In many ways Joni Eareckson's book serves as an extended illustration to the theology of Henry Frost whose book, "Miraculous Healing", she constantly recommends. Frost was a friend and contemporary of Hudson Taylor and his book comes highly recommended by a broad spectrum of evangelical response to the mystery of healing and the gospel. (M Lloyd Jones being one of that number). "Miraculous Healing", by Henry W Frost, provides the patient theology of issues of healing and Joni's "A Place of Healing" works out the hypothesis, but thrillingly. Joni Eareckson is not "under siege" in her testimony but boldly embraces the current will of God as she perceives it.
The perspective of each of these books comes from writers who believe that "God still heals today" and so avoids the extreme position of the cessationists. But at the same time both books avoid the dogmatic theology of the "God's will is that you be healed now" theology.
There is a beautiful and sane balance in this testimony, and 'testimony' is what we encounter in Joni's book. This testimony does not come from the ivory tower of a study but from the fog of war experienced in the midst of the battle. You need to read this book; if not today, you will certainly need it in one of your tomorrows. Buy it and share it and enjoy the thrilling testimony of a woman who has found the grace to say "though he slay me, yet will I trust him."
Thursday 22 August 2013
Thursday 17 May 2012
Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 3 stars
In recent years we have had one or two Expositary Dictionaries published. Renn in 2005 and Mounce in 2006. The covers of these books make reference to Vines Expository Dictionary which has been the classic, must-have, expository dictionary for some years. The more modern pretenders are at pains to show in what way they are 'superior' to Vine's. All three books have number links to Strongs concordance and this makes them very useful for folk who have no experience of the original languages or have forgotten much of what they once knew. Mounce also has G/K numbering in addition to that of Strongs.
The thing about an expository dictionary is that it makes no apologies for the fact that the theological bias of the writer will be evident. Vine came from a Christian Brethren background and his convictions will show in his dictionary. The same is true of Renn and Mounce who are more Reformed in their thinking. Vine's has the Old and New Testament sections separately while both Renn and Mounce combine Old and New in each item. There is, in my view, and advantage to having both Hebrew and Greek words on the same page and place. My personal preference for the 'expository' side of things would be Vine. I think his views are closer to mine and I think he does a very good job of providing a Biblical Theology to undergird your studies. Renn's comments are the most full.
Do read it and think through the implications.
So which is the best? For me the claims of 'better than Vine's' are not substantiated but both Renn and Mounce add some valuable content.
Check out the options:
Vine's
Mounce also has a Kindle version
Renn
The thing about an expository dictionary is that it makes no apologies for the fact that the theological bias of the writer will be evident. Vine came from a Christian Brethren background and his convictions will show in his dictionary. The same is true of Renn and Mounce who are more Reformed in their thinking. Vine's has the Old and New Testament sections separately while both Renn and Mounce combine Old and New in each item. There is, in my view, and advantage to having both Hebrew and Greek words on the same page and place. My personal preference for the 'expository' side of things would be Vine. I think his views are closer to mine and I think he does a very good job of providing a Biblical Theology to undergird your studies. Renn's comments are the most full.
However there is a gem in Mounce.
He has a section on "How to do word studies" which I cannot recommend too highly. In fact you can read this whole section on Amazon without having to buy the book at all. This is the way I have done 'word studies' personally for many years and have encouraged others to study in the same way. To see it expressed in this way is a great encouragement personally and he adds some follies of interpretation to be avoided. This is a mini-course in hermeneutics and a priceless help for students of the Scripture. If these guides and cautions were carefully observed we would prevent many presumptions that have littered Bible teaching for many years.Do read it and think through the implications.
So which is the best? For me the claims of 'better than Vine's' are not substantiated but both Renn and Mounce add some valuable content.
Check out the options:
Vine's
Mounce also has a Kindle version
Renn
Monday 28 March 2011
Book of Fire: William Tyndale, Thomas More and the Bloody Birth of the English Bible: Brian Moynahan
ISBN-13: 978-0349123226 Kindle Edition. 5 stars
Brain Moynahan’s book is subtitled ‘William Tyndale, Thomas More and the Bloody Birth of the English Bible’ and I read it in the Kindle version. As far I can see the book is now ‘out of print’ other than for Kindle readers but second hand copies are available.
William Tyndale is my hero and David Daniell’s book ‘William Tyndale: a biography’ might have thought to have been the definitive work. Moynahan’s book relies heavily on Daniell but brings a thrilling pace to the personal conflict between Thomas More and William Tyndale. Moynahan is more than sympathetic to Tyndale and clearly hostile to More but the dynamic between the two men, who never met, is brought out in a very vivid manner.
I am very familiar with the storyline of these events but Moynahan really seems to get into the character of the two men who provide a fascinating contrast to each other. This book also reveals how a ‘committee’ of the King James Version were able to produce such masterpiece of style and accuracy; they lifted over 80% of Tyndale’s New Testament for their new translation!
Moynahan's writing has been described as being, "mercifully free of the sludge that often clogs academic treatises”. This book however is not a novel but a carefully researched and documented history written with the skill of an accomplished communicator. He has produced that rarest of books… a historical page turner. The book captures the continual threat of arrest and execution that was the background to the whole translation process and makes the reader conscious of the enormous debt of gratitude that we owe to such men as William Tyndale.
Warmly recommended and a ‘must read’ for anyone interested in the romance of Bible translation. 5 stars.
Brain Moynahan’s book is subtitled ‘William Tyndale, Thomas More and the Bloody Birth of the English Bible’ and I read it in the Kindle version. As far I can see the book is now ‘out of print’ other than for Kindle readers but second hand copies are available.
William Tyndale is my hero and David Daniell’s book ‘William Tyndale: a biography’ might have thought to have been the definitive work. Moynahan’s book relies heavily on Daniell but brings a thrilling pace to the personal conflict between Thomas More and William Tyndale. Moynahan is more than sympathetic to Tyndale and clearly hostile to More but the dynamic between the two men, who never met, is brought out in a very vivid manner.
I am very familiar with the storyline of these events but Moynahan really seems to get into the character of the two men who provide a fascinating contrast to each other. This book also reveals how a ‘committee’ of the King James Version were able to produce such masterpiece of style and accuracy; they lifted over 80% of Tyndale’s New Testament for their new translation!
Moynahan's writing has been described as being, "mercifully free of the sludge that often clogs academic treatises”. This book however is not a novel but a carefully researched and documented history written with the skill of an accomplished communicator. He has produced that rarest of books… a historical page turner. The book captures the continual threat of arrest and execution that was the background to the whole translation process and makes the reader conscious of the enormous debt of gratitude that we owe to such men as William Tyndale.
Warmly recommended and a ‘must read’ for anyone interested in the romance of Bible translation. 5 stars.
Monday 14 June 2010
William Wilberforce: William Hague
William Hague, once leader of the Conservative Party and now Foreign Secretary, has provided us with a wonderful biography of this great Englishman. There have been several biographies of William Wilberforce but this is written by a politician who sets Wilberforce’s achievements within the political structures and struggles of his day. This makes the read a little laborious at times but surely William Hague has provided the definitive Wilberforce biography.
This is a very sympathetic record of Wilberforce’s labours and Hague really seems to have a true sense of the powerful motivating force of Wilberforce’s personal evangelical faith. It is a fascinating glimpse into an age which is almost unimaginable today. Wilberforce’s commitment to abolishing the slave trade and then slavery itself was the abiding passion of his life. His patience and tenacity in fulfilling what he believed to be his God-given task bore testimony to his personal faith. The delays and reversals would surely have deterred most other men. While bloody revolution and madame guillotine reigned in France and many expected similar events in Britain, through the Napoleanic wars and turbulent times Wilberforce patiently and carefully steered his path through to a solid foundation for abolition of slavery as an acceptable part of ‘civilised’ life.
I would have liked to hear more about the ‘Clapham Sect’, a community of evangelical leaders in society and the political world. This company of like minded believers had an enormous impact on Bible translation and publication, with the Bible Society and with the founding of several mission societies.
A long and sometimes laborious read but heartily recommended.
This is a very sympathetic record of Wilberforce’s labours and Hague really seems to have a true sense of the powerful motivating force of Wilberforce’s personal evangelical faith. It is a fascinating glimpse into an age which is almost unimaginable today. Wilberforce’s commitment to abolishing the slave trade and then slavery itself was the abiding passion of his life. His patience and tenacity in fulfilling what he believed to be his God-given task bore testimony to his personal faith. The delays and reversals would surely have deterred most other men. While bloody revolution and madame guillotine reigned in France and many expected similar events in Britain, through the Napoleanic wars and turbulent times Wilberforce patiently and carefully steered his path through to a solid foundation for abolition of slavery as an acceptable part of ‘civilised’ life.
I would have liked to hear more about the ‘Clapham Sect’, a community of evangelical leaders in society and the political world. This company of like minded believers had an enormous impact on Bible translation and publication, with the Bible Society and with the founding of several mission societies.
A long and sometimes laborious read but heartily recommended.
Thursday 11 February 2010
God's Undertaker. Has science buried God? (4 stars) John C. Lennox MA PhD DPhil DSc
John Lennox is a bible-believing, evangelical Christian, he is also Professor in Mathematics at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College and he holds three doctorates. So, in short, we have some considerable mental muscle behind this book. Lennox has debated publicly with Richard Dawkins and lectures throughout the world on science, philosophy and theology. All this might sound intimidating but Lennox’s book is very accessible to anyone who is prepared to consider his position carefully and has just a smattering of mathematics and biology; I include myself in this select group... just a smattering.
In 12 chapters he covers a great distance and not superficially. His chapter headings give a clear idea of his route;
1. War of the worldviews
2. The scope and limits of science
3. Reduction, reduction, reduction
4. Designer universe?
5. Designer biosphere?
6. The nature and scope of evolution
7. The origin of life
8. The genetic code and its origin
9. Matters of information
10. The monkey machine
11. The origin of information
12. Violating nature? The legacy of David Hume
and an epilogue
This is not street corner argument but a carefully reasoned and well documented consideration of the central claims of Neo Darwinianism. He quotes widely from opponents and fellow-travellers alike. The first chapter and the epilogue summarise his position which is to challenge the current debate about science and religion. Lennox contends that this is a false dichotomy and narrows the discussion to the the nitty-gritty; the contest of differing world views and the all important question ‘which came first “information” or “matter”? The mathematician’s love of the beauty of order shines through this book and Lennox is a master in this field. He has an ability of expressing complex mathematical issues in home-spun illustrations which can appear a little patronising at first but on examination are seen to be very pertinent. Don’t underestimate ‘Aunt Matilda’s cake’ it will become a recurring theme in his reasoning. The book has received a welcome in a surprising variety of quarters.
If ‘to wonder is the beginning of understanding’ Lennox shows that ‘to wonder is the beginning of worship too’. His own Christian conviction is plainly stated and yet it is a scientist who writes this book and he is particularly scathing of the ‘god of the gaps’ thinking that can operate in this area. This book is marked too by an absence of the cheap ‘jibe’ that has so often characterised this debate. You can safely give this book to your Neo-Darwinian friends knowing that it will provoke them to think but not insult them.
As a ‘non-biologist, non mathematician’ I found this book a fascinating read. To listen to an expert who has the ability to communicate is a treat and I would heartily recommend ‘God’s Undertaker’. If you have responsibility of any kind towards young and enquiring minds this book is a ‘must’ in your tool kit.
US ISBN 978-0-8254-7912-0 $14.95
UK ISBN 978-0-7459-5371-7 £8.99
Thursday 3 December 2009
Passion for Souls: The Life of D. L. Moody audio
I had a free download of this and have listed to over 17 hours narrated by Jonathan Marosz. It has been a real eye-opener for me although I thought I knew a bit about Moody. The author, Lyle W. Dorsett, is an affectionate recorder of the Moody phenomena but not without attempting to measure the man and his work.
I had no real idea of the way that the Moody years have shaped what became the consensus of evangelicalism for the whole of the 20th century. Moody's son commented that Moody's single ambition was 'to proclaim the good news of the gospel through multiplied agencies'. It was the 'multiplied agencies' that I had missed. He stamped his personality and pattern on the whole evangelical world, for good or ill. Evangelistic agencies, YMCAs, Bible colleges, schools, missionary outreaches, international travel were all part of the multiplied agencies. There can be no doubt that he brought millions of individuals face to face with their need for a personal encounter with Christ. How successful those encounters were cannot be measured. His fund raising abilities were legendary and he used what have now become stock in trade methods of mail hits and newspaper publicity. He never appealed for his own financial needs but never hesitated to use his powers and influence to raise huge sums of money for evangelistic campaigns and agencies.
Moody comes through as a man with a genuine gift for loyal friendship and a large heart. His fame gave him access to wide ranges of society and his burden was always to point them to their need for Christ. His energies were also legendary, as was his ability to conscript others into his campaigns.
Dorsett has a final chapter called 'a retrospect' in which he attempts to assess the strengths and weaknesses of Moody as a man and as a model. I have listened to this chapter 4 times. It is challenging, humbling and disturbing but perhaps an honest account of any man would be the same.
I leave this account feeling I have met Moody and warmed to him in a way that has surprised me although my apprehensions of his methodologies have been confirmed. This is a valuable account of a man whose life and manner continue to impact the world of evangelicalism. I give this a solid 4 stars out of 5.
Publisher: Moody Publishers (October 1997) 491 pages.
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802451942
ISBN-13: 978-0802451941
I had no real idea of the way that the Moody years have shaped what became the consensus of evangelicalism for the whole of the 20th century. Moody's son commented that Moody's single ambition was 'to proclaim the good news of the gospel through multiplied agencies'. It was the 'multiplied agencies' that I had missed. He stamped his personality and pattern on the whole evangelical world, for good or ill. Evangelistic agencies, YMCAs, Bible colleges, schools, missionary outreaches, international travel were all part of the multiplied agencies. There can be no doubt that he brought millions of individuals face to face with their need for a personal encounter with Christ. How successful those encounters were cannot be measured. His fund raising abilities were legendary and he used what have now become stock in trade methods of mail hits and newspaper publicity. He never appealed for his own financial needs but never hesitated to use his powers and influence to raise huge sums of money for evangelistic campaigns and agencies.
Moody comes through as a man with a genuine gift for loyal friendship and a large heart. His fame gave him access to wide ranges of society and his burden was always to point them to their need for Christ. His energies were also legendary, as was his ability to conscript others into his campaigns.
Dorsett has a final chapter called 'a retrospect' in which he attempts to assess the strengths and weaknesses of Moody as a man and as a model. I have listened to this chapter 4 times. It is challenging, humbling and disturbing but perhaps an honest account of any man would be the same.
I leave this account feeling I have met Moody and warmed to him in a way that has surprised me although my apprehensions of his methodologies have been confirmed. This is a valuable account of a man whose life and manner continue to impact the world of evangelicalism. I give this a solid 4 stars out of 5.
Publisher: Moody Publishers (October 1997) 491 pages.
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802451942
ISBN-13: 978-0802451941
Thursday 19 November 2009
Kabul24 - Arnold and Pearson 2009
9/11 is a date fixed indelibly in the mind of the world. Millions throughout the world stood transfixed at the horror that unfolded before their eyes. Two days earlier the West's great hope for Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Massoud, the Lion of Panjshir, was assassinated by a bomb built into the video camera of a fake cameraman. While the world and Afghanis reeled the repercussions were impossible to guess for a much smaller group.
Eight western members of Shelter Now, a Christian relief agency had already spent more than a month as the abducted prisoners of the Taliban which then ruled Afghanistan. As the declared intention of the US to launch a punitive strike on Afghanistan became clear their status changed from prisoner to hostage and part of the Taliban's human shield. Another two months would pass with the dangers mounting day by day before their story concluded. Time after time like those on Paul's shipwreck they gave up all hope of being rescued, and yet time after time, hope arose as they prayed.
They had put a complex prayer before God. They asked for a perfect rescue in which no life, either of hostage or captors would be lost. The intricate way in which God answered this extraordinary prayer is the story of Kabul24. Eight Christian westerners, two men and 6 women were kept, for the most part, in separate parts of various prisons and contact was very sparse. 16 Muslim Afghan employees of Shelter Now were also arrested and incarcerated in even more hideous conditions. Eight westerners and 16 Afghans - the Kabul 24.
This is a gripping story expertly told and will have you on the edge of your seat as you read and yet is by no means theatrical in the telling. I read this book at a single sitting and when I put it down my wife picked it up and read it a single sitting. The skill of the writers never obtrudes into the story but carries the story faithfully through the captives personal descent into a modern equivalent of Dante's inferno.
We see, said Paul, that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love him and and are the called ones to his purpose. That "working all things together", synergy in Greek, is the distinctive fingerprint of a sovereign God. This book will frighten you and encourage you. "God" said the Puritans, "only gives dying grace in the dying hour." I know of no modern equivalent to illustrate that truth to compare with Kabul24. This is a 'must read' modern missionary classic.
As a blogger with a book review blog, I review books for Thomas Nelson. I am required to review them honestly and receive no incentive to review them positively. This book was provided free of charge by Thomas Nelson.
Eight western members of Shelter Now, a Christian relief agency had already spent more than a month as the abducted prisoners of the Taliban which then ruled Afghanistan. As the declared intention of the US to launch a punitive strike on Afghanistan became clear their status changed from prisoner to hostage and part of the Taliban's human shield. Another two months would pass with the dangers mounting day by day before their story concluded. Time after time like those on Paul's shipwreck they gave up all hope of being rescued, and yet time after time, hope arose as they prayed.
They had put a complex prayer before God. They asked for a perfect rescue in which no life, either of hostage or captors would be lost. The intricate way in which God answered this extraordinary prayer is the story of Kabul24. Eight Christian westerners, two men and 6 women were kept, for the most part, in separate parts of various prisons and contact was very sparse. 16 Muslim Afghan employees of Shelter Now were also arrested and incarcerated in even more hideous conditions. Eight westerners and 16 Afghans - the Kabul 24.
This is a gripping story expertly told and will have you on the edge of your seat as you read and yet is by no means theatrical in the telling. I read this book at a single sitting and when I put it down my wife picked it up and read it a single sitting. The skill of the writers never obtrudes into the story but carries the story faithfully through the captives personal descent into a modern equivalent of Dante's inferno.
We see, said Paul, that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love him and and are the called ones to his purpose. That "working all things together", synergy in Greek, is the distinctive fingerprint of a sovereign God. This book will frighten you and encourage you. "God" said the Puritans, "only gives dying grace in the dying hour." I know of no modern equivalent to illustrate that truth to compare with Kabul24. This is a 'must read' modern missionary classic.
As a blogger with a book review blog, I review books for Thomas Nelson. I am required to review them honestly and receive no incentive to review them positively. This book was provided free of charge by Thomas Nelson.
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