Review: God's New Society: The Message of Ephesians

God's New Society: The Message of Ephesians by John R.W. Stott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This commentary appears to deviate away from Stott’s usual high quality titles that are epitomised by clear exposition, engaging illustrations and deep theological reflection. Published in 1979, this book has blessed many generators of students, pastors and preachers prior to the publication of newer commentaries. An updating of the illustrations and language would be helpful in capturing the attention of modern readers and assisting in their comprehension of the biblical text. It would also be more useful if Stott transposed what he perceives to be poor translation choices against more popular modern translations such as the ESV, NLT or NIV – as compared to the older AV, RSV and NEB translations as found in the book. On the same note, the title’s age renders it unable to interact with modern scholarship that has since been published, and references are made to scholars whose names the present day reader would probably not be familiar with.

Before the advent of the excellent commentaries by Walter Liefeld's 1997 and Clinton Arnold's 2010 excellent commentaries utilise modern analogies and cite present world events. Liefeld’s IVPNTC commentary is superior in brevity and clarity – teachers and pastors would find it useful for lesson/sermon preparation. Arnold’s ZECNT commentary is superior in depth and theological reflection – advanced readers and scholars would find it useful. R Kent Hughes' 1990 title from the Preaching the Word Series is also superior exposition and has surpassed Stott’s title.

Amidst the book’s various issues, there are some timeless truths and reflections that are still relevant and helpful to reflect upon today. Looking back in time, this reviewer is heartened that in his exposition of Eph. 3:7, Stott extends grace to a movement he did not agree with or endorse, thereby effectively illustrating the point of the passage – that “the unity of the church is due to charis, God’s grace having reconciled us to himself; but the diversity of the church is due to charismata, God’s gifts distributed to church members”:

From this word charismata that the adjective ‘charismatic’ is derived. The so-called ‘charismatic movement’, although controversial in a number of its distinctive emphases, has without doubt been used by God to bring spiritual renewal to many churches and individual Christians. Nevertheless, we should register a biblical protest against the designation ‘charismatic movement’, whether its adherents themselves chose it or were given it. ‘Charismatic’ is not a term which can be accurately applied to any group or movement within the church, since according to the New Testament the whole church is a charismatic community. It is the body of Christ, every single member of which has a gift (charisma) to exercise or function to perform. (Pg. 155-6)

Furthermore, the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches today would do well to pay heed to and prevent much abuse from Stott’s timeless advice regarding God’s raising up of prophets and prophetesses (4:11) by “carefully test[ing] by Scripture and by the known character of the speaker, and that the regular, systematic, thoughtful exposition of the Bible is much more important for the building up of the people of God.” (Pg. 162-3).

This reviewer suggests that much of the abuse and misuse of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially regarding words of knowledge and ‘commands’ from church leaders, could be avoided if Holy Scripture is the lens by which all such words are examined by. A church would perhaps enjoy the best of the charismatic and reformed worlds – when they are fed a diet of faithful exposition of Scripture in the environment of expectant supernatural faith-expanding operation of the Holy Spirit in ministry of the lost and of the congregation.

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Review: God's Timing for Your Life: Seeing the Seasons of Your Life Through God's Eyes

God's Timing for Your Life: Seeing the Seasons of Your Life Through God's Eyes by Dutch Sheets
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This tiny little book provided a really easy and quick read! Weighing in at 60-odd pages, it is highly accessible and pitched at charismatic non-readers. I really enjoyed the many illustrations, though I doubted the veracity of some of them, which were probably more anecdotal.

I felt that some of the personal accounts could have been further elaborated, for example, I wondered what was the outcome of the rumours resulting in 40% of his congregation leaving on pages 30-1. I also felt that his excessive use of Greek undermined the utility of the book, because bible scholars with a working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew would often stick to explaining in english for the layperson to understand; it is often those who know little biblical languages that tend to cite word after word after word of Greek and Hebrew.

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Review: Acts of the Holy Spirit

Acts of the Holy Spirit by C. Peter Wagner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having read numerous scholarly commentaries (that are often a challenge to read because they are toward the deep end of the technical spectrum), I found this gem of a book to be highly accessible and most engaging; through Wagner's passionate writing, I caught a sense of how exciting the high-stakes events in the book of Acts were. The real-world illustrations and examples provided brought to life the conceptual and the theological; providing the reader with a glimpse of how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers today.

However, I felt that the quality of the scholarship diminished toward the final chapters. Wagner clarifies that as these sections were not the focus of his commentary, he thus skips through the penultimate sections of the book of Acts with less emphasis and fewer comments. I understand that decision he made, because at about 600 pages this book is already relatively unappealing to most laypeople and pastors; it is a pity that 3 volume version of this title is out of print because the bite sized chunks provide for a far easier read. Finally, it would be of great value should Wagner release a revised edition whereby interaction is made with the numerous commentaries that have been published in the recent years - for example Darrell Bock's BECNT (2007), David Peterson's PNTC (2009), Eckhard Schnabel's ZECNT (2012) and of course Craig Keener's massive non-series 4 volume work (2012-2015).

Nevertheless, I regard this book to be a 5 star (out of 5) classic and a most valuable title that has more than earned its place on my bookshelf (books with 1 to 4 stars would be sold off/donated). I thoroughly enjoyed the read - so much so that I bought a copy to keep (the copy I read was borrowed). In conclusion, because of the highly engaging and accessible content, I heartily recommend this book to laypeople, church leaders and pastors for the purposes of inspiration, study and application of principles from the book of Acts.

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Review: Resurrection: The Capstone in the Arch of Christianity

Resurrection: The Capstone in the Arch of Christianity by Hank Hanegraaff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I picked up this book as part of reading material for a research paper. Incidentally the book I read just before this was Strobel's The Case for Easter, which is actually an excerpt from the bestselling The Case for Christ. While Hanegraaff does make some unique contributions and substantives on his own, it seemed that many of the citations were secondary material from Strobel. Seeing the Gold Medallion Book Award and the many pages of recommendations by famous scholars, I however felt that the book was underwhelming for the amount of accolades and good reviews it received.

The distinguishing factor from Strobel's more popular level material would be the more technical aspects of Part 2 (Defense of the Resurrection of Creation) and Part 3 (Definite Answers to Questions Regarding the Resurrection). However, I felt that Part 1 (Defense of the Resurrection of Creation) is far too brief before the hard hitting matter comes along.

That's not to say that this is a mediocre book, it's one of the better ones on the topic of the resurrection, just that it is not brilliant. I will still recommended Strobel's to anybody who wants to get a grasp on the subject.

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Review: The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection

The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection by Lee Strobel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For the purposes of a research paper, I picked up this book alongside probably 30 or so other books, journal articles and encyclopedia articles and this was by far my favourite. The others were mostly either a challenge to read or skimmed the surface; they were either full of complicated theological matter or were too simplistic. Strobel pitched it just right - he pens in an engaging and easy-to-follow manner and yet dived in deep into the subject matter.

An able writer himself, Strobel provides an insightful introduction to each of three segments - (1) Did Jesus really die on the cross, (2) Was Jesus body really missing from his tomb and (3) Did Jesus appear to people after his death on the cross. The highlight of the book is probably when taps upon the expertise of Alexander Metherell, William Lane Craig and Gary Habermas, providing a summary of the interviews he conducted with them when he was still a skeptic. I was surprised that I enjoyed the read (because I wrongly expected popular level books to be mediocre)!

Like today's great comedians who entertain stadium-sized crowds, this book ended a series of exciting storytelling with a bang - one that left this reader highly encouraged and inspired. While the rest of the book appealed to one's intellect and reasoning, the final story tugs on the heartstrings.

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Review: Theologygrams: Theology explained in diagrams

Theologygrams: Theology explained in diagrams by Rich Wyld
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is probably a humourous, light-hearted take at something in the vein of the very serious and informative Visual Theology by Tim Challies. From the content, my guess is that the target audience are British Anglican Christians.

I really like the idea and creativity behind it, (and it was great fun reviewing this book after going through other more wordy ones), but unfortunately only two out of all the diagrams in the book were brilliant - namely the Matthew 13 Parable on p46-7 and the 7 churches in Rev. 2-3 on p86-7. The rest in my opinion, were not as insightful or amusing.

It indeed is a great pity, because when I checked out Rich Wyld's blog (theologygrams.wordpress.com), I found that I like many of the unpublished charts that were posted since the book was published. Hopefully in subsequent print revisions, more of these later ones posted in 2016-7 be added. Pop culture perhaps has moved on since the first edition was published in 2014. If however you found this book appealing, I recommend you check out Adam4d's work as well!

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

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Review: 5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know about Their Kids and Sex

5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know about Their Kids and Sex by Anne Marie Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How I wish that this book existed for my parents to read so I didnt have to find out what sex (and the related topics) was all about on my own through the internet! This book is well written, easy-to-follow and relatively engaging with the numerous personal stories and real-life accounts from people she interacts with. I felt myself agreeing repeatedly at the propositions she tries to make and hope that there will be more books like this in time to come! Also, at the end of each topic/chapter, Miller includes a Q&A by an expert on the subject matter, which is quite a nice touch.

Miller's own struggle during her adolescent days lends an authentic touch that connects with the millennial. As a 30 year old newlywed without any kids, I appreciated how informative this book is, not because I did not know most of the apps (eg. Snapchat, Tinder, Omegle) that Miller introduces to the clueless non-tech savvy parents, but because the information about the utility and dangers of each app will come very useful for them!

The deduction of 1 star is bordering on nitpicking, but I felt that some sections were more draggy and long-winded than they had to be, so if subsequent editions display more editing and brevity, i'd be happy to edit the rating to 5 stars.

I received this book from Baker Publishing Group's Blogger Review Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Review: Studying the Parables of Jesus

Studying the Parables of Jesus by Peter Rhea Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an initial review based on the Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15:11-32. I will update this in the future when I have utilised the book more extensively for the purposes of writing a bible study on the Parables of Jesus.

Across all criterion of juxtaposition, Jones' tour de force is my book of choice - be it for the purposes of academic writing, or for preparation of a sermon.

While Jones writes in an exciting, engaging manner, his intricate vocabulary use and numerous cross references to other scholars (both past and present) would narrow down the target audience to the advanced reader/scholar. With regards to depth, scope and clarity, Jones' commentary surpasses all twenty or so commentaries on Luke's gospel that I consulted for the abovementioned passage - textual issues, exegesis, interpretation, theological reflections and even questions for discussion/reflection are provided in the treatment of the text.

Interestingly, I found that I preferred Jones' treatment of the passage in comparison to Bock's magisterially extensive two volume tome of a commentary. Readers who are looking for an easier and lighter read would be well served by R Kent Hughes' Preaching the Word Commentary on Luke. Even if we to use its most similar compatriot (in term of number of pages), Arland J. Hultgren's the parables of Jesus: A commentary, as a better point of compassion, Jones still gets my vote (James Montgomery Boice and Robert H. Stein's titles are much slimer in comparision). While Hultgren's citations and cross references is many times more extensive than Jones, the former's writing is comparatively less engaging; Jones writes with a greater clarity and brevity without sacrificing much theological insight.

I requested this book from Smyth & Helwys for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Review: Portraits of a Pastor: The 9 Essential Roles of a Church Leader

Portraits of a Pastor: The 9 Essential Roles of a Church Leader by Jason K. Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I realised that these compilation/collaborative essay type of type of theological titles tend to be of very high quality. Because, perhaps for the purposes of brevity, each contribution is essentially a summary that brings out the cream of the subject matter. Often a single author, when given about 200 pages, tend to not be as succinct as when they are given only tens of pages to convey that same message.

While not all volumes were as well written or engaging as the others (possibly because the topic assigned was not their subject specialisation or interest), they were the minority amongst many very well-written essays. As a whole, the essays laid out what is demanded and how daunting the role of the pastor is. And yet strangely at the end of my read, I was encouraged and heartened not because I knew I was able to meet every single criterion, but because I was in awe of the beauty and wonder of how a godly pastor would be like. Furthermore, the propositions and substantive matter were grounded in Scripture (in contrast to airy-fairy opinions) and peppered with illustrations aplenty. Significantly for me also, I'd imagine that other readers who are unsure of their call, would be more clear if they were called to pastoral ministry or not, once having read the job description of a church leader.

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

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Review: Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive by Thom S. Rainer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rainer packs alot of juicy content into this really tiny book. I thoroughly enjoyed the real life scenarios he used to season the "meatier" parts of the narrative. Rainer identifies various characteristics that a dying church would exhibit - which indeed may not be obvious to the Christians or pastors who have been part of that church community for a prolonged length of time.

While the title may seem offensive to some, I caught a sense that contrary to somebody who hates the "institutionalized Christian religion" (or insert whatever negative label you think fits better here), Rainer has conveyed his heart of love for the church. This is not a book all about gloom and doom and how the church had its better days in the past. Quite the opposite in fact! Rainer doesnt just list the symptoms and observations of a dying church, in the last two chapters he has provided various responses to Christians attending very sick or dying churches.

Because the book's brevity would simply serve to alert one to a church's condition, consultation with more substantive and in depth titles on this topic would be required for one to reflect on further follow up measures. A great companion to this book would be Gary L. McIntosh's excellent Taking Your Church to the Next Level: What Got You Here Won't Get You There would be the first title that I'd heartily recommend.

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Review: There's Hope for Your Church: First Steps to Restoring Health and Growth

There's Hope for Your Church: First Steps to Restoring Health and Growth by Gary L. McIntosh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I first read this book in May 2015, having borrowed it from my school's library, and I promptly purchased a copy to keep. Now in Aug 2016, because of its amateurish looking cover, I reread it to see if it deserved to stay on my bookshelf (anything less than 5 stars would mean it would be put up for sale to make room). I was pleasantly surprised to rediscover how good it was, and the 5 star rating remains unchanged. Many books that I have read, I felt that the author had no idea what they were talking about. McIntosh writes with the verve of a seasoned veteran who has had thought through and worked on this subject matter extensively.

This practical and uplifting book for the pastor of a "dying" church (or church in need of revitalisation) is like fresh hot rations given to a battle weary soldier on the front line. I appreciated the can-do and positive tone coupled with McIntosh's succinct style of writing. I found that the case studies were always so very insightful, and were an amazing fit with the practical advice presented. They were probably the part of the book that reeled me in the most and that I most enjoyed.

I found the following methodologies highlighted in the book especially helpful:

- Identification of the signs of trouble in the church (Chapter 3) - low morale, downward momentum or plateauing growth, survival mode, passive attitudes, consolidated power, lack of vision, toleration of known sin and unproductive ministries
- Inclusion of a diagram (Page 75) that illustrates that God's Vision is an intersection of the pastor's leadership passion, passion/gifts of the congregation and the community needs
- Building a successful dominant coalition (Chapter 6) requires the right people (by approaching individuals personally rather than over the pulpit), who respect you, who are willing to receive the biblical training and replace disagreeable leaders
- After evaluating the church morale (Chapter 7), seek to lift it by being positive yourself, finding the silver lining (every situation no matter how dire, has its good aspects to highlight; eg. thank people who are overworked), celebrate all victories, require people who highlight problems to come back with three possible solutions, recruit encouragers, highlight heroes, stay close to the people, focus on the right people (Focus on the Very Important People, then the Very Trainable People, then the Very Nice People, and then the Very Draining People)
- Do not delay in confronting problem people (Page 112) who are: disloyal (on surface appear to be with you but speak against you when you are not present), belligerent (verbally or physically attack others), belittle (put others down to make themselves look better), undermine (who seek to draw others away to another church)
- Accept resignations immediately and do not allow them to change their minds (some influential staff or board members threaten resignations often to get their ways; Page 112)
- Evaluate and refocus on the core ministry (Chapter 9) and outreach/evangelism (because theological equipping of people does not always result in them desiring to bring in new people)
- In reference to church members being equipped for change (Chapter 10), I can relate personally that radicals arent a great source of feedback as they always bring a positive report; they are great for starting new things with great excitement and energy but burn out too quickly (Page 136)
- Watch out and deal with these 5 kinds of losses (Chapter 11): of identity (with the roles/positions/places they occupy in church), of control, of meaning (in places, programs and patterns of life), of belonging (when they are overwhelmed by numbers of newcomers they do not know), of a future (as people hope for a stable future and struggle with the idea that it is changing)
- Stay the course (Chapter 12)
- Church revitalisation chart and checklist (Pages 164-5)
- That 9 out of 10 church mergers fail (Appendix B)
- When church mergers work best (Pages 182-183): occurs because of mission and outreach rather than need to survive; consist of churches with common theology, philosophy of ministry, values, and corporate culture; both congregations sell their buildings and move into a new one; a single or new pastor is called to lead the congregation; when three churches merge and none is dominant (often when two churches merge, one feels shut out and loses its sense of identity); time is given to developing solid communication about a possible merger and addressing concerns; significant time for courtship is allowed to take place

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Review: Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know for Sure and What to Do about It

Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know for Sure and What to Do about It by Jason K. Allen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Allen has given us a most outstanding, engaging, practical and useful book, especially if you feel called to full time paid ministry in Christ's service, and yet you feel a little bit unsure of taking the big leap. The book was pregnant with wise nuggets of truth and character piercing propositions/questions/thoughts that assisted in my evaluation and discerning of where I stood in reality.

And yet for a book that I feel is almost invaluable, it is truly a pity that I cannot give it the 6 stars (yep more than 5 stars!) it so truly deserves. But if perhaps you would find the read so much more enjoyable if your theological position (like Allen) is that of a partial Cessationist ("the office of apostle and prophet as reserved for the first century, ceasing to exist with the death of the apostles and the completion of the New Testament," p21), and an extreme Complementarian ("the office and function of the pastor/elder are biblically reserved for qualified men," p37).

For those who are curious, I too hold a partial Cessationist and a partial Complementarian view. However I found that I had to keep reminding myself to look above my horror (at Allen's lack of Eccumenicalism) and try to savour and digest the larger message he was attempting to convey. That was indeed quite a challenge and I so very much wished Allen did not alienate so many readers from the get go - in very first two chapters!

In my opinion, these are secondary theological issues, but after reading how Allen was inspired by Spurgeon's unwavering stance in the downgrade controversy (Chapter 9), I understood that he too was a man who stood by and would defend his convictions strongly - which necessitated that he did what he did - Allen would not have been at peace with himself if he did not pen down what he believed in. And for that, I respect his decision - an author who advocated complete inclusion of everyone and anyone would come up with a useless piece of literature with impotent advice. Nevertheless, I still affirm that the book would be of immense value even if you hold a Continuationist (that the office of the Apostle/Prophet, miracles and speaking of tongues have not ceased) or an Egalitarian (that women can take on any office, even the senior pastor role) position.

A title more theologically neutral - yet equally Scripturally faithful and perhaps even more inspirational- I would recommend would be Edmund Clowney's Called to the Ministry; these two titles would be great companions both distinct and overlapping fields of discussion. A quick search on amazon pulled up a handful of books on this same topic; I'll update this review again in future when I have evaluated a couple of the counterparts to find out the most useful.

I received this book from the Moody Publishers Newsroom program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Review: After 50 Years of Ministry: 7 Things I'd Do Differently and 7 Things I'd Do the Same

After 50 Years of Ministry: 7 Things I'd Do Differently and 7 Things I'd Do the Same by Bob Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I requested for a review copy as I had read Russell's excellent "When God Builds a Church" - if you have yet to read it, I'd highly recommend it! However, I had half expected that as with most megachurch pastors, Russell could only have authored only one good book (with the others being of a so-so standard). I am most happy to admit that I could not be more wrong, this book has very much cemented its place on the rare never-to-be-sold-away 6 star (out of 5) gem.

As a senior minister/preacher who has retired for slightly over a decade, Russell writes earnestly, honestly and authentically; I did not send that he had anything to prove nor axe to grind - he simply wanted to bless the next generation of pastors/preachers. What with? With the vastamount of wisdom and experience he had accumulated - which often shared with an engaging, self-depreciating sense of humour. The appeal of and winsomeness of the illustrations alone would be worth the price of the book's retail value; I found myself to be genuinely interested whenever a real-world example was coming up and savoured every bite of it! I'd be hard pressed to pick which section of the book I preferred; I found both his regrets and best practices to be immensely handy.

As a seminary student with little ministry experience, this most wonderful labour of love has provided me with a glimpse of what forty years of faithful service would look like - warts and all - and provide endless food for thought! I could possibly spend a couple of months journeying a chapter of two on a weekly basis with a trusted friend in reflection, making plans and self-evaluation, and perhaps 5 years later, look back at this book and still find that it is still going to be incredibly useful! What I found exceptionally helpful was how Russell often shared about the temptation for self-glorification and how he sought to combat it - for good measure, Russell would add in a humourous story of how ordinary (or second rate) he truly was in reality when compared to his compatriots and staff.

In summary, this book was incredibly practical, highly inspirational and very realistic. I did not close the covers with a sense of how great a man Russell was - I went away with a sense of awe for the God Russell lovingly served for four decades. That perhaps, if a guy as ordinary and oddball as Russell could go the distance in the Lord's service, maybe I too, can also!

I received this book from the Moody Publishers Newsroom program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Review: Why Don't Students Like School?: A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom

Why Don't Students Like School?: A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom by Daniel T. Willingham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was skeptical because the author, a cognitive psychologist, covered many topics that I already knew about. I had gleaned wonderful reminders of why teachers should impart abstract reasoning and problem solving, about how fact-memorisation is not as useful in today’s google age. Indeed we do want our students to be able to apply principles to contexts above and beyond what they are taught in school. In the section about how expert scientists work (Chapter 6), I was encouraged about how the free-spirited me found the Singaporean Education System extremely stifling.

This segment espeically resonated with me:

"High schoolers know that laboratory exercises have predictable outcomes, so their focus is probably not on what the lab is meant to illustrate on whether they 'did it right.' Likewise, historians don't read and memorize textbooks-they work with original sources (birth certificates, diaries, contemporary newspaper accounts and the like) to construct sensible narrative interpretations of historical events. If we're not giving students practice in doing the things that historians and scientists actually do, in what sense are we teaching them history and science?" (pg 98)

Having tried unsuccessfully to conquer the GCE Advanced Levels despite having been retained for my first year (I took three years instead of the regular two). But when I went into Polytechnic, for the first time in a long time, I finally managed to succeed academically when the grading criteria involved the synthesis and study of unpredictable outcomes. Today while most of my peers are holding conventional jobs, at 27 years of age, I'm hunkered down with running my own online business. It's extremely tough, with insane working hours, and with the reality check of earning many times lesser than my peers. Oh, I'm now in year two of a bachelor's (degree) program, also doing rather well in a system that is not just about examinations. And I'm savouring every moment of it! And am seriously considering pursuing a PhD in future!

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Review: The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Timothy Keller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thank the Lord for Timothy Keller's passionate exploration of Jesus' famed parable. This was the book that got then anti-christian me back on track again. Having grown up in church, I was all too familiar with the elder brother types and could relate so very well to the younger brother. Only then did I realise in my hatred of the elder brother types, I took was just as legalistic and lost.

Most of us would have never heard this well known parable being taught before in this light.

I highly recommend this book! In fact this is highly likely to be my book of choice whenever I am have the privilege to disciple a person. I hope that the grace of the prodigal father would touch and change the hearts of the lost sons out there - whether they be like the older or the younger son in the parable.

Buy a few copies if you must! And journey together chapter by chapter (or two by two chapters) with your small group. I have not had the opportunity to review it, but I do know that Keller has a resource that is catered to the small group setting. It is titled "The Prodigal God Discussion Guide with DVD."

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Review: Proclaiming a Cross-Centered Theology

Proclaiming a Cross-Centered Theology by Mark Dever
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the read and was astounded to find that almost every chapter was outstandingly well written, engaging and thought-provoking (well except R C Sproul's which I found to be rather mediocre). Perhaps the fact that the origin of this book was a series of conference messages makes is so exceptional. While bible scholars may be prone to drifting toward excessively complex (or convoluted) theological messages when writing an article, book or thesis, having to present that same work at a conference often warrants summarising the content to its creme de la creme.

Although I find that I resonate more with Arminian and Charismatic scholars than I do with their Calvinist counterparts, I have often found that these Reformed theologians continually astonish and encourage me with their passion for sound doctrine (and therefore sound theology), orthodoxy and most importantly, a cross-centered Gospel. I am so thankful that the fruit of that conference a decade ago lives on through this book, and that so many more readers can be blessed.

The editors did not leave the readers with just a mountain of hard hitting theology too high for the average pastor to scale - C J Mahaney's penultimate chapter compelled the budding bible teacher to engage in (i) a deep reflection to seek the Lord for a (pardon the Charismatic terminology) greater measure of faith and gratitude and (ii) a renewed desire to be a joyful minister in his service amidst our often humble circumstances.

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Review: Anointed to Heal: True Stories and Practical Insight for Praying for the Sick

Anointed to Heal: True Stories and Practical Insight for Praying for the Sick by Bill Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is essentially a minuted version of Randy Clark and Bill Johnson interviewing one another. So you can search for the Audio Book or the DVD if you prefer those formats to reading this book. I felt that the book ended too soon - this is one of the few books whereby the authors could have probably added more content, elaborating on the existing material or supplementing them with more illustrations/examples/explanations of testimonies/personal insight.

I grew up in a thoroughly charismatic church and am studying in an Assemblies of God-affiliated seminary. However, my love and passion for faithful, exegetical preaching/studying of Scripture has drawn me toward my present expository-centered church, which has led to my leaning toward a more reformed position toward healing, miracles and deliverance - that these are not the normal operations of the Holy Spirit.

While I still am not a cessationist, I acknowledge that my posture toward pain and suffering - physical, psychological, economical etc. - is that of desiring more of a reality of God than for deliverance from the problem. I am therefore highly encouraged by Clark and Johnson, who challenge my theology and remind me how my brothers and sisters in Christ are so precious in God's sight and how we complement one another in ministry. I am also compelled to reconsider my level of faith and expectation for divine intervention when I pray for another person, even if he/she is a pre or post Christian. I highly recommend reading (and lending the book to others to read) Randy Clark's personal healing testimony (first chapter in Part 2 of the book).

If I enjoyed the book so much, then why the 4 star rating? While I understand the intention to faithfully reproduce the interviews, the impromptu follow up questions and a back-and-forth dialogue do not make for readable or thorough coverage of a topic/subject matter. I felt that many of the chapters, especially in the second part of the book (Bill Johnson interviewing Randy Clark) were abruptly cut off pre-maturely without covering what they were discussing. Hopefully in the subsequent editions these could be ironed out so that readers would not be left hanging.

I received this book from Baker Publishing Group's Chosen Books Blogger Review Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Review: The Social Church: A Theology of Digital Communication

The Social Church: A Theology of Digital Communication by Justin Wise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Being a millennial, the first portion of the book was quite a challenge to read through, because I could not really appreciate the dialogue of how the world was like before our modern day digital communications (at least not as well as the boomers). Yes I grew up with dial up internet and Compact Discs (CDs), but I felt that too many pages were committed to setting the stage for the primary substantives to come later. Initially I guessed that Justin Wise's primary audience was targeted at the latter group.

But I was so WRONG! The content started to get really interesting towards the end, where I felt that finally Justin is writing to me as well! And he provided some really valuable and sagely advice for us eager tech-savvy youngsters who feel that our tech-handicapped church leaders ought to go online. What would that be? I highlight recommend that you purchase the book (or borrow it) to find out! The couple of chapters towards the end of the book swayed me toward increasing the stars from 3 to 4. What then could make this a 5 star book? Perhaps for future revisions, the front material could be edited for brevity, and have a final product of 100 pages (down from the current 180).

I received this book from the Moody Publishers Newsroom program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Review: The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry

The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry by Mandy Smith
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

The tone and vocabulary of the book are spot on for the target audience; pastors, even those without a theological education, would fine it easy to follow Smith's train of thoughts. In the opening chapter of the book, Smith states that she did not want the book to seem to be centered on her, and that it not be simply a book for women pastors. Unfortunately those are two attributes that I feel would aptly describe the book. This is not to say that it is entirely not useful to non-women pastors/ministers, but it would appeal to better to women pastors, especially those from a charismatic/pentecostal background. Indeed, if there was a woman lead pastor I wanted to bless, this book would be high on my list of books to consider as gifts.

Having read to the end of the book, I was disappointed that the authentic-oozing title (which was what prompted me to request this title for review) did not quite aptly describe the contents. Other issues I have with the book would be her scarce quotation of Scripture, and when she did, it was usually with the eisegetical lenses (i.e. putting a meaning contrary to what the original biblical author had intended). An example of Smith's eisegesis would be the application of Revelation 3 on page 190.

A suggestion of improvement (which would persuade me to give it 4 stars) would be to reword the book's title to something along the lines of "The Woman Pastor" or "A Woman in God's Service" and to market it for the charismatic/pentecostal audience (not just woman lead pastors, but women serving in their local churches). For readers looking for a book on the topic of serving in ministry (especially pastoring) through great difficulty/feelings of inadequacy/hurts, see Gary Preston's Pastors in Pain, which is out of print (you can try finding a copy on bookfinder dot com).

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

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Review: How to Read Exodus

How to Read Exodus by Tremper Longman III
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Longman III has produced an easy to read guide geared at the beginner/intermediate readers, though I can see that cell group or bible study leaders or even pastors may find it useful. The material would assist one in teaching/preaching from the book of Exodus to a lay audience being the content is kept consistently easily-digestible and understandable. The most valuable part of the title would be part 4, where Longman III essentially provides a concise summary of the theological narrative that pans out in the book of Exodus - reading this part would let you catch a glimpse of the 40 chapters in record time.

I especially appreciated how the topics were segmented into bite-sized chunks, with the ideas and substantives being relatively easy-to-follow. Also very useful how Longman III started off with inviting us readers not to merely take the reading/interpretation/study of Exodus as merely an intellectual exercise, rather the thought-provoking discussion questions served to point us toward how we modern readers would want to and can faithfully apply the theological principles in our lives. Having read (and reviewed) Longman III's excellent title in the series How To Read Genesis, I was pleasantly surprised at how while similarly structured, the opening chapters of a Q&A of the two books had differently worded responses - he did not just cut and paste, but appears to have responded from scratch - and so the read was fresh even if the response he gave was similar! As with the other books in this series, Longman III provides bite site comments on the commentaries on the book, which is essentially similar to what you find if you were to purchase his Old Testament Commentary Survey.

Interestingly, the strength of the book was also its weakness (especially for more theologically advanced readers) - the lean paperback (of about 200 pages) meant that I went away wishing that some topics were explored at greater length. To name a few examples: the earlier or later dating of the book of Exodus, God hardening of Pharoah's heart, Chapter 11's discussion about the false dichotomy of the ceremonial and moral law (where he left us readers with multiple questions for reflection without giving us the "textbook" answer of his position on the topic).

Overall the material was engaging, though because of the relatively larger scope of events Exodus had as compared to Genesis and yet the similar page count of about 200 pages, I felt this title did not provide as much insightful theological reflection and depth-wise was not as extensive in comparison. If in subsequent revisions, Longman III expands the content more extensively, this could be a wonderful companion to the brilliant 5 star How to read Genesis.

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

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Review: How To Read Genesis

How To Read Genesis by Tremper Longman III
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book's brevity makes it exciting and accessible to lay Christians, and yet the well founded theology would bring a smile ever so often to the bible scholars. Longman III writes with sagely scholarship and wisdom that brought so much clarity and reflection as I read it.

I'm perplexed as to how he managed to pack in so much content with so little words; I felt it was a perfect marriage of popular and scholarly theology. Its as though his lifetime spent in scholarship of Genesis have been summarised into this nifty little book. In 175 pages, Longman III brings us on a journey in hermeneutics, apologetics, authorship, outline, extrabiblical literature, finally an overview of 3 main sections of Genesis, relationship with the NT and finally very useful reviews on Genesis commentaries.

It could be argued that the chief aim of a teacher is not to impart content and knowledge, but to create a love for learning in the student. Longman III kept my attention from start to finish, and I think that he did more than that - I now have a renewed interest in learning and teaching (though specifically OT material)! Perhaps it would take the form of a small group bible study on the book of Genesis? I am interested to read (and review) Longman III's other titles in this series, and hopefully they would be as good or even better than this one!

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

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Review: The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2–3 and the Human Origins Debate

The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2–3 and the Human Origins Debate by John H. Walton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From what I can gather, Walton's primary substantive is this - many of the traditional positions on Human Origin that Christians hold may not actually be necessary - because it may hermenutically acceptable to hold some differing positions. As he adeptly illustrates how many of these debatable propositions could swing either way, going into great depth expounding on the issues and arguments of each, I began to understand better why he took on this writing project (two books discussing the Lost worlds of Genesis 1 and 2-3). I can almost hear the gasp of most theologically conservatives like myself grappling with the thought of deviating from two millennia of church history; but please do read the Conclusion and Summary to hear Walton's heart on this issue, whether or not you manage to wade through the other chapters.

If Walton had engaged in eisegesis and made sweeping assertions, then it should just be thrown into the bin; as far as I could tell, Walton embarked on extensive research, and explored the issues as theologically faithfully as any respectable bible scholar would and yet sought to make these complex thoughts as easily comprehensible as he could.

Therefore whether or not you agree with him, do consider (whether for the topic of human origins or other secondary doctrines):

"what if we could tell [people leaving the church] that their scientific conclusions did not make a difference and that they could still believe the Bible, could still be in relationship with Christ, could still be members in good standing the church? ... There is no need to lose our young people to this debate... But there is room for a variety of belief as long as they derive from sound exegesis, sound theology and sound hermeneutics." (p209-210)

With 30 pages of endnotes for 200 pages of content, this title is going to be a mind-bender of a book! I found that it was an extremely challenging book to read; Walton appears to be pitching it at a level of theologians, senior staff in churches' teaching departments or at very learned apologetics-loving Christians. As a student in my final year of my seminary undergrad study, I thought that there shouldnt be too many books with content that I found too difficult to comprehend, but alas, this is one of them! Perhaps my lack of interest (and therefore reading) in the fields of apologetics and human origins contributed to my struggle. It nevertheless an invaluable resource should one want to share the Gospel with both the college student or the scientist. When you find that topic presented to you, then you can pick it up (either this book or the companion copy about Genesis 1) to get a quick grasp on the theological conundrum for more meaningful dialogue with your friend.

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

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Review: The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate

The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate by John H. Walton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I actually started reading few pages of Walton's other book on Genesis 2 and 3 (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23055095-the-lost-world-of-adam-and-eve) and enjoyed how thought provoking it was. It was then I decided that I had read this very title first since it's about Genesis one!

At first glance you'd think that weighing in at less than 200 pages, it would provide a simple and easy read. But on the contrary, the target audience is rather a more scholarly (or at the very least bible literate) type! Furthermore, as a seminary student, this book would undoubtedly be a reference material that would prove to be a useful resource in time to come!

I felt that the first part of the book was utterly brilliant and thought-provoking. Walton first lays down the outline and method - that we allow the ancient text (biblical and extra-biblical) to inform our modern understanding of how the world was created. As I read on, I did not feel that the rest of the book was as engaging as the start of the title. Perhaps I should not be surprised that the ancient world was not so very interesting to a millennial living in the twenty-first century!

Nonetheless I was left with plenty of food for thought; the evidence of my cognitive dissonance and intellectual struggle perhaps is testimony to how good (and methodically) an argument he had made. New terms are explained brilliantly, utilising modern analogies and illustrations - and yet at the same time explaining how our modern concepts are so very different from what the words originally meant. Each new segment was methodically introduced and developed upon in an easy to read manner - yet at the same time my postmodern mind struggled to cope with how much of my worldviews and presuppositions were being challenged.

Two big takeaways for me was how Walton suggests that the cosmos was God's temple and also how a biblical view of God as creator did not require a forced dichotomy between "natural" and "supernatural." From what I understand, it appears that Walton is proposing a fascinating view that advanced science need not be in conflict with the notion of a Creative and actively working God, who can be work in the processes of embryology and meteorology. This substantive is built upon the foundation that Genesis 1 presents an account of functional origins rather than material origins (read the first few chapters of the book to understand what this means).

I am still however unable to state that I am fully convinced by and agree completely with his insights and conclusions (as this is the first book of its type that I am reading). But if one day I were to affirm what Walton defines as teleological evolution -"accept[ing] biological evolution as providing a descriptive mechanism putatively describing how God carried out his purposes" (p152) - then it would be a most wonderful thing to see "people of faith cease trying to impose their own teleological mandates on public science education; and people who are skeptical of faith cease trying to impose their own dysteleological mandates on public science education (p160).

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

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Review: How to Treat a Staff Infection: Resolving Problems in Your Church or Ministry Team

How to Treat a Staff Infection: Resolving Problems in Your Church or Ministry Team by Craig Williford
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

The various "illnesses" that were utilised to illustrate various ministry problems did not cut it for me. It may have been done with an intention of being creative but the authors lack the verve, authority and confidence of more established church growth consultants.

I'd rather recommend a book by Hybels or McIntosh any day. Check my goodreads profile for my review on some of these titles.

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Review: The Minister's MBA: Essential Business Tools for Maximum Ministry Success

The Minister's MBA: Essential Business Tools for Maximum Ministry Success by George S. Babbes
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

While the concept of the book is good (utilising principles from the business world for ministry), and the naming of chapter titles seemingly decent, however the content is quite a let down. I'm not familiar with who these authors are (perhaps because my primary area of interest in theology is ecclesiology), but my best guess is that a group of secular business people decided to band together to write a book and package it for the Christian ministers to buy it for a quick buck.

A case could perhaps be made that seminary does not prepare a young minister well to run a church operationally. However to have a book almost devoid of Scripture and expect ministers to use it as a guidebook is perhaps not too wise. A church is not built on intellect or business principles; its foundation has to be on the word of God. I only spotted 2 paragraphs in the beginning of the book that referred to something about Jesus' disciples and Matt 10:16 - quite interesting how a methodology can be developed from a single narrative of the bible. And further down in the book, how Joseph got sold into slavery in Gen. 37 is used as an example of the result of perceived inequity.

I cannot recommend this book.

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Review: The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right

The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right by Lisa Sharon Harper
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Harper writes with probably the most profound authenticity that I have read of any author recently; her immense pain from her troubled growing up years grieved me. If you ever read this Harper, I'm so sorry that you had been tactlessly and gracelessly told you could not serve in ministry because you were a woman. I am so so so very happy that you received supernatural healing and restoration!

Harper writes with lively illustrations and gripping accounts from her life. She references other Writers more often than other authors would, by a clear margin. Unfortunately a popular level title this probably prevented her from citing other authors with differing views and her responses to those. Unfortunately, many of her substantives were supported using outdated theories (for example the JEDP documentary hypothesis in the early chapters touched that had been conclusively rebuffed by modern scholarship). Also, she takes a proof-texting approach to Scripture. Also, her low view of Scripture can be seen for example from her explaining that certain problematic passages (to Eglaritians) that the teachings of Scripture are culture and context-specific and do not apply to us today (p96). Hence I could not bring myself to complete reading the book. I appreciate and affirm so so very much the desire to set other women free from the misnomer that they cannot serve in ministry, but I am unable to vouch for the problematic hermeneutics and proof-texting here.

I spent months reading 40 or so scholarly titles to ascertain my position about women in ministry (as I was torn that the complementarian view seemed to be better supported by the plain reading of Scripture and sound hermeneutics, yet on the other hand, I have been thoroughly blessed by the many Christian women leaders and ministers growing up and would be crushed if they were not allowed to serve in ministry).

With an exegetical meta-analysis of commentators of 1 Tim. 2:9-15 as a starting point, I came to a different conclusion as Harper. Here are a few points that I found particularly helpful:

1. Although of us would identify with Schreiner’s desire “to believe that there are no limitations for women in ministry and that every ministry position is open to them,” his unwillingness to “leap over the evidence of the text” to adopt the egalitarian position is just as real a consideration.

2. An attractive middle-ground position appears to be Blomberg’s “modified hierarchicalism” that makes a full egalitarian argument with the exception of the senior pastor role being reserved for males only.

3. Even if Paul’s commands are intended for all time and situations, Blomberg propositions that it is necessary to consider what the contemporary function equivalent is to the NT office of the elder/overseer, so that women could then hold any other subordinate pastoral role.

4. We would do well to heed Keener’s advice to “give the ‘benefit of the doubt’ to who claim that God called them and who evidence that call in their lives, rather than passing judgment on them.”

5. Schreiner calls his fellow complementarians 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 though we believe that it is a mistake for women to take on a pastoral role.”

6. To paraphrase Blomberg’s indictment of complementarians into positive action that they can heed: be less preoccupied with keeping men in positions of authority; rather nurture women to become all that God wants them to be in the spirit of Paul’s radically redefined patriarchy that is consistent with biblical servant leadership.”

Bibliography and further comments
1. Schreiner, "An Interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:9-15," in Women in the Church: An Analysis and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15, 2nd ed, 86.
2. Blomberg, "Neither Hierarchicalist nor Egalitarian: Gender Roles in Paul," in Two Views on Women in Ministry, 326.
3. Blomberg, "Neither Hierarchicalist nor Egalitarian: Gender Roles in Paul," in Two Views on Women in Ministry, 369. Contemporary congregationally organized churches would presumably identify their senior pastor (or in single-staff churches the sole pastor) as this functional equivalent of the elder/overseer. In Presbyterian and episcopal forms of church government, one could argue that the equivalent is the person at the head of larger denominational structures.
4. Keener, Paul, Women & Wives: Marriage and Women's Ministry in the Letters of Paul. Keener suggests that it is a dangerous thing to turn people from their call, or to oppose their call if it is genuinely from God. On what basis do any of us men who are called prove our call? We trust inner conviction and the fruit of holy lives and teaching and faithfulness to that call, and if these evidences are insufficient demonstration of divine calling in the case of our sisters, how shall we attest our own?
5. Schreiner, "An Interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:9-15," in Women in the Church: An Analysis and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15, 2nd ed, 85-86.
6. Blomberg, "Neither Hierarchicalist nor Egalitarian: Gender Roles in Paul," in Two Views on Women in Ministry, 372.

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Review: How Jesus Transforms The Ten Commandments

How Jesus Transforms The Ten Commandments by Edmund P. Clowney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It almost seems to me that there are two authors of this book, which does not always work to produce a seamless smooth-flowing train of thoughts. There are segments that are classic Dr Clowney - sometimes his exposition stares down your soul with a reality check of how far we are to God's way,   sometimes his words of encouragement inspire us to keep journeying on in our Christian faith, and other times he summaries with crystal clear clarity to shed light on otherwise complicated theological positions.

Not to say that Dr Clowney's daughter is a poor writer/editor, but as revealed in the forward circumstances, Dr Clowney was battling illness and before signing the book's contract, he "left us to worship his beloved Christ in heaven..." (page vi). I wonder what a professional editor could have done to make this book a more coherent read, and also ponder how a like-minded theologian of Clowney's calibre (which aren't many) could have provided better illustrations and clarity of explanation.

While this title is not of the same quality as Dr Clowney's other titles, it is nevertheless a resource that scholars and pastors could use as a starting point when studying the topic of whether the Mosaic Law is obsolete today. For readers who have yet to read any of his books, do not be put off from doing so! You can start with Called to Ministry - I am sure you will find that it provided an enjoyable, inspiring read!

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Review: Two Views on Women in Ministry

Two Views on Women in Ministry by James R. Beck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I've only read the entire chapters by Keener and Schreiner, the editorial reflections and conclusion by Beck and Blomberg, and the appendix by Blomberg. As for Belville and Bowman, I've only read the sections they covered on 1 Tim. 2.

After having read 20 or so resources for an exegetical paper on the abovementioned passage, I have come to appreciate this book in a far different manner then when I first picked it up. (This book was the reason why I chose the topic and have found it to be the hardest I have attempted to date). Especially when I read the editorial commentaries, it helped to piece a rather convoluted mind of mine (if you are not messed up after reading so many resources for the first time where the authors go head on with one-another, let me know!).

It is so apt that I started with this book, and am almost ending my research with it. It will remain on my bookshelf for many years to come (I always sell/donate the books I do not like), alongside Grenz's excellent title (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...), which also provides an overview on the two positions. Grenz is however not as unbiased as Beck and Blomberg.

I highly recommend it and would give it 6 stars if I could.

And yes, one fine day when I'm holidaying in the Bahamas after I've retired, I hope to read the entire chapters by Belville and Bowman.

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Review: I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference

I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference by Thom S. Rainer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We all want to be part of a covenant community in Church that we can address with the heartfelt title of "family." But where are we going to find one if the present community we are in seems to be opposite from whatever Thom is calling us to in his book? It starts with us.

As a seminary student struggling to reconcile the disjointment in what I have studied am convicted by ecclesiologically, and what is currently being done in the church I attend, the temptation to quit and start my own church is immense. Deep down every one of us who grew up in our postmodern generation hopes to make a meaningful contribution to the organisations we are part of, and our church is one of them. However, the old guard who consist of modern thinkers may want to receive the input of us younger ones. So what do we do? Do we still want to be members of a place whereby we are called to submit to leadership and not cause division? There is after all, so many other churches that we can go to!

In its brevity, Thom's book provides a quick snapshot of what a truly wonderful community would all commit to, and what a beautiful place it would part of. Church leaders who are mulling introducing membership or thinking of how to communicate the reasons for membership to their up-and-coming postmodern youngsters may find this as a helpful resource. It will definitely have to be used in conjunction together with the apologetic of the fifth gospel, the Christian, and in this context, the Christian leader. One who does not demand without first modelling himself, one who seeks to disciple and build up, one who is interested more in the spiritual and personal growth of those under his care than in their worth to the church's ministry activities.

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Review: Taking Your Church to the Next Level: What Got You Here Won't Get You There

Taking Your Church to the Next Level: What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Gary L. McIntosh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After having read the book, I felt like I had just stepped into a time warp machine and had journeyed with a small church plant all the way to when it became a decentralized church (McIntosh's preferred term to the more commonly used megachurch). Only a few pastors would have had the privilege to have embarked on that voyage, and so it was a very surreal experience for me.

While I'm no church pastor (I'm just a student in bible college), I found the book immensely helpful. McIntosh dedicates a chapter each to different sized churches, discussing the characteristics, key points of transition and proposed action plans to be considered. That's the second part of the book. The first part, was much gloomier, but oh so very necessary for the many stagnating churches who are oblivious that they may be soon die off. Part One dedicates entire chapters to each type of congregational life cycle of a church. The content is easy to comprehend and highly relatable - any church pastor (even member) should be able to identify which stage their church is presently in.

If I could borrow a star wars reference, I felt that McIntosh is like the wise Jedi Master - leaving us young padawans, as the new leaders of the next generation of the resistance, with this wonderful tome of knowledge. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and heartily recommend it to all pastors and lay believers who love their church.

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Review: Oversee God's People: Shepherding the Flock Through Administration and Delegation

Oversee God's People: Shepherding the Flock Through Administration and Delegation by Brian Croft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found the book to be a rather enjoyable read! I felt the love the authors had for the sheep and the shepherds (in contrast to other authors' love for their pockets in their writing of yet another useless self-justifying book of their opinionated practices). The content was easily comprehensible and engaging enough to read large chunks at a go. The references were Scripture were helpful and I did not find myself being jolted by any weird out of context citing that typically plagues books on practical ministry. The latter part of the book had many beneficial practical frameworks that any lead pastor would find useful to consider implementation (or the refining of existing procedures).

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Review: Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City

Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City by Timothy Keller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rather than propose a culture-specific quick-fix model, Keller communicates a theological vision across various ministry settings to balance the three axes of gospel, city and movement (p23-24). For him, the reading of Scripture is less about “what I must do” and more about “what he has done.” (p78). Keller skilfully uses secular narratives to illustrate biblical truths. For example, utilising C. S. Lewis’ analogy of Hamlet’s relating to Shakespeare and Dorothy Sayer’s writing of herself into the story to save Lord Peter Wimsey to illustrate divine revelation (34-35).

Keller emphasises that the Center Church movement is “not a formula,” (p39) and repeatedly calls church planters and pastors to hold opposite theological positions in tension. For example, an “evangelical-charismatic church” (p47) that draws on both the Systematic Theological and the Redemptive Historical Methods. Keller maintains that a church that truly understands the implication of the biblical gospel will look like an unusual hybrid of various church forms and stereotypes. Because of the inside-out, substitutionary atonement aspect, the "evangelical-charismatic church" will place great emphasis on personal conversion, experiential grace renewal, evangelism, outreach and church planting (p85).

When I first read this book in my first year of bible school (about 2-3 years ago), much of it went over my head and dismayed, I put the book down for a later time when I would be more theologically and spiritually astute to comprehend the rich theology, sociological concepts, and ministry/missional responses to secular culture. Keller’s extensive lists of recommended material reflect his thorough research. Throughout the book, he engages with the ideas of various thinkers and scholars; for example, Niebuhr in Chapter 16 and Bosch and Newbigin in Chapter 19.

A caveat therefore is that Keller’s exhaustive referencing and thorough development of substantives may intimidate the average pastor. Probably only the most “scholarly” of church leaders able to comprehend and persevere through. And for those that do, Keller hopes that they would be inspired and that the overwhelming task ahead would elicit a sense of humility (p382). Indeed, a gospel city movement cannot come about without the “providential work of the Holy Spirit” roots the pastors as to who is the chief engineer of revival – it is a work of God, not man’s (p373-374).

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Review: The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy J. Keller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's quite comical and yet embarrassing how I discovered that I had read this book twice. I'd be so angry with my wife that I am unable to sleep, and so I see this book lying on my bookshelf and seek to read it to see what does the Kellers have to say to help me cool down. (The first time I got sleepy halfway went to bed straight after reading so I didn't remember much of it).

So this time I'm making sure I penned my brief thoughts down. Having had a keen interest on dating and attracting the opposite gender since my youth, I had read dozens of books on (biblical) manhood, dating (or not dating), courtship and marriage. I rate this title as one of best I have read - Gary Thomas' The Sacred Search, McDowell & Lewis' Givers, takers & other kinds of lovers, and Janssen's Your marriage masterpiece being the others I rate highly.

I was quite skeptical (as I would be about any Tim Keller book or sermon/lecture) - even though I cherish how my mentor journeyed with me through The Prodigal God and thus helped me gain an appreciation of the Gospel, receiving and extending grace - because of the many "fanboys" I know who irritatingly quote Keller a tad too often. So I was surprised to have found the book to be an easy yet enriching read - simple enough for the lay person to understand, yet profound enough for the scholarly types to engage in some theological wrestling.

The Kellers ground the content with a responsible exposition of Scripture, and Tim does what he does best - contexualise the theological truths and providing brilliant illustrations to help the readers better understand them clearly. Sometimes the Kellers provide a personal account of their own marriage on the topic, but always we are presented the opportunity to evaluate how we measure up God's invitation to his design for marriage (or singlehood). I heartily recommend this book - both to the married and unmarried - and regard this as a 6 star title.

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Review: Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will by Kevin DeYoung
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am reminded of my shallowness of having a laugh at (at the expense of) many wonderful single ladies who seem to have the gift of celibacy. They are mighty in ministry and have a great sphere of influence, some of them with a Masters or PhD in theology or ministry. Some have gone out to the mission field for years and have come back in middle age, and sometimes when you know these lovely ladies personally, it makes me wonder whether they have ever thought of getting married. Yes I know what Paul says that singlehood is preferable and I understand why he puts forth that suggestion in the perilous time of the early church's persecution. However, I scratch my head and ponder why some of these middle aged ladies share that they had simply been too choosy and perhaps had waited too long.

But onto my own life, when I finish my degree, it is so scary to think of what will happen next. Do I pursue a Masters or PhD? And if so, in the UK or US or somewhere else? Or I first get some ministry experience by going into full time ministry? and if so, for how long? Where should I go into ministry, in a church, or parachurch or perhaps even take on a full time job and hold a lay-leadership position? Is it God's will for me to marry the girl I am dating now, or if there is difficult times prior to engagement and marriage, could it be that she is not the one for me?

These are serious questions. And many of them will impact who I am and who I will be as a person in future. I picked up DeYoung's book after thoroughly enjoy his book on "Crazy Busy." As a slowly reforming thinker away from postmodernism, I connected with his authenticity and passion for God. The first few chapter were like... nothing special... but as i continued to flip the pages, the content spoke increasingly to me. Ever read a book that had an amazing first few chapters only to water off into extreme boring-ness? This book is far from it. The closing chapter on grandpa DeYoung struck me right in the heart. I was saddened by the many years of wanting my will to be done, and for God to show me supernatural signs to convince me to do otherwise.

I had done an extensive intertextual study on asking God for signs (especially before making a decision on matters large or small), as part of a two part youth cell group study. As a pentecostal, I have had various experiences of supernatural encounters in the spiritual realm. Yet the reformed theologian resonate with DeYoung's approach because I am convinced that signs were more often than not, initiated by God, and not by man.

Just today in bible school we were joking that the more power encounters a person has, the less "holy" he should be regarded to be. Because the more "holy" ones should be the ones who did not need a supernatural encounter with the Lord before daring to make a decision. But in all seriousness, I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book.

And if you are interested to know which part of Scripture I had done in the study here are the verses: Gen. 9:8-17, Exod. 7:1-5, Num. 14:1-12, Isa. 20:1-6, Ezek. 4, 12, 24, Luke 2:8-15, 25-35, 1 Cor. 1:18-22, Mk. 8:11-13, Mt. 11:2–6 (par. Lk. 7:18–23), Mt. 12:28 (par. Lk. 11:20), Mt. 12:38–42 (par. Lk. 11:29–32), John 2:18-22. Do comment if you notice that I had missed an important passage on this topic so that i can add it into the study when I conduct it in future!

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Review: Breaking the Idols of Your Heart: How to Navigate the Temptations of Life

Breaking the Idols of Your Heart: How to Navigate the Temptations of Life by Dan B. Allender
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having had a diet of 95% non-fiction books in the recent years, this book brought me back to good old days of my childhood - when I could not stop turning the pages of an enthralling story. Dan Allender captivated and held my imagination with his narrative of Noah and Joan, so much so that I found myself trying to read Longman's commentary as quickly as I could to find out how the story would unfold.

I am astounded as to how Allender masterfully penned the vividly relatable fictional story whilst constrained with so little word counts. The extended parable served as a wonderful companion for Longman to flesh out, elaborate and reflect on the themes of idols, cast against the backdrop of the book of Ecclesiastes.

In choosing not to get mired in the source criticism, authorship or expounding various scholarly contentious theological issues, Longman probably targets the lay reader. I'd suggest that the authors did a marvellous job at engaging this target audience. However, I wished that the book was written with less brevity and more attention was given to narrate through the reflection and application segments (the authors provided reflection questions at the end of each chapter, but I'd guess the majority of readers would not journey through the book together with others and received the benefit of helpful introspection, prayer and review).

While I have given this title 4 out of 5 stars, I'm thoroughly impressed with how well Allender and Longman have put their strengths together to come up with this gem. I think that I am most definitely going to read (and maybe review) their other titles in the near future, just to appreciate this interesting format they have written so very well with.

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

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Review: The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline

The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline by Jonathan Leeman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a student of theology that leans more toward biblical theology, no wonder I felt that I did not like this book as much as I thought I would - Leeman states he is attempting to lay out a systematic theology! So perhaps the more systematic scholars would find this a more enjoyable read.

Brevity is not one of Leeman's strength. This book makes Dever's original 9marks book look pint sized! As I read through the pages, often I would be wondering to myself, why couldn't he just write more concisely; how I wish I did not have to wade through so much murky water just to find that gem or two? This is a pity because there were plenty of nuggets of wisdom for reflection between the pages, but you'd need to get through quite a fair bit to find them.

I've yet to encounter a book that exceeded 300 pages that I found still managed to capture my attention, and this was no different (the sole book that did was Stott's The Incomparable Christ - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/324690). But alas! Leeman mercifully includes a summary of the main substantives of the book in the Appendix. Perhaps one could start from there, see which topic interests you and then dive into deep depths of the chapter.

If he, like Dever, would shrink this immense amount of research into a shorter book, that would probably make for a 5 star masterpiece (Dever shrank his 300+ page long book into a 130 page book titled "What Is a Healthy Church? - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/966587)" While the sister volumes in the 9marks series titled Church Discipline and Church Membership may fit the bill, I cannot really tell much from the amazon previews what they really are like. Ideally it would be great if they were merged into shorter one combined title given the numerous overlaps between the two topics.

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Review: Five Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them: Help for Frustrated Pastors--Including New Research from the Barna Group

Five Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them: Help for Frustrated Pastors--Including New Research from the Barna Group by Charles Austin Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While the thesis of this book is not one I am necessarily drawn to (I'd prefer meaty biblical theology and a macro picture of seeing how our work is all for the glory of God), I did find that I quite like this book. For the purposes of research for a paper on church growth, I sped through about 25 books, many of which grieved me so very much because they actually were written by authors who hated the church (and wanted to justify their own version of church by quoting Scripture out of context).

I felt that Stone genuinely cared for his fellow pastors but what I really appreciated was the amount of research he did in preparation for this book. Not only does he routinely refer to large surveys and studies conducted by the Barna Group and Lifeway, he repeatedly references the most salient points from veterans in the field. And boy were many of these so very really impactful - they made me feel like actually going to look up these secondary sources in future.

In a world with too many opinioned authors who are very happy to give their two cents worth on how to run God's church, Stone's masterpiece of a meta-analysis was a very welcome breath of fresh air. His passion, personal brokenness and rigour research have come together to create this encouraging read.

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Review: Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for Church Leadership

Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for Church Leadership by Todd Wilson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I requested for a review of this book because I had read "The Pastor as Public Theologian" (Eds. Vanhoozer & Strachan). As a final year seminary student, this title appealed to me, for it is something I believe in passionately.

As indicated by the title, this book is targeted at pastors who have already been convinced that being pastor-theologians is something that they want to strive toward, and the many chapters essentially provide the characteristics and the historical examples of what that looks like.

The challenge with books that are made up of compilations by various scholars is putting together a seamless flow of thought, which I'd imagine that the editors have attempted to do. I felt that because of the sake of brevity, many of the articles from the contributing theologians were so dense and rich that I had difficulty absorbing the ideas and substantives.

For me, the mark of a 5 star book would be the communication of complex ideas in a manner that the reader can easily comprehend, be inspired by, and apply. And unfortunately, I do not feel that this book meets this criteria.

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

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