BookPastor >> "God Among Sages" (Kenneth Richard Samples)

This review was published at Panorama of a Book Saint on July 5th, 2017.

c

---

TITLE: God among Sages: Why Jesus Is Not Just Another Religious Leader
AUTHOR: Kenneth Richard Samples
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2017, (288 pages).

Who is Jesus? Is he simply another religious leader like those of the other major religions of the world? Who does he claim he is? Is he God? This book sets out the facts and compares the various philosophies, religions, worldviews in this world of pluralistic thinking and beliefs. Author Kenneth Richard Samples asserts that Jesus is matchless throughout history in terms of his self-understanding; his identity; his way of life and consistency in teaching. Part One essentially deals with what Jesus talks about himself. Part Two deals with the lives and accomplishments of four major religions and then each is compared with Jesus. The four major religious leaders are Krishna (Hinduism); Buddha (Buddhism); Confucius (Confucionism); and Muhammad (Islam). Part Three goes beyond these four religions to cover a bigger sphere of the world's perspective on Jesus. This includes the different types of pluralistic beliefs; tolerance/intolerance; inclusivism/exclusivism; and many more. Simply put, this book is about understanding who the Person if Jesus is both to Christians, other religions, and the world at large. Though not all perspectives are covered, the selected ones represent a large proportion of the world.

BookPastor >> "The Mission of the Church" (Stephen B. Bevans, Darrell L. Guder, Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Edward Rommen, and Ed Stetzer)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Feb 23rd, 2017.

conrade

---

TITLE: The Mission of the Church: Five Views in Conversation
AUTHOR: Stephen B. Bevans, Darrell L. Guder, Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Edward Rommen, and Ed Stetzer
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2017

What is the mission of the Church? Surely it is more than just setting up a mission department within the Church organization. It is also more than mere sending of missionaries to some faraway land. Others would say that all ministries of the Church have a mission, albeit in unique ways. What do we then make of the terms often thrown about like 'missional,' 'missio Dei,' 'missiological,' and the work of the Church? Knowing the plurality of opinions and perspectives out there, this book brings together five persons representing the different faith persuasions.

• Stephen B. Bevans shares from a Roman Catholic viewpoint, the "Prophetic Dialogue" approach.
• Darrell L. Guder shares from a mainline Protestant point of view, the "multicultural translation" approach.
• Ruth Padilla DeBorst shares from a Latina evangelical view, the "integral transformation" approach
• Edward Rommen shares from an Orthodox view, the "sacramental vision" approach.
• Ed Stetzer shares as a North American evangelical, the "kingdom community" approach.

BookPastor >> "Rhythms of Rest" (Shelly Miller)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Jan 9th, 2017.

c

---

TITLE: Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World
AUTHOR: Shelly Miller
PUBLISHER: Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2016, (224 pages).

A lot have already been written about the Sabbath but the need far outstrips the supply. What is the Sabbath? What makes this book unique compared to the other books? For author Shelly Miller, the first thing with regard to taking a rest is her mantra: "I Don't Do Guilt." There is no need to be guilty about taking a day off per week, or to rest where needed. Sabbath rest is about receiving a gift and not an excuse for guilt. While the world teaches us to rely on ourselves and our own abilities, taking a rest is in effect an acknowledgement that things will take care of themselves even as we rest. It requires surrender and deep trust. The way forward is not simply an obligation to force a weekly sabbath but to joyfully discover rhythms in which we can rest well. Sabbath is a gift. It is a reflection of God's creativity. It is an opportunity for us to demonstrate to others that rest is not only possible, it is beneficial. Miller goes beyond simply taking a break. Sabbath is a time in which we commune with God in an intentional space. It is an invitation to intimate conversation, unhurried by the hustle and bustle of the world. It is a way in which we say to the world: "You shall have no hold on me."

While the benefits are many, there are also myths and deceptions that threaten to derail our pursuit of Sabbath rest. That is why Miller spends time dispelling myths like doing Church as a form of Sabbath. She writes:

BookPastor >> "Networked Theology" (Heidi Campbell and Stephen Garner)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Dec 7th, 2016.

c

---

TITLE: Networked Theology: Negotiating Faith in Digital Culture (Engaging Culture)
AUTHOR: Heidi Campbell and Stephen Garner
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016, (192 pages).

Digital devices have become ubiquitous throughout the world. It has redefined how we communicate, how we interact, and how we live. For many people, technology has become so integral that one cannot live without it. An outage could easily shift people to panic mode. Its attractiveness can become an addiction in itself. In faith matters, digital media and technology has not only redefined how we practise our faith, it is taking us on a whole new direction. This means we need to learn how to engage this new environment wisely and appropriately. This new digital era has invaded and affected the way we learn, do outreach, teach Christian Education, do Church, and share faith concerns. This is why we need to take the technology seriously and to think of constructive ways to engage with it, about it, and through it.

BookPastor >> "Teaching the Next Generations" (Terence Linhart)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Dec 16th, 2017.

c

---

TITLE: Teaching the Next Generations: A Comprehensive Guide for Teaching Christian Formation
AUTHOR: Terence D. Linhart
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016, (352 pages).

It has been often said that the young is the future of our society. In churches all over the world, the young are also the future of the leadership of the Church. How the children and formed when young often becomes the way they help lead the Church in the future. What then are the factors to guide them? How can the leaders of today help the formation of the leaders of tomorrow? How can we navigate the complex realities today for an unknown tomorrow? If adults are already facing difficult challenges, how can we expect the young to tackle their generational challenges if we do not lead by example? This book's premise is that teaching Christian Formation is an imperative, not an option. We need to help them understand spiricual formation and that learning happens at all ages. We need to be guided by important theologies and appropriate theories. We need a repertoire of creative methods and to be committed to the spiritual disciplines like prayer, and spiritual transformation. We need to teach not merely to download information but to work toward spiritual transformation and growth. This means working toward maturity and be anchored in Christ. It also means discipleship. The book is subdivided into five sections.

BookPastor >> "The Music Architect" (Constance M. Cherry)

This is one of my favourite books about the ministry of music and worship. The review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Nov 3rd, 2016.

c

---

TITLE: The Music Architect: Blueprints for Engaging Worshipers in Song
AUTHOR: Constance M. Cherry
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016, (288 pages).

In churches around the world, music and song are common ways in which we honour God in worship and praise. Many people serve in this ministry but not many are trained. Musicians come with deep talents but the understanding of worship may not be as deep. This is where this book comes in. The dual objectives are to:

1. Learn about thoughtful and holistic worship
2. Disciple worshipers in song.

This book is Volume 3 of the "The Worship Architect" series of book designed to help churches and worship leaders plan their worship flow and program. The first volume is about planning. The second volume looks at principles of preparing specific worship segments and special events. This volume covers more specifically the area of music. In all of the three books, the aim is to maintain a consistent philosophy of worship; to unite worship and practice; and to provide a resource that is helpful across denominations. On top of these, there is a pastoral element infused into the teaching. The key thesis is "who we are" is a greater impact than "what we do." This is why the author starts with defining the meaning of a "Pastoral Musician" who is essentially one who embraces the Christian faith, growing in spiritual maturity, using one's spiritual gifts, participating in community, and accountable to God and others. Worship must be relevant to God while connecting to people. There is a biblical element that guides the understanding of worship. The historical perspective is not static but dynamic, which means we ought to let worship practices throughout all generations be rendered in a manner that is meaningful. In terms of spirituality, worship forms worshipers. Thus, the title of "pastoral musician" simply tells us that worship involves lots of music but is much than music. 

BookPastor >> "You are What You Love" (James K.A. Smith)

This review was first published on July 4th, 2016 at Panorama of a Book Saint.

c

---

TITLE: You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit
AUTHOR: James K.A. Smith
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos, 2016, (224 pages).

We worship what we love. Out of what we love, we worship. This relationship is tight and indispensable. It has implications for what it means to be human, and reflects what exactly we do want. Author and professor James K.A. Smith observes in the gospels how Jesus is more interested in what the disciples want rather than what they believe or know. Smith believes that many people have become stuck in Descartes-style of "I Think Therefore I Am" to the detriment of the lack of holistic living. Interestingly, he does not argue for less but more knowledge and learning that pulls together holistic living and learning. We need to cultivate a lifestyle of living and loving, of learning and labouring toward a model of centering our behaviour according to the heart of loving. Out of this identity arises our true motivation for thinking; for spirituality; for calling; for discipleship; worship; and spiritual formation. Describing the heart as our center of spiritual gravity, Smith also tells us that this goes way beyond the head. The virtues of love in the heart form our "erotic compass."  He believes that it is possible to acquire such virtues through imitation and practice. This book is about the latter that uses habit as the way to cultivate and to calibrate this compass.

BookPastor >> "Pastors in the Classics" (Leland Ryken, Rhilip Ryken, Todd Wilson)

This review was first published on Jan 30th, 2012 at Panorama of a Book Saint.

c

---

TITLE: Pastors in the Classics: Timeless Lessons on Life and Ministry from World Literature
AUTHOR: Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken and Todd Wilson.
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012, (192 pages).

This book teaches us to read literary works, with a special focus on learning the portrait of pastors, leaders, and the pastoral calling. Written in two parts, it is different from a typical non-fiction book in the sense that it shows rather than tells us what to do.The authors gently remind us that literary works are firstly to be understood as a presentation of a human experience. This keeps readers patiently mindful and emotionally ready to shake hands with the text. Secondly, literary texts are for readers to appreciate the authors' interpretation of that experience. This enables readers to embrace the author's understanding like a warm hug. Whether the reader agrees or not is another matter. Understanding is key. Thirdly, it is for the enjoyment of the many creative literary techniques, forms, and beauty. This helps readers to look with the original authors, interpreters, and all, to look in the same direction to appreciate life as a whole.

Part One is the major section of the book, drawing a sharp portrait of the pastoral life through 12 classic works. It lists some essential information like author's background, date published, era concerned, book length, setting, and plot overviews. What is helpful is the description of the characters played out. The unique value of this book is the way the authors sieve out the implications for pastors, leaders, and the pastoral ministry, through themes and insights for leadership.  For example, in "The Scarlet Letter," the Rykens summarizes the book with the words, "Hidden Sin and Its Consequences" while at the same time describes the themes of sin, shame, revenge, punishment, salvation, and forgiveness. It is a 'negative example' that can be used to facilitate a life more aware of the potency of sin. There is also the 'positive example' of perseverance in spite of great suffering. In 'Cry, the Beloved Country,' suffering is seen not as something to be despised and hated, but to be endured for sanctified service. Each chapter ends with a pertinent 'reflection or discussion' section that drives home the theme for application. The questions turns a fictional work into a very personal application, for a non-fictional world.

Part Two is like the section of minors, that bring together 58 short reflections and summaries of literary works. The subheadings of each chapter basically condenses the learning points in one short quip. It does not go into similar depth like the 12 works in Part One. Instead, it points readers with handles to appreciate the texts from a ministry and minister perspective. It looks very much like an extended annotated bibliography of books, much like Eugene Peterson's "Take and Read - Spiritual Reading: An Annotated List." Some of the notable works include "The Poisonwood Bible," "Les Miserables," "Father Brown," "The Brothers Karamazov," and even two of Jane Austen's novels!

Closing Thoughts

Even though many of the works are fictional, the experiences and the emotional ups and downs are real and authentic. It shows us the deep struggles and inner angsts of people in the pastoral vocation. There are many things in ministry that cannot be explained through words, or even stories. Some experiences need the help of good literary devices in order to do justice to the nuances of the emotions.

In a world of modern bookstores packed with story books like Chicken Soup series or all kinds of short stories that aim to inspire or create feel-good emotions, books like Pastors in the Classics, go much deeper, wider, and I dare say, richer. Just the table of contents and introduction pages are worth the price of the book. The literary beauty and brilliance that Pastors in the Classics contains reminds us all over again, that good books are hard to come by. Once they do pass by, read it, for we may not know when we will get another chance to read another good book.

This book is a collectable item for leaders, pastors, ministry workers, teachers, students, and all readers wanting to have a  great literary experience.


Ratings: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

---

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

BookPastor >> "The Future of Our Faith" (Ron Sider and Ben Lowe)

This review was published on March 31st, 2016 at Panorama of a Book Saint.

conrade

---

TITLE: The Future of Our Faith: An Intergenerational Conversation on Critical Issues Facing the Church
AUTHOR: Ronald J. Sider and Ben Lowe
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos, 2016, (240 pages).

We have all heard of the generation gap. Between the old and the young, there are differences in opinion, perspectives, and ideas. Put them altogether under one roof and we are in for some inter-generational challenges on many different issues. Whether it is about old, hanging on to traditional and proven ideas, or about the young, eager to try new methods and innovative projects, in order to help all get along, there need to be a wider sphere of understanding of each other. Every generation will have their own set of challenges. Each generation will have lessons to be shared with the others. Two of the best things that two generations can do for each other are to educate each other graciously and to engage each other constructively. In this book, we see nine different scenarios of of engagement and honest sharing of opinions from a Baby-Boomer generation and a Millennial. Billed as an inter-generational dialogue on eight critical issues, authors Ronald Sider and Ben Lowe share the same common faith and passion for the Church. The issues may be important but it is the learning of how each generation approach the same issue that is even more important. With greater understanding comes lesser tensions. With greater willingness to learn from each other means sharing resources so as to lay the groundwork for blessing the generations of the future.

BookPastor >> "Lead Vertically" (Craig Johnson)

This review was first published on March 15th, 2016 at Panorama of a Book Saint.

conrade

---

TITLE: Lead Vertically: Inspire People to Volunteer and Build Great Teams that Last
AUTHOR: Craig Johnson
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2010, (224 pages).

Dream big. Walk tall. Lead vertical. In an inspiring book on how to lead teams, author Craig Johnson brings together his wealth of knowledge and experience about what it means to lead with inspiration. Just like the verse in Ps 61:2, where David prayed to the LORD to lead him to the rock that is higher, Johnson believes that vertical leading is about letting God help us take the ministry to a higher level in God's perspective. Leading vertically is looking up to God to lead from God's perspective, and leading people toward God in the hope that they too can do the same.

Vertical leadership begins with God. It is not just about recognizing the best people but also the best in people. It is cultivating the childlikeness in each person and to impact that person positively even as that person seems to be deep in their trenches. There is a strong belief that God is doing something amazing in the person's life. This means not just planting but knowing how to plant. One inspires others by being a model of hope, building on dreams, and learning constructive criticism that builds up instead of tearing down. It is remembering that the goal for all its importance must always be secondary. The person(s) concerned must be primary.

BookPastor >> "Effective Generational Ministry" (Elisabeth A. Nesbit Sbanotto and Craig L. Blomberg)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Feb 29th, 2016.

conrade

---

TITLE: Effective Generational Ministry: Biblical and Practical Insights for Transforming Church Communities
AUTHOR: Elisabeth A. Nesbit Sbanotto and Craig L. Blomberg
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016, (282 pages).

How do you build community among the three largest generations in this day and age? What are the cultural and generational differences among them? How do we navigate the complexities and varying expectations across the different generations? To what extent do we allow cultural contexts influence our ministry in churches? In the words of the authors, how can we do effective generational ministry? In a book that strings together various ideas from sociological, spiritual, anthropological, ecclesiological, and other fields of study, Sbanotto and Blomberg have put together years of research and experience to give three key generations some understanding of themselves and of one another. First off, they define the three groups as follows:

1. Baby Boomers: Born 1946 - 1964
2. Generation Xers: Born 1965 - 1981
3. Millennials: Born 1982 - 2001

BookPastor >> "A Vision for Preaching" (Abraham Kuruvilla)

This review was first published on Jan 4th, 2016 at Panorama of a Book Saint. 

conrade

---

TITLE: A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Ministry
AUTHOR: Abraham Kuruvilla
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015, (214 pages).

Three words anchor this book: "Preach the Word." The purpose is to let the Word shine in this world biblically, pastorally, amid an "alchemical and distillatory tendencies of this generation." This means not submitting to humanistic desires for newness but to re-tell God's story faithfully regardless of old or new. This means not succumbing to tendencies to reduce to Word to what it is not, but let the Word speak clearly, insightfully, and powerfully. As far as the author is concerned, it involves eight questions based on eight preaching thrusts:

1. Whose words were these words originally? (Biblical)
2. Who said it? (Pastoral)
3. In what context? (Ecclesial)
4. What should these words convey? (Communicational)
5. What is the general thrust of the text? (Theological)
6. Who was the audience? (Applicational)
7. Why was it said? (Conformational)
8. To what ultimate end? (Doxological)
9. By whose power? (Spiritual)

All of these are summarized in one vision statement: "Preaching is biblical (Biblical) - by a leader of the church (Pastoral) - in a gathering of Christians for worship (Ecclesial) - is the communication of the thrust of a pericope of Scripture (Communicational) - discerned by theological exegesis, (Theological) - and of its application to that specific body of believers, (Applicational) - that they may be conformed to the image of Christ, (Conformational) - for the glory of God (Doxological) - all in the power of the Holy Spirit (Spiritual)."

BookPastor >> "Growing God's Church" (Gary McIntosh)

This review was first published on March 3rd, 2016 at Panorama of a Book Saint.

conrade

---

TITLE: Growing God's Church: How People Are Actually Coming to Faith Today
AUTHOR: Gary L. McIntosh
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2016, (192 pages).

This is a book about evangelism. It is not just another strategy or a how-to book on how to do evangelism. It is an honest survey of the past methods, a sensitivity to present contexts, and a hopeful outlook toward the future. While the gospel is the same, people and culture change rapidly. The methods of yesterday do not necessarily apply to the contexts of today. If we do not adapt accordingly, not only will the church at large continue to see outflow of young people, she will have trouble attracting new ones. In this very important book, Gary McIntosh, President of the Church Growth Network and Professor of Christian ministry and leadership at Talbot School of Theology shares from his experience about the need for leaders to adapt. It is not simply adapting for the sake of adapting. Neither is it for the sake of preserving an old institution that is perceived to be increasingly irrelevant. It is for the sake of the Kingdom of God, for souls, and for the flourishing of a world that God has created to be cared for and to be loved. Just to be fair, there are churches already trying to change. Unfortunately, McIntosh observes that their actions are not only ineffective, they unwittingly dilute the gospel. For example, the missional movement. In wanting to become relevant to the social needs of the neighbourhood, some churches have become another charitable organization that are becoming less evangelistic in their practices, rendering them no different from non-Christian charities. Others throw away the historical past and along with is a core identity of the Church. In this book, McIntosh seeks to bring back the essentials to a Church that is increasingly struggling with being relevant and being faithful to the gospel. He begins by modifying Win Arn's extensive 1979 study on church evangelistic strategies. By the late 90s, he starts to notice that many of the conclusions are no longer true. He then conducted a small study of 11 churches; surveyed people's reasons for coming to church; and reported on the findings. This book is a result of that work.

BookPastor >> "The Pastor as Public Theologian" (Kevin J. Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Dec 11th, 2015.

conrade

---

TITLE: The Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision
AUTHOR: Kevin J. Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015, (230 pages).

What is the primary role of a pastor? One job description I read recently includes the typical duties such as pastoral care, preaching, evangelism, missions, visitation, small groups, office administration, oversee the care of facilities, taking care of Sunday School, and so on. On top of that, it includes a requirement of playing the piano! I smiled at first but soon my smile turned to frowns. How can a pastor be all things to all people, and all things to all work in the Church? If a pastor is going to be a spiritual Swiss knife to do everything in the Church, then only superman is eligible to apply. The tragedy of the Church is how pastors are turned from theologians into administrators; from biblical proponents to management strategists; from biblical preachers to motivational speakers. This book aims to reverse the trend and to instill in churches and pastors the need for theological reflections to be taken more seriously. The Church need more pastors to be deep in the Word and to be the public theologian in the marketplace of ideas. The call is not for less but more theology in churches to be taught.

The authors are passionate about all things theology. Kevin Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan are both professors of theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary respectively. Vanhoozer is the author of numerous books such as Everyday Theology, the Drama of Doctrine, and Is there a meaning in the text while Strachan is a Fellow with the Center for Pastor Theologians. Both of them believe that the vision for theology in the Church must be reclaimed and re-discovered. They show us the problem, the proposal, and the prospect of why they write this book.

BookPastor >> "IF" (Mark Batterson)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Nov 24th, 2015.

conrade

---

TITLE: If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God's What If Possibilities
AUTHOR: Mark Batterson
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015, (304 pages).

If a word can launch a thousand thoughts, a book can surely create boundless imaginations. Using one word, author and pastor Mark Batterson helps bring us away from the "if only" of past regrets toward the "what if" of future possibilities. Believing on the need to renew the mind and to be filled with good thoughts, Batterson believes that this one word "if" can change our perspective of life. Basing this book on the eight chapter of Romans, which he calls the "Great Eight," he distills ten "ifs" that add up to limitless possibilities. Central to it all is Romans 8:31 which says: "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

It is very much Batterson's positive thinking equivalent for his followers. Loosely based on Romans 8, the author distributes 30 chapters of stories, narratives, anecdotes, and tips over four major parts. The first part is about past regrets often denoted by the "if only." If only things were better. If only I had done that. These two words "if only" can usually be mind-crippling. It makes us forget the grace and mercy of God. It makes us feel guilty with self-condemnation. Very quickly, the second part of the book is a defying voice against the impossible circumstances. Instead of being fixated on the things of the flesh, we can choose to focus on the things of the Spirit. We can pledge to dig deeper into God's Word rather than to become distracted by anxieties and cares of the world. We can make a beeline for the Cross. We can choose not to let fears dictate our lives. We can choose to live as children of hope. Part Three tighten the screws of optimism by helping us turn outward to blessing others; to look beyond our self-needs; to bear fruit for Christ; etc. Some of the "what ifs" in this section is particularly powerful. Like:

BookPastor >> "Launch Your Encore" (Hans Finzel and Rick Hicks)

Many nations around the world are facing this big issue: An aging population. We need to encourage a re-launching of a person's sense of purpose. This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on May 11th, 2015.

conrade

---

TITLE: Launch Your Encore: Finding Adventure and Purpose Later in Life
AUTHOR: Hans Finzel and Rick Hicks
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015, (208 pages).

In America, more than 76 million people are above 60 years of age. Some call it retirement phase. Others call it the golden years or the silver hair period of life. After many years of active working, this phase of life is often marked by slowdowns  physically, mentally, and emotionally. In such later years, what can these people do? They may retire from their jobs but they cannot retire from life altogether. Moreover, with more people living longer and the pace of society getting quicker, it can be very challenging for people in this age group to cope. Rather than to be shoved aside, the authors of this book believe that retirement is more an opportunity rather than an unwelcome phase of life. The premise is this.

"The word retirement should not be an exit sign, but a door into something fresh, new, and exciting." (17)

This "final act" may very well be this particular generation's "greatest contribution." How is it possible, one may ask. The authors frame the process in four parts.

Movie Review: "When the Game Stands Tall"

FILM: When the Game Stands Tall, Special Movie Edition: The Story of the De La Salle Spartans and Football's Longest Winning Streak
PRODUCER: Mandalay and Affirm Films, Sony Pictures, 2014.

"It's not about you. It's about the person next to you." This is the underlying theme for this very touching film about honour, teamwork, camaraderie, dreams, perseverance, fearlessness, faith, and several other virtues.

When The Game Stands Tall is based on a true story of football coach, Bob Ladouceur, who accomplished what no one else had ever done before: Taking De La Salle High School Spartans to a record-breaking 151-game winning streak. With several actors openly Christian, the movie includes themes dealing with the importance of mentorship, team work, overcoming life challenges, family, dealing with fear, selflessness and determination.

BookPastor >> "Can We Still Believe the Bible?" (Craig Blomberg)

The Bible continues to be under attack both inside and outside the Church. One of the chief ways is to first cast suspicion, then provide "supporting" evidence, and finally dissemination of such misinformation so as to discredit the Bible further. This book addresses various of these attacks and to bring back a vigorous defense of the reliability of the Word of God. 

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint.

conrade

---

TITLE: Can We Still Believe the Bible?: An Evangelical Engagement with Contemporary Questions
AUTHOR:  Craig L. Blomberg
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2014, (304 pages).

Over the years, there has been a steady onslaught on the reliability of the Bible. From the existence of evil and suffering, to the suspicions over the authenticity and interpretations of the ancient manuscripts, time, culture, and intellectuals have continued to challenge the whether it truly is what it claims to be. Many have challenged the Bible on its exclusivity claims; progressive cultural interpretations; biblical ethics; and difficult issues such as genocide, violence, and the issues of myths. Describing all of the issues would have been a massive project. Blomberg has chosen six key issues with regards to the reliability of the Bible.

1. Aren’t the Copies of the Bible Hopelessly Corrupt?
2. Wasn’t the Selection of Books for the Canon Just Political?
3. Can We Trust Any of Our Translations of the Bible?
4. Don’t These Issues Rule Out Biblical Inerrancy?
5. Aren’t Several Narrative Genres of the Bible Unhistorical?
6. Don’t All the Miracles Make the Bible Mythical?

These six issues are those Blomberg deems as opportunities to show readers that the Bible is actually more reliable than we think. Based on new findings, on top of the historical evidence, Blomberg attempts to address these questions in a non-confrontational way, unlike some "handful of very conservative Christian leaders" who themselves have not really understood the implications of the new developments.

BookPastor >> "Generous Spaciousness" (Wendy VanderWal-Gritter)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint.

conrade

---

TITLE: Generous Spaciousness: Responding to Gay Christians in the Church
AUTHOR: Wendy VanderWal-Gritter
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2014, (288 pages)

Gay rights and homosexuality matters have become hotly contested issues in many societies. It has split large segments of society into more than two camps. One side is pro-gay while the other side oppose gay agenda. Even religious circles are not spared, with many Christian groups being torn into two over this very issue of homosexuality; the definition and re-definition of marriage; the rights to educate children about heterosexuality and homosexuality; the legal system surrounding this and so on. If anyone is looking for a silver bullet solution, I suggest look elsewhere. While the two groups representing the extreme ends of the homosexuality issue have been very vocal and active, there is a sizeable part of the population that toes the middle ground. This groups asks whether there is a place for both views. They question the pros and cons of both groups represented. They attempt to be as conciliatory as possible and at the same time avoid being misrepresented by others. Unfortunately, voices that offer alternative views apart from the two groups are not able to articulate their position as well. Wendy VanderWal-Gritter calls many of them as offering "proffered answers," which are unsatisfactory and not sufficiently inclusive. Thus, rather than offering another book of that kind, the author introduces this book more as "permission to confront the tensions and air the questions you should ask" so that one can participate in expanding the space for constructive engagement, interaction, and understanding. That is why this book is called "Generous spaciousness."

VanderVal-Gritter begins with a confession so as to clear the decks for open discussion. She admits that she is neither gay, ex-gay, or having any same-sex attraction tendencies. She openly states her belief in the traditional position of marriage being between man and woman. She also shares her experiences of being cornered, even threatened by gay advocates simply because of her stand, so much so that she has become tired of "triumphalistic" behaviours and bigoted attitudes from both sides. She is Executive Director of New Direction Ministries of Canada, a ministry that reaches out to gays and lesbians through understanding and appreciating the tensions they feel. Due to her moderate stance, she was even invited to give a keynote address at Exodus leadership conference, and her take on what it means to minister to ex-gays. Speaking to the conservative circles, she lists three distractions that prevent building bridges of understanding.

1. Causation: where activists try to find the root causes of homosexuality
2. Orientation Change: where groups try to focus on sexuality changes
3. Political Involvement: where groups politicize the whole issue.

Movie Review: Heaven is For Real

I watched a preview of this movie, courtesy of Outreach Canada last month.While I had initial reservations about the story itself, when it comes to actually portraying the book, the film does very well. My review will not be on whether it is theologically right or not, or whether I agree with all of the interpretations made in the movie. My review will be based on how inspiring the whole movie is, and in terms of how wholesome it is for family viewing. (Website resources here)

Before I proceed, let me simply summarize the story as one of a three year old boy named Colton Burpo who had a near death experience, following an emergency surgery. For that brief moment, no one except Colton himself had an afterlife experience in heaven. He saw Jesus. He saw his grandpa. He even had his sister in heaven give him a hug. All of these events were never told to him while on earth. In that brief trip to heaven, Colton was able to learn about it all, and to share the incredible details on earth. What followed was an amazing string of revelations and inspirations that not only amazed people, it threw people into a whirlwinds of faith and doubt; trust and suspicions.

Let me provide five thoughts about the whole movie.

1) Quality: A Very Well-Made Film

Gone are the days where Christian movies tend to be seen as "woody" or non-professional enough for the mainstream. The quality of Christian films has generally improved. This movie takes it a leap further. With powerful acting and well-known names in Hollywood, backed by a reputed Sony Pictures brand-name, this movie has ushered Christian movie-making into a very respectable realm. With Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® award winning actor Greg Kinnear as Todd Burpo and Kelly Reilly as Sonja Burpo, the quality of acting exceeds many Christian movies previously made.  You can read more about the cast and details here.Even the acting by little Connor Corum as Colton Burpo is superb.

2) Empathy: It Asks Many Common Questions on Behalf of the Audience

There is a sense that the producers of the movie have adopted the position of a skeptic as they film the movie. With Todd Burpo as the pastor, volunteer fireman, husband and father constantly questioning and battling his own doubts, Burpo tackles the common doubts on behalf of the audience. It is clear that the producers were trying to see the whole movie from a skeptical and questioing audience point of view. Is it really true? Can we truly believe Colton's story? What if it is all a fake? Is heaven really for real?

Having the father agonize and struggle through it all gives a sense of authenticity in the search for truth. This is something I appreciate, as the movie really puts itself in the shoes of the audience and asks many of the commonly anticipated questions on our behalf. Kudos to the producers!

3) Speed: A Good Pace

The story began gradually and did not immediately go into the heavenly experience. I noticed that the producers took pains to draw up the contexts of the whole family situation. There was the duty of a father who has preaching responsibilities at Church; an important volunteer firefighter member of the small community; a charitable man often providing service without expecting cash but whatever others could pay in kind. Once Colton had that heavenly experience, the revelation came in small steps. Each time the revelation was shown, audiences could feel how it hits home. The pace allowed doubts and questions to be lingering rather than smothered with less than satisfactory answers. This is important as the movie is not there to convince people whether there is a heaven or not. Instead, it is trying to portray as accurately as possible, the Burpos' perspectives. With such a controversial subject, it is wise to pace accordingly.

4) Inviting Not Imposing

Unlike evangelistic movies, this movie invited audiences to think and to question, rather than to impose answers. That is movie making at its best. In fact, such a approach will appeal to a larger audience, both Christians as well as non-Christians. Churches or Christians trying to reach out to their friends, ought not to oversell the message. Invitation is best. Let the movie do all the questioning and the talking. After the movie, we can do all the discussing without having to fear not having all the right answers. Let the movie raise the topic of heaven and to open up conversational moments for everyone. 

5) Inspiring

Overall, the story was an inspirational one. None of us will be able to prove beyond any doubt whether the burpos' stories are true or not. It can only be as true as their claims. If we can put aside skepticism, objections, or any forms of negative feelings toward the entire Burpo experience, and to just enjoy the movie as it is, the end result is an inspiring and meaningful one. After all, as Christians, we believe there is a heaven. If this movie can at least demonstrate that there are glimpses of heaven in everyday life, it may enable us to be more watchful for heaven while on earth. Watch the trailer here.





Rating: 5 out of 5.

conrade