Thinking About Theology

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortland

This book came out at just the right time. Ortland has written a book full of comfort and grace. At the end of the day he does a compelling job of showing just how much we need to adjust our thinking about who God is and how He has revealed His heart through Jesus. This is a fine work challenging incorrect thinking about the grace of God.

This book is a great piece revealing to the reader hos God’s heart is bent towards people with a desire to extend grace and compassion. Before you think this is all about unicorns and cotton candy fluff it is not. Dane never minimizes God’s holiness or righteousness. He never portrays God as a soft old man willing to overlook any and everything. Instead he goes to show that even when God’s disciplines and corrects, His hearts desire is mercy and grace.

Ortland walks us through the Scripture as well as puritan writers revealing the true heart of God, and God that desires the best for His people and will go to the greatest lengths to make that happen. And even when there is discipline, there is always grace.

The purity of God’s heart causes Him to abhor evil, and he hates to see the evil in His people, but His deepest heart is their restoration

Yes, God’s thought are higher than ours even when it comes to realizing how His heart yearns for our restoration.

Fight those preconceived notions about what you may think you know about Christ’s heart and realize the strength of His mercy and grace waiting for you. No matter how dark your world seems, God’s heart turns toward you.

Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise by Horst Schulze

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Real Life

This is a book for everyone in any industry. It’s not just for hospitality, luxury or any other niche market. If you are involved with people, serving people, this book is for you. While the principles in the book are definitely business like, they are completely transferable to anyone in any field.

While Schulze describes and unpacks these principles he laces the chapters will real life, real time examples.

Maybe the best part was at the end, after extolling the virtue of excellence in serving others (also known as the golden rule), he reminds us that business is not THE most important thing, faith in the Living God is, even while striving for excellence in all things.

For a great summary listen to his interview on the Carey Nieuwhof podcast.

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Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making by Andrew Peterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great book.!!! At first thought you may think this is for artistic, creative types. And you’d be right as well as very wrong. This is a book for everyone and anyone who creates, appreciates or is a wannabe like me searching for beauty and truth. Peterson does a great job encouraging us that we are all creative, and we are made in the image of a creator God.

If you think this is for the religious, Christian world you’d be right and very wrong at the same time. Peterson is spot on when he says good non religious art beats bad religious art hands down. In fact, for the Christian artist, musician, writer, poet, accountant, pastor, blogger, etc. I think there is a challenge here to create the best, not the most popular or marketable art.

This is not a how to book (although the last chapter of pointers is great). It is a look at Andrew Peterson’s journey. Not just an autobiography but a stream of encouragement to keep going. Someone, somewhere, at sometime, needs to hear what you have to say, so say it. And after listening to quite a few of Andrew Peterson’s recordings all the pieces fell into place. I have always loved his music, and now I can see the influence of Rich Mullins on his work, without being a Rich Mullins copy.

If you appreciate honesty, truth, and beauty this book is for you. If you want to communicate honesty, truth and beauty this book is for you. If you have every enjoyed a song, book, painting, sculpture, a delicious meal or a sunset, this book is for you. And if you have never enjoyed any of those things this book is here to open you up to a whole new world.

And thank you Andrew for reminding me that generic store bought chocolate chips cookies are ok now and then, but nothing beats fresh, warm, homemade toll house cookies.

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Old Paths, New Power: Awakening Your Church through Prayer and the Ministry of the Word by Daniel Henderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an extremely encouraging, challenging book. In summary, Henderson is calling the church back to Acts 6:4. The leaders focus on the ministry of prayer and the word and the saints are equipped for works of ministry. The heart of this book is a call back to prayer. The Acts 6:4 model is the Old Path. No, this is not a portrait of an idyllic 1st century faith. He points out that the struggles and challenges of the church then were as difficult as they are now, but the response was very different.

Instead of evangelical celebrities, catchy vision statements and measurable outcomes formulated by CEO types, the church needs to be lead by humble, praying, biblical fed men. Once we return to this old path we will see a revival of new prayer. Henderson reminds us we do not plan and promote revival. Revival is a gift God sends.

Henderson includes many examples where this old path is leading to new power. The old paths of New Testament leadership (Acts 6:4) will lead to new power. And the examples cover a great sample of various types and sizes of churches. So its not personality based, location, or denomination. It is a movement of God. Henderson also includes various shorter articles ranging from John Piper and Henry Blackaby to Francis Chan and Jim Cymbala, so again we are reminded this is God working through His church.

Henderson also pushes us to get beyond the prayer meeting organ recital (Joe’s toe’s and Danny’s diabetes) to humble pleas of desperation and thanksgiving. NOTE: Henderson never says these types of prayer are not valid but prayer gatherings can be so much more. He gives a simple formula. God is worthy and I am needy. There are plenty of examples of prayer services, prayer gatherings etc. throughout the book. In the end Henderson calls us to prayer services that are Word Fed, Spirit Led and Worship Based.

This is not a book on how to grow a bigger church but a church of healthy, spiritually passionate disciples. He says “when prayer goes viral people are not excited about it ‘prayer’ but are infectious about him ‘Him’ (Jesus)”.

Lord teach us to pray

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I have read a few books by Wilson and continue to be encouraged and challenged by his writings. This book is no exception. The title captured my attention because I always wondered, as an ordinary person what am I missing. My life does not feel supernatural. Thankfully Wilson starts by reminding us that supernatural living is not lightning and fireworks. In fact, most supernatural living takes place in ordinary days and times. He says we spend all of our time wondering when something big is going to happen when in fact (if we are a Christian) the biggest thing to happen to us already did. To be greedy for more suggest that what already happened was insufficient. Craving more and more extravagant evidences of the Spirit is an easy way to demonstrate our lack of satisfaction with the gospel of Jesus. (p 14) I needed to hear this and I would venture to say most of us do.
I should state now that this is not a critique of other streams of Christianity, an attempt to restrict the work of the Spirit or anything like that. This book gives a healthy biblical overview of how the Spirit works in the believer today. In so doing it confronts the excess as well as those who minimize the Spirits works.

Wilson works thru various areas where the Supernatural work of the Spirit is evident. In the chapter on prayer we are reminded that the power of prayer is not inherent in our words or how much we name and claim as if the power of prayer was in our control. Instead prayer is powered by the Spirit who intercedes for us and brings our prayer to the Father. For those of us who struggle Wilson outlines a few ways to prime our pump with written prayers, prayer journaling, praying Scripture etc.

Again, the power of prayer is not in us but in the one prayed to.

One chapter that really struck me was were Wilson time spent addressing where we spend our resources. An entire chapter is spent on the Blessing of Going Without. He says how can we say with integrity we want the Spirits filling when we keep going to the well of culture and worldliness. This is not a chapter on monasticism or asceticism. He does an excellent job of relating fasting to Spiritual power. He states that our need to fast from something does not mean that thing is sinful, but we are sinful. Things like food and sex are not evil but how we use and abuse them are. When we are filled with the joy of communion with God, we can say no thanks to other things.

He also says that the devil will use pain as a last resort. He knows that in pain we are more likely to call out to God so if he can sedate us with material blessings, drunk on worldly consumption he will name it and claim it for us. Our spiritual warfare happens more while watching TV, washing our car or enjoying a comfortable bed before church. That is our temptation.

The next chapter, Breaking Free from the Drama, reminds us that another area of supernatural work is in our relationships. Wilson says “when the Holy Spirit take up residence in our heart, he immediately begins renovating the place. It doesn’t matter where you placed the furniture before; he’s going to rearrange it into a home more suitable for himself.” (p123)
This does not mean we are free to start cutting out people who don’t meet our needs or live up to our expectations. In fact, he goes on to remind us that now that we belong to the King and have access to the throne it changes how we respond to relational wounds and slights. We will stop looking at people as existing to meet our needs because Christ has already meet all our needs. Now we can demonstrate the Christ and His spirit is at work in us in how we serve others.

I could go on because there is so mush good stuff in this book. In the end we are shown that through the Spirit we have all the fruits, all the gifts necessary to live a supernatural life. These are not given so we can be super-Christians but so we can participate in the magnification of Jesus (p182)

So Christian, there is nothing ordinary about you. You are created in the image of God, redeemed by the King and baptized by His Spirit into His body. Wilson concludes with helping us see that because of the Spirit we have; the Gospel, Belief, open eyes, indwelling Spirit, love poured into our hearts, assurance empowered prayer, unction, a revived church, the law written on your heart, good works to do, hope, just to name a few.

I loved this book because not only does Wilson unpack the work of the Spirit, he helps us see how this works in very practical ways. And with a pastor’s tone he helps us realize this is a lifelong work, and we will get there.

The Whole Armor of God: How Christ’s Victory Strengthens Us for Spiritual Warfare by Iain M. Duguid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great little book about an important topic. A topic that has been covered countless times by many people. In fact, I think it is a required sermon series for every preacher and Bible Study leader. In this book Duiguid is able to help us unpack and put on the armor. Spoiler Alert. The armor is not something we pull out a closet and put on. The armor is something Christ has Himself worn as our Savior. This is why the subtitle of the book is fittingly How Christ’s Victory Strengthens us for Spiritual Warfare.

Duiguid starts by painting a picture of our need for armor to face the spiritual warfare. These are not tips to be a better spouse, parent or employee. We are in a battle with cosmic forces in the present darkness. These forces are far beyond our own capabilities. We need a captain and resources strong enough for the task. And here is our armor.

Duiguid walks through each part of the armor in short, power packed chapters. In each chapter Duguid does explain each parts importance as well as the interrelated aspect of each piece. This is one of the strengths of this book. These are not individual, separate pieces of armor, or spiritual traits. Each piece is vital and connected to each other part.

Duiguid does expound on each piece and how it is reflected in the Christian’s walk. But this is not a list of duties to perform or self help steps for a better life. Duiguid shows us how each piece was worn by Christ Himself in His earthly ministry to us. In fact, Christ wore each piece for us in His work of redemption and achieving the victory in our place.

One more strength of this book is how Duiguid reminds us that this armor is displayed all throughout Scripture. The belt in Isaiah 11, the breastplate and helmet of Isaiah 59, the shoes of Isaiah 52, the shield of Genesis 15 and the sword of Isaiah 49. All through Scripture God has been defending His people with this armor. His own Son wore that armor. And now Gods fits us to wear the armor

In the end this is not our armor. This is God’s armor, worn by Christ and fitted to use for our use in the very battle for our souls. The victory is God’s. The armor is God given. And the battle is won. We can move forward in confidence.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Sing!: How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church by Keith Getty

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sing is a small book from Keith Getty. And like the title says it is call to the church to Sing. AS Getty says, our spiritual life depends on it. This is a small book with a bog argument. Christians, we are called to sing regardless of our talent and skill. Getty, quoting Ligon Duncan says There is no more part of the worship life more in need of reformation today than congregational singing.

Getty is quick to point out this is encouragement not prescription. Singing takes many forms, styles, preferences, skill levels and all that. What is important is we sing. He encourages us that since we sing to encourage and praise, not to impress and earn praise, we can smile and sing anyway.

Singing is one of the ways we created ones are given to communicate with the creator. In fact, it is both a gift and a command. In fact, there are over 50 commands to sing. To not sing is to disobey. We are not commanded to sing well; we are commanded to sing. And the command is not to sing alone in the shower or the car but in the assembly of the saints. When you are with the church, sing.

What do we sing? We sing the Word of God. Think about what you are singing. What does your song reveal about your God and Savior? What does your song reveal about you? Are you thankful? Songs express a grateful heart. What (who) do you love? Your song expresses your love.

Has God made Himself know to you? Respond with a song. Is your heart broken? Is your burden heavy or your sin persistent? Sing. Pour it out to God and His people. Encourage others with your sing and be encouraged by theirs.

And think of the testimony to people from cross generations, and preferences and social status standing side by side singing one song of praise.

There is a sign at Moody Radio saying Your song may be used to save a soul. Sing it prayerfully. A nd sing the truth of the gospel. No need to disguise it in ambiguous language. Sing a song to be heard. For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

This little book packs a powerful message. Getty encourages us that we have a reason to sing, we have a song to sing. We have a voice to sing. So Sing.

The publisher provided a copy of this book for review.

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Reformed Preaching: Proclaiming God’s Word from the Heart of the Preacher to the Heart of His People by Joel R. Beeke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First of all I am glad I read the Kindle version. I feel that if I saw the physical copy of this book I may have turned away. The volume is chock full of material. In typical Beeke fashion this volume is well researched, well documented and well presented. This is not just a book on how to write a sermon.

I was also intrigued by the title as I am used to seeing books about expository preaching, topical preaching, extemporaneous preaching, preaching to felt needs etc. My first wrong assumption was a book on Reformed Preaching is a book about intellectual, conservative lectures.
Beeke points out that Reformed Preaching is Experiential preaching. By that he says It uses the truth of Scripture to shine glory of God into the depths of the soul to call people to live solely and wholly for God . . stresses the need to know the great truths of the Word of God by personal experience. It also tests our personal experience by the doctrines of the Bible.

The goal is not head knowledge (that is important) but also heart change. He says Head knowledge is not evil in itself. Most of the great Christian ministers and leaders of the Reformation and Post-reformation eras were highly educated men. They valued a thorough Christian education. But this education must be sanctified by the Holy Spirit to our hearts. Head knowledge remains insufficient for our spiritual good without the Spirits’s heart application. That is why writers of previous centuries counseled people to seek to fill their heads with knowledge while seeking the Lord in hope that he would bless it to their hearts.

I appreciate the fact that Beeke drives home the fact that Reformed Preaching is well researched but also fueled by the Holy Spirit. I was impressed by the heavy emphasis on the place Beeke placed on the Holy Spirit’s place in the preparation, delivery and reception of the sermon.

After defining Reformed Preaching Beeke present a historical picture of Reformed Preaching, giving examples of preachers, their ministries and their messages. Some names are very familiar and many more names unknown. In the end Beeke shows the rich heritage of Reformed Preaching worldwide, even if we never knew that was what it was called. I will admit that I almost gave up at this point. There were so many examples over a long history, I thought this book was a history of Reformed Preachers. Fortunately, I kept going.

Part 3 is a great section. Here Beeke starts unpacking sermon development. This is not a process of how often to read the text, then the studies, commentaries application etc. Beeke stresses deeper issues. Things like the character and quality of the preacher and how deeply he knows His God. How deeply does he know his congregation? How intimate is the preacher with the Scripture? The preacher is called to know His God, the Scripture and the congregation. Then the preacher can take the text, draw out the biblical doctrines and address it to the spiritual health of his congregation.
Beeke says Christian preaching must revolve around the objective focus of the truth about God in Christ and His saving work accomplished for His people. …preaching must also revolve around the subjective focus of the experience of God in Christ.

The heart of the sermon is how reliant was the preacher on the Holy Spirit and how much did the Spirit fuel the sermon to reveal Christ to the hearer. Maybe if more sermons were rooted in biblical doctrine applied to the spiritual needs of people we would get past twitter feed sermons about feeling good about yourself and see hearts transformed towards holiness and Christlike qualities.
Beeke says we need to preach sermons enriched by all of these elements: biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical. Then Beeke adds to the final chapters examples of topics to explore and questions to ask as the Scripture if finally applied to meet the truth of God and the experience of the hearer.

If you are involved in sermon preparation and feeding the sheep, this is a must read. If you are like me and struggle with the amount of historical content press on. It is worth it.

The publisher provided a copy for review.

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All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment by Hannah Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is set to be a book on discernment. Anderson takes a slightly different approach. She unpacks Philippians 4 and sifting your thoughts through this filter. Instead of an academic approach to a transformed mind this book is a more conversational, relatable call to discernment. Anderson defines discernment as “. . . , discernment is the ability to sort between a host of options and pick what is good.”

I appreciate her goal to “lead you away from our common disposition to fear-based thinking toward a place of hope and abundance.” She seeks to tackle the common “How can I know who and what to believe? How can I make choices that lead to a successful life? How can I avoid mistakes? How can I know what is good?”

To her credit the author does not offer up a simple 3 steps or 7 keys of what to think.

Along with a solid breakdown of Philippians 4 Anderson provides plenty of down to earth anecdotal and personal examples to make discernment practical and realistic. For me personally the chapter on purity and the chapter on what is commendable are fitting for today’s climate of the me too movement and the world of fake news.

We are reminded that the digital age information and knowledge are not the same thing. “Because we are literally creating data in real time, we must exercise greater care in what we choose to add to the conversation and how we react to what others contribute. More than ever, we must develop the discernment that recognizes that not every shared idea is a good idea, nor is every idea worth sharing”

We are encouraged to acknowledge that discernment is a spiritual exercise AND there is objective truth to pursue while also clinging to faith. “Basing truth in objective reality—making sure that we check our facts, do our research, and confirm the truthfulness of something before we accept it—does not minimize the importance of the unseen realm. But it does safeguard us from letting our private, personal experience of the world dominate.”

My one concern was I wish there had been more emphasis on the falleness infecting our world and how easily we are deceived. At times it felt like the world was painted as a good place with some issues instead of a world infected with the curse that needs to be broken and redeemed. Anderson does not paint a picture of a world full of unicorns and rainbows. She explains that the qualities of Philippians 4 describe the character of God. Again that is just my one minor concern and in no way should detract from the practical usefulness of this work

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