Review: "Philippians"

Philippians:  A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching, part of the Kerux Commentaries series by Kregel, by Thomas Moore and Timothy D. Sprankle has far more in it that the size of the book would lead you to assume.

Herman W. Bateman IV, the series editor, explains that the series attempts to give “a detailed introduction and outline [of the book], a summary of all preaching sections with their primary exegetical, theological, and preaching ideas, preaching pointers that join the original historical context with the contemporary one, insights from the Hebrew and Greek text, a thorough exposition of the text, sidebars of pertinent information and historical background, appropriate charts and photographs, a theological focus to passages, a contemporary big idea for every preaching unit, present-day meaning, validity, and application of a main idea, creative presentations for each primary idea, key questions about the text for study groups, lists of books and articles for further reading” (7-8).

Now, if that doesn’t sound overwhelming, you can’t be overwhelmed!

The commentary begins with an “overview of all preaching passages” including “the exegetical idea, theological focus, preaching idea, [and] preaching pointers.” 

After dividing the text in this way, there is a chart of abbreviations.

Then an introduction to the book – much along the lines you would find in a study Bible, but in significantly more detail.

Then the commentary begins (44 in this case).  All the facets intended are covered here, ending each preaching section with discussion questions.

Final, there is the list of reading materials.

The good about this commentary – and the series – is that it takes the text seriously, it gives the read extensive information – particularly in interpreting the text in its context, and in this, it is a very valuable series for seminary students, preachers, and discussion groups.

My one qualm is the other side of the coin:  this series gives an extraordinary amount of information – great for the price! – but it even divides the text into preaching sections and tells the reader what the points/themes of the text are.  I am concerned that some will use this commentary to automatically write the sermon without relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  One could easily take this commentary and give eighteen sermons covering the book without thinking about the text or waiting on the leading of God for the congregation the preacher is shepherding.

This is a valuable series, packing an incredible amount of information in a short space.  However, it might be wise for the man of God to read the text and pray prior to opening the commentary, so he will not be lulled into simply giving a summary of the commentary to his people.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, Kregel.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "Vintage Murder"

Naigo Marsh takes us on vacation with Detective Alleyn to New Zealand (our author's homeland) for Vintage Murder.

Detective Alleyn is booked on a train with a group of characters who make up an acting troupe -- including the lead actress, who for some reason -- was it money? -- married a wealthy businessman who bought a half interest in the troupe.

At the conclusion of their first round of shows, the cast has an onstage party for the businessman, but things go wrong for all but one person when the champagne bottle trick ends up crushing in the businessman's head.

Which one did it?  A lengthy investigation featuring a green tiki leads to many lies, and finally only one answer.

[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com]

Review: "Insecure"

I wondered what John Perritt would say in his book, Insecure:  Fighting Our Lesser Fears with a Greater One, being someone who is very insecure.  His little book is quite worth the read.

            Perritt notes that some of the content of this book was given at conferences for Reformed Youth Ministries.  In keeping with the audience first in mind, this is a very readable book, though it is not easy – it is bound to make anyone who suffers with insecurity a bit uneasy at times – but for good reason, and with an antidote.

            Perritt defines insecurity as being “self-focused” (19).  Now don’t get your backs up.

Each chapter ends with reflection/discussion questions and a prayer.

            Insecurity – being self-focused comes from the lies that dwell in our hearts (“did God say”) due to Original Sin and sin in our lives (31).

            Insecurity causes fear, judgmentalism, and jealousy.  If you are unsure of this, just talk with most people about theirs views about their social media (59).

            Freedom comes in believing that we are hidden in Christ (74), that we are created in God’s Image and for community – the Church (82).

            “Our insecurities often move us to focus on self.  So, a very helpful practice is getting our eyes off of ourselves.  Getting us to stop focusing in the mirror and start looking out the window [seeing the beauties of God through the Scripture]” (90, italics his).

            The book ends with a reflection on when we should care about what others think – that is, regarding our witness to Christ and His Gospel.

            A second appendix with a quiz to see how social media is affecting you.

            And a third with Scriptures we can say to ourselves to become secure in Christ.

            Each chapter ends with reflections questions and a prayer.

            This book is well worth your purchase, for junior high age and up – for anyone who has ever felt insecure and confesses Jesus as God and Savior.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "The 4-Hour Body"

            I really enjoyed Timothy Ferriss’ book, The 4-Hour Work Week.  I was less impressed with his book, The 4-Hour Body.

            In this book, Ferriss addresses several issues, first beginning with both weight loss and muscle building.

            Ferriss has an interesting idea called the “Slow-Carb Diet,” which consists of five points:

1.      Avoid white carbs.

2.      Eat the same few meals over and over.

3.      Don’t drink your calories.

4.      Don’t eat fruit.

5.      One day a week, eat whatever you want (75).

This makes up the first half of the book. And... despite the anecdotes, it seems that something important in nutrition is missing.  I was discouraged and overwhelmed, so I didn’t formulate an argument against what he says, I just dropped it.

The next section looks at how to improve sex.

Then, how to improve sleep.

How to reverse permanent injuries.

And ultra-endurance.

These sections are things I am not up for, and he also looks to have you get tests and do things that most people, it seems to me, won’t do.  Such as going to another country for less expensive tests.

Meh.  Just skip this one.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Biblical Preaching on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9sUBCE5YAY&t=2s

Review: "The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read (But is Too Embarrassed to Ask)

            I suspected what Christopher Ash’s book, The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read (But is Too Embarrassed to Ask), and I was right – in a good way.

            Ash begins by introducing us to ten ministers – pastor who sin, who have insecurities, who get overwhelmed, and so forth.  The point being that “pastors are people too.”

            Then he asked why a parishioner should want to care for his pastor.  The answer is found is Hebrews 13:17 – if your pastor is overburdened, he won’t be of any benefit to you.

            The bulk of the book is “seven virtues of church members that impact our pastors.”

1.      Daily repentance and eager faith.  Come to your pastor with your struggles and sin and be desirous of instruction from God’s Word and tell the pastor when he has done or said something right or helpful.

2.      Committed belonging.  We are not primarily consumers, but providers in our local church.  So, as often as possible, we are to be involved in everything our church does, including the worship service.

3.      Open Honesty. Be open and honest between church members and the pastor, and as much as possible, face to face.

4.      Thoughtful Watchfulness.  We are to keep a concerned watch – not a watch seeking to see the pastor fail – over the pastor’s life and doctrine.  Not just inquiring of him and listening to his sermons, but allowing him time to read, to go to conferences, to have a study leave, a day(s) off, and vacations.

5.      Loving kindness.  The ministry takes a toll on a person.  Our care for the pastor should reflect in his pay and housing.

6.      High expectations.  We ought to expect and example of striving after holiness and the presentation of biblical doctrine from our pastors.  God holds them to higher standards and so should we.  We out also protect them from false accusations.

7.      Zealous submission.  We ought to zealous follow our pastor’s lead (so long as it is biblical).

Ash then recommends that several people in the congregation self-consciously get to know the pastor and his family – befriend him – be a sounding board – people to have times of casual acquaintance with.  In this chapter, he includes several questions that someone in the congregation should be able to answer about their pastor.

In the final chapter, he suggests that some churches will respond well to his thoughts, and others will rebel or be angry.  For the latter, the pastor may find it time to move on.

This is both a sobering and encouraging book as I considered what I have done well and not well and how I perceive the same in my congregation.  I will never forget – not to long into my ministry – when I asked the congregation to pray for me and for my striving after holiness during the sermon – and one dear woman, who I know cares for me very much, came up to me after worship and said, “I never thought about praying for you.”

There is a misperception of pastors being anywhere from sluggards to social workers to holy men – all of which are wrong.  We need to fight for a correct understanding of the ministry, fight, as pastors to be holy and good undershepherds, and to teach our congregation how to care for us and why it is necessary.  This book is a great place to start.

Interestingly, he says that most people should never know what the pastor’s salary is because that could cause unrealistic expectations (79).  I’m not sure what I think of that.  My salary and benefits have always been broken down in detail in our budget.

Read this book.  Think it through.  And then consider getting it for the congregation – even if it causes you some embarrassment.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "Laughing at the Days to Come"

            In the final chapter of the book of Proverbs, King Lemuel instructs his son on finding a woman who is worthy of marrying, and he writes, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. (Proverbs 31:25, ESV).

            Tessa Thompson, the author of Laughing at the Days to Come:  Facing Present Trials and Future Uncertainties with Gospel Hope argues that being able to laugh at the days to come is essential for the godly woman (and person, I add).

            Thompson was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 when she was sixteen years old – when she went deaf.  The disease causes tumors to form on the auditory nerves which brings about deafness.  Tumors can grow in other parts of the body, and it is a disease of chronic pain.  Her father went deaf with this disease in his forties.

            Thompson addresses her book specially to women – though men can certainly profit from her wisdom – and she divides her book into three sections:  Laughter: It’s Definition, Laughter: It’s Doctrine, and Laughter: It’s Doing.

            It’s Definition is found in “liv[ing] a life that reflects what is; namely, the present abiding reality of God” (16).  For, “the gospel promises us that this earthly vale of tears is not the end and our suffering here is fleeting, not final” (33).

            It’s Doctrine is found in Peter telling us that we have “a living hope” (51).  “He [God the Father] desires our highest good, and our highest good is God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, Spirit-enabled holiness” (79).  “But the distinguishing mark of laughter at the days to come is an unwavering confidence that God will carry out His promises and finish what He began” (94).

It’s Doing is found in knowing that we are given doctrine to know what we ought to know and believe about God and the Gospel, and that we would live in the light of those truths (118).

If you think you might suffer, if you are suffering, if you think you might suffer in the future, if you want to be assured that God loves you, Christ has live and died and risen for you, and the Holy Spirit is upholding you day by day, this is a great book to read.  I would put this on my list of books every Christian should read.

If you want insight into what the Bible teaches us about suffering and how we are to live in the light of the truth about God and the Gospel – whether you are a woman or a man – this is a great resource.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]