This past Sunday I once again had the privilege of delivering the Sunday morning sermon, as a stand-in for our pastor. My theme this time was heaven, and the rest we can look forward to after our experience as strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Revelation contains a special blessing for those who read this book (Rev. 1:3), and I certainly felt blessed as I studied the book and especially my text, which was from chapter 7. I trust this message will be a blessing to you all.
If you don’t have time to listen to the entire sermon (46 minutes), please do look over my notes.
In every Christian’s heart there is a warm spot reserved for the land of Israel. Who wouldn’t want to visit the land where so many biblical stories unfolded — the place where most of the Bible was written? I know I would like to pause in the valley where David chose his five stones. I would enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (if there are no storm clouds in sight). And I would be captivated by a visit to Jerusalem, where I’d enjoy the western Wall almost as much as the empty tomb.
Most of us can only make one such trip in a lifetime, and many never get the chance. But with today’s technology, Israel can come to us. This is where the aerial photography of Ron Gafni comes in. He is the author of several photobooks showing Israel’s beauty from above. In his latest book, Israel – God’s Heart: Landscapes and Legacy of Israel, he partners with author Kathleen Barrett to provide “a captivating pictorial of the Holy Land and a scriptural journey through God’s redemption story.”
The images in the book do include the sights I mentioned above (with the exception of the empty tomb), but the focus is not on the biblical world directly. Instead it is modern Israel and its landscapes which monopolize the camera’s lens. The collection of images does foster reflection and the Bible verses and devotional thoughts are helpful to that end. The quality of the devotional writing however, is not what you’d expect and the occasional formatting and spelling errors serve to distract the reader (character formatting – p. 78; spelling – p. 70 “influencee”, p. 90 “totallly”, etc.). I would almost think from the grammar in some places that the original text was in Hebrew and translated back into English, although that doesn’t seem likely.
I could wish for a map, as many of the places mentioned are not familiar, such as the Maagan Michael coastline pictured on p. 78-79. And when there is a biblical connection, most readers would still benefit from a reference on a map: an example is Eilat (known as Eloth in the Bible) pictured on p. 80. The caption doesn’t inform the reader that this city is located on the gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea. Another wish would be for the book to be available in a larger format. The small size roughly 9 x 6.6 inches (23 x 17 cm) makes this book unlikely to find a place next to more durable and vibrant photobooks adorning the coffee table. Perhaps a larger size will come later, as other books produced by SkyPics (Ron Gafni’s company) do come in two sizes, with the larger size being roughly 10 x 13 inches (25 x 34 cm).
Finally, some of the pictures seem odd in a book geared for devotional use. Several pictures of beach goers (many sporting bikinis) are captured with a wide lens, and there is an odd picture of some sort of beach party on p. 62-63.
These caveats aside, the book would make a nice addition to most Christian homes. The pictures are well done and intriguing, the landscapes are fascinating, and the devotional thoughts can be uplifting. The book can make a nice gift.
Getting Jesus Wrong may be one of the best titles I’ve seen in a while, and the book comes close to living up to its provocative name. The author is not well known, but his message deserves to be heard by one and all.
Matt Johnson is an interesting story in himself, a self-professed punk rocker who found Jesus and meandered his way through a small Pentecostal church and into a Calvary Chapel. He winds up in an evangelical mega church in Seattle with a reformed bent. A church, mind you, that has lately disbanded due to problems with its leadership. (While Johnson doesn’t say it plainly, it is hard not to see this as Mars Hill Church and Mark Driscoll.)
Out of this ruin, Johnson emerges — but not untouched by the problems. At times he is painfully honest about his own condition. Jobless, with marital problems, burned out and disillusioned — he doesn’t seem at first glance to be the kind of person who could and should author such a book as this. But his brokenness is appealing, and his message is freeing — both for himself and the reader. He has been wowed by a rediscovery of the free Gospel, unhindered by law. He has left behind a legalistic view of Christianity and found solid ground on which to stand.
The book uses his checkered history as a case study for how false impressions of Jesus can warp our Christianity. To many, Jesus is a Life Coach who may even offer a checklist for how to find a better life now. Or maybe Jesus is a movement leader or visionary who excites people to follow, only to use them as cogs to build his ministry. In all of this, acceptance with God and hope for the future depends on how well you follow the coach, keep the checklist, or contribute to the movement and the vision. And in the end, this approach leads to either pride or despair. You just can’t do it. But if you could, then it’s all you and not Jesus anyway.
The antidote to this problem is understanding the proper role of God’s Law (and the little “l” laws that we often substitute). The Law is meant to kill us and leave us bereft of any hope apart from Christ. It is meant to make the Gospel that much sweeter, and grace so much greater. God loves his Son, and we are united to Jesus by faith. God is pleased with us, we don’t have to earn his favor or maintain our standing through effort. This understanding should lead to humility and real hope.
This is a great message, and yet it can be misconstrued. I don’t get the sense that Matt is saying holy living doesn’t matter — although some could go there if they wanted. And neither does he say that God’s grace does not produce righteousness in us either. But the law/Gospel distinction presented is refreshing, especially for those who have become enamored with the latest movement or visionary leader, and have lost sight of the soul-sustaining power of the Gospel. Johnson is careful to point back to himself as the source of the legalism. There were good people in his previous churches, and even a good church can’t keep a legalist out.
Some will appreciate his authentic and open style. Others may be alarmed at his levity. I winced when I read about he and his Christian friend’s penchant for “sloopersizing” their beer! Johnson’s background leaves him more open-minded on some theological points than some will like: he is rethinking his views on traditional gender roles (complementarianism) for example. He also speaks of Christ’s presence in the weekly communion and how the juice dribbling down his hand reminds him of his need for Christ. This sounds more Lutheran than a typical evangelical is accustomed to. But Johnson’s clarity and openness redeems the book: his insights into contemporary Christianity’s infatuation with morality (“law-lite”) and his prescription for struggling legalists is invaluable.
As a sample of his style, and to end on a positive note, let me share a brief excerpt. Then get this book, especially if you have ever been burnt out, or struggled with legalism. In fact, you can get a copy to give to someone you think may be in that condition — but read it yourself first. I’m sure you’ll benefit as well.
When your life is in the crapper, when your church is torn apart by wolves, God is present even if you can’t see it or feel his presence. I have hope in the trials of life that he still makes beauty out of ashes (Isaiah 61:3). (p. 129)
Book Blurbs:
“This is a fun book to read. More than that, it’s spot-on, filled with the Bible’s central message. Tired of chicken-soup-for-the-soul spirituality? Then read this book!” ~ Michael Horton, Professor of Theology, Westminster Seminary California; cohost, “White Horse Inn” broadcast/podcast
“Because we’ve yawned at the gospel, Jesus has been refashioned into a person who offers more practical help: he’s given to you so that you can love yourself more, be a really great you, and be part of our really great movement. Matt Johnson struggled under the tyrant of that sort of Jesus until he discovered the wonder of the real Jesus—the One who dispenses both Law and Gospel. This book is a strong antidote to all the ‘wrong’ Jesuses out there. I encourage you to read it and share it with friends. You’ll be glad you did.” ~ Elyse M. Fitzpatrick, author of Because He Loves Me
Lauren Green is a religion correspondent for Fox News, and also an accomplished pianist and former Miss Minnesota. She shares lessons from her faith journey in her new book Lighthouse Faith.
The book is a compilation of thoughts and reflections on life and spirituality and includes insights from some of the many scientists and religious leaders that she has interviewed over the years. She compares the Christian life to a lighthouse but switches metaphors often in her intriguing book. She finds spiritual power in places and poignant metaphors, and leads us from a quiet cottage, to a rocky shore and on to a vineyard and then into a musical analysis of none other than Handel’s Messiah.
The book does go in circles but the reflections and thoughts shared are honest, heart-warming and rooted in a simple Christian faith. Green attends Redeemer Presbyterian Church pastored by Tim Keller as she notes in her acknowledgements and throughout the book, but her roots are in an AME church and her work brings her in touch with Christians of all stripes.
I was not moved by some of her observations. She finds the cross in the Pythagorean theorem (4 right angles = a cross in the middle) — and so to her, every building that stands, does so by power of the cross. Even in blood some of the molecules have a shape of the cross in them, she observes. She also leans on biblical numerology and makes tenuous connections. Perhaps even more troubling is her attempt to read motives into tragic events and look for a deeper meaning.
That said, her meditations make for interesting reading and no great damage is done. The eye of faith stands behind her work and many will benefit from her simple approach and sometimes deeply personal life-lessons.
Blurbs:
“Though many in the media and the academy portray belief in God as passé in our modern world, Lauren Green astutely observes that the heartfelt question, ‘Where is God in my hour of need?’ is universal. In more than forty years of travel I have heard this plea countless times, whether from students in university forums or corporate leaders in private conversations. A seasoned journalist and an accomplished pianist, Lauren interviews scholars and discloses her own journey to understand God as a living reality. She has lived out her faith with courage and grace in a difficult arena. Her words will encourage and challenge you.”
—Ravi Zacharias, Founder and President of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries; Author and Speaker
“I have known Lauren Green since she played piano on my old Fox News show After Hours. Her discovery of who God is and what it means to be loved and find meaning in a relationship with him will help the reader find meaning and purpose in his or her own life. Isn’t that what we all seek?”
—Cal Thomas, Syndicated Columnist
“Lauren Green is one of the bright lights in American journalism, and she has distinguished herself as an astute analyst of religion and culture. Lighthouse Faith is her new book, and, in it, she brings fresh insights and perspectives that readers will not have heard anywhere else! Her voice is thoroughly original, solidly biblical, and consistently inspiring. having personally interviewed the world’s leading figures in religion, plus drawing from her own knowledge of history and current events, Green introduces timeless truths in fresh new ways. her explanation of how music theory relates to God (specifically as used by G.F. Handel) is absolutely riveting. In Lighthouse Faith Lauren Green brings readers content that truly is unique.”
—Alex McFarland, Director of the Center for Apologetics and Christian Worldview, North Greenville University
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.
About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.
The title of one of John Piper’s latest books is direct and confrontational, yet inviting at the same time: just like the man John Piper himself. Living in the Light: Money, Sex and Power (The Good Book Company, 2016) comes with a similarly direct yet inviting sub-title: “Making the most of three dangerous opportunities.” The book lives up to its title. It is both warning and invitation, in short it is John Piper challenging us to live to God’s glory in these three areas.
Piper explains that these three areas in themselves are not evil, they are God’s gifts to us. He defines them as follows:
Power is a capacity to pursue what you value.
Money is a cultural symbol that can be exchanged in pursuit of what you value.
Sex is one of the pleasures that people value, and the pursuit of it.
(Living in the Light, p. 20)
He then looks to Romans 1 and the “great exchange” whereby man in his fallen state turns created things to idols and refuses to worship God. In our fallen state, we pursue sex and other things as means to their own ends – as a worship of self or other created things in opposition to God. Money is a status symbol, and power is self-exaltation. They represent real danger and Piper spares no punches in warning and unpacking the biblical warnings related to the unfettered pursuit of money, sex or power.
In contrast to the worldly way of using these things, redemption puts God in the proper place. Piper uses the analogy of the sun and planets. When the sun is in the proper place, the planets of money, sex and power line up in their proper spheres and complement our lives in ways God intended. When we bring one of those planets into a central place, life is out of order and God is spurned.
Piper does a good job explaining why and how each of these elements are properly to be enjoyed:
Money exists so that it will be plain by the way we use it that God is more to be desired than money. Sex exists so that it will be plain that God is more to be desired than sex. And power exists so that it will be plain that admiring and dependeing on his power is more to be desired than exalting our own.
p. 102
In all of this, Piper displays his pastoral burden to rein in Western Christians who are so pulled away from the centrality of the Son, by the gravity of the competing planets: money, sex and power. Yet at times he is too God-focused and too strong in his formulations. As in the quote above, I think sex is more than just something to be partaken of in light of God being better than sex. Same with money. God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17) and Piper’s arguments sometimes seem to downplay the goodness of earthy pleasures. (For a great complement to Piper’s call desire God chiefly, look at Joe Rigney’s The Things of Earth: Treasuring God by Enjoying His Gifts, Crossway, 2014).
This quibble aside, this book is a clear and passionate call to live for Christ in today’s sex-crazed and money-obsessed culture. We could all do with a dose of John Piper challenging us to a more Godward focus in this day and age! I highly recommend this short book. It would make for a great small group or Sunday School resource, although it does not come with discussion questions.
This past Sunday I once again had the privilege of delivering the Sunday morning sermon, as a stand-in for our pastor. My theme this time was heaven, and the rest we can look forward to after our experience as strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Revelation contains a special blessing for those who read this book (Rev. 1:3), and I certainly felt blessed as I studied the book and especially my text, which was from chapter 7. I trust this message will be a blessing to you all.
