JESUS WANTS TO SAVE CHRISTIANS by Rob Bell
Posted on May 14, 2009
Filed Under Book Review
“Exile is when you forget your story” (Rob Bell). Too bad Bell has twisted the story of the Bible to suit his own ideological fancies. I like books and read lots of them. Both secular and Christian or psuedo-christian in this particular case. But when I pick up a book that reminds me of those condensed, simplified, comic book versions of classics like “Moby Dick” I know I’ve got a loser in my hands.
Granted I am a literary snob. I openly admit it. They just don’t write books like they used to. I have found Thomas A Kempis to say more on one page than Rick Warren can stuff into one chapter. Jesus Wants to Save Christians Too is such fodder. Bell says this is a “book of theology.” I think what he meant to say was “ideology.” Not that I am suprised. It is common place to hijack the language of the Bible and cut and paste your own meanings to words and even entire texts.
So, why don’t I like Bell’s book. Well first of all it is intelectual plagerism. If you have read N.T. Wright and Brueggemann then you have pretty much read this book (you just don’t know it yet). And frankly those men make a far more compelling case for their theology. I personally recommend “The Land” by Brueggemann.
Secondly, there is the problem of deconstruction. Bell is in part right, “exile is when you forget your story.” But in this books case it is not so much that the story has been forgotten but that it has been deconstructed, changed, rearranged and twisted to fit one’s own personal whims (which are constantly blowing in the wind). In a world of deconstruction you can not trust history. For it is merely the history the suppressor’s want you to believe and buy into (go watch the “Matrix”).
Third, it smacks of a harsh uber-liberal ideology. Thats old-fashioned elitism that has always been lurking in the dark corners of liberal and fundamental christianity. The funny (read tragic) thing is that so many of these pomo, emergent (whatever they are calling themselves at the moment for it is not my desire to label them) types are x-fundys (though for the record Bell himself is not). It would seem they hate themselves. So they repackage themselves and spew more hate. I have said for a long time that evangelicalism at large (including those of a conservative stripe) have had an identity crisis for some time. Those on the left are no different. Thanks to deconstruction we can never be sure where we came from or who we are.
If you think Jesus is a card carrying socialist you would probably like this book. If you see him as a social/elitist/political Messiah (like the Jews of the deconstructed gospels did) then this book is for you. you will relish its ideology. Though its theological roots do not go very deep into the text of Scripture. Yes, there are great oneliners and quoteables. Not to mention the use/abuse of Scripture but it fails to become a coherent Biblical theology that is text centered. I do give Bell credit for a desire to be Christ-centered. I’m just not sure it’s the Jesus of the Bible (perhaps I should say of the Bible I read [usually ESV]). So I like the jesus stuff, blood on the doorposts, communion and community. I guess I like it because that’s what we do at FCC. But the danger for all of us is to fall in love with a form of worship and expression. Rather than the God whom we are called to worship.
My guess is that this book could only sell in America (and liberal european enclaves). The rest of the Christian world is busy living it. Liberal/western Christianity is busy crying in its porridge over its birthright which it sold long ago. Martin Luther was right. The Church is a whore. But you gotta love her.
Do yourself a favor and don’t read this book. I would recommend you read Bonhoeffer, “Life Together”. There is a guy who lived it in the worst of times. People like Bell (and myself) are just candles in the wind. Finally, I have to say I was truly disappointed with this book. Probably because I expected more from Bell. I have read his articles in the past and listened to some of his sermons and was blessed by him. Granted it was a younger Bell I was listening to and reading. Maybe he just got old and irrelavent. Sorry Rob, you just couldn’t lead me out of the wilderness.
SERIOUS TIMES by James Emery White
Posted on May 20, 2008
Filed Under Book Review
“You and I have lived in serious times” (John Adams to Thomas Jefferson). This is the line from which the title to this book was taken. This is a book about making your life matter in what White calls an “urgent day.” It is hard for me to categorize this text for it has so many threads. It is deeply historical and will provide you with some great lessons. It is certainly philosophical in that it is working through and to some extent prescribing an approach to life and thought. It is certainly biblical in that it promotes a life lived Godward. In that sense it is a mishmash of history, theology and philosophy. Exactly the kind of book I like to read and frankly the only proper way in which to look at life (currently or historically). That is you can not properly assess one’s history without having some understanding of their theology (what they believed) and their philosophy (how they thought). The same is true for any of the categories. They are simply too intertwined to be honestly examined in and of themselves.
All that being said, don’t let it intimidate you from reading this book. It is serous stuff written in a palatable style. It is engaging (not boring) and thoughtful (but not overly deep). By “deep” I mean it is not written from an academic perspective but from a practical one. Emery will help you think through who you are and how you live your life. To use White’s words, “he wants us to live a life that matters.” Who doesn’t want that? So why are you still reading this blog? Why aren’t you reading “Serious Times?” Or at least ordered it already? What are you waiting for? I’ve already given you permission to redirect to Amazon.com. This book just might help make your life matter. WHB
LETTERS FROM PRISON by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Posted on April 24, 2008
Filed Under Book Review
“The man who despises another will never be able to make anything of him. Nothing that we despise in the other man is entirely absent from ourselves. Why have we hitherto thought so intemperately about man and his frailty and temptability? We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer. The only profitable relationship to others — and especially to our weaker brethren — is one of love, and that means the will to hold fellowship with them. God himself did not despise humanity, but became man for men’s sake.” Bonhoeffer, “Letters From Prison”
You’d think I never read. How is it that the most good intentions fall by the way side? It had been my intention to review a book monthly when while sifting through the site I realized that I had fallen behind. The book I am reviewing is of that nature. That is when you start reading it much of life just falls behind. It somehow seems much smaller and less significant. All those worries, cares the stuff that leaves us fretting. Bonhoeffer will humble you.
“Letters From Prison” is a collection of Dietrich’s correspondence to family and friends while he was in prison/concentration camps during WWII. Without getting lost in the details and for those who know next to nothing about Bonhoeffer suffice it is to say he was a Lutheran clergyman in Germany. He objected to Nazism and spent the majority of the war in various prison camps until he was executed by hanging just days prior to the camps liberation. Like I said, Bonhoeffer makes much of the world seem small and left behind.
Keep in mind these are letters you see, with interpersonal dialogue that may become tedious but at times it reads like some great treatise. If you are not careful you will meld with the pages and become lost in Bonhoeffer’s struggles against reality and his theology. Which brings up an important point. Years earlier Bonhoeffer had written a great treatise called, “The Cost of Discipleship.” It is Dietrich’s theology of how to live life in Christ. For anyone seriously interested in the spiritual disciplines it would be a sin not to read it. And yet I would have to say, if I had to choose between the two I would take “Letters From Prison.” I suppose that’s why I offer this review. Little did Dietrich know that he would get to practice his theology in a concentration camp (or at least try). Here you get to enter the soul of Bonhoeffer. It is apparent that at times he saw himself as a failure while today the Christian world lives in awe of him. Ironically he questions what he previously wrote. At one point he notes that he was younger and might I say naive.
That being said, to read “Letters” is to take a philosophical journey. Where one has to struggle between what one wants to believe (theology) and the context (life) within which one has to practice it. This is where philosophy becomes so valuable. As one has to consider what one hopes really is in light of what currently is.
Reading Bonhoeffer you have to keep in mind that he was a Lutheran in the twilight of neo-orthoxy (the dominant theology of his day). His friend, Karl Barth would have to flee Germany and these two men who often seem scorned by Evangelicalism (I suppose because of their neo-orthodox perspective) are voices demanding to be heard in our entitlement, elitist(read left-wing psuedo-facist) country we call the U.S.A. These two men of God made Hitler tremble and we need such voices today. When I read Dietrich it is like listening to a wounded theology which bleeds out of his grief for humanity (especially Germany). Like Atlas, Bonhoeffer shrugged and shook the Third Reich and sought to express what life is and how costly it could be as a follower of Jesus.
“Letters From Prison” is often with me. My copy is tattered and weary. For I keep it in my truck. It’s the book I read when I am out and about. While at night it keeps me up with my own struggles between God and country. So if you see me in an out of the way parking space at Schneider’s Market or parked up in some field. Don’t worry, chances are I’m just praying, thinking and reading “Letters From Prison”. It’s one of those books I’ll be reading for the rest of my life. WHB
CHRIST THE LORD (OUT OF EGYPT) by Anne Rice
Posted on January 24, 2008
Filed Under Book Review
Yes, you did see the name Anne Rice. The vampire mistress herself (as I like to refer to her). Rice has made a name for herself (and a ton of money) writing horror/thriller/vampire stuff. So, what is she doing writing and me doing reading a book called “Christ the Lord.” One thing at a time now. What is this book anyway.
Well, this is a book about the childhood of Jesus. Specifically his return from Egypt to Nazareth. In her book Jesus is 7ish in age and it chronicles his process of self-discovery. Who am I and what am I doing here? That of course makes for some deep theological currents. For instance, how soon did Jesus know he was the Son of God? As an infant? When he turned 5, 12 or 17? This is more complicated than one might think. We have systematic theology to help us and confuse us on this one. Let us try and put that aside and answer the question, “is this a good book to read?” My answer is absolutely with reservation. If you know nothing of the gospels as the authoritative word of God then this book may confuse you. Rice is trying to fill in the gaps of Jesus’ youth of which the gospels say next to nothing (with the exception of a blurb from Luke). If you love Jesus and have a knowledge of the gospels then you might enjoy this book. I found it inspiring and thought-provoking. On several occasions I could have been brought to tears if I had allowed myself. It has also given Shannon and I lots to talk about which is always devotionally stimulating.
What you need to keep in mind is that Anne is Roman Catholic. A faith to which she has returned after many years. She claims a sort of conversion and surrender to Christ. The end of the book where she explains why she wrote it is as fascinating as the novel itself. As a student of the Bible and its culture I affirm her historical framework. I have a few questions about her understanding of Torah (but it is not a huge issue). You also need to know that as a Roman Catholic she relies upon the Apocrypha for some information. This attests to her use of childhood miracles by Jesus (part of Aocryphal tradition).
I guess that tells you why she wrote the book. In her coming to/return to Christ she wanted to research and write about her Lord. Her research for the book was quite extensive and she likely referred to evangelical scholars more so than Roman Catholic.
This book reads quietly and sneaks up on you in a powerful way. Rice is a great writer who takes some issues that theologians pontificate about (myself included) and explores them in a very humble and human fashion. She takes you on a contemplative inductive quest for Jesus. In the book as he discovers himself, you discover him (I reckon she planned it that way). For an analytical, philosophical, dogmatic, objectively oriented person like myself, it took me back to a simpler, childlike faith. And that’s a good thing. I reckon this is a book I will read again. WHB
UNDERSTANDING END TIMES PROPHECY by Paul Benware
Posted on December 20, 2007
Filed Under Book Review
“Many Christians view Bible prophecy with confusion or cynicism….(some) have retreated into “eschatological agnosticism,” pleading ignorance on prophetic matters” (Benware). Well if you read Benware it will be hard to plead ignorance any longer. For me this is a non-typical read. Because it is a topical-systematic approach to prophetic matters. While I am predominantly text driven and exegetically oriented.
That being said, I do recommend this book (even if I dislike the approach). First the good stuff. It reads easy and being topically oriented it can give you a good survey of prophetic matters. Benware covers the spectrum of various positions and treats them relatively fairly.The book also answers specific questions regarding the 2nd coming and the rapture(s) [or lack thereof].
The bad. Well I’m not big on approaching the Bible topically (just my preference). At times the book may raise other questions for you. I also prefer to read first sources. Benware does not take all of the positions explored in this book. It is his explanation of how they work and what they say. Nonetheless he is more fair than I have found others to be.
All in all this is a good research/educational tool. If you lead a Bible study this book can be a help (just remember it doesn’t make you an expert, but then again who is when it comes to prophecy). If I were still teaching at the college level this would be required reading in my Daniel/Revelation class. You don’t have to be a scholar to read this book. In fact the so called “experts” would likely brush it off. And here is where I walk softly. Having immersed myself in prophetic studies for around 10 years and spent countless hours in Daniel and Revelation I have determined that I understand less than I once thought I did. I am a dedicated dispensational/premill/pretrib kind of guy (a position that is increasingly scoffed at by smarter people than I in the biblical studies world). But lets face it some people are just too smart for their own good (and ours for that matter). I am always open to a good dialogue in regards to eschatological matters. And my strict text driven, exegetically oriented approach to prophetic studies often leaves me at odds with those in my own camp. But at the end of the day in my mind the other end time theories bend the text in directions it just doesn’t want to go. Maybe that is why I recommend Benware. My own position leaves me irking some in my own camp but I am quietly confident about discussing and effectively defending my biblical theology with those of a different strain. Benware is simple and to the point, but not perfect. A worthy text to sit on my shelf. WHB
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST by Thomas a Kempis
Posted on November 15, 2007
Filed Under Book Review
“All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself” (Kempis). Such is the way Kempis writes. The Imitation of Christ is a Christian classic. Tragically the classics are not read much anymore by Evangelicalism. You might say it’s, “what you read that defines you.” Perhaps Evangelicalism is a mile wide and an inch deep because it reads shallow books. Kempis is generally considered a mystic and usually associated with Catholicism. While both are true you should not let that deter you from this read. Actually Kempis was connected to a monk named Geert Groot (late 1300′s). Groot lived a monastic life was a powerful preacher and was often at odds with the Catholic church. Kempis followed in his footsteps and wrote some of the most compelling words on spirituality one can read.
Thought provoking is probably the best way to describe Kempis. Which is the way to read him. That is you need to read him slowly and quietly. Take your time and dwell more on what you’ve read than simply reading on. Kempis was a “contemplative” so he beckons us to live a slower life. Take time to be holy, live for God and invest in others. If all this scares you away from reading Kempis. Look at him from a devotional perspective. And read him that way. He quotes scripture on practically every page. The Imitation of Christ is not a book you ever finish. You just keep reading one page or perhaps one line at a time. WHB