Tag: Christian Living Page 2 of 14

DETAILS:
Publisher: Cruciform Press
Publication Date: April 3, 2021
Format: eBook
Length: 146 pg.
Read Date: December 24, 2023

What’s The God of the Mundane About?

So I wondered. I wondered about the great majority I have known and know, the great majority living fairly ordinary lives.

Is there a God, for instance, for those who are not changing anything but diapers? Is there a God for those who simply love their spouse and pour out rarely appreciated affection on their children day after day? Is there a God for the mom who spends what feels like God- forsaken days changing diapers and slicing up hot dogs? Is there a God for the man who hammers out a day’s work in obscurity for the love of his wife and kids? Is there a God for just and kind employers? Generous homemakers? Day-laborers who would look at a missions trip to Romania like it was an unimaginable vacation?

Is there a God for the middle-class mom staving off cancer, struggling to raise teenagers, and simply hoping both Mom and Dad keep their job? Is there a God for the broken home with a full bank account but an empty bed? Is there a God for grown children tending to the health of their aged parents?

Is there a God who delights in the ordinary existence of the unknown faithful doing unknown work? Is there a God of grace for those who live out their faith everywhere but do not want to move anywhere?

Is there a God for those who have bigger homes than me? More money than me? Nicer cars than me? Better health than me?

Is there a God for the mundane parts of life, the small moments? Is there a God of kind smiles, good tips, and good mornings? Is there a God of goodbye hugs and parting kisses? What about firm, truthful handshakes and grasps of frail fingers in sanitized hospital rooms?…

Is there a God of the mundane?

Does this God I worship care about mundane people and moments?

The answer to this question is, obviously, yes. In fact, almost every believer, Redmond argues lives the kind of quiet life that most contemporary preachers ignore—quiet, faithful, mundane. Ordinary. (Redmond limits his arguments to New Testament believers through the present. He could’ve/should’ve gone back to Genesis if you ask me).

There’s some gentle critique of contemporary Evangelical preaching and the kind of striving for the monumental it encourages—calls for, but largely this is a positive book. Redmond is primarily focused on saying, “Your ordinary life is good. It’s nothing to be ashamed of if you’re being faithful.”

Horton’s Ordinary

It’s been nine years or so since I read it, but this book felt a lot like Michael Horton’s Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World. I do think that Horton did a better, or at least, more thorough job of looking for the quiet, unremarkable life. And people who read and gained from Redmond should hunt Horton’s book down.

But every time I started to say something comparing the two in my notes, Redmond would say something in a way that caught me off guard. A way of framing his argument that raised my eyebrows, an illustration that made the point so clear.

So I’m not going to make any other comparisons between the two, I’m just going to say that these two are singing from the same hymn book and I hope their tribe increases. If you liked one, read the other.

So, what did I think about The God of the Mundane?

missed the obvious: the apostles are writing to normal people. Most of them are nameless. They are Jew and Gentile, yes. But they are also not apostles. And most are not pastors. They are carpenters, farmers, traders, sailors, fishermen, shepherds, guards. They are mothers and fathers and children. Compared to the life of an apostle, their lives are probably mundane. These are ordinary men and women believing an extraordinary story…

But he never asks them to stop being who they are. He never challenges them to go anywhere. We don’t even get hints that he is making them feel guilty for living with comforts he doesn’t enjoy. That’s weird. It’s weird because this is so common in our pulpits and in conferences held for zealous college students.

I’ve cut so many things from the outline I dashed out before starting this post—basically, I was going to end up providing a compressed paraphrase of this entire book as a disguise for talking about it. I don’t want to do that. But it’s tempting.

I do think that Redmond makes some of the same points too often. That’s not a crime in books, obviously, but in 146 pages, that kind of thing stands out. He could’ve added a little variation to some of his arguments, etc. to keep the text fresh. But his writing is clear, convincing, and engaging. You can easily see yourself getting this advice from a trusted friend across the table at a coffee shop or diner.

This isn’t classroom wisdom or what an Ivory Tower will come up with. It is pulpit wisdom. It’s like an application of everything the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes—and is almost as wise. It’s also the wisdom of someone who’s been around a while, has seen a lot, and has learned from that—and then coupled that experience with what the Scriptures say. (also, I just said the same thing three times in different ways) As such, it’s something we should at least hear out.

I didn’t mean to buy this book, I’d meant to put it on a “think about this later” list, but a slip of the finger later, and I had another ebook to read. I’m glad I got this, it’s not quite what Ross means when he talks about happy little accidents, but it works for me. This was encouraging to me. It was a reminder of principles I’ve tried to live by—and who doesn’t need a good reminder like that from time to time.

Do I think it could’ve been a better book? Yes. Do I think it’s a little surface-level, and frequently redundant? Sure. But when it’s good—it’s really good. It would’ve taken doubling (at least) the length of the book for it to be the kind of “better” I want—and would almost certainly leave it as the kind of thing that so many who need to read it won’t bother with. And frankly, a good message, wise words, or however you want to put it, means more than a good book any day.

But I say: Be nobody special. Do your job. Take care of your family. Clean your house. Mow your yard. Read your Bible. Attend worship. Pray. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Love your spouse. Love your kids. Be generous. Laugh with your friends. Drink your wine heartily. Eat your meat lustily. Be honest. Be kind to your waitress. Expect no special treatment. And do it all quietly.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Faithful Theology: An Introduction by Graham A. Cole: Basics for Building a Theological Method

By HCNewton

On November 26, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

I’m supposed to be posting about the latest book in this series tonight, but I just don’t like the way the post turned out. So I’m taking another crack at it (which almost never works, but I have to try). So here’s a rerun while I try to remember how to string sentences together.

Faithful Theology: An Introduction

by Graham A. Cole
Series: Short Studies in Systematic Theology

Paperback, 106 pg.
Crossway, 2020

Read: June 27, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

…faithful theology is a human project that arises from wise reflection on the self-revelation of God. Because it is our reflection on God’s revelation, it is always to be reformed and corrected by that revelation…it is one thing to have an evangelical’s high view of Scripture. It is quite another to know how to derive teaching (doctrine or theology) from Scripture.

Cole’s purpose in this is to give his readers a method to use in “doing faithful theology.” Moving from Scripture to doctrine. Trying to balance orthodoxy, orthokardia, and orthopraxy (right opinion, right-heartedness, right practice of life), Cole organizes his approach through five elements, exploring each in a chapter. The first element is the foundation on which the others are built—God’s self-revelation in Scripture. The second is reflecting on the witness of the theology and practice of the Church through history—not on an equal footing with Scripture, but it should inform how we approach doctrine. The third element is realizing our context as we do theology—we’re in a fallen world, yet we are redeemed and are awaiting the return of Christ. Our thinking, our theologizing needs to be done fully aware of what that means. The fourth is centered on wisdom. We need to be wise in our application of the previous. The last element puts all of the above together and focuses it in a doxological direction—our theology should be a service to God.

Throughout, Cole uses examples of these principles applying to Christological and Trinitarian thought. There are some other examples, too, Which is a tremendous help—if for no other reason than they’re bedrock doctrines on which there should be no disagreement. He brings up baptismal practices at one point as an example of something where there’s an opportunity for a divergence of opinion, standing in contrast to Trinitarian dogma.

So, what did I think about Faithful Theology: An Introduction?

This is an easy read, full of solid, useful advice. I found it a little wanting, a little…uninspired? A little basic? I’m not sure precisely what word I want but it’s somewhere in that vicinity. But it’s supposed to be basic—it’s an introduction. It’s a tool to be used as someone begins working on their theology. So, what do I know?

The for Further Reading and books/articles suggested in the footnotes are helpful, but I didn’t feel inspired to track any of them down right away, but they seemed like solid and useful recommendations.

The last chapter, where he brought all the ideas together and gives a great example of how to use his elements in shaping our Trinitarian dogma is great. It makes all the rest of the book worth it.

It’s good stuff, I think it’ll be helpful to a lot of readers. I just wanted a bit more. I think Swain’s book on the Trinity left me with higher expectations. I’m looking forward to the next book I get in this series to see which of these first two are more representative of the series as a whole.

3 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

BOOK PREVIEW: Glorifying and Enjoying God: 52 Devotions through the Westminster Shorter Catechism

By HCNewton

On November 19, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Okay, I got this book last week and know it’s going to be a while before I can talk about it intelligently—maybe in June, if not December of next year (possibly January 2025). And that seems too long to wait—also, this seemed like a good excuse to flip through it.

Book Details:

Title: Glorifying and Enjoying God: 52 Devotions through the Westminster Shorter Catechism by Victoria Williamson
Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
Release date: October 16, 2023
Format: Hardcover/ebook
Length: 229 pages

About the Book:

For centuries, the Westminster Shorter Catechism has helped Christians young and old to know their “chief end.” Now, authors William Boekestein, Jonathan Landry Cruse, and Andrew J. Miller value this venerable catechism and winsomely introduce a new generation to its powerful message. Dividing the catechism into 52 brief devotions, they explain and apply each question and answer in a year’s worth of Lord’s Days. This valuable new resource is great for individual and family use for all who desire to “glorify and enjoy God forever.”

Read a preview here.

About the Authors:

William Boekestein is pastor of Immanuel Fellowship Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He and his wife Amy have four children.

Jonathan Landry Cruse is pastor of Community Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he lives with his wife and three children. He is the author of several books, including What Happens When We Worship.

Andrew J. Miller is the Regional Home Missionary for the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in central Pennsylvania, where he lives with his wife Rebekah and their five children.

My Initial Thoughts:

I’ve seen a handful of attempts over the years to break the WSC down into 52 weekly increments—in some sort of Heidelberg Catechism envy. This looks like a workable version of that—nice topical divisions, easy for discussion.

I’ve skimmed a few chapters here and there throughout the book—they seem to average about 4 pages long with a hint of depth, some good review of the subject, and some practical applications. There are references to and quotations from hymns, historical figures from several eras, and other statements of faith, too—with some handy footnotes. Given the length of the book (and the nature of “brief devotions”), that hint of depth is about as much as someone could expect. But it appears to be a decent way to review the catechism questions.

For the last couple of years, I’ve been reading the Heidelberg Lord’s Day by Lord’s Day—and wonder a little bit what adding this to the mix is going to do to me as the two catechisms are organized differently. But I’m pretty sure I’ll come out unscathed. The WSC was my first real exposure to a catechism, and is what I raised my kids on, it’ll be nice to get back to it.

Anyway, if you’re looking for an easy devotional for 2023, you might want to give this a peak—it promises to be worthwhile. It also would probably make a decent gift if you’re looking for that kind of thing.

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Reformation Sunday Repost: The Freedom of a Christian by Martin Luther, Translated by Robert Kolb: A Pastoral Gem from the Reformer

By HCNewton

On October 29, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

It’s Reformation Sunday–a totally made-up holiday (but which one isn’t?) to commemorate the day in 1517 when Martin Luther inadvertently started a revolution/reformation/revival. So, hey, while I continue to fight off this cold, let me repost this about one of my favorite of Luther’s works:

The Freedom of a Christian: A New Translation

by Martin Luther, Translated by Robert Kolb Carl R. Trueman (Foreward)

DETAILS:
Series: Crossway Short Classics Series
Publisher: Crossway
Publication Date: February 21, 2023
Format: Paperback
Length: 86 pg.
Read Date: February 26, 2023

Some Thoughts on the Series as a Whole

The point of this series is to take classic short works—sermons, tracts, articles—package them attractively, edit a bit (modernize language, eliminate footnotes, tweak grammar, etc.), and make them widely available. Each is given a short introduction to help the reader get the context and a bit of information about the author.

They published seven books in this series last year, and I discussed them here. Two have come out this year (so far), but I’m hoping for more.

What’s The Freedom of a Christian About?

A Christian is a free lord of everything and subject to no one.

A Christian is a willing servant of everything and subject to everyone.

This is Luther (early in the Reformation) laying out his vision for good works for the believer–how they are to be performed, why they are to be performed, and their place in the life of the believer. I’m sure there’s more to say, but that’s basically it.

That quotation gives his two theses–the rest of the book is his working out the thinking behind them. It’s penetrating, it’s convicting, and it’s inspiring to watch him work. Whoops, I seem to have stumbled into the next section.

So, what did I think about The Freedom of a Christian?

From all of this comes the conclusion that a Christian lives not in himself but in Christ and in his neighbor, in Christ through faith, in the neighbor through love. Through faith he rises above himself in God, from God he descends under himself through love, and remains always in God and in divine love. It is as Christ said in John 1[:51]: “You will see heaven standing open and the angels ascending and descending over the Son of Man.” Behold, that is the proper, spiritual Christian freedom, which liberates the heart from all sins, laws, and commands. This freedom exceeds all other freedoms, as high as heaven is over the earth. May God grant us that we truly understand that and retain it.

I wasn’t sure about reading this–it’s one of those works I’ve read so much about. I’ve seen it cited, heard descriptions of it in lectures, and read about it, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it. A lot of the times I read something that I know about like this, it doesn’t work out (I’ve never been able to get past page 40 of Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death, for example). But this is exactly what it should’ve been.

Martin Luther being pastoral is just great. Luther coming alongside those believers so often neglected in the Church and saying, here’s what to do–free of burden, free of guilt, free to live and love as they ought, as they’ve been called to.

This little read is a gem. I’m glad I took the chance on it and so glad that Crossway’s series brought it to us.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

SICK DAY REPOST: The Essential Trinity by Brandon D. Crowe and Carl R. Trueman, eds.

By HCNewton

On October 22, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

A cold derailed my ability to think today, so here’s a blast from the past.

The Essential Trinity: New Testament Foundations and Practical Relevance

by Brandon D. Crowe and Carl R. Trueman, eds.

Paperback, 273 pg.
Inter-Varsity Press, 2016

Read: July 31 – August 14, 2016

As far as consistency of quality amongst edited volumes goes, Crowe and Trueman have assembled one of the stronger line-ups I’ve read in a while — men from a spectrum of persuasions of Evangelical-ish thought have given the Church fourteen articles (approximately 20 pages each) to deepen our thinking about the Trinity. The aim was for a volume that “eschews overly technical discussion and focuses attention on the importance of the doctrine for every Christian.”

In Part 1, the articles look at the “trinitarian contours of every corpus of the New Testament, along with a chapter reflecting on the Old Testament roots of trinitarian doctrine.” If there are weak chapters in the volume, they’re in this part — but they aren’t that weak, either. Crowe’s chapter on Matthew is excellent, but the chapters on the Mark, Luke-Acts and John aren’t far off that Mark. Brian S. Rosner’s chapter on “Paul and the Trinity” is worth the price of the book. The chapters on the rest of the epistles are very helpful (particularity Hebrews). Mark S. Gignilliat’s article, “The Trinity and the Old Testament: real presence or imposition?” is very helpful and insightful — and as an added bonus, it’s the most stylistically entertaining and engaging piece in the book.

Benjamin Gladd’s chapter exploring Daniel’s influence on Revelation’s view of the Trinity is the biggest mental workout you’ll get in the book. I appreciated the material covered and the argument Gladd makes, but I’m going to have to read it a few more times before I think I have a good handle on it.

Part 2 addresses the importance of the Trinity for everyday living — many would say the doctrine is impractical and only belongs in Statements of Faith and academia. The authors here show the fallacy of that. It begins with a brief, but excellent, description of the doctrine by Scott R. Swain. Carl Trueman has the next chapter, “The Trinity and prayer,” which is probably as valuable as Rosner’s — it’s actually about more than prayer, but the material specifically on prayer is great — hugely indebted to John Owen (but not uncritically so). Robert Letham’s chapter on “The Trinity and worship” also draws deeply from Owen; if he doesn’t move you to worship as you understand the work of the Trinity in it, you aren’t paying attention (I probably have more problems with some of what he says than anything else in the book). Michael Reeves, typically, made me chuckle in his chapter on preaching — but he did more than that, too.

Timely, convicting, thoughtful and inspiring, this examination of the Trinity in Scripture and Life should be a great benefit to any believer ho reads it. It may not be the easiest thing read all year (but really, it’s not that difficult), but it’ll be one of the most rewarding.

—–

4 Stars

American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church by Andrew Whitehead

By HCNewton

On September 24, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Politics/Current Affairs, Theology/Christian Living

American Idolatry:
How Christian Nationalism Betrays
the Gospel and Threatens the Church

by Andrew Whitehead

DETAILS:
Publisher: Brazos Press
Publication Date: August 15, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Length: 192 pgs.
Read Date: August 27-September3, 2023

Both parts of my identity* have led me to the same conclusion: Christian nationalism betrays the gospel and is a threat to the Christian church in the United States. It is from this perspective that I write this book. I want to make clear to my fellow white American Christians how much Christian nationalism threatens our faith—not only our individual expressions of it but also our organizations and institutions. It threatens our capacity to love our brothers and sisters in Christ who are minorities. It threatens our capacity to love and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ from countries around the world. It threatens our capacity to love and serve fellow bearers of God’s image at home and abroad who don’t share our faith at all. And it threatens how our organizations function, causing them to reproduce inequality and further harm the marginalized.

I am convinced that Christian nationalism makes us bad Christians.

* Those parts are a follower of Christ and a social scientist.

What’s American Idolatry About?

Essentially, this is an attempt to demonstrate the subtitle: “How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church” (the above quotation does show he’s not talking about a threat to the throughout the world—or the future—but the contemporary church in the U.S., an important distinction).

It’s also a follow-up to the work he co-authored with Samuel Perry, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States—this is a less-technical book (from what I can tell), to appeal to people who don’t enjoy digging through social science analysis and graphs. It also seems to be a “so what now?” response to that book—the earlier volume presented the data, and this is Whitehead’s suggested reaction to that data. I haven’t actually read the previous book, but from what Whitehead says in these pages and what I’ve read about the previous book, that’s my impression.

This doesn’t mean that Whitehead assumes a thorough knowledge of or familiarity with Christian Nationalism (he frequently appends “white” to that term for reasons he makes clear) going into this book, he spends two chapters outlining the basics of Christian Nationalism and how that impacts the Church. The next three chapters focus on what he calls “the three most powerful” idols of Christian Nationalism—power, fear, and violence—followed by three chapters describing alternatives to these idols, ways that are more faithful to the calling to which you have been called.*

* These are not exhaustive chapters, for more along these lines—see What Are Christians For? Life Together at the End of the World by Jake Meador. Some of the ideas in these books will align, but they will diverge, too. Yet, I would predict neither author would object to being read together.

A Disclaimer of Sorts

We have to look straight into the mirror and not try to hide or diminish the imperfections we see. Only then can we begin to imagine something new. Part of this work is recognizing that the God we worship has no particular interest in the greatness of the United States. The survival of any one nation over another is not paramount. The kingdom of God needs no global superpower in order to flourish….recognizing that human flourishing in the kingdom of God and in the United States (or any other nation) are not synonymous does not mean that Christians should not invest in the flourishing of a nation and its people. We can work toward peace, justice, and care for all who live and work within the boundaries of our home country. We can collaborate with God and those around us to create a more loving and liberating country for all our neighbors.

Whitehead returns to the idea frequently, but stresses it in the first two chapters—he is not calling for Christians to be anti-American, or even apathetic about our country. He’s not calling for them to remove themselves from the political process. His concern is how we see the country, how we view and treat our fellow citizens, and how we’re involved in the political process.

The choice is not Christian Nationalism or godless anarchy, or Communism, or Sharia law—and so on. His vision is for Christians to work alongside those of other faiths (or absence thereof) for the civil betterment of us all. While I think Whitehead’s politics tend toward the Left, he’s not calling for all Christians to embrace that—conservative and Republican Christians can agree with his arguments on the issues this book centers on.

The Idols of Christian Nationalism

There are many “idols” of CN, claims Whitehead, but the three he focuses on are the biggest problems in his view are power, fear, and violence. The heart of the book is devoted to this section (it’s not the longest, but it’s the most important), here he demonstrates how the devotion to and use of these characterize the movement and put it at odds with Christianity.

In these chapters, Whitehead begins by defining what he sees as the CN’s use of/dependence on the various idols. Then he’ll show how throughout our history—but particularly in recent decades/years how both political figures and religious leaders have tapped into and exploited these ideas for their own benefit and the detriment of other groups in the U.S. He’ll then look at Christ’s and/or early-Christian teachings on the same ideas, contrasting them with CN’s use (this is particularly effective on the ideas of power and violence).

The shortcomings (to put it mildly) of CN are on full display here. Frankly, I think the definition work done in chapter 2 is enough to turn someone off of this ideology, but chapters 3-6 really put the nail in the coffin.

So, what did I think about American Idolatry?

Over years of academic study and personal faith journey, I have become convinced that white Christian nationalism in the United States is fundamentally opposed to the ethics and teachings of Jesus. Through idolizing power, fear, and violence, white Christian nationalism betrays the gospel, in which Jesus’s sacrifice liberates us from our enslavement to sin as well as the destruction it causes through systems of oppression It betrays the gospel that realigned the power structures of society.

As a whole, I don’t see people who aren’t at least suspicious of CN responding well to this book—I think most of those who are suspicious will become more so after this—and those who are already pretty against it will have new reasons and will be strengthened in it. I’m not sure that those who have leanings or sympathies toward it are going to respond well. I could be wrong, and hope I am. That I don’t think it would reach the CN-leaning is the biggest flaw with the book (but if I’m wrong about the effectiveness, that flaw wouldn’t be that big).

Based on what little he indicated about his own theological positions, I don’t think Whitehead and I would agree on much. I think we’d probably agree on less when it comes to politics. But when it comes to the impact that CN is having on churches, our gospel witness, and the public perception of the Christian Church in the US? Well, we’re pretty much on the same page—which I think fits some of Whitehead’s points. He’s not really that concerned with the areas where he and I would disagree, in fact, he’d probably defend that ability. Where he is focused is the negatives that CN brings to political discourse and the work of the church.

On those points, I think he scored big in American Idolatry—showing the flaws, errant presuppositions, and wrong emphasis—and non-Christian attitudes of CN. I’m less sure that he was convincing in the last three chapters about healthy alternatives, but I do think what he offers there is better than CN, and he’s convincing to that point. Maybe not as far as he wants to be, however.

Crisp and clear writing, the text moves with the assurance of someone well-versed in the subject and clear-eyed about what they want to say about it. I recommend the book and thinking about the issues it raises.

3.5 Stars

REPOSTING JUST CUZ:What Are Christians For? Life Together at the End of the World by Jake Meador: A View for Living in Culture and Nature

By HCNewton

On September 17, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

What Are Christians For?:
Life Together at the End of the World

by Jake Meador

DETAILS:
Publisher: IVP
Publication Date: February 21, 2022
Format: Hardcover
Length: 170 pg.
Read Date: March 27- April 3, 2022

God looks at this world and loves it, which is why we can and should do the same. This world is not something we should seek to escape through conquest or bend to our will through technique, power, or control. Rather, it is a gift given to us by God for our joy and his glory. Because God is love and his law is good, we can look at our neighbor and love him or her. Because God gave himself to us, we can give ourselves to others. We can confidently and joyfully enter into these debts of love that we build up over a lifetime of living in the world, and we can dispense them with extravagance, trusting that whatever wrongs we might experience today as a result of such living will be gathered up and made right in the glorious and perfect love of God.

The Back of the Book

What does a Christian political witness look like in our day?

Politics ought to be defined by fidelity to the common good of all the members of society. But our modern Western politics are defined by a determination to bend the natural world and human life to its own political and economic ends. This wholesale rejection of the natural order is behind the dominant revolutions in our history, and defines our experience in Western society today—our racialized hierarchy, modern industry, and the sexual revolution.

In What Are Christians For?, Jake Meador lays out a proposal for a Christian politics rooted in the givenness and goodness of the created world. He is uninterested in the cultural wars that have so often characterized American Christianity. Instead, he casts a vision for an ordered society that rejects the late modern revolution at every turn and is rooted in the natural law tradition and the great Protestant confessions. Here is a political approach that is antiracist, anticapitalist, and profoundly pro-life. A truly Christian political witness, Meador argues, must attend closely to the natural world and renounce the metallic fantasies that have poisoned common life in America life for too long.

Faithful Presence

In his discussion of the Christian response to those revolutions, Meador borrows a scheme from James Davison Hunter describing the four postures Christians have taken: defensive against, relevance to, purity from, and faithful presence.

He doesn’t spend a lot of space—but sufficient space—defining and then critiquing the first three, but gives more space to faithful presence. And actually, everything he argues for in the remainder of the book could fit in this category. I want to say I’d heard of Hunter’s categories before this, but I can’t remember where (in print or lecture). But first off, I really appreciated the schema in terms of describing how the American Church has responded. But even more, I appreciated Meador’s explanation of faithful presence and then his application of it.

Influences

Meador builds the arguments in this book on the work of Herman Bavinck—particularly his book, Christian Worldview. But he’s drawing on several other thinkers and writers from across the theological spectrum (a methodology borrowed from Bavinck). You can see the fingerprints of Lewis, Tolkien, Wendell Berry, John Paul II, Solzhenitsyn, Martin Bucer—and others. There’s a breadth of influences here that’s impressive and adds a lot to the arguments (and makes narrow-minded guys like me a little uncomfortable).

So, what did I think about What Are Christians For??

What did [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn] propose as a way through the revolution? We must turn, our eyes upward to the heavens, he said, not as a place to conquer, as his compatriots in the space program believed, but as a reminder that our lives exist as a vapor in the wind, and then comes the judgment.

We do not conquer the heavens; we are judged by them. And if we fail to discover the sources of spiritual health, there is nothing else for us. Our spiritual lives will continue to be trampled on by the weight of our age. And if our spiritual lives are destroyed, no amount of wealth or power can atone for such a loss.

This seems like one of those books that I need to read a handful of times and then read some scholarly reviews—pro and con—before I can really say I have a handle on the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments. Thankfully, this isn’t that kind of blog.

How did it read? Very nicely. Meador’s writing is strong, it’s clear, and he’s able to express complex thoughts in a very digestible manner. Sure, I think I need to read it a few more times before I could say I mastered the thoughts—but that’s on me, not the text, this is just not the kind of thing I spend a lot of time thinking about. I appreciated Meador being critical of both the American Left and the American Right (you rarely see that in Christian literature), while putting forth a vision built on the best of the Christian traditions.

I don’t think Meador offers a perfect solution to the situation we find ourselves in, but there’s a lot of insight and wisdom to be found in these pages. And even if it’s not perfect, it’s a whole lot better than anything else I’ve found.

4 1/2 Stars

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REPOSTING JUST CUZ: The Christian’s True Identity by Jonathan Landry Cruse: An Introduction to the Glory that is Being “In Him”

By HCNewton

On August 20, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Okay, I’m too tired to get something new ready. So instead of talking about Jonathan Landry Cruse’s newest book, let’s take a look at his previous one.

The Christian’s True Identity:
What It Means to
Be in Christ

by Jonathan Landry Cruse

Kindle Edition, 144 pg.
Reformation Heritage, 2019

Read: March 21, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Many of us are raised believing that Jesus is simply the way to salvation. But no—He is salvation. He is the way, but He is also the life! He is both the giver and the gift. He is not a means to an end; He is the end. We are not to come to Christ looking for Him to give us something (like salvation, sanctification, a better life—or at least a better car), but instead we are to come to Christ looking for Him.

What’s The Christian’s True Identity About?

I’ve spent too much time trying to be clever or profound with this, it’s a short book, I can be brief here. The book’s point is pretty simple—despite all the noise and hubbub today about finding ourselves, choosing/shaping our identity. For the Christian, our identity comes from being rooted in Christ.

One of the—possibly the—greatest truths recovered by the Reformation was that union with Christ is at the core of all the blessings, all the amazing things that are true of the Christian, the Christian Life, and the Life of the World to Come. It’s all rooted and grounded in Him.

John calls it “abiding in” Christ. Paul repeatedly describes our blessings “in Him.” Cruse looks at ten passages from Paul’s epistles where he uses the phrase “in Him,” reviewing the passage, explaining how the passage reflects and teaches this truth about Christian identity, and applying it to the reader.

So, what did I think about The Christian’s True Identity?

Throughout this book we have considered how an identity in Christ far excels any identity the world might offer us. When we are in Christ we are chosen, forgiven, accepted as righteous, adopted into God’s family, placed in community, made new, and kept perfectly secure come what may. Our blessings in Jesus Christ are so expansive that it can truly be said that our union began in eternity with election and will forever continue in eternity with glorification.

That’s pretty much what’s covered in the book—done effectively, warmly, and clearly. Cruse has an easy-to-read, engaging style—he’ll draw you in and make you want to learn more. He skillfully uses writers from throughout Church History, contemporary scholarship, and current cultural examples to help bring these truths to life.

I think it could be deeper, I think it could be more detailed. But that’s not what the book aimed for—it’s an introduction or a refresher, that’s all. It’s supposed to drive the reader to further study, further reading. It accomplishes that goal while pointing to glorious, foundational truths. I commend it to you for that.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

PUB DAY REPOST: Impossible Christianity by Kevin DeYoung: A Call for Assured Disciples

By HCNewton

On August 15, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Impossible Christianity:
Why Following Jesus Does Not Mean You Have to Change the World, Be an Expert in Everything, Accept Spiritual Failure, and Feel Miserable Pretty Much All the Time

by Kevin DeYoung

DETAILS:
Publisher: Crossway
Publication Date: August 15, 2023
Format: eARC
Length: 160  pg.
Read Date: July 23-30, 2023

What’s Impossible Christianity About?

On the one hand, the twenty-eight(!) words of the subtitle give a handy summary of what the book is about—but there’s still more to say. But it’s difficult to summarize outside of that without going on too long. Still, it’s worth a shot.

While exploring things like personal wealth, corporate guilt, and the call to individual holiness and sanctification, Kevin DeYoung reminds readers that our goal isn’t to change the world, it isn’t to achieve a perfection in behavior or ability, nor is it to wallow in our shortcomings and weaknesses. Rather, we are to press on when we stumble, ask God for forgiveness and help; keeping our eyes on our goal, see how far we’ve come; and rejoice in the work of grace in our lives—knowing that our Father is pleased with us.

There’s more to it than that (obviously, he spends eight chapters developing what I just used two sentences to convey). But that’s a decent thumbnail sketch.

The Highlights

In chapter 2, “Who Is It That Overcomes the World?,” we get an exploration of some of the more challenging material in 1 John. This treatment of 1 John and assurance is enough to justify picking the book up in the first place (for me, anyway. But I doubt I’ll be alone).

Where DeYoung will take these ideas from the epistle to encourage believers, to see signs of their faith and draw assurance from them, too many have taken the same words to use as tests of faith, to spur an attitude of “I must do more to earn God’s favor” or “I need to prove my devotion.”

While avoiding any kind of “cheap grace” (or whatever people call it today), DeYoung points to John’s heart in dealing with “little children” and encouraging their continuation in the faith.

He does something similar in Chapter 7 when reminding us of God’s Fatherhood and what the Scriptures tell us about Fatherhood. It’s an encouragement to fidelity and activity, not a whip to drive us to it. We’re called to virtues, not to-do lists—to reflect a character, not to change the world. The world (or at least things in our immediate vicinity) may be changed as a result, but that’s not our goal. Rather (as he argues in Chapter 8 ) is to live a quiet life of faithful discipleship.

I Could’ve Used a Bit More

DeYoung is known for frequently being on the pithy side with his books, and that’s certainly the case here. As it is characteristic of him, I don’t want to complain about that too much—I knew what I was getting into when I picked this book up.

Still, it felt a bit too brief. I wanted a little more from some of the chapters—a little more explanation, a little more depth, a little fuller idea of what he was trying to convey. It’s hard to explain while speaking broadly (and without citations because it’s an ARC), but I need 10-20% more of everything.

One thing, in particular, I wanted fleshed out was some criticisms he pointed at Christians who teach that we’re constant failures and should feel that weakness. I’d have appreciated less vagueness—direct citations, or at least references in a footnote would’ve been helpful so I could compare what he was arguing for to what he was arguing against.

So, what did I think about Impossible Christianity?

I think that’s my largest complaint—the book’s just a bit too brief. DeYoung was his typical engaging, clear (with the exception listed above), and helpful self in these pages. His illustrations and examples from his own life were amusing and helpful. If nothing else, I enjoyed reading the book.

On top of that criteria (in this type of book, it’s the least important), the book was helpful, encouraging, and gracious. Which is what it set out to be, so kudos for that. There was some material that was good to chew on, some healthy reminders of truths easy to forget or neglect, and a few moments to inspire a renewed activity.

Would I have appreciated more? Yes. Do I appreciate what DeYoung delivered? Also, yes. I’m afraid I come across as too critical, so let’s be clear—I wanted more of something helpful so it could’ve been more helpful.

From the smile-inducing opening illustration to the closing paragraphs of benediction (what a great addition to this book)—this was a pleasure to read. I do recommend this book and encourage others to pick it up.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Crossway via NetGalley in exchange for this post and my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

Facing the Last Enemy by Guy Prentiss Waters: A Good Primer on Preparing for the The End

By HCNewton

On August 13, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Facing the Last Enemy

by Guy Prentiss Waters

DETAILS:
Publisher: Ligonier Ministries
Publication Date: June 29, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Length: 132 pg.
Read Date: July 30 - August 6, 2023

What’s Facing the Last Enemy About?

Chapter 1 beings,

We all have questions about death. “What is death? Why do we die? Why do we all die? Why is death so scary? Why did Christ die? Why do Christians have to die? How can I face the death of someone I love? How can I prepare for death? How can I help others prepare for death? What happens after death?”

Essentially, the book is his attempt to answer those questions—largely along Scriptural and theological lines, but he also addresses some more practical aspects of preparing for death.

But before he answers those questions, Waters addresses some obstacles that 21st Century people face when thinking and talking about death seriously. We live in a culture of distraction, he says, which is nothing new but “we have taken distraction to new heights” between sports, movies, streaming services, the Internet, etc., etc. Secondly, we live in a “a culture of distancing and denial. We have all sorts of ways to try to keep death at arm’s length.” As a general rule, people go through the final stages of dying and death itself in an institution or facility of some sort—not home, surrounded by family and friends.

Those are the cultural obstacles, but there are some ecclesiastical obstacles as well. He points to the Evangelical embracing of consumerism—we treat people attending churches as customers, so we want to give them what they want to hear (things other than death) so they keep coming back. Secondly, there’s the embracing of an entertainment mentality. Death and dying are not entertaining at all—so we don’t discuss those things. Lastly, is the trend to divide congregations by age and stage of life, resulting in “a whole generation of Christians is deprived of witnessing the truth of Scripture exemplified and lived out in the lives of older Christians.”

Given these obstacles, it’s all the more important that people take steps to think about, study, and discuss things like death and the preparation for it.

The book is broken down into three parts. Part 1 “Defining Death” covers things such as the definition of death, why death is part of the world, why Christ died—why those who’ve trusted in Him continue to die, and so on. Part 2, “Encountering Death,” focuses on how we face the death of others—friends, acquaintances, family, and so on. How do we prepare ourselves to deal with (and grieve over) their deaths, how can we help them (both practically and spiritually) as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death? Then he spends two chapters on preparing for our own deaths—again, both spiritually and pragmatically (wills, living wills, burial choices, etc.) Then in Part 3, “Beyond Death,” Waters focuses on personal eschatology—the Resurrection, the Intermediate State, Final Judgement, and Heaven and Hell.

So, what did I think about Facing the Last Enemy?

The best thing that I can say about the book is that this is a good introductory—just look at the list of topics covered—in 132 pages you can’t say a lot about any of them. He does give some suggestions for further reading in the endnotes, which is good. But I wanted more. This feels like a well-developed outline than a book exploring the topics. It’s very likely the notes (or transcripts) of classes he taught for Ligonier that they put into book form—and those chapters would probably work for the time of Ligonier lessons. But if you’re going to take the time to turn those things into a book, you should as least expand on them a little bit.

Aside from that, there’s a lot to commend—on the purely theological issues, Waters is expectedly careful and thoughtful (or at least as thoughtful as he can). When it comes to definitions and explaining concepts he’s in line with the Westminster Standards—and the Christian thought throughout Church History. When it comes to contemporary concerns and the practical things that will vary from culture to culture—he’s careful to give advice and suggestions. When things are a matter of wisdom, prudence, or liberty, Waters says, “here’s some good ideas” or “think about this,” going out of his way not to label other options as sinful or his as “right.”

I think a conclusion wrapping things up, recapping some themes, and tieing into Chapter 1’s Introductory material would’ve been helpful. But that’s a matter of taste, I think. And the number of times I’ve said something like that over the last couple of years suggests that I really need to get over the idea of a concluding chapter.

Did I want more? Yes, particularly from someone of the caliber of Waters. Did I appreciate what we were given? Yes. It’s a great introductory volume and will undoubtedly be helpful for many.

3 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.