Major Discovery

I just bought a couple books from BN.com. And I've made a major discovery: the shipping was free. Apparently not all items have free shipping, but from what I found (and I looked around for a while), the vast majority of books from Barns and Nobel online qualify for "FAST&FREE DELIVERY." Yes!

I doubt I'll ever fully forsake Amazon, but this changes my online book-buying experience.

(If you've known about "FAST&FREE DELIVERY" for a long time, please forgive me.)

Edward's Orthopraxy

I just finished a new book by Steven J. Lawson, Senior Pastor at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, AL. Reformation Trust, a division of Ligonier Ministries, published The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards in 2008.

Lawson's book primarily deals with Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions, a document he composed from mid 1722 to mid 1723 as a "practical expression" of his intention to "live out Reformed theology on a personal, experiential level." Lawson also offers a chapter (chapter 1) surveying the influential and admirable life of Edwards, which provides a good framework for studying the Resolutions. The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards presents a good picture of the discipline and dedication one must possess in living a godly life.

After introducing Edwards, Lawson briefly introduces the Resolutions, and explains his dividing them into six categories: pursuing God's glory, battling sin, disciplined use of time, offering all to and for God, striving for "humility and love," and often self-searching for any characteristic not glorifying to God. Lawson proceeds to give an exposition of these six categories; he dedicates a chapter to each division, citing a few resolutions from each. Much to the benefit of the reader, Lawson spends a paragraph or two at the end of each chapter trying to make applicable Edwards' Resolutions. Lawson's writing is long with citations and short with personal analysis, which only serves (in my opinion) to emphasize the depth of his research. Lawson wisely notes that dialog between the other Edwardian writings (his Personal Narrative and diary in particular) is paramount to best understanding the Resolutions.

Below I share a resolution and a diary entry from Edwards, both of which most impacted me as I read through The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards. I hope these two points will wet your appetite for this influential and practical book.

(Resolution 52) "I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723."

On the subject of spending God-allotted time judiciously, Lawson concludes that "[Edwards] could not waste time and bring honor to God" (chapter six). Consider this perspective on time: "Edwards understood that he could lose money and potentially recoup it later. He could lose his health and yet recover it. He could even lose a relationship and later restore it. But time lost could never be regained."

(Come on, Aaron. Get out of bed!)

(Diary Entry) "I think it would be advantageous every morning to consider my business and temptations; and what sins I shall be exposed to that day: and to make a resolution how to improve the day, and to avoid those sins."

Edwards was so intensely committed to avoiding sin, that he would "anticipate what sins he might be prone to in various situations" (chapter nine). I cannot help but think about the times when I (we?) blindly stumble into sin (think bitterness, jealousy, etc). Would to God that I might, like Edwards, proactively anticipate and avoid sin--even tempting situations.

Here is the Resolutions from The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University. I currenty have a copy of the Resolutions placed next to my bed to read through and consider how I can better live with my highest priority on God's glory.

I fully recommend this book to all who are serious about living to that end. Here it is. May growth and much spiritual dicipline ensue.

Semper Reformanda

The Qur'an

I just bought a copy of the Qur'an. My particular copy is translated by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem. During the next several weeks, I will be studying the major religions in the world, with particular emphasis given to Islam. As I thumbed through my new book, I was surprised by it's organisation. I suppose I expected the book to be organized like the Bible, but instead the Qur'an is divided into 114 sections. These sections appear to be either stories or treatments of various Muslim doctrines. I will soon know for sure.

I am excited about becoming more familiar with Islam, and I hope to establish an understanding which will allow me to better serve God's Kingdom. My friend and former professor Dr. Dan Ebert (Ebertblog) spent weeks in Jordan studying Islam, and he chronicled his studies here. Please pray for me as I attempt to engage with this increasingly influential religion.

An Overdue Recommendation

Not uncommonly , I am a about a year behind the rest of the world; I just recently finished Tim Keller's The Reason for God. Keller serves as senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Dutton published Keller's book early in 2008. Aimed at skeptics and/or believers with doubt, the book presents a defense of the orthodox Christian faith. 

Keller organizes his book in two sections: the first seven chapters respond to seven different objections to Christianity, and the last seven offer "reasons for faith." The chapters dealing with objections seek to answer common apprehensions to Christianity using logic and rational. The "reasons" chapters present highly logical, empirically-based arguments for the existence and knowledge of God, sin nature, misconceptions about Christianity, etc. Keller does not use Scripture (much) to support his arguments, making his book seemingly less circular to a skeptical audience. The epilogue gives the gospel message and makes a call to action. 

I found chapter fourteen, The Dance of God, the most helpful in the book. In this chapter, Keller reveals the relational nature of the Christian life. Chapter fourteen serves to teach (remind) readers about the relationships within the Trinity, and the implication of those relationships.

Chapter five deals with Hell. Reading through it, I found this chapter ambiguous and confusing. I struggled to decipher whether or not Keller thinks Hell is an actual place, or more of a state of existence. After hearing a couple of lectures/talks by Keller, I undoubtedly believe him to propagate an orthodox position on Hell. However, chapter five of The Reason for God presents Keller's position quite confusingly. If you were also confused by Keller's statements in chapter five, or you are about to read through the book, here is an article by Keller from Redeemer's website about Hell. The article not only well outlines a proper view of Hell, but it clarifies any confusing points from Keller's book. 

Apart from one ambigious chapter, The Reason for God represents one of the great contibutions to orthodox Christian apologetics in recent years. I strongly recommend this book to both belivers and non believers alike (and yes, the book is going on my recommended list).

Here is a link to the Reason for God website. And my friend Luke recently commented on a chapter of Keller's book, here.         

Buy The Reason for God here. May growth and renewed confidence ensue!

Desiring God Blog: helpful reading list

Today, Abraham Piper  posted a list of books currently being read by Desiring God staff members. DG provides resources from the teaching of Dr. John Piper (books, sermons, etc.). The posted list contains a variety of texts ranging in subject from business, to theology, to fiction. And all books on the list are linked to Amazon (brilliant!).

Hopefully, reading over the list will spark your interest, and provide some ideas for deeper summer reading this year.

May growth and edification ensue. Here is the blog page. 

A Needed and Timely Book

I just finished a deeply insightful and convicting book by Erwin Lutzer, Is God On America's Side?. With releases in both May and October of 2008, this work could not come at a better time for Christians in America (and Europe). Dr. Lutzer attempts to ask and then biblically answer questions concerning evangelicals' role in America's political scene.

The thesis of Is God On America's Side? is that Christians must impact the United States through the Good News and living its implications, not through political advancement; we must reach Americans, not America.

Chapter six carries a heavy "punch" as it brings into light many areas in American culture where the church simply falls short of God's commands. This affordable little book has left an impression on me, and will hopefully affect how I live from now on.

So I recommend this book to any and all believers (Lutzer's book is now added to my Recommended Books list). Here it is Is God On America's Side?

May growth and fresh thinking ensue!

Why We're Not Emergent: comments on DeYoung and Kluck's work

Finally. A couple of days ago I finished We We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. DeYoung is a pastor at University Reformed Church in Lansing, MI. Kluck is a sports journalist and member of DeYoung's congregation.

(I Know. I took forever finishing the book.)

In order to facilitate two completely different writing styles, DeYoung and Kluck rotate chapters, each writing every-other (mostly). DeYoung's chapters are lengthy, and could be considered "heavy" for the book's target audience. Kluck, as a sports journalist and church layman, writes much shorter and "readable" chapters. I found both authors engaging and informative, and I enjoyed the change-of-pace between two distinct methods of writing.

Why We're Not Emergent reveals many dangerous aspects in the Emerging Church. Rightly, however, DeYoung and Kluck celebrate the positives coming from the movement, although the two authors are decidedly against the Emergent Movement as a whole. The most glaring negative of the book is that the authors (understandable though it may be) cite only the most egregious examples of poor theology within the Emerging Church. However, the authors do commend, even recommend, Scot McKnight's works as examples of good theology from a(n) (semi)Emergent voice.

I found myself agreeing with almost everything in Why We're Not Emergent, and I highly recommend it to anyone who reads Bell, Sweet, McLaren, Kimbell, etc.

Here is a review of Why We're Not Emergent by Amy Sondova on TheOoze, which is the flagship website of the Emerging Movement. The review is surprisingly positive. Here.

And here is the book: Why We're Not Emergent

May growth and critical thinking ensue!