My Amazon review of Theologian Trading Cards:
I really wanted to like this, if only for the novel idea of
theologians in a fun card format, but there are just too many
negative disappointments that I had to give this a one-star (which
more than likely means not many helpful marks. Whatever.)
I could initially go into this with the approach of "well, it
didn't have A, or B, or C" (and was my deck missing a Spurgeon
card?) but the fact is the problem seems to go a lot further than
that in that certain categories just, well, aren't broad enough. You
could have had all 300 cards based just on the puritans alone, but
instead it seems like all we get is a skimpy selection of different
eras of the church, and an unfortunately large serving of Eastern
Orthodox and Roman Catholicism (selections it seemed aimed to be more
focused on the favorable ones, with not as much attention on the
torturing, killing and "comfy chair" variety of Roman
Catholics from history - and how is it that Pope Benedict [the one
who you'll recall granted plenary indulgences, you know, the
unscriptural practice that would make most Reformers spin in their
collective graves] manages to make the deck as a very modern figure,
but we don't see any other equally important modern theologians of a
protestant variety like R.C. Sproul or John Macarthur? What floored
me even more was the inclusion of Friedrich Nietzsche and Karl Marx.
In a box labeled "Theologian Trading Cards". Keyword being
"theologian". What the heck?
To me it feels like this entire presentation and packaging was a
misnomer, and a more accurate label should have been something like,
"Some theologians cherry-picked from a broad ecumenical swath,
some of debatable significance, some of questionable orthodoxy, and
some notably of distinctly anti-Christian bent Trading Cards".
I'm surprised with some of these wonky characters in the box that he
didn't include an Aimee Semple McPherson card or Fred Phelps. Who
knows.
Additionally frustrating was the frequency of finding cards with
no image. Give me a break!!! How often does that happen with sports
cards? "Oooh, trade me for your card with NO PICTURE on it."
That was frustrating enough alone to merit the one star and to have
me considering returning the set to Amazon. If you can't find a
picture for these guys from a Google image search, you do the next
best thing: commission someone to do up a quick drawing based on
what they think the guy likely looked like! For crying out loud, it
doesn't have to be a Rembrandt portrait, just give us a best-guess
sketch of the person. Blank images were a huge, huge disappointment.
A final gripe was the packaging, as each 'team' in the box was
tightly bound in hard to remove plastic that I had to dig at with a
knife to get open, and all along I'm wondering, what exactly was the
reason for sealing this entire set, and then within the set itself,
sealing up each team? Did that really matter? I don't collect
sports cards, but is that how they do it when you buy them in box
sets? Do they do that with Pokemon cards or something?
Again, I wanted to like this, but even if there had been some
sticks of bubble gum included in the set, the content was just a
little too skewed, imbalanced and not enough.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
“Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo - book review
My amazon review of “Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo
I really found this hokey. First, as a confessional Baptist with a love of Christ and the Scriptures, I'm not doubting the existence of heaven (or even near-death experiences, for that matter, which I find frequently to fascinating and illuminating) but this particular work just came across as stale, contrived and somewhat goofy. I mean it's a sweet story, but page after page you have to bite your lip at the sheer maudlin corniness of the narrative and the cringe-worthy theology (pg. 100. Young Colton describing what he thinks he saw, “And do you know that Jesus sits right next to God?... Jesus' chair is right next to his Dad's”, followed by the remark from his father, “that blew me away. There's no way a four-year old knows that.”) Well, maybe if your a father who doesn't shepherd your children or read the Bible to them. But this type of narrative is what punctuates the book sadly. Odd and debatable descriptions of what little Burpo saw in heaven followed by the Dad's remarks of surprise or breaking into tears, etc, etc. This one could really be a painful chore to read. Again, I love a good NDE account, but this one didn't even qualify.
Plus here's the other thing. As a Reformed Baptist I hold strongly to the view of Scriptural inerrancy and the perfect, completion of God's word. But if you think about it, if the Burpo boy's accounts are true, then technically, everything about heaven that he saw and described should, technically, be just as binding as anything else that the Bible says about heaven, so in a goofy way it takes the same level as Scripture and Christians should respect this as a valid description of what to expect of the heavenly realms that we are bound for, and this just doesn't seem right to me (plus consider that the Apostle Paul never really talked about or saw fit to describe heaven himself, as he himself was caught up to third heaven – 2 Cor. 12:2. Maybe there was a reason for that?) Or, maybe, just maybe, Burbo's father was just using a little bit of creative license here in describing some of the things his son dreamed about during surgery. I find that a little more likely, and that works for creative fiction, but there is a caution as well involved in that Burpo should heed the caution of Scripture in what appears to be largely a creative outlet in adding to God's Word (Rev. 22:18-19)
I really found this hokey. First, as a confessional Baptist with a love of Christ and the Scriptures, I'm not doubting the existence of heaven (or even near-death experiences, for that matter, which I find frequently to fascinating and illuminating) but this particular work just came across as stale, contrived and somewhat goofy. I mean it's a sweet story, but page after page you have to bite your lip at the sheer maudlin corniness of the narrative and the cringe-worthy theology (pg. 100. Young Colton describing what he thinks he saw, “And do you know that Jesus sits right next to God?... Jesus' chair is right next to his Dad's”, followed by the remark from his father, “that blew me away. There's no way a four-year old knows that.”) Well, maybe if your a father who doesn't shepherd your children or read the Bible to them. But this type of narrative is what punctuates the book sadly. Odd and debatable descriptions of what little Burpo saw in heaven followed by the Dad's remarks of surprise or breaking into tears, etc, etc. This one could really be a painful chore to read. Again, I love a good NDE account, but this one didn't even qualify.
Plus here's the other thing. As a Reformed Baptist I hold strongly to the view of Scriptural inerrancy and the perfect, completion of God's word. But if you think about it, if the Burpo boy's accounts are true, then technically, everything about heaven that he saw and described should, technically, be just as binding as anything else that the Bible says about heaven, so in a goofy way it takes the same level as Scripture and Christians should respect this as a valid description of what to expect of the heavenly realms that we are bound for, and this just doesn't seem right to me (plus consider that the Apostle Paul never really talked about or saw fit to describe heaven himself, as he himself was caught up to third heaven – 2 Cor. 12:2. Maybe there was a reason for that?) Or, maybe, just maybe, Burbo's father was just using a little bit of creative license here in describing some of the things his son dreamed about during surgery. I find that a little more likely, and that works for creative fiction, but there is a caution as well involved in that Burpo should heed the caution of Scripture in what appears to be largely a creative outlet in adding to God's Word (Rev. 22:18-19)
Sunday, September 29, 2013
'Practice of the Presence of God' by Brother Lawrence
'Practice of the Presence of God' is a short and insightful work
about walking closer with God written in a series of conversations
and collected letters from Brother Lawrence, it serves to be both
convicting and, at times, questionable. Lawrence's convictions are
powerful and frequently humbling, and there is much to admire and
emulate in seeking the constant, abiding communication with God (“a
heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, or
for His sake, and to love Him only.”) Lawrences passion of that
communion is noble and something to strive to emulate. What I did
find lacking, however, was a Christocentric approach to his
description of communion with God, to the degree that at times
reading this the communication described felt almost like a
modalistic/unitarian exercise, and I found myself longing to hear
Christ referenced just a little bit more anywhere (for instance, at
one point Lawrence says “we know also that we can do all things...”
and I was hoping he was going to lead into “...through Christ who
strengthens us”, but instead he capped the thought as “...with
the grace of GOD”, which is true, but the trinitiaran aspect of
Lawrence's theology just seemed lacking in this work. I wanted more
of the work and inter-mediation of Christ, and I wanted more of the
powerful work of Holy Spirit's sanctification. As it stands, I
believe Christ was mentioned twice and the Holy Spirit once. In any
case, this is a short and lively read and what I'd describe as take
what you can from it but tread carefully.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
'Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns' is a
short, clever and timely work addressing how contemporary influences
have modified the standard regarding music used churches today as the
church moves to embrace a spirit of modernity. I've been bothered by
the contemporary movement's sway in the church
today and the utter
mindless emotionalism most church music seems to have these days so I
appreciated reading Dr. Gordon's thoughts and analysis. I believe he
nails the issue on the head early on describing how previously hymns
would be selected by a criteria of theologically orthodox and
significant lyrics, thoughtful lyrics, and songs well-written in
regards to melody, harmony and form (p.47). Unfortunately today, so
many churches of the seeker-sensitive model, or church intended more
for those who are "not taking it(religion) seriously"
(p.155) and the "music-lite" invariably reflects a church
that also practices "worship lite."
On p.130 Gordon sets out a thoughtful
consideration of if a hymn would it still exist as Christian verse if
it were not set to music. Personally, I can think of a number of
theologically rich hymns such as "A Mighty Fortress" with
powerful words that, isolated from their music would still have a
very significant message of the glory and magnitude of God. Yet
when I think of a Houston-area mega-church I visited recently I
recall the lyrics to one song that repeated over and over and over
again... "greater things have yet to come and greater things are
still to be done in this city" that, if repeated as verse
without music repeatedly would be just inane (and maddening).
Gordon digs in with an analysis of
contemporary music and the dangers of mindless sentimentality, or
emotion in music for emotion sake, which as he puts it, "reflects
and endorses a trivial culture." From contemporaneity the
after-effect is that anything not contemporary is rendered odd,
quaint, antiquated or outdated, and we're left with trivialized,
simplistic, sappy music reflecting the romanticism and primitivism of
era's like the 60's, with guitar music led by "middle-aged
former hippies unwilling to leave Woodstock." This later point
might be something of a generalization (Gordon does do that through
the book, and to be fair he sometimes does veer into odd tangents,
such as the one on Gillette shavers and landfills(???) on p.107-108)
but I do see his point about music trivialization (and I think I have
listened to the music of a few of those same 'hippies' in a couple
churches that I've been to in recent years.)
The biggest negative of this work,
though, is I got to the end of the book, agreeing with most of T.
Gordon's points, but I was left wanting a little more of a take-away,
namely: if the church needs hymns, then what hymnals does the writer
suggest? More specifically, say someone is in a contemporary church,
and they're getting fed up with the maudlin sentimentalism of the
music, and they want to be in a church with more richer, deeper
music, but this is the only church that they have ever knows. Then
what churches actually use hymnals, and how would this person find
them other than just endlessly church-hopping? Any practical
suggestions of where to go to even find that music if a church with
contemporary music is all that you've ever known? Maybe even a hint
or two could have helped, such as some direction to seek out
something like a more reformed, confessionally-centered church
congregation, etc. I think a little direction would have helped,
even if in the form of some suggested denominations or churches in an
appendix) Additionally, there was no real mention of WHAT hymnals
would be considered better or worse than others. I think there was a
passing reference to the Trinity hymnal, but what other hymnals are
there, and how does a layman discern one from another? Again, some
practical suggestions of hymnals, and pros and cons, would have been
of great value. As it stands, there was only one appendix with a
debatable "pop versus classical culture" chart that didn't
help much. I would have liked to see a few more resources to help
direct people in the right direction with music.
All the same this was an insightful
read and worth checking out if you're hungry for something more
substantial and edifying in church music. Hopefully in a future
edition Dr. Gordon could include a few helpful appendixes.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens: In Which the Religious State of the Different Nations of the World, the Success of Former Undertakings, and the Practicability of Further Undertakings, Are Considered by William Carey
This short work (although the title is
insanely long... why didn't he just call it "Some Thoughts on
Missions"?) was an insightful work about the need and importance
of global evangelism in the Christian church. Carey emphasizes that
the need to preach the gospel to all nations is a command a Christ
and that believers are bound to this responsibility to take the
gospel into the world. Cary uses Scriptural examples from the
apostolic ministry passages in Acts and leads through an overview of
early church history and mission work, up to post-Constantine times
when "popery"(Roman Catholicism) introduced propagation
taking place by force of arms, a strictly non-Scriptural practice,
where, as Carey observes, “the confessors of Christianity needed
conversion as much as the people they ministered to”. Carey then
gives an overview of the reformation of the church, starting in 1369
with Wycliffe teaching Biblical Christianity, and how his teachings
eventually spread through reformers like Huss, Jerome and eventually
through Luther, Calvin, etc, in which the church returned to the
authority of Scripture and Biblical orthodoxy. In the following
centuries persecution Roman persecution followed, and many sought
religious freedom in the new colonies, which eventually leads the
overview of history up to Carey's own time frame (late 18th
century).
Carey also addresses some of the
objections and complaints to global missions, including the barriers
such as distance, language difficulties, concerns of safety within other nations, etc. He remarks on all of these with sound responses,
and while admitting that missions can mean a sacrifice of affluence
and splendor for that of hard work miserable accommodations,
potential punishment and imprisonment, etc. he identifies that for
many it is primarily a love of ease that stands as an inconvenience
to ministry work, and although difficult conditions may be a part of
missions, the obligation of believers is to share the gospel message
with the world. Rightly referred to as the "father of modern
missions", Carey's biography is a fascinating one, and there are
few better to address the topic of missions.
Labels:
Baptists,
John Calvin,
Martin Luther,
Missions,
Popery,
Roman Catholicism,
William Carey
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Two Views of Hell
My recent Amazon review of "Two Views of Hell::
Monday, July 1, 2013
How many times have you read the Bible?
An article I wrote for the local paper:
As a Christian, we believe that the
Bible teaches justification by faith alone through the perfect,
complete work of Christ Jesus, through his death, burial and
resurrection. Through faith in Christ alone the Christian knows and
experiences the forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life with
Christ. Being brought into newness of life, it is important for the
believer to grow in their walk with God by constantly being in the
Word. But how many Christians make time for daily Bible reading?
And if asked by an outsider to the faith, "So, if the Bible is
the central book of your faith, how many times have you read it,
cover to cover?", could you give an answer other than just a
shrug and a response of, "Well, I've read a lot of it..."
The Bible is the perfect, inspired word
of God, and as 2 Tim. 3:16 teaches, "All Scripture is breathed
out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness". The love and study of the
Scriptures should be essential for the believer, and Christians
should strive to read the Bible in its entirety if they haven't.
"But I never have time. I've got
work, and this, and that, etc." Well, what I'd like to offer
here is a suggestion of how busy people can include daily Bible
reading, that the believer "may be competent, equipped for every
good work" (2 Tim. 3:17)
Since so many people are always on the
go, “listening” can be a good option for working through the
Bible. A good step is to invest in a cheap MP3 player (and NOT a
phone, since anything that will ring, beep, chirp, or otherwise
distract you isn't going to help...)
A cheap, simple MP3 player I've been
happy with is the Philips GoGear Vibe 4 MP3 player. No bells and
whistles, but works fine, and can hold most all of the spoken Bible.
I've seen it around $15-20 online. It comes with ear buds, but if
you don't like those you can pick up a cheap headset at Walmart for
$5.
Next step, get a FREE download of the
audio Bible. There are a number of translations available online
free. I'm partial to the ESV translation as I believe it's a sound
translation of the Greek and straight-forward English. You can
download it free from here: http://www.esvaudiobible.com. For those
who like the KJV translation, here's a site to download the MP3's:
http://www.harvesttimechurchoftyler.org/freemp3bible.htm
There are many other resources, and if
you prefer to skip the download, you could go to a place like LifeWay
and buy the MP3s of the Bible and transfer them to the MP3 player
from your computer that way too.
Finally, download a Bible reading
checklist and print this up, to mark off what you've listened to.
There are plenty of these online, but here's a simple example:
http://www.marshillchurch.org/files/misc/Bible_Reading_Checklist.pdf
Now, when you're working around the
house, cooking, gardening, riding your bike, etc, just put on the MP3
player and you're ready to go. If you prefer to listen to the player
while driving, you can get a mini-jack port at the Walmart
electronics department and hook this to your car stereo aux port.
Also, as you study the Bible, if you
find passages that you want to understand better or that could use
elaboration, there are many good commentaries. I would recommend
Matthew Henry's Commentary. He was a puritan who wrote a concise
commentary overview of the entire Bible. You can use the commentary
for free here to look up passages:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/
Keep yourself in the Word, and be
blessed with growing in an understanding of God's inspired word.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)