BOOK REVIEW: "JESUS' ALTERNATIVE PLAN: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT" BY RICHARD ROHR

I checked this book out when a Bible study I'm involved with was about to start on the Sermon on the Mount. He gives background information. For seven chapters - Rohr doesn't start dealing with the Sermon on the Mount until chapter 8. There are 9 chapters. No, it wasn't much help.

There were other things that bothered me about this book. It came across as a cross of mystical and liberal. For example, he does not believe that the Gospels were written by the person they're attributed to. He regularly states Jesus was killed. Traditional churches usually say "Jesus died," which is consistent with the Biblical view Jesus gave up His life for our sins; Rohr's method sounds like it was the Religious Leaders in control, not Christ. Shortly after reading this, I heard him referred to on podcasts I listen to as being progressive and new thought.

I recommend this for those who know the Bible well enough to realize what's off base and then read it so you can respond to what doesn't fit. As a book on the Sermon on the Mount, I do not recommend it.

BOOK REVIEW - "JACOB ARMINIUS: THE MAN FROM OUDEWATER" BY RUSTIN E. BRIAN

I don't know if you have had the same experience, but it seems most definitions of Arminianism comes from Calvinists, especially those who want to throw the whole theology under the bus and brand it as heresy, questioning the salvation of those who dare disagree with them.

For this reason, I've read a couple of books to see what Arminians really believe several years ago, and reread them recently. As you'd expect, one thing I'd want to read is a biography. "Jacob Arminius: The Man from Oudewater" by Rustin E. Brian is an excellent starting point.

Brian divides his book into three parts. The first three chapters evaluate Arminius' early life, his pastoral ministry, and his years as an educator. Chapters four through six investigates his theology concerning the Bible, his Christology, and - as you'd expect - his views on predestination and salvation. Next, he compares him to Pelagius (the chapter's title is Arminius is not equal to Pelagius), John Wesley, and Karl Barth. He concludes on how this relates to present time.

Interesting facts. Would you believe one of Arminius' teachers was Theodore Beza? Would you believe the starting point of Arminius' theology is not Predestination but his Christology? Would you believe Arminius' focus on free will was not whether the unregenerate could choose to follow Christ (Arminius agrees with Calvin on total depravity) but whether evil men do evil do so by their depraved free will as opposed to God predestining them to do evil and then condemning them for doing what they are made to do?

I highly recommend this book. It may not convince you that Arminianism is more accurate than Calvinism, but it helps us realize that Arminianism falls very nicely into the category of orthodox, evangelical, Biblically based theology. 

 

BOOK REVIEW - "CHASING JUSTICE" (MOUNTAIN COUNTRY K-9 UNIT BOOK 3) BY VALERIE HANSEN

 Is Finn Donovan guilty of murdering his recently discovered birth father, or has he been framed? Since he's been found guilty, why was the van transporting him attacked? And why choose his ex-girlfriend, Deputy Selena Smith, and her Belgian Malinois K-9 partner of all people (and dogs)?

"Chasing Justice" by Valerie Hansen is book 3 of the 9 volume, multi-author Mountain Country K-9 Unit series from Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense imprint. As you'd expect, you have plenty of action, starting from the beginning when a truck pushes the vehicle transporting Donavan off a cliff and continuing to the showdown between the bad person and the heroes of this story. There's also development and chemistry between the male and female leads of this story.

Considering this is the third book of a series, should you read parts one and two first? You can enjoy this story if you read this by itself, but I would recommend that you first read "Baby Protection Mission" by Laura Scott and "Her Duty Bound Defender" by Sharee Stover (respectively books 1 and 2 of this series). As usual, this series combines a unique romantic suspense novel (in this case, the story of Finn and Selena) with three sub-plots that span the whole series. In the Mountain Country K-9 Unit collection, these are trying to catch the Rocky Mountain Killer (aka RMK) who committed three murders ten years ago and has resumed with two - or is it three? - new victims; the dognapped therapy dog Cowgirl (is this connected to the RMK?), and the sabotage of their crime tech's chances to be a foster parent. 

BOOK REVIEW - "KILLING CALVINISM: HOW TO DESTROY A PERFECTLY GOOD THEOLOGY FROM WITHIN" BY GREG DUTCHER

 A one-star review of this book on Amazon was written by someone who was hoping to learn how to destroy Calvinism. To his disappointment, in "Killing Calvinism: How to Destroy a Perfectly Good Theology From the Inside" author Greg Dutcher writes as a Calvinist encouraging fellow Calvinists to avoid various pitfalls which would alienate others from Calvinism.

One doesn't need to spend much time on on-line theological discussions to see Calvinists come across as bullies. I've seen groups where unbelievers were not welcome - "unbelievers" meaning not only Arminians but those who believe Arminians are true Christians. 😱

Dutcher shares eight ways to destroy Calvinism... or to put it more accurately, things to avoid to keep from destroying Calvinism. These are:

1. By Loving Calvinism as an End in Itself
2. By Becoming a Theologian Instead of a Disciple
3. By Loving God's Sovereignty More Than God Himself
4. By Losing an Urgency in Evangelism
5. By Learning Only from Other Calvinists
6. By Tidying Up the Bible's "Loose Ends"
7. By Being an Arrogant Know-It-All
8. By Scoffing at the Hang-ups Others Have with Calvinism

As I mentioned, this book is written for Calvinists. Personally, in the Calvinism/Arminianism debate I consider myself a NOTA (None Of The Above). However, I've found this an encouraging book, helping me stay focused on being a disciple/evangelist and listening and respecting those who disagree. In fact, this book has made me lean a little more reformed than before.

I highly recommend this book.

BOOK REVIEW - "FRITZ AND THE MIDNIGHT MEETUP" BY MEGAN HILL, ILLUSTRATED BY CHIARA FEDELE

 

Why are the children at the orphanage sneaking downstairs after bed-time? And should they worry about the resident bully?

"Fritz and the Midnight Meetup: A True Story About Kids Who Prayed" is a delightful children's book written by Megan Hill (who also wrote the children's book "Meg is Not Alone" as well as non-fiction books dealing with the same themes in her children's books) and illustrated by Chiara Fedele.

I know there was a revival taking place here in the United States right before the Civil War started. That revival was also taking place in Germany. This true story accounts for children who had a heart for prayer and wanted to have prayer meetings like the adults.

There also was a bully in real life, as there was in the story. And the results were also the same.

I highly recommend this book.

BOOK REVIEW - "KINGDOM POLITICS: RETURNING GOD TO GOVERNMENT" BY TONY EVANS

 

Isn't there supposed to be separation of church and state? 

Dr. Tony Evans takes a completely different view. After all, God created the earth, the family, the church... and government. Governments where the participants are using the Bible and Christlikeness as their guide will succeed; those that don't will become oppressive.

Evans starts with the concept of Kingdom Politics (chapters 1-4). Next, he deals with the priorities of Kingdom Politics (chapters 5-8), such as sanctity of life and justice. Then, he focuses on the Citizens of Kingdom Politics. (Chapters 9-12) This includes in recognizing our citizenship is ultimately in heaven, but we're here to make an impact on our society. He also looks at voting, noting that different Christians will have differing priorities, and pointing out our allegiance should not be to the Democrat or Republican or even Libertarian Party but to the ruler of the kings of the earth, viewing ourselves as Kingdom Independents. 

Finally, he has a conclusion where he presents "A Kingdom Strategy  for Community Transformation, which has a three point plan:

1. Assemble: Unified Sacred Gathering
2. Address: Unified Compassionate Voice
3. Act: Unified Social Impact

I found this to be a very thought provoking book. It is motivating me to do more praying before I vote, as well as to encourage me to get involved. I highly recommend this book.

BOOK REVIEW - "BIG BLUFF" (A KATY RUSSELL BOOK 2) BY JACKIE ZACK

 

Is the body missing after falling off Big Bluff hidden by the killer, or did the body get up by itself and is hiding someplace? Can Katy and her co-worker Nick solve this mystery before the art festival ends and the many suspects head back home? And why does the man who killed his brother/Katy's fiance want to talk to her?

"Big Bluff" is the second of the Katy Russell mystery series by Jackie Zack, and this one is top notch. I was completely surprised when the bad guy is revealed. Great job with interesting characters, from the main character and the possible love interest to the various artists at the art festival. 

I mentioned this is the second in the series. I highly recommend you read the first. There are some characters and storylines from the first that you wouldn't know anything about them without having read the first book. 

I highly recommend this novel.