Lies The Government Told You, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Thomans Nelson, 2010
To understand libido dominandi one need only read WE, 1984, Brave New World and then reflect on the past 50 years.
But, to grasp crucial specifics, one needs to read and re-read Lies The Government Told You. For the great majority of us, these Lies were inculcated while we were so supremely moldable, during the very years the same government held us and our parents captive. Our parents via compulsory education laws and us children via government schools.
These lies became such a deeply ingrained part of us they functioned as filters distorting our understanding of what we were seeing! Surely, the government isn’t doing-blank! (Fill in one of the Judge’s seventeen examples.)
Thank you, Judge Napolitano for providing us with such a clear and reasoned guide. Now, every time I hear some employee of government mouth one of these mantras, the reasoning in your chapters will ring loud and clear and my mind and I will think: Sophist, "...a person who reasons adroitly and speciously rather than soundly…”.
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."
Pearcey Report
Monday, December 20, 2010
Good handbook for basic discipleship.
The Walk, Shaun Alexander
Shaun’s basic paradigm for initial discipleship is quite helpful. His use of personal example throughout each segment adds to its value. His admonition that we are to share experience along with information during the process is so key to one’s impact. Shaun’s focus on the value of Order as well as his description of the Fruit of The Spirit in the process adds to the paradigms value, in my opinion. Shaun’s emphasis on the need for grounding in the scriptures and a disciplined progress from rules to principles in the growing disciple’s experience is to be highly valued’
I would suggest one avoid the chapter on The Imparter as well as chapters 18-20 in that they lean toward one particular theological posture. At the same time, in my experience I have tended to abstain from repeating ostensible, subjective miracles, falling back on the rationale of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 where he says he saw things not lawful to utter. What he saw is not necessary for our Christian experience (2 Peter 1:3, 4) nor are, again, in my opinion, such miraculous testimonies, whereas the miracles in the scriptures are divinely attested.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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."
Shaun’s basic paradigm for initial discipleship is quite helpful. His use of personal example throughout each segment adds to its value. His admonition that we are to share experience along with information during the process is so key to one’s impact. Shaun’s focus on the value of Order as well as his description of the Fruit of The Spirit in the process adds to the paradigms value, in my opinion. Shaun’s emphasis on the need for grounding in the scriptures and a disciplined progress from rules to principles in the growing disciple’s experience is to be highly valued’
I would suggest one avoid the chapter on The Imparter as well as chapters 18-20 in that they lean toward one particular theological posture. At the same time, in my experience I have tended to abstain from repeating ostensible, subjective miracles, falling back on the rationale of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 where he says he saw things not lawful to utter. What he saw is not necessary for our Christian experience (2 Peter 1:3, 4) nor are, again, in my opinion, such miraculous testimonies, whereas the miracles in the scriptures are divinely attested.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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."
Monday, December 13, 2010
A resource for every believer’s shelf
If God Is Good, Randy Alcorn
Alcorn has provided a solid resource dealing with this perennial concern, one suitable to proponents on both sides of the “Divine Sovereignty/Free Will” concern. The inclusion of personal testimony/struggle with the issue of suffering is, in my opinion, especially helpful, prompting one’s identification with the particular question. The development of the question is reflected in the layout of the chapters:
1. Understanding the Problem of Evil & Suffering
2. Understanding Evil: It's Origins, Nature & Consequences
3. Problems for Non-Theists: Moral Standards, Goodness & Extreme Evil
4. Proposed Solutions to the Problem of Evil & Suffering: Limiting God's Attributes
5. Evil & Suffering in the Great Drama of Christ's Redemptive Work
6. Divine Sovereignty & Meaningful Human Choice: Accounting for Evil & Suffering
7. The Two Eternal Solutions to the Problem of Evil: Heaven & Hell
8. God's Allowance & Restraint of Evil & Suffering
9. Evil & Suffering Used for God's Glory
10. Why Does God Allow Suffering?
11. Living Meaningfully in Suffering
The author’s scriptural reflections throughout the narrative are seemingly designed to lead us to the text and wrestle with the issue ourselves.
The centrality of the Cross throughout the presentation is especially helpful, as was the observation of Joni respecting the ministry of suffering when she wrote”…feeling sin’s sting while on the way to heaven…” As I read that, my first thought was, “Yes. Lest I forget”!
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
This is a book to recommend.
Alcorn has provided a solid resource dealing with this perennial concern, one suitable to proponents on both sides of the “Divine Sovereignty/Free Will” concern. The inclusion of personal testimony/struggle with the issue of suffering is, in my opinion, especially helpful, prompting one’s identification with the particular question. The development of the question is reflected in the layout of the chapters:
1. Understanding the Problem of Evil & Suffering
2. Understanding Evil: It's Origins, Nature & Consequences
3. Problems for Non-Theists: Moral Standards, Goodness & Extreme Evil
4. Proposed Solutions to the Problem of Evil & Suffering: Limiting God's Attributes
5. Evil & Suffering in the Great Drama of Christ's Redemptive Work
6. Divine Sovereignty & Meaningful Human Choice: Accounting for Evil & Suffering
7. The Two Eternal Solutions to the Problem of Evil: Heaven & Hell
8. God's Allowance & Restraint of Evil & Suffering
9. Evil & Suffering Used for God's Glory
10. Why Does God Allow Suffering?
11. Living Meaningfully in Suffering
The author’s scriptural reflections throughout the narrative are seemingly designed to lead us to the text and wrestle with the issue ourselves.
The centrality of the Cross throughout the presentation is especially helpful, as was the observation of Joni respecting the ministry of suffering when she wrote”…feeling sin’s sting while on the way to heaven…” As I read that, my first thought was, “Yes. Lest I forget”!
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
This is a book to recommend.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Timely and Informative
The Next Christians, Gabe Lyons
Very helpful explanation in understanding the next Christian. They could well represent the fourth major shift in the progress of the kingdom. The author’s explanation of their six characteristics and the seven avenues or channels in which they seek to minister was also helpful. As I read, a number of thoughts struck me: 1) the next Christians seek to adapt vs. adopt, 2) the next Christians do not appear to be focused on developing a Christian Approach but rather focus on being Christians Approaching, and finally 3) the next Christians appear to be seeking to live as leaven in the cultural loaf without seeking to determine outcome, i.e. developing a Christian culture. Personally, I haven’t the foggiest idea as to what the ultimate impact of kingdom leaven will look like. The focus, it seems to me, is to live like kingdom leaven. Awesome book and heartily recommended. My only disappointment lay in the absence of pro-life next Christians, credit to the author’s contribution relative to DS babies.
"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"
Very helpful explanation in understanding the next Christian. They could well represent the fourth major shift in the progress of the kingdom. The author’s explanation of their six characteristics and the seven avenues or channels in which they seek to minister was also helpful. As I read, a number of thoughts struck me: 1) the next Christians seek to adapt vs. adopt, 2) the next Christians do not appear to be focused on developing a Christian Approach but rather focus on being Christians Approaching, and finally 3) the next Christians appear to be seeking to live as leaven in the cultural loaf without seeking to determine outcome, i.e. developing a Christian culture. Personally, I haven’t the foggiest idea as to what the ultimate impact of kingdom leaven will look like. The focus, it seems to me, is to live like kingdom leaven. Awesome book and heartily recommended. My only disappointment lay in the absence of pro-life next Christians, credit to the author’s contribution relative to DS babies.
"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Classic Grudem
I have long been a Grudem fan leaning heavily on his Systematic Theology and Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Politics According to the Bible will occupy the opposing side to Jim Wallis’ God’s Politics. Fittingly, I think; for as Wallis is an advocate for the Democrats, Grudem fills the same role for the Rs, even offering more extensive biblical support.
I am personally in agreement with the author’s position regarding the role of the believer in politics and appreciated his handling of the five opposing views regarding the believer’s role. My discomfort with many of his observations and conclusions stems more from his comfortable view of a broad reach for the government in the life of the citizen. At the same time, it seemed to me he gives more attention to the public statements of the political parties as opposed to their actions over the past century or so. Platform statements are for propaganda purposes. What the parties have done is the evidence of what they believe. Seems as if there is a suggestion in scripture toward that end?
When it comes to Economics, I would lean toward trusting those in the Austrian School . Dr. Gary North has an interesting critique of the author’s comments in the area of economics here and here.
As it pertains to Foreign Policy, I could wish the author more familiar with the host of authors on the Anti-War side. I say this as one who took years to come to grips with our Imperialism, beginning with my first encounter with communists doing campus evangelism in the 60s. Sacred Cows die hard.
Still, the book is a great resource; especially the first four chapters, while his treatment of the sixty issues affords a starting point for one's consideration. This book definitely needs to be in the Christian’s library.
I recommend the book along with Chuck Colson’s Kingdom’s In Conflict, Gary DeMarr’s God and Government series, Rushdoony’s Law and Liberty, and Bahnsen’s By This Standard.
I am personally in agreement with the author’s position regarding the role of the believer in politics and appreciated his handling of the five opposing views regarding the believer’s role. My discomfort with many of his observations and conclusions stems more from his comfortable view of a broad reach for the government in the life of the citizen. At the same time, it seemed to me he gives more attention to the public statements of the political parties as opposed to their actions over the past century or so. Platform statements are for propaganda purposes. What the parties have done is the evidence of what they believe. Seems as if there is a suggestion in scripture toward that end?
When it comes to Economics, I would lean toward trusting those in the Austrian School . Dr. Gary North has an interesting critique of the author’s comments in the area of economics here and here.
As it pertains to Foreign Policy, I could wish the author more familiar with the host of authors on the Anti-War side. I say this as one who took years to come to grips with our Imperialism, beginning with my first encounter with communists doing campus evangelism in the 60s. Sacred Cows die hard.
Still, the book is a great resource; especially the first four chapters, while his treatment of the sixty issues affords a starting point for one's consideration. This book definitely needs to be in the Christian’s library.
I recommend the book along with Chuck Colson’s Kingdom’s In Conflict, Gary DeMarr’s God and Government series, Rushdoony’s Law and Liberty, and Bahnsen’s By This Standard.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
City of Man-centered
All that was absent in my reading was the sound of the National Anthem in the background and the fluttering of the National Ensign.
I concur with the author’s Primer For Christian Persuaders:
1) Maintain self-awareness;
2) maintain spiritual grounding,
3) maintain perspective,
4) maintain community, and
5) maintain a spirit of grace and reconciliation
along with their Three Concluding Propositions:
1) Politics is a realm of necessity,
2) politics is a realm of hope and possibility, and
3) politics can be the realm of nobility.
The sub-title reads: Religion and Politics in a New Era.
Having read the book only once, I still do not recognize that which the authors referred to as “The New Era”?
I came away with the impression the administration the authors served under left little to criticize. (Probably too broad an observation, for sure.) That “their” administration seriously stripped the citizenry of civil liberties, mired us in foreign conflicts which will ultimately make Vietnam pale in comparison, and seriously undermined our economy is lost in their recollection of the “good” which was brought to pass.
Bottom line, for me, was the author’s simplistic suggestion America is becoming more pro-life without clarifying America’s government is ever more committed to a pro-death mind-set! Citing the decline in abortions from 1.6 million to 1.3 million without mentioning the advent and promotion of RU 486 and other abortifacients is somewhat disingenuous and suggesting the partial-birth abortion legislation was an advance when, in fact, the pre-born are still subject to this barbaric reality.
I chose that as illustrative since I personally consider the issue of SOHL (Sanctity of Human Life) to be the point of the cultural wedge. Once that point was yielded, all the cultural horror which has followed was inevitable
Years ago I read a book with the title Everything is Politics, but Politics isn’t Everything.
Believers living in this form of government need to participate and the guidelines offered by the authors are helpful.
Believers also need to remember, Politics will never change hearts and minds: only the gospel will do that.
Believers also need to be vary warty of the intoxicating influence of politics. Given man’s inherent messianic complex, politics affords an avenue to “save” everyone. Woe to the believing man or woman who succumbs to that “siren”!
Believers are called to a leavening influence, individually, and not corporately. A familiarity with Grudem's Politics According to the Bible would be helpful alongside this book.
I concur with the author’s Primer For Christian Persuaders:
1) Maintain self-awareness;
2) maintain spiritual grounding,
3) maintain perspective,
4) maintain community, and
5) maintain a spirit of grace and reconciliation
along with their Three Concluding Propositions:
1) Politics is a realm of necessity,
2) politics is a realm of hope and possibility, and
3) politics can be the realm of nobility.
The sub-title reads: Religion and Politics in a New Era.
Having read the book only once, I still do not recognize that which the authors referred to as “The New Era”?
I came away with the impression the administration the authors served under left little to criticize. (Probably too broad an observation, for sure.) That “their” administration seriously stripped the citizenry of civil liberties, mired us in foreign conflicts which will ultimately make Vietnam pale in comparison, and seriously undermined our economy is lost in their recollection of the “good” which was brought to pass.
Bottom line, for me, was the author’s simplistic suggestion America is becoming more pro-life without clarifying America’s government is ever more committed to a pro-death mind-set! Citing the decline in abortions from 1.6 million to 1.3 million without mentioning the advent and promotion of RU 486 and other abortifacients is somewhat disingenuous and suggesting the partial-birth abortion legislation was an advance when, in fact, the pre-born are still subject to this barbaric reality.
I chose that as illustrative since I personally consider the issue of SOHL (Sanctity of Human Life) to be the point of the cultural wedge. Once that point was yielded, all the cultural horror which has followed was inevitable
Years ago I read a book with the title Everything is Politics, but Politics isn’t Everything.
Believers living in this form of government need to participate and the guidelines offered by the authors are helpful.
Believers also need to remember, Politics will never change hearts and minds: only the gospel will do that.
Believers also need to be vary warty of the intoxicating influence of politics. Given man’s inherent messianic complex, politics affords an avenue to “save” everyone. Woe to the believing man or woman who succumbs to that “siren”!
Believers are called to a leavening influence, individually, and not corporately. A familiarity with Grudem's Politics According to the Bible would be helpful alongside this book.
Eureka!
THINK
In nearly 45+ years of intentional personal discipling, this is the first book/tool I have encountered, next to Adler’s How To Read A Book and Gregory’s Seven Laws Of Teaching which is helpful almost beyond measure when it comes to equipping believers for life in The Faith.
For years I taught flying in the military and as a civilian instructor, following this format: What, Why, and How. Not rocket science, by any means.
As I read and re-read Think I kept recognizing: What, Why and How!
Amazing how we stumble over the obvious: God left us a verbal propositional revelation. Words in sentences, paragraphs with the meaning and implications contained therein. The “nuggets of gold” if you will are not scattered on the ground (Proverbs 25:2). Makes one think of Paine’s observation : “…what we obtain too cheaply we esteem too lightly…”
In the New Covenant, in my opinion, God deals with us as with spiritual adults. Under the Old Covenant, He took Israel by the hand, as one would take an infant. In contrast, under the New Covenant, the law is written on the heart, we are provided with a written revelation and left to “think”!
The author beautifully blends Proverbs 2:1-10 and 2 Tim. 2:7 with the “If-Then” consideration. This is how one educates adults. Children are easily indoctrinated and just as easily fall away, as evidenced in Israel’s history under the Old Covenant. New Covenant believers are to be educated and the history since Pentecost illustrates our understanding of this reality.
Thankfully, God the Spirit is still in the initial stages of His ministry and, in my opinion, His particular movement in the author’s mind and ministry assisting us in this regard is a terrific encouragement.
My “take away” from the author’s effort is in a re-doubling of my effort to make doubly certain the “leaven” I am pleased to influence are doggedly committed to thinking, recognizing the Proverb “,,,as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”
Thank you, pastor Piper, and Bethlehem Baptist Church for your joint contribution to the Body!
In nearly 45+ years of intentional personal discipling, this is the first book/tool I have encountered, next to Adler’s How To Read A Book and Gregory’s Seven Laws Of Teaching which is helpful almost beyond measure when it comes to equipping believers for life in The Faith.
For years I taught flying in the military and as a civilian instructor, following this format: What, Why, and How. Not rocket science, by any means.
As I read and re-read Think I kept recognizing: What, Why and How!
Amazing how we stumble over the obvious: God left us a verbal propositional revelation. Words in sentences, paragraphs with the meaning and implications contained therein. The “nuggets of gold” if you will are not scattered on the ground (Proverbs 25:2). Makes one think of Paine’s observation : “…what we obtain too cheaply we esteem too lightly…”
In the New Covenant, in my opinion, God deals with us as with spiritual adults. Under the Old Covenant, He took Israel by the hand, as one would take an infant. In contrast, under the New Covenant, the law is written on the heart, we are provided with a written revelation and left to “think”!
The author beautifully blends Proverbs 2:1-10 and 2 Tim. 2:7 with the “If-Then” consideration. This is how one educates adults. Children are easily indoctrinated and just as easily fall away, as evidenced in Israel’s history under the Old Covenant. New Covenant believers are to be educated and the history since Pentecost illustrates our understanding of this reality.
Thankfully, God the Spirit is still in the initial stages of His ministry and, in my opinion, His particular movement in the author’s mind and ministry assisting us in this regard is a terrific encouragement.
My “take away” from the author’s effort is in a re-doubling of my effort to make doubly certain the “leaven” I am pleased to influence are doggedly committed to thinking, recognizing the Proverb “,,,as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”
Thank you, pastor Piper, and Bethlehem Baptist Church for your joint contribution to the Body!
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