“But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.” [Ecclesiastes 12:12 NASB]

Occasionally I am drawn to this passage especially when I get caught up with a book that would be considered by most as a “reference book.” In the past I’ve openly admitted that I’m a bibliophile, a “lover of books,” and that admission still stands. I’ve also admitted that I’m more academically than practically minded, in that I love books of an academic nature, ones that delve into the nuance of a biblical passage drawn out by the ancient languages they were originally written in, hence I’ve much enjoyed my latest read, Job 38-42 of the Word Biblical Commentary written by David J.A. Clines.  

I’ll admit from the onset that I know very little about the author of this work beyond the background information presented in the front flap of the book, yet by reading the book one quickly comes to the conclusion that Clines is a first rate biblical scholar and exegete. I only wish I had the first two volumes on Job to get a complete picture of this momentous work. I first came into contact with the “Word” series of commentaries while a student in Bible College, and I have always appreciated their scholarly approach to scripture, only the price tag ($40-50 per volume) kept me from adding them to my library.

In this volume (№ 3 of 3) Clines covers the later portion of the book of the book of Job; chapters 38-42. In the text we find God’s first speech (38:1- 40:2) Job’s first reply (40:3-5) God’s second speech (40:6-41:34) and Job’s second reply (42:1-6) followed by the Epilogue (42:7-17) in all aspects Clines does a masterful job with the text.  

There are several aspects of this book that lends it to my liking.

(1)  The Explanation Section at the end of each chapter provides a clear insight into the meaning of the text. It’s not overly academic, as to appeal to the novice researcher, yet when taken with the other sections; it’s of high academic standards, as to appeal to the advanced researcher… the best of both worlds.  

(2)  This is not a translated work from another language. Though I’ve been blessed by many works of foreign writers, this work was done in the English language, and therefore avoids any pit-falls that may come from any “lost in translation” type issues.  

(3)  The commentators prepare their own translation of the text. I especially like this aspect of the commentary because it allows one to see the text with new eyes on biblical Hebrew. What the text loses in continuity (one text throughout, eg. NIV or NASB) it makes up in perspective.

(4)  The general appearance and set-up of the book. From the onset it looks confusing, and jumbled, and for some this will be a “turn-off,” but there is a method behind the madness, and I love it. It allows for a person to find all information on a particular passage… be it references, language issues, or commentary. It’s all there in one place, and there is something for everyone.   

(5)  But beyond all that the thing that makes this book most appealing to me is the extensive, and I mean extensive bibliography (250 pg.) that is included in the book. It looks to contain everything or most everything of substance that’s ever been written on the book of Job, and I would have purchased it simply for this feature!

This book may not be for everyone, but for a serious student of Scripture it’s a worthwhile investment, if you can afford it. As with the other books in this series, the scholarship is superb, and is what one would expect under the leadership of the late Bruce Metzger. Though one (myself included) may not agree with all the conclusions drawn, it’s a work that encourages critical thinking, and promotes textual understanding. So with everything taken together I highly recommend this book to the public at large.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishersas part of their “booksneeze program.” I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions and views expressed here are my own.

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.”

“not about theory, but about action.”

 These words from the introduction should ring out to all as a clarion call to all Christians concerning their part on the evangelization of the world! As the church we’ve had about all the theory we can stomach, now it’s time to take the theory we all know so well and put feet under it…. To engage the world!

The Great Commission… in my ministry no three words together get me excited more than these do. The fulfilling of Christ’s Commission, through the planting of new churches is the central focus of my ministry, so when I had the opportunity to review Ronnie Floyd’s latest book; “Our Last Great Hope,” which focuses on the fulfillment of the Great Commission I jumped at the chance to read and review it.   

Now I’ll be honest from the onset, I’m one who has a more “academically,” focused mindset; I love the deep theological and exegetical nuances that can be found when digging into various biblical themes. This book carries very little of that type of coverage, is not so much an academic work that dissects the Great Commission texts but more over is one that is focused on the practical; encouraging us to make the Great commission the driving force in our daily lives, and this is a move that is much needed in our world today, for though I love the “theory” the truth remains that “theory” will never and must never be a substitute for “direct action.”

While we live in a society that openly decries and despises the idea of personal responsibility Floyd builds a convincing case that the Great Commission must first be personal before it can be public  (corporate). He shows how a commitment to the Great Commission will affect our families, businesses, local communities, and then the nations. It’s the call of Acts 1:8 placed into perspective.  It’s a proven fact that when the message of Christ changes and individual’s life, then that individual helps positively transform their own community, and that in turn impacts the entire world, and ultimately brings much glory to God!

To hone in on the need to be “Great Commission Focused” Floyd presented his message by focusing on the following imperatives… those things needed for one to be truly “commission minded”

(1) Get honest with yourself (2) Wake up your church (3) Understand the urgency (4) Talk Jesus daily (5) Reach the next generation now (6) Minimize structure.

Floyd also openly and without apology shares the trends concerning Christianity in America and the state of the American Church, rightly pointing out that we are indeed  “a church in crisis.” I was also pleasantly surprised that he tackled the issue of “tithing” especially considering the current state of our nation’s financial situation, yet he does it and does so fearlessly! So much so that his statements on giving are drawing fire from some quarters (ex. http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/)

Floyd rightfully reminds us that giving is not a policy of convenience, or simply an option to consider, or an exercise for the super-spiritual, it’s required of every Christian, and that everyone should purpose in their hearts what they will give (2^nd Corinthians 9:7) and that through giving blessings do indeed flow. This biblical precept shouldn’t be confused with the false teachings of the “prosperity gospel.”

If I were to voice any criticism concerning the book it would simply be two minor issues (1) at times I found it difficult to read, as the text didn’t always flow smoothly, (2) at times it appeared that Floyd was “name dropping,” in what seemed to be an effort at self-promotion.  As a church planter and student/teacher of world missions I have read many books on the topic of the Great Commission and though this book isn’t the best I’ve ever read on the topic I can say that without any reservation I recommend “Our Last Great Hope” to anyone searching to understand the great commission or looking expand their churches outreach efforts. It will go onto my list of resources that I use for teaching and preaching on the subject, and will be a book that recommend to others.

It was the great Missiologist Oswald J. Smith who made the observation that a church that didn’t take seriously its role in the fulfilling of the Great commission forfeited it’s biblical right to exist. No truer statement about the purpose of the church has ever been made in recent history, the question becomes are we listening?   

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishersas part of their “booksneeze program.” I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions and views expressed here are my own.

R.C. Sproul

In a theological world that has sadly become over-saturated with the works of atheists and agnostics masquerading as bible-affirming theologians, this book truly comes as a breath of fresh air. Though I personally hold some reservations concerning Hank Hanegraaff, due to his “preterist” leanings and “deficient theology,” concerning some foundational biblical doctrines I’ve always appreciated his writings [especially Resurrection] and have been challenged by them.

His latest book “Has God Spoken?” the third part in his trilogy continues to provide answers the most critical questions that are coming from our post-Christian world. Being well researched, well written, and engaging, overall it does a sufficient job in meeting the goals that it was designed for.

This book is much different from other apologetic books that I have read in that Hanegraaff seems to be  writing with the believer in mind and, not directly to the skeptic themselves… though they would gain much from reading it. It takes more the form of a tool for training than a standard defense of the faith. Now anyone who has read his past works of listened to Hanegraaff on the radio, knows that he is fond of utilizing acronyms, which I appreciate because I too am fond of them and they work great as a tool for retaining important information, but as with anything it can be “over-utilized,” and with this work he may have just crossed that threshold. In this work the acronym M.A.P.S. Manuscript Copies, Archaeologist’s Spade, Prophetic Stars, Scriptural Lights, is the basis for the presented information, and I think it does a satisfactory job lighting the path that the reader will be journeying down.

In the book we see Hanegraaff addressing 4 primary questions:

•  Are the manuscript copies we have today reliable?
• Is there any external corroboration to the Bible?
• What predictions of future events does the Bible make?
• How do we (or should we) interpret the Bible?

As with any book on theological matters, one will struggle to find 100 % agreement with the content, as fallen, imperfect people, we’re never going to agree with anyone one everything, and in my position this is where I find myself standing with this book. Aside from my previous disagreements with Hanegraaff on issues Preterism, the role of Baptism in the salvation of man, etc. there are areas in this book that I also find to be a bit troubling. There are a sufficient number of issues that I take that I could spill much ink over, but for the sake of expediency I’ll only mention two of them.

• My first issue isn’t even one that deals with theology or matters of faith, it deals with the tone Hanegraaff takes when dealing with UNC religious studies professor Bart Ehrman. Now from the onset I’ll make it clear that I have serious fundamental disagreements with Ehrman, and I believe that his writings aren’t always academically honest as they should be. Now I believe that in any course of study we should challenge people on their positions, but it should be done in a civil manner, and there are times that Hanegraaff crosses the line of civility.
• My second issue is the one that troubles me the most about this entire work. It’s an issue that lays at the very heart of the Christian faith… the “verbal inspiration” of Scripture, a truth that Hanegraaff in his own words openly denies,

“The point that should be underscored here is that the disciples, moved by the Holy Spirit, codified the essential wisdom of Jesus – not the exact words of Jesus. Put another way, they left us a memorable oral tradition rather than the words of their Master on tape.” (pg. 20)

As far as academic standards are concerned [which is becoming more of an issues for me these days] the book, even with its flaws passes muster. The material is well-researched and of sound origin, with copious end notes, providing avenues for further study in each area, or a fact-check tool for those who may happen to question the given claims by the author. I can however say albeit with some reservation that this book has some aspects that would merit it’s reading by others, though not for a new believer. It’s a sufficient tool, as long as it’s supplemented in areas where it’s deficient, for those who desire to have a firm grasp on the evidence that proves the validity and truth of Scripture and how we can defend it.        

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their “booksneeze program.” I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions and views expressed here are my own.

Life has been totally crazy for me over the past few months, transitioning from pastoral ministry into church planting ministry, which has occupied most of my waking hours, so it’s taken me quite some time to make it through my last book from Thomas Nelson. So after a few months of trying I finally managed to get through the book The Blessing by John Trent and Gary Smalley. In the past I have read and benefited greatly from the writings and seminar materials, though I maintain a healthy skepticism of some of their positions believing them to be formed more from modern self-help psychology than from the teachings of scripture.

The primary focus of the book can be summed up on one word… Blessing

“The Blessing” as defined by the authors is a way to bless others and make them feel valuable and give them a sense of worth. We should bless our children and we often can bless others in our lives in this way.

“The Blessing” has 5 elements:

1. Meaningful touch

2. A spoken (or written) message

3. Attaching high value

4. Picturing a special future

5. An active commitment

John and Gary explain in great detail the importance of giving your child special blessings as they are growing up. A blessing is the giving of unconditional love and acceptance that can transform the future of your child. The book is one that doesn’t have a hyper-focus on the academic but instead is focused real-to-life world of the common person. They include stories of life for those who didn’t receive any of these five things from their parents and how to get past it. They show the pros of having the blessing and the cons of not having it. The authors are direct in their presentation yet remain loving and compassionate, they speak the truth in love, which is something that we’re all called to do.

The authors believe that, when given the gift of these five elements, children will become stronger, more well-balanced adults. I appreciate the fact that each of the five elements is broken down for better understanding, replete with examples of the anticipated positive outcome, as well as examples of homes that withheld the blessing. Everything is explained thoroughly, including steps for a written blessing, with frequent scripture references.

Overall this book was a good read and I would recommend it for all parents especially to those who didn’t grow up in a Christian home. An added bonus to this revised addition is the activities and video clips that you can watch online at the book’s website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their “booksneeze program.”

I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions and views expressed here are my own.

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.”

“Most Muslims are not fundamentalists, and most fundamentalists are not terrorists, but most present-day terrorists are Muslims, and proudly identify themselves as such.”

Professor Bernard Lewis. The Crisis of Islam

The above statement is a truth that cannot be denied, a truth that if ignored by the American public and our government, will have long -lasting consequences for our nation. It is this fact that underlies William Bennett and Seth Leibsohn’s latest book, “The Fight for our Lives.” In this book they present us with the unpleasant reality that we as Americans are in the fight of our lives, this fight isn’t something that is on the horizon or off in some distance future, it’s here, and now, and truth be told it’s been here for some time. This fight is one that is two-fold. It’s a war against a theocratically fueled enemy that despises everything we stand for and  against a home-front trapped in the nets of political correctness,  a journalistically driven veil that has covered that has obscured the true intents and desires of our enemy, rendering us incapable of seeing it for what it is, ourselves for who we are.

From the very beginning the authors make it clear that rather than simply detailing the incidents, attempts, and actions of our enemy they seek to refocus American attention on the war against radical Islam and to highlight the necessity of a ‘cultural defense’ of our country. That is their stated goal and for all intents and purposes they reached for what they sought, and did so in an engaging and ethical fashion.

The book begins with something that is from our not too distant memory, the terrorist attack that took place at Ft. Hood, which took the lives of fourteen people. Why start there? The answer is a simple one, this event is the ‘poster child’ for our nation’s lack of resolve when it comes to fighting. After the December 7^th 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, then President Franklin Roosevelt addressed the nation before a joint session of congress, and in that speech he made this statement…

“No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory… that we will make very certain that this form of treachery will never endanger us again”  (p.2)

It was a similar state of mind that permeated the American conscience in the days just after 9/11, but that drive and direction was not to last. It was soon overshadowed by the dual menace of complacency and Political correctness, two issues that are as much of a threat to our national security as the acts of the perpetrated by the terrorists themselves.

To give insight on this issue the authors dig into the investigation showing that it was nothing short of a total ‘whitewash’ of the events that took place, and the motivation behind the action. The authors went on to point out that if we want to avoid another tragedy like we experienced at Ft. Hood then we must start calling thing as they really are, Muslim terrorists are really terrorists, and evil does indeed exist in the world.

The authors go on to give an in-depth examination of how we as a nation have arrived at the point where we place political correctness above national security, where we place not offending people above protecting the lives of people, and where we give legitimacy to groups that are nothing less than terrorist thugs, discussing the often overlooked or moreover avoided lessons that can be learned from the fight surrounding the Ground Zero mosque, putting into perspective that the issue wasn’t about religious freedoms or rights, but about what is “right.” Throughout the context of this section of the book they echo the sentiments of the Apostle Paul, that just because something is ‘permissible,’ that doesn’t mean that it’s ‘beneficial.’

Also brought back to light was the idea that our national focus has been diverted from ‘winning’ the wars we’re currently engaged in to ‘ending’ those wars. If the goal of winning isn’t at the forefront, it will take longer for those conflicts to end, that’s an undeniable fact of war. If we ignore that we do so at our own peril. The authors rightly point out the program of ‘appeasement,’ that is being enlisted by the Whitehouse, appeasement towards terrorists, appeasement towards Iran, and apologies the world over for getting involved in Iraq and Afghanistan, and countless other conflicts from decades past. Obama is free to disagree with the war, but he’s not free to take the path of appeasement with our enemy’s. Attlee and Kennedy discovered the disastrous results of such actions during their interactions with the Nazi’s in the days leading up to WWII. If America doesn’t remember it’s past and learn from it, she will undoubtly repeat it. A convincing case is made that our current government instead of denouncing terrorists and their supporters, is now changing focus and classifying illegal immigration protesters, pro-life advocates, and veterans as possible terrorists, without any evidence to back up such allegations. (p.74)    

Towards the end of the book the authors courageously do something that most in the media refuse to do. They draw out the differences between Jewish/Christian and Muslim violence. The Media is quick to point out atrocities carried out by Jews and Christians down through the ages, as if it somehow justifies the current atrocities perpetrated by the radical Muslims. They point out that those who equate the violence in the Bible with the violence in the Koran fail to realize the difference between a ‘historical account,’ and a ‘living injunction.’ The Bible records actions of war and violence, the Koran calls for currents actions of war and violence. To compare them would be to compare apples to oranges. 

The book also rightfully makes a call for specific reforms when it comes to Muslims engagement of their own people. The call is for moderate Muslims to denounce their radicalized brothers and sisters for their terroristic activities and statements against themselves, the West and against Israel. Making their point they say;

“A truly reformed Muslim would lament extreme Islam and would denounce the application of Sharia law, prohibit polygamy and underage marriage, and extend social and legal equality to nonbelievers, and would weigh in against terrorism everywhere and always.” (p.125)

 It can’t be overstated that until the Muslims hold their own in check and quit appeasing them or in some cases outright supporting them, by qualifying their action the danger of Radical Islam will not be abated.  

The authors end the book by making a very direct and very correct observation;

 “…let us call good and evil by their proper names. Let us know the enemy as the enemy and not hide behind sophisticated philosophies and synonyms and pseudonyms. And let us know ourselves for who we are and what we’ve done, for our citizens here, as well as for the immiserated abroad. Let the double speak and nonspeak end and let the relearning and rededication begin. To win the fight of our lives we must do nothing less.” (p.148-149)

This is a bold and readable book that makes a powerful, and in many quarters controversial case against political correctness and the appeasing of terrorists and those who support them. One may disagree with some of its points made, but to ignore its central conclusions at your, and our, peril.”

The Fight of Our Lives is not a smear campaign against Muslims, but an informative and well-cited work with a timely message. Unlike many books written today on this topic, this book goes beyond mere conjecture, and does a tremendous job at substantiated all its claims with mountains of footnotes and indexes. This book proves the old axiom that Dynamite truly comes in ‘small packages.’  It’s worth reading. I highly recommend this book to all Americans. Read it, ponder its contents, then draw your own conclusions.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their “booksneeze program.”

I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions and views expressed here are my own.

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.”

40 Reasons For Gun Control

1. Banning guns works, which is why New York, DC, & Chicago cops need guns.

2. Washington DC’s low murder rate of 69 per 100,000 is due to strict gun control, and Indianapolis’ high murder rate of 9 per 100,000 is due to the lack of gun control.

3. Statistics showing high murder rates justify gun control but statistics showing increasing murder rates after gun control are “just statistics.”

4. The Brady Bill and the Assault Weapons Ban, both of which went into effect in 1994 are responsible for the decrease in violent crime rates, which have been declining since 1991.

5. We must get rid of guns because a deranged lunatic may go on a shooting spree at any time and anyone who would own a gun out of fear of such a lunatic is paranoid.

6. The more helpless you are the safer you are from criminals.

7. An intruder will be incapacitated by tear gas or oven spray, but if shot with a .357 Magnum will get angry and kill you.

8. A woman raped and strangled is morally superior to a woman with a smoking gun and a dead rapist at her feet.

9. When confronted by violent criminals, you should “put up no defense — give them what they want, or run” (Handgun Control Inc. Chairman Pete Shields, Guns Don’t Die – People Do, 1981, p.125).

10. The New England Journal of Medicine is filled with expert advice about guns; just like Guns & Ammo has some excellent treatises on heart surgery.

11. One should consult an automotive engineer for safer seatbelts, a civil engineer for a better bridge, a surgeon for internal medicine, a computer programmer for hard drive problems, and Sarah Brady for firearms expertise.

12. The 2nd Amendment, ratified in 1787, refers to the National Guard, which was
created 130 years later, in 1917.

13. The National Guard, federally funded, with bases on federal land, using federally-owned weapons, vehicles, buildings and uniforms, punishing trespassers under federal law, is a “state” militia.

14. These phrases: “right of the people peaceably to assemble,” “right of the people to be secure in their homes,” “enumerations herein of certain rights shall not be construed to disparage others retained by the people,” and “The powers not delegated herein are reserved to the states respectively, and to the people” all refer to individuals, but “the right of the people to keep and bear arm” refers to the state.

15. “The Constitution is strong and will never change.” But we should ban and seize all guns thereby violating the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Amendments to that Constitution.

16. Rifles and handguns aren’t necessary to national defense! Of course, the army has hundreds of thousands of them.

17. Private citizens shouldn’t have handguns, because they aren’t “military weapons”, but private citizens shouldn’t have “assault rifles”, because they are military weapons.

18. In spite of waiting periods, background checks, finger printing, government forms, etc., guns today are too readily available, which is responsible for recent school shootings. In the 1940′s, 1950′s and1960′s, anyone could buy guns at hardware stores, army surplus stores, gas stations, variety stores, Sears mail order, no waiting, no background check, no fingerprints, no government forms and there were no school shootings.

19. The NRA’s attempt to run a “don’t touch” campaign about kids handling guns is propaganda, but the anti-gun lobby’s attempt to run a “don’t touch” campaign is responsible social activity.

20. Guns are so complex that special training is necessary to use them properly, and so simple to use that they make murder easy.

21. A handgun, with up to 4 controls, is far too complex for the typical adult to learn to use, as opposed to an automobile that only has 20.

22. Women are just as intelligent and capable as men but a woman with a gun is “an accident waiting to happen” and gun makers’ advertisements aimed at women are “preying on their fears.”

23. Ordinary people in the presence of guns turn into slaughtering butchers but
revert to normal when the weapon is removed.

24. Guns cause violence, which is why there are so many mass killings at gun shows.

25. A majority of the population supports gun control, just like a majority of the population supported owning slaves.

26. Any self-loading small arm can legitimately be considered to be a “weapon of mass destruction” or an “assault weapon.”

27. Most people can’t be trusted, so we should have laws against guns, which most people will abide by because they can be trusted.

28. The right of Internet pornographers to exist cannot be questioned because it is constitutionally protected by the Bill of Rights, but the use of handguns for self defense is not really protected by the Bill of Rights.

29. Free speech entitles one to own newspapers, transmitters, computers, and typewriters, but self-defense only justifies bare hands.

30. The ACLU is good because it uncompromisingly defends certain parts of the Constitution, and the NRA is bad, because it defends other parts of the Constitution.

31. Charlton Heston, a movie actor as president of the NRA is a cheap lunatic who should be ignored, but Michael Douglas, a movie actor as a representative of
Handgun Control, Inc. is an ambassador for peace who is entitled to an audience
at the UN arms control summit.

32. Police operate with backup within groups, which is why they need larger capacity pistol magazines than do “civilians” who must face criminals alone and therefore need less ammunition.

33. We should ban “Saturday Night Specials” and other inexpensive guns because it’s not fair that poor people have access to guns too.

34. Police officers have some special Jedi-like mastery over hand guns that private citizens can never hope to obtain.

35. Private citizens don’t need a gun for self-protection because the police are there to protect them even though the Supreme Court says the police are not responsible for their protection.

36. Citizens don’t need to carry a gun for personal protection but police chiefs, who are desk-bound administrators who work in a building filled with cops, need a gun.

37. “Assault weapons” have no purpose other than to kill large numbers of people. The police need assault weapons. You do not.

38. When Microsoft pressures its distributors to give Microsoft preferential promotion, that’s bad; but when the Federal government pressures cities to buy guns only from Smith & Wesson, that’s good.

39. Trigger locks do not interfere with the ability to use a gun for defensive purposes, which is why you see police officers with one on their duty weapon.

40. Handgun Control, Inc. says they want to “keep guns out of the wrong hands.” Guess what? You have the wrong hands.

Significant portions of this article are excerpted from Michael Z. Williamson’s excellent and witty piece, “It’s amazing what one has to believe to believe in guncontrol”  Thanks to Michael for his insightful contribution to the gun control debate.

“It is not capitalism that is at fault, but the wrong sort of capitalism – free enterprise divorced from its moral and spiritual base.”

These words fromRoger Scrunton, Research Professor at the Institute for Psychological Sciencesat Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, sum up the whole of Theodore Roosevelt Malloch’smarvelous book, Doing Virtuous Business. Showing us the reader that a successful free economy is truly a spiritual achievement.

I’ll be totally honest here… from the beginning I was dreading reading this book why? Because I was afraid that it was going to be one of two things (1) one of those, “financial expose books, one that on the face of things demonizes the abuses of the capitalist system of business, while offering no real solutions to the issues that face us.(2) one of those “financial expose” type books that focuses on only the success stories of a select few entrepreneurs, who happen to be men of faith, presenting a “do it this way and you’ll be rich” system of business. I was pleased that I didn’t find either of those in this book.

What I did find was a renewed faith in the value capitalist form of business, and a renewed conviction that true and lasting financial success cannot be divorced from the foundation of faith and morals. Malloch launches into this idea by boldly stating that; “wealth can be created, and that it is most successfully created when we employ skills and talents given to us by God” (pg. 4) followed shortly by another equally bold statement; “Capitalism was able to prove it’s superiority because it alone preserves the gift of human freedom” (pg. 4 emphasis mine).

After laying the foundation Malloch moves into the deep waters of his work by having us consider the idea of Spiritual capital. He defines the term as “the fund of beliefs, examples, and commitments that are transmitted from generation to generation through a religious tradition.” He then expounds on that definition by sharing the experiences of two men, William Wilberforce, and Max Depree, showing us that ‘spiritual capital’ is built over time and that good business leaders recognize human diversity and utilize the gifts and talents of their employees. These ideas resist the overly simplistic idea of us being driven by a cost/benefit analysis.

We are next presented with a concept that for the most part has been totally divorced from most in American society, if not the world as a whole… Virtue! The author draws insight from Christian tradition and the giants of Greek philosophy, such as Socrates, who begins the section with these words; “I tell you that virtue is not given by money, but that from virtue comes money, and every other good, public as well a private.” (pg. 25) He then goes on to share what he considers to the be ‘virtues of business’ giving such attributes as Faith, Honesty, Gratitude, Patience, Humility, Respect, Generosity, and Discipline.

Malloch then centers his attention on three aspects essential to virtuous business; Faith, Hope, and Charity. Sharing insight from the lives of successful business men such as Tom Monaghan (Domino’s Pizza) and Norm Miller (Interstate Battery) In this section Malloch also points out that Jewish faith is exemplar in its attitude towards commerce, explaining why even in the light of great persecution (holocaust etc.) they have excelled in business. He then gives the reason why; “the Talmud holds that the first question to be asked of us at the Last Judgment will be, “were you honest in your business dealings?” (pg. 54)

Malloch then goes on to discuss the concept of hard virtues, such as courage and the one that gets all of us… PATIENCE! Showing that success doesn’t come from random luck but from being prepared and having the character needed to succeed. Malloch then follows up by presenting the other end of the spectrum; soft virtues, giving insight on such topics as justice, forgiveness, compassion, and gratitude. To illuminate the concept of forgiveness he shares the story of Nicholas van Hoogstraten, a greedy businessman who dealt treacherously with any supposed rivals. Such dealings landed him in prison, both physically and emotionally.

The book ends bringing the reading into the present day, discussing spiritual capital in our own very ‘skeptical’ age. Doing so by addressing the three primary skeptics of the idea of spiritual capital, the cynic, the Christian, (yes the Christian and the pragmatist. The end of the book is quite possibly my favorite part; Appendix 1 gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of many of those who do business ‘virtuously,’ it reads as a ‘who’s who’ of the business world. Showing us the reader that ‘good guy’s don’t always finish last.

The book was a great read, though I must admit that Malloch is often to ‘wordy’ in his writing. Often he could say what he needs to say using half the words. That for the most part is the only real ‘negative’ I found with the book. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the business world.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their “booksneeze program.”

I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions and views expressed here are my own.

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.”

“For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Romans 1:25 (NASB)

This was the passage of scripture that kept popping up in my head as I made my way through Brian McLaren’s book Finding Our Way Again; The Return to Ancient Practices. The concept of this series intrigued me, so when given the chance I began with the first book in the series, and to be honest I truly wish I would have skipped it and went straight to the second book. To say that this book is not a good read would be the understatement of the year. In fact I’m truly shocked and saddened that Thomas Nelson would even agree to print such a blasphemous work. It’s a tragedy on a Shakespearian level that this book is being presented as one that focuses on “Christian faith,” when the author openly advocates what can only be called a ‘Universalist Theology.’

Here several years ago I read an excellent little book by Dr. J.K. Jones entitled “What the Monks can Teach Us,” focusing on the pro’s and even con’s of the ancient monastic principles. I was hoping that this book would be somewhere along those lines but alas I was sadly disappointed. The first chapter of the book presents a somewhat compelling argument about how our faith has become a religion instead of a lifestyle,  but instead of calling for a radical change in life that focus’ on our personal relationship with God the book takes a nosedive down the tube of what I can only describe as quazi-self-help form of pseudo-Christianity.

The book primarily focuses on three concepts, and McLaren views them as foundational to a deeper spiritual life, Katharsis, Fotosis, and Theosis. Katharsis is us cleaning out our dirty selves while the other two focus on how we can move closer to God.

Not only do McLaren’s ideas appear to be a case of modern self-help/pop-psychology driven spirituality, they are diametrically opposed to the teachings of scripture. We don’t clean up our lives and then draw near to God, we draw near to God, as He draws near to us, we are convicted of our sins, repent of those sins, enter the waters of baptism and rise to newness of life, and there after strive to live a holy life, focused on serving and savoring God.   

As a minister, by far the most disappointing and disconcerting aspect of this book is the fact that McLaren openly advocates theological positions that that clearly stand in opposition to teachings of scripture.

I could literally spill gallons of ink on trees of paper documenting McLaren’s deficient theology, but for the sake of time I’ll only comment on a few of his more egregious errors.  

(1) “Abraham–like Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad–had an encounter with God.” pg. 22 – for someone to place the false prophet Muhammad in the same category as Abraham and Moses is insulting, but to place him in the same category as Jesus is downright blasphemous, an act that is without excuse!  

(2) When speaking about Melchizedek he states “He is not a member of Abraham’s family or culture, nor is he a member of Abraham’s religion.” pg. 25 – apparently McLaren missed the fact that Melchizedek was a “priest of the God Most High,” the same God that was worshiped by Abraham, and consider his words to Abraham; “blessed be Abraham of the God Most High. cf.  Genesis 14: 18-19

(3) “the Jewish torah, Christian gospel, and Muslim deen–leads us toward the peace, wisdom, and joy we seek.” pg. 51 – Though the Torah (Pentateuch) and the Gospel are “God breathed” inspired teachings from Scripture cf. 2^nd Timothy 3:16, as where the deen (Dīn) is the path along which righteous Muslims travel in order to comply with divine law, or Shari’a, and to the divine judgment or recompense to which all humanity must inevitably face without intercessors before the false god of Islam. Again to place the teachings of false religion in the same category with Scripture is without excuse!

(4) When God created everything, He said, “Let there be … the possibilities unfolded and flowered in a wild creative experiment we clumsily call evolution … and finally naked apes we know as homo sapiens.” pg. 175.  I don’t know if McLaren forgot to read the introduction… called Genesis, but creation wasn’t some experiment, it was ordered and perfect, and there was nothing clumsy about it. God spoke it into existence, without need of any change or modification. For someone who claims to be a Christian to advocate evolution, which served as the basis for some of the most egregious atrocities of human history, is again without excuse!     

I’ve always been a person who tries to find some redeeming factor in anything I read, alas with this book there is really nothing positive that I can say for it. It is yet another example of false teachings being presented as Biblical truth. The aim of the book is admirable, but through a cacophony of nonsense it completely misses the mark. End thought… read the series, but skip its introduction.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their “booksneeze program.” I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions and views expressed here are my own.

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.”