In Your Corner

“Star Wars” had one. “True Grit” had one. Even “Avatar” has one.

What?

An epic one on one battle where the protagonist faces off with his enemies in a last climactic fight for victory. And as we watch we get emotionally sucked in to the drama and pathos. We feel that the battle is our own.

It makes for good drama. But it makes for even better reality.

When Jesus faced off with the devil in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13), he wasn’t just providing us with great theater. He was fighting for our souls. In a very real way our destiny is tied to Jesus’ victory. If Jesus had failed, we would still be in our sins, destined for hell, and hopeless in the world.

And his battle wasn’t just the climax of the story. Jesus’ ministry began with a battle and ends with a battle (the cross). And he fought daily battles against Satan’s assaults every day of his (earthly) life.

And he fought them for us!

Sure, there is much to learn from Jesus on how we can fight temptation our selves (Christos Exemplar). But we must first stand and cheer our champion who fought the battle for us and emerged victorious (Christos Victor!).

And our conquering King is in our corner every day of our lives, strengthen us, helping us, and assuring us of the ultimate victory, which has already been won for us!.

So when you become “battle weary”, Look to your champion! Your destiny is assured because of His victory!

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,
Pastor Tom

The Father’s Heart

What we all crave, deep within our souls is the blessing of our father. The Bible makes much of the importance of a father’s blessing and the heartbreak when that blessing is withheld. Many adults pursue their father’s blessing years after their dads have passed away. That sense of approval, respect, and love is what our heart’s long for,

What does the father’s blessing sound like? Well, Jesus heard it. It sounds like this:

"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22)

Think about this: how would it affect your life if you heard this from your father? Now take it to the ultimate level: what would the impact be if you heard it from God Almighty?!

Here’s the truth: If you are united to Christ by faith, the blessing of the Father to Jesus is the blessing of the Father to you! Because of all that Christ has done by his life and by his death his blessing is your blessing. It’s as if Jesus puts his arm over your shoulder and says, “Come here, there’s something I want you to hear…”

"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

And then Jesus says, “That’s for you!”

We really cannot make too much of our sonship. Being children of God is, perhaps, the greatest gift the gospel offers us. In his book Knowing God, J.I. Packer says this:

“If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all… 'Father' is the Christian name for God. Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption.”

I pray that the Father would pour out the Spirit of his Son into your heart until you cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6)

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,
Pastor Tom

Book Review: "The Sacred Romance" by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge, Thomas Nelson. 1997

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach. The Sacred Romance could be categorized as a “wistful-heart devotional”. In their romantic way, the authors seek to awaken the reader’s heart to its true desire for something more. Using various metaphors, Curtis and Eldredge walk through several “acts’ of the drama of life and a true walk with God, alerting us to the “arrows” that have wounded us and the Adversary who opposes us along the way. More of a passionate devotional then a commentary or theological treatise, the authors use quotes, anecdotes and stories to restore passionless Christians to relational renewal with God.

Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness. In all honesty, I had a hard time connecting with The Sacred Romance. I appreciated what the authors were attempting to accomplish, to tap into the sense of “homelessness” of the human soul and turn it Godward. And I laud their emphasis on the heart as the key to the Christian life. I also appreciated the authors they quoted like Chesterton, Lewis, McGrath, Edwards, and Kreeft. But I found myself saying, “Yes, but _______said it better.” Rather than reading The Sacred Romance, I would direct the reader to the original sources. The same ground has been better covered by Chesterton (Orthodoxy), Kreeft (The Journey), McGrath (The Unknown God), or Guinness (Long Journey Home). I also found the overly romanticized prose to be flowery and vague (“We understand we must allow our desire to haunt us like Indian summer, where the last lavish banquet of golds and yellows and reds stirs our deepest joy and sadness, even as they promise us they will return in the fragrance of spring” ?!) The authors speak of “love and heroic service” but give no examples of how that is fleshed out. What is missing is the sense of Christian mission that Piper (Desiring God) and others have put forward.

Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book. I’m afraid I won’t be turning to The Sacred Romance very often. Again, I appreciate the attempt, but The Sacred Romance failed to captivate me. I should say, however, that an author as popular as Eldredge has certainly pushed a button in contemporary Christendom that is worth investigating.

Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found. p.1 “Some years into our spiritual journey, after the waves of anticipation that mark the beginning of any pilgrimage have begun to ebb into life’s middle years of service and business, a voice speaks to us in the midst of all we are doing. There is something missing in all of this, it suggests, There is something more.”

Book Review: "The Gospel for Real Life" by Jerry Bridges, Navpress Publishing Group. 2003

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.

Jerry Bridges likes to keep the main thing the main thing, and to keep that main thing simple. In The Gospel for Real Life Bridges keeps his focus on communicating the theology of the gospel in laymen’s language. He explores all the power, nuances, metaphors, and application that make up the gospel of Christ. Through his 16 chapters, Bridges discusses the meaning of the cross, the history of redemptive images, and helpfully explains the theological terms associated with the atonement. Consider The Gospel for Real Life to be both a primer on the cross and a handbook of applied theology.

Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.
In typical Bridges style, The Gospel for Real Life is solidly written in plain language. Though some theologues might long for something weightier (like Stott’s The Cross of Christ, or Morris’s The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross), most readers will find plenty to chew on in Bridges volume. If any weakness can be found it would be that the book is not practical enough. I found myself looking for examples and illustrations of how to apply the gospel to everyday issues such as anger, lust, or relational conflicts. Still, The Gospel for Real Life remains one of the most helpful and accessible books I have come across.

Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book.
If someone came to me wrestling with guilt, shame, acceptance, assurance, or indwelling sin, The Gospel for Real Life would be one of first sources I would turn to. Whereas some would be put off with a traditional systematic theology, Bridges’ work would come as a welcome and helpful companion. In counseling relationships, Bridges would serve to build a healthy foundation for any spiritual (and emotional) struggle. Small groups as well as one-on-one relationships would benefit from reading and discussing The Gospel for Real Life.

Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found.
p.182 “To stay with the tug-of-war analogy, although the Spirit who dwells within us is stronger than the sinful nature, that nature continues to “dig in its heels” every step of the way. And sometimes it will pull the rope in the wrong direction.
What is it then that will keep us going in the face of this internal conflict” The answer is: the gospel. It is the assurance in the gospel that we have indeed died to the guilt of sin; that there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus; that the Lord will never count our sins against us; and that we are truly delivered from the reigning power of sin, that will motivate us and keep us going even in the midst of the tension between the Spirit and the sinful nature”

Book Review: Renewal as a Way of Life, A Guidebook for Spiritual Growth. by Richard Lovelace, Wiph and Stock Publishers, Eugene. OR. 2002

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.
After his magnum opus, Dynamics of Spiritual Life, Lovelace puts the cookies on the bottom shelf with Renewal as a Way of Life. He covers much of the same ground as his longer volume, but packages and applies his insights in a new way. He begins with a solid section tracing the Biblical theology of the Kingdom of God where he emphasizes what the normal Christian life should look like. He then turns toward the three classic enemies of the believer: the flesh, the world, and the devil. Here Lovelace shows the deceitful ways each enemy attacks. To be forewarned is to be forearmed! Lovelace then displays the messianic victory of Christ and how that empowers both individual and corporate renewal.

Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.
As the strength of Dynamics was its comprehensiveness, the strength of Renewal as a Way of Life is its brevity. Those who don’t want to slug through nearly 500 pages in his earlier work will find Renewal as a Way of Life very accessible. But he does not just dumb-down his early work. Renewal is substantial in and of itself and covers some new ground as well, particulary the sections on the Kingdom of God and the Messianic Victory. The weakness of Lovelace’s book are the same as his earlier work. Renewal sounds like a reflection of the concerns of the 70’s and 80’s. I felt as if I were going on a trip down memory lane! An updated edition would serve the church well.

Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book.
Lovelace has simplified his “renewal grid”, dropping the confusing category of “desenculturation” and integrating that emphasis in the sections on the flesh, the world, and the devil. This makes his book more like to be pulled for reference from my shelf. I am still persuaded that his renewal grid serves as a fine evaluation and assesment tool for healthy church dynamics.

Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found.
p. 181 “John Calvin, Richard Baxter and other ecumenical Protestants have rightly insisted that only a united body of Christ in each region can effectively design and carry out ministry. When English Puritans complained to Calvin about the Anglican bishops and their popish prayer book, Calvin advised them to put up with the ‘tolerable stupidities’ of the latter and not to trade the former for a Presbyterian system. He considered it more important for the English church to stay unifies that to adopt the polity he had drawn from the New testament. For only a unified church can efficiently minister in any region.”

Book Review: "Spiritual Companions: An Introduction to the Christian Classics" by Peter Toon, Baker, Grand Rapids, 1990

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.
In Spiritual Companions, Peter Toon gives a literal A to Z of classic Christian authors from the Church Fathers to contemporary voices. Beginning with Joseph Alleine’s “A Sure Guide to Heaven” and finishing with “The Way of a Pilgrim” (unknown author), Toon directs the reader to Christian literature that will feed the soul and challenge the mind. One hundred short chapters of two pages each acquaint the reader with famous names and not so familiar gems. And in each chapter he lets the reader sample the style and content of the book he is reviewing. Think of Spiritual Companions as a traveler’s guide through great spiritual literature.

Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.
One of Toon’s strength is his positive, even handed assessment of the classics. He is able to find helpful direction in the most obscure authors. I was also impressed by his broadmindedness. Through Toon is a traditional conservative Anglican, he can find value in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox writers. Comprehensiveness would be a strength as well. One would be hard pressed to find any glaring omissions in Spiritual Companions. If a reprint is ever in the works, I would suggest adding a list of what Toon considers as the best editions of the classics he discusses.

Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book.
Spiritual Companions is helpful if only for the bibliographic value alone. I was introduced to several writers I was unfamiliar with and spurred to put their works on my reading list. Authors such as Thomas Brooks and William Romaine will become new friends. I was also reminded of forgotten classics that I will move to the front of my reading list. I can see myself offering Toon’s book to other bibliophiles to mine.

Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found.
P. 151 (from Samuel Rutherford) “I know no wholesome fountain but one. I know not a thing worth the buying but heaven; and my own mind is, if comparison were made betwixt Christ and heaven, I would fell heaven with my blessing and buy Christ. O if I could raise the market for Christ, and heighten the market a pound for a penny, and cry up Christ in men’s estimation ten thousand talents more than men think of him!”

Book Review: Dynamics of Spiritual Life, An Evangelical Theology of Renewal by Richard Lovelace, Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1979

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.

Drawing from a deep background in church history, Lovelace is well qualified to trace the history of spiritual awakenings and test them against the modern world. In “Dynamics of Spiritual Life”, Lovelace first gives the reader an anatomy of spiritual awakening vis-à-vis a historical overview from early Christianity to the Jesus Movement. He then gleans patterns that emerge from Scripture and church history and constructs a helpful schematic of what spiritual awakening should include. He concludes his volume with a look into the future to suggest what issues must be addressed by the church that she might see continuous revival.

Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.
Lovelace’s strength is his comprehensiveness. He leaves no stone unturned in his tome, and the reader gets a marvelous history lesson along with a theology of renewal. Lovelace’s weakness is that he tries too hard to be relevant. Writing at the apex of the Jesus Movement, Lovelace’s perspectives seem dated to the 21st century ear. He acutely predicts the need for Christian social involvement and cultural engagement, but his focus is on issues relevant in 1979. The reader has to do some creative projecting to make contemporary application. But that is not such a bad thing. And, having said that, Lovelace’s applications are well needed in the church today.

Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book.
The most helpful part of the book was the way in which Lovelace outlines the elements of renewal. He first discusses the preconditions of renewal (an awareness of the holiness of God and an awareness of the depths of sin). He then outlines the primary elements of renewal that make us a depth presentation of the Gospel (justification, sanctification, the indwelling Spirit, and authority in spiritual conflict). He then suggests secondary elements of renewal that show how the gospel works itself out in the life of the church (mission, prayer, community, disenculturation, and theological integration). Thought this may seem a bit foreboding, when Lovelace lays it out it becomes a helpful grid to evaluate current church emphasis and practice. I’ll be using it as a tool for church evaluation.

Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found.
P.160, “If all regenerate church members in Western Christendom were to intercede daily simply for the most obvious spiritual concerns visible in their homes, their workplaces, their local churches and denominations, their nations, and the world and the total mission of the body of Christ within it, the transformation which would result would be incalculable.”

Book Review: “The Discipline of Grace.” by Jerry Bridges, NavPress Publishing Group, 1992

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.
Jerry Bridges challenges the oft unstated premise of many Christians: We begin the Christian life by grace, but then it’s up to us to grow in Christ through the disciplines of discipleship. In “The Discipline of Grace”, Bridges shows the reader that the whole of the Christian life is of grace, from beginning to end. Bridges begins by laying the foundation of the gospel in our lives and then shows how the gospel infuses all the classic pursuits of Christian discipleship. He concludes his book with five chapters devoted to applying the gospel to the practical pursuits of holiness.

Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.
Bridges has given us a very helpful book in “The Discipline of Grace”. His writing style is very straight forward and unencumbered with either archaic or trendy language. In a workman like way, he walks us through a gospel-centered approach to discipleship. His chapter on “Preach the Gospel to Yourself” is alone worth the price of the book. Bridges approach is balanced and biblical, yet he offers new perspectives in the pursuit of holiness as well. The weakness of “Discipline by Grace” is one I have found in several authors. In his chapter entitled “Transformed into His Likeness” he urges his readers to spend time beholding the glory of Christ in the gospel, but fails to tell us exactly how to do that (or at least how he does that). Many authors rightly instruct us to spend time beholding the glory of the Lord, but if it were that easy we would be doing it already!

Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book.
Especially helpful were Bridges’ concluding chapters on the spiritual disciplines. But rather than addressing the classic spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, fasting, etc…, Bridges discusses the disciplines in terms of what they are meant to achieve in our lives. So he discusses topics like, “The Discipline of Commitment”, “The Discipline of Convictions”, and “The Disciple of Watching”. Thus, the classic spiritual disciplines become tools to advance the progress of Christian character and discipleship. This is helpful in keeping the classic disciplines from becoming an end in themselves.

Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found.
p. 57, “It is not our contrition or sorrow for our sin, it is not our repentance, it is not even the passing of a certain number of hours during which we feel we are on some probation that cleanses us. It is the blood of Christ, shed for all on Calvary two thousand years ago but appropriated daily or even many times a day, that cleanses our consciences and gives us a renewed sense of peace with God.”

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Book Review: “The Enemy Within” by Kris Lundgaard, Presbyterian & Reformed. 1998

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.

“The Enemy Within” is essentially a journey into the sinfulness of the human heart. Lundgaard wants his readers to know the “exceeding sinfulness of sin” and to learn to hate and to do battle with the flesh. Lundgaard leans heavily on the works of puritan author John Owen. One could look at Lungaard’s book as “The Mortification of Sin for Dummies”, though that would fail to do justice to his helpful volume. Lungaaard traces the power of sin in what it is, how it works, and what it does. He then concludes with three chapters on defeating sin.

Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.

I found “The Enemy Within” to be a very practical and helpful book. Written in 13 convenient chapters, with discussion questions following each chapter, “The Enemy Within” would be best used in a small group study where participants could probe deeper into Lungaards brief chapters. Though Lundgaard is brief, he really does a good job in channeling Owen for a contemporary audience. Lungaard’s weakness lies in trying to make his chapter titles and subject headings a bit too clever and pithy. When reviewing chapter titles like “The Haunted House”, I found myself asking, “Now what exactly did he mean by that again?” Owen, upon whom Lundgaard leans, was painstakingly straight forward in getting his point across.

Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book.

Besides whetting my appetite for reading more of John Owen, “The Enemy Within” did something truly helpful to me: I found myself truly hating the sin in my own life and realizing its depth and power. As I read through the various chapters, I was reminded at how deep the roots of sin go. Gladly, I also was driven to the cross as the only hope and remedy for sin’s grasp and power. I was pressed to a greater vigilance and watchfulness against my personal “enemy within”. I can see reading through this book with a small group and exploring the wiles of sin in our lives. His chapter on “No Idle Mind” was particularly challenging.

Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found.

p. 64: You must understand this: the flesh weakens conviction against sin by separating the remedy of grace from the design of grace…, The flesh makes you forget the design (that you are saved to be holy) and think only of the remedy (if you sin you will be forgiven). It preaches half a gospel ( a twisted gospel) to us: “Go ahead and indulge – it’s already paid for.” Those who fall preay to such deception are evidently many, since the scriptures go to such lengths to condemn it (Romans 3:5-8; 6:1-4, Jude 4).

Book Review: “Personal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul” by Octavius Winslow, Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1841 reprinted 1978.

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.

In typical (post) Puritan style, Winslow gives the overview and theme of his book in its title. Winslow challenges the reader to ask, “What is the present spiritual state of my soul before God?” He then leads the reader through some healthy self-assessment to see where declension has affected ones love, faith, prayer, and doctrine. Winslow concludes his book with spiritual encouragement as he sets before his reader the Lord as restorer and keeper of His people.

Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.

I found “Personal Declension” to be one of the best books I’ve read on the subject of personal spiritual renewal. Winslow is both pastoral and probing as he leaves no stone of the heart unturned. Winslow emphasizes the unshakeable grace of the Lord in preserving his people, yet warns against signs of malaise of the inner life of the believer. His remedies are practical and clear. He helps one to both mourn for their sin and hope for their restoration. One could wish for more exegetical Biblical exposition, but I found Winslow to be well within the realm of historic Biblical orthodoxy.

Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book.

I hope to return to Winslow as a “physician of the soul” to help remedy my own “spiritual declension”. If Winslow were writing today, a workbook or discussion guide would be included. He suggests, at every turn, that the reader pinpoint the point(s) of spiritual departure, retrace one’s steps, and crucify the cause of declension at the cross of Christ. Personally, the chapter on “Declension in Prayer” was most helpfully convicting and will be revisited!

Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found.

P. 54” “A decay of love to the saints of God, is a strong evidence of a decay of love to God himself. If we love God with a sincere and deepening affection, we must love his image wherever we find it. It is true, the picture may be but an imperfect copy, the outline may be but faintly drawn; there may be shades we cannot approve of; yet, recognizing in the work the hand of the Spirit, and in the outline some resemblance to Him whom our souls admire and love, we must feel a drawing out of our holiest affections towards the object; we shall not pause before the surrender is made, to inquire to what section of the church of Christ he belongs, what name he bears, or what the color of his uniform; but, discovering the man of God, the meek and lowly follower of Jesus, our heart and our hand are freely offered.”