Rezensionen / Reviews Archives – Page 15 of 18

Knowing God by J. I. Packer

I have listened to this as an audiobook and hardly dare to say anything which might sound negative about such a distinguished author or this book in particular. It is totally biblically based, expounding many passages very literally, but reinterpreting others metaphorically (e.g. “all things” in Rom. 8:32); I have trouble with that kind of ambivalence.

The last chapter of the book elaborates on a few verses from the end of Romans 8 – a chapter I dearly love. It’s incredible how far and wide it’s possible to stray from a few clear words!

Altogether I was overwhelmed by Packer’s apparent intimate and detailed knowledge of God, his character and ways, and his absolute demands on us. I heard more about God’s unapproachableness and wrath than his desire to welcome me into fellowship with him. Also, Packer’s emphasis on our propensity to misunderstand, rebel and act sinfully frightened me and made me feel hopeless.

It’s very much centred on election and our ‘final’ union with God in heaven, and has rather little to say about how we should be living with and for Jesus here and now. Disappointing. So I can’t honestly recommend this book.

Liars and Outliers [Kindle Edition] by Bruce Schneier

Just started this. It’s about trust, especially as applied to security issues in the physical, social and digital worlds.

Bruce Schneier is a very clever and thoughtful observer of society with an ability to not overlook the wood for the trees. He dares to ask fundamental questions and suggests answers.

Which means I’m all the more surprised to discover his singularly binary logic – no room for shades of significance – and his unquestioning adoption of the trendy anti-teleological evolutionism à la Richard Dawkins.

Let’s see what I think when I get a bit further… After Easter!

The King Jesus Gospel by Scott McKnight

This is a good book for those who still believe the Gospel is just abut getting me to heaven.

Based on a rather imaginative elaboration of Paul’ statement in 1.Cor. 15, Scott McKnight argues that the Gospel is in fact God’s story with Israel, culminating in the story of Jesus, who fulfilled his plan. The story goes back to the creation and man’s God-given mandate to rule the world for God the King. At various stages, Adam, Abraham, Moses, David and the prophets failed to accomplish this task. We all end up as usurpers.

The final point of this Gospel is the promise of new creation as previewed by Jesus’ resurrection. We, his followers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are now called to practise this gospel culture, which means fostering the kingship of Jesus.

The message is valid. God wants us to see the full scope of His love for the world and live accordingly, and not just concentrate on launching souls into heaven. But I didn’t really like the style. Unnecessary repetition, convoluted argument and – for a study on the meaning of a word like Gospel – too much sloppy and sensational formulation for the sake of sounding cool.

(Read with Kindle)

Creative Suffering by Paul Tournier

I’ve gone for an oldie again: a 30-year old book by Genevan doctor Paul Tournier. He’s a bit exasperating at times, because he lets himself get side-tracked and thinks laterally. But he has a great deal of experience through listening to countless patients and has acquired a lot of wisdom. Tournier made a name for himself through the book La médecine de la personne (1940), in which he takes a holistic approach to treating illness, recognising earlier than most the supremely important interplay of body, psyche, environment, counselling, etc. in the process of recovery or degeneration of a malady.
Continue reading “Creative Suffering by Paul Tournier”

Chrislam? Christian Palestinianism?

A one-time dear friend of mine sent me the following links as “must watch!” They make me weep inwardly.

1. Christian Palestinianism from the 2011 Berean Call Conference

Paul Wilkinson is a soft-spoken, gentle young English junior pastor of a small Church near Manchester. His voice and attitude is very compelling (although speaking in the US and dressed for the part). He seems sincere and humble, genuinely convinced of his position. Continue reading “Chrislam? Christian Palestinianism?”

The Radical Disciple by John Stott

How refreshing to read a compact, no nonsense book in which the great Bible teacher/apologist – I remember him well from my student days in London – “considers eight characteristics of Christian discipleship which are often neglected and yet deserve to be taken seriously.”

John Stott makes no attempt to be sensational and refrains from embellishing his text with exciting anecdotes. Instead he delves deep, facing hard truths honestly, while presenting his message succinctly and clearly.

His eight topics are the following: Continue reading “The Radical Disciple by John Stott”

Love Wins: At the Heart of Life’s Big Questions by Rob Bell

A brave book, shocking for traditional Evangelicals! Rob Bell dares to question our understanding of God, heaven, hell.

This is ’empirical theology’, picking out impressions of God’s character and plan from the Bible, rather than expounding specific passages. In fact, he points out that by emphasizing specific pet texts many believers end up with a very lop-sided view of God and the Gospel (and others with a different but equally lop-sided view; see p. 16f). Continue reading “Love Wins: At the Heart of Life’s Big Questions by Rob Bell”

Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in Twelve Simple Words by Brian McLaren

A good, honest, inspirational book. Brian McLaren dares to face the real struggles involved in experiencing God in daily life and cultivating a vital relationship with him.

The first parts (Spring and Summer) made sense for me, the rest resonated less. I had the impression the latter chapters floundered a bit, trying to discover a pattern out of individual experiences (his and others’) and not succeeding so well. Continue reading “Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in Twelve Simple Words by Brian McLaren”

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical, by Shane Claiborne

A very unusual book, disturbingly radical, but gentle and optimistic. Not a logically developed idea but a collection of thoughts, experiences and stories expounding the idea that Jesus really is advocating a totally different way of living – scorning fame, riches, success – in this crazy, corrupt world. Community, renunciation and sharing for the sake of the needy, justice, caring for the creation, loving the unlovely, humility wrt Church and political leaders, and much fun – these are Shane’s vision.

The Greatest Show on Earth: Richard Dawkins

Subtitle: The evidence for evolution

A sad book – extremely prejudiced and bitterly derisive of all believers. His way of interpreting a variety of interesting scientific phenomena could support evolution, but ‘evidence’ in the sense of proof it is not. Continue reading “The Greatest Show on Earth: Richard Dawkins”