Pearcey Report

Pearcey Report

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Handbook for ground-level Apologetics

Manifested In The Flesh, Joel McDurmon, 2007

Joel Mcdurmon has done a tremendous service to the laymen and women within the body of Christ with the penning of this book.

Clarity, insight, astuteness of observation with a measure of humor and ridicule mark the presentation.

At the moment, it fails me to recall the source of the observation: “if something is ridiculous, it ought to be ridiculed”, but Joel does a masterful job of gracious ridicule!

The appendices are worth the price of the book, alone.

Joel’s observations relative to the implications of the serpents presentation in Genesis 3 are worthy of serious reflection: 1) the quest for secret knowledge…”hath God said”?, 2) THE OUTRIGHT REJECTION OF God’s sovereignty in history “…ye shall not surely die…”, 3) the promise of enlightenment by the quest “your eyes shall be opened..”, and finally, 4) the promise of becoming divine “,,,ye shall be as gods…”.

The observations on Liberty and the absurdity of man’s demand to know what he need not know are awesome! (Deuteronomy 29:29).

I so enjoyed this book and highly commend it to every Intentional Discipler.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A Book To Challenge Your Heart And Mind

Revolution In World Missions, K P Yohannan.

This is the story of God’s movement in the life of one man and his vision for reaching the people of his homeland via the use of indigenous laborers.

On the one hand, the obvious response is: Duh!

Naturally, this is the most effective methodology.

But, pragmatically, this flies in the face of established, pragmatic Missions’ philosophy. This sets the stage for God’s movement in the author’s life and the establishment of the ministry of Gospel for Asia.

As I read this story, my heart was both warmed and challenged. In reading, I had to set aside my personal theological convictions and acknowledge the reality God’s works as he deigns to work in non-Western cultural contexts.

I praise the Lord for raising up Gospel For Asia and heartily recommend this book for inclusion in one’s Mission reading list

A Tool To Be Used Judiciously

Finding Our Way Again, Brian Mclaren

My observation in the use of the term judicious is founded upon the host of opinions abounding on the religious pike regarding this author.

The initial comment in the book was a bit “off-putting” for me: “…Buddhism presents itself as a way of life, and Christianity presents itself as a system of belief…” Nuts. Every practice, way of life is founded upon a particular belief. Buddhism, as much as Christianity, is a system of belief.

‘Nuff said.

I appreciated the author’s explication of the various practices one can embrace and employ as one seeks to grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ. Each of them has value. No one of them is a be-all and end-all in the process. The objective is to grow “in grace” and in “the knowledge of” Christ.

I suspect the various suggested practices resonate differently with the various temperament types. Give them serious consideration. Try each of them and then focus on and employ those which best suit you and the way in which God has wired you together.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Whet the appetite, spur reflection, satisfy while leaving an indefinable dis-satisfaction.

Desiring God,John Piper, 25th anniversary edition.

Throughout the book, the author expands on what it is to “Delight thyself in God” (Psalm 37:4).
The objective is to know what God has revealed of Himself and His purposes, to allow these truths to take root in one’s mind and “heart” til one is overwhelmed with the implications of God’s majesty and glory.

Though God’s revelation reveals to us our real state as a result of Adam’s stain, yet our focus is not to be on ourselves, but rather on the glorious wonders of our God and His purposes.

When we find ourselves face to face with the questions of sovereignty and providence and how they play out in our lives and the lives of others we ought to assume the posture of the Psalmist in Psalm 131:1 “…LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me…”.

Finally, we must admit we are finite creatures; created as his image, marred by Adam’s stain, redeemed through His matchless grace, and challenged to grow in our understanding of Him such that we can become fully satisfied on this side of the veil and in anticipation of what lies in store when we are blessed with an unhindered vision.

Personally, I found the chapter on Missions to be challenging without being subjected to guilt and pity manipulation.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their Blogging for Books Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."