Review of Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan

Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Francis Chan's book Forgotten God was well written and worth the read. I've come from a background that for fear of being too charismatic has down-played the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. As Chan works through Scripture texts, he forcefully points out the work of the Holy Spirit in redemption, sanctification, and perseverance--all key components of the gospel power at work in our lives. I was struck with the simple and straight forward way his book reminds just how important the Holy Spirit is in the life of a believer. Readers will want to be aware that in Chan's presentation he is a bit 'soft' on the cessation of the gift of prophetic utterance--although he does qualify very carefully his position by suggesting that the church body at large needs do a better job of censoring what is and is not actual utterance (pg. 54-56). Aside from this potential by-path meadow, the book as a whole is helpfully provocative for believers who from time to time act as though their raw talent, effort, and natural charisma can produce success in the Christian life. Living in this way demonstrates that we have essentially "Forgotten God," that is, God the Holy Spirit.



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Book Review of A Proverbs Driven Life by Anthony Selvaggio

The Proverbs Driven Life: Timeless Wisdom for Your Words, Work, Wealth, and Relationships by Anthony Selvaggio

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A very helpful topical overview of the book of Proverbs. His introductory chapter on how to interpret the proverbs is worth the price of the book. Selvaggio's book is helpfully not exhaustive, and it is arranged into the overarching themes of communication, work, wealth, friends, marriage and children. I was pleasantly surprised to find someone saying what I've always thought regarding finding a spouse and have felt is typically ignored in most preaching on this topic. That is, not only should you look for a spouse of noble character, but you should also aspire to be a person of noble character yourself--one that would be worthy of finding. I would highly recommend this book as a resource for adult and senior high Sunday School curriculum.



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Review of Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A romantic fiction? What is Crazy Love? According to Francis Chan it falls on the preeminent commandment which is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." The first three chapters develops very, very well the idea of the absolute sovereignty, transcendence, and magnitude of God. How could a God like this love us, who are so insignificant compared to his holiness? That is why it is crazy, and requires a consequent crazy sort-of love in return. Francis spends a lot of pages dealing with the concept of being lukewarm--and defines it based on Rev. 3:15-18. According to Chan "church goers who are "lukewarm" are not Christians (pg. 84). Chan's book is intentionally written to a North American church that says, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing" (Rev. 3:15-18). So he spends a lot of time about the importance of getting past our innate greed and giving generously away to those who are in need. He provides several first hand examples of what this looks like from contemporary Christianity and historical (like George Muller). Taken to the extreme (and I risk appearing lukewarm according to Chan), this view can possibly diminish the ability for capital generation for the glory of God and the bolstering of ministry projects from those profits. I was very thankful to read in the last chapter of Chan's book the importance of balance on this issue--just wish it came a bit earlier in the book. I do think that Chan's provocative tone is intentionally so because of the opulence of most of the North American church at large and specifically in his own Southern California context.



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Review of Hints for Parents by Gardiner Spring and Tedd Tripp

Hints for Parents: With Gospel Encouragements by Tedd Tripp by Gardiner Spring

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I wish I had read this short book earlier in my parenting career. Indeed, having read "Shepherding a Child's Heart," I found this short book much more valuable. Gardiner Spring's early 19th Century text with Tedd Tripp's notes along the way was very insightful and encouraging. One such encouragement came on page 26 from Tedd in which he says, "God will take your patient teaching of your children and authenticate its truthfulness to their hearts. Your hope as you teach them to have magnnaminity of heart ... is that God will use His Word to persuade your child of its truth. Your job is to set forth truth plainly; God's job is to shine the light into their hearts." There is courage and hope offered throughout as the goals and objectives of are clearly laid out. Gardiner writes, "God's time for the conversion of your children may not be your time. Your efforts may seem in vain--for years--but you will likely at last see your children rejoicing in the graces and comforts of holiness. He who goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (p. 67). A short but very helpful little book--would make a great new parent gift from your church. I only hope I can integrate the biblical wisdom found in this gem of a book into my own parenting.



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Review of The Supremacy of God in Preaching

The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


John Piper writes of the importance of 'blood-earnestness' in preaching. And according to Piper, blood-earnestness is something that is seriously lacking in most preaching today. This intensity comes as an awareness of the magnitude of God and His Word fills the heart of a preacher. Piper gives anecdotal insights from the life and preaching of Jonathan Edwards which pointed to Edward's awe filled awareness of an infinite God. Piper strongly rebukes those preachers who glory in a flippant, humorous, entertainment-showmanship preaching which does not take seriously the gravity of message nor the situation. In contrast, Piper writes, "This is simply stupendous to think about--that when I preach, the everlasting destiny of sinners hangs in the balance! If a person is not made earnest and grave by this fact, people will unconsciously learn that the realities of heaven and hell are not serious" (p. 59). In short, Piper's main thesis is "Gladness and gravity should be woven together in the life and preaching of the preacher in such a way as to sober the careless soul and sweeten burdens of the saints" (p. 55). A short and helpful reminder for preachers, indeed a good book to read and reread from time to time. I wonder what affect this type of 'blood-earnest' intensity might have in the North American Church that is drowning itself in entertainment?



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Review of Hymns Ancient and Modern

Heart publications

I thoroughly enjoyed thumbing through my copy of this hymn supplement.  Fred Coleman has provided a wonderful service for the church at large.  This collection of modern and ancient hymns is written in 4 part hymn format and is accessible for any congregation.  Included are some hard-to-find hymn arrangements like O the Deep, Deep Love.   Fred Coleman also provides a valuable contribution for churches in his introduction to the supplement. He writes in a humble tone and highlights the necessity of congregational singing and that it is "the best musical venue for accomplishing the purposes of gathered Christian worship." The major benefit in the preface is the logical connection of modern hymns to the historic hymns of the church.

Review of Singing and Making Music: Issues in Church Music Today

Singing And Making Music: Issues in Church Music Today by Paul S. Jones

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was difficult to rate. Paul Jones is clearly qualified as a church musician because of his experience as the lead musician at the 10th Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. His interaction with men like James Montgomery Boice also add to his ability to converse on the theology of worship. Jones writes for both the layman and the accomplished musician. And so, depending on your level of expertise, the relevance will be evidently clear. That being said, his discussion of the theology of corporate worship and song are accessible to all. The section on Composers and Composition might be a bit technical for those not trained classically, but it is readable. For those who are interested in writing new hymns, he offers some excellent advice in how to do this. The book will be provocative for those who gravitate toward's gratification in worship. Jones reminds us that "Worship is not about us, but about the Almighty." This is a must read for those who are starting to re-evaluate their music philosophy, have a desire for a theological framework, or want to consider some corollary issues related to worship in general. I would rate the theological sections as five stars and the technical sections as three stars.



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