Book Review of On The Level by Gregory and Gregory

On the Level by Richard I. Gregory; Richard W. Gregory

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


On The Level should be read by all who claim the monicker of Fundamentalism. Written by a Father and Son team, Gregory and Gregory have nearly 70 years of ministry experience together. In their own words: "It is the premise of this book to look for areas where believers can demonstrate their mutual respect and love for the brethren. This book is not dominated by seeking ways to identify those from whom we separate. Nor is it the intent of this book to overlook the importance of separation when the Scripture clearly demands it. We maintain that implementing separation is not for the primary benefit of the one separating. Rather its ultimate purpose is to provide a platform for ministry to those with whom you differ" (p. 152). This book provides a helpful paradigm for various relationships within the local body and broader body of Christ for which legitimate cooperation can be had. I recommend picking up this book for a discussion among your own local church leadership if you are striving to regain some lost balance. The appendix provides examples of various 'balanced' approaches to common divisive issues and there is even a 'balanced' historical sketch of the fundamental/evangelical controversies of the past century. I appreciated the positive tone to the book. On The Level can be ordered from the IFCA directly.



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Review of J.C. Ryle's Thoughts for Young Men

Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is the first Ryle book I have read and it won't be the last. I thought this book would be something I could use for my four boys and it turns out, it is something I needed. The gentle, fatherly tone of the book spoke to my own heart about the need for humility and concern for my personal walk with Christ. Ryle reminds young men of the necessity of living in the present what you hope to be in the future. We tend to trivialize sin, and Ryle recommends waging war with all our might in our personal sanctification. Ryle is a master of the word picture and his writing is engaging. I hope to live in a way that I want my four young men to live. soli deo gloria!



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Review of "Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion" by Kevin Deyoung and Ted Kluck

Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion by Kevin DeYoung

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


"This book is not meant to be an apology for nothing but more of the same; rather, it is a plea for realism" so says Kevin DeYoung. Actually, this book is an apology for the 'real' church, contra the anti-institutional, the-church-is-lame crowd's stereotype. DeYoung and Ted Kluck co-author this engaging book which looks at church in its good, bad and ugly aspects. This is a wonderful reminder of how important the church is for believers in any era. It is not just a refutation of the latest 'emergent' trend, and DeYoung thankfully addresses several trends that have attacked the church from the inside. They conclude that typically these movements develop because of coldness to the gospel. If you follow the polling data of George Barna one might conlude that the 'sky is falling' and that the church has lost its way; however, Deyoung walks the reader through the numbers in a way that demonstrates that all is not lost. The great benefit of the book comes as DeYoung reminds us that rather than a Starbuck's Christianity, "daily discipline is not a new revolution each morning or an agent of global transformation every evening; it's a long obedience in the same direction." Ted provides several enjoyable still-in-side-the-church stories which picture the 'daily discipline' necessary to achieve growth in Christ and in His church. This book is not a theologians book on ecclesiology. It is a great reminder of the benefit and necessity of church life--there is no such thing as churchless Christianity.



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