|
|
|
The pursuit of holiness | Posted February-15-2011
Holiness seems to be a topic that Christians often have difficulty dealing with. Sometimes this difficulty manifests itself in mistaken beliefs about earning salvation, sometimes in petty legalism and sometimes in trying way too hard to not be legalistic. The pursuit of holiness attempts to explain what holiness is, why it is important and how a Christian would go about pursuing holiness.
He does a good job of emphasising the necessity of us making effort towards holiness without falling into the trap of making it sound as though we earn our way right with God. This can be a hard balance to find. The first few chapters especially would be worth going over a couple of times to ponder what he has to say.
One particularly helpful chapter is the one on pursuing holiness and aiding other peoples pursuit of holiness when it comes to activities which the bible does not prohibit but that some would feel the need to abstain from. This chapter alone would make the book worth reading. Another particularly helpful emphasis is on personal responsibility to sin. While certainly external factors and internal predispositions can make particular sins easier to give into for some, personal responsibility is important to emphasize.
I think this book is worth reading for all Christians. It isn’t long (4 hours in audio or 179 pages in print) but gives lots of good food for thought.
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
|
Some good advice but too much bad theology | Posted June-01-2010
Captivating was hugely popular amoungst Christian teenage girls when I was in highschool. It was passed around a lot in my bible study group at the time. Seeing there was a revised and updated version I decided to go back and take a better look at it. I can see why it resonated so much with us back then. They address some of the struggles women do face. There is also lots of quoting from movies and a lot about being romanced.
The book had some good advice about things like dealing with past pain and finding your value in God. Unfortunately I think this book has some serious theological flaws. I agree that women and femininity have often been undervalued in the church and society. I agree that many women have been abused or neglected in all sorts of ways. Having said that, I don't think this book does a good job of dealing with the problem in a theologically sound manner. Many times I spotted misuse of scripture eg. Applying verses that in context talk about God's people in the old testament or to the whole church to individual women. Odd applications of Song of Solomon verses also made appearances.
The book also gives a skewed impression of the place of women and the place of God. Women are told to say "The whole vast world was incomplete without me. Creation reached its finishing touch in me" (pg.26). We are told that eve (and by implication women) was the crown of creation. While there is a sense that the world was not complete without women in the same way as it would be incomplete without men, this and multiple other places in the book give the incorrect impression that women occupy an exalted, almost divine position. God also comes across in the book as much less than he really is. Sometimes you get the impression from the book that God is a love sick suitor desperate for the attention of the glorious women. We are told that God is incomplete without us personally. (pg. 122). These ideas might make women feel special for a while, but teaching flawed ideas about God and themselves does their long term spiritual growth and emotional healing no favors.
I don't recommend this book. It has some occasional bits of good advice but is wrapped up in a problematic view of God, women and how to interpret the bible.
(referenced page numbers are from the new hardcover edition. They may not match older editions)
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
|
Helpful advice on humility | Posted February-22-2010
In Humility, C.J. Mahaney writes of the importance of humility for Christians and how we can become more humble.
The first section of the book deals with why humility is important and biblical. Some of this section was quite interesting but it tended to drag on somewhat leaving me tempted to skip forward. Someone interested enough in humility to buy the book probably isn't going to require that much convincing.
Further into the book, Mahaney discusses practical things we can do to develop humility. This is where the book shines. His advice is both on personal disciplines and acting humble in the context of various types of relationships. I'm sure everyone will find something to take on from this section. I found some ideas for developing humility that I wouldn't have thought of myself.
Mahaney also writes about a Christian response to suffering. He bases this on the book of Habakkuk. While at times I was a little lost as to what it had to do with humility, it was nonetheless worthwhile to read.
In reviewing this book I listened to the audiobook version. The narrator tended to read a little on the slow side with frequent pauses. For most of the book this wasn't much of a problem but it made the long first section a bit harder to get through.
I recommend this book. I think all Christians would benefit from this in some way.
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
by
 |
A good summary of Joyce's teachings | Posted January-25-2010
The book is designed as an introduction to the Christian life for those considering the Christian faith or who are new Christians.
For those considering the Christian faith, you could do a lot worse than this. The gospel presentation spread over the first few chapters is essentially sound, although a few points could have used a little more elaboration.
Progressing further into the book is advice for new Christians. It is mostly advice on Christian living (emotions, attitude, making right choices ect.) If I was counseling a new Christian, I would prefer to be giving them something that tells them a lot more about God, the bible and theology than this does.
While maybe not so good as a primer on Christianity for new believers, it is a good way to get acquainted with the big ideas Joyce teaches quickly. The big ideas from a number of her books and teachings are condensed into this one. The book is made up of 88 very short (usually 2-3 pages) chapters which makes it quite easy to read.
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
|
God centred council on fear | Posted January-17-2010
In Fearless, Max Lucado responds to the problem of fear, something that strikes us all in some way. He covers such fears as the fear of not mattering, the fear of death, fear of disaster and fear for ones children. I’m sure you will be able to relate to at least some of what he covers.
The book excels in both style and substance. In regards to style, Lucado writes beautifully. He has a knack for vivid images and for memorable ways of saying things. He tells many stories to get his point across. More important than the style of writing is that the message he communicates is good. It is not one of those lessons about fear that teaches you to pysch yourself up and believe in yourself more to overcome fear. Nether does it present an inappropriately optimistic view of what can happen in life. Instead the book focuses on who God is, what he has done and how that relates to our fears. The book includes a lot of scripture.
Given all the craziness in the world of late, it is easy to fear. I think pondering the message of this book could do all of us a lot of good.
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
|
A ballenced biblical look at issues surrounding missions and evangalism | Posted December-05-2009
In Christian mission in the modern world, John Stott seeks to communicate the biblical meaning and importance of mission, evangelism, dialogue, salvation and conversion.
In one way this is a book for the specific time in the church’s history a few decades ago when it was originally written. Stott quotes and analyzes heavily the books, conferences talks and academic papers that were having a significant impact on discussions of mission and evangelism. Most of these would be unfamiliar to most reading the book now which can make a few spots a little hard to get through.
While the voices have changed the arguments tend to stay the same. Even with the shift from modernism to postmodernism to wherever we are going next, questions like what it means to evangelize, how to understand the Christian responsibility for social justice and how Christians should approach dialogue remain important. Stott provides a solid biblical analysis of these issues. It is particularly helpful in dealing with the currently fashionable idea that just doing good is an acceptable substitute for actually telling people about the gospel. On the flipside, it also rebuts those who would preach but not help with peoples practical needs.
Despite the dated content, I very much recommend it for an evenhanded look at issues of evangelism and mission that remain contentious but important today.
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
|
An excellent help in reaching todays culture | Posted December-03-2009
The supremacy of Christ in a postmodern world is a collection of transcribed talks from the 2006 Desiring God conference. John Piper, Voddie Baucham, D. A. Carson, Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, and David Wells contribute chapters dealing with the truth and application of the gospel in contemporary society. The book ends with a series of interviews with the authors.
Don't be scared by the word "postmodern" in the title. Postmodernism is essentially the worldview that many people hold today in which there is no absolute truth, everything is relative and experience reigns. One thing I really appreciate about this book is rather than just being tips and methods for reaching postmoderns, it lays out the truth of the gospel to which we must cling regardless of any cultural shifts. Having contributors of very different ages and ministry experiences is very valuable in providing perspective on the challenges of postmodern culture. The chapters don't really flow together so there is no need to read them in the order they are in the book if you don't want to.
I highly recommend this book
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
|
An interesting look into the American Idol experience | Posted December-03-2009
Mandisa competed in the 2006 round of the popular television show American Idol. She made it close to the finish but was voted out in a storm of controversy over some misunderstood remarks. Mandisa has since gone on to be a successful recording artist in the Christian market. Idol eyes tells the story of her journey through the American idol process and what she learned from the experience. She does a great job at giving you a feel for the ups and downs of the experience and what goes on behind the scenes on the show without ever becoming gossipy. As an Idol junky i found learning about what goes on when the cameras aren't rolling fascinating. As well as providing insight into the show, Mandisa shows great spiritual insight in her reflections on what God has taught her and how her faith is grown. I found what she had to say to be really encouraging. Everyone will be able to relate to her in some way whether that be on issues of body image, standing up for what you believe even when mocked or many other areas which she shares on. If you are an Idol fan you will especially enjoy this book but even if you are not i think you will still enjoy it and benefit from it.
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
|
Good with a few flaws | Posted December-02-2009
This book is valuable in that it communicates that our purpose centres around God and his will for us. Warren is a great writer and a master of the catchy one liner.
This book is worth a look for Christians, not so much for non-Christians. While it has been marketed as having evangelistic uses, its presentation of the gospel is not as clear as it could or should be. It would be better to give a non-believer other clearer books to introduce them to the gospel, and then this once they get saved.
The book does use a lot of scripture but it tends to often rip it out of context, or quote only part of a verse/thought. The use of so many different bible translations is a bit odd and should be unnecessary.
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
|
Solid songs but nothing innovative | Posted December-01-2009
As usual Hillsong has produced another album of solid songs. I'm sure these new songs will be a great resource for churches. While the songs are solid, they sound very much like a lot of their previous work. It would be nice to see a bit more musical innovation
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
|
|
joanna's Music and Book Reviews 
