Jesus. The "Missional Ministry Matrix" is following this circular teaching pattern: Christology ~ Ecclisiology ~ Missionlogy ~ Ministry

The "Portraits of Christ" – humble & incarnated, and triumphant and exalted.  We labor with the exalted Christ which gives us authority and we labor like Christ which causes us to be humble and gracious. Other pastors want to say what I say because they think what I think but are afraid and do not lack the filter of propriety like I do. I want a church filled with missionaries. Growth came when I simply stopped being the hub in the church around which everything else revolved. I needed to transition from caring for all the people to making sure all the people were cared for, using staff and lay people.  Our church has a Bible Institute called Capstone.

I read this book while I was on a recent trip, it has some good points and worth the read. [posted Dec. 7, 2007]

"How To Prepare a Sermon," William Evens, 1964.

This is a very practical book teaching the principles for preparing a sermon.  I found it in our field's library and took it home to read.  [posted Sept. 27, 2007]

"A Year for Life," Lloyd Billingsley, 1986.

This was an interesting story of a short term missionary to Colombia who was killed by some "friends" who thought he was connected to the CIA.  Unlike the story below, This young man escaped from his captives only to be found and shot.

Missions, whether it is short or career requires of us all sense of committment, and it may be a committment to death. [posted Sept. 7, 2007]

"Guerilla Hostage - 810 days in captivity, Story of Ray Rising," Denise Siino, 1999.

This is the book that details the experience of Rising.  I wrote about him in the blog section a few months ago.  It is a humbling read to see what this man and his family went through.  And, as I wrote they have returned to Colombia again to serve.  A picture of true humility.

"The New Global Mission," Samuel Escobar, 2002.

Christian mission is no longer a matter of missionaries from the West going to the rest of the world.  Rather, the growth of Christianity in Latin america, Africa and parts of Asia is eclipsing that of the Western church.  In the third millennium of the Christian era, Christian mission is truly global, with missionaries from all places going to all peoples.  The new realities of the world is that it is "globalized" and missions is changing in the secular and syncretistic world. [posted July 22, 2007]

"The Christology of the New Testament," Oscar Cullmann, 1963.

This book answers the question "Who is Jesus?"  I realized it wasn't your average book on the doctrine of Jesus but rather a very deep 328 page book focusing on the "Christological problem" in the person and nature of Christ. 

"We have seen that the first Christians achieved this perception in a threefold way: through the acceptance of the witness given in the life of Jesus with the events of Good Friday and Easter; through the powerful experience, both personal and in common worship, or the presence of the Kyrios, who is identical with the incarnate Jesus, as the 'Lord' of the Church, the world, and the life of each individual; through the reflection, carried out in faith in the present Lord and the crucified Son of Man, concerning the relation of this Jesus Christ to all the rest of God's revelation.  These are the sources of early Christian Christological conviction.  For the modern man there are no others.  But all three in mutually clarifying interaction are indispensable for answering the question about Jesus."  That's it in a nutshell.  [posted July 9, 2007]

"The Spirit of St. Louis," Charles Lindbergh, 1953.

This was a long book, 500 plus pages, but it was exciting.  There are really too many points to make without writing several paragraphs but what stood out to me was Charle's struggle with the existence of God while trugging across the ocean hanging on a wing and a prayer.

Charles believed more in Science than in God.  "In science men are measured by what they really do.  There's no unfairness about it.  It doesn't matter whether you believe in God, or whether you are a Republican or a Democrat." (pg. 319)  Then on the other hand he says this a little later; "It's hard to be an agnostic up here in the Spirit of St. Louis, aware of the frailty of man's devices, a part of the universe between its earth and stars.  A man conscious of it all, a worldy audience to what if not God?"  It was interesting to me the mental struggles he endured throughout the flight.

Charle's battled loneliness, spacial disorientation, vertigo, exhaustion, and fear but he made it and set the bar even higher for aviation.  Today, you can go from New York to Paris on the Concord in about 4 hours, 30 hours quicker than the Spirit of St. Louis and who knows what lies behind the corner. [posted June 17, 2007]

"The Origin of Christology," C.F.D. Moulde, 1977.

This book is about the processes by which the first century Christians came to understand Jesus as they did.  Some writers represent these as 'evolutionary', as though a merely human teacher came to be thought of as a divine figure (a new species, so to speak).  Dr. Moule suggests that 'development' is a preferable analogy, implying not the evolution of a new species of figure, but the development of understanding of what was there in Jesus from the beginning.  This was a challenging theological book and opened up a new area of thinkng for me.  This book is part of a class. [posted April 27, 2007]

"The Fine Art of Mentoring," Ted Engstrom, 1989.

This book gives a very good overview of mentoring in all areas of church, work, and the home.  He includes defining mentoring as something different that discipling in the sense that it invloves modeling in a more personalized way and also includes discipline, encouragement, confrontation, correction and accountability. [posted April 9, 2007]

"Mentoring Millennials," Dan Egeler, 2003.

"The millennial generation is unlike any other.  Born after 1980, they don't know the world before computers, video games, or MTV.  They are optimistic, desire rules and boundaries, and support tradition and values.  A passionate group, they long to commit to a cause.  However, they cannot make it alone.  The need guidance and direction from people who care.  They need to hear your stories - successes and failures."

Dr. Egeler breaks mentoring down into three levels; Passive, Occasional, and Intensive.  Under these headings he further breaks them down into styles.  Under the passive level there is contemporary and historical styles.  Under the Occassional level there is the counseling, teaching, and sponsoring styles.  Finally, under the intensive level there is the discipling, spiritual guide, and coaching styles.  Good book. [posted 3/15/07]

"Mentoring at Work," Kathy Kram, 1988.

This book is about relationships in organizations that enhance individual's development in the early, middle, and later career years.  The author sets out to understand how individuals' career histories and current situations, as well as the surrounding organizational circumstances, have jointly shaped the essential characteristics and evolution of their relationships with mentors, proteges, and peers.  One area of particular interest to me was the "peer" aspect of mentoring.  [posted 3/15/07]

"True Faced," Bill Thrall, B. McNicol, J Lynch, 2004.

My wife was reading this book as well for a ladies study so I picked it up and read it because she said I should.  I can be summed up in the following:  "There is no releasing without maturing.  There is no maturing without healing.  There is no healing without gifts of grace.  There are no gifts of grace without the Room of Grace.  There is no Room of Grace without a door marked Living Out Of Who God Says I Am, opened with a doorknob of humility.  There is no humility without choosing to walk a road called Trusting God.  Only then do I learn how God stands with me to resolve my sin."  [posted 3/9/07]

"The Reformed Pastor," Richard Baxter, 1656.

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was vicar of Kidderminster from 1647 to 1661.  He has been described as the "most outstanding pastor, evangelist and writer on practical and devotional themes that Puritanism produced."  His ministry transformed the Kidderminster community from a rude and revelling people into a worshipping community.

This book is a practical guide to pastoring.  The title does not refer to the reformation, or his personal doctrinal position, but rather to the reformational impact of his ministry to the Kidderminster community and his challenge to all pastors.  Loved the book!  [posted 2/28/07]

"The Imitation of Christ," Thomas Kempis, 1420?

A classic.  This book is the most widely published and read book in our lifetime next to the bible. 

For myself the theme of this book is "living like Christ."  It is a book that leaves you with tears in your eyes almost everyday as you consider your depravity and then rejoice in God's grace.  This book has challenged me to a right perspective in life, simply stated it is not about me but all about Jesus.  Please, get this book and read it, I am sure it will change you.  [posted 2/28/07]

"Off the Mangrove Coast," Louis L'Amour, 2000.

This was a fun book, it is good every so often to read something that is entertaining, it clears your mind a bit.  Remember, "it's all about the brand."  [posted 2/20/07]

"The Heart of Mentoring," David Stoddard, 2003.

This is the first of four textbooks for a class titled "Mentoring in Today's Culture."   The book is based on ten principles; "living is about giving," "mentoring is a process that requires perseverance," "mentors open their world," "mentors help mentorees align passion and work," "mentors offer comfort and share load," "mentors help turn personal values into practice," "model character," "affirm value of spiritaulity," "mentoring + reproduction = legacy," "effective mentors 'go for it.'"

Mentoring is an important tool we use on the mission field as well as discipleship.  [posted Feb. 20, 2007]

"The Practice of Godliness," Jeff Bridges, 1996.

Just finished this book.  we are using it as a mens group study here in Bolivia. 

Bridges book focus on challenging us to be "devoted" to God as the foundation to practicing the Godly characteristics found in scripture.  Devotion is based on three areas; love, fear,and our desire for God.  With this in place one can follow 1 Timothy 4;7, "Have nothing to do with godless miths and old wive's tales, rather train yourself to be Godly."

It is a process and a life long journey.  [posted 1/25/07]

***2006 Books:

"Finding Common Ground," Tim Downs, 1999.

 The subtitle of this book explains the main content; “How to communicate with those outside the Christian community while we still can.”

 Jesus says that there is certain urgency about communicating the gospel, but He also says that we must prepare for the future.  Do these contradict?

 Downs suggest that just maybe we should not be focused on reaping a harvest, but rather sowing seed so that the next generation has a harvest to reap.  It is about avoiding the famine that will come if we don’t prepare the soil.  It’s about recognizing that in American culture, and many others, the spiritual soil is being depleted and getting to a point of not being able to sustain life.

 Most of mission and Christian ministry focus on the reaping because people are coming to Christ and lives are changed.  Rarely do Missions publish the labor of a missionary who may have spent 5 years and never lead someone to Christ.  Why is that?  Western culture wants to see results and fast results at that.  

 Don’t be fooled, sowing is an art.  Downs feels it is time to sow even though that is a slow and painstaking process and one that probably won’t get you in the headlines.  Sowing is a vital part of harvesting and the two must go hand in hand and must receive equal importance in the eyes of all Christian ministries.  

 Let’s face it, Christianity has always been in the minority.

 Sometimes courage  is not telling the unbeliever everything he needs to hear, it’s telling him only what he can bear.

 Sowing is a long term view, one that seeks a balance between justice and love.  

 Will Christ return in this generation?  The biblical response would seem to be that we, “live as though He will, and plan as though He won’t.”

Good book, I liked it!  [posted 9/18/2006]

"Bleachers," John Grisham, 2003.

This was a quick read and fun.  Good story about how someone held on to the past but eventually let go and sought forgiveness and gave forgiveness to what happened in his life.

It is all about high school football and the coach they both loved and hated. [posted 8/18/06]

"Blink," Malcolm Gladwell, 2005.

"Haste makes waste?"  That just may not be true according to Gladwell.  Blink is a book about how we think about thinking, about choices we make in an instance, in the blink of an eye. 

Blink reveals that great decision makers aren't those who process the most information or spend the most time deliberating, but those who have perfected the art of "thin-slicing" filtering the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number of variables.

An interesting read and many good illustrations.  If you find that you seem to make quick decisions and they mostly are correct then you will see where theis guy is coming from.  On the other hand if you are more methodical and gather all info first, before you make a decision then this will be different for you but in either case I suggest you read it.  [posted 7/23/06]

"The Five Dysfunctions of a Team," Patrick Lencioni, 2002.

A good and quick read, I liked it.  Check the list and see if you or your team have one or more of the dysfunctions.

1.  Absence of trust, 2. Fear of Conflict, 3. Lack of Commitment, 4. Avoidance of Accountability, 5. Inattention to Results.

Having managed a team in the secular world and ministry, I have seen all of these. [posted 7/20/06]

"A Solution Focused Pastoral Counseling," C.A. Kollar

The title gives away the jist of this book.  Kollar's point is that counseling should be directed towards a solution and quicker than the norm of what "counseling" is today.

This was a text book for a class. [posted 7/1/06]

"Curing the Heart," Howard Eyrich & W. Hines, 2003.

"The Puritans used to speak of curing the souls.  They believed that with the Bible rightly applied one could take a person successfully through the process of sanctification in a way that pleases God and brings peace to the soul.  This book is dedicated to the idea that the Bible contains all that is needed for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:2-4) and that it is the only rule of faith and obedience." [posted June 5, 2006]

"A Theology of Christian Counseling," Jay Adams, 1979.

"The Bible is the basis for a Christian counseling because it deals with the same issues that all counseling does.  The bible was given to help men come to saving faith in Christ and then to transform them into His image [2 Tim. 3:15-17].  The Holy Spirit uses it as an adequate instrument that He says has the power to do so." [posted May 26, 2006]

"Competent to Counsel," Jay Adams, 1986.

This book is an introduction to Nouthetic counseling.  Nouthetic counseling has three basic elements; 1.  Teaching, 2. Training, and 3. Correction.  Each of these is given with the purpose in mind of benefiting the counselee in a change of his or her situation.  2 Tim. 4:2 is a key verse and the goal in this counseling method is love as seen in 1 Tim. 1:5. [posted May 10, 2006]

"Truth & The New Kind of Christian," R. Scott Smith, 2005.

This book is yet another challenge to the emergent church's philosophy or rather their orthodoxy.  Smith lays out both sides with positives and negatives but clearly challenges the postmodern beliefs of  relavency and denial of absolute truths.

One interesting area of discussion is that of "'foundationailsm."  Does what we know to be true have to be indubitable, certain, and "bomb proof" in order to count as knowledge?  He concludes by saying that we must not fall into the trap of thinking we must have certainty in order to have knowledge.  Also, we must have a high view of scripture because it is the objective standard for our lives.  [posted May 4, 2006]

"The Christian Counselor's Manual," Jay Adams, 1986.

This really has been my first formal book on counseling.  Jay Adam's approach is what is called "nouthetic" meaning life's problems etc. can find their solution in God's Word, it is a scripture directed counsel.  He believes that there are three causes to a particular problem; organic (health), sin, and demonic activity. 

Adams main passage of scripture is in Ephesians 4:17-24.  He uses the analogy of "putting off" the sin and bad habits and "putting on" love, this is the key to restoration and healing.

I would not read this book unless it was assigned to you, due to its long length, 400 plus pages, and its text book layout.  [posted 4/25/06]

"The End of the Spear," Steve Saint, 2005.

You probably have all heard the story of Nate Saint.  As you can imagine the story is close to my heart because I am a missionary pilot.

I saw the movie and someone recomended the book so I read the book.  The movie is only the first chapter or so of the book, as Paul Harvey says "the rest of the story" is in the book.

Here's what Nate Saint said some 50 years ago.  "Would that we could comprehend the lot of these Stone Age people who live in mortal fear of ambush on the jungle trail...those to whom the bark of a gun means sudden, mysterious death...those who think all men in all the world are killers like themselves.  If God would grant us the vision, the word 'sacrifice' would disappear from our lips and thoughts; we would hate the things that seem now so dear to us; our lives would suddenly be too short; we would dispise time-robbing distractions and charge the enemy with all our energies in the name of Christ.  May God help us to judge ourselves by the eternities that seperate the Aucas from a comprehension of Christmas, and Him, Who though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor so that we might, through His poverty, be made rich."  [posted 4/21/06]

“The Legacy of William Carey,” Vishal Mangalwadi, 1999.

 If you are not impressed with how God used Carey before, I am sure you will be after reading this book written by a national from India.  

 The book can be summed up in the following “eulogy” of his ministry and career.

Carey was a botanist; he published the first books on science and natural history in India.  Carey was an Industrialist by introducing the steam engine to India and was the first to make indigenous paper for the publishing industry in India.  Carey was an economist by introducing the idea of savings banks to India to fight the all-pervasive social evil of usury.  Carey was a humanitarian by being the first to campaign for the human treatment of leprosy patients.  Carey was a media pioneer by establishing the first newspaper ever printed in any oriental language.  Carey wan an agriculturist.  He founded the India Agri-horticultural Society in the 1820’s, thirty years before the Royal Agricultural society was founded in England.  Carey wan a translator and educator.  He transformed Bengali, previously considered ‘fit only for demons and women,’ into the foremost literary language of India, and he published 39 other Indian languages into the bible.  Carey wan an Astronomer by introducing the study to this subcontinent.  Carey was a library pioneer by shipping books from all over the world into the country with the goal that the people would develop their own literature.  Carey was a forest conservationist.  He was the first person to write on forestry in India, 50 years before India’s government made its first attempt at forest conservation.  Carey was a crusader for women’s rights.  Carey opened schools for women and then after a twenty five year battle against sati, widow burning, Lord Bentick issued his famous edict of 1829 banning one of the most abominable religious practices anywhere.  Carey was a moral reformer.  The Vedic religion in India separated ethics from spirituality making it possible to appear religious but yet live a immoral life.  Carey influenced one of the greatest Hindu scholars to see that morality and spirituality go hand in hand.  Carey was a cultural transformer.  India had declined after its glory years in the twelfth century to a state that was filled with superstition, idolatry, witchcraft, exploitation, and down right depravity.  Carey saw India not as a country to be exploited but as one which needed the gospel to transform the deep roots of spiritual ignorance and blindness.

Carey wasn’t perfect and he never claimed to be.  He struggled in the area of family life and his relationships with his wife and children.  I wish that this wasn’t so but it does show that despite our weaknesses God will still accomplish His will. [posted 3/21/06]

"Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church," D.A. Carson, 2005.

D.A. Carson responds to the current Emergent Church movement in North America and Europe.  Carson summerizes his book by saying, "If the emreging church leaders wish to become a long-term prophetic voice that produces fruit and that does not drift off toward progressive sectarianism, and even, in the worst instances, heresy, they need to spend more time in careful study of scripture and theology than they are doing, even if that takes away some of the hours they devote to trying to understand the culture in which they find themselves.  They need to take great pains not to distort history and theology alike, by not caricaturing their opponents and not playing manipulative games."

Carson's concerns is an appearent vaugeness to this movement in the area of theology and a lack of proclamation of biblical truth, and a denial of history. 

Carson also believes there is good in this movement and he seems to welcome their passion for culture relevancy and compassion to humanity but only if they stay true to the gospel truth as it is affirmed in history, the present, and the future to come.

He includes a quote from G.K. Chesterton's book, "Orthodoxy" which I believe to be very relevant.  "What we suffer from today is humility in the wrong place.  Modesty has moved from the organ of ambition....[and] settled upon the organ of conviction, where it was never meant to be.  A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed.  we are on the road to producing a race of men too mentally modest to believe in the multiplication table."  A man before his time, or prophetic?

Good book.  [posted 3/06/06]

"Serving the Poor in Latin America," Yamamori, Myers, Padilla, & Rake (editors), 1997.

This book of course is right up my alley.  It is a book comprised of case studies all around Central & South America in the area of "holistic ministry."

The problem is that according to these editors, "in general, the evangelical churches are not involved in social action nor in speaking out against the injustices perpetrated on the poor."  Another important quote is; "I became involved in the strengthening of the pastors of the local churches not as a job but because I have the conviction that God calls each Christian to carry out the Great Commission through discipling and teaching.  All of this requires passion to serve our fellow human beings.  We are called to preach a holistic gospel where, besides attending to people's spiritual needs, we must also be concerned about their physical needs, just as our Lord Jesus Christ modeled for us."

This is the premise of the entire book.  This is also what we in SAM are trying to do as well in the churches where we minister.  It is a great task and a great call.    [posted 3/1/06]

“Contending For Our All,” John Piper, 2005.  

 I picked this book up at the 2006 Bethlehem Conference for Pastors.  I really enjoyed the conference as always.

 This is the fourth book in his series on “The Swans are not Silent.”  This book highlights the lives of Athenasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen.  I give just a couple quotes from each of the sections.

 Athenasius: [298 ad. – 373 ad.]  “From the very beginning we are speaking to them God-centered, Christ-exalting truths that shatter fallen, human categories of thought.”  “Which Christ would you die for?”  “The ultimate end of creation is neither seeing nor being, but delighting and displaying.”  

 John Owen:  [1616 – 1683]  “Personal holiness is so urgent for us today is not only because there is a “holiness without which no one will see the Lord,” [Heb 12:14] but also because there seems to be a shortage of political and ecclesiastical leaders today who make the quest for holiness as central as the quest for church growth or academic achievement or political success.”  “The quest for holiness was always bound up with a quest for the true knowledge of God.  That’s why prayer and study and meditation always went together.”  “If the Word do not dwell with power in us, it will not pass with power from us.”

 J. Gresham Machen: [1881-1936]  Teacher at Princeton Seminary and later founder of Westminster Seminary.  He left Princeton because of their support of a missionary who quoted the following: “If someone existed who could create a person like Christ and portray him for us, then Christ lived and lives, whether He was once one body and one soul, or whether He is the essence of men’s highest dreams.”  “In essence what modernists do is not throw out Christianity but reinterpret the creeds and give old words new meanings.  That is, they make them into symbols for ever-changing meanings.”  “The foundational truths have been surrendered; or worse, the concept of truth has been surrendered to pragmatism, so that even the affirmations are denials, because the are affirmed as useful but not as true.”

Good book and a quick read. [posted 2/24/06]


“Velvet Elvis,” Rob Bell, 2005.  

I started reading this book with some presuppositions that I had heard from others, due to the Emergent church movement, but as I worked my way through it I was less concerned, although I still have some questions to what he means by some of his statements, and those of this movement.  Some even say that Rob Bell's church is not an "emergent church."  The book is not all that deep or profound and I don’t think it was meant to be.  Rob just tells his story and uses personal experience to illustrate God’s work in his life.  It is evident that his ministry has exploded and that he is reaching a specific cultural generation.

There is one section that I am unsure of and not certain as to why he would state his point this way, this is what it says; “What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly biological father named Larry, and archeologists find Larry’s tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births?”  “Then you study Hebrew and find that the word virgin could mean several things.”  The context is that Rob is discussing the “bricks” of the Christian faith, or doctrine and he feels that the virgin birth is not a doctrinal brick but rather a doctrinal "spring" that should be allowed to flex and stretch.  Rob does confirm that he believes in the virgin birth, the trinity, and the inspiration of the Bible.
 
Other quotes or comments:  Rob begins his book by using a word that seems to describe his vision for ministry, “reforming.”  To him the distinction between reform and reforming is crucial to the understanding that we don’t have it all figured out and that what we hold to be truth should be held to a process of rethinking, reworking, and change.

Other quotes:  “God’s joy doesn’t rule out suffering.”  “Where am I dying because of the decisions I have made?”  “The Bible is not pieces of information about God and Jesus and whatever else we take and apply to situations as we would a cookbook or an instruction manual.”  “This is part of the problem with continually insisting that one of the absolutes of the Christian faith must be a belief that “Scripture alone” is our guide.” “I follow Jesus because He teaches me to live in tune with how reality is.”  Church should not be an obligation but a celebration, not a duty, but delight, not “I have to,” but “I get to.”  “As a pastor, are you smoking what you are selling?”  “As we live this life, in harmony with God’s intentions for us, the life of heaven becomes more and more present in our lives.  Heaven comes to earth.”  “For Jesus, this new kind of life in Him is not about escaping this world, but about making it a better place, here and now.”  “I am learning that the church is at its best when it is underground, subversive, and countercultural.”  
There is much reading I still need to do in this area before I make a judgement.  [posted 2/24/06]

"Subversive Orthodoxy," Robert Inchausti, 2005.  I believe this is another way to look at the theme of Orthodoxy.  The other books I have read with the word Orthodox in it are   Chesterton's book Orthodoxy, and McLearn's book, Generous Orthodoxy.  Now we have Subversive Orthodoxy.  The book is about, "outlaws, revolutionaries, and other christians in disguise."  "It is said that the Enlightenment values have begun to dissolve with the arrival of the postindustrial age.  In each instance, the end of civilization and death of God were proclaimed - but what was really dying was a complex set of institutional arrangements wedded to a particular cultural premise. In each case, a new cultural age emerged when Chrisitanity was rediscopvered as something above the culture that claimed to embody it.  It wasn't faith that evolved to fit the times, nor did it exactly conquer."  I suspect that that we are really witnessing in the current fascination with lost spiritual traditions is more a symptom of an abiding interest in the lost wisdom of Christian Orthodoxy."  The author gleans from writers such as William Blake, Thomas Merton, Martin Luther King Jr., Walker Percy, and Rene Girard to name just a few and draws out their personal faith rather than what culture has labled them to be.  "The thinkers examined in this book - if they have done nothing else - have shifted the axes of inquiry away from the search for certainty back to the religious quest for ontological vibrancy and prophetic insight.  The high cultural criticism born of the West finds its complement and critique in the Judeo-Christian prophetic tradition of poetic vision and social diissent."  It was an interesting book and worth my time.  [posted Jan. 30, 2006]

2004 & 2005 Books:

“On Being a Pastor,” Derek Prime & Alistair Begg, 2004.This is a practical guide from the viewpoints of the authors.  Derek was a pastor in Edinburgh, and Alistair was a pastor here in the USA. We are to get along side the members of the flock so that we may encourage, comfort, urge, or warn them, as may be appropriate at any given moment.  Be there and be personal. Those whom we pastor and teach are entrusted to us, the goals are not of ownership but of stewardship. A pastor is to enlarge the flock’s understanding of the faith so that they may render a better obedience to Christ. The church of Jesus Christ does not progress beyond the spiritual progress of its leaders. Study, followed by personal obedience, leads to effective teaching of others.  Before we instruct others in proper obedience to God, we must obey first. Areas of discussion:  Life, character, priorities, prayer, devotional life, study, preaching, care, conduct, responsibility to lead, family, and leasure. Again, it was a practical guide. [1/30/05 posted]

“A Generous Orthodoxy,” Brian McLaren, 2004.“Theology is the church on a mission reflecting its message, its identity, its meaning.” “In a pluralistic world, a religion is valued based on the benefits it brings to its nonadherents.  I think the missional way is better: the gospel brings blessings to all, adherents and nonadherents alike.” “How many of us have used the cross to dominate rather than to liberate?” “I find it harder to be sympathetic with those who take pride in believing the miracles really happened but don’t seek to live out their meaning.” “Nature is not our Mother, nature is our sister.” “Neither the right nor the left lead to the higher kingdom.” “To be a Christian in a generously orthodox way is not to claim to have the truth captured, stuffed, and mounted on the wall.  It is rather to be in a loving community of people who are seeking the truth on the road of mission and who have been launched on the quest by Jesus.” Kenny:  The “emergent church” is a new title given to various churches that obviously are stretching and going outside the “box” of what we may have called traditional evangelicalism.  It was presented as a provocative challenge but after giving it some really careful thought I didn’t find it all that provocative, but it did challenge my thinking.  He quotes Chesterton’s “Orthodoxy” quite a bit and I would suggest you read that book first, as I have, and really enjoyed.  His call to affirm others who don’t believe quite the way we may, or even loving those that hate us is not new, I felt that much of what he said I have heard or read in different ways.  Some may label this group as inclusivists but I don’t see them saying “all roads lead to heaven.”  There are definitely some different perspectives to evangelicalism and the good thing is that he describes himself as a work in progress so in your reading remember he is thinking and questioning things out loud. 

 
If you are a current trend tracker and like to keep up with current church ideas, then you ought to read this book.  We have had many trends in recent years, “home churches, seeker friendly churches, mega churches, and now emergent churches, each with their strengths and weaknesses, how about going back to just being the church?”  [4/05/05 posted]

"The Heavenly Man,"  I started this book but decided not to finish it.  I got the idea of the book after reading the first several chapters.  It is the miraculous story of Chinese man who God used to spread His Word in mainline China.  His story is so miraculous it seems unbelievable. [5/02/05 posted]

"Commandos for Christ," Bruce Porterfield, 1963.   This book is a biography of the work in the late 40's and early 50's of missionaries in what is called the "Bolivia's Green Hell."  After reading this book I believe you will get spiritually challenged for the cause of missions is the world.  What a great privilage to follow in these Men and Women's footsteps.  Here is a brief quote from the book that occured after a missionary was martyred by the Nhambiguara Indians.  "When his dearest friend was killed by natives, Bruce Porterfield nearly lost his sanity.  His faith in God was tested to the limit of human endurance as he trekked across endless alligator-infested swamps, was temporarily paralyzed by mysterious poisonous grass, and lost for days and nights in the terrifying maze of the jungle.  For all these tribulations, and many more, he considered himself rewarded when he was finally instrumental in saving the lives of two missionary families."  It is a good motivational reader! [5/20/05 posted]

"Iron Sharpens Iron."  Howard Hendricks, 1995.  This book is a very good book on mentoring, one of the first of its kind in recent years.  Why would you need a mentor or want to become a mentor?  A mentor (1) promotes genuine growth, (2) is a model to follow, (3) helps you efficiently reach your goals, (4) plays a key role in God's pattern for your growth, and (5) benefits other people in your life.  To me these are 5 very good reasons to be involved in some form of mentoring.  If you think back in your life about the people who were instrumental in your life, they really were mentors although we didn't call that.  The challenge to us is to get involved.  I believe mentoring is a biblical principle that compliments discipleship leading to a well rounded Godly young person.  [6/27/05 posted]

"King Me," Steve Farrar, 2005.  King Me is a book on fathering and mentoring your son.  The book uses both King David and King Solomon as examples of 'how to' and 'how not to' mentor your son.  The book goes through areas such as; building your sons into men, mentoring through mistakes, discipline, masculinity, sexual purity, and friendship.  One section may be a bit suprising or .  The author dicusses the trend of males becoming feminized in today's culture.  Because of the lack of male role models, teachers, and the lack of a Father at home, the author feels todays boys are becoming "feminized."  I will let you read the book to get further info.  The book gives good practical suggestions but nothing really profound.  [7/13/05 posted]

"The Last Jihad": A Novel by Joel C, Rosenberg, 2003.  A good suspenseful novel, a fun read.

"The Last Days":  A novel by Joel Rosenburg, 2004.  Second book in the series.  Fun read. [9/1/05 posted]

"The Ezekiel Option"  A novel by Joel Rosenburg, 2004.  3rd book in the series.  This book concludes right before God destroys the nation from the North, Russia.  It was a quick fun series.  [10/1/05 posted]

" 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"  Stephen Covey, edition 2004.  I am using this book in a Leadership Sunday school class.  Shortly after WWI the basic view of success shifted from the character ethic to the personality ethic.  Success became more of a function of personality, public image and skills and techniques.  If there isn't deep integrity and fundemental chracter strength, the challenges of life will cause our true motives to surface and human relationship failure will soon replace short term success.  Inside out is a process of renewal bosaed on natural laws that govern human growth and progress.  It's an upward spiral of growth that leads to progressively higher forms of responsible independence and effective interdependence.  "Seven Habits":  1. Be proactive 2. Begin with the end in mind. 3. Put first things first.  4. Think win/win.  5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.  6. Synergize.  7. Sharpen the saw.  I enjoyed this book and highly recomend it.  [posted Dec. 7th, 2005 ]

"Visionary Leadership" by Burt Nanus, 1992.  This book is for a class I am currently taking.  It is a secular book on leadership.  It presents some scientific ways and formulas to develop an organization beginning with a vision.  The author's biggest concern is the lack of visionary leaders in America like we had in earlier years and he presents this book to provide a systematic approach to developing vision and direction for your organization.  Here are some quotes:  "We claim ownership for our lives when we identify the future we want for ourselves and out unit.  Our deepest commitment is to choose to live, to choose the destiny that has been handed to us, and to choose to pursue that destiny."  "A vision is a realistic, credible, attractive, future for your organization."  "The right vision for the future of your organization must move people to action.  People want and need something they can commit to, a significant challange worthy of their best efforts and something that will truly make their lives better."  "If you daon't stand for something you will for for anything."  This book has some good points but it leaves out important things like character, integrity, and how they influence an organization and its future. [posted Nov. 4, 2005]

"The Church of Irresistable Influence," Robert Lewis, 2001.  This books comes from the pastor of a church in Arkansas, Fellowship Bible Church.  The message of the book is that the church must rediscover its essential role and craft as bridge builder.  The author looks at significant feets of bridges that were built and draws analogies to the church and its influence in our world.  Here are a few quotes:  "Isn't the cross, in fact, a bridge, uniting supernatural and human realities?" "Evangelicalsim became more and more associated with self-absorbed individuals preocupied with finding  health and happiness for their own lives and maintaining the status quo in an unstable world."  "People will simply no longer listen to or attend churches that seem incapable of living out what is preached."  "A churches health is measured by its sending capacity, not its seating capacity."  "If you want to be out where god is you have to take your eyes off your surroundings."  "The primary work of the church is to move people to a place of personal and passionate ministry."  I enjoyed this book.  There are many books written these days on how to do church and it can seem overwhelming.  [posted Nov. 4th, 2005]

"Daniel - An Introduction & Commentary," Joyce G. Bladwin, 1978.  This was a text book for a class I am taking.  The following quote sums up the book.  "The church needs to be counting on the certanties proclaimed by Daniel, namely that God is constantly overruling and judging in the affairs of men, putting down the mighty from theirs seats, overthrowing unjust regimes and effectively bringing in His kingdom, which is to embrace all nations."  [posted Nov. 21, 2005]

"The New American Commentary - Daniel," Stephen Miller, 1994.  This was another book for a class.  I enjoyed it.  It flowed and was a relatively easy read.  The following quote sums up the book and the book of Daniel.  "That there is a God in heaven, as against man-made gods and deified men, is the supreme theme of the book, even as it is the cardinal principle of the Bible."  [posted Dec. 13, 2005]

"The Challenge of the Amazon's Indians," Mrs. Arthur Tylee, 1931.  This is definitely a must read.  I have be re-inspired by the life of Arthur Tylee and his family and their ministry to the Nabiquara Indians of Brazil.  Arthur's call was as followed: "It was during this year that he grew dissatisfied with a life of pleasure or spent in aquiring the world's goods.  His soul seemed to feel a challenge to be and do something bigger, nobler, better."  Arthur was a graduate of MBI in 1922.  Travel was long and arduous to reach the Nabiquara's area.  To go just 32 miles it took 3 weeks.  Fellow missionaries were sick at some time requiring them to stay in bed for up to 1 year.  The lack of medical care was hard on the missionaries.  Arthur fulfilled John 15:13, he gave his life for the Nabiquaras.  The ironic thing is that they turned on him and killed him and his daughter and the station nurse leaving his wife alive but in critical condition.  This is a great little book and more info can be obtained from my Mission's web site: www.southamericamission.org  [posted Dec.19th 2005]