Esther: The Hidden Hand of God

 

Lydia Brownback’s new Bible study, Esther: The Hidden Hand of God is a well-written, thought-provoking study of the book of Esther.  This is the first release of Brownback’s “Flourish” Bible study series. 

This 10-week study takes a deep look into the book of Esther.  Each week covers approximately one chapter of Esther.  Brownback includes a helpful introduction and several charts throughout, to aid in understanding the flow of the book.  She provides background information for each chapter, and then walks the reader through Esther, verse-by-verse.  Brownback does an excellent job of pointing out repetition, explaining historical context, and highlighting major themes throughout this study.  She concludes each chapter with questions for the reader, to guide in points of application. 

I have been studying the book of Esther with my oldest daughter.  The questions I cover with her are based on Brownback’s book, though tailored to fit the emotional/maturity level of an eleven year-old.  I appreciate that Brownback is teaching Bible study methods that will help my daughter develop good habits now, which she will be able to implement throughout her entire life.  We are enjoying our study together, and I am thankful for this resource!

I highly recommend this author for those who seek a challenging inductive Bible study.  This study can be used for groups or individuals alike.  Brownback is set to release a study of 1 and 2 Peter in January.  I look forward to seeing and working through more of her studies in the future.  Her website gives a schedule of what studies to expect and when.  A leader’s guide to the study of Esther can also be downloaded there for free.

Rachel's Rating:

★★★★★

Thanks to NetGalley for providing and advanced copy of this book for review, in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Aimee Byrd's Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is a book written in response to John Piper and Wayne Grudem's 1991 book, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.  Byrd begins her book with a summary and explanation of a short story, The Yellow Wallpaper, which was written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in the 1890's.  This short story tells of a woman who is suffering from post-partum depression and is prescribed rest therapy by her physician husband.  She spends her days alone in a room she does not like, the walls of which are covered in yellow wallpaper.  She eventually begins to see hallucinations of a woman struggling inside the wallpaper.  In an effort to free the woman in the wallpaper, the narrator tears down the wallpaper and is found creeping around the room.  Byrd references this story often throughout her book and addresses the issue of "yellow wallpaper" present in our churches.  Byrd states in her introduction that Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is not a "man-bashing book.  And this isn't a womanempowerment [sic] book.  This is a book that appeals to the reader to look at the yellow wallpaper in the church and to do something about it."  

 

Summary

Byrd's book is divided into three sections, each of which confronts an area Christians need to "recover" regarding biblical manhood and womanhood.  The first section deals with recovering the way we read Scripture.  Byrd writes that although men and women read the same text in Scripture, the Bible is marketed differently to men than it is to women, both in sales and in church culture.  Some things Byrd cites as major gender-based issues in the church are the availability of Bibles in beautiful patterns, the fact that women tend to post Bible study pictures on social media in picture-perfect shots, and women not being taken seriously for their theological insights.  Byrd states, "I want to read my Bible just as seriously as the men.  The pretty cover on the women's Bible already begins to send a message that women will approach Scripture less seriously than men.  I'm judging the cover as I see the cover judging the readers by their gender."  She addresses that there seems to be an unwritten message that men cannot be taught by women, which she states is not consistent with Scripture.  She writes of Huldah, Ruth, Naomi, Rahab, Shiphrah and Puah, Achsah, and Deborah, etc. as "gynocentric interruptions", who were active in God's overall plan throughout Scripture, not merely in women's ministry.

Section two builds upon the first section, addressing how Christians need to "recover our mission".  This section specifically addresses Piper and Grudem's book.  Byrd tells of her first encounter reading their book as a new bride, compared to her next reading of their book years later.  She claims Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood promotes an unorthodox view of the Trinity, called eternal subordination of the Son, which she states Piper and Grudem use to build their premise of women being subordinate to men.  She confronts what it means to be a masculine male and a feminine female.  All this discussion is to build up to her main question:  Is Biblical manhood and womanhood our aim in discipleship?  Byrd rightly states, "Christian men and women don't strive for so-called biblical masculinity or femininity, but Christlikeness.  Rather than striving to prove our sexuality, the tone of our sexuality will express itself as we do this."

 

Byrd discusses how parachurch organizations are taking over the church's responsibility of discipling believers and why this is an issue.  There is much truth in her statement, "We reap the fruit of our interpretive community.  The public teaching of the Word shapes our private reading."  She adds, "It's the continual meeting together under the Word and sacraments, the continual receiving of God's means of grace, the continual benedictions of blessing and call to bear fruit, and continual personal time spent in the Word that truly shapes us."  In essence, what we learn in our church shapes how we read Scripture, and we need the community of men and women in the church setting, as God designed, to help us learn, interpret, and apply Scripture. 

 

Byrd's final section is titled, "recovering the responsibility of every believer".  In this section, she addresses women as necessary allies to men, rather than as ones who are "to continuously be looking for, affirming, and nurturing male authority", which she quotes John Piper as stating.  She uses the example of Phoebe being commended by Paul to show that in the New Testament, women were entrusted with great responsibilities, even delivering and subsequently explaining Paul's letter to the Romans.  

 

My Thoughts

I was first introduced to Aimee Byrd about 2 years ago, through her book No Little Women, which I reviewed here. I enjoyed that book and was excited to read another book by Byrd. I liked how No Little Women called for discernment and challenged women to be doctrinally sound.  I expected the same of Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood but was surprised to find that was not entirely the case.  Though Byrd called for those things in words, she referenced many egalitarian authors and agreed with them, which was discouraging.  I expected more discernment from her.

Having never read John Piper and Wayne Grudem's book, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, I did not realize what I was about to read when I selected Byrd's book.  I found myself wishing her book had been laid out more clearly, quoting specific sections of Piper and Grudem's books so that the context of the ideas she was conveying was more clear.  At times it was difficult to understand the point she was trying to make.  Perhaps being more familiar with Piper and Grudem's book would make this easier.  I have read and listened to John Piper many times, and I have much respect for him and his teaching.  I find it difficult to believe that he is promoting the things Byrd claims, and I would like to study more what Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is conveying.

There were several issues Byrd addressed as major that I consider very minor.  The beautiful covers on women's Bibles are just simply beautiful covers.  They appeal to a gender that is attracted to beautiful things.  If anything, it is a profitable marketing scheme to compel women to purchase more Bibles.  I do not think my church takes my theology less seriously based on my flower-print Bible that I purchased because of its beauty and lined margins, perfect for my colorful notes that help me visually remember the flow of Scripture.  Her statement about women in Scripture being active in God's overall plan, not just women's ministry put me on the defensive.  Of course women are active parts of God's plan.  In my complementarian circles, I do not personally know anyone who denies that. 

Byrd makes some statements in generalities that I personally have not experienced.  She states that pastors' sermons are geared toward men rather than women.  My experience has been that pastors give illustrations based on their own lives.  These illustrations do likely speak more to men, simply because the ones speaking are men.  This does not mean pastors do not consider how Scripture impacts women.  This does not change the application of a passage.  Byrd also speaks of not being taken seriously by the pastors in her church.  This is unfortunate, though not my own experience.  I have been blessed with godly leaders who have invested in my life through book recommendations, Scriptural preaching, and being willing to participate with me personally in theological discussions.  As a pastor's wife, I am blessed to have daily theological discussions with my pastor in my own home.  My husband/pastor encourages me to study Scripture and recommends resources to help to that end.  I know from watching him that he treats other women in the same manner.

Byrd's book was disappointing in that it did not address key Scriptures regarding women in the church.  1 Timothy 2:12 - "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather she is to remain quiet."  I would expect this would be a key text to confront in a book on this topic.  Also, she took much liberty in expounding on the unknowns of Scripture regarding the women mentioned previously.

 

Denny Burk, current president of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) reviewed Aimee Byrd's book.  Regarding statements Byrd claims the CBMW makes about the eternal subordination of the Son (ESS), Burk states, "The Council has never approved any official statement endorsing ESS. Byrd’s case against CBMW relies on there having been some official endorsement of ESS at CBMW, but that has never happened. Many of the council members have never held to any version of ESS (however it is defined) and would resist any implication that they have. But Byrd misrepresents this."

 

Overall, I was disappointed in this book.  I expected more of Byrd, based on her previous writings.  Unfortunately, this is not a book I can recommend to others.

Rachel's Rating:

★★☆☆☆

 

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Guarding Your Heart

A.W. Pink's Guarding Your Heart is based on Proverbs 4:23:  "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life".  This book is devoted to explaining this verse in detail and providing useful application for everyday life.  As Pink rightly states, "All outward actions are worthless while our hearts be not right with God". Throughout this book, he builds on this truth and seeks to show believers both the importance of having a heart right with God and the diligence it takes on our part to make that happen.  He does not forsake the work of the Holy Spirit in this endeavor, but the focus of this book is on the directive given in Proverbs 4:23.

 

Pink devotes his first chapter to the phrase "keep thy heart".  He offers both definitions and examples before transitioning to the next chapter, "diligent effort".  Here he emphasizes both man's responsibility to keep his heart and his helplessness in and of himself to do so.  My favorite quote in this short book is the prayer that follows:  "Lord, Thou requirest me to keep my heart with all diligence, and I feel utterly incompetent for such a task; such a work lies altogether beyond my poor feeble powers; therefore, I humbly ask Thee in the name of Christ to graciously grant unto me supernatural strength to do as Thou hast bidden me.  Lord, work in me both to will and to do of Thy good pleasure."  

Pink's third chapter focuses on the fact that the Lord looks on the heart.  He exhorts believers to remember this truth when deciding how to spend their time, money, and care.  This chapter concludes with a list of the heart-characteristics Christian ought to have, including Scripture references for further study.

The fourth and fifth chapters focus on practical applications.  Chapter four discusses keeping the heart during different seasons, including prosperity, adversity, public danger, trouble in the church, injuries and abuses, spiritual gloom, and critical illness.  Chapter five addresses "other issues".  Both of these chapters are again full of Scripture and prod the reader to examine his own heart.

In his final chapter, Pink discusses the benefits of keeping the heart.  He offers a conclusion of encouragement to those who faithfully and closely perform this hard work of keeping their heart.  

I chose this book by A.W. Pink for two different reasons.  First, the topic.  Proverbs 4:23 is a verse that confused me during adolescence and young adulthood.  I would hear peers quote "guard your heart" in reference to relationships with the opposite sex.  "Don't give your heart away too soon or to the wrong guy" was what they meant.  While this is wise counsel, I was convinced the verse meant much more than that.  

The second reason I chose this book was because my favorite Bible study author mentioned that A.W. Pink is her favorite theologian. A.W. Pink is new to me, but I can see why my author thinks so highly of him. His writing is easy to follow, but deep with personal application.  This book may only take about an hour to read, but the practical implications need to be mulled over and digested for days, weeks, and months to come.

I look forward to reading more by Pink and intend on coming back to this book for further study in the future.

Rachel's Rating:

★★★★★

Book Review - (A)Typical Woman: Free, Whole, and Called in Christ

Abigail Dodds' (A)Typical Woman:  Free, Whole and Called in Christ addresses the topic of biblical womanhood from the complementarian perspective.  This is not a book that is addressing a new idea.  Dodds states in the beginning of her book, "So many are searching for a novel approach, a new way to think about something, a uniqueness or niche.... Novelty leads to heresy and false teaching....  If this book seems like new information to you, it isn't because I came up with something novel; it's because we've forgotten the basics, or we were never taught them." 

(A)Typical Woman is broken into three parts.  Part one addresses what it means to be a Christian woman.  Dodds focuses on being dead to sin and made into a new woman at the point of becoming a Christian.  She debunks the notion that a "typical" woman exists and focuses on the call of all women to be faithful to God in the circumstances He has given.

Part two breaks down the different titles seen throughout womanhood:  single, married, mothering, working, and discipling.  She points out the differences in these varied stations of life, but exhorts that these different viewpoints are inter-dependent.  Dodds poses a question all women, regardless of their current stage of life, should consider before embarking on new endeavors such as "entering the workforce or motherhood or setting up their home or any sphere of work".  She challenges women to ask themselves, "Am I faithfully obeying God as his child by meeting the genuine needs of others, or am I pursuing self-actualization, self-fulfillment, or selfish ambition apart from him?"

In part three, Dodds focuses on how women are fearless and free in Christ. She spends time discussing the importance of relationships with others who differ from us and the growth and perspective that can be developed from those relationships.  She focuses once again on the myth of "typical" womanhood.  "The nature of being Christian women isn't based on what we do but on who we are - who he's made us."  In conclusion, she offers a challenge.  "Are we willing to be agents of the gospel of Jesus Christ?  Are we willing to exercise the gifts God has given us, whether teaching, serving, administrating, giving, counseling with wisdom, exhorting, and on and on, to his glory and for his people, holding nothing back?  Are we willing to really have some skin in the game?"

True to her word, Dodds did not present anything new or different from the Biblical perspective of womanhood that I have been taught from Scripture my entire life.  I appreciated her reminders of serving Christ in every aspect of our lives and remaining faithful to all He has called us to.

 

Rachel's Rating:

★★★★☆

Book Review: Is God Speaking to Me

Is God Speaking to Me, by Lysa TerKeurst, is a brief booklet taken from her book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.  In this three-chapter synopsis, TerKeurst spends the first chapter describing what it means to have a soul that "longs for more".  She encourages women to daily say "yes" to God, emphasizing the act of surrendering to God through prayer each morning.  She focuses on obedience to God's commands, which she terms "radical obedience".  She also introduces the idea of radical blessings, though she does not define these blessings until chapter three.

Set to release September 1, 2020

The next chapter is spent discussing what it means both to hear God's voice and to be assured it is Him speaking.  She states, "When God speaks to me, it is a certain impression on my heart that I've come to recognize as Him."  She then lists 5 questions she asks herself to determine if what she is hearing is from God or not.

The final chapter describes the radical blessings that result from following God wholeheartedly.  These include a deeper relationship with God, a more adventurous life, depth of inner peace, better relationships with people, having a meaning and purpose to life, and having an eternal perspective.

TerKeurst emphasizes subjective experience in this book, which is not surprising, considering the title.  She states, "As we experience God personally, we come to know new names for Him.  When we've experienced His provision, we come to know Him as our Provider.  When we've experienced His comfort, we come to know Him as our Comforter.... The longer we know Him and the more we experience Him personally, the more we learn about His character."  This sounds good.  But let us think it through.  Wouldn't it be great if God would just write us a book with all of these characteristics prominently on display, worked out in the lives of sinful humans who have lived before us?  Isn't it great that He has done just that in the Bible?  Isn't it great that we do not have to wait for personal experience to see and embrace Him as our Provider and Comforter?  There is great value in experiencing God's character on display in our lives, but we learn about His character, first and foremost, through His written Word.

TerKeurst lists questions to ask oneself while studying Scripture.  While she states that these are just starting point questions, they are mostly self- focused:  "Who is this passage speaking to?  What is it saying to me?  What direction is this passage giving?  How might I need to change my way of thinking or acting as a result of this verse?  What are some other verses that relate to this topic, both in the Old Testament and New Testament?"  She does not include any question of context or authorial intent.  These two questions are essential building-blocks for studying Scripture.  Skipping to personal application of a passage without regard to the context surrounding the passage or authorial intent is dangerous!  We must handle the Word of God properly in order to understand what God is communicating to us through it. We cannot skip the step of interpretation on our way to figuring out application.

When determining whether one is hearing the voice of God, TerKeurst states one should ask herself whether or not the action she is seeking to do would please God.  She states, "Would this please God?  You see, if what you are doing pleases God, then even if what you thought you heard from Him wasn't His voice, you still please Him.  We should always seek to err on the side of pleasing God.  Ask this question, and you'll know what to do."  This statement should raise red flags!  Yes, we want to please God.  But does it really please God when you claim your actions are something God instructed you to do, when He did not?  Arriving at the proper actions does not excuse using an erroneous method to get there.  The ends do not justify the means.  Putting words in the mouth of God that He did not say is irresponsible and dangerous.

I mostly disagreed with what TerKeurst had to say.  She makes statements that sound so good, yet are not quite right.  Her subtle deviation from Scripture is difficult to discern at times.  This practice of misrepresenting Scripture is dangerous and cannot be taken lightly.  Small errors in Biblical interpretation lead to big errors in theology.  And theology sets the framework for how one views and interacts with the world and with God Himself.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel's Rating:

★☆☆☆☆

Book Review: Think

My children LOVE the library.  We are fortunate to have two libraries in the area that we can visit, and my children like to rotate so that we are choosing new books every two weeks or so.  We spend our time at the libraries "shopping" for the five kids, and I rarely am able to make an escape to the adult section to make a selection for myself.  This past library trip, I made it a priority to select a book for myself.  I was looking for a book in the Christian Living section that was worth reading and was happy to find John Piper's Think.  Though I had never heard of the book before, I selected this based on Piper's good reputation as a pastor.  I was not disappointed in the book.  But I must say, I quickly realized that I do not enjoy borrowing books to read.  I am one who enjoys underlining, and the library frowns upon marking up their material!  I found myself utilizing my camera phone, taking photos of important things I wanted to remember.

Piper begins his work by clarifying the intent behind his book.  He quotes 2 Timothy 2:7, "Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."  He then clarifies, "Thinking is essential on the path to understanding.  But understanding is a gift of God.  That is the point of this book."  Then he examines Proverbs 2:1-6, and states, "...we should seek understanding like a miser seeks silver.  We should use our minds with eagerness and skill.  What is the reason given?  The same one Paul gave:  'For the Lord gives wisdom.'  They go together - our seeking understanding and God's giving it.  Seeking it like silver is essential to finding.  But finding is a gift of God.  That is the point of this book."

We are not called to be lazy Christians. We are called to search, to study, to work hard!  "The mind is mainly a servant of the heart.  That is, the mind serves to know the truth that fuels the fires of the heart."  We are called to think.  Piper exhorts that this thinking is mainly the art of reading.  He clarifies, "The best reading of the most insightful literature (especially the Bible) involves serious thinking."

I have recently heard two women I know and love express their self-consciousness at "not being smart enough".  I write in quotations, because I do not at all agree with these ladies' assessments of themselves.  Mortimer Adler, author of How to Read a Book, is quoted as saying, "Most of us do not know what the limits of our comprehension are.  We have never tried our powers to the full.  It is my honest belief that almost all the great books in every field are within the grasp of all normally intelligent men."  I fully agree!  Adler also states, "What for one man requires little or no effort may demand genuine exertion for another."  Perhaps we may not grasp all details of what we read.  But we grasp some details.  We work hard to understand what we can, and further reading adds to our previous understanding.  Through hard work and persistence, our knowledge grows.  And through this understanding, our heart changes.

Piper has much to say on the topic of thinking.  His thoughts are clearly stated and challenging to consider.  I especially appreciate his explanation of what it means to have childlike faith.  This is not anti-intellectualism.  Rather, it is humility.  Children are "happy to depend on their parents for help in all their obvious helplessness".  The struggle within Christianity is not whether to be intellectual or not, for God has called all of us to be thinkers.  The struggle is to preserve humility!  "The aim of this book is serious, faithful, humble thinking that leads to the true knowledge of God, which leads to loving him, which overflows in loving others."

I was challenged by this book.  The past year has been one of increasing reading in my own life and focusing on reading challenging material.  Piper's book encouraged me to continue doing what I have been doing.  It encouraged me to work hard to understand even the things that are overwhelming at first glance.

May we all be working diligently to understand and grow in our knowledge of God.  And may we stay humble in this pursuit, knowing that this is a gift from God.  May we fall more in love with Him as we know Him more.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★☆

Book Review - Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been

I am working through Tim Challies' 2020 Christian Reading Challenge.  For my "book of your choice" I chose Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry.

As I observe those around me, I see different responses to those who struggle with homosexuality.  There are Christians and non-Christians alike who see this lifestyle as being acceptable.  They say we should not question who someone loves, and people are homosexual from birth...it is not something they choose to be.  On the other end of the spectrum, we see those who are labeled "homophobic".  They avoid homosexuals and condemn every aspect of their personhood, based on this lifestyle.  My question is, what does the Bible teach about how we are to address those who struggle with homosexuality?  What of a Christian who has same-sex attraction?

In Gay Girl, Good God, Perry gives an open account of her life.  After being rejected by her birth father and raised by her single mother, Perry did not see men as "safe".  As a teenager, she discovered her attraction to females and entered into homosexual relationships.

But God.  Perry came to know Christ as her Savior, and her life changed.  I love how she emphasizes that God did not simply save her from homosexuality.  He did not swoop in and change her, so that she was suddenly no longer attracted to females.  Rather, God forgave all of her sin, transformed her mind, helped her to see her homosexuality as the sin that it is, and gave her both the desire and the strength to turn from this sin.  Same sex attraction is still something she struggles with and likely always will.  As Perry writes, "Same sex desires are actual.  Though born of sin, they aren't an imaginary feeling one conjures up for the sake of being different.  But the actuality of the affection doesn't make them morally justifiable.  It is the mind, when conformed to the image of sin, that moves us to call evil good simply because it feels good to us."

At the end of her book, Perry offers some resources for those who may be struggling with being a Christian while having same sex attraction.  These chapters are well thought-out and filled with helpful Scripture.  Written by one who has struggled through these things herself, this looks to be a very encouraging resource.  These chapters can also be helpful to those who do not understand how a Christian can struggle with same sex attraction and who wish to find clarity on the matter.

Homosexuality is fairly common in our culture, and Christians need to know what the Bible teaches on the subject and how to interact with those who struggle with this sin.  This book helps teach in a way that is practical and easily digestible.  I am thankful for Perry's candor on the matter and would recommend this book to those interested in learning more.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★☆

Book Review: Truths We Confess

R.C. Sproul's Truths We Confess is an exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith.  Originally published as a 3-volume set in 2006-2007, it has now been combined and re-released in this one-volume edition.  Though the 720 pages of theologically-rich material may seem daunting, I challenge you to consider a slow and thorough reading of this book.

In his foreword, Dr. Sinclair Ferguson explains the importance of the Westminster Confession to the everyday Christian.  "The Westminster Confession of Faith

was written not to be dissected by academics but to guide the church and to instruct Christians and help them grasp the structure of the gospel.  It does for us what, sadly, is no longer done as a matter of course either in the church or in the educational system: it teaches us first principles, and it shows us how to think through everything in light of them."

Sproul writes, "The Westminster Confession is the most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity ever set forth in a creedal form."  He goes on to explain the 33 tenets of the confession in a format that is accessible to the lay reader.  Each tenet is listed at the beginning of a chapter, then broken down and further explained throughout the chapter.  Appendices contain the full content of both the larger and shorter Westminster Catechism.

It is important to note that Sproul writes from a Reformed background, explaining a Reformed confession.  While I do not agree with the view of baptism presented, most other chapters were consistent with my Baptist/Bible church beliefs.

This very thorough book is best taken in small sections.  This might best be read as a reference when studying different doctrines, or a challenge to read one chapter a week over the course of time.  In full transparency, I am not yet finished reading this book myself.  My survey thus far has given me confidence to recommend this book and to finish reading it in the future.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★★

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: A Cloud by Day, a Fire by Night

A.W. Tozer's A Cloud by Day, a Fire by Night, is drawn from a sermon series preached by the author.  Each chapter begins with a prayer and ends with a hymn.  Between, there is discussion of how God led the Israelites with a literal cloud by day and a literal fire by night, and parallels of how He leads those in His church today.

Ideally, this book could be used as a devotional.  Though I did not agree with all Tozer had to say, I did find many statements of truth that were encouraging and challenging.

Overall, I found this book to be "okay".  It was one that I looked forward to reading at first, then had to force myself to finish.  My rating may have been influence by the long span of time spent reading the book.  However, this is not one I would be likely to recommend to others.

Rachel's Rating:
★★☆☆☆

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: 5 Minutes in Church History

Stephen Nichols' 5 Minutes in Church History is a book comprised of 40 short chapters about
important people, events, or locations in church history.  These brief overviews, or "postcards" as Nichols refers to them, give the highlights of church history through the Early Church, the Middle Ages, the Reformation, and into the Modern Age.

Why study church history?  Nichols writes, "In church history, we see men and women facing challenges not unlike the challenges before us today.  We look back and we learn.  We also learn from the mistakes and missteps of the past.  And, though it is a cliché, learning can be fun."

As a person who does not have a good sense of history in general, this book was full of insight for me.  I had heard of Polycarp, Canterbury, and Robinson Crusoe.  But I did not know how they played a role church history.  Through this book, I have gained a general knowledge of important people and places in church history.  Through this book, my desire to know more about church history has grown, causing my "to-read" list to grow!

Of course, a book about church history also includes many quotable writers and preachers.  I was especially impressed, encouraged, and challenged by William Ames' view of theology.  Summarizing Ames' beliefs about theology, Nichols writes, "Theology is not just thinking toward God; theology is living toward God....The end of theology is worship.  Theology is doxology."  Again summarizing Ames, Nichols writes, "Theology is the good life and theology is happiness.  You want the good life?  You want happiness?  Be a theologian."  What a challenge for all of us.

This book gives a great overview of church history.  Stephen Nichols is also the host of a podcast by the same name.  I look forward to learning more from him in the future!

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★☆

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Letting Go of the Need to be Right

In Letting Go of the Need to be Right, Jeff Dollar shares his personal experience of discovering the need for humility.  This autobiography is marketed as a self-help book, but contains mostly stories about Dollar's personal experience, with a minimal amount of questions for self-reflection at the end of each chapter.

Dollar and I differ drastically in our doctrine, and that became very obvious the further I read in this book.  His charismatic background provided the basis for much of his self-reflection, and that was something to which I could not relate.  While his life story was interesting, this book fell short for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel's Rating:
★★☆☆☆

Book Review: Misquoted

Misquoted: Rethinking Commonly Misused Bible Verses.  This title grabbed my attention, and I was eager to read what Dan Suelzle had to share.  As a pastor's wife, a leader of ladies' Bible studies, and a student of the Bible, I have repeatedly been reminded of the importance of context, especially when it comes to Scripture.  To pull Scripture out of context can at best make us look silly or uneducated, and at worst, misrepresent God Himself.

I appreciate the layout of Suelzle's book.  He begins by reminding the reader that the Bible is about Jesus, not us.  All of Scripture points to Jesus, and in order to read the Bible in context, we must keep this in mind.

After laying this foundation, Suelzle continues on to address several often-misquoted passages of Scripture.  He asks his reader to first consider the claim that is being made when one quotes a verse.  What is that person actually claiming Scripture says?  Second, consider the true, actual context of that verse in order to determine if the claim being made is valid.  Finally, consider the comfort that comes with finding a right, contextual understanding of the verse.

While I appreciate this approach and completely agree with it, I was surprised to find that I disagreed with one of his interpretations.  In fact, the stance he takes on the passage in question is not even a common one.  Ironic, considering this book was written to clarify misquoted Scripture.

Suelzle's book holds a lot of value.  His process is a good one, and Christians would do well to learn from this.  Context must always be considered when reading Scripture, and this book is helpful for reminding Christians to slow down, consider what is being claimed, consider the context of the verse this claim is based on, and then take comfort in the right, contextual understanding of the verse.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★☆☆

Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Book Review: Over the Line

Gabriella is a former lawyer-turned chef, who finds herself in the middle of drama she never anticipated.  After a young man dies at her feet, Gabby discovers her brother is missing.  With the help of her former ex-fiance Eli, Gabby is determined to find her brother.

Many barriers lie ahead.  Will Gabby be able to trust Eli and forgive him for the past?  Can they work together to find Jake?  And will they live to tell the tale?

Kelly Irvin's fast-paced novel, Over the Line, is set to release June 11, 2019.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★☆☆

Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Book Review: Final Word

The Bible is under attack.  This truth is the title of the opening chapter of John MacArthur's Final Word: Why We Need the Bible.  Throughout this book, MacArthur unpacks the nuances his title implies. 

He begins by showing how Satan's primary tool is deception.  Since his first appearance in Scripture, Satan has twisted God's word and implied that it should be "questioned, evaluated, and judged".  MacArthur gives examples of modern critics of God's Word, showing how His Word is still under attack today. 

To combat these attacks, believers must be grounded in fundamental doctrine.  MacArthur spends two chapters teaching of the Bible's truth and authority.  The Bible is rational truth, containing actual history about real people.  Believers are meant to understand Scripture through carefully reasoned study.  The Bible is also authoritative, eliminating any need to seek subjective interpretation of Scripture. 

MacArthur uses the book of 1 John to explain spiritual growth and how one matures in Christ.  He teaches how believers progress from cognition of God's Word, to conviction, then to affection.  MacArthur clearly portrays the Bible as the catalyst of spiritual growth.  It is only through careful study of God's Word and the working of the Holy Spirit that this growth is achieved.

MacArthur further explains how the Bible is central to faithful ministry.  He uses Scripture to explain how the job of a pastor is to protect the truth of Scripture, warn people of error, and to teach faithfully.  Finally, he teaches how believers can rekindle a love for God's Word.

MacArthur's words are true and pertinent to Christians today.  MacArthur emphasizes that there are no short-cuts in learning God's Word.  He warns against any who might teach otherwise.  This sufficiency of Scripture is the focus of MacArthur's book, and it is a truth that is fundamental for the growth of all Christians.  As MacArthur writes, "If we want to experience the supernatural work of God in our lives, we must understand that the Holy Spirit makes it happen only through His Word.  There is no other means He has ordained, no momentary emotional or existential experience that can catapult us to some higher level of spiritual maturity.  We cannot set aside our Bibles and expect His sanctifying work to continue uninterrupted.  God saved us through the power of His Word, and its work is not finished.  We need to increase our hunger for His truth, knowing that it is the sole source of our spiritual lives and the only means through which the Spirit conforms us into the image of His Son."

Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★★

Book Review: Devotedly, the Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot

Devotedly, The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, was an inspiring and encouraging book to read.  Written by their only  daughter, Valerie Elliot Shepard, this book ties together 5 years of journal entries and letters between Jim and Elisabeth.

I was surprised to learn the details of Jim and Elisabeth's love story.  I wrongly assumed they were like (seemingly) every other couple: finding attraction, dating, falling in love, and deciding to marry.  Their beautiful love story was nothing like this.

What I found so encouraging as I read, was their obvious love for the Lord and their longing to follow Him above all else.  When this meant keeping quiet about their love for each other, they did so.  When this meant staying in one place, while their hearts were in another, they did so.  Yet in all of this beautiful striving to follow God, Jim and Elisabeth were merely two faulted humans.  They struggled in their faithfulness.  They had their quarrels and said their share of regrettable things to each other.  I was so thankful that their daughter did not omit these details in an effort to make her parents look more righteous.  On the contrary, Shepard wrote, "Don't think of my parents as perfect.  They weren't.  Don't think of their relationship as perfect.  It wasn't.  See them as two people - a man and a woman - who willingly invited God to direct their lives His own way.  God is the One doing things perfectly here in their story, even amid disaster, even after many years of testing and waiting, of separation and struggle."

As I read, I was struck by the beautiful way both Jim and Elisabeth wrote.  They were both obviously intelligent people, who loved poetry and the act of writing.  I am so glad they kept journals and kept the letters they wrote to each other.  What a gift they had for the written word!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading an encouraging love story.  Jim and Elisabeth faced many trials in their lives, but God was faithful, just as He is to all of us.  I trust this book will challenge you as it did for me.  As Shepard wrote concerning her parents, "May you take from their real lives the confidence and trust that God has designed you, too, for noble service in His kingdom, as you surrender to Him, obey Him, and daily learn to let Him lead where He alone is able to take you.  Lo, He is your God.  Wait on Him, devotedly."

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★★

Book Review: Grace Defined and Defended

Kevin DeYoung's Grace Defined and Defended is an in-depth study of the Synod of Dort.  Until I read this book, I had never even heard of the Synod of Dort.  The byline of the book title clarifies a bit:  What a 400-Year-Old Confession Teaches Us about Sin, Salvation, and the Sovereignty of God.
 

The Synod of Dort was held in Dordrecht, Netherlands from November, 1618 to May, 1619.  Leaders of the Reformed Church met 154 times between those dates, to settle controversies that had arisen due to the increasing belief in Arminianism.  During that time, they wrote The Canons of Dort, which included five main points.  The first concerned divine election and reprobation; the second, Christ's death and human redemption through it; the third and fourth, human corruption and how we convert to God; and the fifth, perseverance of the saints.
 

There is much value in reading this book and learning the nuances of Calvinism.  As DeYoung states, "We live in an age where passion is often considered an adequate substitute for precision."  The Canons of Dort are very specific, very detailed, and very clear in explanation.  DeYoung asserts the value in reading these confessions, and offers this thought:  "Many of us, even Christians, have little patience for rigorous thinking and little interest in careful definition.  We emote better than we reason, and we describe our feelings better than we define our words, which is one reason we need to study old confessions written by dead people....[Early theologians] were relentlessly passionate about doctrinal truth.  They cared about definitions.  And they cared about precision.  Praise God, they cared enough to be careful."

Written in a way that a layperson can understand, Grace Defined and Defended contains the articles written at the synod, with DeYoung's explanation following each.  Though theologically rich, this was not difficult to read. 

I would recommend this book to fellow believers.  There is much to learn and understand , both for those who are Reformed in their theology and those who are not. 

*Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★★

Book Review: It's Not Supposed to Be This Way

It's Not Supposed to be This Way.  What a great book title!  The Bible tells us that God created the world good.  Lamentably, with the first sin in the garden of Eden, everything changed.  The heartache, the disappointment, the trials that are now faced by every human in life?  This is not how God created things.  It's not supposed to be this way.

If we study the overarching theme of the Bible, we see that God uses all things to bring about good.  TerKeurst builds on this truth in her book and show how disappointments in life can hold so much potential for good.  She encourages her reader to "be grateful and positive" in the midst of disappointments without "pretending we don't get exhausted by our disappointments".  TerKeurst shares intimate details of her own struggles, connecting herself with the reader.

While TerKeurst's writing was relatable, I could not help but see the first few chapters as a combination of a biography, a pep talk, and a self-help book.  This was not the type of book I was expecting, nor was it one I was particularly interested in reading.

TerKeurst's worldview snuck through at times through her particular choice of words.  She wrote of how "God showed [her] a picture of how He wants [her] to be as [she does] life from here."  She states the she is "not really a 'see some sort of vision' kind of girl" and how "at first [she] thought it was just [her] imagination wandering off for a minute.  But then [she] felt an impression on [her] heart that this wasn't random; this really was from God."  TerKeurst then depicts this vision she was supposedly given, in great detail.  This phrasing and practice concerns me and caused me to be on guard as I continued reading. 

TerKeurst writes of how God has given His Word to guide through disappointments.  She goes on to encourage the reader to store up "fighting words" and make declarations over situations they are facing.  She states, "We all need to have some fighting words on hand so we can declare God's truth over our difficult situations".  Some "fighting words" she recommends are, "I am declaring right now that I will not be swept up into a storm of fear and wild emotions", "I will not be one of [Satan's] victims, nor will I be afraid", "I will not be a woman controlled by the lies of the enemy or by my own doubts and fears", "I will see the things that come my way as God's perfect plan to develop my character to match my calling", "I am declaring hope and truth over my life".

My heart bristles at this wording.  Our confidence it to be in God alone, not in our declarations.  Though each statement she makes is backed with a Bible verse, when phrased as "I declare", the focus is taken off of God as our strength and placed on our very declaration.  Declaring "I will not" does not make the declaration occur.  To expect it to be so, is to set oneself up for disappointment.  I would have loved to see these same statements made with a humble prayer, even begging God to let these things be true in our lives.  Let the source of our strength be God alone, and our declarations be ones of praise for who He is.  Let our "fighting words" be His Words, stored in our hearts and overflowing in our lives.

While the bulk of the content of TerKeurst's book was good, and she had some very relatable, quotable material, I was not a fan of her writing style or the things already mentioned above.  If I were to recommend a book regarding disappointments, I would be much more likely to recommend Elisabeth Elliot's Suffering is Never for Nothing.

Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Rachel's Rating
★★☆☆☆

Book Review: Suffering is Never for Nothing

Elisabeth Elliot.  The story of her life has always fascinated me.  When I saw she had written Suffering is Never for Nothing, I had to read it.  I thought, if anyone can speak of suffering and give godly wisdom on how to suffer well, it is this woman. 

As you may or may not know, Elisabeth Elliot's first husband was Jim Elliot.  Jim and four other missionary men were murdered by the Auca Indians, whom they were trying to reach with the Gospel.  Elisabeth and her young daughter Valerie continued to live with and minister to the Aucas.  Later, Elisabeth remarried.  She then lost her second husband to cancer.  She uses these pivotal life experiences to connect with others and share that God will bring good from our suffering.

Suffering is Never for Nothing is a book written from Elliot's lectures at a conference years ago.  Elliot begins by defining suffering as, "having what you don't want, or wanting what you don't have".  She acknowledges that all people suffer, whether in seemingly great ways or small.  She encourages that God is sovereign in all things, and He can be trusted at all times.

I love this paragraph, which speaks of God's goodness:
"But when we’re talking about the gifts of God, we’re talking about gifts that come from One who knows exactly what we need even though it is not necessarily to our tastes and preferences. And He gives us everything that is appropriate to the job that He wants us to do. And so, understanding that, then we can say yes, Lord. I’ll take it. It would not have been my choice but knowing You love me, I will receive it and I understand that someday I’m going to understand the necessity for this thing. So I accept it. And then I can even go the step beyond and say thank You. Thank You, Lord. "

Suffering is Never for Nothing is a book I would recommend to all.  Whether our suffering is great or small, it is good to be reminded of God's hand at work through all of it and to praise Him for it.

Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★★

Book Review: Becoming Us

Robin Jones Gunn's Becoming Us is a novel about a woman named Emily, who recently moved from North Carolina to California with her husband and daughter.  After years of living in close proximity to her in-laws, Emily's small family is now learning how to be on their own.  This story takes you through the highs and lows of Emily's life, much of which is impacted by Emily's newfound friendship with several women in the area.

This story is uplifting and encouraging.  I loved how the author addressed many heart issues women face today.  Several times, I found myself wiping away tears and thinking, "I feel the exact same way".

Although I did not realize it when I chose to read this book, I read Gunn's Sierra Jensen series as a teenager.  I now look forward to re-reading that series and many others by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★☆

Book Review: No Little Women

I first heard about Aimee Byrd's No Little Women a few years ago, and I quickly downloaded an e-version of the book. For various reasons, I never did finish reading it.  I always wanted to though, so I chose this book as the second for my 2019 reading.

Byrd begins her book by pinpointing the problem of "little women" in the church.  This phrase refers to 2 Timothy 3:6-7, where Paul warns of false teachers "who creep into households and capture weak (little) women".  Byrd warns that, "in many cases, women's ministry becomes a back door for bad doctrine to seep into the church".  She asserts that women need to have good theology.  However, as Byrd points out, so many devotionals targeted at women slyly distort the truth.

How does one solve this problem and avoid becoming one of the "little women" mentioned in 2 Timothy?  Byrd encourages women to develop discernment.  "Do the hard work of learning his Word and becoming so familiar with it, through time and study in it, that we know him and his character well".  Then, we will be able to discern whether what we are reading is consistent with Scripture.  Byrd encourages women to read more, read well, and read from trusted sources.  "A vital skill for becoming a competent woman is learning how to read well.  We need to be alert and equipped, because Christian bookstores don't have genre labels like 'fluff' and 'I may look like I have my life together more than you, but I'm about to wreck your theology'."

I loved this part of Byrd's book.  I agree with her assessment of women's devotionals and her cry for discernment.  As a woman who is currently involved in choosing and leading women's Bible studies, I take this very seriously.  What our church group studies must be consistent with the beliefs taught in our church.

Along with Byrd's encouragement, she also lists some examples of writings that are not doctrinally sound.  While I agree with the majority of her assessments, I did feel there were times she focused too much on the specific wording of an author rather than his intent. 

The remainder of Byrd's book addresses the role of women in the church, how pastors and church leaders can encourage women to develop good doctrine, and gives examples to practice discernment skills.

Overall, I really appreciated Byrd's book.  There is a lot to glean from her writing, and I would recommend it especially to women involved in women's ministries, and to men who are leaders of the church.

Rachel's Rating:

★★★★☆