Going On To Perfection » Book Reviews

Review – What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian? by Martin Thielen

Howard — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:45:31 +0000

It’s an intriguing title, for sure. Martin Thielen, pastor of Lebanon First United Methodist Church, asks the basic questions of what, and what not, a Christian needs to believe and still feel confident in calling him or herself a Christian. The book itself is divided into two sections – what a Christian doesn’t need to believe and what a Christian needs to believe. His basic premise is that good, faithful Christians can have differing opinions on various topics and still be united in faith.

Overall, the book handles a wide swath of topics from women in ministry to evolution to homosexuality. It also provides a basic overview of the foundational tenets of faith. As an introduction into the discussion on these topics, Thielen does well at covering the basics. But if you are looking for a thorough handling of any of these topics, the book comes up lacking. Much of the book is dedicated to personal stories and less so to what scriptures relate to the topics. At times Thielen’s more progressive views of scripture and of controversial topics is very evident. The book provides a good introduction and points of discussion for topics, but leaves the reader without clear answers on some topics. It also fails to encourage and empower Christians to see sharing faith with others as vital to the Christian life. In this way we fall into the same old trap of faith as a set of beliefs one holds and not a commitment to a lifestyle of transformation through Jesus Christ.

Overall, Thielen may toe the line on various topics, but is careful to not cross over. The book may be a great guide for challenging discussion for some groups, but should not be considered as a great resource for deep understanding of beliefs. For mature believers who wish to discuss controversial topics this may be a good starting point, but I would not recommend it for those still seeking faith. It may provide some answers, but more often than not it only leaves you with more questions and a desire to see what scripture itself may say.

Book Review – Farewell to Arms

Howard — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:31:59 +0000

A few weeks ago, when I preached on Sloth, I had a great quote from Charles “Tremendous” Jones -

The only difference between where you are right now, andwhere you’ll be next year at this same time, are the people youmeet and the books you read. Charles “Tremendous” Jones

This got me to thinking… outside of the books I read to the kids and the Bible, what am I reading? The answer was, “Not much.” So I am embarking on a journey to read more, and to start I am reading some modern classics which have a strong masculine appeal. And what better place to start than “Farewell to Arms.”

Reading Hemingway is like reading the journal of a good friend. You immediately get a sense of the characters and the setting with vivid detail laid out in such subtle ways. Hemingway’s characters are both strong and flawed, with a deep sense of who they are while at the same time a quiet searching for deeper meaning. Farewell to Arms is a semi-biographical look at Hemingway’s own experiences in WWI as an ambulance driver. It is also a love story with a tragic ending between an American serving in the Italian army and a British nurse. The beauty for me of Hemingway’s writing is in his ability to express the chaos of life while at the same time carrying a solid and readable storyline. He leaves just enough story untold to give the story a real first hand feel. He doesn’t get bogged down in side stories and leaves many questions unanswered, keeping the storyline focused on the main characters – Federick Henry and Catherine Barkley.

What bothers me about Farewell to Arms, while at the same time draws me, is the rejection of religion that is prominent. Outside of the priest, who plays a prominent role, no one has any faith and really any hope. It is a sad, tragic story of a man and woman lost in life and, while Henry does seem to question and even consider faith, they never discover the hope of Christ. Sadly, I think this is the story of many in life who are interested in Christ but unwilling to give up whatever in life is holding them back. As much as I hoped that the story would end with hope and salvation, tragedy prevails.

Overall, Farewell to Arms is a beautifully written tragedy that captures the essence of war’s effect on real people. Hemingway is a master writer and for that alone this is worth the read to grow as a writer myself. It also gives me new vigor in my call to share Jesus as I consider those who may be asking but are unwilling to come to Jesus. How can I help them? What is my prayer for them? As I seek answers to these questions I pray that God will give me a new heart for the lost and how to bring hope to a hopeless world.

Book Review – The Gospel According to Starbucks

Howard — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:48:37 +0000

I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest Leonard Sweet fan. I think his books drone on and on and he fills page after page with fluff and filler. Maybe I grasp the point quicker than others, but I think he’s verbose. But, I do have to admit that, while he may go on and on, he usually has good points. The Gospel According to Starbucks is the perfect example of what I mean. While I wish the writing were more succinct, the points he makes are valid for the church today. His main point is that we as a church can learn a lot from the culture. Using Starbucks as his cultural stand-in for the church, Sweet points out that the reasons that Starbucks is successful can translate into success in the church as well. He uses the acronym EPIC to lay out for points – Church should be Experiential, Participatory, Image rich, and Connectional. By experience he means that the church should reach out to provide a full range of experiences touching all senses. Parcipatory means the church should be one in which worship is a participatory act and not a show. Images are a rich part of the church and should be used thoughtfully. Connection with others and with God should be a thought out part of ministry. All valid points and should help us be intentional in building a church that reaches our culture without giving in to our culture.

My next book to review is Praise Habit by David Crowder (yes, that David Crowder!)

The Last Lecture

Howard — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:26:20 +0000

If you haven’t had the chance to read The Last Lecture, I encourage you to do so! Randy Pausch was a professor teaching computer aided 3D graphic modeling who was diagnosed with cancer. He was invited to give a lecture as part of what was formally called the “Last Lecture” series. His lecture is his final words of advice to his students and to his kids. It’s a very inspiring book! You can watch his lecture online at http://www.cmu.edu/uls/journeys/randy-pausch/index.html.

If you’re looking for a good book, the book I just picked up to read is The Gospel According to Starbucks by Leonard Sweet. Look for my review in a week or so!

Book Review – Reaching for the Invisible God by Philip Yancey

Howard — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:37:17 +0000

How do we interact with a God that we can not physical see, hear, or touch? How do we know this God? How does this God work in our lives? – These questions form the basis of Philip Yancey’s brilliant exploration of God in Reaching for the Invisible God. I can’t say enough about Philip Yancey as a writer. He provides brilliant insight and approaches faith with a very real and natural style. His humanity is evident in his writing, as he shares story after story of the highs and lows of his faith. As a journalist by trade, Yancey digs deep, asking more than the surface questions and reaches down into the depths of the questions that stick in our souls. I always appreciate his candid and fresh approach and while the book is not a practical “how to” of faith, it gives practicality in the exploration of questions that need answers. In revealing God Yancey also reveals how we can interact with God.

The Christian faith can be filled with questions and often the answer given is “have faith.” Yancey goes beyond that simple answer and gives us logic and reason to have faith and to live that faith out. He approaches deep theological topics with a sense of audience – this isn’t a textbook filled with jargon, but a highly approachable and relatable answer to the questions of faith. While not a “devotional book” in the classic sense of the term (i.e. – a daily reading of scripture, interpretation, and prayer), Yancey’s writing lends itself to inward reflection and makes a great companion for times alone with God.

If you are looking to deepen your faith, I highly recommend Reaching for the Invisible God.