BOOK REVIEW - "ICE LAKE: A KATY RUSSELL MYSTERY BOOK 1" BY JACKIE ZACK

 

Why is Katy Russell's fiance taking her to the lodge and lake where her best friend lost her life? And is finding out the truth a threat to Katy's life?

"Ice Lake" is the first Katy Russell Mystery Jackie Zack has published. I really enjoyed it: I needed to read a novel from my favorite genre (cozy mystery), and this was what the doctor ordered. One might argue if its brevity puts it into the novella range (131 pages), but it felt like a full novel. The characters are interesting, and the plot is full of red herrings and plot twists.

There are a this point, as far as I know, three more Katy Russell mysteries, and I'm looking forward to reading them.

CURIOUS WHAT MY FAVORITE PODCASTS ARE?

 

Emblem for Google Podcasts Manager, unfortunately no longer available.

A while back, I asked if I should start a Pod Cast. Obviously (I'm guessing), I haven't. But what Podcasts do I listen to? Which would I be interested in that I can't get on my server? What is a draw for me to get interested in a Podcast?

I could build up a lot of suspense and make you read through a lot of stuff, but I'll start with the first one, and tell you what I do listen to, in alphabetic order.

1. Bible Study For Adults. This podcast is designed for leaders and students who are using this topical approach from Lifeway Publishers (Southern Baptist Convention). Each quarter is divided into two parts. The first part of this quarter was "Thrive: Living On Purpose, and they just started "Navigating Family Conflict."

2. Explore The Bible. This has a lot in common with the above, basically because like "Bible Study for Adults," it is from Lifeway Publishers. The difference between the two is that this one goes through books. For example, as I write this they're in their second quarter on the book of Acts, with the previous quarter doing the first 12 chapters, and the remaining 16 this quarter.

3. The Gospel Project. How many of these podcasts are connected to Lifeway? Only three, but putting them in alphabetic order has Lifeway's three curriculums at the top. The Gospel Project is similar to Explore The Bible, except it goes through the Bible through the course of three years. This quarter, they just got started in Genesis. There is a difference between this Podcast and the others: This one is aimed solely at teachers. It has one hostess instead of two or three people talking about the lesson. It tends to be shorter as well.

4. Lithoscry (aka Ravens Cry). Hosted by Glenn Remsen. Those who have followed my blog will recognize that name. I interviewed Glenn earlier this year. (Click here to see the interview) Most of the interviewees are Christian rock and metal bands, though there are others as well, such as Richard Blackaby from Experiencing God and "The Chosen" creator Dallas Jenkins. 

5. Reconstructing Faith. Back to Southern Baptists! Trevin Wax from the North American Mission Board hosts this two semester (at this point) series about how to strengthen the church. This one is more like a news series, with various interviewees, soundbites, etc. 

6. The Reformed Libertarian Podcast. This is put out by the Libertarian Christian Institute (who also have their own podcast), and is hosted by Kerry Baldwin and Gregory Baus. I find it interesting combining Reformed Theology with Libertarian Political Philosophy. One note - both hosts are Anarchists, believing we would be better off without government. Still don't buy it, but still listen.

7. Thru The Bible With Dr. J. Vernon McGee. This is one I listen to on the website rather than a podcast channel, and I'm basically keeping up with the current radio broadcasts. Dr. McGee goes through the Bible every 5 years, alternating between Old and New Testaments. For example, he just finished Titus and Philemon and started on Daniel. Dr. McGee is no longer with us, but the program has been going on, not just here in the U.S. but around the world.

8. Unshaken Faith. This is hosted by Alisa Childers and Natasha Crain. Both have their own Podcasts. I enjoy them working together, dealing with Christian Worldview and modern society. The past few weeks, they've been dealing with the After Party and its shortcomings. 

What other podcasts am I interested? Well, when I get caught up with some of these, I'll add Child Evangelism's Fellowship One:Seven to the rotation. I have interest in the podcasts by Alisa Childers, Allie Beth Stuckey, Natasha Crain, Russell Moore, Will Cain, Libertarian Christian Institute, and The Catch with John Fisher. Plus, my friend Eddie Kross has one coming out tomorrow!

However, one drawback. I subscribed to Podcasts on Google Podcasts. Google Podcasts decided to stop operating, and transferred my podcasts to YouTube. They stay on my list, but should I search for one that wasn't already on my roster - e.g. Natasha Crain - or if I cancel one to time and then decide to resubscribe - e.g. The Catch with John Fisher - I find I'm unable to get them on YouTube. 😢 So I'm debating changing to Spotify or Apple (let me know if you have any suggestions). By the way, I listen to them on my phone at work. 

What interests me? Well, it helps if I'm familiar and have a positive opinion of them. True, it will help to hear divergent views, but not while I'm working!  One major thing is the length of time. Raven's Heart and Reconstructing Faith are hour long, but I prefer half an hour or less, The Lifeway curriculum podcasts, Thru the Bible, and Unshaken Faith consistently hit that time constraint, and Reformed Libertarian varies but often is that short.

I rarely get comments, but does anybody following this have any favorites?

SATURDAY CONTROVERSIES - IS GOD BOTH WILLING AND ABLE TO KEEP US SAVED? (PART 5)

 

The Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich

In the previous installment, I mentioned the book Four Views on Eternal Security, and that the four authors are identified as "Classical Calvinist," "Moderate Calvinist," "Reformed Arminian," and "Wesleyan Arminian." So I ask you: is "eternal security" (aka "OSAS" or  "Once Saved Always Saved") an expansion on the Calvinism/Arminianism debate?

I say no. Why?

1. There is a difference between what is referred to as OSAS and the Calvinist belief of Perseverance of the Saints. The latter is the saints will persevere. I heard one person state that early Calvinists believed the elect could not lose their salvation, that the elect would live godly lives, and that no one - even yourself - can know if you're part of the elect. Thus, they lived good lives in hope of being saved. 
2. On the other side, Dave Hunt wondered if Jacobus Arminius could have believed in eternal security. In his book Arminian Theology: Realities and Myths, author Roger Olsen stated that the early Arminians did not have an official statement on security; thus, you can be Arminian and also eternal security (Hunt was an example).
3. Views on eternal security/losing your salvation, like most other views, are not simply A or B. Again, the book I referred to dealt with four views. Before I read it, I thought there was a nice line starting with Classical Calvinism and ending with Wesleyan Arminianism. By the way, there are subjects where the views form a nice line (e.g. Spectrum of Evangelicalism, Whether Supernatural Gifts Exist Today). 

In the above book, author Norm Geisler painted the line with three points - Strong Calvinists, Moderate Calvinists like himself, and Arminians. I read a book by Ron Rhodes that made the same division. I find this view problematic because 1) it shows a bias toward Calvinism, even though in the above book Reformed Arminian Stephen Ashby refers to Geisler as a 1 point Calvinist and Classical Calvinist Michael Horton called him a 0 point Calvinist. 

One major difference between Arminians is what causes someone to lose their salvation if they could. Some would say you can sin your way out of the Kingdom, requiring you to regain your salvation and hopefully not lose it. Others state that they are given free will to believe and be saved and maintain that free will so they can choose to walk away from the salvation. Though most of my life was influenced by those who believe in eternal security, I went through a period of time I was more like this latter Arminian view.

Did someone ask that I'm hinting that I returned to being an eternal security advocate? Well, I'm not sure it was a hint, but yes, I'm back in believing in eternal security. Why? Because I believe that's what the Bible teaches. Let me look at three verses:

• 2 Corinthians 5:17. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, all things have become new." I heard this view from Bob George, and I think he's onto something. Opponents of eternal security come across as thinking we need the possibility of losing our salvation to keep us in line. No, we've been changed. All things have become new, as this verse says, and that includes our desires.
• John 10:27-28. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me; and I give to them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." One of the first verses I memorized, my favorite verses, as well as a strong verse on us not losing our salvation. First, this verse says we belong to Christ. Second, it says those who are His sheep WILL follow Him. Third, we're given eternal life and shall never perish (contrary to being able to lose that life and perish). Finally, in response to the view that we can crawl out of His hand, it's hard to do that when you're following Him."
• Galatians 5:4. "You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." Anti-eternal securityists talk about "falling from grace" as "losing your salvation." But is that what it means in this verse? No, falling from grace is seeking works (or law) to save us. How about other times that phrase is used in Scripture? Unfortunately for that theory, there isn't any.

Not just because I held that view, but I see a difference between those who say we can renounce our faith and those who think we can lose our salvation due to sin. One friend of mine asks how much sin causes us to lose our salvation, and not getting an answer backed by Scripture. I asked another person whose tag-line was "OSAS is wrong" if you could lose your salvation by pride or worrying or judging others; he said no, and that if it did, no one can be saved.

As I mentioned in the title, I believe that God is willing to keep us saved (2 Peter 3:9; see also Ezek. 18:32) and able to keep us saved (Jude 24); if both are true, eternal security is the rational conclusion. 

Of course, opponents of OSAS have the example of people claiming that since they're saved they can live however they want, which is unbiblical and more Gnostic than Christian. I don't fault them for opposing this. However, in my case, I sometimes think that I'm not worthy of being saved; for me, eternal security is not license but much needed hope. In other words, I need to trust Christ to save me, not my feeble finite flawed efforts.

BOOK REVIEW - "BATMAN: ONE BAD DAY - THE RIDDLER #1," WRITTEN BY TOM KING, ILLUSTRATED BY MITCH GERADS

 Which is the first Batman villain you remember? For me, it was the Riddler. Frank Gorshin played Batman's opponent in the first two episodes of the '60's TV series and was in 8 of the 34 episodes of season 1 (the Joker and the Penguin had a half dozen each in that first season, and the Catwoman only appeared in two). My all time favorite villain was Gorshin's Riddler (I was disappointed with John Astin's take on the role in the second season). I will admit that I am not a Jim Carrey fan, but I enjoyed his portrayal in Batman Forever. That being said, I had NEVER seen him in the limited comic book viewing I've done.

Needless to say, we're not in the '60's anymore, and "Batman: One Bad Day - The Riddler" is proof of that. I would grade this story with a D: Dark, Depressing, Disgusting, Deplorable, Disconcerting, Disappointing. The story is interesting, and gives some of Edward Nygma's back story, but it left me torn between being sympathetic to the abuse he faced as a boy and utterly despising a totally evil character.

If this is what modern Batman is like, I'd rather stay with the past.

BOOK REVIEW - "COUNTERFEIT KINGDOM: THE DANGERS OF NEW REVELATION, NEW PROPHETS, AND NEW AGE PRACTICES IN THE CHURCH" BY HOLLY PIVEC & R. DOUGLAS GEIVETT

"Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church" by Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett is a well written expose of the New Apostolic Reformation (aka NAR). 

You may be uncomfortable with the type of books because of it taking a negative view. I hear you - I don't enjoy books like this. But is it needed? The authors make a good case why. Additionally, in "Chapter 2: Who Are the New Apostles and Prophets," it includes a short auto-bio of the authors, stating why they have concerns about this movement.

Some might take this book as presenting a cessationist view (i.e. that gifts like prophecy and tongues have ceased). However, the authors clearly state that this is not the case, and point out that many Pentecostals and Charismatics are worried about the NAR. 

Two chapters caught my attention. "Chapter 7: The Passionately Wrong 'Bible,'" the authors look at how the recent Passion Bible contain NAR teachings. I was in a Sunday School class where we shared different translations, and at times I brought three translations including the Passion Bible, and the teacher referred to it as "The Hollywood Bible" because of how it read. 

As a songwriter and music lover, I also paid attention to "Chapter 8: Toxic Worship Music." The author point out that a major producer of today's worship music is via a prominent NAR church. Their concerns are that NAR ideas show up in the song, as well as the music creating an interest in the church. Other chapters that would be of interest are "Chapter 10: Deception-Proofing Your Children" and "Conclusion: Joining the Resistance."

Are the authors on target? I would advice reading this with an open mind, praying for God to give wisdom (James 1:5) to know if there is a real danger from the NAR or not.

 

BOOK REVIEW - "WITNESS IN PERIL" BY JODIE BAILEY

 Why are a Federal Marshall and a Swift River policeman trying to kill estate lawyer Ivy Bridges, and how did they know about her four year old daughter Wren? Is Special Agent Jacob Garcia able to protect them from a notorious killer and her gang? Does the fact that Ivy was a college girl-friend and Wren the daughter he didn't know he have affect this mission?

Love Inspired Suspense's "Witness in Peril" has a lot going for it. First, it's written by Jodie Bailey who has become one of my favorite novelists. Second, its Grand Canyon setting makes me homesick for the state where I grew up in. 

As I would expect from Bailey, there are characters you care about and exciting plot twists. Likewise, this story has Christian themes which are organic to the story but not at all preachy.

This is a stand-alone story, though there is a reference to her novella "Missing in the Wilderness," part of Love Inspired Suspense's collection "Canyon Standoff."

Is there a Jodie Bailey novel I would not highly recommend? Thus far, not at all, including this one.

BOOK REVIEW - "SHADOW CHRISTIANS: MAKING AN IMPACT WHEN NO ONE KNOWS YOUR NAME" BY JEFF IORG

Have you ever felt that you have no impact on the world? I have, even in the age of social media. If you're a Christian, you may feel that you have no value in serving the Lord, and even wonder how God could love a nobody like you (I've often felt that way). 

"Shadow Christians: Making an Impact when No One Knows Your Name" by former president of Gateway Seminary and current President/CEO of the SBC Executive Committee Jeff  Iorg (pronounced like "forge", without the "f") is a major encouragement for those dealing with such thoughts. 

Iorg deals with people in the New Testament that we're familiar with but we don't know their names (e.g. the leper Jesus healed, or the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment), and applies them to us. He divides the book into two parts:
1. God loves Shadow Christians

2. God uses Shadow Christians

This book is written so the everyday Christian can read and follow it, and so they can be encouraged by it. I recommend this book.