BOOK REVIEWS - THE NEW BRAVE & THE BOLD: "THE BRIDE AND THE BOLD" AND "THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS" BY SHOLLY FISCH (WITH A SPIRITUAL LESSON THROWN IN)

 For those unfamiliar with comics in general and DC in person, "The Brave and the Bold" was a title which teamed up Batman with other heroes - and occasionally one not so heroic, like the Joker or the Riddler. When I read that title in the '70's, I found it a bit dark. However, this six part series by Sholly Fisch, including "The Bride and the Bold" and "Through the Looking Glass!," is much more fun and aimed at a young audience.

In "The Bride and the Bold," Batman and Wonder Woman stop a plan by a pair of Wonder Woman's old foes. However, God of Love Eros was upset with the violence, believing Wonder Woman was sent to show love, not beat up on the baddies, so he puts her and Batman under a spell where they fall in love and plan a wedding. Of course, one bad lady is jealous and thus rounds up the two heroes' rogue galleries to crash the wedding. Of course, most of the wedding guests were superheroes, so you can guess the rest.

"Through The Looking Glass!" starts with Batman and the Flash facing off with the Mad Hatter and Mirror Master. The bad guys flee through a mirror, with the heroes in pursuit, and end up in a Wonderland-like Dimension, and then Mirror Master returns to reality taking the mirror with him so the heroes can't escape. Or can they?

As stated, these are aimed for a young audience. However, if you happen to be an old comics fan like yours truly, you'll enjoy seeing familiar faces both among the good guys and the bad guys. It's also a short book (you can read either one in 15 minutes).

One fun thing about this series is it ends with some questions that relate to telling the story (both the writing and the drawing).

I definitely recommend these books. But would you believe one of these has a theological lesson, possibly unknown to the author? (SPOILER ALERT)

In "The Bride and the Bold," Eros is displeased seeing Wonder Woman fighting Giganta and Mouse Man with Batman helping, so he makes them fall in love. But when the wedding has the heroes beating up on the bad guys, Eros thinks that's worse, saying that Diana (Wonder Woman) was sent to spread love. Then, Eros' mother Aphrodite shows up and points out that Wonder Woman is showing love by defending the defenseless from the bad guys. 

As Christians, we're given an example that we need to stand up for faith and defend our brothers and sisters in Him. Unfortunately, many - including believers - claim that standing up against false teachers and refuting error is judgmental and unloving. No, tolerating evil is what's unloving.

BOOK REVIEW - THE COMPLETE DICK TRACY VOLUME 27 BY CHESTER GOULD (1972-1974)

 

For those regularly reading my blog, you'll notice I've reviewed volume 3, 4, and now 27 of the Complete Dick Tracy. I'll confess - the ones I read I get from the library, and these are the only three of the 29 part collection they have. Thus, no Flat Top, no Blow Top, no Pruneface, no Mumbles, no Mousy, no Influence, no Oodles, no Pearshape! (At least I got Lips Manlis/Bob Honor and the Blank.)

I will admit that this was not as enjoyable as the earlier books I read. I thought the Button story was silly, disappointing, and illogical (kidnapping a news reporter to post things about the villain giving to church? Really?) His sister Hope Lezz said she was tired of his abuse but we never saw that abuse (except asking to hide out at her house) and the story ending depressing. I found Peanutbutter (a smart but trouble making 10 year old) annoying, and Moon Maid (that is, Mrs. Dick Tracy Junior) was a stretch. Big Brass' story didn't fare much better. The only redeeming character was the kidnapped reporter Jack Grafic. 

Another admission - I became a Dick Tracy fan through Max Allan Collins' tenure with the strip and via the 1990 Warren Beatty movie. Would I have gotten hooked with the '60's and '70's Chester Gould strips?  Maybe as a silly teenager, and maybe not.

If you are a die-hard fan and want to see the entire collection, get this. If, like me, you want to get introduced to Dick Tracy at his best, get the older books, like 3, 4, maybe 8, 9, 10 and 13. 

BOOK REVIEW - "GOOD NEWS GOING BAD: A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF A MODERN MISSIONS MELTDOWN" BY DR. JIM BAUGH

 

What is the purpose of missions? Isn't it to be a witness to Christ from home to the furthest parts of the world (Acts 1:8), to make disciples of all nations and teaching them to do all Jesus commanded? Then why would missionaries water down uncomfortable teachings of Christ to appeal to those who reject Christianity?

Jim Baugh's insightful book, "Good News Going Bad: A Critical Evaluation of a Modern Missions Meltdown," focuses on what is called "The Insider Movement." The theory is that if Christians blend in with the major belief of the region, they would be more accepting of Christianity. This book focuses on outreach to Muslims, but also mentions sometimes the practice is used to reach Hindus. 

Baugh deals with several aspects of missionaries avoiding calling Jesus the Son of God or the crucifixion and resurrection because those elements of the story would be offensive to Muslims. He also ends each chapter with a story how a Muslim comes to Christ. He gives an example by asking how we'd answer one who asks what we think of Mohammed, an answer that would either open or close a door for further conversation. I love his answer, but you'll have to read it to find out what it is!

While this focuses on the mission field, Baugh does allude to the fact that there are similar practices in general, where we're more worried about being popular than proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. One thing that is true in modern American Christianity that is sometimes mistakenly taught on the mission field is a churchless Christianity, in spite of the author of Hebrews telling us not to forsake the assembly of us together (Hebrews 10:24-25).

I highly recommend this book. It doesn't hurt that it was written by a college classmate.

BOOK REVIEW - "SHEPHERDS FOR SALE: HOW EVANGELICAL LEADERS TRADED THE TRUTH FOR A LEFTIST AGENDA" BY MEGAN BASHAM

 

What is an Evangelical? Is there a political view that qualifies the title Evangelical? Are pastors and Christian leaders that lean left turning from the Gospel, or do they disagree on which party's policies best represent the teachings of Christ?

"Shepherds For Sale: How Evangelical Leaders Traded The Truth For A Leftist Agenda" by Megan Basham has the premise that Christian leaders are trying to appeal to the world by moving to the left, embracing concepts like climate change, Critical Race Theory, #MeToo, etc.

I learned about this book via one of my favorite podcasts:  "Unshaken Faith" with Alisa Childers and Natasha Crain. I'll admit - I was disappointed by this book.

One thing is "the truth" in the title refers to political conservatism. No, for the Christian, the truth refers to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the inspiration, infallibility, inerrancy, and sufficiency of Scripture, and salvation by grace rather than works. There is no evidence that the leaders criticized in this book have turned from the faith.

Likewise, there's an assumption that the reason some may not support Trump or are not dogmatic on certain political views is a lack of faith rather than a disagreement on the best way to live out said faith. I'll confess, in 2016 I did not trust Trump and voted Libertarian.

Finally, what is an Evangelical? For the past 40 years, I considered it the more liberal side of Biblical Christianity, trying to reach the world for Christ, while Fundamentalism is more focused on being strict Biblicists. Now, it's used to hint the politics, though on that subject - like with many others - there is variation among Evangelical concerns. So Basham's concerns are items that neither surprise nor concern me. As stated, there is no indication of turning from the Gospel.

There is error in the church that needs correcting. However, some do that correcting in a way that sows discord, that leaves one with a bad taste in their mouth. I felt that way after reading this book. It's rare I do not recommend a book I've read, but this is one of the exceptions. The topic is important, but I think this book did more hurting and dividing than solving the problem.

BOOK REVIEW - "COLD VENGEANCE" (RYLAND & ST. CLAIR BOOK THREE)

Can River Ryland and Tony St. Clair find the missing podcast hostess, assuming she's still alive after being missing the greater part of a year? Is reuniting River's wayward father with her Alzheimer stricken mother a good idea or a potential disaster? And will River survive the well-planned vengeance by the accomplice of a serial killer who failed killing River once and has no place for failing again?

"Cold Vengeance" is the final part of the Ryland & St. Clair trilogy. If you haven't read the previous entries - "Cold Pursuit" and "Cold Threat" - I would highly advise you read them in order, to be able to follow the story (the previous two books had cliffhanger endings). While each novel had its own story and corresponding characters, there are two overarching threads that tie the three together.

This story is steady moving - it seems slow at parts, but the menace of the serial killer keeps the edge to it. The characters are also easy to like (I'll admit, I grew to like River better through the series). 

I do recommend this book and the series, which is not a surprise because I enjoy reading Nancy Mehl - this is the 20th book and 6th series of hers I've read.

MOVIE AND RIDE REVIEWS AND COMPARISON - DISNEY'S "ALICE IN WONDERLAND" (1951) AND DISNEY'S "ALICE IN WONDERLAND" (2010)

I debated calling this "An Evening Down The Rabbit Hold." Reason? I took an evening and watched both versions back to back. I saw an edited version of the original once in the later '80's on TV (an hour including commercials, compared to the features 75 minute without commercials), and not the newer version. Of course, if you count the number of times I rode the Disneyland ride when I was a kid... 

Walt Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" (1951) was a memorable and creative animated film. Some consider that Lewis Carroll was influenced by drugs when he wrote this story, and this film didn't do much to counter that view. As a writer, I find it interesting that there wasn't a real hero(ine)in the story, nor was there a villain - the Queen of Hearts wasn't mentioned let alone seen in the first half of the film. Rather, it dealt with Alice dealing with unique, unforgettable characters like the Caterpillar, the Chesire Cat, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, Tweedledum and Twiddledee, the Walrus and the Carpenter, the aviary in Tulgy Wood, and the Queen of Hearts ... oh, I must not forget the King.

As mentioned, I didn't see the movie until I was an adult, but I was very familiar with the Disneyland ride, which is connected near the Peter Pan ride and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, with Snow White not far away. The original design of these rides were visual thrills, with some surprises like the honking bird on Alice or the crocodile snapping at you on Peter Pan. Didn't really tell a story and didn't have an ending (for example, going through several doors on Alice, having the witch roll a stone on you at the end of Snow white, and going through hell - literally - on Mr. Toad. By the way, no Queen of Hearts on Alice.

After I left California, Disney did remodeling while I was gone. They added a fifth ride (Pinocchio), and had the rides more give a story summary and, with the exception of Mr. Toad, end with a happy ending (Peter Pan and friends commanding the ship, Snow White revived by the prince's kiss, and the Mad Hatter and White Rabbit wishing you a happy Un-birthday. Sorry, but I liked the originals better. But if I go back to Disneyland after a 40 year sabbatical, I'll get on the original four again. (I'm able to view them on Youtube when I need a fix.)

Now, let me move to Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" (2010). Or should it have been called "The Mad Hatter in Wonderland?" Johnny Depp's version of the character is prominent on both the front and back cover, and he's the only actor whose name is on the front. (Take a look at the covers pictured above - do you agree that the focus went from Alice to the Hatter?)

To be honest, while I had a crush on the cartoon Alice since my childhood (I had no interest in the Disney princesses), I actually liked this remake better.  It came across more of a fantasy movie than a drug trip like the cartoon. The Red Queen and the Knave were good villains, and Alice's role was more like Frodo's than a girl lost in an unreal world. I'd also say this is my favorite Tim Burton movie, and that I loved the take on the Bandersnatch.

Last comment - would you say I'm onto something to say we need a dose of unreality to cope with the 2024 election?

  

REVIEW - "HERE WE STAND: 31 REFORMERS, 1 PER DAY" BY DESIRING GOD

 Okay, how do I classify this? Is it a book? If so, it would be a good one, But there is no indication of it being published. Desiring God, connected to John Piper, released this on-line. When I saw it promoted in September, I signed up to receive it each day throughout October in honor of Reformation Day. I'm glad I did - it was a blessing.

How many reformers can you think of? I'll give you my list, and see how you do with it:

• John Wycliffe
• William Tyndale
• Jan Huss
• Simon Menno
• Peter Waldo
• Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther (the latter was the first person Warren Wiersbe introduced in "50 People Every Christian Should Know")
• Philip Melanchthon (my hero and personal favorite)
• Ulrich Zwingli
• John Knox
• John Calvin
• Theodore Beza
• Jacob Arminius

There are others I'd also think of, like Charles Simeon, Matthew Henry, John and Charles Wesley, George Whitfield, and Isaac Watts, but all these were too recent for this list. And I have a hunch my list of 13 is impressive, but short of what they had. By the way, only one I listed was not covered, meaning they had 18 or so (they had at least one pair included the same day) I hadn't heard of.

The list was full of variations. They had pre-reformers like Wycliffe and Hus, Anabaptists like Waldo and Menno, "Bride of the Reformation" Wibrandis Rosenblatt who married and was widowed by four reformers (three of which were also included in the list), and non-theologian Johannes Gutenberg whose printing press helped the Reformation have the effect it did.

I don't know how to find this collection - they didn't post it on Facebook, and as I mentioned above, it hasn't been published. But I recommend it. However, I was unsurprisingly disappointed they didn't have the guts to include Jacob Arminius! But then, they might have been disowned by their Calvinist brethren. And maybe, like the others I mentioned, Arminius may have been a little too late for this list. 

Allow me this brief post-script - I'm posting this on International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It's appropriate - many of them like Luther and Calvin had to flee from one place to a safer one, while others like Tyndale and Zqingli paid the ultimate price.