Monday, May 30, 2011

“The Seraph Seal” by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner

December 21, 2012 at 9:00PM eight children are born each with a unique birthmark, destined for… four for a New Earth and Heaven filled with dominion and control, or four for a New Earth and Heaven filled with the principles of love, kindness, and the dawning of a restored relationship with God through Christ the Lamb, and one child is born who must bring the right group together. That is the direction this work of apocalyptic fiction takes as several stories begin, and merge into one, the question is what will be the end?

I have been an avid reader of fiction, and have read a wide variety of fiction in my life. This is the first piece of Christian Fiction I have picked up since the “Left Behind” series. Over the past couple of years I’ve been moving in the direction of more theological based information, or study helps in my personal devotions. This book I choose to take a break, and see again what Christian Fiction had to offer, one thing is for sure, I was not disappointed.

As soon as I picked this book up and began to read I was enthralled. As my wife said, she had not seen me this interested in a book in quite some time. Even though the book bounced between places, people, and events, each section built upon the last and I was able to begin putting the pieces together. Dr. Sweet and Ms. Wagner obviously put a lot of work into this story, as they draw a reader in quickly and effectively into the story. The extra information was well researched, and quite intensive, so intensive is fact that they added two sections, one a look at the notes of the main character, and the second the Alphabet of the Apocalypse.

The only thing about this book I was not sure about was some of the theological directions it took, even though they added to the story. There seemed to be a lot of Christian and Hebrew mysticism such as Kabbalah. This book should be read with discretion especially if one is coming to this book looking for a theological perspective of eschatology. This book is a great work of fiction, but with any fiction, including the “Left Behind” series, one must remember it is a perspective and not truth. If this book does encourage someone to study Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, or any of the other true prophetic books of the Bible, well I’m all for that.

Even with my concern with some of the mysticism of “The Seraph Seal” I would gladly give this book 4.5 out of 5. For those who are interested in Christian fiction with on an apocalyptic nature, I highly recommend this book; again as with other bloggers I have read I would recommend caution and the remembrance that this book is fiction. With any book, discretion is advised.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

“Living for God’s Glory” by Dr. Joel R. Beeke

“Living for God’s Glory” by Dr. Joel R. Beeke

“Living for God’s Glory” is an educational book on the Calvinist doctrine that has lead to many of the denominations that we are familiar with today such as the Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregational, and other fine denominations. Calvinism has lead to many great preachers throughout history, including John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, and many others. Yet the main purpose of this book is not only to look at the great achievements of Calvinism, but to focus on the true heart and message of Calvinism as it applies to each person’s everyday life.

In “Living for God’s Glory” Dr. Joel Beeke does not shy away from the 5 points of Calvinism, but embraces them, and carefully constructs his chapter to expound and explain each of these points in a clear and concise manner. However, this book is not for the week of heart. With over 350 pages of reading or so, not including all the links to references the author mentions, this book is still highly academic, and one needs to be willing to take time to read through and be willing to ask questions and seek answers.

What was most fascinating about this book is the purpose of the author. As I said Dr. Beeke gives a great defense of the doctrine of Calvinism, however, he points that Calvinism isn’t only about predestination or election, but instead a teaching of the hope of salvation that can and is only found through Jesus Christ. In this book he points out that many of the viewpoints of Calvinism do not produce hopelessness, as some argue, but that instead there is great hope that is found in the doctrines of Calvinism.

I chose this book primarily because I am very familiar with the great divide that people argue the doctrine of Calvin has lead to throughout the Churches history. I have always considered myself a Calvinist in fact, but said that without a real understanding of the doctrines of Calvin, and also while wrestling with the issue of predestination. In fact, according to this book, I am considered by many Calvinists to be more Armenian in my viewpoint, that election is as a result of the foreknowledge of God almighty, then a Calvinist. I cannot say if this book corrected my view, but it has certainly given me some information for which I can continue to work through this difficult doctrine.

Another main facet of “Living for God’s Glory” is the explanation, and clarifications of the five solas that are such an ingrained part of the Born Again, Evangelical, and Christian church. Although some in the Church today could probably express the solas, they are a teaching that has been substantially forgotten by many of those who at once claimed Jesus Christ. The five solas are, Scripture alone (sola Scriptura), grace alone (sola gratia), faith alone (sola fide), Christ alone (solus Christus), and the glory of God alone (soli Deo gloria). Dr. Beeke handles these topics as clearly as he handles the issue of the 5 points of Calvinism.

The only fault I find with this volume is the intensity of information. Not only is this book written by Dr. Joel Beeke, but also has chapters written by Sinclair Ferguson, James Grier, Michael Haykin, Nelson Kloosterman, Ray Lanning, Robert Oliver, Ray Pennings, and Derek Thomas. It seems to me that sections one and two could easily have been their own single book, and then these additional chapters could have been included in a separate volume. However, each of these chapters is ripe with wonderful information, and has given me a better understanding of Calvinism and Puritanism.

There is so much more that one can discover in this remarkable work by Dr. Joel Beeke. I do not feel as if one could successfully write a great review of this book without giving away, that which makes it so worth the read. The ending chapters have contributions from many great writers as well who add to the beauty of this work. As it is I must rate this book five out of five, and encourage any person who is seeking a true perspective of the doctrines of John Calvin to read this book again and again. As it is I know that it will be a book I read yet again, and one which I will probably use for a reference in many aspects of my spiritual life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Reformation Trust Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

"Outlive Your Life" by Max Lucado Book Review

“Outlive Your Life” by Max Lucado

The purpose of “Outliving Your Life” is to address the church in America with what we can do in the world at large, starting with the small things. Although there is the very familiar attack with how extravagant the American people live, Max was not presenting a message he was not living. In fact, one of the things I found out about the book is that all profits that were made for the book were donated in total to World Vision.

As I read over “Outliving Your Life” I was indeed challenged to look at the small things in my life to make a difference. A few things that challenged me is do I take time to get to know my neighbors in my small subdivision? Am I involved in activities with my church, my work, my school and my community? These are all important topics that we each look at often in our lives.

Some of the positives that really jumped out at me quickly was that in Chapter 4, “Don’t forget the bread.” Mr. Lucado gave one of the clearest gospel presentation I had seen in many of the Christian books I read. Here in his book he not only addresses a need for those of us in the Church, but takes an entire chapter to share the message with his readers, with the hope of reaching them. So clear was this gospel presentation, that it made even my frustration with his lambasting of the extravagant nature of Americans pale in comparison to what he was trying to communicate.

Another really great section of Mr. Max Lucado’s book was chapter 15 which chapter name escapes me, as I’ve lent my copy of the book to my pastor, which focuses on prayer. In my own personal walk with Christ, prayer has always been a major hiccup for me. Mr. Lucado made several interesting comments through that chapter which really spoke to me directly, and I think would speak even to the people who are truly committed to prayer.

Max Lucado has since put out another book which I’m sure is well written in well. For “Outliving Your Life” I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”