Review: Reading Romans Backwards: A Gospel of Peace in the Midst of Empire

Reading Romans Backwards: A Gospel of Peace in the Midst of Empire by Scot McKnight
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've said this before and I'll say it again, I really like Scot McKnight's stuff! While I didn't agree or end up at the same conclusions 100% of the time as McKnight in this book, I would say that I would agree or think he's right in around 90-95% of his points. That being said, McKnight himself said that this book was first and foremost NOT a commentary (even though I shelve it as such) due to the broad scope used in the letter of Romans as a whole (though he did mention that he is toying and probably eventually going to embark on the adventure of writing a commentary through the lens which he uses in this book). By approaching Romans with the mindset of the end first, and thus reading it backward, the letter itself SCREAMS to be way more pastoral in nature versus the giant tome-only of theology I hear people identify it as so often (not denying that the way we currently read Romans is 'wrong', but I agree with McKnight that our obsession with 'theology-proper' in the West has limited our capacity of seeing the 'other stuff' that is just as important). After reading this book, I will never read Romans the same again. I had the joy of teaching a class as I read through this book (as well as a companion book 'Teaching Romans Backwards') and it proved to be even more enriching! This easily has become one of my top 5 favorite books I've read. It's certainly a book that will keep you engaged and you'll probably have a hard time putting it down (I know I did. The only reason I was able to take my time, was because I forced myself to read it slowly in relation to what chapters/sections I was teaching). Overall, I think EVERY person interested in studying Romans should read this book, EVEN if you end up disagreeing with McKnight on nearly everything he says. At the very least, it would be of great benefit to expose yourself to an alternative focus and more applicable application with this approach, using it as a supplement to your current Pauline-regiment.

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Review: The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears

The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I know there is a lot of people out there ranting about how you shouldn't read this book, and that's fine. More power to you if you fall into that boat. I can be like that to MANY books, but this time I wanted to read a book on prayer that would encourage and challenge me if I were to approach it fully empty and with a genuine desperateness to grow in my discipline of prayer. This book certainly didn't disappoint. I walked away with a fresh determination to trust and lean heavily on God and His promises (even if it's really on a reputation of the kind of promises He makes rather than a direct promise to me specifically). If you're looking for a good introduction to prayer before getting into more bedrock books based on specific texts, I'd recommend this one. If you're a seasoned veteran but want something that'll help you freshen up or continue to encourage you, I'd recommend this book.

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Live Cleansed

I've recently been challenged/convicted (once again during my life) to stop only reading the Bible from a purely academic position. Even as I write that, I tense up a little. Nonetheless I will attempt to be faithful to what the Spirit is seeking to teach me and transform me toward. This isn't a DEEP exegetical excursion, but merely a reading of a familiar passage in light of my life today. I hope that you'll somehow be encouraged and reminded of the greatness of our God. I opened my Bible today and found this little passage at the end of Mark 1 about a man whom Jesus cleansed. It reads like this:

39 He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. 40 Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him: “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 Then he sternly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.

At first pass, I simply moved right on through saying to myself, "I know this passage. Next." However, trying to be obedient and slow down a little, I opened my mind and prayed a short, quick prayer for the Holy Spirit to show me something about this that we all as Christians need to see. I take in faith that what I'm about to share is what He hoped to share. I'm only going to speak on half of the passage, so if you're wanting something with the full passage, sorry... for now.

Put yourself in the position of this man's position. Stricken with leprosy and desperate. Jesus has proven over and over again that He is capable of doing some pretty amazing things. Falling on your knees, begging, you ask Jesus to do another miracle. Jesus does just that. Following your healing, you're instructed to go and essentially live as if you never were sick to begin with (the whole present an offering as a testimony to them, testifying that you are already clean and not sick).

Now if I may indulge you for a moment, the most striking part of this passage in terms of listening for what we, or I, need to hear from God today, is what Jesus said in verse 44. 

“See that you say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

How many times do we (myself super included), do we resort to 'words' about situations we're in or sins we're wrestling with? I'm NOT saying that we shouldn't be transparent and real. What I am saying is that the temptation in being transparent and real is that we suffice to TALK words about where we are and that with which we're wrestling. As Christians, we take by faith what Scripture and tradition teaches us; namely that Jesus is King and as King, He has the authority to cleanse and pardon any and everyone whom He wishes. IF this is true and we truly believe it, we should be LIVING just as much (if not more) than we're TALKING. Jesus instructed the man to show himself to the priest and offer what was commanded for cleansing as a TESTIMONY. The offering became something that pointed to an already experienced reality.

For someone like me, particularly a person who resonates with type 1 on the enneagram, it can be super easy to remain in our our failures and sins, sulking and depressive. The reality is, however, that Jesus has ALREADY cleansed us (and promises to continue to do so for those who are His; see 1 John 1.9)! In Romans 12, Paul challenges us to live our lives as LIVING sacrifices. There are a great number of passages I could pull up and add to the list, but the point is already there. What if we lived our lives (as living sacrifices) as a testimony to all of the cleansing that Jesus both has done and continues to do? What kind of difference would that make not only within ourselves, but also our community? My prayer today is that we would all be open of what the Spirit is wanting to remind us all. May we all experience Jesus' cleansing today and beyond, and live our lives as testimony for His reign, rule, power, and love.

Review: Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation

Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation by LaTasha Morrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a very good read. That being said, this is also one of the heaviest reads I've read in a while. There were more than a few times when I audibly gasped in response to some of the history that Morrison brought up to emphasize her point of the need of this conversation. There were even times when I had to put the book down to process what I read because I felt sick to my stomach at what I had just read. Other than those moments, the book was hard to put down. Morrison writes in a clear, engaging manner and she pours her heart (and all the emotions with it) into her work. You can certainly tell she has been given a gift and passion from God to pursue and be a leading voice in the process of racial reconciliation.

All in all, this is a very heavy, but important book. I know there are some who may read this and come back and say that she's way too strong with her words, or that she's over exaggerating with her stance and recommendation on our response as Christians to the issue of racial injustice around us. I don't believe a person can read this book and leave not affected by her words. You certainly shouldn't read this book and then walk away without any desire to join the fight of reconciliation with which Jesus calls us to be front runners. I also LOVE how she incorporates liturgy within her book. It's a great practice to go through individually, and even better in a group/congregational setting! I highly recommend this book, but you should certainly make sure you're in a place where you can read it with an open mind, and with a willingness to be empathetic (not just sympathetic) to the issues and injustice other people are experiencing, and have experienced for too long of a time.

I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Sit, Walk, Stand

Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I heard about this book from my mentor. It's a really short read. You could probably read it MUCH faster that I did. What Nee does in this book is essentially summarize the message of the book of Ephesians in three words: sit, walk, stand. Using these three words, Nee walks through the message of the letter and emphasizes how we as Christians should be living out the message from it that is easy to neglect.

We must first realize that right now, we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies. We must understand and believe this before we are to do anything as a disciple of Jesus. It is only from the posture of 'seated with Christ' can a Christian hope to excel progress within the 'walk' and 'stand' areas.

Next, we are to 'walk' in this world in a way that reflects the position we have in Christ, and His lordship over all.

Finally, we 'stand' against the enemy. Standing insinuates that we CURRENTLY hold conquered ground, and we maintain it. Christ has already won the victory, we obey and live faithfully to Him as we take a stand against the evil one.


All in all, this is a pretty good book that is a great outline for a short series on Ephesians, which is was we're about to use it for here at the campus ministry. =)

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Review: Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion

Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion by Anne Graham Lotz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First off, the pros:

This book is very easy to read and get through. There's nothing that's going to cause you to have to stop, pull out a dictionary of some sort or look stuff up in a lexicon. Anne does a great job of weaving her thoughts together with good stories and examples. I found it easy to stay engaged because of her writing style and heart (which is VERY visible through her words). There hasn't been a more genuine book that I've read recently where you can actually feel the author's heart behind what she's writing.

Things that weren't for me:

There were a handful of times where I diverged from hermetical conclusions that were drawn. I'm always going to mention something like this when I come across it, only because I value biblical exegesis so much. Nonetheless, were they areas that would cause division? No. I fellowship with many people who would hold similar beliefs as Anne does, and I love them dearly. However I value conversations about where we disagree, in loving and respectful ways.

Overall, this is a decent book. I had never read anything by Anne Lotz before, so I really didn't know what to expect. If you're looking for a detailed, in-depth look at the Holy Spirit, this book probably isn't for you. You'll probably be frustrated and disappointed at the lack of what you're looking for. However, it's clear to me that writing such a book was never Anne Lotz's intention. She wanted to write a book dealing with the PRACTICAL side for us of our engagement with the Holy Spirit, and she has done just that. This is a great book for someone looking for an easy to follow, practical, not TOO over the top introduction to the Holy Spirit and the ministry that He works in the life of a believer. If you're looking for a book that'll fit that bill, then this one might very well be for you!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

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Review: Raising Successful Teens: How to Help Your Child Honor God and Live Wisely

Raising Successful Teens: How to Help Your Child Honor God and Live Wisely by Jeffrey Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was pretty good. I really enjoyed it. While I don't currently have teens, I thought it would be good to read ahead and maybe start implementing some things in our family's rhythms that would help my wife and me prepare for the 'teen-years.' Overall, this is a pretty solid book, filled with insights, super helpful suggestions, and a good mixture of encouragement and challenge. While some passages of Scripture seem to be taken a little outside of what it was most likely intended (as is the case by a lot of books I read/people I listen to around today), the main practical application can still be gleaned and benefited from. Of the parenting books that I've read so far (which hasn't been a WHOLE lot), this one is certainly in my top 3, if not my favorite. I recommend giving this a read if you're looking for a good, practical book on raising teens within a Christian context.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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