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: 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 Unfortunately, many of her substantives were supported using outdated theories (for example the JEDP documentary hypothesis in the early chapters touched that had been conclusively rebuffed by modern scholarship).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: Heavy Rain: How to Flood Your World with God's Transforming Power

Heavy Rain: How to Flood Your World with God's Transforming Power by Kris Vallotton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With exegesis being my default and most comfortable form of hermeneutics (method of bible interpretation), I was quite unsure what to make up of the numerous bible passages that Vallotton cited in support of his substantives. However, the target audience being Charismatics, would probably not find it as great of an intellectual wrestle.

I thoroughly enjoyed the real life accounts, of the failures (like how the hostility and disrespect Vallotton and supporters gave to Planned Parenthood's proposal to set up shop in their area actually titled the city council to issuing a green light), of the hard fought victories (of how Bethel adopted the convention center, refurbished and paid rent on it - all whilst maintaining it as a secular venue) and of the miraculous (of how he was almost mistakenly killed by a policeman deceived by a mad tailgating man). I also would say an emphatic Amen to his highlighting of the prevalence of "denominationalism" (covered in the opening chapters) and to the positive eschatological position (in contrast to the doomsaying position; covered in the closing chapters).

Most significantly, I felt encouraged and once again grappled with how comfortable (or uncomfortable) I am with citing Scripture out of context (outside of my devotional reading; in the public spheres of teaching/preaching). The bible passage that comes to mind alongside my wrestling and deliberation would be from Acts 10 - that of Peter being confronted repeatedly through vision of a theological position that was in direct conflict with what he understood Scripture meant. As far as I can tell, I disagree with the Vallotton's methodology of biblical handling and yet stand behind in emphatic support of his vision, passion and heart for mentoring the generations to come. The call to action is clear, and the reader is sure to be inspired to journey ever closer with the Lord by this master communicator.

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

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Review: Spiritual Warfare for Your Family: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Children

Spiritual Warfare for Your Family: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Children by Leighann McCoy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

From what I understand, McCoy's principal thesis seems to be that we have to fight back against the devil through spiritual warfare. She writes from the personal pain of praying for her "perfect" daughter to break up with cohabiting with a man only to see her bearing a child out of wedlock. She writes in a mostly conversational style with short comments on bible passages that she would draw analogies from to support her statements. Interestingly, she quotes from reformed theologians such as John Piper and David Platt, but still retains an eisegetical approach to Scripture. This book would therefore appeal to readers who are looking for bible verses and instructions to deal with what they perceive to the spiritual warfare in their families.

A few areas for improvement though: I wished that she had cut short the storytelling of her personal life, because unless she is a famous theologian or preacher, I'm guessing the average reader would not appreciate so much detail. I felt that the book would have been much better if it stood at 200 pages (towards the end I was honestly struggled to hold my interest and would not have finished it if I did not have to write a review). I also did not feel the same sense of assuredness and confidence in the Lord and one's resulting delegated authority, as compared to for example, when I had read a Randy Clark book on healing breakthroughs.

For the application of spiritual warfare about specific issues (in Part 6 of the book) - many of which were spot-on relevant, I however wished that she had elaborated more on each point by going more in depth instead of just skimming the surface. The prayers at the end of these sections were immensely helpful though - relating as one struggling in a specific area, the template prayer helps convey what we would want to but yet perhaps be unable to utter.

A few pet peeves though, some more serious than others. As a perfectionist, the blurry low-resolution black and white photographs made me feel so very dissatisfied (I'd rather they had not included them). For her to quote Dr. Worthington's account of his mother's murder and brother's suicide, spending multiple pages talking about his REACH model of forgiveness, I felt that it was almost criminal for her not to provide a proper reference. Having recently concluded a 20 page academic paper on healthy church growth, which included a lengthy segment on church discipline, I cringed at the use of Matt 18:18 in the final pages (the context was church discipline, not spiritual warfare).

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

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Review: Jesus Talked to Me Today: True Stories of Children's Encounters with Angels, Miracles, and God

Jesus Talked to Me Today: True Stories of Children's Encounters with Angels, Miracles, and God by James Stuart Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Growing up in a charismatic church and having turned away from the faith entirely (which I attribute to dogmatic leaders, pastors who did violence to Scripture on a regular basis, and of course most of all, my own wretched sinfulness), I have found reformed theology and non-charismatic churches to be a breath of fresh air. However, the reverent interpretation, teaching and preaching of God's Word somehow comes with a lower emphasis on the supernatural.

This book's wonderful stories have compelled me to think back - does God communicate to his children directly and is the supernatural realm real? So much memories of my own personal encounters came flooding back, and whenever a book compels me re-examine my theology, I have to take a step back and reflect. I appreciate and cherish such experiences so very much.

Bell did a commendable job in compiling and editing so many stories; unfortunately I cannot give this book 5 stars because I am unsure of the authenticity of some of the accounts. The yardstick for me still is the bible, and some of the details did not match up with what Scripture tell us the supernatural and/or heavenly realm is like.

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

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Review: Healing Breakthrough

Healing Breakthrough by Randy Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was horrified when Clark described his allegorical handling of a bible passage as "typological" (p29). In fact, I was so incensed that I put the book down and only managed to force myself, a week later, to finish reading it so I could write the review and get rid of it. ‎‎
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I was amused to find that Clark too was not in favour of hype (Chapters 4 & 5). I had assumed that "these hyper-Charismatic types" would be cozying up with the over dramatisation of hype as readily as with the violence to Scripture.‎

When I picked the book up the second time, ‎I was extremely cautious of what I would read and had expected to give the book a 1 or 2 star rating. Clark's sincere sharing of his journey with healing did not "weird me out‎." Rather, I found that I was often reflecting upon and reconsidering my own Theological position on healing (that prayer would be for a desire more for God than the healing; that a heavenly grace be granted in the pain and suffering rather the removal of the latter). I was surprised and rather pleased by the substantial discussion about unanswered prayer (Chapter 21), which I presumed would often be a taboo topic in healing circles.‎

This skeptic‎ found that he was thoroughly blessed by and was sincerely surprised to have enjoyed the read.‎ If Clark or the publishers correct the wrong use of "typological," I'd be happy to revise my rating to 5 stars. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to all Christians, to the reformed and the charismatic, to the liberal and the conservative. Ministers and Pastors should find the book especially helpful.

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

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