The Book of Esther and Theistic Evolution

I am introduced to one of the most interesting categories to date - Theistic Evolutionists - in layman's terms, Christians who believe that God employed evolution as a means of creation. Tremper Longman III cites the well-known theme of God's clear sovereign hand overseeing the impossibly coincidental events in the book of Esther to defend the Theistic Evolution.

From page 75 of Confronting Old Testament Controversies

Many... make much of what they think is a contradiction within the idea of evolutionary creationism. That is, if God is involved as evolutionary creationists insist, then how can the process of natural selection be random as the theory of evolution claims? However, we should not think that though the process of creation appears to us to be random, this means that it is actually random. Remember what we said about the book of Esther. It sure seems "random" or pure chance that on a sleepless night Xerxes had his people read about Mordecai's efforts to foil an assassination plot, but we all know that a deeper plan was at work. These critics of "randomness" in evolution again show an anemic view of providence.

Review: Seven Myths about Small Groups: How to Keep from Falling Into Common Traps

Seven Myths about Small Groups: How to Keep from Falling Into Common Traps by Dan Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a serial reviewer, I try to keep my online (and especially offline) libraries small. It is only the truly exceptional books that I will seek to purchase both physical and electronic copies for easy access. This is one such title that I regard to be 6 stars. For me, a book is great when it compels me to reconsider my existing practice or theology (in this case the former) - specifically using a leader-led open group style for a small group. Now I am exploring and considering the utilised of (i) a closed group and (ii) a facilitative method (in contrast to the lecture style). The resources provided at the end of the book are a mine of gems. Do check it out!

I have had the privilege of being in small groups for a good two decades of my life, which range from the two-year short term ones, to indefinite ones whose members will vehemently oppose any leadership attempts to split them apart. I therefore am able to understand the pros and cons of each extreme. The author communicates in an easy to understand and engaging tone, providing many helpful methodological tips honed from years of experience (and trial and error). These practical and wise suggestions are a must for every small group leader, church leader and pastor to evaluate and consider! The many real-life anecdotes provide the reader with a pleasant read and illustrate the concepts presented.

Chapter 2 provided this super extroverted social butterfly a sombre reminder that closed groups (whereby visitors do not haphazardly drop in) is paramount for our introverted friends who find it hard to open up their hearts. By default, our cell groups are open in nature, as the venues and timings are openly publicised, but I am compelled to reconsider how we can care for friends who find it difficult to be vulnerable and be accountable in the presence of strangers. He also points out and addresses concerns about closed groups being self-serving etc. I am definitely going to have read up more on consider the purposes and benefits of such closed groups!

At first, I am baffled as to why a book this good is not a best seller or even got a revision... Then it occurred to me that megachurches would not want to promote the message of Chapter 3 (Bigger is not better), and the touch and go engagement with bible passages would raise eyebrows of reformed pastors; quotes from the leading commentators would improve its biblical credibility. Also, while all the other chapters were extremely well written, chapter 5 was less clear and slightly confused; an editor perhaps to help improve the clarity and message of that chapter.

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Review: Small Group Idea Book: Resources to Enrich Community, Worship, Prayer, Study, Outreach

Small Group Idea Book: Resources to Enrich Community, Worship, Prayer, Study, Outreach by Cindy Bunch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I gave the earlier 1996 edition 3 stars, I'm mightily impressed with the improvements made in this revised 2004 edition! Kudos to the authors for the additional material and the editors for a job well done!

My main complaint (that the Chapter 1 "Community Resources" had only 15 good ice breakers and activities); the new edition's collection is vastly expanded. The references to the IVCF (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) were also vastly reduced and so the general audience would not feel as annoyed. I also appreciated while it still exists, many duplicated activities (with only very slight variations) were removed.

This book is targeted at novice and first-time small group leaders. The minefield of ideas and activities would provide a few months' worth. It is also great for planning activities for youth or church camps; some of the ice breakers and activities could be used for secular settings as well, maybe with a bit of tweaking. Maybe because this is an entry level book, the bible study segments are very simple and experienced small group leaders will likely find that it wanting in terms of depth. But using it for its intended purpose, the cell leader would do well to remember to include the occasional relationship-building or relationship-deepening activity when the small group meets. I nevertheless recommend this book!

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Review: Small Group Idea Book: Resources To Enrich Community, Worship, Prayer, Nurture, Outreach

Small Group Idea Book: Resources To Enrich Community, Worship, Prayer, Nurture, Outreach by Cindy Bunch
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I especially appreciate the inspiration and reminded that the first chapter provided me! It alone was well worth the money I paid for the book! I realised that I had focused too much on faithful bible studying in the small group setting, that I had forgotten to include the occasional relationship-building activity.

I would have appreciated if Chapter One (titled Community Resources) of ice breakers and activities were twice as long, because the better quality suggestions that I had marked out for usewere only about 15. As a former applied drama student in polytechnic, I am inspired to revisit that world and adapt the ice breaker activities for gospel and small group settings.

This book is targeted at novice and first-time small group leaders. More experienced leaders would possibly find that chapters two to four do not offer much new information. The countless references to the IVCF (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) were a distraction, hopefully these would be reduced in the revised edition.

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Review: Baptism: Three Views

Baptism: Three Views by David F. Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an exceptionally engaging, accessible and theologically rich title that is the best in its class. You'd want to compare it against the Zondervan Counterpoints title Understanding Four Views on Baptism (edited by James Armstrong), as it is not necessary to purchase both. See my review on the latter title for a comparison on why this IVP Spectrum Multiview title is a far superior choice in almost every way - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

When comparing the respective chapters on the credobaptist view (between Thomas Nettles and Bruce Ware) and on the paedobaptist view (between Richard Pratt Jr. and Sinclair Ferguson), it is obvious how the clarity and accessibility of the IVP Spectrum Multiview contributors clearly outshine that of the Zondervan Counterpoints. This IVP Spectrum Multiview title also provides each contributor to provide a concluding response to the response chapters of the other contributors, which is helpful in closing the loop and providing clearer interaction than the Zondervan Counterpoints book (which does not provide a concluding response to the rebuttal sections).

The only aspect that this title pales in comparison to the Zondervan is its introduction, which is written by Daniel Reid, the IVP editor. It is truly a pity that David Wright passed away before he could leave us with an inspirational introduction, but I guess we should be thankful that he managed to finish the marvellous editorial work in this delightful and informative labour of love. I would recommend borrowing the Zondervan Counterpoints title from a friend or library to read its glorious introductory chapter - that provides a helpful, sombre call for humility, love and unity even when we approach other Christians who hold differing views on baptism. If ever a revised edition is to be released, it would be great if a theologian could provide the introduction to this otherwise wonderful gem of a book.

I heartily recommend this title for novice readers who seek an introduction on the various theological positions on the topic of baptism, as well as seminary students and pastors who are examining the multiple views on a deeper level.

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Review: Understanding Four Views on Baptism

Understanding Four Views on Baptism by John H. Armstrong
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

One would have to consider this title from Zondervan's Counterpoints series against its counterpart in IVP's Spectrum Multiview titled Baptism: Three Views (Edited by David F. Wright). I read both titles a few months ago and leafed through them again for the purposes of this review.

Unless you have a lot of spare time on your hands, I recommend you skip this and pick up the latter for reasons due to its superior (1) format, (2) quality of scholarship and accessibility. I will discuss these two factors at length later, but if you can borrow this book from a friend or library, be sure to read the editor's introductory chapter, which provides a helpful, sombre call for humility, love and unity even when we approach other Christians who hold differing views on baptism.

1. The four view breakdown of this Zondervan Counterpoints title is messy and less relevant - (i) Baptist, (ii) Reformed, (iii) Lutheran and (iv) Churches of Christ. The latter two are not as well-known, and therefore not be of interest to the majority of readers. The extra two views (and contributors) makes the response sections longer and a great chore to read.

On the other hand, the three view breakdown of the IVP Spectrum Multiview title is more clean-cut and relevant - (i) Believer's Baptism (credobaptism), (ii) Infant Baptism (paedobaptism) and Dual-Practice (or plural practice). These three positions are an all-encompassing categorisation that the majority of readers would likely identify with.

2. The quality of scholarship in this Zondervan Counterpoints title is inferior to that of the IVP Spectrum Multiview one. I found myself struggling to retain an interest in the content of the baptismal view that I lean most toward. I felt that this editor could have wielded a heavier hand in summarising what felt like long and convoluted academic debates from the contributors. The scholars in the IVP title wrote in a more engaging, brief and accessible manner than their Zondervan counterparts. I make this observation by comparing the respective chapters on the credobaptist view (between Thomas Nettles and Bruce Ware) and on the paedobaptist view (between Richard Pratt Jr. and Sinclair Ferguson). The clarity and accessibility of the IVP contributors clearly outshine that of the Zondervan Counterpoints.

The purpose of readers picking up such multi-view titles is likely for the purpose of receiving an introduction on the various theological positions. The Zondervan Counterpoints contributors and editor have failed in the aspect of presenting their positions in a concise, understandable and interesting manner that a novice reader would find useful. I feel that the material is targeted at experts on the subject of baptism, who would probably go straight for the monographs that discuss a single theological position in detail.

In summary, I cannot recommend this Zondervan's Counterpoints series title, and instead point you to the superior IVP's Spectrum Multiview title - Baptism: Three Views (Edited by David F. Wright).

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Review: Who Runs the Church?: 4 Views on Church Government

Who Runs the Church?: 4 Views on Church Government by Steven B. Cowan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was helpful in my going from zero knowledge to a little knowledge about the different types of church government. It would be helpful to have a sheet of paper stating the authors' names with their respective views, especially when they engage one another in the response sections. I did not give it 5 stars because many times the authors misunderstood each other's positions and were attacking strawmen arguments. I would definitely welcome a more heavy editing hand to remove all these misguided engagements that would confuse many first time readers (to the topic).

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