'25 SUMMER READING LIST, #16 - "PRAY AND GO" BY THOM RAINER

I first read "Pray & Go, a 30-Day Journey: Your Invitation to Become a Great Commission Christian" by Thom Rainer in late '23. I read it again mid-'24. It may not be on my '25 list, but if not, it will be in '26. I found this a powerful challenge and want to keep this reminder before me.

Rainer gives a short lesson for 30 installments, followed by an assignment. It may be to read a Scripture, pray specifically, or to be a witness. It's designed to be either for an individual or for a church group; either way, the goal is to mobilize the Church.

One assignment that impacted me was on his first chapter about praying for your pastor, and he mentioned praying for the pastor's sermon preparation. I've been doing that ever since.

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.

SATURDAY CONTROVERSIES: ARE WE CALLING ON GOD AND JESUS PROPERLY? (PART 2)

Jesus and the Children; artist unknown (at Rutland Chapel at Ridgecrest).

Last week, I looked at the doctrine of the Trinity and whether it was a first tier (i.e. salvation) issue. I'm staying with the doctrine of God, but I'm dealing with an issue that most Christians aren't concerned with but those that are make a big deal about it: God' and Jesus' names.

Let's start with looking at how God is addressed. He has several names but most add one of these four names: 

1. God (Hebrew El or Elohim; Greek Theos) - the word for God, whether the one true God or false gods (idols).
2. Lord (Hebrew Adonai; Greek Kurios) - the word for Lord, whether the heavenly Lord of all or the earthly Lords and kings (sometimes Kurios is translated "sir").
3. Father - this is primarily  used of God the Father in the New Testament. There are a few OT references to God as the Father.
4. Yahweh/Yah - The name of God. (Erroneously written as Jehovah.) In the OT, it's translated as LORD or GOD (all caps in both situations). 

Now, should we call Him by His name? Some make a big thing about His name, but I see that more as something to boast over others about. Israelites felt they weren't worthy to say His name, so they substituted "Adonai" (Lord) for Yahweh. Originally, Hebrew didn't have vowels and later added vowel points; when they got to Yahweh, they put in the vowel points for Adonai, which is where they got Jehovah (more on the letter "j" later). 

My dad had a good answer for a Jehovah's Witness on why we don't use God's name. He pointed out he never called his earthly father by his name out of respect. Same reason the Jews wouldn't say "Yahweh," why the New Testament writers used "Kurios" instead of transliterating Yahweh into Greek, why most English translations use LORD/GOD. If you want to use His name, go for it, but it's not a salvation issue.

Then, we come to Jesus. Some point out that when He was on earth, He was called by his Hebrew/Aramaic name Yeshua (the vowels may vary, because of what I mentioned before). I know a person who's offended when He's called by Jesus instead. Allow me to point out three facts:

1. Yes, He was called Yeshua during the incarnation. But Yeshua was not a unique name - it was also the Hebrew name of Joshua Son of Nun or Joshua the priest in the return to Judah. The importance is on the meaning - Yahweh saves - than on the letters and sounds.
2. He was the savior, not just of Israel but of the whole worlds. He also told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. He didn't tell them to teach the world Hebrew so they could understand the Gospel. At that time, most of the known world spoke Greek, so that made it easier to spread the good news. Was that an accident? Nope. So it would be expected to be preaching the Messiah in Greek to the Greek speaking world.
3. Unfortunately, not all alphabets have every sound. Spanish has no "j" sound (nor does Hebrew or Greek) and English does not have Spanish's trilling double "r." Greek lacked a single letter making a "y" sound, and lacked an "sh" sound. They did get the "y" sound by putting an iota ("i") before another vowel. This problem was dealt with a couple of hundred years before Jesus' birth - Jesus (or Joshua) became Iesous. So as the Gospel spread, the Messiah was known as Iesous instead of Yeshua. Did this take God by surprise? Seriously? No, not at all. 

Add these together, and I don't doubt that it was a big deal to God or Jesus that in different languages His name fit the language.

By the way, one argument I hear is that "j" is a new letter. Ah, but what sound does "j" make? In Spanish, "j" makes an "h" sound; In Serbo-Croation, "j" makes a "y" sound (the "j" sound is spelled "dz"). My hunch is originally it made the "y" sound, because the "j" replaced the "i" in names starting with a "y" sound.

The reality is God and Jesus knows who is being addressed whether by Yeshua or Jesus. The Devil and the world hates us equally whichever name we use.

 

BOOK REVIEW - PRAY & GO: YOUR INVITATION TO BE A GREAT COMISSION CHRISTIAN (CHURCH ANSWERS RESCOURCES) BY THOM RAINER

Does the concept of witnessing terrify you? Do you want to help evangelize the world, but don't know how to start? Would you be encouraged with a, let's say, month long plan broken up into small and simple projects?

Pray & Go: Your Invitation to Become a Great Commission Christian by Thom Rainer is "A 30-Day Journey" to encourage Christians - either individually or as a study group - to become equipped to start witnessing for Christ. 

Each day is about 6 pages dealing with the subject of the day. There is a specific project for the day which is manageable to do with a busy schedule. As the title hints at, a lot of those projects are simply praying for you, your pastor, unsaved  people, and your church, while others will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and speak about your faith.

Most books I read once. There's only a handful that I would read over and over again. This is the newest item in the group.

 

JEFF'S FAVORITE NON-FICTION LIST, 2023

School of Athens by Rafael

Maybe I'm wrong. Is my list that everybody's waiting for, and thus the one to save for last, my fiction list? Or is it my relatively recent added song list? For me, the capstone of the year is my non-fiction reading. 

I'm trying to remember if I ever put this list in order of my favorite to the least favorite. I avoid it on the other lists, but I can think of two reasons why this would differ:

1. Because on the others, I interact with several of the authors and singers, and I don't want to make someone jealous or worse, for the authors at the bottom to feel discouraged because they're not higher on the list, and 
2. More importantly, the message of the books are more the reason for higher numbers than artistic skill.

As I started, I was ready to put them in alphabetic order. I just changed my mind. I AM going to put them in order from the one that blessed me the most to the one that blessed me tenth. However, I'm not going to go into descriptions, though I will include a link to my book review to give more details.  The titles of the books may be enough to let you know what moved me, and maybe interest you as well.

Ready?

1. Changed Into His Likeness: A Biblical Theology of Personal Transformation (New Studies in Biblical Theology) by J. Gary Millar. Book Review Link.
2. Pray & Go: Your Invitation To Become A Great Commission Christian (Church Answers Resources) by Thom S. Rainer. Book review will be posted Jan. 9, 2024.
3. Reflections On The Existence Of God: A Series of Essays by Richard E. Simmons III. Book Review Link.
4. A Primer On Biblical Literacy by Cory M. Marsh. Book Review Link.
5. I Would Die For Him: One Student's Story of Passion, Service, and Faith by Brent and Deanna Higgins (a biography of their son B.J. Higgins). Book Review Link.
6. The Sermons To The Seven Churches of Revelation: A Commentary and Guide by Jeffrey A. D. Weima. Book Review Link.
7. Dispensationalism: Essential Beliefs and Common Myths, second edition, by Michael J. Vlach. Book Review Link.
8. Letters From Jesus: Studies from the Seven Churches of Revelation (Greek for the Week) by Chris Palmer. Book Review Link.
9. Forged From The Reformation: How Dispensational Thought Advances The Reformed Legacy, edited by James I. Fazio and Christopher Cone. This compilation includes contributions from two authors mentioned above on this list: a pair of chapters by Cory M. Marsh (item 4) and a foreword by Michael J. Vlach (item 7). Book Review Link.
10. Awaken Your Call: Daily Readings For Prophets And Intercessors by John Eckhardt. A collection of 30 readings. I don't agree with a lot of what this author says, but he definitely has a heart to encourage the church to be what it should be. Book Review will be posted January 25, 2024.

 

A NEW ADVENT APPROACH? PART 4 OF 4 - AN ADVENT OF EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

A partially live nativity scene at Cincinnati Zoo - the rabbit is live.

You may have seen Advent calendars focus on hope, peace, joy, and love. The first one I paid attention to looked at the Prophets, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men. Those who have been reading the last four weeks will see a new set of four themes for Advent:

1. An Advent of Gratitude and Encouragement,
2. An Advent of Mercy and Grace,
3. An Advent of Truth and Discernment, and this week,
4. An Advent of Evangelism and Missions.

As an old Malcolm & Alwyn song from '73 points out, "The World Needs Jesus," and if anything, it's a 1,000 times truer today as it was 50 years ago when that song came out. But, as Paul says, "How shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" (Romans 10:14-15a)

Evangelism and Missions go hand in hand. Evangelism is sharing the Gospel with those you encounter in your day to day life (e.g. Peter and John and the lame man at the temple), while missions is going to those who don't have believers they encounter day to day (e.g. Paul and friends going to Cyprus, Galatia, and Macedonia). 

Now you may say, "I'm grateful for those who are called to serve this way." Ah, but who did Christ call to serve this way? His disciples. Which ones? All of them. Now does that mean we're all to go overseas? No, but we all can evangelize.

This emphasis is fitting for these four weeks of Advent. We started off with gratitude and encouragement. Isn't our gratitude for our salvation best shown by joyfully sharing with others what God has done for us? And isn't the most important thing to do to encourage others is telling them how God can save them from their sins? Not that easy? Again, encouragement comes in play here - we can encourage others to share the Gospel, here and abroad.

Second week was mercy and grace. Isn't that what the Gospel is about? And not only is the message about mercy and grace, but we need to practice it. Jesus said we're being sent as sheep among wolves; Glenn Penner in his excellent book In The Shadow of the Cross: A Biblical Theology of Persecution and Discipleship, points out that we're being sent to the wolves.

Week three, we dealt with truth and discernment. The Gospel is called the truth of God through the New Testament. And with discernment, we need to be discerning in our ministry of evangelism and missions, as we will be dealing with false teaching, false teachers, and false perceptions.

How many think this is a good view of Advent?

By the way, with today being Christmas Eve, have a Merry Christmas (or a Joseph Christmas).

 

THE FIRST TO REACH THEM WINS!

At Castleton Community Church, Indianapolis. If you can't read the screens, both read, "Every Child, Every Nation, Every Day," the slogan for Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF).

"The first to reach them wins." This was the theme at the annual dessert night for the Central Indiana Chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship.

 Is it any wonder why government backed education presents a godless worldview? Is it for the same reason China makes it illegal to take children under 18 to church? And is it coincidental that most Christians come to know Christ as children (yours truly at 9)?

CEF has a heart for reaching children. Here in the United States, they have Good News Clubs at public schools. For those who think that's violating the separation of church and state, the Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that Christian groups have equal access at schools as any other group.

But CEF's focus is not limited to North America. Their motto is "Every Child, Every Nation, Every Day." When Becky and I started getting involved with CEF's Central Indiana Chapter, there were only 17 nations that did not have trained workers working with children. It wasn't long after that the number dropped down to one (North Korea). That means there's CEF work going on in the majority of what Voice of the Martyrs designates as Restricted and Hostile Nations.

Some might say that children are too young to understand the Gospel. Charles Haddon Spurgeon disagrees. He stated that at 5, a child can understand the Gospel.

Before you object, CEF isn't alone in that view. The enemy might say it's too young, but what they mean is they want us to wait until after they indoctrinate them. There are ideas being taught the children that are for tack of a better term war against traditional values and the Christian faith.

Back in college, I read of a history textbook where two paragraphs were devoted to George Washington, compared to five pages to this great historical figure - Marilyn Monroe? That was in the '70's; has it improved today? 

Okay, enough pontificating. Let me get to the dessert night. The event was emceed by Randy Ollis, long-time and recently retired weather man of WISH TV. The featured speaker was WTHR-TV's anchorman Scott Swan. Scott did an excellent job pointing out the importance of grandparents and parents in training up children in the way they should go. We also heard of what's going on in our chapter. The Central Indiana Chapter encompasses 5 counties: Marion (which is synonomous with the City of Indianapolis), Hancock, Hamilton, Hendricks, and Boone. 

One last comment I want to make - I'd like to share the culture of CEF:

• The Importance of Godly Leadership at Every Level. Spiritual leadership is the highest form of authority. The men and women who lead must have a personal heart for God in order to be able to discern the will of God and lead the ministry effectively.  Regardless of the skill of a leader, if he or she lacks a heart for God, the work will be eroded at its very foundation.
• The Importance of the Spiritual Welfare of our Workers     It is vital that we are never satisfied to simply teach our staff the methods of how to reach children and how to train others to do so, but we must purposefully invest in the spiritual lives of our staff. When CEF staff are men and women who are primarily driven by passion for God and His glory and have a clear call from the Lord, the work will prosper. If we keep our focus on God and on His calling, then we will be sustained in times of challenge. 
• The Importance of Prayer as Our Foundation It is not the work we do, the meetings we hold or the decisions we make that bring the greatest advances in the work; it is the time spent before the throne of God in prayer, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that brings power, laborers and resources into the ministry. 
• The Importance of Evangelizing Children There is no limit to the number of organizations that do many good things that are important to boys and girls in need.  We are thankful for them and believe that God uses them to help hurting children. CEF, however, has been called by God to make it our highest priority to present the Gospel so children may be saved and discipled in God’s Word. We must stay on point. 
• The Importance of a Clear and Biblical Presentation of the Gospel The fact that a young child can comprehend the simple message of salvation and become a child of God is the foundational principle of CEF. Everything else that we do is based upon this fact. The good news of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation. We must present it clearly and accurately. 
• The Importance of a Commitment to Excellence, for the Glory of God Every aspect of the work, no matter how big or small, has significance. This includes the training we conduct, the materials we produce, the facilities we use and the way we present ourselves. In every area we must strive for excellence to the glory of God!
   
  
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AN INVITATION AND CHALLENGE FOR BOTH MUSICIANS AND NON-MUSICIANS

 

 

I would like to invite all my readers (particularly those in the Indianapolis area) to join Becky and I for the annual Fall Dessert Night for Central Indiana Child Evangelism Fellowship on Oct. 12th this year at Castleton Community Church. I'll give you a link for the information below.

Not to exclude anyone - I''d love for all of you to attend - but allow me to focus on one group - local Christian musicians, be they Southern Gospel Quartets, soloists, or rock bands. Let me explain.

A while back, I posted about an idea of a music chaplaincy. One thing I would want to do is encourage Christian musicians to get interested and involved with various ministries. For example, my friends Amy Shreve and Gary Wixtrom are actively connected with Voice of The Martyrs - I've had the honor of hearing them 8 times, 6 of which were VOM conferences.

While there are a lot of great ministries, I believe it's a natural for Christian musicians to get involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). This ministry is involved in starting Good News Clubs in Public Schools. But what about Separation of Church and State? Well, in 2000 the Supreme Court ruled that Christian groups have equal access. (Some schools, to keep CEF out, stopped allowing any group to meet at the school.) 

Yes, this is a fundraiser, but that's just a part of it. No less important are their goals to raise prayer support and workers. They especially encourage local churches to be effective in running Good News Clubs, where they can be active in following up on those involved.

I would love to see at least one table filled with some of my favorite local Christian rock bands, and an equal number of Southern Gospel singers.  

For those interested (and I hope that's several of you reading), here is the link:  https://www.cefcentralindiana.com/2023dessert.html

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 25 OF 48 - PSALM 115:1-3

Bald Eagles (obviously), Louisville Zoo

 1   Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
    But to Your name give glory,
    Because of Your mercy,
    Because of Your truth.
2   Why should the Gentiles say,
    "So where is their God?"
3   But our God is in heaven;
    He does whatever He pleases.
          Psalm 115:1-3, New King James Version

Just as obvious as the fact that the birds I pictured above are bald eagles, it should be obvious that 100% of the glory belongs to God and the remaining 0% belongs to us, on a good day - typically, less than that.

This is Old Testament. In the Jewish mindset, the Gentiles (aka the Nations) were the outsiders of the Kingdom of God. In the church age, the doors to the Kingdom opened wide to the Gentiles. So let's forget using this in context with a nationality but with those who have not asked God for permission to enter His Kingdom. 

Yes, God is still in heaven. Yes, He still does whatever He pleases. But it is our job to give God the glory so people will know He's in charge and not just a myth.

 

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 21 OF 48 (PENTECOST VERSION) - PSALM 67

Arlington Avenue Baptist Church, Indianapolis

 

1   God be merciful to us and bless us,
    And cause His face to shine upon us.
                                                    Selah
2  That Your way may be known on earth,
    Your salvation among all nations.
3  Let the peoples praise You, O God;
    Let all the peoples praise You.
4  Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
    For You shall judge the people righteously,
    And govern the nations on earth.
                                                    Selah
5  Let the peoples praise You, O God;
    Let all the peoples praise You.
6  Then the earth shall yield her increase;
    God, our own God, shall bless us.
7  God shall bless us,
    And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
                                Psalm 67:1-7, New King James Version

 

This is my second favorite Psalm (we looked at my favorite a few weeks ago). One reason is this is a millennial Psalm, looking to the Kingdom when Christ reigns over all the earth from Jerusalem, Jew and non-Jew alike.

That theme makes it fitting for this Psalm to be looked at on Pentecost Sunday. Why? Because when the Spirit was poured out, the message started in Jerusalem and spread to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Revelation 7 mentions that every tribe and language will be represented before His throne. That is not true yet - there are thousands of languages and people groups (the Biblical equivalent of "nation", as opposed to our idea of nations).

Aren't you looking forward to that day?

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW - SALVATION TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF MISSION (2ND EDITION) BY ANDREAS KOSTENBERGER AND T. DESMOND ALEXANDER

 

 Does the Old Testament contain the concept of mission, and if so, is it the same or different than the New Testament's? How does Paul's view differ from Peter's and John's?

As far as I know, only one book of the New Studies in Biblical Theology series has two editions and two different numbers in the series. This one is Andreas Kostenberger's Salvation to the Ends of the Earth. (The original is book #11, this is #53.) I have not seen the first edition, but the intro points out that T. Desmond Alexander added a section on the Old Testament. 

Kostenberger divides the views of the New Testament into four groups. One would expect one of the groups to be the four Gospels, but no - each group includes one of the Gospels together. He combines the writings of John in one section and combines Matthew with the Jewish mindset of the epistles of James and to the Hebrews. Mark is linked with Peter and Jude, and you might want to bring a lunch when you tackle the 100 page chapter focused on Luke, Acts, and the epistles of Paul.

This is a very insightful book, pointing how there is a unified message through Scripture of God's desire to save the lost through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As the others I've read in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, I recommend this volume.

WHAT IS REVIVAL? WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? WHY IS IT NEEDED? AND ARE WE WILLING TO PAY THE COST?

Fort Wayne's Children Zoo, Fort Wayne, IN

 My introduction to the topic of Revival was when I saw a half dozen Chick Tracts. Most of them, of course, were evangelistic, but one of them was his tract "Why No Revival?" I was in 6th grade that time, and I didn't catch his points well until a few years later.

Little did I know as I thumbed through that pamphlet at home in Prescott, Arizona, there was revival taking place on the other side of the country. 

Fast forward half a century. Another revival is taking place at the same university it happened in the '70's. I learned about it as I was watching half a dozen Christian musicians from the Jesus Music era at the time of the first revival. These musicians (John Fischer, Randy Stonehill, Glenn Kaiser, Paul Clark, Barry McGuire, and Swedish singer Ingemar Olsson) are talking about needing a song to start revival among Millennials.

But what does Revival look like? What are we looking for? 

One problem with the church as a whole (and it may have been a problem since Pentecost) is  that we focus on experience. We want the positive feelings. Could it be that we feel entitled to God's blessing on us? Likewise, is this desire for revival absent from a need for the Church to genuinely repent (both individually and corporately)? 

One of my favorite musicians, who's also a pastor, has some questions on the current revival. Namely, is it based on Scripture? Is it encouraging assembling together with the Church?

Another question I have is how lasting is it? Is Revival a peak that we descend from eventually and return to status quo? I remember reading No Compromise, the biography of Keith Green, where it mentioned a revival that lasted only for hours before being quenched. Is that real revival?

I would love to hear what you all think revival looks like, and if you want to comment before reading on so I don't influence your answer, go ahead and comment! 

Thank you to all who have commented. Here's my thoughts on what real revival will look like.

1. It will come from prayer and solid Bible teaching. Not only are these two elements a starting point, but true Revival will create a desire for yet more prayer and Bible Study.
2. It will transform a life. Yes, there may be a let down, but I believe genuine revival would result in changes that last in a person's life.
3. It will be a community event. I heard one speaker say renewal involves the individual while revival involves the corporate church. The hunger for prayer and Bible Study and the staying power I mentioned above will be strengthened by the encouragement of one another, as Hebrews 3:12-13 and 10:24-25 encourages.
4. It will not only be active in the church's four walls, but it will also spread out. There will be a desire to evangelize. There may even be a desire to go to the Mission field. 

Are we willing to make changes for revival to take place in the church and for renewal to happen in our own hearts? There will be costs. We'll definitely have to give up our sins and probably some activities that are not sin but are keeping us from serving God whole heartedly. We may also face opposition from the world, from our family and friends, and maybe even the church.

 

 

BOOK REVIEW - LETTER TO THE AMERICAN CHURCH BY ERIC METAXAS

 

 If we were in Germany in the early 1930's, would we have stood up to Hitler better than the churches of that time? Are we showing the same determination as men like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and William Wilberforce? Or are we focusing on parts of our Biblical call and having good excuses for ignoring the riskier parts?

Letter to the American Church is a call for pastors, churches, and Christians in the USA to stand up for truth and against evil. Most of the book looks back at the German Church and how they failed to stop Hitler's rise to power by either trying to appease the evil system or just keeping silent, as well as examining the American Church of today on how the same arguments for the German church's inaction against that evil are alive and well in dealing with the evils we face. 

Metaxas lists four ways our misunderstandings have put us in the present predicament:
1. A Misunderstanding on what faith is (leading to what Bonhoeffer calls "cheap grace."
2. What Metaxas refers to as the "idol of evangelism."
3. The "commandment" we're supposed to keep even though God and the Bible never gave it: "Be Ye Not Political".
4. Basing "being a good Christian" by the evils we personally avoid, not by the goods we could and should but often don't do. 

Being in a church where the pastor reminds us of the need to evangelize, the phrase "Idol of Evangelism" caught my interest. Reading it, I realize my church is not in that error. On one hand the "Idol of Evangelism" has us focusing so much on winning the lost that when they're won we don't get them where they can grow in Christ. But the greater danger is avoiding offending the sinner, so we don't call sin sin and allow those opposed to our faith changing definitions of words without challenging their deception. 

There are books that I'm so excited about, I'm encouraging everybody to read it. There are other books I want to get my friends to read so we can discuss it, noting the strong and not-so-strong arguments presented by the author, and evaluate how the book should impact our lives. Do you want to guess which one this book is? 

I glanced at some of the negative reviews. One is that we shouldn't be trying to force non-Christians to live like Christians. Maybe they missed the part in the book where Metaxas  mentions that some of this evil is opposed not just by Christians but other religions and sometimes even the non-religious. In addition, there is pressure from anti-religious activists for Christians to accept and even be celebrating of evil behavior. Plus, would these people want us Christians to be as silent on things like racism and human trafficking as they desire us to be on abortion and sexuality? 

The other negative comment is what makes the American Church so important? Good point. I think often the American Church makes an idol of patriotism and sees us (consciously or, more likely, unconsciously) as better than Christians in the rest of the world, who lack the resources we have (including literacy) and who are enduring persecution from religious and anti-religious governments/individuals. But whose responsibility is it to stand up for the truth in the USA, to preserve our freedoms that allow us to strengthen Christians not just here but overseas? How many think it's the American Church's job to be God's representatives in America? 

Yes, this book can stir up some controversy. Is that the reason I highly recommend this book? Or is it because it is a book that's trying to wake us up before it's too late? (Actually, if it is the latter, it will also be controversial.)

I would love to get a book club together, and read this, Rod Dreher's The Benedict Option, John MacArthur's Christ's Call To Reform the Church, and Anthony Forsythe's Caesar and the Church, and form a battle plan for Christians through that. Of course, my first choice is for it to be a local church book club as opposed to a Zoom meeting of friends all over the country/world. But the latter would be great as well.

I do find it interesting comparing this with Dreher's Live Not By Lies. Metaxas compares our current situation with the rise of Hitler, and Dreher likens it to the Communist takeover of various European countries. Either way, we're in trouble.

I really recommend this book, and I'd love to hear comments on this blog. Thanks.

One last comment. You notice that most non-fiction books have the title, a colon, and a subtitle? Did you notice there was no subtitle to this one?

 

SUNDAY HYMNS, PART 7 OF 22: JESUS CALLS US

"Shining Light, Meghan Williams (Dyed4YouArt)

Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult 

Of our life's wild, restless sea,

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, 

Saying, "Christian, follow Me."

Jesus calls us from the worship 

Of the vain world's golden store,

From each idol that would keep us, 

Saying, "Christian, love Me more."

In our joys and in our sorrows, 

Days of toil and hours of Ease, 

Still He calls, in cares and pleasures, 

"Christian, love Me more than these."

Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, 

Saviour, may we hear Thy call,

Give our hearts to Thine obedience, 

    Serve and love Thee best of all.

NOTES ON THIS HYMN:

 

• I remember singing this some, but I always thought of it as an evangelistic invitation, like "Just As I Am." It wasn't until relatively recently I realized it was not a song to the unsaved to call them to salvation but to the saved to call them to discipleship. And thus, it has become one of my favorite songs.
• This song has a meter of 8, 7, 8, 7. I saw another hymnal when they set it to a different tune, and had two verses with the meter of 8, 7, 8, 7 double. I also heard a recording that set the lyrics to the tune Holy Manna (used on "Brethren We Have Met To Worship), which also doubles the 8,7,8,7 meter. Sometimes, Becky and I sing it to the tunes of Hyfrydol (used for many songs including "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus") or Nettleton ("Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing.") Or, if you like Beethoven, you can sing it to "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee."
  

BOOK REVIEW - LENNON, DYLAN, ALICE, & JESUS BY GREG LAURIE AND MARSHALL TERRILL

Isn't rock music the devil's domain? Aren't all rockers rebellious and ungodly? And what is a good minister of the Gospel like Greg Laurie doing on the back cover sitting with Alice Cooper?

Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Church Riverside (part of the Calvary Chapel movement) gives an excellent look at the spiritual lives of several musicians involved in rock music. He has one chapter focused on each of the three musicians mentioned in the title (Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and Alice Cooper). He has another on the Beatles and on the 27 club (artists who all died at age 27, like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison). Other chapters look at several artists of a particular decade.

Laurie starts with pointing out we'll have three surprises when we get to heaven:
1) We'll be surprised with people who we don't expect to be there who are.
2) We'll be surprised with people who we expect to be there who aren't.
3) We'll be surprised we're there.

In this book, he does mention several musicians who have turned to Christ. He deals with some who haven't, and calls others a work in progress.

I found this an interesting book, and I recommend it.

SUNDAY HYMNS, PART 5 OF 22: HE WAS NOT WILLING

Globe statue, International Learning Center (IMB, Southern Baptist), Rockville, VA

 

"He was not willing that any should perish;" 

Jesus enthroned in the glory above,

Saw our poor fallen world, pitied our sorrows, 

Poured out His life for us, wonderful love!

Perishing, perishing! Thronging our pathway, 

Hearts break with burdens too heavy to bear:

Jesus would save, but there's no one to tell them, 

No one to lift them from sin and despair.

"He was not willing that any should perish;" 

Clothed in our flesh with its sorrow and pain,

Came He to seek the lost, comfort the mourner, 

Heal the heart broken by sorrow and shame.

Perishing, perishing! Harvest is passing, 

Reapers are few and the night draweth near;

Jesus is calling thee, haste to the reaping, 

Thou shalt have souls, precious souls for thy hire.

Plenty for pleasure, but little for Jesus; 

Time for the world with its troubles and toys, 

No time for Jesus' work, feeding the hungry, 

Lifting lost souls to eternity's joys.

Perishing, perishing! Hark, how they call us; 

"Bring us your Savior, oh, tell us of Him! 

We are so weary, so heavily laden, 

And with long weeping our eyes have grown dim."

"He was not willing that any should perish;" 

Am I His follower, and can I live

Longer at ease with a soul going downward, 

Lost for the lack of the help I might give?

Perishing, perishing! Thou wast not willing; 

Master, forgive and inspire us anew;

Banish our worldliness, help us to ever 

Live with eternity's values in view.

NOTES ON THIS HYMN:

• I've only seen a few hymnals with this hymn; out of our collection, there's just one (Inspiring Hymns that has it. And only one church I've attended has sung this song. What would it be like if this somber reminder was sung more often?
• The words and music were both written by Lucy Jane (Rider) Meyer (1849-1922). The Cyber Hymnal lists the names of eight hymns she wrote. She served as a teacher (including in chemistry) and principal. She and her husband, Josiah Shelley Meyer, opened the Chicago Training School for City, Home, and Foreign Missions in 1885, where she served as principal till 1917. She also started The Message periodical in 1886 (later renamed The Deaconess Advocate) which she edited until 1914. If that's not enough, she also started the Methodist Deaconess Association in 1908.  
• One thing that amused me. When I turned to this hymn, #466 in Inspiring Hymns, I noticed the hymn on the previous page (#464): "The Star Spangled Banner."
  

INTERVIEW WITH VALENTINE GRIMM AND SINAWEE OF SWEDISH BAND DARK VALENTINE.

Dark Valentine, l-r Sinawee, Valentine Grimm, Erzebet

JR: Let's start with introductions. I'm Jeff Reynolds, a blogger, used to be a songwriter (now working on being a novelist), 61 years old, ordained minister, and always having enjoyed Christian rock of several styles. As for you, how did Dark Valentine get started? Who's in the band?

VALENTINE: I started the band as a solo project in 2005. Me and Sinawee met in 2006 and we joined forces on what would become Dark Valentine as it is today. Erzebet joined us on bass throughout the years and we've had several guest performers with us, but as of now the band consists of Sinawee and myself. 

JR: My first impression of Dark Valentine is a meme with three of the members about how you are reaching those most churches can't reach and to not judge Christian Goth (see above). First, I agree. How would you define Christian Goth? I tend to think of them wearing dark outfits: how is it compatible with Scriptures saying we're of light, not of darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5), and having no fellowship with the unfruitul works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11)?

SINAWEE: It has nothing to do with outside and the color of clothing, as you know even priests and nuns wear black. One of our favorite Scripture is Isaiah 45:3 "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."  In Psalms God uses darkness as his canopy. We know he is not referring to evil. To us a Christian Goth is someone who is a Christian and appreciates gothic style in clothing and make up, whether its Pixie Goth, Romantic Goth, Gothic Metal. there are many different variations of gothic style. Music with darker notes, or minors or ambiance, gothic metal, etherial, industrial, symphonic doom, etc. 

JR: Most of my view of Christianity is of course here in the lower 48 on the other side of the pond, as well as keeping up with mission groups including Voice of the Martyrs. What is the state of the Church in Sweden? What are the greatest challenges you face? Does it sometimes seem you're facing a two front war, with the world on one side and the organized Church on the other? Also, have you ever had opportunity to cross over and visit here? If so, have you noticed any differences (other than us not speaking Swedish)?

SINAWEE: The only time it feels like we have been in a two sided war is in America, in Sweden the churches simply appreciate anyone who will darken their doors. They accept and respect you and do not judge you on outer appearance. We find in Sweden, USA and across the globe, when we play at non-christian venues, we have been accepted on merit of how we perform our shows and everyone has been very respectful to us when they find out we are Christians and they are usually curious and engage in meaningful conversation which gives us a chance to talk to them about Jesus.

JR: I'll admit I only had the blessing of hearing one song by you: "A World Beguiled." (And I absolutely loved it!) What are you all currently working on? Any songs that you're excited about and that you'd like to tell me about?

VALENTINE: There is a lot of music in my head. We are working on new things, but for now, like to keep the mystery alive. If you like "A world Beguiled" you might enjoy "Come to Me", and maybe even a song like "Drain".
our latest album "Twill BE Epic' is available on Bandcamp (https://darkvalentine.bandcamp.com/)

JR: What sources has God used to encourage you? How do you strengthen your faith? What is God doing for you all and through you all? 

SINAWEE: First and foremost spending time with the Lord and reading the Word. Gathering together with other believers and we have family and friends we are very close to and keep each other accountable. 

The Lord is always providing strength, healing and hope, no matter what the situation looks like. We've learned to put our trust in Jesus, trust Him with our lives. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Sometimes we notice that we have taken things back in our own hands and doing things in our own strength and we have to give it back to Him again. Through us and through the music, He is ministering to people, both saved and lost.  

JR: Thank you for your time. Anything else you'd like us to know? Any prayer requests? How do we keep up with what you're up to?

VALENTINE & SINAWEE: Just keep us in prayer for God to keep using us in the ways he wants to use us. As to how to keep up with us: we are on Facebook. There is the Dark Valentine store where you can buy a physical copy of our CD "Twill Be Epic," and as we said earlier the CD is available, digitally, on Bandcamp. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. God Bless you and all your endeavors!

WAKE UP BY MEGHAN WILLIAMS (DYED4YOUART)

 PART 17 OF A 17 PART SERIES ON FAVORITE ART AND ARTISTS

Wake Up by Meghan Williams of Dyed4YouArt

 

My hunch is that if you asked ten Christians what it means for the church to wake up, you might get ten different answers. I wouldn't be shocked if you got twenty.  

While I'd be glad to give my thoughts as to how the church needs to awaken, I'm going to focus on this fine work of art. Of course, there's the lion representing Jesus, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9-10; Rev. 5:5), speaking to the world, symbolized by a city.

Is this a particular city? My first thought is San Francisco, with the Golden Gate and other bridges. But is my memory correct that New York City also has one? Or is it another city or for that matter a generic city? Either way, the cities I mentioned are not known for listening to the voice of Christ. To me, the city looks unaffected by Christ's roar.

You want to know my thoughts about the church needing to wake up? Ask! I'll be glad to tell you. But what I want to hear is your thoughts about the subject. And does this picture affect you as it does to me?

Also, this is the conclusion of my series on favorite art. You can say I wanted to go out with a bang, or more likely a roar. Starting this blog, let alone the series, is based on a view that God can use the arts for His glory, including drawing the lost to Him and to edify and encourage the Church. In some cases, He can even use art by unbelievers without their knowledge.

P.S. If you'd like to read my interview with Meghan Williams (which also has "Wake Up" on the top), click here.

 

BOOK REVIEW - CONTAGIOUS HOLINESS: JESUS' MEALS WITH SINNERS BY CRAIG L. BLOMBERG

 

When Jesus ate with "tax-collectors and sinners," was it for the purpose of repentance? Did the meals fit a more traditional Jewish setting, or were they more patterned after the pagan Sypnosium of the Greco-Roman culture?

In "Contagious Holiness: Jesus' Meals with Sinners," author Craig Blomberg takes a look at meals during the Biblical era. First, he mentions two areas of debate:
1. Were the meals more after the Jewish tradition with the participants sitting at the table, or did it reflect influence by the Greeks and Romans, where those around at the table reclined with discussion, a lot of drinking, and usually some entertainment (often sexual)?
2. Were the "sinners" Jesus ate with the immoral, without Jesus offering any condemnation, or was it more those seen as impure by the Jewish Society with the goal of leading them to repentance?

Blomberg then launches into a study looking at meal customs through the Old Testament, extra-Biblical books including the Deutero-Canonical Books (also known as the Apocrypha) and the customs of the world, both Jewish and the conquering Greeks and Romans. He follows this up by analyzing Jesus meals in the Gospels, including the dinner with Matthew/Levi and his friends and his invitations by Pharisees, dividing it between the accounts exclusive to Luke and those that aren't.

This is the third book I've read from the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, and in each case, the conclusion and application segment is the best part of the book, as it gives practical ideas to live out what is learned. In this case, the encouragement is for Christians to invite people different from us (including unbelievers) for the purpose of getting to know them and be a witness to them. It gives several examples how this is done around the world, such as a Denver church called Scum of the Earth.

I do have a minor quibble. The author holds to the Priority of Mark (meaning Mark was the first Gospel written and along with an unfound quotation source called Q - no connection to Star Trek the Next Generation). In comparing the accounts of the Feeding of the 4,000 in Matthew and Mark, he commented that the order was different enough that he considers Matthew relying on oral tradition. Now wait a minute! Where was Matthew during this event? Wouldn't he have been there in the flesh with the other eleven and maybe other followers like Mathias? Couldn't Matthew's version be an eyewitness account? Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.

This book (and this series) is aimed at intellectuals, but it is easy to read and helps one understand the issue. I recommend this book (and again, the series).

MATTHIAS - MAN'S CHOICE TO REPLACE JUDAS? OR GOD'S?

 

St. Matthias, by Peter Paul Ruben

 

This Pentecost Sunday, I thought I'd look at one of the Apostles who took part of the first Pentecost. Or was he really an apostle and not counted among the Twelve solely due to the rashness of Peter, occupying a spot that God had designated for Paul?

Let's look at what Scripture says about the choice of Matthias and the circumstances. Namely, we need to turn to Acts 1. Here's a brief outline of that chapter:

1. Luke addresses this book to Theophilus. (1:1)
   
2. Jesus, after the resurrection, instructed His apostles, telling them to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the Spirit, and commissioning them as witnesses. (1:2-8)
3. Jesus ascended, and the angels tell the apostles He will return in the same manner (1:9-11)
4. They returned to Jerusalem, and were in prayer and supplication with the women, Mary, Jesus' brothers, and the rest of the disciples (total about 120). (1:12-16)
5. Peter addressed the need for someone to fill Judas Isacariot's place, gave qualifications, nominated Justus and Matthias, prayed, cast lots, and selected Matthias. (1:17-26)

When I read this, I just see a historical account. It tells what happened. There was no voice from heaven confirming they did the right thing, nor was there a rebuke either from God or in the writing of Luke.

Does that keep Christians from reading between the lines? I wish. I've heard several, including some of my favorite teachers, saying that the disciples should have held off and let Jesus/God clearly reveal His choice. These propose that Paul was God's choice to fill that role. Here are some of the reasons for that thought:

• Paul had a prominent place in Acts and in Church History. Matthias didn't.
• Eschatologically, there are two references to twelve followers: Jesus' promise to His followers to sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28) and the names of the twelve apostles written on the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14). Thus there should only be twelve apostles: Both Matthias and Paul could not be apostles, and others like Barnabas and James the Lord's brother could not either.
• Peter was the one introducing the concept - no record of that idea being mentioned earlier. And we know Peter could be rash and put his foot in his mouth. So who's to say Peter wasn't exercising authority that didn't belong to him?
• Finally, they cast lots to choose Matthias, or in modern terms, throwing dice. Is that how God speaks?
  

Are any of these points irrefutable? I don't think so. Allow me to share my thoughts on why we should just leave Scripture alone and allow Matthias his place among the twelve.

• Just because Matthias was not as prominent as Paul did not mean he wasn't God's choice. True, Matthias was only mentioned by name twice in Acts (both in Acts 1). But how does he compare? Not counting Paul and assuming the Phillip in Acts 8 and 21 isn't the Apostle Phillip, then Matthias would be tied for third place among the twelve for most mentions. Peter, of course, was first, and John was second (though he got those mentions by being with Peter at the time). Matthias was tied with James the son of Zebedee with two mentions, and the second mention of James was to inform us he was killed. The lack of prominence is not proof he didn't belong.
• There are two other references to "the twelve." One is in Acts 6:2. The other is Paul mentioning who the risen Jesus appeared to in 1 Corinthians 15:5. Was Paul among the twelve in either reference? Furthermore, was Matthias? Considering he was a disciple from Jesus' baptism to the resurrection, he could be.
• Yes, Peter opened his mouth a lot. Sometimes it was rash. Sometimes, it was in faith, like when Jesus walked on water. Peter was the one who said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16). When Jesus asked the twelve if they were leaving Him as other disciples were, Peter was the one who said, "To who shall we go? You have the words of eternal life? Also we have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Peter took the role of spokesperson, good as well as bad.
• We may joke about casting lots, but God used it four times. He Himself ordered lots to be used to identify Achan when he sinned (Joshua 7). He also told Samuel to use lots to determine the first king - Samuel knew who it was, but the people didn't (1 Samuel 10). The third and fourth times were more suspect (Saul calling for lots to reveal who violated his rash curse in 1 Samuel 14, and Jonah's boat buddies determining who was responsible for the storm in Jonah 1), but God showed the truth by the method regardless. 
• Back to Peter. It doesn't tell us where the idea came from. Was it his own? Did Jesus mention finding a replacement for Judas to Peter either individually or with the others? Or could it be mentioned among the group and Peter addressed it? We don't know.
• Related to the above: Remember Jesus sending the 12 out in pairs? Matthew and Luke, in listing the Apostles, it gave them in 6 groups of two. Four of the six pairs were identical in the two lists; the only question is which one was paired with James the son of Alpheus and which was with Judas Iscariot. Now, just prior to the ascension, Jesus told them they'd be witnesses. They may have assumed it was the same teams. Thus, Simon the Zealot or Thaddeus went to Peter, addressing he didn't have a teammate.
  
• The objectors ignored that Acts 1:15 stated that they were praying during that time. 
  
• Les Feldick stated that the ministry of the Twelve was as a witness primarily to Israel. Paul had a unique call, primarily to the Gentiles. There is no reference of Paul ever serving as part of the twelve. 
• Related to the above, J. Gary Millar in Calling on the Name of the Lord: A Biblical Theology of Prayer stated that the believers were the new Israel, and the twelve apostles mirrored the twelve sons of Jacob, so a twelfth apostle was needed prior to Pentecost. 

No, this is not a salvation issue. True Christians can disagree. Scripturally, as I mentioned, we just have a summary of what happened without telling all the whys and giving no positive or negative commentary either in Acts 1 or elsewhere in Scripture.

So with that, have a happy Pentecost!