Review: Why Should I Be Interested in Church History

 

Why Should I Be Interested in Church History by Joel R. Beeke and Michael A. G. Haykin is part of the “Cultivating Biblical Godliness” series.

The authors introduce the topic saying, “Generally speaking, men and women in the West today rarely think of consulting history for wisdom, direction, or encouragement” (1).

Biblically, this is the wrong attitude to have as God commands “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee” (Deuteronomy 32:7, KJV) (3).

History, the authors explain, is the viewing of God’s work of salvation in time. History helps us to avoid the errors of the past (11). History shows us the value of peoples and traditions other than our own (14). “A Christian view of history helps us see our present moment in the light of creation, redemption, and the completion of God’s saving purposes”
(18).

History shows us the value of other traditions (20), “offers models for imitation” (21), and “stirs up praise to God” because history rests upon Christ (25).

The authors go on to look at applications of Church History noting that our hope and the purpose of history is only found in God’s Word (30-31).

Finally, the authors go on to recommend a number of books to start with in the areas of overview of history, short biographies, visits to historical buildings and monuments, and primary sources to read (31).

The authors’ arguments and reasons are sound – nothing makes any sense outside of the Word of God – and through the Word of God, the study of Church history – and history more generally – will help the reader to understand what God has done and is doing and how to best live out the Scripture in history today. The recommendations at the end of the book are especially useful – I have read several of them.

You should be interested in Church history.

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

Review: These Truths Alone

 

Tomorrow, October 31^st, is Reformation Day. We will be giving out copies of Jason Helopoulos’ book, These Truths Alone: Why the Reformation Solas Are Essential for Our Faith Today. This book was first released in 2017 – marking the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation.

This book is part of “The Good Book Guide to” series.

The author states the importance of the Solas: “Each of the Solas proves to be essential to the gospel. We neglect them to our harm. When the church loses its understanding of these rallying cries of the Reformation, it loses the gospel” (5).

He then has six chapters – one on each of the Solas – Scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, and Glory to God alone – and one on perseverance.

Each chapter is designed for self-study or group study. Each chapter begins with two scriptures – one from the Old Testament and one for the New that support the doctrine of the Sola in question.

The chapters include a dictionary of terms, general questions on the theme, questions on the Scripture texts, questions regarding the implications of the text, a section of addition areas to “explore more,” question on application, a section on how the reader responds to what has been learned, and, finally, a section of things to pray for.

The book includes a detailed leader’s guide for using this book as a group study.

I believe the Solas are necessary for the Gospel. This book does an excellent job of explaining them and their place in Scripture. If you are unfamiliar with the Solas, need a refresher or additional theological and practical guidance, this is a great place to go.

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

Review: Devoured by Cannabis

 

Douglas Wilson’s Devoured by Cannabis: Weed, Liberty, and Legalization is a gateway book.  (Pun intended.)

The question Wilson addresses in this book is whether cannabis should be legalized for recreational use.

Wilson begins by arguing that alcohol is not the same as cannabis (and other drugs) because alcohol is approved of, mandated, and recommended in the Scripture, whereas drugs are not.  Of course, not every use of alcohol is approved of by the Scripture – drunkenness is a sin (12).

Wilson states that another difference between alcohol and cannabis is that one can have a little alcohol and be fine – and its effects dissipate within a couple of hours.  However, it is not possible not to be deleteriously affected by cannabis (except for perhaps the most minimal amount) and that affect lasts for days interfering with the body’s function (13).

He argues that being drunk or stoned is incompatible with holiness (27).

Tobacco and cannabis are different because tobacco can be used without deleterious effect (35).

If one takes a libertarian view of using cannabis, the freedom use must exist alongside of an employer’s right to fire for use (53).  (Or the employer’s right to fire for use must remain, as per the First Amendment’s provision for freedom of association.)

Economically, he argues that legalization of cannabis would cost the taxpayer in damage while “stoned” and rehab clinics (59).

He argues that the science shows that cannabis use causes mental health problems in numerous people (61).  In fact, any use of cannabis is damaging to the body and mind (73).

While Wilson argues for the criminalization of cannabis use, he argues that possession of cannabis should be decriminalized.  The convicted of possession ought to be given the option of a fine or rehab – on an increasing scale depending on the number of convictions (88). And, the treatment centers would be private, not government run, so that the goal is the repair of the hearts and souls of the user (90).

Ultimately, the problem in one of sin, and the need of repentance – for all of humanity.  No one can ultimately be helped (do not read “cured”) without the intervention of God the Holy Spirit.  So, in working with drug users – and with all others – the presentation of the gospel must be foremost in our work.

I began by saying this is a gateway book.  What I mean by that is, as I began the book, I thought I knew what he was going to say and my response to it, but he took me up.  He stopped me and got me questioning the views I have held.

Specifically, I have two questions that I need to learn more about to better form a solid option on this issue:

First, is it true that it is impossible not to become impaired with any use of cannabis?

Second, is it true that use of cannabis causes or induces a significant percentage of mental illness?

If the answer to these is “yes,” I agree with him that the recreation use of cannabis must be illegal.

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

Review: The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity

 

I saw the title, The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity by Carlos M. Cipolla, and chuckled thinking it must be a book of humor. Then I saw that the forward is written by Nassim Nicholas Taleb and thought better of my assumption and bought the book.

Taleb explains, “the author has a formal axiomatic definition of what stupid means: someone who harms others without procuring any gain fir himself or herself—in contrast to the much more predictable bandit who gains from harming you” (viii, italics his).

Cipolla explains that there are equal percentages of stupid people at every level and in every race, gender, ethnicity – everything of which you can think.

Cipolla states that there are five laws of human stupidity, and there are four categories of people – and all people fall to one degree or another along the four axes in differing spots depending on the degree one is one or the other.

His observations almost seem obvious until you sit back and think about them, and then you realize how profound they are. For the sake of your discovering this exceedingly readable, thought-provoking, and short book, I will not state the rules or the categories.

Once you have read the book, there are several blank charts at the end to plot out where you, your family member, or co-worker fall between being stupid and dangerous.

This is a book to go back to more than once.

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

Review: 40 Questions About Roman Catholicism

 

I’ve read several of the “40 Questions” volumes in the Kregel series, and I have found them, by and large, interesting and instructive.  The latest volume I read, 40 Questions About Roman Catholicism by Gregg R. Allison is no exception.

I am not Roman Catholic, but I know a fair bit about Roman Catholicism, so I came to this volume interested to see what else I would learn.

The book is divided into three sections:  historical and foundational questions (questions 1-10), theological questions (questions 11-34), and contemporary and personal questions (questions 35-40).

The first area of great interest to me was the explanation that Roman Catholics believe that nature and grace are interconnected (see question 5). What this means is that nature – the physical creation – transmits – imparts – grace to the believer directly. The Creation does not merely show grace or point to grace, but itself, gives grace. This is seen – especially in the sacraments where the water, itself, cleanses the person of sin, and in the Lord’s Supper transmits grace, itself, to the receiving believer. This “works” in Roman Catholic theology because they deny that the sin of our first parents radically (to the root) corrupted humanity and all of Creation. Rather, they say that the sin of our first parents weakened humans and Creation. Thus, grace can come directly from the Creation and not just by God through the Creation.

Questions 11-13 were also of interest to me as the author explained that – for the Roman Catholic, authority comes from tradition, the Scripture, and the Magisterium. The Scripture, itself, is not the final authority, and if any of the three parts of authority fail, the entire authority of whatever is being regarded also fails.

A third area of interest to me was in question 37 that looks at why Protestants are converting to Roman Catholicism – many of whom are young people. Allison explains that Protest churches have failed in giving youth four things that they find in the Roman Catholic Church:  certainty, history, unity, and authority (300). To be welcoming, contemporary, and non-threatening, Protestant churches have become slippery, ethereal, and a mere vanity – causing young people to look elsewhere.

Allison examines the history of the church, the sacraments, Mary, the popes, and so forth, and provides and excellent introduction to and critique of the Roman Catholic Church. (One thing to be aware of, as I have mentioned with each volume of this series, is that Baptists author them – which is unimportant – except to note that there are places in the commentary where the Baptist view in Protestantism is the view put forth, which may not agree with all Protestant views.)

Each question/chapter ends with a summary and then questions for reflection – either for individual contemplation or group discussion. The volume ends with a bibliography and a Scripture index.

As I noted to begin with – I enjoy this series and have found many of the volumes to be instructive and enjoyable. This one is certainly helpful in understanding the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church and the differences there are between it and the Protestant churches. I hope to read and review addition volumes of this series.

I received this book free from Kregel in exchange for an honest review.

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

Review: Turn On The Heat

 

Turn On the Heat is one of the Cool & Lam novels written by Erle Stanley Gardner (of Perry Mason fame) which he wrote under the pen name of A. A. Fair.

            Mr. Smith hires the private investigative firm of Cool & Lam (Bertha and Donald, respectively) to locate a Mrs. Lantig who disappear twenty-one years earlier. They are not to look for Mr. Lantig.

            What does Mrs. Lantig look like? How old is she? Where had she been? Mr. Smith says he doesn’t know.

            With almost nothing to go on, Cool & Lam begin to investigate and end up trying to figure out who’s who – who’s alive or dead – who’s married or divorced – and where is Mrs. Lantig?

            An enjoyable and twisty tale.

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