I mistakenly wrote Financial Peace University when I published this post. I meant to write Financial Peace Revisited. I apologize for any confusion.

This is not a review per se of two of the most non-spiritual (though some would say they are) books I have read in my life.  Instead of writing a review about the content of each book, I would like to share my testimony of how both of these books influenced my life in a radical way.

The Total Money Makeover

I had heard of Dave Ramsey before but had not really given him much thought because I was wary of so-called Christian financial counselors.  I had been burned by them before and was not going to get burned again…talk about ignorance!  Back on 3 March 2008, I walked into my seminary’s book store and for some reason walked straight to the shelf where The Total Money Makeover was on display.  For some reason, I picked it up and read the section entitled “What this book is not.”  Here is what it is not:

• sophisticated or complicated
• something that has never been said
• going to mislead you on investment returns
• written by someone with no academic credentials
• politically correct
• wrong

I then read at the bottom of every page, “If you live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.”  I bought the book…and finished it that same night.

I told my wife the next day that for the first time in my life, I could actually see us getting out of debt and actually being able to do much more with “extra” money for the kingdom of God.

Two days later…

Financial Peace Revisited

I walked back into the same seminary book store and purchased Financial Peace Revisited. I read i

t that day as well. By the time I read that book, I was stoked and ready to tackle Mt. Financial Delaney. For the first time in my life, I felt as though I was prepared to deal with finances in a godly manner. I was not raised with good financial awareness other than spend less than you earn a

nd everything will be alright. Needless to say, that was not as easy as it sounded.

I was prepared for the baby steps and ready to rock on this whole getting out of debt deal. The baby steps are:

1. $1,000 emergency fund
2. Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
3. 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings
4. Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
5. College funding for children
6. Pay off home early
7. Build wealth and give!

None of this is rocket science but then again I am not a scientist of any sort!  Dave also says that none of this is original from him and that he got most of it from the late Larry Burkett of Crown Financial Ministries.  The biggest difference is that Dave is in your face and will tell you that you are being stupid without mincing words.  That style resonates with me when I have respect for who is saying it.

Testimony

Within one month of reading both of these books, I was completely out of consumer debt (1/2 of our total debt) and was well on my way to owning my undergraduate degree.  All of this while making <$30k with 3 kids and one on the way.  We have hit a bump in the road (our fourth child wound up in the NIC-U for three weeks) and we make slightly less than what we did at the beginning of the year, but we are still making progress towards being debt free.

Let me just say that half-way through this process, we have learned to live like no one else and have caught glimpses of what it is going to be like to later live like no one else.  I have greatly benefited from listening to the radio show on the Internet, and from the Dave Ramsey website in general.

Giveaway

In the spirit of Dave Ramsey who always says to borrow his book or to always look for deals on everything, I am excited to say that he has donated one copy each of The Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace Revisited to giveaway here at Christian Book Notes.

1. Become a NEW subscriber to Christian Book Notes either through our RSS Feed or our Email subscription. If you do this, please send me an email at tdelaney017@yahoo.com or use my contact page above.
2. Become a fan of Christian Book Notes on Facebook.  You can do that here. (If you are already a fan, you will be included in this drawing)
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following (just copy/paste):  @ChristBookNotes is giving away 2 Dave Ramsey Books. http://twurl.in/h9 RT for a chance to win //@ramseyshow
4. Leave a comment below about how Dave Ramsey’s ministry and financial counsel has impacted and inspired you.

If you do not win a copy, be sure to check out Dave’s store for ongoing sales and occasional deals.

Congratulations to our winners of the Paul Washer Giveaway. Jacob A. Davis won a copy of The Truth About Man. Michael Pittman, who writes at Transplant Ministries and is on Twitter @LawGrace, won a copy of The One True God. Stephen Newell, of the Silent Holocron and on Twitter at @Stephen_Newell, won the grand prize of both books. Stay tuned every Wednesday for a new give away. God bless.

Elwell, Ellen Banks.  Illustrated by Caron Turk.  The Toddler’s Songbook.  Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2009.  45 pp.  $14.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $11.24.

Review

It has been said that I cannot carry the bucket that people carry their tunes in–I can’t sing!  The truth of the matter is, the greatest miracle in my personal life (aside from salvation and getting married) is that my singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs to God is somehow glorifying to Him.  My wife will tell you that she, too, is not much of a singer.  We are thankful for children’s songbooks like The Toddler’s Songbook.

All kidding aside, this little 45 page book is pretty cool.  Each of the seventeen songs comes with a little poem-like narration that points the child toward God through whatever subject is covered by the song.  For example, Old MacDonald points out that God made all the animals.  While most of the songs are Christian in nature, there are some that are not which makes the illustrative stories that much more helpful. It also helps parents to carve out some time with their smaller children as they read to them these narratives.

The CD that is included is great for the kids throughout the day.  They love the music and sing along quite readily.  My wife and I even find ourselves singing with our children though my oldest has asked me numerous times to stop singing!

The final aspect I would like to comment on in this little songbook are the illustrations.  My children are 5, 3, 21 months and 3 months.  My 21 month old is enraptured by the illustrations and will dance around when the CD is playing.  Each illustration is colorful and lively.

The Toddler’s Songbook makes a great Christmas gift this year and would be enjoyed in every home.  As I said earlier, my wife and I are thankful for books like these because singing is certainly not our strength.  Pick up your copy today and watch as your children dance and play and have fun singing and learning about the glory of God.

I have been blessed to have been using the beta for the past couple months and words cannot really describe how far Bible computer software has come in the last five years.  There is so many new features that it would be dang near impossible to write a decent review of everything.  Allow me to say, though, that LOGOS 4 is as simple as downloading to your computer and using.  It is so easy to use that anyone wanting to study the Bible with greater care will appreciate all of the information available at your fingertips.  Still, the most intellectual PhD will find much value in what LOGOS 4 has to offer.

Below are some screen shots of LOGOS 4.

Newspaper appearance on the home page.  Note (bottom right corner) there are five pages to your home page.

Study the Greek and Hebrew with a click of the mouse.

Easily tile your workspace to have up to five resources on your screen at once!

You can take a guided tour of the Bible lands and never have to flip to the “book of maps” at the end of your Bible.

Upload to your iPhone!

The bottom line for LOGOS 4 is that the developers in Washington state have outdone themselves.  If you already use LOGOS, then you absolutely must upgrade to 4.  If you do not already use LOGOS, then you need to see what you are missing.  There is a discount for existing LOGOS users when you upgrade.

Washer, Paul David. The Truth About Man. Hannibal: Granted Ministries Press, 2nd ed. 2009. 168 pp. $19.95. Purchase at Amazon.  FYI: Granted Ministries is selling them for $15.00 or less depending on how many you purchase!

Introduction

Paul Washer has written his second doctrinal study. This time he focuses on who man is in relation to the holy God that his previous study established. That study, entitled The One True God was reviewed back in July and can be read here. It is only natural that one would want to know who we are and how we relate to an all holy God. Paul Washer answers that question and many more in The Truth About Man.

Review

Paul Washer takes the student from the creation of man, to the fall of Adam and mankind through to God’s judgment of the wicked and the doctrine of Hell. Along the way, you will learn what the Bible says about our enslavement to sin and God’s disposition towards the sinner (not a pretty picture).

There is plenty of Scripture to read and study as well as a lot of note taking. Paul adds plenty of notes and contextual definitions to help any student to discern what is found in the Scriptures regarding man and, perhaps more importantly, what is not found in the Scriptures about man.

One of the more useful sections of The Truth About Man begins on page 25 where Paul answers “Important Questions about the Fall.” Here, he answers three essential questions to understanding the magnitude of Genesis 3. They are

• How could Adam Fall?
• Did God ordain the Fall?
• What is God’s eternal purpose in the Fall?

Recommendation

As I said in my review of The One True God, this book makes an excellent resource for a new believer’s class or any discipleship group.  I would recommend that you start with The One True God before moving into The Truth About Man simply because the truth of who God is should be the foundation for all that we do and study as believers in His Son, Jesus Christ.  Nonetheless, this book is worth studying by itself if you are not able to study the first book.

Giveaway

Granted Ministries has been so kind as to sponsor a giveaway this week.  They are giving away 2 copies each of The One True God and The Truth About Man.  We will give away one copy of The Truth About Man and one copy of The One True God as our first and second place drawing.  The Grand Prize will be the set of both study books.

Here is how to enter:

1. Become a NEW subscriber to Christian Book Notes either through our RSS Feed or our Email subscription. If you do this, please send me an email at tdelaney017 [@] yahoo [dot] com or use my contact page above.
2. Become a fan of Christian Book Notes on Facebook.  You can do that here. (If you are already a fan, you will be included in this drawing)
3. Follow me on Twitter or tweet the following (just copy/paste):  RT: @ChristBookNotes is giving away 4 Paul Washer books http://bit.ly/3PXjki RT 4 chance to win #paulwasher
4. Leave a comment below about how Paul Washer’s ministry (both preaching and the HeartCry Missionary Society) has impacted you.

You can enter using all four ways but only once per type of entry, please.  The drawing will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:00 pm.  God bless and good providence!

Packer, J.I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Downers Grover: InterVarsity Press, 1991. 126 pp. $13.00. Purchase at Westminster Books for $9.36.

J.I. Packer’s book, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, wrestles with the age-old problem of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility to share the gospel as well as repentance unto salvation. Specifically, Packer tackles the issue head-on of our command to evangelize the world (Mt. 28:18-20) and the truth that God has elected some for salvation. (Rom. 9:15 and Eph. 1:4-8).

Packer rightly assumes God’s sovereignty over all things since the Bible claims this truth in numerous texts—Gen. 18:14; Ps. 135:6; Dan. 4:35; Mt. 19:26, to mention a few. I believe he crosses a boundary when he takes his assumption one step further. He claims that all Chrisitans believe in the sovereignty of God in salvation. He writes, “Nor, again, am I going to spend time proving to you the particular truth that God is sovereign in salvation. (12, emphasis in original). The proof for this supposition is because everyone gives God thanks (and the credit) for their salvation.

While I whole-heartedly agree with Packer’s assumptions, I do not believe he made a valid presupposition based upon the evidence he cited for support. Yes, every believer I have known gives God praise and glory for his salvation, but not every believer believes that God gets all the credit. Many believe they had something to do with their salvation or the preacher had something to do with their salvation. While Packer may be correct in his assumption, and I believe he is, his use of prayers is not a solid enough foundation upon which to build his argument. Rather, he should have used a Scripture reference such as Col. 1:12 where Paul gives thanks for the believer’s faith at Colossae because God qualified them. If God’s sovereignty in salvation were an open/shut case, I highly doubt there would still be the debate raging between the two extremes today in the church.

The second chapter clarified some of my personal misconceptions regarding a right understanding of God’s sovereignty in salvation and man’s responsibility to evangelize. Here he discusses the difference between a paradox and an antinomy. A paradox is understood to be a seemingly contradictory statement that upon further understanding can be explained such that the two statements do not contradict one another. An antinomy, as defined by Packer as an appearance of contradiction. The problem becomes clearer when we understand that an antinomy is between two truths that cannot be reconciled.

I like that Packer calls the truths of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility regarding evangelism “friends.” That is perhaps the best description of these two truths in relation too one another. Packer explains that as the King, God is in complete control and orders all things (see Gn. 45:8 and 50:20; Mt. 10:29; and, Rom. 9:20). He also shows how as Judge, God holds man responsible for his choices (see Mt. 25 and Rom. 2:1-16).

As he weaves these truths together, he gives the reader some words of caution. He warns against the temptation of concerning oneself exclusively with our responsibility. If we could just present the gospel “that much better” or if we were able to share the gospel more often in better situations, then more people would “accept Jesus.”

Conversely, Packer warns of the exact opposite temptation; that is, an exclusive appeal to God’s sovereignty where man has no role in evangelism. This mindset can be summed up in the following statement: “If God wants to save them, He will do so.” This charge is most often leveled against Calvinists, but must not be so if one is to hold to both truths found in Scripture. Packer offers wonderful insight into avoiding these two extremes by instructing us to “[make] it our business to believe both these doctrines with all our might, and to keep both constantly before us for the guidance and government of our lives” (35).

Moving from the antinomy previously discussed, Packer next defines evangelism as a means of “presenting Christ Jesus and His work in relation to the needs of fallen men and women” (39). These men and women are without God and are under His wrath. Most often they are living in comfort with their sins and could care less about God. This is the reason why we are to evangelize.
I love how Packer calls us to be stewards of the Gospel message. As children of God, we are called to “go” (Mt. 28:18-20) and in being commanded to go we are commanded to be mindful of the gospel message. Perhaps one of the least applied passages of Scripture is found in Deuteronomy 6:7 where we are commanded to diligently teach the things of God to our children at all times. The underlying principle in this passage as in Mt. 28:18-20 is to be stewards of what has been entrusted to us; that is, the gospel message.

Throughout the third chapter, Packer offers examples of poor evangelism found in the church today. I struggle to call the “evangelistic meetings” a poor example though I realize they have their deficiencies. This may be because I was saved in a “Billy Graham setting” type evangelistic effort where the gospel was shared through a play and then an alter call was given. I responded that evening and know that the Lord saved my soul at that point. Therefore, while I do agree with his statement that “there is only one method of evangelism: namely, the faithful explanation and application of the gospel message” (86), I also that that can take many forms.

The final chapter discusses what the first three chapters have alluded to—God’s divine sovereignty and man’s responsibility in evangelism. Here, Packer introduces the concept of God’s revealed will and His hidden will. For example, His revealed will is “that all may be saved (1 Tim. 2:4); however, His hidden will is that not all will be saved (Rom 9:18). Yes, it is a scary proposition to fall into the hands of an angry God, but this is what Scripture explicitly teaches: not all will be saved unto salvation.

We must not try to reconcile the two truths if we are to have a scriptural understanding of God’s sovereignty in salvation and man’s responsibility to share the gospel. Packer clearly articulates that these two truths are “friends” and not enemies. God is a God of means in that He will save whomever He will save, but He will do so through the sharing of the gospel. Thus, Romans 10:14-15 neatly concludes this discussion:

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?

Do not miss this opportunity to download perhaps one of the most influential books in Christianity in the past 25 years.

This is what Christian Audio says about Desiring God:

Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn’t truly exist: Delight is our duty. Join him as he unveils stunning, life impacting truths you saw in the Bible but never dared to believe.

Payne, J.D.  Discovering Church Planting: An Introduction to the Whats, Whys, and Hows of Global Church Planting, 2009.  Colorado Springs:  Paternoster.  458 pp.  $22.99.  Purchase at Amazon for $15.63.

Introduction

Dr. Payne is an Associate Professor of Church Planting and Evangelism at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as a National Missionary with the North American Mission Board. He is the founder of NorthAmericanMissions.org–a web-based resource for church planters and missionaries. His wife is a physician working at a clinic for uninsured populations in Louisville, Kentucky.

Review

Not everyone who longs to plant a church has the time or money to attend a church planting basic training or a seminary class on church planting. Truth be told, not every one who wants to plant a church has the wherewithal to begin asking the questions that are necessary to move forward. Thankfully, Dr. Payne has alleviated both of these barriers with the publication of Discovering Church Planting: An Introduction to the What’s, Why’s, and How’s of Global Church Planting (DCP from this point forward).

DCP is divided into four sections dealing with the major areas of church planting. The first section is the biblical and theological foundations for church planting. Here he looks at what the Bible says about planting a church from ecclesiology (church government) to evangelism and discipleship and leadership. As the section title indicates, these first eight chapters are essential to reading the rest of the book. Without understanding these foundations the rest of the book will be built on “shifting sand” and thus be ineffective.

The second section deals with the missiological principles of church planting. These seven chapters help to formulate a solid strategy in going forward with a new church start. Dr. Payne looks at the role of the “Mother Church” (i.e., the church that is sponsoring the new start) in conjunction with the young church that is planted.

Section three looks at historical pradigms of church planting. We learn how the Moravians planted churches in the early history of Christianity. We then look at how the Methodists and Baptists planted churches in the early days of the United States. These three chapters offer an interesting and revealing look at the growth of two of the main Protestant denominations. It really helps to see what was done “back in the day” while looking at what is being done today which is the topic of the fourth section, Discovering Contemporary Issues, which offers much valuable insight into objections and caricatures of church planters today.

At the end of every chapter is a summary section along with review questions to help engage the reader. Also, along the way through each chapter are little “snippet” articles designed to show real issues that crop up along the way in planting a church.

Recommendation

Though this book is used in seminary courses, it is a must own for anyone looking or is interested in planting a church. No matter what your context is, DCP offers advice and tips for everyone from a biblical understanding. Having gone through a four-day church planting basic training three years ago myself, I am grateful for this valuable resource today.

Dr. J.D. Payne writes from personal experience and as one with a passion to see kingdom work being done in new places. This book needs to be on the shelf of every church library. Even better, if your church is looking to plant another church, DCP would make an excellent book to study as a church preparing for this work. Get a copy today!

Johnson, Dennis E. Heralds of the King. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2009. 219 pp. $19.99.  Purchase at Westminster Books for $13.19.

Introduction

Dennis Johnson has edited a tribute book of sermons centering on Christ in honor of Edmund Clowney. Some of the contributors include Arturo G. Azurdia III, Charles D. Drew, and Timothy J. Keller. Most importantly, each contributor learned the art of prophesying (to borrow from a Puritan friend) from Edmund Clowney.

For those who have never heard of Edmund Clowney, he was the first president of Westminster and lived to reveal Christ in all of the Scriptures. More can be learned at his website, www.EdmundClowney.com.

Review

The book is divided into four parts: the Law, the Prophets, the Psalms and the New Covenant. Under the Law, we read three sermons from Genesis and one from Exodus. We look to Samuel, Isaiah and Zechariah under the Prophets and only Psalm 90 in part three. The fourth part keeps us in the gospel of Luke (2 messages) and the book of Hebrews (1 message).

Each sermon is original to the contributor. Each chapter has an introduction as to how Dr. Clowney influenced their preaching of the particular passage as well as preaching and sermon-crafting in general. It is interesting to see how each introduction corroborates with the others to form one voice for the impact that Edmund Clowney had on his students.

The subtitle of the book is Christ-Centered sermons in the tradition of Edmund P. Clownery. This is readily seen on each page of every sermon. Christ is preached and exalted over and over again without “forcing the round peg through the square hole.”

To review this book in minute detail would be to analyze the individual preachers who contributed to this valuable resource. Since the goal of the book was to showcase how Dr. Clowney influenced a generation of preachers to exalt Christ in every sermon, I would like to refrain from analyzing the individual chapters and instead, as I have done in a couple short paragraphs, focus on the message of the book as a whole.

Recommendation

If you are looking to go into the preaching or teaching ministry, this book belongs on your shelf. Unfortunately, we can no longer sit at the feet of Dr. Edmund Clowney, but we can listen to his students who drank deeply from his well. Dr. Clowney’s love for Christ and preaching is evident in his students love for Christ and preaching. I heartily recommend this book for anyone looking for to read quality messages centered on Christ.

Introduction

Reformed Christianity is taking conservative Christendom by storm. It seems as though a resurgence of Calvinism, and particular aspects of Puritanism, have been increasingly influencing many ministers over the last twenty years. Glory Road looks specifically at ten African-American ministers and their personal story of coming to grips with the doctrines of grace and what it meant to their respective ministries.

Review

The contributors to this book range from professors (Michael Leach) to radio programs hosts (Ken Jones) to research fellows (Anthony Bradley). Every contributor save one (Eric Redmond) serve as pastors in the local church. I have had the personal privilege of hearing Thabiti Anyabwile speak and have reviewed his book What is a Healthy Church Member?.

Each story details the context in which these men came to understand Calvinism. Each person shares some of the reservations regarding these polarizing (when misunderstood) doctrines. Through each story, we learn how their convictions led them to make difficult decisions and we see how the Lord blessed their faithfulness. Every story is like a mini-biography that will help today’s young ministers who have accepted the doctrines of grace as a biblical paradigm for understanding missions, evangelism, and one’s general ministry.

Glory Road concludes with an appendix detailing the answers to four questions each man was asked. The questions are:

• What was the first book you read that introduced you to Reformed theology?
• Besides the Bible, list the five most influential books in your Reformed theological journey.
• List three preachers and/or teachers who were most influential in your journey.
• If you could give one book to someone interested in Reformed theology, what would you give them?

The book is worth owning if just for the answer to these questions.

Recommendation

Ultimately, I would recommend this book to anyone who is of the Reformed persuasion or to anyone looking to see how Reformed theology transforms one’s ministry. This book is not meant to add to a 500 year-old debate. Rather, it is meant to show how these doctrines practically impact the gospel ministry.