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.

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.

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.

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.”

Book Review: unChristian

I just finished 'unChristian', a book by David Kinnaman, who does research for the Barna Group. In this book, Kinnaman presents how young insiders and outsiders view Christianity today, especially from 6 distressing viewpoints. Many young people, both Christians and non0Christians, find the Christian church to be hypocritical, focused on getting people to become members, anti-homosexual, sheltered, too political, and judgmental. The Barna Group's research show that many, both inside and outside of Christianity, have experienced these in their relationships with Christians.

While the Christian Church is not primarily focused on how others perceive it, there is a problem when the perception others have of us presents obstacles to sharing the Gospel with them. This book presents an opportunity to look at what we, as individuals and as the corporate body of Christ, are doing that turns people off to Jesus and His Church.

This book presents a tension. The Christian Church is not in the market to make itself presentable, especially since some of Christ's teachings are difficult to hear and live by. However, when the Church doesn't care what others think, then we begin to put obstacles of our own creating in the way of the message of the Good News. Thus, it behooves us to look at what we are doing that presents such obstacles.

I recommend this book, especially for those Christians and churches looking to be more effective in outreach. It will show some of the ugliness that is found in people who were born and conceived in sin. Yet, it also shows that it is possible to take a look at ourselves and to face those things which present stumbling blocks to others knowing of God's love and Christ's forgiveness.