Archive for the ‘Worth Reading’ Category
The (Over)Importance of Doctrine…
October 22nd, 2007 | No Comments | Posted in » Christian Living, Worth Reading
No doubt about it, Southern Baptists are awfully proud of their focus on being doctrinally sound. For the most part, it’s a good thing. We focus on being Biblical believers… doing what God has directed through His word… trusting and confirming our understanding of who He is to that revealed by Scripture.
It begs the question though… do we often get the cart before the horse when it comes to a focus on doctrinal matters? Do we place an overemphasis on knowing about God instead of developing a relationship that leads to that knowledge?
Bryan Riley has written a post today that could trigger some interesting thought and discussion on the matter. Entitled, “Doctrine Saves”, his post asks an important question… do we misunderstand what doctrine truly is? Do we place an overimportance on it when it comes to growing in our faith and sharing it with others?
Check out what he has to say when you get a chance.
Every Church Needs…
September 21st, 2007 | No Comments | Posted in » Baptist Issues, Worth Reading
Every church needs at least one person like Ms. Grace.
Check out Roger Ferrell’s article over at sbc IMPACT!… I guarantee it touches your heart.
Nail… Hammer… Head.
May 31st, 2007 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Baptist Issues, In the News..., Worth Reading
In case you missed it, you’ve got to check out Marty Duren’s latest post, where he responds to Ergun Caner’s article in Baptist Press.
Three words about Marty’s response…
Nail… Hammer… Head.
Unbroken
May 4th, 2007 | No Comments | Posted in » Books, Worth Reading
When I was asked to review Tracy Elliott’s book, “Unbroken”, I wasn’t all that enthused… it just didn’t sound like anything I’d usually read, and I really wasn’t all that sure I was interested. Biographies just generally aren’t for me.
After finishing it in just one evening (yes, that’s a record for me with these reviews… but then again, I’m here in D.C. by myself), I must say that I’m glad I was given the opportunity.
Why, you ask?
Well… to be honest, there were a lot of things that the book lacked. It wasn’t all that eloquently written… it wasn’t full of deep theological truths… it wasn’t even all that deep in its subject matter. But what it did have… what it was? Well, that’s what makes it worth your time.
“Unbroken” is the deeply personal account of Tracy Elliott’s life… a life most of us can’t begin to imagine. From innocent child with loving parents to sexually abused orphan… from growing, God-loving teenager to drug-addicted, alcoholic stripper… from excited newlywed bride to depressed wife and mother… from rehab to redemption. What can you say? Tracy’s life is one of tremendous changes… tremendous pain and tremendous joy… with one constant.
God.
Tracy’s story is a testament to the love and faithfulness of God. When we come to Him… we’re His forever. He never lets go… never gives up on us… He’s always there when we’re ready to return to Him.
It’s a message all of us need to hear and take to heart.
Now I’ll admit, I didn’t agree with some of the things Tracy shared in the book… she attributed as direction from God some things which seem wholly contrary to Scripture. But her life’s story isn’t diminished by these things… God’s grace and love still shines through in an undeniable manner.
“Unbroken” may not be the kind of book you’d normally read, but it’s one worth checking out nonetheless.
I’m Okay — You’re Not
May 3rd, 2007 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Books, Worth Reading
A while back, John Shore asked me to review his latest book… I’m OK — You’re Not: The Message We’re Sending Unbelievers And Why We Should Stop. As easy as it was to read (I could have let myself read it in one setting)… somehow it took me over a month to actually get around to finishing it. That’s certainly not the fault of the book!
“I’m Okay — You’re Not” was an awesome read… I enjoyed every bit of it. And it even made me think! I really can’t say enough good things about it.
So you’ve got an idea what you’re getting into when you read it (and I do mean when… it’s a must read!), John’s book is quite controversial amongst evangelical Christians. Why? He basically proposes that evangelism, as we know it here in the States, really needs to stop. Sounds heretical, doesn’t it? The Great Commission… on the back burner?
Yeah. It does sound heretical. But if you read the book, you’ll likely agree with him (at least to some extent).
How so? John’s premise is that the Great Commandment (to love our neighbor as ourselves in case you’ve forgotten) takes precedence over the Great Commission. When we evangelize the lost, most times our message is not one of love… it’s, as John’s title suggests, “I’m okay [because of my relationship with Christ]… you’re not [because you're going to hell without Jesus].” When we share the gospel with a “Normie” (as John refers to your stereotypical lost person), the message often sounds like one of superiority and arrogance. We almost instantly build a wall between us and them that prohibits any real relationship to develop.
John proposes a somewhat radical alternative… just love people, as they are. Get to know them… develop a real relationship… don’t see them as just another person to convert… another “notch on your belt”. Chances are, if you do that (love them, that is), you’ll eventually get the chance to share your faith with them… they’re bound to ask at some point. At that point, share with love, and don’t insult what they hold oh so dear in the process. Just don’t let loving them simply be an end to a means.
Again, I have to emphasize that this is a great book, and I really think it would be an excellent text to use for a Sunday School class or small group. The chapters are all relatively short, very thought-provoking, and extremely easy to read (John’s writings are very entertaining!). What makes this book even more special, though? At the end of each chapter, John includes several “Ouch!” statements (messages written by nonbelievers, intended specifically for Christians) followed up by some questions to reflect upon. Both are guaranteed to provoke some awesome discussion… if that’s all that were in the book, it would be worth reading.
All in all, this book is phenomenal… even if I don’t agree with everything he has to say 100%. If I had to rate it, it would get six stars (on a five-star scale).
Anyway, be sure to get a copy of I’m OK — You’re Not. You’ll be glad you did.
Harris vs. Warren… the God Debate
April 3rd, 2007 | No Comments | Posted in » In the News..., Worth Reading
Check this out… noted atheist Sam Harris takes on influential pastor Rick Warren in a debate over the existence of God.
Here’s the story, over on MSNBC.com.
Interesting stuff… I just wish the whole discussion were available (it appears that either the moderator interrupted discussion with questions or the debate has been edited).
Family Worship
March 29th, 2007 | 3 Comments | Posted in » Christian Living, Worth Reading
Yesterday, Joe Thorn wrote on family worship. Today, he shares an interview with Tom Ascol on the same subject.
If I were to venture a guess, I’d say that most of us Christian husbands and dads struggle with this subject… how do we fulfill our Biblical role of spiritual leadership in our homes? I’d go further to venture that most of us fall quite a bit short in that calling.
Joe’s posts are definitely recommended reading on this subject, providing some good resources and practical advice on the matter.
Responding to Criticism…
March 20th, 2007 | No Comments | Posted in » Worth Reading
Don’t miss this article from Curtis “Voice” Allen. What an awesome testimony about Godly response to criticism.
(In case you don’t know who he is, “Voice” is the Christian rapper who performed at John Piper’s church. Check out the performance here.)
HT: Steve McKoy.
Guided by the Spirit?
March 15th, 2007 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Christian Living, Worth Reading
This post by Bryan Riley on the topic of living a life guided by the Holy Spirit is definitely worth reading. Great discussion!
Check it out when you get a chance.
Worth Reading…
March 5th, 2007 | 6 Comments | Posted in » Baptist Issues, Worth Reading
If you’ve followed the recent controversy stemming from Roger Moran’s lambasting of the emergent church, you’ll probably be interested in Don Hinkle’s editorial in the MBC Pathway regarding the situation and the response in the blogging world.
While I appreciate Don’s concern for accountability (yes, many people online did cross the line with some of their statements), I find myself wondering… is he concerned in the same manner with any of Mr. Moran’s statements? Others have details (see this, this, and this), but Mr. Moran makes some very misleading (if not flat out false) statements and I don’t see any of those being called out in Don’s editorial.
Anyway, Paul Littleton addresses both nicely here, in his post “Six Degrees of Separation”. Worth reading, if you ask me.
(BTW… two things… yes, I’m slow in getting this up, for obvious reasons if you look at my previous posts, and yes, I too share some concerns about the emerging church movement.)
