Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus edited by Nancy Guthrie

Red and green, presents, cookies, stockings, carols, Santa, ornaments, fudge, parties, Christmas tree, cards, the scents of pine and cinnamon-clove sweetness -- there are an awful lot of trappings to the hoilday season!  And as long as we don’t overdo it, all this is really fun for most of us.  Though in our culture Christmas has become about touching base and creating and reliving memories with friends and family, there is something deeper that all of this celebration is founded upon.  The joy we share as friends and family is a common grace that is perfected in Christ.  We have much to celebrate because God in His overwhelming graciousness became man!  So why not spend a little of each day reflecting on that during this holiday season? 

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus is a collection of 22 short readings focusing on different aspects of the incarnation.  Like turning a diamond in the sunlight, looking at this act of grace from different perspectives reveals the wonder of beauty in His sacrifice.  Nancy Guthrie collected these snippets of reflection on scripture from many leaders in our Christian tradition from Augustine to Calvin to Whitfield to Packer, Spurgeon, Schaffer, and Keller.  They could be daily readings or read on a comfy couch with a cup of coffee in a couple of hours.  I invite you to join me in basking in His love as revealed in His coming this month.
-Rebekah Johnson

Motives: “Why Do I Do the Things I Do?" by Edward T. Welch

How do people change?  How do we go from being stuck in familiar patterns of sin and struggling to follow God to living obediently and joyfully in Christ?  If it were as simple as choosing not to sin, most of us would have no trouble living the Christian life.  The truth is people are complex.  Sometimes our own behaviors can seem baffling to us; and the key to a changed life seems elusive.  At the root, each of us must grapple with the question: why do I do the things I do?

That very question lies at the heart of so many of the little booklets put out by the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) in their series Resources for Changing Lives.  These booklets seek to get down to the heart level of our behaviors.  Covering topics like stress, priorities, anger, depression, guilt, loneliness, and sexual sin, these counselors seek to lead us to understand the spiritual dimension to the problems of modern life.  To be clear, the spiritual dimension is part of the issue, our behaviors can be sparked by our body chemistry, past events, or current environment.  Yet, uncovering the spiritual causes is what these booklets do best.

Ed Welch’s Motives is probably the best introduction to this collection.  Welch’s profound thesis is that if our motives don’t change, we won’t change.  Underneath the surface of our behaviors are desires, heart longings that control our lives.

X-ray questions like: Why do I want what I do?  What do I really want? If I don’t have ___ I am miserable, help lead us to uncover these controlling desires.  There are pretty common motivations: Pleasure, Freedom, Intimacy, Respect, Control, Success, and the list goes on.  Notice that many of these are good things that God has hard-wired us to want, yet when they are put in place of God life seems meaningless.

Welch writes that “idols are the way we try to satisfy our heart’s desires.”  We use money, alcohol, work or even people to feed those cravings.  Until those loves are replaced by a desire to love God and live for him alone, we will continue to wrestle with the actions and emotions that dominate our lives.

Start with this book.  Use it as a guide to evaluating your life.  It is a wonderful tool for reflecting deeply about our lives and a great gateway to the other equally helpful and accessible writings.

-Kevin Nelson

Encountering God In the City

The review is coming.  Until then, check out what the book on Amazon

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

            Till We Have Faces is a re-telling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche.  But in the hands of C.S. Lewis, it becomes so much more.  Considered by Lewis to be his best work of fiction, it boasts his most mature and masterful prose writing style.  It is delightfully presented and easy to read, carrying the reader along the emotional journey to the chilling conclusion.

            The myth that grounds the story is placed into the service of a higher story, the story of the human struggle against the divine counsels which are meant to be for our good, though we cannot see how they should be so.  As the story progresses and the demands of the gods seem increasingly barbaric, we find ourselves more and more aligned with the main character.  But at the conclusion, when Lewis turns all on its head, we also learn something of what it is like to be in the hands of a jealous God.

            Till We Have Faces encapsulates the feeling of modern man in the face of skepticism, rationalism and unbelief, and still stands today as one of the most sound responses to the furious despair of philosophical atheism.  Read in conjunction with Lewis’ essay, “God in the Dock,” it forms a complete response to the atheism of such contemporaries of Lewis as Bertrand Russell.  It achieves that rare mixture of delight in story and philosophical depth that makes it equally powerful whether one is concerned with apologetics or merely passing a pleasant rainy afternoon.  In it, Lewis has left us a jewel which can capture even the most sophisticated of imaginations.

The Last Disciple

The Last Disciple

by Sigmund Brouwer and Hank Hanegraaff

Review by Joseph Shields

What if the Antichrist has already been revealed? The first book in a gripping new series by best-selling authors Sigmund Brouwer and Hank Hanegraaff explores the lives of Christians who struggle to survive and spread the Gospel during the climactic turbulence of “the last days.” With the enemy seeking to decipher the code of John's letter, Revelation, and destroy the church, believers must cling to the hope Revelation provides as they face the greatest of all persecutions. A spellbinding story of faith and fulfillment of prophecy.  Discover the "code" of Revelation as you begin to see it through the eyes of the persecuted believers to whom it was written.

The above summary from the author’s website is the broad synopsis of The Last Disciple, the first in a series of at least three historical fiction novels based on the Revelation of John. Written in part as an answer and alternative to the wildly popular Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye which sets all of the events of Revelation as far future events, Brouwer and Hanegraaff weave a tale as seen from the perspective of the first century Christians to whom the letter was written. The characters are a mix of fictional and historical figures from all levels of Roman society including Nero, John, slaves, soldiers, gladiators, Jewish leaders and more.

The Last Disciple is a tale that reflects the difficulties and persecution that Christians faced in the first century under the vicious rule of Emperor Nero. There are vivid depictions of Christians awaiting their turn in the arena to face wild beasts. There are gruesome depictions of their bodies being used to light the streets of Rome. There are moments of tension as Roman soldiers raid house churches arresting some members while others flee and, as with any good novel, there are also moments of romance, intrigue and mystery as a paranoid Rome fiercely attempts to decipher the “code” of Revelation and track down this “treasonous last disciple,” John.  Each character’s faith is put to the test as they face the challenge of counting the cost as a disciple of the “Christos” in a seemingly chaotic and hostile culture.

Note: While some critics have accused the authors of promoting a preterist interpretation of Revelation (all prophetic events in Revelation were fulfilled in the first century), this reviewer is aware of no such claim by or evidence indicating the authors support a full preterist view. Rather they seem to espouse that while many of these events were fulfilled in the first century we yet await Christ’s return (partial preterism) as opposed to none of the events being fulfilled until the far future, leaving the first century
Christians clueless as to the meaning of such a letter amidst their intense persecution.

Sir Gibbie by George Macdonald

Sir Gibbie is much more than an enjoyable summer read; it is nourishment for the soul and inspiration to godliness.  It is filled with adventure, rich characters, and beautiful descriptions of the Scottish highlands of a century ago.  The backbone of the novel, though, is its powerful Christian themes of sacrifice, service, purity of heart, and Christ-like love.  Without being preachy or guilt-inducing, Sir Gibbie teaches important lessons from the school of Christian discipleship.

The plot follows Gilbert Galbraith, Gibbie, a destitute Scottish orphan unable to speak.  Gibbie’s life is marked by harsh living conditions and encounters with harsh individuals.  He is frequently punished by those who misunderstand his kindnesses or deplore his low condition.  Like his Master he is despised and rejected by men.  Yet, Gibbie never sees himself as a victim; his compassionate, indomitable spirit returns every evil with love.  Where many would turn bitter at God or humanity, his circumstances never dictate Gibbie’s impulse to love others.  He does so without prompting or in expectation of repayment. 

These illustrations of Christian living challenge the prevailing values of our day.  Even within the church we can forget that the call to love our enemies and turn the other cheek is really intended to be obeyed.  Gibbie’s antagonists often expose the pride, fear, ignorance, and selfishness in our own hearts, as they respond with the wisdom of the world.  And Gibbie continues to disarm them (and us) with his counter-cultural personification of the gospel.

This novel is a great introduction to George Macdonald, one of the most creative and gifted authors of Christian fiction.  His genius inspired C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton and others.  C. S. Lewis wrote of George Macdonald, "I know hardly any other writer who seems to be closer, or more continually close, to the Spirit of Christ Himself!" 

Sir Gibbie can be found in many editions.  The original 1879 version is lengthy and made challenging by the Northern Scots dialect found in the dialogue.  There are a few adaptations that are worthy of reading, including one for young readers.  Young or old will enjoy and be challenged by this classic story.

-Kevin Nelson

Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God

 by Noël Piper
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” Ps. 34:8

Noël Piper takes us from 1710 Connecticut to modern day Congo through the looking glass of God’s work.  This book is a collection of five short biographies and Piper’s reflection on what God has taught her through them.  By reading about God’s work in others’ live we can see that He is faithful and powerful, He answers prayers and that following His call will be the greatest and most painful thing you will ever do.  These ordinary women had faith and through that faith God changed the world.

Through Sarah Edwards’ hard work, Lilias Trotter’s giving precedence to God over her gifts, Gladys Aylward’s love for China, Esther Ahn Kim’s determination in the face of death, and Helen Roseveare’s imperfections, we see humble obedience, prejudices overcome, prayers answered, and people coming to love Christ.  These are not stories of perfection or of strength, but of real women, their struggles, their faith, and, truly, stories of their God.

I appreciate that Piper included both single and married women, both those sent far from home and those working in their native land, and women of different nationalities reminding us that God isn’t served in just one way or by only certain types of people.  These women knew through hardship what prosperity can lure us to forget -- our calling to share in Christ’s sufferings.  (Phil 3:7-11)  Friends, be encouraged as you read this book, be enlivened, and be reminded of your calling in the Lord’s army.  Remember that wherever you are sent God has gone before you, it is His work, and that you do it in His power.  Happy reading!

Introducing Covenant Theology, by Michael Horton (Baker, 2009)

 

How many of us try to read through the Bible and end up feeling lost by the time we hit Leviticus (or the end of Genesis!)? Have you tried the “read through the Bible in a year” and still don’t have a better grasp of what God is trying to do throughout all these different types of books, stories, poems, laws, parables, gospels and letters?! Michael Horton’s Introducing Covenant Theology provides a clear framework that gets us past these frustrations to trusting in the wonderful ways God creates and saves His people throughout history.

Many Christians today fall into two camps: they either see the Old Testament as the time when God was angry, unloving and the people were evil (unlike us now!); or, they try to appreciate the Old Testament as the Word of God, but can’t understand what God was up to for all those years with Israel, the Temple and all those crazy laws! Horton masterfully shows why both groups will miss the purpose of Jesus’ mission, how God was always moving toward salvation in Christ throughout the Old Testament, and how the Church can best submit itself to the dynamic and wide world of Scripture. We need to take seriously Jesus’ statement that He fulfills all the Law and the Prophets, and this book helps us do that.

Having used this book as the guide for a Bible Study, I can attest that it opens people’s eyes to how the Bible is held together through God’s one purpose of redemption and why that matters for our own lives. We can be confident that God had a specific purpose from Genesis to Revelation and accomplished that purpose through clear redemptive-historical periods. Horton also shows how understanding the intentions of God transforms the life of the Church and what God is doing through us rag-tagged group of believers.

One great example of this is the David and Goliath story. How are Christians today meant to read this story? Is it simply meant to inspire us to fight our own Goliaths – as a kind of battle cry? Or, when we understand that David foreshadows Christ, are we meant to see shadows of Christ’s battle on our behalf and the kingdom that David inherits as ultimately fulfilled in Christ?

This book will challenge and enlighten how you understand God’s Word and how we ought to faithfully obey the God who speaks through it.

-Craig Leukens

Counterfeit Gods

"There are more idols in the world than there are realities" quotes Timothy Keller from Nietzche's Twilight of the Idols at the outset of Keller's newest work entitled Counterfeit Gods.  With the backdrop of the economic crisis, Keller examines the things that we as humanity have placed our faith in outside of Christ. The work begins with a general exposition of idolatry and it becomes clear why Keller entitled the work counterfeit gods rather than idolatry. Idolatry comes pre-packaged with many misconceptions regarding bowing to statutes - things that modern humanity is unlikely to do. With the focus on where we place our faith, our trust, our hope, Keller is able to help us examine both the obvious false gods in our lives as well as those hidden underneath the surface.

Keller begins with an examination of idolatry and uses Abraham and Isaac as a powerful example.  Abraham was old and had received a promise from God that he would receive a son and from that son everyone would be blessed.  After years of waiting, a son was born to him in his old age. That child represented everything that Abraham had hoped and prayed for his entire life. Isaac truly meant the world to Abraham and it would be easy for us to see Abraham trying to obtain all his value and worth through the false god of his own son - the son of promise. And so Abraham is asked by God to walk up Mt. Moriah with his son, the son of promise, and sacrifice him at the top of the mountain. To the modern reader, this seems quite odd; however, we must understand this in the context of Abraham's life and what was before him. This act was merciful as Keller argues. Abraham had to have his faith solely in God and it couldn't be in Isaac. In order to demonstrate that, Abraham had to be willing to give up what he most loved and valued.  As so many paradoxes go in Christianity, it was in the dying that we are born again and it was in the giving up of Isaac that he was truly found.  The point: God is working in our lives to contest the false gods in our own lives just as God was contesting the false gods in Abraham's life. These tests are hard and they are painful, but they are for a purpose. The next time we despair at something being taken from us, we must stop to examine why.  Possibly my despair is revealing a false god - something that I value more than the true God who is removing that idol.

Keller then walks the reader through four of the common false gods of our day:  love, money, success and power.  Going beyond the obvious sex charged culture we live in, Keller touches on the false god of trying to find personal value, acceptance, and a sense of worth in the "love" of another. This "love" may be from children, a spouse, parents or any number of individuals close to us. And yet this love is not truly loving unless God is my focus. Likewise, money, power, and success are things we may seek in hopes they will provide us with meaning and value. Keller's discussion is clear on these subjects and challenging.  All those who read this text will find in each chapter something of themselves.

Keller properly examines the 'hidden' idols - those false gods within our hearts which might be driving the obvious gods of love, money, power and success.  For example, possibly the desire to make love a false god is a hidden god of insecurity.  That is, not trusting that the Lord truly accepts and loves me, I might seek out that love in external things. This examination of the hidden gods in our lives is an important discussion that challenges the reader to get to the fundamental motivations behind those things we are trusting in. After all, we must deal with the foundational issues if we are to truly topple the counterfeit gods in life.  Of course, reformation in our lives is the process of sanctification and it is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Keller's book is not a self-help book that teaches the reader how to overcome false gods in several easy steps or in just 6 minutes a day. Sanctification is the work of God's Spirit and so it progresses in God's timing. This books' goal is to open our eyes to our sin and to help us focus our prayer lives upon ongoing sanctification. We do not sanctify ourselves, but we can in God's grace become aware of the false gods in our personal lives and pray for liberation from them and for a greater understanding of the hidden gods that also need to be overturned.

Keller is a clear writer with an important and challenging message for the church today. This book is an excellent follow-up to the autumn's Sunday Study on Respectable Sins. I encourage everyone to read it this month. -Doug Bruce