The Theology of the Cross for the 21st Century is a collection of essays which discuss cultural contact points for sharing the Gospel within a variety of cultures. Written from a Lutheran perspective, these essays highlight several important points of interest when it comes to fulfilling Christ's command to take the Gospel to all nations and peoples.
One important point that gets highlighted throughout the various essays is that no one culture has a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, each individual in a culture has been shaped differently by that culture. While we may speak of, for example, a Hispanic culture, the recognition that there are a wide variety of nationalities that fall into this cultural category means that each one has different, though likely similar, touch points. But to assume that one approach will reach all sets one up for a great deal of difficulty.
A second important point deals with the dignity that each person and culture needs to be shown. Too often, Christians have approached other cultures, intentionally or not, as inferior and in need of change. The authors support an approach that shows dignity to the person and the culture, looking for the touch points where the Gospel can be proclaimed, and God's love and forgiveness in Christ Jesus shown.
Overall, the authors demonstrate just how large a task sharing the Gospel really is, but give good thoughts which can guide those who share the Gospel with people of other cultures. The authors deal with a great number of cultures, both internationally (i.e. Islamic, African, Asian) and nationally for North America (i.e. postmodern, New Age, African-American, Hispanic). These helpful essays will help any individual who desires to share the Christian faith with other cultures to think about how they will approach the people of that culture with the Gospel.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Review: Theology of the Cross for the 21st Century
The Theology of the Cross for the 21st Century is a collection of essays which discuss cultural contact points for sharing the Gospel within a variety of cultures. Written from a Lutheran perspective, these essays highlight several important points of interest when it comes to fulfilling Christ's command to take the Gospel to all nations and peoples.
One important point that gets highlighted throughout the various essays is that no one culture has a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, each individual in a culture has been shaped differently by that culture. While we may speak of, for example, a Hispanic culture, the recognition that there are a wide variety of nationalities that fall into this cultural category means that each one has different, though likely similar, touch points. But to assume that one approach will reach all sets one up for a great deal of difficulty.
A second important point deals with the dignity that each person and culture needs to be shown. Too often, Christians have approached other cultures, intentionally or not, as inferior and in need of change. The authors support an approach that shows dignity to the person and the culture, looking for the touch points where the Gospel can be proclaimed, and God's love and forgiveness in Christ Jesus shown.
Overall, the authors demonstrate just how large a task sharing the Gospel really is, but give good thoughts which can guide those who share the Gospel with people of other cultures. The authors deal with a great number of cultures, both internationally (i.e. Islamic, African, Asian) and nationally for North America (i.e. postmodern, New Age, African-American, Hispanic). These helpful essays will help any individual who desires to share the Christian faith with other cultures to think about how they will approach the people of that culture with the Gospel.
One important point that gets highlighted throughout the various essays is that no one culture has a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, each individual in a culture has been shaped differently by that culture. While we may speak of, for example, a Hispanic culture, the recognition that there are a wide variety of nationalities that fall into this cultural category means that each one has different, though likely similar, touch points. But to assume that one approach will reach all sets one up for a great deal of difficulty.
A second important point deals with the dignity that each person and culture needs to be shown. Too often, Christians have approached other cultures, intentionally or not, as inferior and in need of change. The authors support an approach that shows dignity to the person and the culture, looking for the touch points where the Gospel can be proclaimed, and God's love and forgiveness in Christ Jesus shown.
Overall, the authors demonstrate just how large a task sharing the Gospel really is, but give good thoughts which can guide those who share the Gospel with people of other cultures. The authors deal with a great number of cultures, both internationally (i.e. Islamic, African, Asian) and nationally for North America (i.e. postmodern, New Age, African-American, Hispanic). These helpful essays will help any individual who desires to share the Christian faith with other cultures to think about how they will approach the people of that culture with the Gospel.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Review: Christ Have Mercy: How to Put Your Faith in Action
I recently completed the book of the title. It provided some very deep thoughts about how Christians are compelled by God's mercy to then show mercy to their fellow man. The author, Matthew Harrison, emphasizes mercy from a Lutheran perspective, using some very personal examples of mercy, and how his faith and action has been shaped by them.
Overall, this is a somewhat technical book. Anyone not familiar with Lutheran theology or worship will likely have significant questions afterward. For those familiar with the accoutrements of Lutheran faith and belief, a basic familiarity will be in place.
Mercy is God's way of interacting with humans. Created in God's image, mankind has fallen into sin through the initial disobedience. As such, mercy is an act that has its beginning in God, who looks not to His own good, but to the good of others. When Christians respond in mercy, they are demonstrating something different from what comes naturally, which finds its source and origin in God.
Harrison definitely presents some challenges with his thoughts. In a fashion, he almost says that lack of showing mercy is to deny heavenly mercy in our lives. At the same time, he reflects on just how great is the mercy that God has toward us human beings. This is why the plea is present from God's creatures: Lord, have mercy.
Overall, this is a somewhat technical book. Anyone not familiar with Lutheran theology or worship will likely have significant questions afterward. For those familiar with the accoutrements of Lutheran faith and belief, a basic familiarity will be in place.
Mercy is God's way of interacting with humans. Created in God's image, mankind has fallen into sin through the initial disobedience. As such, mercy is an act that has its beginning in God, who looks not to His own good, but to the good of others. When Christians respond in mercy, they are demonstrating something different from what comes naturally, which finds its source and origin in God.
Harrison definitely presents some challenges with his thoughts. In a fashion, he almost says that lack of showing mercy is to deny heavenly mercy in our lives. At the same time, he reflects on just how great is the mercy that God has toward us human beings. This is why the plea is present from God's creatures: Lord, have mercy.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Review: Visioneering, by Andy Stanley
What do you do when God gives you a picture of something that you want to accomplish, and that furthers his kingdom? To start off, you acknowledge that you have a vision. However, seeing that vision through to completion is not the easiest thing in the world to do.
That's what Andy Stanley conveys in his book, "Visioneering". Many visions of doing good things to serve God's kingdom get started, but not many ever see their vision through to fruition. It takes sacrifice, follow-through, communication, and leadership to bring the vision to reality.
Any Christian leader who sees something that God has placed before him/her would benefit from reading this book. Stanley helps lay out the many dangers to a vision and its fruition, which helps to guide the leader. This does not insure the completion of the vision, but by following his building blocks, a leader can better enable that vision to become reality.
I recommend this book to anyone who has something they want to achieve, especially from a Christian perspective. I may not completely agree theologically with Stanley, but overall, his building blocks prove extremely helpful as you think about how to bring a vision or goal to reality.
That's what Andy Stanley conveys in his book, "Visioneering". Many visions of doing good things to serve God's kingdom get started, but not many ever see their vision through to fruition. It takes sacrifice, follow-through, communication, and leadership to bring the vision to reality.
Any Christian leader who sees something that God has placed before him/her would benefit from reading this book. Stanley helps lay out the many dangers to a vision and its fruition, which helps to guide the leader. This does not insure the completion of the vision, but by following his building blocks, a leader can better enable that vision to become reality.
I recommend this book to anyone who has something they want to achieve, especially from a Christian perspective. I may not completely agree theologically with Stanley, but overall, his building blocks prove extremely helpful as you think about how to bring a vision or goal to reality.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Book Review: Will The World End in 2012?
As I read through Raymond C. Hundley's "Will the World End in 2012?", I was amazed to see that the Mayan calendar ending in 2012 is not the only theory about the end of the world. Indeed, Hundley finds 11 other dangers to present in his book, asking the question of each of them. In the end, he identifies one or two as potential dangers, and dismisses the rest as either unrealistic or as no danger to life on our world. Then, he invites all readers to become believers in Jesus, which seems to be his main purpose overall.
I found very little to take too seriously in this book. If Hundley was out to change the minds of those who believe in the dangers he presents, then he didn't offer adequate answers to the concerns they may have. I actually thought, at one point, that he was simply writing to have a book out there on the subject. I also thought the invitation to believe in Jesus as the end to be rather clumsy. If asked what his point overall was, I would be hard pressed to know.
It's a very easy book to read, which is why I don't believe anyone who takes the dangers seriously would be swayed away from their beliefs. It does give some background information into why the 2012 phenomenon has come to attention, but fails in its efforts to draw people to Jesus. Therefore, I would not recommend this book to those who may have questions about such matters.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I found very little to take too seriously in this book. If Hundley was out to change the minds of those who believe in the dangers he presents, then he didn't offer adequate answers to the concerns they may have. I actually thought, at one point, that he was simply writing to have a book out there on the subject. I also thought the invitation to believe in Jesus as the end to be rather clumsy. If asked what his point overall was, I would be hard pressed to know.
It's a very easy book to read, which is why I don't believe anyone who takes the dangers seriously would be swayed away from their beliefs. It does give some background information into why the 2012 phenomenon has come to attention, but fails in its efforts to draw people to Jesus. Therefore, I would not recommend this book to those who may have questions about such matters.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Review: A Skeleton in God's Closet
Recently, I took the time to re-read a book that I have enjoyed a few times. "A Skeleton in God's Closet", by Paul Maier, is a fiction book in which the supposed bones of Jesus are found at an archaeological dig in Israel. Not only does the story cause Christians to think about how central Jesus' death and resurrection is to their faith, but it also highlights some of what goes into determining such matters as dates and places in the field of archaeology.
Maier is not by nature a novelist, and therefore, at times, the storyline is overly simple, and at other times unnecessarily detailed. At heart, he seems to desire for Christians to think about the content of their faith, and to examine some of the hard questions regarding their faith. In addition, this novel seems to be a way to explain why Christians believe what they do about Jesus, and why such events are so integral to the faith of a Christian.
I would recommend this book to others to read, though with the caveat that Maier is more of an historian than a novelist. Nevertheless, the story is enjoyable and presents the Christian faith in a thought-provoking fashion.
Maier is not by nature a novelist, and therefore, at times, the storyline is overly simple, and at other times unnecessarily detailed. At heart, he seems to desire for Christians to think about the content of their faith, and to examine some of the hard questions regarding their faith. In addition, this novel seems to be a way to explain why Christians believe what they do about Jesus, and why such events are so integral to the faith of a Christian.
I would recommend this book to others to read, though with the caveat that Maier is more of an historian than a novelist. Nevertheless, the story is enjoyable and presents the Christian faith in a thought-provoking fashion.
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