Drinking with Calvin and Luther! by Jim West - Book Review

I am almost done with the book Drinking With Calvin and Luther!: A History of Alcohol in the Church by Jim West. Even though I am not quite finished with this book, and still have a few pages remaining, I wanted to go ahead and write the review because I have learned and enjoyed so much during its reading. In fact, as soon as I am done writing this review, I am going to go finish the book.

I grew up in a home, church, and social circle that viewed all forms of alcohol as ... well... evil. When it was mentioned that someone was drinking or that someone drank occasionally or socially, it was absolutely appalling. I am not sure how much of this was because of actuality or because of my perceptions of the situations where drinking was encountered, but it was a definite no-no to drink in any way, shape, or form.

When I got older, I began encountering people that caused my views to conflict with the reality around me... in other words, I was meeting people who were clearly steadfast Christians, but they would drink occasionally or socially. My worldview didn't allow for this. In fact, many of the drinkers that I met were by far more dedicated to the cause of the gospel than the teetotalers that I had known. So I did what any good Christian would do... I shunned them and ignored these conflicting worldviews. WAIT! NO! I went to the Bible to determine the truth! What I found was quite different than what I had "known" growing up. My views needed adjusting.

When I eventually encountered Drinking With Calvin and Luther!: A History of Alcohol in the Church by Jim West, which was a Christmas gift from my wife, my views had shifted appropriately and were fairly solid now on what the Bible actually teaches concerning alcohol, but were still hazy on the practicality of these new views. This book served to solidify those views, and give me direction on how to practically apply those views. It is a very Biblical book, but what was absolutely surprising to me was the actual history of alcohol in the church, which this book does an absolutely amazing job of bringing to light.

I have a great respect for church history. I believe that it is important what Christians have believed historically. This is why I am a big supporter of reading and learning from historical documents, creeds, and books. Like Paul writing to Timothy, I am often saying, "Don't forget to bring my scrolls!" (2 Timothy 4:13) ... well for me ... "books!"  I mean, really, who am I, or who are we to believe that the last 2000 years Christians have gotten  it wrong? In fact, tracing the beliefs that have stuck can be extraordinarily enlightening. The amount of historical information and quotes that Jim West shares from remembered and respected Christian leaders through the ages was extraordinary. It never felt cumbersome reading this book, but I did find myself often wanting to quote different portions of this book. Especially those encounters with quotes from Martin Luther, like:

"Do not suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused. Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we then prohibit and abolish women?"
~Martin Luther

Jim West also confronted the different teachings of the prohibitionist's views by going directly to the scripture. He displayed an amazing knowledge of the topic from the historical, the Biblical, and even the opposing view points. If you are actually interested in learning what the Bible teaches concerning alcohol, then I recommend this book. If you want to learn the Church's historical stance concerning alcohol, then I highly recommend this book.

I would like to point out in advance, as a Pastor myself, that there were many members of the clergy, through the ages, that were paid ... not just monetarily, but with kegs of beer for the purpose of entertaining. I am not suggesting anything... I'm just sayin'...

Is God Anti-Gay? - Book Review

I love listening to audio books that are narrated by the actual author.  There is always something a little extra that comes through in the reading by the author over the reading by a narrator. The emphasis on certain words is always appropriately placed, and there is almost always a very personal "feel" to the audio book. You feel as if the author decided to sit down and read their book to you. The most recent audio book that I finished listening to, called Is God anti-gay? (Questions Christians Ask), was written and narrated by Sam Allberry. This audio book is  no exception, and that personal touch came through very clearly.

This personal touch was a wonderful addition to a book on such a "touchy" subject. Sam Allberry is currently an associate pastor at St Mary’s Church in Maidenhead, UK and Sam Allberry has dealt in his life with Same Sex Attraction. His compassion and understanding paired with his Biblical wisdom and knowledge came through in the actual words and the narrating of this book.

Is God anti-gay? is an amazing resource as well. I am considering purchasing a hard copy of this book to have for my church library. The teaching he does on the Bible's perspective was better than most that I have heard. There are several specific points that he makes regarding scriptures truths on this topic that you can tell have come from specific encounters with working through these teachings and dealing with others that have had to work through these issues.

If you are looking for a book on this topic, a book that is unashamedly Christian and Scriptural, but that won't leave you embarrassed at being a Christian, then I would recommend this book. It is insightful, realistic, but full of grace and the gospel message.

Spectacular Sins by John Piper - Book Review

The thing I love most about John Piper books is that they are some of the most scripture-saturated books I have ever encountered. Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ is no exception to my encounters with his literature.

I started this book quite a while ago, you can read some of my first thoughts on this book by clicking here.

Even though I started this book quite a while ago, I didn't finish it right away. I was working on several other books at the time, so this one got shuffled to the back burner. Last week I remembered it and started from the beginning again: This time I devoured the book in just a few sittings.

Who sent Joseph into slavery? Who was behind that? Who planned the murder of Jesus? Why was Adam allowed to fall into sin?  What about Satan? There are little answers for these questions. There are answers that are rooted in our own thoughts and are drawn from the shallow well of consensus public opinion, but there are other answers for these and similar questions. There are answers that are pulled from the deeps of the mind of God that can be found in his book, the Bible. Sometimes these answers match the pitiable, fickle answers of the public mind, but the answers that come from the Word of God are steadfast and accurate representations of the truth... which is hopefully what we are really after.

I am not going to attempt to answer these questions in a book review, that is what the actual book is for, but I will say that John Piper does an amazing job of analyzing the Scripture's answers to these questions and putting them into an easy to read and intriguing format.

These questions and their answers are important, not just for some theological bit of knowledge, but for facing the spectacular sins that will affect your own life. They will come, and you need a view of God that accurately accounts for these sins and gives you a basic understanding of His purposes for you in the midst of these sins.

There is no Kryptonite for God's Grace.

It is so natural and so easy to get bogged down in the idea that what we've done or what we've been through is simply too much for grace to overcome. We declare ourselves untouchable, unreachable, or un-healable. Remember Paul's words: "Forget what is behind." 

 Refusing to forget these things, in the end, this is just a subtle form of pride. In doing this we assume that we're the one person who is too much of a problem for Jesus. We're the one nut He can't crack. We've got the one situation for which the cross of Christ is inadequate.  

Oh sure, He can save Paul, He can deliver Peter, and He can make all things new. But not me! I've got grace's kryptonite. And this is how refusing to forget what lies behind is prideful.  

On the flip side of that, because of the cross and because salvation is from Christ alone, we can actually come to boast all the more in our dark pasts. No, we do not boast as a way of glorifying sin or championing ourselves, but instead to magnify the wonders of the grace and mercy of Christ.  

~ Matt Chandler in To Live is Christ

Does God Desire All To Be Saved? - Book Review

I finished listening to the ChristianAudio version of John Piper's book Does God Desire All To Be Saved? a few weeks ago, but didn't have a chance to write the review until today.

The question, "Does God desire all to be saved?" is a challenging question and a challenging answer (no matter what your answer) and it made for a challenging book to read.  The question is challenging no matter how you answer it, because whichever way you go there are implications. A simple, "Yes." doesn't even really answer the question.

Some believe that all will be saved... eventually. I don't believe that. I can't. The Bible just doesn't leave room for that interpretation. But nevertheless, some can answer yest to this question, believing that all will eventually be saved.

Others might answer yes, knowing full well that all are not saved, but are doomed to eternal punishment. This leaves a new challenge. Does God have unmet desires? Is God unsuccessful in His attempts? Where does this leave us?

An answer of, "No." brings on a whole new set of challenges to deal with.

In this book John Piper, as he always does, digs deep into scripture. That is my favorite thing about Piper books. I know that I am not going to simply get his opinion, but an expounding of scriptures that are specifically related to the question at hand. You can tell from his books that he genuinely wants to know what the Bible says.

The voice talent on this book does an excellent job of bringing to life the words of this book. I enjoy an audio book much more if I can almost feel as if I am simply listening to a person talking to me. The way the book is written and the way it is read pulled me into this discussion. When I finished listening to it, I almost went back to the beginning to listen again. Piper doesn't dwell too long on any one thought, unless it is absolutely necessary. This left me feeling like I needed to pause and think occasionally or simply go back to the beginning.

If you have a desire to get away from a simplistic answer to this question and dig deep into the scriptures to see how God's Word answers this question, then you really need to get this book. I must warn you though, it is not for the person who doesn't want to think and consider and ponder big thoughts of God.

Taking God at His Word - Book Review

I just finished listening to ChristianAudio's Taking God at His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me by Kevin DeYoung.

In the last few years I have spent a significant amount of time reading and studying several different confessions of faith, belief statements, and other similar historical documents. One of the most important aspects of a comprehensive statement of faith is the portion related to a view of the Holy Scriptures. When listening to this audio book, I found myself taken back to those confessions and statements as Kevin DeYoung expounded on the scriptures.

The chapters of this book methodically teach from the scriptures that the Bible is Knowable, Necessary, Infallable, and Sufficient. It does a wonderful job at balancing between being a completely understandable, introductory work on the scriptures, without losing the reinforcement and structure typical in a good, solid theological work.  In other words, I could easily hand this book to a new Christian without worrying about it overwhelming him, but I could also hand it to an older Christian as a resource for relaying the teachings of scripture on the scriptures.

The voice talent for this book was Lee DeYoung. With the common last name, I am assuming that this is a relation to the author. Having heard Kevin DeYoung speak, I enjoyed the reading by Lee DeYoung. He really captured the heart and passion of this book.... and he sounds a bit like the author. There is always something special about a voice talent that has a personal connection to the book.

If you are wondering what the Bible says about the Bible, then I would highly recommend this audio book. If you are wanting a book that breaks down the traditional, orthodox Christian view of the Holy Scriptures, this is an excellent resource book, and I would highly recommend it. If you are solid in your belief in scripture and just want a book that supports and reinforces this faith, then I would highly recommend this book.

in the morning

For Christians the beginning of the day should not be burdened and oppressed with besetting concerns for the day's work. At the threshold of the new day stands the Lord who made it. All the darkness and distraction of the dreams of night retreat before the clear light of Jesus Christ and his wakening Word. All unrest, all impurity, all care and anxiety flee before him. Therefore, at the beginning of the day let all distraction and empty talk be silenced and let the first thought and the first word belong to him to whom our whole life belongs.
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Life Together)

or... in the words of King David:

Give ear to my words, O LORD;
consider my groaning.
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you do I pray.
O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
(Psalm 5:1-3 ESV)