Thursday, March 31, 2016

Review: Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Develops You

Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Develops You Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Develops You by Banning Liebscher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book and read it in one seating. There's no heavy typological or foreshadowing of Christ here. What we get instead are plenty of lively stories from Banning's (and family's) life and ministry. He attempts to communicate a simple message - to be rooted intimately with God, in service to him and in the context of a community.

I was constantly engaged with the unfolding thesis of the book, and was kept hooked from the get go. The plentiful sharing of the real-life memories and experiences (especially the painful/embarrassing ones) helped Banning connect with a young reader like myself. I appreciated the authenticity and vulnerability thoroughly. I'd probably increase the 4 stars to 5 if more emphasis (and pages) was placed on the necessity of the believer actively seeking to be rooted in the 3 soils (Intimacy, serving, community).

I'm actually conflicted as to whether I wished he had gone in greater depth for each of the bible passages he cited. After wrestling for a moment, I think he made the right choice in the touch-and-go methodology in citing Scripture. (Because the more reformed would probably not even pick up a book by a Jesus Culture pastor in the first place!) As I reflect on what this main lines of propositions Banning attempted to convey, I am reminded of James Bryan Smith's Good and Beautiful triology. This book (Rooted) would serve as a superb appetitiser (should a small group or church leader decide to ease the flock to journey together with the Good and Beautiful series).

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016

Review: Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved by J.D. Greear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For a title so offensive, one would think that Greear is going to decimate the notion of the sinner's prayer (which was what attracted me to this book). But no, this book is far more than that. And I'm so very grateful for that. Having read (and reviewed) so many books lately, it is a breath of fresh air to have one speak right to your heart (after having to go through many mediocre ones).

This book would speak both to the person who is ever worried whether he is saved, because he continually falls into sin and wonders whether it is worthwhile to keep attempting to live a life worthy of the blood that Jesus had shed. It too would speak equally loudly to a person who is so sure of his salvation that he is not even concerned about sin in his life, because he believes that nothing he does can jeopardise his eternal destination.

I was thoroughly blessed by this book and would heartily recommend it to any Christian. Even though I received this book from B&H Publishing Group through Netgalley.com in exchange for this review, I enjoyed it so much I'm seriously considering purchase a copy to keep on my bookshelf!

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Review: Neither Complementarian Nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate

Neither Complementarian Nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate Neither Complementarian Nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate by Michelle Lee-Barnewall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is a labour of love, with thorough research having gone into the pages. While other books on the topic of Women in Ministry is narrow in scope, this author attempts to provide a blanket exploration on the topic, from both a "secular" and theological angle. It perhaps would be apt to classify this book as a hybrid of a meta-analysis and devotional commentary. Chapters 1 (Evangelical Women and Social Reform) and 2 (Returning Home after WWII) provided a far more rigourous revisit to my Junior College days when we set in lectures and had to write essays on the emancipation of and rights of Women.

I could imagine Lee-Barnewall presenting the content in the book in the form of a 52 weekly lectures. The reason is probably because most of the time (especially when she refers to Scripture or theological themes) she is establishing a case with affirmative substantives, (if I could borrow a debating term) positive matter. While she does cite other bible scholars at times, this occurs less infrequently than I had expected (given the endorsements by fine theologians like Darrell Bock and Craig Keener). Having read many extremely scholarly commentaries in my research, I felt that Part 2 of the book reminded me of a devotional commentary by Wiersbe or an inspirational sermon. Or perhaps to be less harsh, (in Lynn Cohick's words in the Afterword) "review" may be more apt description.

This is probably my fortieth book I have read for the purposes of writing an exegetical paper on 1 Tim 2. The title would have hinted at the author's attempt to strike a balance between the extremes of complementarianism and egalitarianism. I wish that she would have bitten the bullet and taken a stance (like Craig Blomberg did in his excellent Appendix of a similar title in https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...), rather than refrain from making a conclusion of where she stands in the debate. I would have probably given an extra star if she had attempted to do so.

I received this ebook from Baker Academic through Netgalley.com in exchange for this review.

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Saturday, March 19, 2016

Review: Women in the Church (Third Edition): An Interpretation and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15

Women in the Church (Third Edition): An Interpretation and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 Women in the Church (Third Edition): An Interpretation and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 by Andreas J. Köstenberger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While I thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd edition (see my review at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...), I was honestly disappointed with the quality of the 3rd edition. I felt that the 2nd edition was a trailblazer in setting the parameters of the modern debate in Western theological academic circles, the 3rd edition has been reduced to a slightly pitiful defensive posture. If I could borrow terminology from debating, the 3rd edition contributes more negative material (rebuttals) than positive matter (substantives).

Thomas Schreiner is one of my favourite theologians and commentators. But even his new chapter seemed to be too long winded and off focus. (Even though I resonated strongly with his chapters in Two Views on Women in Ministry (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...) and in the 2nd edition). Perhaps there is not much new material to put forth on the table, and instead of reiterating the old substantives, the authors (and editors) to engage lengthy interaction with dissenting scholarship. My primary criticisms of the book's long-windedness and excessive (but often weak) interaction with other theologians does not render it useless. Most students would still find the 3rd edition useful for academic research, as the title represents a collection of the scholarship from the premier complementarian theologians.

Thankfully, S M Baugh's revised chapter on the background of Ephesus (where most scholars affirm Paul had written the epistle of 1 Tim. from) is a vast improvement from the 2nd edition. I enjoyed the chapter throughly. The roundtable discussion (Application) chapter is a great idea, though most readers would probably not give much weight into the opinions of "normal" or lay people. But if it were a group of pastors from established churches (like how the Gospel Coalition would video an interview with three pastors), or a group of theologians (maybe even the authors themselves), that would make the book worth many times its retail price.

The 3rd edition has 150 pages more (and in my opinion often longwinded) content than the 2nd, and I hope that in the 4th edition, presumably in 10 years time, would be edited with more brevity and be sharp to the point. If your seminary/church or public library has this book, borrow it! But I am hesitant to recommend this book to be purchased as an essential reference tool on one's bookshelf.

I received this ebook from the Crossway's Beyond the Page Program in exchange for this review.

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Review: Women in the Church: An Analysis and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15

Women in the Church: An Analysis and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 Women in the Church: An Analysis and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 by Andreas J. Kostenberger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I specially ordered this book for the purposes of writing a paper on 1 Tim. 2:9-15 as part of course requirements for a Systematic Theology course. I sought to give the text a fair treatment, and as best as I can, resist the inclinations of allowing my presuppositions to influence my understanding and interpretation.

This book should get a more stars by complementarian reviwers and less stars from the egalitarian reviwers. Therefore I would like to disclose that my view of women in ministry is close to Blomberg's position of "Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian" (see the Appendix of the Two Views on Women in Ministry that he co-edited - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...).

Hence, while I do not hold a strict complementarian view like the authors (and editors) do, I was overwhelmed and inspired by their dedication and passion they have for interpretation God's Holy Word. Their love for God and his Bible is ever so evident across the multiple authors. Of the 30-40 other books and commentaries** on 1 Tim. 2, this title stood out as one that achieved a beautiful mix of positive matter/substantives being put forward with a lively interaction with (egalitarian) scholarship that was published after the first edition in 1995.

At no part of the book did I sense any bigoted or sexist agenda. What matched the most rigorous of academic scholarship, was an equally enormous amount of grace and pastoral care. I would like to echo Schreiner's call to “bend over backward to love those with whom we disagree, and to assure them that we hope and pray that God will bless their ministries, even tough we believes that it is a mistake for women to take on a pastoral role.” (p85-86).

I heartily recommend this book! If like me, you would like to embark on a study of 1 Tim. 2 to attempt to find out what the bible actually affirms, I would recommend this book, alongside Stanley J. Grenz and Denise M. Kjesbo's Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry. In my opinion, these two are the best in the respective camps (in the defence of their position in the rebuttals of the other).

UPDATE: The 2016 Edition has been released. See my review of it at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

**See my goodreads review for the list of sources I consulted for my 1 Tim. 2 exegetical paper.

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Friday, March 18, 2016

Review: Renovation of the Church: What Happens When a Seeker Church Discovers Spiritual Formation

Renovation of the Church: What Happens When a Seeker Church Discovers Spiritual Formation Renovation of the Church: What Happens When a Seeker Church Discovers Spiritual Formation by Kent Carlson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first thing that caught my attention was how nice the material of the back cover feels to the touch... Okay, onto the review proper! =D

Dallas Willard in the forward makes the observation that "we [in the dominant form of church life today] have trained Christians to be demanding consumers, not disciples... it was this issue of consumerism that brought the conflicting values of external success and authentic spiritual formation into such sharp contrast." (p9) and how they sought instead for "disciples of Jesus, not just avid consumers of religious goods and services." (p10-11).

From the get go, I appreciated the humility of the authors in admitting that they did not have their act all together and did not fall into the trap of over promising success by following an x-number point plan. With Ecclesiology being my second most favourite topic in theology (first being biblical theology), it was surreal to agree emphatically with the authors page after page after page (even though the church context I have been observing and reflecting about in far away Singapore). I too long for the day that my church would seek to grow spiritually formed Christians, rather than consumers addicted to week after week of worshiptainment. That powerful encounters at the altar would translate into lives forever changed by the Gospel, so much that believers cannot live in their old sinful ways. Their authenticity kept me constantly engaged, because their ten year or so struggle to transit from Willow's seeker friend model to one whereby the unchurched are faced with the invitation to repent rather than receive countless blessings upon blessings.

If you enjoy books by established church consultants like Gary McIntosh or Aubrey Malphurs, this book complements them so very well! The authors do not just know ecclesiological theories or doctrinal philosophies, as co-pastors they have sought to put many of these into real life application. On the topic of co-pastoring, this is the first time I have heard of such a notion, but it seems to be a really great idea (having considered their reflection of the pros and cons of it).

I heartily recommend this book, especially if you are a pastor frustrated with your congregation's distinterest in missions, evangelism, social justice, christian education etc. I would imagine how very useful it would be for the key decision makers on elder board/pastoral staff to have read and reflected upon relevance of what was discussed in the book for your church.

I received this book from InterVarsity Press for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Sunday, March 13, 2016

Review: What Would Jesus Post?: Seven Principles Christians Should Follow in Social Media

What Would Jesus Post?: Seven Principles Christians Should Follow in Social Media What Would Jesus Post?: Seven Principles Christians Should Follow in Social Media by Brian D. Wassom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thankfully the book was not as legalistic as the title hinted it could potentially be. The first section of the book provided many practical nuggets of advice that any social media savvy person would probably find useful. However I felt that the author was trying to write more chapters than what would have necessary. if Wassom were to cut out the fluffy chapters in the middle, this would have easily gotten 4 or even 5 stars (even with the many shortcomings that I am about to discuss in a moment).

Perhaps if marketed as a secular book, it could reach a larger audience. After all, the author makes many references to pop culture and general trivia, which probably will not be the average's Christian reader's area of interest. Also, the references to the bible were far too little if the author wants to support a thesis that is worded with Jesus' name. While the WWJP title seems to be rather catchy or attention grabbing, the author really have invested a bucket load more effort into citing passages from the gospels (or any other part of the bible) to explain what Jesus would post on social media.

I would recommend reading this book (especially if a friend or a library would lend you one) but I do not think that it is a book that you would want to keep on your bookshelf for time eternal.

I received this ebook from the Harpercollins’ Booklook Bloggers Program in exchange for this review.

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Review: I Will Follow Jesus Bible Storybook

I Will Follow Jesus Bible Storybook I Will Follow Jesus Bible Storybook by Judah Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is targeted at parents of pre-school children. If you are picking up a book by Judah Smith, it is likely that you are a pentecostal (and would probably rate this book as 3 stars), but if you are a more reformed/traditional Christian, you would probably give it 2 stars. I would give it 2.5 stars but most review websites do not allow that, (from my rating you can probably guess that I am caught in the tension in between).

I roped in my girlfriend, a sunday school teacher of many years to help me with this review as she would have a better how primary school children think (as compared to the seminary student who sometimes thinks and communicates in excessively theological/scholarly-ness). A major pet peeve of hers was how the book sometimes printed the stories in portrait (across 2 pages) rather than landscape.

I wish that the illustrated pictures were a bit sharper when printed, but I guess it was intentional decision or style of the artist. The stories are very simple for young children to understand, and would possibly make for good bedtime reading or storytelling. This is a storybook, not a bible; many bible stories are joined with others before an application is drawn. Some characters/sections of the bible are omitted - exclusions include Issac, Jacob, most of the prophets (only Samuel, Elijah, Daniel, Jonah were discussed), most of the kings (other than David), the exile of Israel and Judah, to name a few. It was a pity that Christ's death was only a one page story and that the rich teachings from the NT Epistles of what the church is about and how we as Christians relate to each other.

Sometimes the Smiths will share a sniplet from their lives to introduce a bible story, which may prove useful as a hook, but perhaps it would have been better to provide a series of guidelines whereby parents could share their own stories with their children. The applications often titled "I will follow Jesus" and is but often stops short of a typological Christology reference. I recognise that it is a challenge to provide the applications of bible passages for young children without falling into the trap of issuing a moral or legalistic cannibalisation of the text.

Writing a children's storybook is indeed an extremely challenging endeavour, and the Smiths fought a good fight with their commendable labour of love. Hopefully, there would be a revised more lengthy version or a part 2 that would highlight many parts of the bible that were left out!

I received this book from the Harpercollins’ Booklook Bloggers Program in exchange for this review.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Review: The Pastor's Book: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide to Pastoral Ministry

The Pastor's Book: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide to Pastoral Ministry The Pastor's Book: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide to Pastoral Ministry by R. Kent Hughes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I would imagine that this book especially if you are (or know someone who is or is going to be) a relatively new pastor that has just gone into ministry. Many of the chapters alone would make the US$30 seem like a serious bargain (like the ones on weddings, funerals, prayers, pastoral counselling); each of these chapters highlighted in parentheses are, in my opinion, worth the price of the book. The authors hail from a more conservative and liturgical background, but have countless insights, suggestions and advice that even more "modern" and less-liturgical people like me will find timelessly helpful.

My guess (and what I have been told) is that Bible School would prepare one to be relatively adept at interpreting (and hopefully preaching) Holy Scripture. But we are still novice apprentices when it comes to various aspects of pastoral ministry: sunday worship services, annual services, weddings, funerals, public prayers, creeds, hymns/songs, baptism, communion, pastoral counselling, hospital visitation (the chapters run in that order). After reading through the whole book, I felt that I had just graduated from the pastor-jedi academy, quite skilled but yet still an apprentice.

I am astounded by the Appendix. What a labour of love to compile sample wedding services from Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian traditions! I was thoroughly blessed. If I could highlight the chapter I enjoyed the most, it would be Robert W. Evan's Chapter 11 on Pastoral Counselling. It is a tour de force that packed page after page of timelessly helpful and valuable advice. I heartily recommend this book!

I received this book from the Crossway's Beyond the Page Program in exchange for this review.

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