Well it’s been a while since I last updated this blog. June was a busy month and every time I found myself at my computer it was to work on something slightly more pressing and a little less vain.
Seeing how summer has now come upon us, some of you might want some summer reading recommendations, so I will pick back up the effort to recap the works I have read in the last year. My list of reading actually has grown quite a bit since my last blog due to a gift given to me from my wife and from others for completing my year of teaching Biblical Studies at True North Academy.
Long Way Round
Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman
www.longwayround.com
This was my second attempt at reading this book and I am glad I finished it. It was a departure from the Christian books I had been reading but still full of truth and inspiration. Essentially, it is a travel journal written by two actors who also loved motorcycles. They decided to ride from London to New York, and the book follows them from the earliest stages of their love affair with bikes to their final moments of the trip. I had bought it out of my respect for Ewan as an actor and because growing up with a dad who loved bikes and has had one my whole life, I have been on my share of motorcycle trips. The best parts of the book are the unplanned adventures and people that come along for them. I was also surprised at the everyman nature of both actors (this trip happened after Ewan had been rocketed into fame by the Star Wars Prequels). The most amazing truth to come out of the book was the revelation Ewan received during their crossing of Mongolia; no matter where you go or who you meet, people all have the same basic needs: food, shelter and relationships/family. As they met different people from progressively poorer countries they began to see how myopic our Western view of the world is and how much a movie star from the UK had the same basic desires for himself and his family as a nomad in Mongolia. I find this type of empathy important in an age when there is so much “us and them” propaganda used to motivate wars of both the cultural and military kind. We need to be reminded that in God’s eyes there is no “us and them” only those who He loves and who He created. We all need to remember that every person carries in them the Imago Dei, the image of God, and we need to seek to see that, rather than seeking to see an enemy.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
More Book Review (warning Helen did not edit this one for me)
Here’s the next in the growing list of books I have read since returning from Montana a married man last year.
Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting Derek Prince
www.derekprince.org
When I started the journey back to living by faith in Jesus Christ I was part of small group of college age kids who eventually grew to become a small church plant. In the process of growing in the area of spiritual freedom I was exposed the writing of Derek Prince in the form of his book Blessings or Curses. It was an eye opening book of the effects of the words that are spoken over us and we speak over others. I am planning on reading it again soon. Now lets fast forward 10 years and I am in Kansas City, Missouri and I am joining thousands of other people young and old praying for the end of abortion in America being lead by Lou Engle (who is an intensely beautiful and at times misunderstood man of God) and on every seat in the place is a free copy of Prince’s book Shaping History. I put off reading it because I was studying the bible pretty intensely at the time. Fast forward again to Autumn 2008 and because of business slowing down I have lots of free time with nothing to do but read so I pick up this book. Engle had said it was what got him started on the idea of using prayer and fasting as his approach to seeing abortion end in US. As for me what stood out was how Prince formulated his arguments for the need of prayer and fasting in the life a Christians and how God intends it to bring spiritual change in the nations. He does not only give examples from his own experience as evidence but creates logical argument as well (he does have some great stories from his experience as well though). I have always had a great respect for those saints who have been faithful to pray and fast for their family, friends, city, nation and the world. Some like George Mueller say God work miracles simply because he was willing to spend time in prayer. While I see the importance of prayer and fasting I most confess that I still struggle to faithfully incorporate it into my life. So I would have to say that this book was one that so far has just made me spiritually fat because I have not exercised the knowledge it.
Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting Derek Prince
www.derekprince.org
When I started the journey back to living by faith in Jesus Christ I was part of small group of college age kids who eventually grew to become a small church plant. In the process of growing in the area of spiritual freedom I was exposed the writing of Derek Prince in the form of his book Blessings or Curses. It was an eye opening book of the effects of the words that are spoken over us and we speak over others. I am planning on reading it again soon. Now lets fast forward 10 years and I am in Kansas City, Missouri and I am joining thousands of other people young and old praying for the end of abortion in America being lead by Lou Engle (who is an intensely beautiful and at times misunderstood man of God) and on every seat in the place is a free copy of Prince’s book Shaping History. I put off reading it because I was studying the bible pretty intensely at the time. Fast forward again to Autumn 2008 and because of business slowing down I have lots of free time with nothing to do but read so I pick up this book. Engle had said it was what got him started on the idea of using prayer and fasting as his approach to seeing abortion end in US. As for me what stood out was how Prince formulated his arguments for the need of prayer and fasting in the life a Christians and how God intends it to bring spiritual change in the nations. He does not only give examples from his own experience as evidence but creates logical argument as well (he does have some great stories from his experience as well though). I have always had a great respect for those saints who have been faithful to pray and fast for their family, friends, city, nation and the world. Some like George Mueller say God work miracles simply because he was willing to spend time in prayer. While I see the importance of prayer and fasting I most confess that I still struggle to faithfully incorporate it into my life. So I would have to say that this book was one that so far has just made me spiritually fat because I have not exercised the knowledge it.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Reading Recommendations Part 2
Okay, due to the fact that I got some positive responses to my last book-review blog, I will keep them coming. Here are the next two books. (I am uncertain if this is the exact order I have read them in.)
The Shadow of the Galilean: the Quest of the Historical Jesus in Narrative Form by Gerd Theissen
Once again, I have to give my lovely wife Helen credit for exposing me to this book. The subtitle pretty much covers the heart of the book. The story follows a character named Andreas after he is arrested by the Romans for being in the wrong place at the wrong time during a demonstration by the Jewish people. The Roman authorities persuade him to spy on some of the movements developing around Palestine including the Zealots, Qumran, and even the followers of a man named Jesus. Theissen is able to capture the political and spiritual environment at the time of Jesus’ ministry, and also includes a dialogue where he answers the critiques of the narrative by a fellow scholar. Having just come back from 9 months of studying the Bible in its context, this book was fascinating for me to read. I enjoyed the narrative approach because, much like the narratives in Scripture, it engaged my emotions in a way that textbooks cannot. Obviously, some of Theissen’s bias colors the emotion of the narrative, but in the letters to Dr. Katzinger (the scholar critiquing the work) he is able to discuss in what ways his personal convictions colour the story. On the whole, I was impressed by both the level of the scholarly work and the beauty of the narrative. For anyone who is a Biblical history junkie like me and wants a fresh way at approaching the subject, I would highly recommend this book.
Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper
www.desiringgod.org
I have been listening to the teachings of John Piper for some time now. I used to listen to sermons on my iPod while at the gym all the time and Piper’s were always too deep to be given mere split attention. The same can be said of this book that so many know him for. I was first impressed to read this book by a pastor out of Hilo, Hawaii named Mark Rife. I met Mark while visiting my parents in Kona and started listening to Mark’s sermons online. Mark spoke often about how the book had meant much to him; this put it on my list. The sheer size of the book, however, made it slip to the back of the pile when it came time to read it. I have read other works by Piper and heard him preach quite a bit and I will say that he is wonderfully consistent. I heard Francis Chan once say that everyone should read one of Piper’s books because of the beautiful way Piper understands our relationship to God. Chan went on to say that it doesn’t really matter which one you read because they all pretty much say the same thing. I would have to agree. It would seem that Piper has been writing and teaching Desiring God over and over again, just to new audiences and with deeper explanations of the topics he covered in this first book. I won’t go into what Desiring God covers, but will say that it is worth reading for the awesome wonder that Piper has for God. I will give this disclaimer though: Piper was a professor before he became a pastor and that shows in this work. If you like to be spoon-fed when you read theological material, this book might not be for you. If the task of this book seems too large to consume, then I would suggest Don’t Waste Your Life as a simpler place to start.
Well there is another two books - only seven more to go! I hope this is adding to your reading list, and please feel free to leave suggestions of other books you feel are worth reading.
The Shadow of the Galilean: the Quest of the Historical Jesus in Narrative Form by Gerd Theissen
Once again, I have to give my lovely wife Helen credit for exposing me to this book. The subtitle pretty much covers the heart of the book. The story follows a character named Andreas after he is arrested by the Romans for being in the wrong place at the wrong time during a demonstration by the Jewish people. The Roman authorities persuade him to spy on some of the movements developing around Palestine including the Zealots, Qumran, and even the followers of a man named Jesus. Theissen is able to capture the political and spiritual environment at the time of Jesus’ ministry, and also includes a dialogue where he answers the critiques of the narrative by a fellow scholar. Having just come back from 9 months of studying the Bible in its context, this book was fascinating for me to read. I enjoyed the narrative approach because, much like the narratives in Scripture, it engaged my emotions in a way that textbooks cannot. Obviously, some of Theissen’s bias colors the emotion of the narrative, but in the letters to Dr. Katzinger (the scholar critiquing the work) he is able to discuss in what ways his personal convictions colour the story. On the whole, I was impressed by both the level of the scholarly work and the beauty of the narrative. For anyone who is a Biblical history junkie like me and wants a fresh way at approaching the subject, I would highly recommend this book.
Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper
www.desiringgod.org
I have been listening to the teachings of John Piper for some time now. I used to listen to sermons on my iPod while at the gym all the time and Piper’s were always too deep to be given mere split attention. The same can be said of this book that so many know him for. I was first impressed to read this book by a pastor out of Hilo, Hawaii named Mark Rife. I met Mark while visiting my parents in Kona and started listening to Mark’s sermons online. Mark spoke often about how the book had meant much to him; this put it on my list. The sheer size of the book, however, made it slip to the back of the pile when it came time to read it. I have read other works by Piper and heard him preach quite a bit and I will say that he is wonderfully consistent. I heard Francis Chan once say that everyone should read one of Piper’s books because of the beautiful way Piper understands our relationship to God. Chan went on to say that it doesn’t really matter which one you read because they all pretty much say the same thing. I would have to agree. It would seem that Piper has been writing and teaching Desiring God over and over again, just to new audiences and with deeper explanations of the topics he covered in this first book. I won’t go into what Desiring God covers, but will say that it is worth reading for the awesome wonder that Piper has for God. I will give this disclaimer though: Piper was a professor before he became a pastor and that shows in this work. If you like to be spoon-fed when you read theological material, this book might not be for you. If the task of this book seems too large to consume, then I would suggest Don’t Waste Your Life as a simpler place to start.
Well there is another two books - only seven more to go! I hope this is adding to your reading list, and please feel free to leave suggestions of other books you feel are worth reading.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Some Recommended Reading
While on vacation in Edmonton this month I finished reading my eleventh book since coming back to Canada from Montana. I had these grand hopes of doing a lot of reading while I was in Montana that never came about (the Bible took up a lot of my time…as well as wedding planning). To give some context, eleven books is likely more than the total amount of books I read during my entire elementary, secondary and college education. Before I become to proud of myself, however, I realized that reading all these books would be purposeless if I did not retain something of value from each of them, so I have decided to give a synopsis of each book. Well, actually, it will be more like what stuck out to me from each of them, as some were read over nine months ago. My reason for doing this is primarily for my own benefit, but also for the benefit of anyone looking for some new reading material. I feel like all of these books were worth reading, so please feel free to give them a try. They range from practical financial advice to a travel journal to the deeply theological.
Storm Shelter: Protecting Your Personal Finances by Ron Blue
www.ronblue.com
This book was recommended to me by Ron Smith (founder of SBS and all around Godly saga of a man) as something worth reading for a young couple starting out financially. The heart of the book was to establish in the reader a plan for their finances that could weather any financial storm (ironically I started reading this just before the economic crisis rocked everyone last summer). What I appreciated most about Ron Blue’s advice was his focus on getting out of debt and living within your means. Helen and I have decided to try and live in such a way as to only do that which we have the finances to afford. Some of the suggestions and tips were hard to apply to Helen and I because they centered on one’s income being the main source of one’s ability to generate wealth - we were planning on becoming missionaries at the time and would soon go from having an income to living on support. I would highly recommend this or any one of Ron Blue’s other books for anyone looking to bring Godly wisdom to the area of their finances.
The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society Henri Nouwen
www.henrinouwen.org
I first heard of Henri Nouwen while attending Tyndale College and Seminary in 2002. I was so impressed with the quiet beauty of this man’s life and work, but seeing how this was in my “only read what I had to” phase of life, I never read much of his writings. Thankfully my beautiful wife had this book and quickly I was being challenged by the raw honesty of Henri’s look at ministering to those who are lost in the despair of our age. Henri described the nature of a generation that faces the reality that it is has the power to completely destroy itself. He talked about how that creates apathy in some and a heart of revolution in others. The interesting part was Henri wrote the book in the 1970s; at that time the threat that faced mankind was nuclear war. He used the term “nuclear man” as a generation that now faced the reality that with nuclear bombs, life could be removed from the face of the planet. Even though few of us are gripped with the fear of a nuclear holocaust, we now face new fears from the economic crisis to global warming to terrorism, fears that leave us feeling hopeless and apathetic. Henri’s response to this attitude in this generation is telling and quite contemporary even though it was written over 30 years ago. This book is small in size but weighty in content.
Well that is just two book and I have written more than I would want to read in one blog post so I think it’s best if I do this in parts to cover the other 9 books I have read in the last 10 months.
Please feel free to give any suggestions as to books that you have read recently.
Storm Shelter: Protecting Your Personal Finances by Ron Blue
www.ronblue.com
This book was recommended to me by Ron Smith (founder of SBS and all around Godly saga of a man) as something worth reading for a young couple starting out financially. The heart of the book was to establish in the reader a plan for their finances that could weather any financial storm (ironically I started reading this just before the economic crisis rocked everyone last summer). What I appreciated most about Ron Blue’s advice was his focus on getting out of debt and living within your means. Helen and I have decided to try and live in such a way as to only do that which we have the finances to afford. Some of the suggestions and tips were hard to apply to Helen and I because they centered on one’s income being the main source of one’s ability to generate wealth - we were planning on becoming missionaries at the time and would soon go from having an income to living on support. I would highly recommend this or any one of Ron Blue’s other books for anyone looking to bring Godly wisdom to the area of their finances.
The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society Henri Nouwen
www.henrinouwen.org
I first heard of Henri Nouwen while attending Tyndale College and Seminary in 2002. I was so impressed with the quiet beauty of this man’s life and work, but seeing how this was in my “only read what I had to” phase of life, I never read much of his writings. Thankfully my beautiful wife had this book and quickly I was being challenged by the raw honesty of Henri’s look at ministering to those who are lost in the despair of our age. Henri described the nature of a generation that faces the reality that it is has the power to completely destroy itself. He talked about how that creates apathy in some and a heart of revolution in others. The interesting part was Henri wrote the book in the 1970s; at that time the threat that faced mankind was nuclear war. He used the term “nuclear man” as a generation that now faced the reality that with nuclear bombs, life could be removed from the face of the planet. Even though few of us are gripped with the fear of a nuclear holocaust, we now face new fears from the economic crisis to global warming to terrorism, fears that leave us feeling hopeless and apathetic. Henri’s response to this attitude in this generation is telling and quite contemporary even though it was written over 30 years ago. This book is small in size but weighty in content.
Well that is just two book and I have written more than I would want to read in one blog post so I think it’s best if I do this in parts to cover the other 9 books I have read in the last 10 months.
Please feel free to give any suggestions as to books that you have read recently.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Wow my last post was in 2008
Sorry to all who have been faithful to check this blog. This really isn't something I enjoy doing so maybe that is why I never get around to it. The written form of communication cause me a lot of stress because I continue to believe the lie that I can't communicate this way. Add in the fact that I hate typing and editing and you get an experience that I don't like at.
Okay moving on I the other reason that I haven't posted since October of last year is that I haven't continued the study. I have been recently reading a book called "Healing Through Deliverance" by Peter Horrobin that has been challenging my understanding of angels and especially fallen angels. This book may push me to continue the study but I make no promises.
In the time that has past I have starting teaching an Inductive Bible study with some biblically hungry people. The work I have been doing for this study has been redeeming the New Testament for me because in Montana I was pretty torn up inside with depression during the first 3 months. I am doing Ephesians right now which is interest considering I am reading a book about spiritual deliverance. I saw something in Ephesians that I have missed every other time. I saw how much unity is the goal of his message. The better way to put would be reconciliation. Reconciliation between God and man in Christ and between people in Christ. Even beyond that I saw that reconciliation is what Satan is trying to defeat in spiritual warfare. So our greatest way to defeat the enemy is to be about loving one another (maybe that is why the apostle John was like a broken record about it). When we stand in the victory that Jesus has won for us we stand shoulder to shoulder and the best way for the enemy to pick us off is to separate us our fellow soldiers. I wanted to show a clip from the movie "300" when all the arrows are coming and they cover themselves in their shields. Paul says in Ephesians that we need to have the shield of faith to protect us from the fiery darts of the enemy but if it's just me standing alone with one shield I am every exposed. However if I am shoulder to shoulder in love with my brothers and sisters in Christ then we are able to cover each others exposed areas. Maybe I am taking Paul's analogy to far but this revelation has brought be great comfort and made me realize that I need to double my efforts to be in fellowship with my spiritual family.
Well my wrists hurt so that will have to do for now thanks for reading.
Okay moving on I the other reason that I haven't posted since October of last year is that I haven't continued the study. I have been recently reading a book called "Healing Through Deliverance" by Peter Horrobin that has been challenging my understanding of angels and especially fallen angels. This book may push me to continue the study but I make no promises.
In the time that has past I have starting teaching an Inductive Bible study with some biblically hungry people. The work I have been doing for this study has been redeeming the New Testament for me because in Montana I was pretty torn up inside with depression during the first 3 months. I am doing Ephesians right now which is interest considering I am reading a book about spiritual deliverance. I saw something in Ephesians that I have missed every other time. I saw how much unity is the goal of his message. The better way to put would be reconciliation. Reconciliation between God and man in Christ and between people in Christ. Even beyond that I saw that reconciliation is what Satan is trying to defeat in spiritual warfare. So our greatest way to defeat the enemy is to be about loving one another (maybe that is why the apostle John was like a broken record about it). When we stand in the victory that Jesus has won for us we stand shoulder to shoulder and the best way for the enemy to pick us off is to separate us our fellow soldiers. I wanted to show a clip from the movie "300" when all the arrows are coming and they cover themselves in their shields. Paul says in Ephesians that we need to have the shield of faith to protect us from the fiery darts of the enemy but if it's just me standing alone with one shield I am every exposed. However if I am shoulder to shoulder in love with my brothers and sisters in Christ then we are able to cover each others exposed areas. Maybe I am taking Paul's analogy to far but this revelation has brought be great comfort and made me realize that I need to double my efforts to be in fellowship with my spiritual family.
Well my wrists hurt so that will have to do for now thanks for reading.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Angels: Genesis Summary
As promised I have finished looking at all the references to angels in Genesis and now will give you my overview. I must admit my goals here is not to make a grand theological statement but to both confirm what I believe that is true and reject that which is false. I hope to discover that the text has more to say than I think and yet be ready for what it has to say to be potentially different from what I have been lead to believe.
I'll started with some common threads I observed. As I read what I have here in my journal (I have been doing most of this study while waiting for my wife to get off work at Starbucks) I realize I forgot to put down the verse references so you can do the hard work of checking Genesis yourself to see if you agree. What stood out the most to me was the strange relationship between angels and God. They often are seen as sent from God (as a messenger) but when they speak it is as if God is speaking to the individual. Often first person pronouns are used in reference to actions and promises that seem only possible by Yahweh. Once again I am all I can compare this to is my modest understanding of an Ambassador who speaks for the nation in other nations but does not actually possess the power to direct the actions of the nation that the Prime Minister or President would. Secondly I noticed that there are for certain multiple angels that go between God and man. Connected to that last statement I also noticed that messenger seems to be the primary role and power of angels. There are not great examples of angelic power being expressed in Genesis other than in Sodom at Lot's house. Final there seems to be a variety of forms angels can take on when delivering their messages from human form to a voice from the heavens.
What is interesting is seeing the expressions of the understanding the people in the book of Genesis had of angels. This is seen in Abraham's confidence in the fact that an angel will go ahead of his servant to make sure the servant will have success in find Isaac a wife. Also Jacob speaks of an Angel redeeming him from evil during his lifetime. That is a broad view and I must say seems somewhat similar to our understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in a New Testament concept. I know that it is Jesus who redeems us but it is the Spirit who convicts your heart to encourage to resist evil. As well it is the Spirit that often goes before us to effect the spiritual realm that surrounds us.
So there you go some food for thought till I return with my summary of the references in Exodus.
This is going to take a while.
For those who are looking for a blog on theology I would recommend Discuss Theology at http://discusstheology.com/. This is the blog of SBS founder Dr. Ron Smith and it is a collection of theological articles he finds and his own thoughts.
I'll started with some common threads I observed. As I read what I have here in my journal (I have been doing most of this study while waiting for my wife to get off work at Starbucks) I realize I forgot to put down the verse references so you can do the hard work of checking Genesis yourself to see if you agree. What stood out the most to me was the strange relationship between angels and God. They often are seen as sent from God (as a messenger) but when they speak it is as if God is speaking to the individual. Often first person pronouns are used in reference to actions and promises that seem only possible by Yahweh. Once again I am all I can compare this to is my modest understanding of an Ambassador who speaks for the nation in other nations but does not actually possess the power to direct the actions of the nation that the Prime Minister or President would. Secondly I noticed that there are for certain multiple angels that go between God and man. Connected to that last statement I also noticed that messenger seems to be the primary role and power of angels. There are not great examples of angelic power being expressed in Genesis other than in Sodom at Lot's house. Final there seems to be a variety of forms angels can take on when delivering their messages from human form to a voice from the heavens.
What is interesting is seeing the expressions of the understanding the people in the book of Genesis had of angels. This is seen in Abraham's confidence in the fact that an angel will go ahead of his servant to make sure the servant will have success in find Isaac a wife. Also Jacob speaks of an Angel redeeming him from evil during his lifetime. That is a broad view and I must say seems somewhat similar to our understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in a New Testament concept. I know that it is Jesus who redeems us but it is the Spirit who convicts your heart to encourage to resist evil. As well it is the Spirit that often goes before us to effect the spiritual realm that surrounds us.
So there you go some food for thought till I return with my summary of the references in Exodus.
This is going to take a while.
For those who are looking for a blog on theology I would recommend Discuss Theology at http://discusstheology.com/. This is the blog of SBS founder Dr. Ron Smith and it is a collection of theological articles he finds and his own thoughts.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Okay Going to Try and Simplify the Process Here
So I have been feeling somewhat convicted lately at my lack of posting here on my blog. I realized that I need to change things up so I can move through this objective of studying what the bible has to say about angels. I have decided to look at references by book. So far I have been going passage by passage but that is taking to long. So I will post after I have read through all the references in a book of the bible what I saw as common in the references and significant differences. I don't know if anyone is still checking this blog do to my lack of posting but know it is on my mind to complete the task I have start and to grow in my understanding of God in this. Thanks for reading.
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