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: In His Image

I am participating in an adult summer reading program.  For this program, I am required to read a book from several suggested categories.  One of those categories is, "A book I have been wanting to read for far too long".  For this category, I chose Jen Wilkin's In His Image.

After reading Wilkin's None Like Him, I was excited to read In His Image and explore the characteristics of God that He has called us to reflect.  Wilkin introduces this study by addressing the concept of seeking God's will for our lives.  She reminds us that though many people question God's will for their lives, truly, "If Scripture teaches us anything, it is this: God is always more concerned with the decision-maker than he is with the decision itself."  She points out that "the questions 'What should I do?' and 'Who should I be?' are not unrelated.  But the order in which we ask them matters.  If we focus on our actions without addressing our hearts, we may end up merely as better behaved lovers of self."  This book prompts us to address our hearts.

During the following ten chapters, Wilkin gives an overview of ten characteristics of God.  I loved how she ended each chapter with the question, "What is the will of God for your life", answered with a summary of how to live out that chapter's godly characteristic.  Her thoughts were practical and applicable.
 
In His Image is definitely a book to re-read.  In my excitement to add another title to my summer reading list, I read this book quickly.  This is a book to which I will return and read more in-depth in the future.  The verses for meditation and questions for reflection at the end of the chapter make this a book that could easily be used as a Bible study.  As with Wilkin's other writings, this book is profitable for building and shaping one's theology.  I would recommend this book to women of all ages and stages of life.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★★

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.