Questions to Ask

Chris Brauns posted a blog on some questions not to ask before allowing something to shape one's worldview. He was talking primarily about inspirational Christian books. But I think his point applies to books, movies, video games, magazines, radio shows and music. Here are the three questions to ask:

The question is not:

•Can the author construct a hypothetical scenario that seems compelling to me? For instance, if an author says, “If God sends x number of people to hell, then we have problems,” the author is not appealing to any biblical authority. Rather, he is appealing to what resonates with people’s culturally conditioned sensibilities.

•Do I like how the story makes me feel? All kinds of fiction make people feel good during the duration of a movie or a book. Audiences felt good when they watched the movie Pretty Woman. But do we really think that the way to redemption for a prostitute and a selfish materialist would be an extended business relationship?

•Does the story involve me? There are all sorts of stories that draw an audience in so that they want to know the outcome or resolution of the plot. However, this doesn’t mean that we should allow them to shape our worldview.

What question should we ask? "To what source of authority does this book appeal."

Book Review: Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A really well done biography. Metaxas has taken some heat for presenting Bonhoeffer as too evangelical. He might have done that in some places. I am not as familiar with Bonhoeffer's theology, so I have a hard time making that call.

However, the book did what a biography is supposed to. It made me feel like I knew the man when I was done. It also opened up the time period in a unique way. Most of what I read about Nazi Germany is about Americans or English who participated in the war in some way. But to have the perspective of a man inside Germany was helpful.

Three things struck me about Bonhoeffer as I read the book. First, he could use words well. There are dozens of quotes from him in the book. Many of them stick with you a long time because of the way the sentences are constructed. Second, Bonhoeffer tried to understand and obey the will of God. This is a major theme of the book. Bonhoeffer wanted to live completely in the will of God. Whether he did that or not is up to others to decide. Third, his family and upbringing had a tremendous influence on his life.

Two other items in the book sparked my curiosity. First, the complexity of the conspiracy to overthrow Hitler is a tale that I would like to know more about. The list of people involved in trying to usurp Hitler or assassinate him is long. The book made me more curious about men like Stauffenberg and others who tried to find ways to get rid of Adolf. It also made me wonder if things would have been different if Britain had actively helped the conspirators. Second, I wonder if liberal theology paved the way for the capitulation of the German Church to Hitler?

A good book about a very fascinating, Christian man who died for trying to overthrow Hitler. The story leaves an imprint and made me ask questions about the strength of my own convictions.

View all my reviews

What is Wrong with Missions?

Here are two great articles on what is wrong with missions. The first is by Doug Wilson. The second is over at the Bayly's Blog where they agree and add some nuance to what Pastor Wilson said. Both are worth your time and thought.

Pastor Doug Wilson's Post

The Bayly Brothers' Post

Book Review: Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture

Preaching the Whole Bible As Christian Scripture: The Application of Biblical Theology to Expository Preaching by Graeme Goldsworthy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do not think I have ever read a book that weaves together theology, specifically biblical theology, with preaching in such an excellent way. Goldsworthy's book challenged me on numerous levels. I am not sure I agree with everything he says, but his diagrams, clarity of writing and love for Christ make this an excellent antidote to much of the shallow preaching that fills the pulpits of America. I felt it was far superior to Brian Chapell's Christ-Centered Preaching. This book is meat and will push a pastor to look closely at his theology, as well as his preaching.

In the first section he examines the relationship between preaching and biblical theology. In the second section he goes through the various genres and gives examples of how to preach Christ from all of Scripture.

My main question is one of application. If Christ is the central point of all of Scripture, which cannot be denied, how do we bridge from what Christ did to how we are supposed to live? Goldsworthy is right to say that all of our action as Christians must flow out of the Gospel. But how does this translate to application in preaching? Again Goldsworthy does a good job of showing how the point of the Old Testament is not primarily to give us character studies, but to show the progress of God's redemptive work in history. So the point of Daniel is not primarily to show us Daniel's character, but God's ruling over the nations and his delivering his people. But again, how do I apply books like Daniel without sinking into moralism? I wish he had answered these questions more clearly.

Still, it is a great book and one I will be referring to often.

View all my reviews

Book Review: What is Worship Music?

What Is Worship Music?: Basics of the Faith Series by Paul S. Jones

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A brief (38 pages) introduction to some parameters for worship music. The author comes from the reformed perspective, which I agree with. He had many good points, that were clearly stated and provided food for thought as I prepare the liturgy for my church. The one thing I wish he would have addressed more clearly was the use of instruments in the service. I think the book would be helpful for anyone trying to get a general grasp on what our theological priorities should be as we worship.


View all my reviews

Psalm 22 in Matthew 27

Matthew quotes from Psalm 22 twice in his narration of the crucifixion in Matthew 27. In verse 35 he quotes from Psalm 22:18. Christ quotes Psalm 22:1 in verse 46. Matthew's point here is a simple. Even in the middle of this great darkness, where the Son of God is being crucified, God is in control. Even here, where we would assume God has lost his handle on things, Scripture is being fulfilled. Even at the cross, where the Kingdom appears to gotten off track, God's Word predicted it long ago.

If God was in control at the cross, how much more is he in control of our tragedies and sorrows? If Christ trusted his Father at the cross, how much more can we trust our Father when we have to endure trials and tribulations?

Social Justice and Divorce

I was reading Malachi this morning and it struck me how the Lord says that He hates divorce because it covers one's garment with violence. (Malachi 2:16) Today it is fashionable, especially among younger Christians, to freqently discuss the issue of violence, especially as it relates to social justice. Many pastors and scholars call upon Christians to be people of peace, to resist violent solutions to problems around the world. America's military exploits are placed under the microscope to determine if they line up with God's Word or not. Exploitation of workers in both America and abroad are deplored by socially conscious Christians. Some of this is a move in the right direction. For too long, the conservative church has merely cheered on the American state instead of challenging it biblically.

However, as I read this passage in Malachi it occurred to me that most of these socially conscious Christians would not take a strong stand against divorce. Which is odd, because the Scriptures explicitly say that divorce is an act of violence. If we are against violence, then we should be against divorce because divorce is violence. However, divorce is rarely if ever preached against. It makes one wonder whether those socially conscious Christians are making biblical arguments against violence or whether they are just interested in going along with current fads in American secular society?

Book Review: The Priority of Preaching

The Priority of Preaching by Christopher Ash

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a pleasant surprise. I had not heard much about it, but a fellow pastor really enjoyed it, so I thought I would give a try. The book was a tremendous encouragement to me. It is well structured and short, which made for an easy read. However, it did not feel light. Numerous points the author made caused me to stop and evaluate my preaching and my ministry. I highly recommend this to any new minister or to any older minister who feels that preaching is no longer effective.

View all my reviews

Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry by John Piper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A very good book on what pastoral ministry should be about. Numerous chapters challenged my priorities. A worthwhile read for any man going in the ministry or any lay person who wants to pray effectively for their pastor. I agree with another reviewer that his chapter on worship was most frustrating. I also didn't like how he quoted himself at the beginning of each chapter. That seemed odd.

View all my reviews