God’s Great Love for You by Rick Warren–Book Review

This lovely book would be a wonderful way to introduce children to some of the important attributes of God. It speaks not only of God’s love but His omnipotence (He created and sustains everything) and His omnipresence (He is everywhere).

Designed to appeal to children from the ages of 4-8, the illustrations by Chris Saunders are whimsical and appealing. This book is bound to become a family favorite and keepsake, one to read over and over again.

VERDICT: 5 STARS.

For more books for children see these posts:

Love is (illustrated by Paola Escobar) –Book Review

I Wanted to Know All About God by Virginia L. Kroll–Book Review

Let There Be Light by Archbishop Desmond Tutu–Book Review

In His Image by Jen Wilkin– Book Review

In this short book author Jen Wilkin examines ten of the communicable attributes of God. These are characteristics of God that we share (imperfectly) because we are made in His image. These are:

*Holiness

*Love

*Justice

*Mercy

*Graciousness

*Faithfulness

*Truthfulness

*Wisdom

Each chapter discusses one attribute and includes verses for meditation and questions for journaling and discussion. According to the author, the question we should be asking ourselves as Christians is not “What should I do?” but “Who should I be?” As we concentrate on becoming sanctified followers of Christ, the answer to “What should I do?” will become clear.

VERDICT: 5 STARS. I loved it! It is completely clear, very Biblical and would make a great choice for a Bible study or small group.

For more books about the attributes of God see:

None Like Him by Jen Wilkin–Book Review

The Holiness of God–R.C. Sproul–Book Review

I Am -The Names of God for Little Ones by Diane Stortz–Book Review

Everyday Wisdom for Living with Faith by Diana Fransis Onorato–Book Review

Is there anything you wish you could tell the rest of the world?

This is the question Diana Onorato asked a variety of people in order to compile the quotes that comprise this short book. The idea for the project began when she was writing a thesis for graduate school about the study of wisdom.

Subtitled, “Inspiration for Christians”, I found her book to be neither inspiring nor particularly Christian. Most of the entries are very “me” centered. For example:

*Trust yourself

*Don’t let people take advantage of you

*Love yourself and live your life without regrets

*You are in charge of your own happiness

In fairness, there were some entries that mentioned prayer, reliance on God, and serving others. However, these were few and far between.

Other suggestions, while certainly good–be kind, spend time with family, keep work and relationships balanced–lacked any bible-based foundation. “The world” or “the universe” were referenced more than God.

VERDICT: 1 STAR. Really not worthwhile. I was disappointed, because I love quotes and reading about the spiritual journeys of others. I can only hope this is not representative of our culture, although I fear it is.

For more book reviews see these posts:

We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza– Book Review

Rembrandt is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey–Book Review

Golden by Justin Zorn & Leigh Marz–Book Review

Bold: Moving Forward in Faith not Fear by Sean Feucht–Book Review

Bold is the story of the Let Us Worship revival movement started in 2020 by worship leader Sean Feucht. He became deeply disheartened and angry at the announcements in California (his home state) closing churches and/or limiting attendance and forbidding singing due to the COVID virus. Why were protesters allowed to march in large numbers? Why were strip clubs and dispensaries staying open? He believed that churches were being unfairly singled out, at a time when people were in great need of the hope and comfort only offered through faith in Christ.

As a consequence, Sean began organizing large outdoor worship events, beginning with a call for believers to show up for a “spontaneous prayer meeting” on the Golden Gate Bridge on July 9th. Four hundred people attended, and one police officer asked him, “What took you so long?” Over the next year, he visited other cities, and along with local pastors and others gathered worshipers to pray for revival in America. The book ends with a description of the service held on 9/11/2021 in Washington D.C.

Sean experienced great opposition, as many called him a “super-spreader” and accused the events of endangering the homeless. Certainly, many thought he wasn’t wise. However, according to Sean:

“The Bible tells us that ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). I don’t think this is because God wants us to be afraid of Him in the traditional sense. I think it’s because fear is a basic motivator of action, and quite often, when we need to make a decision, fear will tip the scale faster than logic or reason. If we fear what others think of us or that something we do might offend someone, then the kneejerk reaction is not to do that thing. … However, what if our immediate reaction were, ‘What would God think if I did (or didn’t) do this?”

VERDICT: 4 STARS. Although I’m not a fan of contemporary worship and I don’t agree with the author’s theology in many cases, (altar calls and healing) or his political views, I applaud his courage in standing up for the right to spread the gospel.

Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren–Book Review

It may be dangerous for you to read this book.In it Kay Warren (wife of Pastor Rick Warren) tells the story of her conviction that God was calling her to advocate for people around the world affected by HIV-AIDS.  She found herself “deeply disturbed” and “gloriously ruined” as she was challenged to face her own self-centeredness and unfair opinions of others.

Here are some things Kay learned that should disturb anyone living in our country:

“….if you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75 percent of the people in this world!  If you have any money in the bank and some in your wallet and some spare change in a dish somewhere, you are among the top 8 percent of the world’s wealthy; …. If you can attend worship services without the fear of harrassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people n the world.”

I was especially convicted by her chapter on “The Kingdom of Me.” Kay describes her reluctance to engage with the problem of HIV.  You will find the sorts of excuses we all make:

• The problem is just too big
• I have enough to do
• The people I will need to associate with may damage my reputation
• I may have to change

The ugly reality is what stands most in the way of our surrender to God’s plan for us, is simple:  we care more about ourselves than we do about the suffering of others.

Each chapter with a prayer of surrender and some questions to ponder alone or with a reading partner or small group.  There are further resources and more questions for each chapter at the end of the book.

VERDICT:  5 STARS.  This would be a great read for a small group study.

Persecuted Saints

While on vacation I read a book entitled, Hearts of Fire, the story of eight different women who were persecuted for their Christian faith.  It was published by Voice of the Martyrs, an organization started by Lutheran pastor Richard Wurmbrand and his wife Sabina in 1967.  Sabina’s story is one of the eight recounted.  Both of the Wurmbrands were arrested and imprisoned in Romania after World War II.  In spite of this, they continued to speak and spread the gospel. After being ransomed by the Norwegian Mission to the Jews and the Hebrew Christian Alliance in 1965 they came to the United States determined to speak for persecuted Christians throughout the world.

The organization has many books, videos, brochures and other products to help you and your church learn more about the persecuted church.  They offer many ways to help, including prayer, donations and letters of encouragement.

This book is not easy reading for those of us who live in a country where we are free to practice and proclaim our faith.  You’ll be pulled into the testimonies of these faithful women from different cultures and times who truly put Christ first — before their jobs, their families, their freedom, even their lives.  It is humbling and inspiring;  it teaches much about faith and forgiveness.  I certainly recommend this book to our readers, and hope you will visit the Voice of the Martyrs website for further information.  You can also call 800-747-0085 to order materials or receive a free monthly newsletter.

https://www.persecution.com/

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:10

 

Costly Grace by Rob Schenck–Book Review

Rob Schneck has the gift of leadership.  Growing up in the 70’s he converted from nominal Judaism to evangelical Christianity.  His faith journey took him through a variety of roles:  van driver and lay preacher at a shelter for heroin addicts;  Assembly of God pastor; activist in the anti-abortion movement;  supporter and leader of the religious right; minister to a number of top government officials and now founding president of The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute.

Rob’s memoir is an honest account of one man’s struggle to fulfill his God-given calling.  He freely admits his failures (lack of attention to his family, being influenced by pride and prestige, being judgmental, etc.)  I think most Christians who are seeking to grow in faith will identify with Schneck as he wrestles with God, allowing himself to be changed and molded in the process.

Verdict:  I couldn’t put this one down.  It’s a new release so you should be able to borrow or request it from your local library.

 

A Quote by Eugene Peterson

For those who have not heard of him, Eugene Peterson is a Presbyterian pastor and author of more than thirty books. I have read quite of few of them, and would recommend him as a Christian author.  He is best know for his contemporary rendering of the Bible, The Message.  This quote comes from his book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, and I think it addresses well the reality of living together as a Christian community.

“But, of course, the fact that we are a family of faith does not mean we are one big happy family. The people we encounter as brothers and sisters in faith are not always nice people.  They do not stop being sinners the moment they begin believing in Christ.  They don’t suddenly metamorphose into brilliant conversationalists, exciting companions and glowing inspirations.  Some of them are cranky, some of them are dull and others (if the truth must be spoken), a drag.  But at the same time our Lord tells us that they are brothers and sisters in faith.  If God is my Father, then this is my family.

So the question is not, ‘Am I going to be part of a community of faith?’ but ‘How am I going to live in this community of faith?’  God’s children do different things.  Some run away and pretend the family doesn’t exist.  Some move out and get an apartment of their own from which they return to make occasional visits, nearly always showing up for the parties and bringing a gift to show that they really do hold the others in fond regard.  And some would never dream of leaving but cause others to dream it for them, for they are always criticizing what is served at meals, quarreling with the way the housekeeping is done and complaining that the others in the family are either ignoring or taking advantage of them.  And some, determined to find out what God has in mind by placing them in this community called a church, learn how to function harmoniously and joyously, and develop the maturity that is able to share and exchange God’s grace with those who might otherwise be viewed as nuisances.”

 

A Reformation Reading List

You know I can’t let a month go by without recommending some reading.  I found this Reading List for Lutherans.  What could be more appropriate for our month on the Reformation.  Let us know if you plan to read some of these.

A Reading List for Lutherans Quality, Lay-Friendly Books That Will Stretch and Shape the Lutheran Mind Easy reading: *                    More challenging: **                    Really challenging, but worth it: *** prepared by Gene Edward Veith
BASIC LUTHERANISM Gene Veith. Spirituality of the Cross: The Way of the First Evangelicals.* I wrote this one. It’s the book that I wish I had found before I became a Lutheran. It explains the Lutheran distinctives and the richness of Lutheran spirituality in what I hope is a lucid and engaging way. Scot A. Kinnaman, ed. Lutheranism 101.* A comprehensive, easy-to-read guide to Lutheranism, written in form of short articles, sound-bites, sidebars and illustrations. J. T. Mueller. Christian Dogmatics.** A systematic survey of Lutheran doctrine, as understood by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, with Bible verses to back up every point. This is a summary of Francis Pieper’s fourvolume Christian Dogmatics. Steven D. Paulson. Lutheran Theology.*** Some may think Lutheranism is staid and respectable, but this book shows just how radical and mind-blowing Lutheranism — with its teachings about the Law and Gospel, the Word and Sacraments — really is.
THE CONFESSIONS The Book of Concord. As the definitive authority in all things Lutheran, this book is in a category by itself. The creeds and the catechisms*; the Lutheran Confessions of faith (Augsburg, Smalcald Articles, Formula of Concord, Treatise on the Primacy of the Pope)**; the extended defenses of those Confessions (the Apology of the Augsburg Confession and the Thorough Declaration of the Formula of Concord***.
LUTHERAN CLASSICS C. F. W. Walther. Law & Gospel. ** The founder of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod explains to 19th-century seminary students how to properly distinguish the Law and the Gospel and how to preach them so as to bring sinners to Christ. This book offers both stimulating theology as it lays out the distinctive Lutheran approach to Scripture and comforting devotional reading as it plumbs the depths of what Christ has done for us. Bo Giertz. The Hammer of God.* This is a novel by a Swedish bishop, depicting three generations of Lutheran pastors, who each have to deal with the religious fads of their day — pietism, rationalism, liberalism — ultimately finding in their ministries the strength of Lutheran orthodoxy. Martin Chemnitz. The Two Natures in Christ.*** Chemnitz is second only to Luther among the great Lutheran theologians. His brilliant work on Christology — dealing with the incarnation, whereby Christ who is truly God and truly man atones for our sins and the “communication of the attributes,” whereby Christ’s body and blood are truly present in Holy Communion — is a hallmark of Lutheran theology. Charles Porterfield Krauth. The Conservative Reformation.** Written in 1871 by an American Lutheran scholar, this book is a masterpiece of historical theology, showing the differences between the conservative Reformation of the Lutherans and the more radical Reformation of the Calvinists and Anabaptists. Moreover, it shows how those differences remain important today.
WORKS BY MARTIN LUTHER The Freedom of the Christian.** This early work by the Reformer proclaims the freedom we have in the Gospel. It also lays the groundwork for Luther’s doctrine of vocation. This treatise sets forth the classic paradox of the Christian life: “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” And it teaches how we are to be “little Christs to each other.” Sermons.* Luther is among the most pastoral of theologians, and his many published sermons show him as a vivid expositor of God’s Word and, for all of the polemical fury that sometimes breaks out, as a compassionate minister to troubled souls. In his sermons, we often see Luther’s humor as well as his wisdom as he applies God’s Word to the ordinary people of his time.
Letters of Spiritual Counsel.* Here we see Luther’s pastoral heart, as he offers spiritual counsel to ordinary Christians of his day who struggle with some of the same issues that we do today. Commentaries.** Luther’s theology is drawn from the Bible, so his Bible commentaries are some of his profoundest works. Two good places to start are his Commentary on Galatians, which is a sustained critique of works righteousness, and his Commentary on Romans, whose explanation of justification by grace through faith led to the conversion of John Bunyan and John Wesley. His commentaries on the Psalms make rich devotional reading and his multi-volume Commentary on Genesis contains, among other things, a thorough treatment of vocation and the Christian’s life in the world. Bondage of the Will.*** This full-throated argument against the humanism of the Renaissance genius Erasmus is considered some of Luther’s greatest theological writing, but it is not for the faint of heart.
BIOGRAPHIES OF MARTIN LUTHER Roland Bainton. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther.* This is an acknowledged masterpiece of the art of biography — compelling, easy-to-read and insightful into Luther’s tumultuous life and times. Martin Brecht. Martin Luther. 3 vols.** This exhaustive multi-volume treatment is the definitive scholarly biography of Luther. Heiko Oberman. Luther: Man Between God and the Devil.*** A deep psychological and spiritual treatment of Luther.
LUTHERAN THEOLOGY Hermann Sasse. We Confess Anthology.** This German theologian defied Adolf Hitler and his attempts to Nazify the Christian Church. He later emigrated to Australia, where he served as a seminary professor and as a major influence on confessional Lutheranism around the world. This book collects a number of Sasse’s works on Christ, the Sacraments and contemporary theological issues. See also the two volume collection of Sasse’s letters and essays, The Lonely Way. Francis Pieper, Church Dogmatics. 4 vols.** The definitive systematic theology for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, sketching out each topic in detail with full Scriptural evidence. Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics.** An ongoing series of volumes — six so far with more to come — by different authors, updating Pieper’s work and addressing contemporary theological issues. Oswald Bayer. Martin Luther’s Theology: A Contemporary Interpretation.*** A distinguished contemporary theologian shows how Luther’s theology addresses modern and postmodern thought in a sophisticated way. Robert Kolb and Charles Arand. The Genius of Luther’s Theology: A Wittenberg Way of Theology for the Contemporary Church.* Two major LCMS scholars of the Lutheran Confessions show their relevance and that of Luther to contemporary issues in the Church.
VOCATION Gene Veith. God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life.* My book explores Luther’s doctrine of vocation on a popular level. Paul Althaus. Ethics of Martin Luther.** An important theological scholar explores Luther’s teachings about life in the world, including both Luther’s doctrine of vocation and his doctrine of the Two Kingdoms. Gustav Wingren. Luther on Vocation.*** The key book on vocation with paradigm-shifting insights on every page.
THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS Richard C. Eyer. Pastoral Care under the Cross: God in the Midst of Suffering.* A hospital chaplain tells about how he applies Luther’s theology of the cross — as opposed to the more common “theology of glory” — as he ministers to the sick, the suffering and the dying. Alister E. McGrath. Luther’s Theology of the Cross: Martin Luther’s Theological Breakthrough.** A prominent British theologian explores the centrality of the theology of the cross in Luther’s life and thought. Gerhard Forde. On Being a Theologian of the Cross: Reflections on Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation, 1518.*** A sometimes controversial theologian, an advocate of what he called “radical Lutheranism” explores some of Luther’s most radical ideas. In addition to Forde’s commentary, the book includes an edition of Luther’s Heidelberg Theses, in which the reformer outlined his teachings about how God comes to us in suffering and weakness, rather than in success

The Will of God by Leslie D. Weatherhead –Book Review

Following God’s will is obviously part of leading a pious life. However, many Christians feel this is easier said than done.  Is everything that happens, good and bad, part of God’s will?  If bad things are not God’s will, why do they happen?  How can we discern God’s will for us, personally.  In this short book, Leslie Weatherhead gives his insights into these questions.

He begins by discussing God’s will from three different perspectives:

• God’s intentional will
• God’s circumstantial will
• God’s ultimate will

God’s intentional will is always good; for example, tragedy, illness and death are never God’s will for us. Adam and Eve were created to live eternally with God.  However, sin came into the world and now affects all that we do and are.  Because God allows us to suffer the consequences of sin, bad things happen.  The world, the flesh and the devil can temporarily thwart God’s will.  Even then, through His circumstantial will, God is able to bring good out of bad things.  A person who experiences suffering may go on to grow in their faith, to reach out to others in similar circumstances,  to found a program, write a book, or undertake other activities which turn that suffering into blessing.  God’s ultimate will will always prevail.  God is omnipotent, and His ultimate plans for our lives cannot fail.  The Book of Revelation tells us that in the end all evil will be defeated and there will be no more “death or mourning.” (2:14)

Weatherhead’s advice for knowing God’s will?  Know God.  The more we worship, pray and study, the more we walk with Him daily, the more we practice our piety, the better equipped we will be to understand and do His will.  Other suggestions include:

1. Listen to our conscience
2. Use common sense
3. Seek good advice from friends
4. Read great literature and history
5. Heed the voice of the church
6. Pray for “inner light”

This book was originally published in 1944 so some of the examples and anecdotes are a bit dated;  however, I think most Christians would find it logical,  easy to read and full of helpful thoughts and suggestions.  I give it five stars!