God’s Crime Scene by J. Warner Wallace — Book Review

This is a work of apologetics, a defense of the faith. The author is a cold-case detective who uses his investigative skills to come up with the most rational explanation for the existence of the universe. In this process, he examines the available evidence and consults many “expert witnesses.” In the end he concludes:

“I believe God exists because the evidence leaves me no reasonable alternative.”

He compares his methods to those used in crime scenes, and piece by piece he builds the case for a creator who is:

1. External to the universe
2. Nonspatial, atemporal and nonmaterial
3. Uncaused
4. Powerful enough to create everything we see in the universe
5. Specifically purposeful enough to produce a universe fine-tuned for life
6. Intelligent and communicative
7. Having a conscious Mind
8. Free to choose (and create) personally
9. Creative and resourceful
10. The source of moral truth and obligation
11. The standard for good by which we define evil

He admits that there are things we do not know, just as jurors in a criminal case will never know everything. However, we can still come to a conclusion, if the evidence is sufficient. He urges us all to “Come to a verdict. Make the case to others.”

At the end of the book, the author includes his “case files” which delve deeper into the arguments for and against his conclusions. He also has a list of “expert witnesses” on both sides of the question with books you can read if you are interested in more information.

VERDICT: 4 STARS. This was an interesting presentation that considers a variety of scientific and theological issues without becoming overly academic.

For more works of apologetics see:

The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton — Book Review

Is God Real? by Lee Strobel — Book Review

Another Gospel by Alisa Childers–Book Review

The Message by Eugene Peterson — Bible Review

One of the suggestions for the reading group I’m involved with (Read With Me) was to read a translation of the Bible you have never used before. I’ve read a number of books by Eugene Peterson so I decided to try The Message. It would be more appropriate to call it a paraphrase, not a translation, as it does not pretend to be a word-for-word rendering of the text. Instead, its goal is to put the gist of each section into modern day English, making it easier for contemporary readers to understand. It took ten years to complete!

I read through several books — Hebrews (my favorite), James, and Philippians. Peterson is a wonderful writer (he was a teacher and pastor as well). His words bring the biblical narrative to life in a way that is both clear and evocative. I enjoyed it.

I would never recommend reading a paraphrased Bible alone. However, a good one (and this one is good) can be helpful to use alongside the translation you normally use (I use the NIV or ESV). It can be particularly helpful when you come across a section you find difficult to parse.

VERDICT 5 STARS.

For more about Eugene Peterson:

On Living Well by Eugene Peterson — Book Review

Christ Plays In Ten Thousand Places by Eugene Peterson–Book Review

A Quote by Eugene Peterson

What Comes First?

“… an ordained bishop, when he consecrates a church, confirms children, or does some other task as part of his office, is not made a bishop by doing these works. No, if he had not been ordained s bishop already, his work would have no validity… therefore, a Christian, who is consecrated by faith does good works and does not become better or more consecrated (nothing other than faith can give that kind of growth) as a Christian.”

Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christian

For more Martin Luther quotes, see these posts:

Martin Luther on the Kingdom of God

Martin Luther on the Grace of God

An Inspiring Quote

What is Faith?

“I hear men praying everywhere for more faith, but when I listen to them carefully, and get at the real heart of their prayer, very often it is not more faith at all that they are wanting, but a change from faith to sight.

Faith says not, ‘I see that it is good for me, so God must have sent it,’ but God sent it, and so it must be good for me.’

Faith, walking in the dark with God, only prays Him to clasp its hand more closely.”

Phillips Brooks

^” While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

For more about faith, see these posts:

Surprising Faith

Ridiculous Faith! by Shundrawn A. Thomas — Book Review

An Untidy Faith by Kate Boyd — Book Review

Miracles by C. S. Lewis — Book Review

This is a work of apologetics, and it is similar to The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton — Book Review. C. S. Lewis is a wonderful writer, and if you are a linear, logical thinker, you will probably like Miracles. His arguments are certainly easier to follow than Chesterton’s. However, I still found it tedious at times.

Before he gets to miracles, Lewis spends a lot of time discussing and dissecting the differences between naturalism and supernaturalism, and explaining why supernaturalism is the more rational choice. He sees the incarnation as “the Grand Miracle”, the one that precedes and prepares the way for everything else. He states:

“The fitness, and therefore credibility of the particular miracles depends on their relation to the Grand Miracle: all discussion of them in isolation from it is futile.”

He used some analogies I did really like — the incarnation is “the chapter on which the whole plot of the novel really turned” and “the main theme of the symphony.” His contention that:

“The discrepancy between the depth and sanity and (let me add) shrewdness of His moral teaching and the rampant megalomania which must lie behind His theological teaching unless He is indeed God, has never been satisfactorily got over.”

is spot on.

It boils down to this — I agree with most of the premises of the book, but still found it boring. Maybe because I don’t need to be convinced — and if I did, this would not be the right vehicle for me.

VERDICT: 3 STARS.

For more about C. S. Lewis, see these posts:

Not a Tame Lion–The Spiritual Legacy of C.S. Lewis by Terry Gaspey–Book Review

Freud’s Last Session — Movie Review

The Most Reluctant Convert — Movie Review

Which is It?

“A job is at your choice; A ministry is at Christ’s call.

In a job you expect to receive; In a ministry you expect to give.

In a job you give something to get something; In a ministry you return something that has already been given to you.

A job depends on your abilities; a ministry depends on your availability to God.

A job done well brings you praise; a ministry done well brings honor to Christ.”

James N. Spurgeon

For more Christian quotes see:

Two Quotes on the Sacrificial Life

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quote on Decision Making

More Quotes about Humility

Who is This Jesus?

“This is Issac, the well-beloved Son of his Father, who was offered in sacrifice, and yet for all that did not succumb to the power of death. This is the Good Shepherd, Jacob, taking such great care of the sheep of which he had charge. This is the Good and Pitying Brother, Joseph, who in his glory was not ashamed to recognize his Brothers, contemptible and object as they were. This is the Great Priest and Bishop Melchizedek, who has made an eternal sacrifice, once for all men. This is the Sovereign Law-giver Moses, writing his law, by his spirit on the tablets of our hearts. This is the Faithful Captain and Guide Joshua, to conduct us to the Promised Land. This is the Noble and Virtuous King David, subduing under his hand every rebellious power. This is the Magnificent and Triumphant King Solomon, governing his people n peace and prosperity. This is the Strong and Mighty Samson, who by his death overwhelmed all his enemies. And even every good which can be imagined or desired is found in one alone, Jesus Christ.”

John Calvin

What a good reminder that the New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament!

For more about John Calvin quotes see this posts:

A Little Book on the Christian Life by John Calvin — Book Review

How Do You Explain It?

“The historical difficulty of giving for the life, sayings and influence of Jesus any explanation that is not harder than the Christian explanation is great. The discrepancy between the depth and sanity (and let me add) shrewdness of His moral teaching and the rampant megalomania which must lie behind His theological teaching unless He is indeed God, has never been satisfactorily got over.”

C. S. Lewis, Miracles

For more about the life of Jesus, see these posts:

The Jesus Film and The Story of Jesus for Children — Film Review

Jesus by James Martin, S.J. — Book Review

The Practice of the Presence of Jesus by Joni Eareckson Tada — Book Review

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Real by Neta Jackson — Book Review

This book is the third in the Yada Yada Prayer Group series. Once again, this diverse group of Christian sisters face a variety of challenges in their family, professional and spiritual lives. Exciting things are happening — Yo-Yo decides to be baptized, Avis gets married, Chanda wins the lottery, Leslie Stuart opens her home to a parolee, Amanda celebrates a Quinceanera, and Jodi asks for forgiveness from the mother of the boy who died during her car accident.

The Yada Yada families continue to bond as well. They visit one another’s churches and learn to learn to appreciate different religious traditions and cultures. At the end of the book, you’ll find some of the recipes mentioned, a description of the Quinceanera and other coming of age celebrations, and instructions for making a friendship or wedding quilt.

You’ll be left wanting to find out what happens next. Fortunately, the series isn’t over yet.

VERDICT: 5 STARS. Enjoyable, light Christian reading.

For other Yada Yada books see:

The yada yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson — Book Review

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson — Book Review

Becoming Beggars

“The world is so built that, to help us desert our satisfactions, they desert us. War and trouble and finally old age take from us one by one all those things that the natural Self hoped for at its setting out. Begging is our only wisdom and want in the end makes it easier for us to be beggars. Even on those terms the Mercy will receive us.”

C. S. Lewis

For more about C. S. Lewis see these posts:

The Making of C. S. Lewis by Harry Lee Poe–Book Review

A Quote by C.S. Lewis

C. S. Lewis on our Union with Christ