BOOK REVIEW--THE FINAL DAYS OF JESUS: THE MOST IMPORTANT WEEK OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON WHO EVER LIVED, by Andreas Kostenberger & Justin Taylor

I received this book just in time for Passion Week and allowed it serve as a sort of devotional guide.  Authors Kostenberger and Taylor take their readers step by step from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Day and beyond to Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and ascension.  The book reads like a well-written historical narrative, with a blend of biography, whose purpose is "to provide an aid to informed worship."  In this, the authors do not disappoint.

The book is of a good length (200+ pages) for covering a little over one week out of Jesus' earthly life.  Each day's events is introduced with the respective account from the "one Gospel according to four different witnesses," sometimes just by notation and other times with the complete texts themselves.  Had the entire text been given for every event, the book length would have hindered its effectiveness.

The addition of charts, maps, along with commentary on the biblical accounts adds much to the overall benefit of this work, making it visually appealing.  It is the commentary itself, however, that packs the punch.  The authors are great word craftsmen, as seen in the following words:

"The stage is set for the final act.  The characters are in place.  Their goals, motives, and intentions are clear.  The king has come for his kingdom and has issued a clear and direct challenge to the reigning structures of political, economic, and religious power.  The drama can end in only one of two ways.  Either Jesus will topple the reigning powers and establish his messianic kingdom--or he will be killed.  No one at that time could possibly comprehend that in God's mysterious plan, there was a third option."

The authors are also not without down-to-earth language, as seen in this commentary:  "Peter, either hungry, bored, or out of money, announces that he is going to start fishing again.  Waiting for Messiah to appear did not pay the bills or put food on the table."

From start to finish, from the "How to Use This Book" to the "Glossary and Reference Guide," this is a must read for anyone interested in a clear and coherent presentation of the timing and circumstances surrounding Jesus' final days.  Truly a library book shelf keeper.

NOTE:  I received this book for free from Crossway Publishing in exchange for a review.  I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review and the thoughts and words expressed are my own.

BOOK REVIEW-- FOUR CUPS: GOD'S TIMELESS PROMISES FOR A LIFE OF FULFILLMENT BY CHRIS HODGES

"Four Cups...." provides a short overview of the four cups of promise in the Jewish Passover and the author expands upon each cup (the Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of Deliverance, the Cup of Redemption, and the Cup of Praise) with the ultimate purpose of helping believers "live the unlived life within us."

 

There a few things I liked about this book and a few that I did not.

 

First, I appreciated Hodges' emphasis on the community of believers over and against the solo life of faith.   Hodges' words are worth noting:  "True fulfillment never comes alone; it can only be attained within a group of people." Second, I absolutely loved his definition of success as "when people are moving from where they are to where God wants them to be." Third, Hodges' explanation of the discipleship process is helpful. Finally, I found his use of Scripture throughout this short book refreshing.

 

However, there are a few things about this book that were unappealing. First, Hodges speaks of God "see{ing} every person on earth as his child, though some are still lost." This statement clearly has no biblical support, making his mention of Luke 19:10 a horrible use of proof-texting, and a bad example at that. Second, there is an unwise focus on self, seen especially in these words: "My bucket list reminds me that living out my dreams is the secret to happiness." Finally, the author's reference to American psychologist Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" is unhelpful and confusing. This is verified by the lack of a single verse of Scripture during this discussion.

 

I found this book somewhat informative insofar as the discussion of the meaning of each of the seder cups is concerned. However, nothing in this book caused me to give contemplation about what God would have me to do in response to this book's insights.

 

NOTE: I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review. I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review and the thoughts and words expressed are my own.

BOOK REVIEW: Disciple Making Is...: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence, by Dave Early and Rod Dempsey

There are a lot of books on Christian discipleship... A WHOLE LOT OF BOOKS!  The challenge is knowing which ones are worth the investment of money, minutes, and mental stamina.  I have read several on this particular topic over the past year.  Some have contained a few nuggets worth highlighting or underlining. Others have had some re-readable sections or chapters.  This book alone, however, immediately grabbed me and kept me for nearly 300 pages.  Following are a list of reasons why anyone interested in fulfilling the mission given to us by our Lord ought to read Disciple Making Is...

First, it is Bible-driven.  Part 1 addresses biblical and theological foundations for disciple-making. Furthermore, the Scripture Index is seven pages long, practically (and strangely) unheard of for books on discipleship. Some books on the subject do not even include a Scripture Index.  There seems to be only two reasons why this would be lacking:  (1) the author/s rarely referred to Scripture or (2) the author's and/or editor/s saw no benefit to including the Scripture Index.  Neither reason is acceptable.  We simply cannot know what we need to know about making disciples of Jesus Christ without the disciple making manual, the Scriptures.  Early and Dempsey throughout assert that God's Word is the driving force behind the mission.

Second, it is task-focused.  Part 2 focuses on being a disciple, while Part 3 looks at making a disciple.  In a way, these two parts are the heart and soul of the book.  Again, the title says it all:  Disciple Making Is...  The thing I found to be most beneficial was the "three stages of discipleship" concept first introduced by A.B. Bruce and expanded upon here by Early and Dempsey.  All three stages are invitations to relationship, each building upon the other.  This concept has helped clarify in my own mind the discipleship process.

Third, it is God-honoring.  Although I believe Part 4 to be the weakest of the four parts, the passion of each disciple making model presented by the authors is to honor the Lord Jesus by faithfully doing what He calls the church to do, though each seeks to get there by somewhat different means.  Regardless of which model is adopted, those spearheading the effort to make disciples who make disciples must ensure that they are accomplishing God's mission God's way and for God's glory.

Readers will gain invaluable insights into the disciple making process by reading this book.  On a personal note, I will implement many of the truths contained in this book in my own ministry context.

NOTE:  I received this book for free from Broadman & Holman Publishing in exchange for a review.  I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review and the thoughts and words expressed are my own.

BOOK REVIEW--The Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places, by Nik Ripken with Barry Stricker

I admit, the book's title is what grabbed my attention.   Most people who would pick up this book would understand the slight smile which accompanies the words "The Insanity of Obedience."  When the price is so high in the making of disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ among all peoples, cultures, and languages, it seems a little...well, insane...that someone would place themselves at such risk, as well as their family and those who respond to the gospel in faith.  Jesus really meant what He said:  "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves" (Matthew 10:16).

Ripken's passion for seeing the gospel taken to the ends of the earth is seen throughout.  He is not some academic who studies missions from afar, but rather he has served in some difficult places throughout the world and maintains contact with believers on numerous continents.  This makes him a credible voice in the discussion of the persecution of Christians.

My favorite part of the book is the insights Ripken received from believers who have actually suffered genuine persecution--arrest, imprisonment, torture, and even death.  It is embarrassing to live in a context that considers the potential loss of tax exempt status on ministerial housing to be persecution.

Some other notables in this work are: (1) Ripken's indictment upon single American men, who are outnumbered on the international mission field by single American women seven to one.  This ought to drive American Christians to our knees in repentance.  (2) Ripken's understanding of what it means to follow Jesus in a Muslim Background context.  This is where he spent most of his time serving on the mission field and it is obviously an area in which his heart yearns to see people come to faith in Christ Jesus.

My least favorite thing about this book is the author's handling of what he calls "the Pre-Pentecost" and "the Post-Pentecost Worlds."   The fact of the matter is every "world" since circa 33 AD is a "Post-Pentecost World."  However, Ripken suggests differently, and in my opinion, his view is both confusing and without foundation.

Some other turnoffs are: (1)  The book has too much of a research feel to it.  It would have been better to have people speak freely about what it's like walking with Jesus in tough places, as opposed to packaged questions.  (2)  Experience is given tremendous weight over biblical revelation.  Few Scripture references are found throughout and even respondents to the author's questions seldom mention God's Word.

If the adage "You can't judge a book by its cover" is true, then the statement "You can't judge a book by its title" is even more true.  This is not a book that I would re-read, nor is it one I would recommend to others.  I do, however, appreciate Ripken's attempt to draw attention to the reality that there is a cost in following Jesus, although the price will be determined by where one lives and serves.

BOOK REVIEW-- Transformational Groups: Creating a New Scorecard for Groups by Ed Stetzer and Eric Geiger

A new book, Transformational Groups:  Creating a New Scorecard for Groups, authored by Ed Stetzer and Eric Geiger, was released on February 1, 2014.  Although there are a wide variety of books on the subject of small groups in the Christian context, theirs is important because it is based in part on actual research. Theories abound for creating effective small groups that cultivate lasting change in peoples lives, but Stetzer and Geiger do not just share what they learned from respondents; they are actually members of or leaders of small groups that exist for the distinct purpose of "more and deeper disciples making more and deeper disciples for God's glory and His mission."

This work is worth reading for a number of reasons.  First, the authors provide a really good definition of transformation:  "God's work deep within the believer that makes him or her genuinely like Jesus."  For nutshell people like myself, this short definition is easy to remember and to the point.

Secondly, great emphasis is placed upon community.   Although we live in a technological culture that more and more finds itself falling into a non-relational abyss, and when the larger gathering of God's people is for many the only time they gather, we need more than ever to be reminded that God designed life transformation to take place in meaningful relationships (transformational groups).  In community, the emphasis is on being close, rather than just sitting close, where there is actual participation, not mere association.  They remind readers that we should seek to "...be a church of small groups and not a church with small groups." The difference between "of" and "with" is huge!  Jesus, the first century church, and dynamic churches throughout history model the use of small groups for making disciples.  There is no reason to abandon this time-tested method.

Thirdly, this book provides a helpful guide for how to either move churches into small groups or to help churches with existing small groups to measure their effectiveness. Some of the authors' terminology is a little heavy at times, but they do a noble job of explaining exactly what they are trying to get across.

A fourth reason to read this book is its emphasis on people instead of programs.  An entire chapter is dedicated to helping readers discover, develop, and deploy "The Right Leaders" for small groups.  Another chapter offers suggestions for how to "Connect with Disconnected People."  For a book birthed from research, it is telling that people are not lost in the details.

Fifthly, after having read the final chapter, titled "Imagine the Possibilities," readers will know that God cares more about their church's small group ministry than do they.  But more than that, readers will know that small groups are not an end unto themself, but are rather the means to an end.  In Stetzer and Geiger's words:  "The end result of community must be mission."

This book will be of interest to anyone who realizes that the Christian life is about God making us more like Jesus, anyone who is part of a small group, anyone who longs for something more than a few devotional minutes with God each day or staring at the backs of peoples' heads on Sunday mornings, or anyone who is serious about "mak{ing} disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:20).

NOTE: I received this book for free from Broadman & Holman Publishing in exchange for a review.  I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review and the thoughts and words expressed are my own.