Finding a Way Back to Faith. The author grew up as a pastor's kid, then after his parent's divorced, he began to question everything about the institution of the church and what he believed as a child. This is an honest search for answers to questions that a lot of people, even Christians, are asking. Jared serves as Creative Director for XP3, a division of the Rethink Group, and a well traveled speaker. There are discussion questions to be used in a group or individual setting.
I enjoy reading an author's honest search for the truth, but was concerned about references to Rob Bell books.
Jared makes a point that secular entertainment and ideas sometimes contain kernels of truth that can be helpful to even Christians. Too many Christians are too isolated in the fishbowl for fear to be contaminated by "the world."
I'm reminded of a Steve Taylor lyric that states "I'll bet you only drink milk from a Christian cow."
Some interesting titles to chapters are, Tylenol and Duct Tape, Painting Over the Mona Lisa, and Christian Soup for the Christian Soul, which will bring some readers in just to see what it's all about.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is asking questions about our culture and Christianity, and how it is related.
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Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
We Shall See God - Randy Alcorn
Charles Spurgeon's classic devotional thoughts on Heaven. I must first admit that Randy Alcorn is one of my favorite authors. I have enjoyed all of his non fiction works including this one. Randy has divided each chapter into 50 daily readings from Spurgeon with commentary from the author after each one. Spurgeon's material has not been widely available in our day, but was very popular in his time.
Charles Spurgeon has left quite a legacy of speaking and writing. He lived from 1834-1892, and preached 3,561 sermons that have been compiled into 63 volumes and totals over 20 million words. Until now, a lot of this material was not found easily. It is good to see these updated sermons in one volume.
It is not a book one would read once straight through, but should refer to chapters as reference. This is as much a Alcorn book as a Spurgeon one, which is not to downgrade the quality of the material at all. To those that are not aware, 100% of the royalties from all of Randy's books go to further Christ-centered causes. Randy is also founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries. I would recommend this book as a reference tool for any pastor, or anyone interested in church history in general, and Spurgeon in particular.
Charles Spurgeon has left quite a legacy of speaking and writing. He lived from 1834-1892, and preached 3,561 sermons that have been compiled into 63 volumes and totals over 20 million words. Until now, a lot of this material was not found easily. It is good to see these updated sermons in one volume.
It is not a book one would read once straight through, but should refer to chapters as reference. This is as much a Alcorn book as a Spurgeon one, which is not to downgrade the quality of the material at all. To those that are not aware, 100% of the royalties from all of Randy's books go to further Christ-centered causes. Randy is also founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries. I would recommend this book as a reference tool for any pastor, or anyone interested in church history in general, and Spurgeon in particular.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
The Book of Man - William Bennett
Readings on The Path to Manhood. The purpose of this book is to explore and explain what it means to be a man, according to the author. The reason for this book is because there is a lack of role models and information on how to grow up to be a man in today's society. At over 500 pages, this is an impressive collection of writings and literature from ancient times up to the present. Mr. Bennett has spent a lot of time researching just what it means to grow up to be a respectable man.
The book is divided into 6 sections, Man in War, Man at Work, Man in Play. Sports, and Leisure, Man in the Polis, Man with Woman and Children, and Man in Prayer and Reflection. This is a much needed book today. Anywhere we can get encouragement for boys today to grow up to be a man is sorely needed. There are extensive credits and an easy to use reference to find the many articles and authors that are included.
On a personal note, the last inclusion is Man: At the End, which describes the obituray and life of Clarence Glover, which was William Bennett's father-in-law. I would recommend this book to any young man wanting a collection of writings that span a long time in history on how to be a man.
The book is divided into 6 sections, Man in War, Man at Work, Man in Play. Sports, and Leisure, Man in the Polis, Man with Woman and Children, and Man in Prayer and Reflection. This is a much needed book today. Anywhere we can get encouragement for boys today to grow up to be a man is sorely needed. There are extensive credits and an easy to use reference to find the many articles and authors that are included.
On a personal note, the last inclusion is Man: At the End, which describes the obituray and life of Clarence Glover, which was William Bennett's father-in-law. I would recommend this book to any young man wanting a collection of writings that span a long time in history on how to be a man.