Into the Book

All Things For Good – Thomas Watson Thomas

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Wright) — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:42:00 +0000

Watson, the 17th century minister of St. Stephens of Walbrook, believe he faced two great difficulties in his pastoral ministry. The first was making the unbeliever sad, in the recognition of his need of God’s grace. The second was making the believer joyful in response to God’s grace. He believed the answer to the second difficulty could be found in Paul’s teaching in Romans 8:28: God works all things together for good for his people.

So is written on the back cover of this wonderful little treasure, a small Puritan work in the Puritan Paperback’s collection, published by Banner of Truth. In revised and updated English, this small tome brings to light a fantastic exposition from one of the favorite authors of the Puritan era—Thomas Watson.

Having faced persecution as he, and about two thousand other ministers were ejected from the Church of England in 1662, Thomas Watson set his mind and his heart to understanding one of the most beautiful and least understood promises of God: that all things will work for the good of God’s children. Through the lens of suffering and hardship, he took to understand Paul’s teaching, and plumbed the richest and fullest depths of it.

Beginning with a general consideration of what “all things” are, he expounds how the good things work for the good of the elect, and how the bad work for their good. It is after addressing this wide range of subjects, he goes into the why, and it proves to be one of the richest chapters in the book.

But Watson realized this promise was not without conditions—it is only to them who love God, therefore we must be sure we are lovers of God. The following chapters are filled with exhortations to love God, evidences of love toward God, and tests of it.

The other condition is effectual calling, which is given one of the most gracious and God-exalting treatments in so few pages that I have read. The book ends with the verse of Romans, on God’s purpose. One thing Watson clung to in his persecution was the reality of God’s promise and purpose, and that he knew whatever would come to pass, all had a purpose—and it all worked for good.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Puritans, this may be a good place to direct them. Even though many are unfamiliar with these writers, and their times—we are all familiar with suffering and persecution. Such is the result of living in a fallen world; and we could all use a reminder of the goodness and blessed purpose of God in all things. Though this book is short, it is rich, and will sure to be profitable to anyone who cares to take the time to peruse it’s pages.

I give my hearty recommendation to this book, and hope you’ll find yourself a copy soon.

The Other Side of the River - Robert D. Halpert

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Joyce) — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:07:00 +0000

The Other Side of the River is a novel featuring one of the most interesting leaders of the Civil War: Thomas J. Jackson, or Stonewall Jackson. This book leaps inside his head, mixing fact with fiction to examine his faith in God and how it relates to his real-life actions during the battles of the Civil War. This novel does a great job of capturing the intense emotions of the time alongside a close-up look at the man himself.

The novel holds to the facts of Jackson's life about as well as the movie Gods and Generals does, that is to say, fairly accurately. Thoughts and conversations are, of course, invented, and this is where the novel is weakest. As is often the case with 'spiritual' novels that relay religious thoughts through the main character's thoughts, The Other Side of the River often comes up as cheesy and contrived. It is not my favorite way to embed faith into a book. Because there is a concrete story to follow, the book does not exist for the sole purpose of preaching — it's not as overtly spiritual as other books I've come across.

The writing is questionably good. This novel doesn't have the striking prose of, say, Gods and Generals or Last Full Measure, or any of Shaara's war novels. The battle scenes will not grip you as you turn pages. So, sure, the writing's good, but for a war novel, there isn't enough passion. And perhaps that reflects the focus of this novel: it isn't a page-turning thriller. Instead, it's a more personal look at Jackson himself.

This could have made The Other Side of the River a real winner, if it had been properly executed. The novel plays heavily with Jackson's sense of ambition and pride, contrasted against his faith, but it's overall clunky. The thoughts seem unrealistic, even naive at times. It takes a master to inject realistic thoughts into a novel properly, and Robert Halpert just couldn't pull it off. To be fair, it could be worse. But why settle for mediocre?

In general, the book is an okay read, mixing various elements in a fairly skilled manner. It's not a classic, but it's worth your time if you're a Jackson fan. If you're a Civil War buff, or only looking to be one, then you're better off looking at Shaara's novels (links above); they're much better written. But if you have a spot in your attentions for Stonewall Jackson specifically, as I do, then this book is worth your time, even if it's not an outstanding book.

~ Andrew

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend - Colin Duriez

noreply@blogger.com (Noah Arsenault) — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:13:00 +0000

Do you pride yourself on knowing all you can about The Lord of the Rings? This book can teach you quite a bit about the one who knows more than any fan: Tolkien himself. From his early life to post-publication habits, a lot of material makes it into this small book. It is very concise, but still very enthralling to read. Duriez has a way with biographical words. Having written seven titles about members of the Inklings (five of which concerned Tolkien), and one on C.S. Lewis being released later this year, Duriez certainly proves a perfected knowledge of Tolkien's life and work, alongside those of the other Inkling members.

One of the best uses I've found for this book (beside learning of Tolkien's personal life) is the appreciation that comes with reading the amount of work he put into this world and the languages it holds. All the other work he performed in education (which was substantial), this was his primary focus, and this impresses me very much. I very much wish to read each of his works again after digesting this book. I suspect other readers will feel the same, and I urge them to find this book someday, whether it is before or after reading Tolkien.

*This book was provided free by Kregel Blog Tours. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.*

John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine & Doxology – Burk Parsons

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Wright) — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:09:00 +0000

"To my knowledge there never has been a collection of authors of any edited volume under whose ministry I would rather sit than these. What stands out is that they are humble, holy men of God. Most of them are too old too seasoned to care about scoring points. Their lives witness to the preciousness of Christ and the importance of purity. Expect no bombast. Expect humble, measured admiration and wise application. This is a good way to meet John Calvin: in the holy hearts of humble servants of Christ. The only better way would be to read the man himself."

So writes Dr. John Piper on the back cover of this small, but robust collection of essays on the life and theology of one of the most well-known Reformers: John Calvin.

Written to commemorate the 500th birthday of Calvin, this collection, written by some of the finest Bible teachers of our time, is probably one of the best introductions to Calvin, his life and thought out there to someone who is unfamiliar with him. Calvin has been subject to many caricatures and misrepresentations, as is the system that is named after him, that have over the years made him an obscure and vilified character. But this book, written by men who have gone straight to the horses’ mouth shows a different side to Calvin.

It shows him as a humble man, a caring pastor, counselor, a stalwart theologian, devotional writer, prayerful and passionate man. Throughout the book the man himself is quoted many times from his own writings to show how he himself taught a doctrine.

Some may be surprised that this is not a book about Calvinism. It’s not a book arguing that point, though this system does make it’s appearance, as it is necessary. The doctrines are introduced for those who may be unfamiliar with them, but they are not the central focus of the book. The various controversies surrounding the doctrines that Calvin taught are also discussed, but usually in a matter-of-fact manner that stays clear of smearing and mockery.

All in all, I enjoyed this book, as it gave another look at Calvin the man. After reading With Calvin In The Theater of God a couple years ago, I began to appreciate the Reformer for the expositor and pastor that he was, this book only enhanced that appreciation. Most of the chapters are written by pastors, who deal every day with the pains of their flocks, and in their study and reading of Calvin have seen how he expressed his pastoral concern over matters of counseling, and matters of doctrine. I think there’s something we can all learn from this book, looking back on a man who lived over 500 years ago.

Is Calvin perfect? No. Is Calvin the only person who could interpret Scripture? No. He made mistakes, he made bad decisions—but he was human, what are we to expect? That does not mean we cannot learn from the life and writings of Calvin. I think this book, will help whet your appetite for learning more from this Reformation leader.

The Paladin Prophesy - Mark Frost

noreply@blogger.com (Bush Maid) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:35:00 +0000

Will West is careful to live life under the radar. At his parents' insistence, he's made sure to get mediocre grades and to stay in the middle of the pack on his cross-country team. Then Will slips up, accidentally scoring off the charts on a nationwide exam. Now he has been invited to join an exclusive prep school, whilst also being followed by men driving black sedans. When Will suddenly loses his parents, he must flee to the school. There he begins to explore all that he's capable of - physical and mental feats that should not be impossible - and learns that his abilities are connected to a struggle between titanic forces that go way back before he was even born.

This book was like several books thrown together - I Am Number Four, The Last Thing I Remember, and Alex Rider. Think a science fiction meets fantasy action/adventure rollercoaster. The opening chapter hits the ground running, taking off into the plot from page one. I will give it points for being a page turner, because at over 500 pages long, it'd want to be. If you like a good fast-paced story with colourful characters, clever plot twists, and mysteries that bend your mind, you can't go wrong with this book.

The upsides - From the very beginning, I had decided I would like this book, solely for the paragraph where Will describes his parents:

All the kids he knew ripped their parents 24/7, but Will never piled on. For good reason: Will West had won the parent lottery. They were smart, fair, and honest, not like the phonies who preached values, then slummed like delinquents when their kids weren't around. They cared about his feelings, always considered his point of view, but never rolled over when he tested the limits. Their rules were clear and balanced between lenient and protective, leaving him enough space to push for independence while always feeling safe.

Pick up almost any other YA piece of fiction and you will have either A. a parentless main character, or B. an MC with parents that s/he hates. Will's respectful and honouring relationship with his parents throughout the entire book was stellar. Add to the fact Will has a good character, courage, intelligence, humility, and super-human abilities and you have an all round awesome character in an intriguing story.

As for the story itself, the plot is convincing; its mysteries and intricacies slowly unveil over the impressive length, yet it never lags nor gets bogged down over unnecessary details. I found it quite a pleasure to read such a long novel without getting bored with either the characters or story, or becoming annoyed by bad writing. The action scenes are believable, as are the chase scenes. One other big plus for me was the humour - honestly, this book cracked me up. I was laughing out loud to the point of tears at one stage, especially after my two brothers read it and we could quote pieces to each other's amusement.

"Amazeballs," said Nick, astonished. "You know what this means, don't you?"
"No," said Will.
"The Village People are getting back together," said Nick.
"Apparently at a Renaissance fair," said Ajay.

Another bonus that the author included in amongst the story was "Dad's rules". Will's Dad kept a list of rules and lived by them, and some of them reminded me a lot of the book of Proverbs. Some were funny, some were practical, and a lot of them held a goodly amount of wisdom. Every time one of the rules would come into play in specific situations, he would quote the rule. A few examples: Don't confuse good luck with a good plan. Be quick, but don't hurry. When everything goes wrong, treat disaster as a way to wake up. There are plenty more good insights to be find throughout the whole book.

Now you might have noticed I have sort of avoided an actual summary of the main plot so far. Coming at it from a theological standpoint, it is definitely an interesting and pondersome one. After Will's life is thrown into jeopardy, his "guardian angel" comes to him and tells Will that he is in the middle of a war between different worlds. Turns out, before humans walked the earth, there was a big mess of evil critters and creatures that Will's guardian Dave and his gang had to remove because they were too wicked, confining them to a place in space called the "Never-Was" (does this backstory sound somewhat familiar?). Will has frequent encounters with these "fuzzies" (Dave's pet name for them) and they aren't very pretty characters. I believe they are loosely based on creatures from Greek myths, or other related fantasy beings. Depending on where your convictions lie, reading about creepy evil creatures that border on disturbing in certain scenes may not be your cup of tea. However they are clearly depicted as the "bad guys", such is often the case in fantasy battles between good and evil. Theologically, normal books like this with so many fantasy elements either exclude God, or have a fantasy/sci-fi substitute for Him. However it is interesting to see that the plot of this book does not exclude God, nor has an equal fantasy counterpart for Him. When Will questions whether or not Dave's realm is governed by God, Dave laughs and says "that one's a thousand orders of magnitude removed from us". It's as though Dave's realm comes somewhere under God's, and they have been given the task of keeping the universe in order. It's an interesting concept, not one I've seen before, but I think it was well executed.

The one other downside to this book is the language. Though there are no uses of extreme profanity, there is a liberal amount of PG13+ swearing throughout the entire read. I personally did not have that big an issue with it, however it was definitely substantial enough to warrant a very obvious mention.

On the whole, despite the language and creepy crawlies, I do recommend this read. The book ends tidily enough with a great set up for the sequel, and I am definitely looking forward to reading it. It's a fun and thrilling read that I think I'll definitely want to read more than once.

Life of Pi – Yann Martel

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Joyce) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:10:00 +0000

Life of Pi, recently made into a major motion picture, is a philosophical novel that expertly captures your attention and captivates you throughout every page. A survival novel at the very core, Life of Pi is layered with philosophical questions and thought-provoking statements. It’s an excellent read that’s well worth your time.

Pi Patel is headed to Canada with his mother, father, and brother; and an entire zoo’s worth of animals. But when their ship, the Timtsim, sinks for no apparent reason, Pi is left by himself on a twenty-six foot lifeboat: with a full-grown Bengal tiger. The tiger (named Richard Parker) kills the other animals on the lifeboat, and Pi is left alone with him.

The book tells Pi’s survival story: how he survived for almost a year on the lifeboat with a tiger. It tells of his struggles with the tiger and how Pi gradually trains the tiger, so that even if they are not the best of friends, they are surviving together. Pi tells the story of his bizarre encounters with another castaway, and his brush with a carnivorous island.

The book ends with Pi’s return to civilization, and an interview with two officials from the shipping company that owned the Timtsim, who are attempting to discover the reasons behind the ship’s sinking. Pi tells them the entire story, and in one sharp twist, the entire book is changed; for it asks a question that cannot be answered and torments the reader’s mind for days afterwards. This twist ranks in my mind as one of the best philosophical questions in literature. But you’ll have to read the book to be asked the question.

Of course, Life of Pi isn’t without its faults. Pi embraces a very humanistic, all-roads-lead-to-the-same-place viewpoint that enables him to cry out to Allah, Jehovah, and all of the Hindu gods in one breath. The priest, imam, and Hindu priest are seen as narrow-minded because they refuse to accept that one can follow all three of their religions: they are contradictory, after all. But Pi continues in his religious mix throughout the novel.

Overall, this is a fantastic novel. I’ve been looking to read it since the film came out, and now that I have, the film is next on my list. This is an excellent book that delivers more than just a good survival story: it asks piercing questions about humanity and who we are. Even if a few of its answers about religion are off the mark, I highly recommend this book.

~ Andrew

Humble Orthodoxy - Joshua Harris

noreply@blogger.com (Corey P.) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:33:00 +0000

Orthodoxy gets a bad rap these days. It is, for many, a concept inextricably linked to images of strutting Pharisees and the (admittedly unpleasant) smell of burnt heretic. “Go away,” they say, though perhaps not in so many words. “Take your lifeless and restricted bigotry elsewhere.”

Others recognize the importance of orthodoxy, but fail to grasp its beauty or use it in a loving and Scriptural manner. For these people, right theology is a donkey’s jawbone perfectly suited to slaying uncircumcised Philistines – or their neighbor, whoever “asks for it” first.

Neither approach is biblical. It’s no good avoiding one muddy ditch if you wind up mucking around in another. The road is where you want to be. Balance is needed. So how do we achieve it?

Josh Harris seeks to answer that question in his new book Humble Orthodoxy. His thesis? That we are called to both 1) “embrace and defend biblical truth” and 2) “be clothed in gentleness and respect”. Neglecting either one of these will inevitably lead to “arrogant orthodoxy” or “humble heterodoxy” – two sides of the same bad penny. We must, Harris argues, learn how to hold the truth high without putting people down.

This is a short book, but a much-needed one. Harris demonstrates a remarkable economy of language, packing into sixty pages a Bible-fueled exhortation that is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. Those who struggle with being limp-handed about what is in and what is out (theologically speaking) will find herein a potent reminder that orthodoxy is not a four-letter word; it is, in fact, vitally important. Those who are tempted to use their precise theology as a cudgel (as I often am) will be spurred to remember that there is a fine line between contending and being contentious. Truth matters – and so does our attitude.

We’re going to be opposed as we preach substitutionary atonement and the truth of God’s wrath toward sin. We’re going to look unloving and unkind as we teach God’s plan for marriage being one man and one woman. We’re not going to look cool. We’re going to look ridiculous and backward and intolerant and politically incorrect to the world.

Here’s the question: As we lose the esteem of our culture, as we see false teachers gaining ground, what will we do? Will we grow bitter, angry, and vengeful? Or, like Jesus and Paul, will we continue to love our enemies even as we suffer? Will we keep praying? Will we keep hoping for God to open others’ eyes?

We don’t have to be jerks with the truth. We can remember how Jesus showed us mercy when we were his enemies. We can demonstrate a humble orthodoxy, holding on to our identity in the gospel. We are not those who are right; we are those who have been redeemed. (p. 61)

Postscript: Reading this book has made me even more aware and appreciative of the examples of humble orthodoxy I’ve encountered over the years. I see it in the writings of Douglas Wilson and Kevin DeYoung. I see it when I read Thomas Watson and Charles Spurgeon and J.C. Ryle. I see it in dear friends of mine – the way they write, they way they speak, the way they live. Most vividly, I see it in my pastor. As someone who often struggles with the cage fighter mentality that Harris describes, I’m grateful for the people God has placed in my life who exemplify so well the beauty of right thinking wedded to right loving.

- Corey P.

Spurgeon V. Hyper-Calvinism – Iain Murray

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Wright) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:36:00 +0000

Now, you can probably tell from the title what this book is about. It is about the controversy between the famous Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon, and those who take the position commonly called “hyper-Calvinism”. The subtitle of the book really tells you more about it though, and that reads: “The Battle for Gospel Preaching.”

Murray starts this book off in a very interesting manner, introducing those who may not know the dear man, to a preacher by the name of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, an English particular Baptist of the late 1800’s. The first thirty-odd pages are spent giving us an introduction to this renowned preacher, sketching briefly his life and ministry, and letting us know of the man behind the controversy. The rest of the book, however, is not spent on quaint considerations of his life, which is filled with excellent accounts of the evangelistic exploits, triumphs of faith, the suffering, both physically and mentally endured by the man, but rather on a controversy in which he was engaged against some of his other brethren. This is the controversy of Hyper-Calvinism.

For those who aren’t familiar with this term, Hyper-Calvinism differs from general Calvinism, in regards to the extent that the doctrines of grace (commonly called the five points) are exercised. They hold that we should not hold forth a general invitation to those who we do not believe to be elect. This greatly differs from general Calvinists, who believe that the Gospel should be generally proclaimed to all, and urged upon any who will believe, knowing that those who are elect will respond efficaciously to the particular calling of God. Spurgeon was of the latter type, and he stood against those who declared that his general call to unbelievers ought not be practiced.

The book is filled with excerpts from Spurgeon’s writing and preaching in response to the men involved in this controversy. It lists their names, disagreements, and responses, just as well as it lists Spurgeon’s view—but the focus of the book is the man Spurgeon, his love for the doctrines of Grace, and the free declaration of the Gospel of God.

The book is centered around the four areas that were central to Spurgeon's preaching: the Universal Gospel Invitation, The Warrant of Faith, Human Responsibility, and The Love of God—essentially this, how the Gospel should be declared to lost and dead men.

The more I read about Spurgeon, the more I enjoy and appreciate the impact he has made upon evangelicalism today. His writings that he has left to us are a testament to a man consumed by the Gospel, even through the harshest of afflictions. This book is another revelation of the man who was used by God.

Iain Murray has done his homework on Spurgeon and the times for this, and it shows through on these pages. Whether you are a Calvinist or not, this book would be good for you to read, because it shows the difference between the true Calvinist and the Hyper-Calvinist, a difference rarely made by some, and it shows that true Calvinism always centers around sovereign grace, freely offered to all.

I give it five stars.

Easy Chairs, Hard Words - Douglas Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Corey P.) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:17:00 +0000

“Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?” (Rom. 9:18-20)

Passages like the one above can be difficult to swallow. So difficult, in fact, that we may be tempted to take one of two courses. We may try our darnedest to explain it all away (and that usually involves tossing out the plain meaning of the text in favor of something less hard on the ears). Or we may act is if such verses do not exist, which is like trying to ignore a giant purple elephant standing in your living room. In no time flat, we’re doing our best David Copperfield impression: “I will now make this verse… disappear!”

And yet, for all our cheap tricks and shifty-eyed “explanations”, the truth remains: God’s words do not cease to be God’s words simply because they are hard words.

Pastor Doug Wilson makes this very case in his book Easy Chairs, Hard Words. Through a series of fictional conversations between a young believer and a seasoned pastor, Wilson delivers a cogent and beautifully-argued introduction to the Reformed faith, with both feet planted firmly in Scripture. Beginning with the question, “Can salvation be lost?” he wrestles with a number of tough doctrinal issues, including free will, election, and original sin.

One reviewer dubbed this book “the death of Arminianism in plain English.” An apt description, but it might give you the impression that this is a ham fisted attack on all things Wesleyan. Which it is – most emphatically - not. Wilson never stoops to acerbic language, nor does he adopt a smug tone. If you find that reading this book sets your teeth on edge, I would humbly submit that your problem is less with Wilson, and more with the Scriptural truth that Wilson teaches.

You might want to think about that for a minute.

- Corey P.

Deep Like Me - Rick Bundschuh

noreply@blogger.com (Bush Maid) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:01:00 +0000

Following Jesus is more complex and challenging than anybody expects when they start out on the journey. It's not just attending church, reading your Bible and minding your Ps and Qs; it is an adventure filled with wonder and difficulty, with unlearning and relearning. Rick Bundschuh shares in this book what he has discovered about shuffling after Jesus, and invites readers to wrestle, grieve, re-evaluate, redirect, focus, contemplate, be still and get real about living the life of a disciple. Rick's "extremely profound thoughts" written in the form of story-like musings, are a contemplative look at the Christian way of life that warmly invites the reader to stride, stumble, shuffle or crawl in the footsteps of Jesus.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked up this book. More often than not, books written by pastors are generally very practical and instructive. And this is often necessary, since we frequently need good solid teaching on doctrine. However I was pleasantly surprised to find that, instead of teaching the reader, Rick Bundschuh instead relates what he himself has learned over the course of his Christian life. It was refreshing to read a book that was a peek inside someone's heart, to be able to relate to so many different musings, and be encouraged by the lessons learnt by another. If you're looking for some deep and solidly theological teaching though, you won't find it in this book.

Each chapter of the book covers some lesson the author has learnt, but they are written like short stories, rather than a book-long biography. Anecdotes and experiences fill the book with the essence of a scrapbook; snapshots of the writer's life with a Biblical moral of the story as each one's conclusion. The concept of how often we are reluctant to follow Jesus is explored throughout, and I love the encouragement that even though we have our days where we are only crawling towards the finish line, any forward motion is progress. Rick is quite a history buff, so he has woven in different facets of history and how they can be applied to the Christian walk (many Christians wear a metaphorical hair shirt, for example. Definitely one of the best chapters in the book).

The span of topics covered are wide and varied. Whether it's dealing with the annoying guy you work with, money and worth (the $3,000 handbag), holiness, loving your neighbour or prayer, it seems like you are seeing each lesson through the eyes of the learner, without feeling you are being taught. Plus, the author is a full on surfie that is big on practicality and does not have the air of an office writer, so the style is laid back and easy to read yet at the same time, full of clarity.

All good points aside however, I would not suggest this book for younger readers. Content wise, there is one chapter solely based on his experience in dealing with homosexuals, and the difficulties he had having to work in such an alien environment. There are also several references to other maturer topics scattered throughout it, mostly in context with Bible stories. There are no crudely unnecessary or irreverent references, however I thought it would pay to mention.

In conclusion, would this book change your life? Probably not. It doesn't teach or preach, and doesn't give heavy-handed advice or instruction on doctrinal matters. Would it change your thinking? I believe so. Sometimes looking into the heart and mind of another who has walked the same road as you can leave you refreshed, challenged, and encouraged simply by being able to relate to the person's experiences. It's a rare book where you can learn a lot from an author who isn't out to teach you anything.

Odd Thomas – Dean Koontz

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Wright) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:49:00 +0000

“I lead an unusual life.” Says the title character Odd, of his own existence on the second page of one of Dean
Koontz’s best novels to date.
Odd Thomas is a very average guy—as plain as could be. He’s a fry cook by trade in the lonely desert town of Pico Mundo, a loyal boyfriend to his soul mate Stormy Llewellyn, a budding author under the tutelage of mystery writing master Ozzie Boone—and, oh yeah, he sees dead people.

The dead don’t speak, but they do try to communicate, and apparently they love to try to communicate with Odd Thomas. Sometimes they are only seeking justice, occasionally they try to prevent a crime by warning him. But one day everything changes with a mysterious stranger in town surrounded by dark hyena like shadow creatures called bodachs. They are the heralds of imminent disaster and death—beings that feed on chaos and violence, and they’re crowding around the small town of Pico Mundo, and it’s up to Odd and his band of allies, including Stormy, Chief Porter, and the ghost of Elvis, to get to the bottom of it and stop the gathering evil before time runs out.

This may seem to be a bit of an exhausted premise now, having a protagonist who sees the departed spirits of the dead—and we won’t even begin to delve into the theological complications of such a subject—but somehow, Koontz pulls it off beautifully. The character of Odd, our narrator in this story, is fascinating, witty and darn lovable. Written with a tone of wry humor, and self-depreciating sarcasm, this tale is not as horrific as it may seem, although it maintains it’s frightening moments. In these pages, you see from a first person perspective the heart of Odd Thomas, his love for his friends, loyalty to do what’s right, and how far he will have to go to stop a plot that nobody else has the ability to prevent.

Keep in mind this is certainly an adult novel. It does contain adult language, content and violence. It is not a book I recommend lightly, but only for mature readers who are able to take the good aspects of this story and leave the rest. Of course it is riddled with theological problems, that we can’t spend all that much time solving, and really, due to the nature of this book, we need not spend time trying to.

However if you take this novel at face value, it is a fun romp into the fantasy world of fiction. The characters don’t seem so cardboard and cut out, but real, breathing people. Pico Mundo is populated by some of Koontz’s best creations and probably will prove to be some of his most enduring work. There’s a reason this one makes my list of favorites, and for the mature reader who is able to discern properly, I’m confident it will make your list as well.

Ideas Have Consequences - Richard Weaver

noreply@blogger.com (Corey P.) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:15:00 +0000

Every now and again, you pick up a book that takes you on a ride roughly equivalent to that of the Kingda Ka roller-coaster. It takes you way up and it takes you way down, tearing along like a bat out of hell, and leaving its passengers with mixed feelings of terror and heady elation. Maybe nausea, too, at some points.

Ideas Have Consequences is sort of like that. It’s one of the most challenging, stimulating, and strangely exhilarating books I’ve encountered in a long time. I suspect – no, I’m certain – that one reading didn’t give me half of what can be gotten out of it. But then, as Stephen King would say, “good books don’t give up all their secrets at once.” And this, most definitely, is a good book.

Ideas Have Consequences is about “the dissolution of the West.” Richard Weaver writes in the Introduction,

I attempt two things not commonly found in the growing literature on this subject. First, I present an account of that decline based not on analogy but on deduction. It is here the assumption that the world is intelligible and that man is free and that those consequences we are now expiating are the product not of biological or other necessity but of unintelligent choice. Second, I go so far as to propound, if not a whole solution, at least the beginning of one, in the belief that man should not follow a scientific analysis with a plea to moral impotence.

Keep in mind this was penned in 1948. The social decay he’s talking about hasn’t gone anywhere; if anything, it has intensified. Weaver’s scalpel-keen examination of the breakdown of modernity is as relevant today as it was in the middle of the twentieth century. So I urge you: read this book.

The ills of modern man, as argued here, are essentially six-fold: they can be found in the denial of universals coupled with the embrace of utilitarianism/pragmatism; the undermining of order and hierarchy; the loss of focus and the rise of fragmentation; the unabashed exercise of ego and self-indulgence in art and work; the desensitizing effects of an irresponsible media; and the emergence of “the Spoiled-Child Psychology.”

Weaver’s solution to these issues? It begins with the preservation of the right to private property; an acknowledgement of the power of the word; and a rediscovery of piety and true justice.

We have to inform the multitude that restoration comes at a price. Suppose we give them an intimation of the cost through a series of questions. Are you ready, we must ask them, to grant that the law of reward is inflexible and that one cannot, by cunning or through complaints, obtain more than he puts in? Are you prepared to see that comfort may be a seduction and that the fetish of material prosperity will have to be pushed aside in favor of some sterner ideal? Do you see the necessity of accepting duties before you begin to talk about freedoms?

Weaver’s writing is imbued with a wonderful anger. There is no bitterness here, no uncontrolled wrath, but there is a righteous indignation that tells the truth in all its stingingly painful glory. We can always use more of that.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he

that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Prov. 29:18)

- Corey P.

Godsmacked - Paul Cicchini

noreply@blogger.com (Eustacia Tan) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:29:00 +0000

In Godsmacked, Paul Cicchini tries to be the Christian Douglas Adams. As a big fan of the Hitchhiker's Trilogy of Five, I really wanted this book to work. Unfortunately, while the plot could have worked, theological problems means that there's no way I can reccomend this book.

Godsmacked follows Charlie, an all-round nice guy (and good-looking to book), who somehow cannot get a girl. Through an extremely weird event, he ends up on Mount Olympus, where he makes friends with Heracles/Hercules, and goes around visiting the various gods. Yes, I know what you're thinking, "how can a Christian book treat Greek gods as real?", well, rest assured there's a somewhat reasonable explanation behind this.

If you're talking about writing style, you'll either find the writing style extremely funny, or extremely infuriating. The main impression I got was the the book was trying too hard to imitate Douglas Adams.

And while I'm on the "love it or hate it" part of the book, I should mention that the portrayal of Jesus would fall under this. I understand where the author is trying to come from by portraying Jesus as a cool, funny guy, but there were times where I felt that he crossed the line into irreverency.

Putting those two points aside, the first part of the book was a fun read, but it was the last section, where Charlie has a talk with Jesus. There's a bunch of problems, but here are the two biggest ones.

1. "Intelligent design? Call it whatever you want. Even if you believe in evolution, God pre-ordained that too."

This sentence occurs during a discussion of pre-ordination. But as someone who cares deeply about the creation/evolution issue, this casual acceptance of evolution bothers me. To me, if you accept evolution (even theistic evolution), you admit that there was death even before Adam and Eve sinned. If there was death even before sin, then there was no need for Christ to come.

2. "I doubt that you read the Book of Jubilees in the Bible, but it says in there that God ordered the Great Flood to kill the Nephilim. Well, that was the cover story he gave Noah. He ordered the flood, but pulled Atlantis up at the last moment."

I don't even want to know why Apocrapha is treated as equal to Scripture. That is one huge problem already, and I haven't even gotten to the part where this sentence implies that God lies in the Bible and to people. God is perfect and truth, and there is no way he would lie. Even if this was for plot purposes, I consider it unacceptable to portray God in this way.

In conclusion, this book is a "could have". It could have been truly funny. It could have been a great witness aid (especially in the last section, where the basics of Christianity are covered). But no matter the "could have"s, I can't recommend this book due to the theological problems I uncovered.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

Who Do You Think You Are? - Mark Driscoll

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Joyce) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 14:34:00 +0000

Identity. Who are you? What defines you? These are the questions Mark Driscoll tackles in his book Who Do You Think You Are? — except this is no self-help book. Driscoll asks the question "Who are you?" and then goes on to answer it Biblically. “The fundamental problem we have in this world,” he says, “is that we don’t understand who we truly are—children of God made in his image—and define ourselves by any number of things other than Jesus. Only by knowing our false identity apart from Christ in comparison to our true identity in him can we finally deal with and overcome the issues in our lives.” This book examines who we are in the context of a very important lens — Christ.

Each chapter tackles a truth about who we are as Christians, beginning with the most foundational: I am in Christ. "As humans, and even more so now as sinful humans, we need to hear from God so that we can know who we are and subsequently what we should do and not do." From this starting point, Driscoll moves methodically through various areas of our life. It's not all about us: it's all about Jesus.

From there, Driscoll devotes several chapters to forgiveness and grace — and our dual position as forgiven children of God, and humans with sinful desires and temptations. He shows us what it means to be a child of God by showing us what Christ saves us from. Our salvation by grace has an indelible effect on how we live our lives. Our lives are not our own, but they have been bought with a price.

This book is all about Christ. It's written for Christians, but as our name says, we are people of Christ — and Driscoll's vision is all about Christ. His strength — not ours — gets us through our lives. "In Christ," Driscoll writes, "we're strengthened by his strength and become strong. If we try to 'be strong' on our own strength, we fall victim to the enemy's tactic of pride. But since we can 'be strengthened. . .in the Lord,' we can have both humility and victory." This more than anything else sums up the message of the book. Driscoll writes to people who are tired of trying on their own steam, and failing. His book is an invitation to fall into and make Christ the center of our lives, and to live out the truths that we say we believe.

This book is challenging and piercing: biblically well-founded and teaching. I highly recommend it: it challenged me in leading my own life and I recommend it without reservation.

~ Andrew
Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Booksneeze, but was not required to write a positive review.

A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

noreply@blogger.com (Corey P.) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:21:00 +0000

Meet Ignatius J. Reilly, a 30-year-old savant who lives at home with his mother and fills his writing tablets with sophisticated musings on history and modern culture (he intends to publish them someday, of course). Reilly’s quiet existence descends into chaos when he is nearly arrested by an overeager policeman – who mistakes him for a “prevert” – and then involved in a car accident with his inebriated mother at the wheel. One thing leads to another (and another and another), and in the end, our hero finds himself doing the unthinkable: hunting for a job.

*audience utters a horrified gasp, begins whispering excitedly*

All this happens in the first fifty odd pages of John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces. The remaining three hundred fifty are dedicated to showing us that finding a job and keeping a job are two different things – and Ignatius J. Reilly isn’t particularly good at either one.

I was drawn to this book for two reasons. First, because it won the Pultizer Prize and is widely regarded as a comic classic. Second, because it was highly recommended by Russell Moore, a man whom I greatly respect and admire:

… [A Confederacy of Dunces] is comic genius. Toole is able to plumb the accents and mindsets of the different communities and neighborhood of New Orleans better than any author I’ve ever seen. He also examines what it means to be a sojourner in a strange land. The protagonist is a native New Orleanian who never got past Baton Rouge in his travels beyond the city. Even so, he’s a stranger as one who is trying to grasp medieval philosophy as an “anchor” in a changing and shifting world.

For the record, I still respect and admire Mr. Moore – and I wouldn’t presume to set myself up as a better literary critic than he. I must, however, confess myself puzzled at his love for this book; puzzled at the accolades it has received; puzzled that it won any prize at all, let alone the Pulitzer.

Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m missing something. All I know is that A Confederacy of Dunces is the least hilarious “comic masterpiece” I have ever read.

There’s no denying Toole’s talent as a wordsmith. He writes in a beautifully zany way, and the dialogue sizzles and snaps like bacon in a skillet. And though I’ve never been to New Orleans, I fully enjoyed his lively, color-saturated description of the place. What I missed was the humor: and that’s not something you want to miss in a book that’s purportedly a laugh-riot.

The New Republic calls it “one of the funniest books ever written… it will make you laugh out loud till your belly aches and your eyes water.” “You simply sweep along, unbelievably entranced,” says The Boston Globe. “It’s a masterwork,” declares The New York Times, “nothing less than a grand comic fugue.” The Washington Post dubs it “a corker, an epic high comedy, a rumbling, roaring avalanche of a book.”

And these reviews make me wonder… Did we read the same book? Is there a Special Edition I failed to get my hands on? Am I, perhaps, an idiot?

(The Answers, Respectively: Yes. No. Mebbe so.)

My non-enjoyment of this book had much do with the fact that I detested the hero from start to finish. I say “hero” with my tongue in my cheek and a grimace on my face. Ignatius J. Reilly is loathsome, despicable, mean, uncouth, overeducated, arrogant, beastly, obnoxious, and downright gross. Enduring four hundred pages worth of this whiny, flatulent manchild didn’t simply push my buttons; it ruddy well smashed them.

Following Reilly’s attempts at finding and maintaining a proper job did have its amusing moments, but no matter how much I wanted to be blown over by gales of laughter, I never was. I don’t recall laughing out loud even once during the entire book. What about those bellyaches, New Republic, those streaming tears of mirth? Pish. I’ve read toothpaste labels that were funnier.

Maybe one day I’ll revisit Toole’s work and a lightbulb will suddenly flicker to life inside my skull and I’ll finally “get” why so many readers find it all so hilarious. For now, I’ll just stick to my Pratchett, my Wodehouse, and my Jerome. If you’ll excuse me…

- Corey P.

Christians Get Depressed Too - David Murray

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Wright) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 16:50:00 +0000

“Perhaps you picked up this small book out of desperation. Perhaps, like many Christians, you are secretly suffering from mental or emotional distress—maybe depression or panic attacks—and you have tried many remedies but are growing no better, only worse. Or perhaps someone in your family is suffering in this way and you just don’t know how to respond or help. Or possibly you are a pastor who feels helpless when you know that one of your beloved sheep suffers from mental distress. Whatever your reason for opening this book, I hope you will find something in these pages that will either help you in your suffering or that will help you in ministering to the suffering.”

It is this paragraph that opens the book Christians Get Depressed Too, a balanced, helpful and informative book by Dr. David Murray, a Christian pastor of many years. The above quote summarizes the mission statement of this small book, which is designed more as an emergency guide to the depressed Christian. And out of all the books I’ve read the past couple years, this has by far been one of the most helpful and profitable.

Murray throughout the pages takes his time in clarifying many misconceptions about depression, many of them are simply propagated ignorance in Christians circles by a few people overreacting to the massive rise of humanism and overmedication, but instead of reacting properly, those who have created these misunderstandings have swung the opposite direction and brought a culture of shame on Christians who suffer from depression. Murray takes his time in clearing that up, and lifting the veil off of this dark subject.

He gives a very simple breakdown on what it is like to be in the mind of the depressed person. Letting you know what exactly is going on, this comes from much research and counseling that he has done throughout the years with those who struggle with depression and anxiety disorders.

Much time is spent on that and also a great portion is directed to investigating the various causes. Unlike so many in evangelical circles, Murray does much service to the Christian reading by acknowledging, addressing and communicating accurately the chemical factor to depression, instead of beating someone over the head about presumed sin in their life, and becoming like one of Job’s friends who were nothing more than “miserable comforters”. Murray’s pastoral care, compassion and knowledge of this subject is clearly seen in this chapter.

One of the chapters that will surely grab your attention, is the chapter on the cure, which is more of a guidebook to the recovering. The principles he lays down are invaluable and must be read carefully.

Lastly, a chapter that makes me want to put this in the hands of every pastor, is the one on caregivers. How is someone to react to a Christian suffering from this disorder? That’s what Murray attempts to explain, and advise about in this chapter. Giving simple guidelines to follow, explanations and careful directions for those who are on the outside of this darkness, and how they can help someone who is drowning in it.

Truthfully, this is probably the most helpful book I’ve read on the subject. It really gives a clear, balanced insight into the darkness of depression, and after being on the inside for a long time, to pick up a book where the author really seems to understand was so refreshing. The chapter on the condition resonated strongly, as it was like this man has been in my mind, and the compassion showed for those who deal with it in the form of a mental disorder, treating it carefully because of the stigma attached, was encouraging. If you are a Christian who struggles with depression, then I speak from the grounds of experience, that you should pick up this book—it is truly helpful.

All in all, the honesty contained in this book, and the clarity earn it a high rating—but the balance of Scriptural reasoning, pastoral understanding, and Christian compassion make it a must-read for anyone who struggles with depression, or those who watch their loved ones in this agony. I give it five out of five.

Damascus Countdown - Joel C. Rosenberg

noreply@blogger.com (Eustacia Tan) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:53:00 +0000

It seems that the more I read Joel C. Rosenberg's theology, the more skeptical I become. But if I ignore that, his latest book Damascus Countdown is a gripping read about what the start of the end times might be like.

Damascus Countdown is the third book in the Twelfth Iman series of books. It follows the CIA undercover operative David as he tries to stop Israel from being attacked by nuclear bombs. The mastermind behind this is The Twelfth Imam, who's is gathering all the Islamic countries into one Caliphate in order to become lord of the age.

What I liked about this book was the tight writing and the characterisation. There's a large cast of characters, but I felt as though I knew most of them personally. And even though I felt that the characterisation was well developed, it wasn't at the expense of the plot. The book moved along at a quick pace, with a very exciting end.

Apart from the main plot, there are a few subplots, such as what's going on with David's family and the former Shia-theology scholar turned Christian Birjandi and his dilemma on whether he should answer the summons of the Twelth Imam.

Before I start on my niggling doubts, let me quote this passage of the book that I agree with:

"We need to be very careful not to overreach in our interpretation."

Personally, I find it very hard to understand End-Time prophecies, especially with all the disputing schools of thought. That's why I'm very skeptical when things are written as though they are definitive, with no reference to other interpretations.

Well, there's that and the fact that this book was focused solely on America and the Middle East. I understand the need to have the Middle East as the main region, but why is America the other big player? Where are the Asian countries? If I remember correctly, China is mentioned two times, India once and the rest of Asia barely at all. This is strange considering that this is where significant economic growth (and with it, political growth) is concentrated. I'm actually fairly sure that the Asian countries pull weight in the international arena as well.

For example, Malaysia has ties with the Middle East, and has even offered to be a peace broker. Their Prime Minister Najib even visited Gaza in the recent past.

In conclusion, this is an exciting and enjoyable work of fiction. The only thing that I have doubts about is the over the theology, and what I think is an inaccurate portrayal of global politics.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for a free and honest review.

The Project - Brian Falkner

noreply@blogger.com (Bush Maid) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 11:31:00 +0000

It begins with a book, the most boring book in the world, a book so boring no one could ever read it—the perfect place to hide a dangerous secret.

That was enough to get me interested. A book so boring that no one could read it, a secret so powerful it could change the course of history, and a young man with a memory that never forgets. A combination like that could only ever be awesome.

When a river floods and threatens the edge of town, best friends Luke and Tommy both volunteer to move books from the basement of their library to higher ground. During the crisis, they happen to discover the only surviving copy of the world's most boring book: Leonardo's River. Luke has an uncanny ability to remember everything he sees; his photographic memory constantly awes his friend Tommy. Since they had both been sentenced to research boring books as punishment for a school prank, Luke remembers where he has seen the cover of this book; he knows that it is the one that has been missing for over a hundred years, and the stakes are high for whoever finds it.

With dollar signs in their eyes, Luke and Tommy brave the rising flood waters to return to the library and steal the book. However it doesn't take long for them to realize that they weren't the only ones who had this plan. On their quest, they accidentally stumble into a secret society that goes farther back in time than they could ever have imagined, and the most boring book in the world happens to hide a secret so amazing, so terrifying, that it could change their lives forever - and Luke's impeccable memory holds the key.

This book was gripping. It sucks you into the intrigue with the first chapter, and the first sentence captures so much more than what you first realize. It is an art of foreshadowing.

This is not the most boring book in the world. This is a book about the most boring book in the world, which is a different book altogether.

It opens curiously enough, then progresses into the story; slowly but steadily peeling back each layer of the mystery, which keeps you eager to discover the outcome. Luke and Tommy are fun characters, and as the author is a New Zealander, he often throws in little quirks and references to his homeland in his character, Luke. His humour and accent often make appearances throughout the story, and as an Australian, I can appreciate the real sense of our neighboring country's culture. Also another plus is the fact that so much history can be gleaned from the book, as the boys need to learn certain things from history in order to save the world.

As for cautions, there may be some infrequent very mild language. Towards the end of the book there is some violence, do to the war setting the turn of events brings the characters to, however there is nothing overly graphic or disturbing. None of this detracts from the story at all. [mild spoiler] A pro to it would have to be the unique spin on time travel. There are many ways this topic is handled, but this one would have to be my favourite. It is new, refreshing, and fun to read. It definitely got my creative juices flowing and took me a while to stop pondering it when I finished. [/spoiler] Also, if you're a fan of tidy epic endings, this book is definitely one you would want to read.

So if you're looking for an adventurous, witty, humorous, action-packed, explosion-riddled, fun read, you've found it. I give this book five stars out of five. Plus one.

The Children of Men - P.D. James

noreply@blogger.com (Corey P.) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:41:00 +0000

The year is 2021, and the human race is coming to an end. Literally. And we’re going out, not with a bang, but with a whimper.

No children have been born since 1995 due to mass infertility among males: an infertility which all the powers of science can neither understand nor reverse. The last generation to be born is now adult, and the population is growing steadily, inexorably older. England is supervised by a dictatorial Warden and the SSP (State Security Police). Brutal prison camps, forced labor, and roving thugs bear witness to the deterioration of society, as does “the Quietus” – an organized slaughter of the elderly, staged to look like mass suicide.

Theodore Faron – Oxford historian and also cousin to the all-powerful Warden – watches in despair as the world around him crumbles in the face of a future that is no future. But in the midst of his drab day to day routine, he’s approached by Julian, a bright young woman who asks for his help in getting an audience with the Warden. Julian and her band of revolutionaries may just revive Theo’s will to live – and they may also hold the key to salvation for all mankind.

P.D. James is best known for her detective fiction, but The Children of Men proves that her talent isn’t restricted to one genre. This is dystopian science fiction of the highest caliber – beautifully written, engaging, and profound – and I trust I don’t overstate my case when I say it’s more than strong enough to stand with the towering achievements of Huxley, Orwell, and Bradbury.

First and foremost, The Children of Men is a biting critique of our own godless, self-absorbed culture. The irony here is perfect: the world of 2021 is dying because it got exactly what it wanted – sexual pleasure without the “risk” of children. If you’re be tempted to think society would welcome such an arrangement with open arms, think again. James proposes something different:

Sex has become the least important of man’s sensory pleasures. One might have imagined that with the fear of pregnancy permanently removed, and the unerotic paraphernalia of pills, rubber and ovulation arithmetic no longer necessary, sex would be freed for new and imaginative delights. The opposite has happened. Even those men and women who would normally have no wish to breed apparently need the assurance that they could have a child if they wished. Sex totally divorced from procreation has become almost meaninglessly acrobatic… Sex can still be a mutual comfort; it is seldom a mutual ecstasy. The government-sponsored porn shops, the increasingly explicit literature, all the devices to stimulate desire – none has worked. Men and women still marry, although less frequently, with less ceremony and often with the same sex. People still fall in love, or say that they are in love. There is an almost desperate searching for the one person, preferably younger but at least one’s own age, with whom to face the inevitable decline and decay. We need the comfort of responsive flesh, of hand on hand, lip on lip. But we read the love poems of previous ages with a kind of wonder.

Equally striking is the book’s pervasive use of Christian imagery. The title itself is an allusion to Psalm 90:3, and James’ narrative bears a marked resemblance to the Nativity story. And is it a mere fluke that the penal colony on the Isle of Man is depicted as a place of deep darkness and debauchery? Hardly, I think.

Make no mistake: this is a deeply theological novel, wrestling with deeply theological questions. I would even go so far as to call it a Christian novel, though not of the preachy, Bible-thumping, God-has-a-wonderful-plan-for-your-life variety. James’ (a devout Anglican, from what I hear) is much too good for that, and the way she weaves Christian ideas into the story is so seamless, so artful, that the lazy reader may not even catch on. It’s as if she were bearing in mind the words of Francis Schaeffer: “A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God; not just as tracts, mind you, but as things of beauty to the praise of God. An art work can be a doxology in itself.”

Ralph Wood, who has written extensively about James and her work, published an essay on The Children of Men back in 1994. He made this observation:

The key to P. D. James’s fiction, especially her later work, is her Christianity. She regards our cultural malaise as having theological no less than ethical cause… Like Dostoevsky, James is determined to ask whether, if there be no God, all goodness is vacated and all evils unleashed. As a Christian, James knows that the answer is yes. But as a novelist, she has sought to make her faith implicit rather than overt… James is an artist whose moral instruction is conveyed indirectly through aesthetic appeal, not a prophet who seeks our conversion by directly declaring the divine Word.

I’m going to end this review with two cautions. First, this is not a book for younger readers, due to sexual themes, violence, and some strong language. James never goes into lurid or sensual detail, but she doesn’t whitewash anything either. This isn’t a tale for the squeamish or easily unsettled.

Second, do not, I repeat, do not watch the movie.

Alfonso Cuarón adapted The Children of Men for the silver screen in 2006, but the resulting film bears little resemblance to the source material - I know because I’ve seen it. They share the title, the futuristic setting, the basic premise, and that’s about it. Cuarón’s approach is far more sanitized, far less Christian, and rooted in a politically-correct agenda. Characters are erased or reinvented (Jasper as a weed-smoking ex-Hippie? Please). The terrors of universal childlessness are overshadowed by a right-wing totalitarian regime obsessed with border control (take that, George W!). Euthanasia and suicide are “cleaned up” (and even subtly condoned). And the Christian characters and themes are replaced by an Ode to Man As the Savior of Himself (which is much easier for most people to stomach).

Cuarón has learned much from the Hollywood left. But from James? Not much at all.

- Corey P.

The Creedal Imperative - Carl Trueman

noreply@blogger.com (Corey P.) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 11:00:00 +0000

“No creed but the Bible.” Few slogans have a stronger foothold in today’s evangelical vocabulary. It’s catchy, sounds pious, and appears to set forth a high view of Scripture. For many, it’s just another way of affirming sola scriptura.

But it isn’t – not really. It is, in fact, a remarkably incoherent thing to say. It’s also ironic, given the fact that the Bible itself teaches the need for creeds. Such is Carl Trueman’s position in The Creedal Imperative, and I must say, he argues it brilliantly.

The book opens with an examination of “the cultural case against creeds and confessions,” and then moves on to explore the foundations of creedalism, the classical Protestant confessions, the centrality of creeds to Christian doxology, and the usefulness of creeds and confessions within the church.

Tried and tested over the years, the best creeds contain solid theology clearly expressed in appropriate language. The question is not so much ‘Should we use them’ as ‘Why would we not use them?’ They do nothing but ensure that biblical content and priorities are kept uppermost in the worship of the church.

As Trueman points out, every Christian and every church has a creed – even if their creed is to have no creed. There is no division between the haves and the have-nots. The only division is between those who have creeds and confessions that are written down and available for public scrutiny, and those who have creeds and confessions that are private, unwritten, unavailable for public scrutiny, and therefore not subject to testing by Scripture to see if they are true. And that, says Trueman, is a serious problem.

I want to argue that creeds and confessions are thoroughly consistent with the belief that Scripture alone is the unique source of revelation and authority. Indeed, I want to go somewhat further: I want to argue that creeds and confessions are, in fact, necessary for the well-being of the church, and that churches that claim not to have them place themselves at a permanent disadvantage when it comes to holding fast to that form of sound words which was so precious to the aging Paul as he advised his young protege, Timothy. Linked to the latter point, I want to make the case that it is at least arguable, based on Scripture, that the need for creeds and confessions is not just a practical imperative for the church but also a biblical imperative.

This is Trueman at his finest: passionate, eloquent, erudite, and challenging. His arguments are strongly and cogently presented, but he avoids the “distasteful, not to mention sinful, tendency among many confessional writers to look down with scorn and derision on those who are not confessional.

I trust I have not written in that spirit; rather, I hope that this book will go some way to persuading nonconfessional Christians who love the Bible and seek to follow Christ that confessionalism, far from being something to fear, can actually help them to better protect that which is so dear to them.

I will warn you that despite the book’s comparatively short length, it is not light reading. To offer a slightly modified version of Boromir’s famous phrase, “One does not simply read a Trueman book.” This is a book to study and re-study – so grab your highlighter, pen, and notebook and get down to business.

- Corey P.

Supervillain of the Day - Katie Lynn Daniels

noreply@blogger.com (Corey P.) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:16:00 +0000

Lovecraft has been dominating my bookshelf of late, and in the interest of maintaining my sanity, I had to find something less dire to immerse myself in. Something to laugh at. Something that didn’t involve reanimation, wall-dwelling rats, or cosmic entities preparing blot mankind from the earth.

Supervillain of the Day (the first book in a new series by Katie Daniels) turned out to be just what I needed. It isn’t perfect – the writing is spotty at times, and some of the character interactions could use polishing – but it is, most definitely, fun.

Supervillains are wreaking havoc all over the world – except in London, England, that is. For most Londoners this is very good news. For the editor of a tabloid specializing in “strange and unusual” stories? Not so much. But reporter Jeffry Floyd is on the case, charged with the task of finding a supervillain… or else. “Or else” being the loss of his job.

The book’s opening sentence sets the tone for the rest of the tale:

No one knew that the new mayor was a supervillain until the day he lost his temper with his secretary and tried to force-choke her from across the room.

Say hello to superhero comedy. Or should I say, supervillain comedy. (If you’ve seen Megamind, you’ll have an idea of what I’m talking about). The story’s greatest strength is that it embraces the ridiculous and runs with it. Between the zany characters, outlandish situations, and crackerjack dialogue, there was seldom a moment I didn’t have a grin on my face while reading. Short though it is – you can finish it in a single sitting – it’s nice to know that “this is not the end.” More books are on the way, and Supervillain of the Day is a promising start to the series.

As a sidenote, I can easily picture this series as a graphic novel. The concept, the action, and the characters would lend themselves well to that medium, and if such a “graphic novelization” ever came to pass, it would make a good story even better. Who doesn’t like crazy artwork to go along with their supervillains?

Now… to Lovecraft I return. I have a feeling I won’t be laughing much. Unless laughing maniacally counts; and in that case, you should be worried.

- Corey P.

(I received this book free from the author in exchange for a review.
I was not required to write a positive review.)

A Hero's Throne - Ross Lawhead

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Joyce) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:03:00 +0000

I read The Realms Thereunder, Ross Lawhead's first book, over a year ago, and found it to be a confusing but generally engaging read. The second book, A Hero's Throne follows the trend: it's more than a little confusing in parts, but isn't a terrible book, at least. Still, it probably won't be worth much to you unless the first book completely hooked you.

The Realms Thereunder introduced us to Neidergard and an entire cast of characters that returns in A Hero's Throne. Unfortunately, my first impression of the book was confusing. There's a lot of talking, more weird flashbacks (though of a different sort than the first book), and an ending that leaves you on the cusp of action, feeling as if there hasn't been any action throughout the entire book.

As a matter of fact, both books (and the third, unreleased book), feel that they could have all been condensed into a single book. The plot moves slowly, the characters don't change incredibly throughout the book, and in general this book feels stale, as if the author had a bunch of backstory and telling that he needed to get out before he could get to the real meat in book 3.

I digress; there are some good parts to the novel. Things do move forward, we discover many disturbing things, and there are some interesting twists The incorporeal chapters in particular are interesting to read, even without the rest of the book, being rather disconnected (no pun intended) anyways. But in general the novel feels like backstory, plain and simple.

Now, if the first book hooked you and you're engaged with the characters, backstory is tolerable at best. I highly recommend re-reading the first book before reading the second — something I regretted not doing as I had to keep referring back to the first book to remember the characters and sequence of events. If you do so, this will be a slightly boring book, but necessary if you want to read further in the story.

While The Realms Thereunder was passably good, A Hero's Throne doesn't make that grade. At best, it's an interesting read if you're bored with nothing to do. At all. In general, it's best not to waste your time with this book or the series in general: they're mediocre books, but written by an author with great potential. Keeping an eye on Ross Lawhead would not be a bad idea (his father also writes excellent books), but this series is a pass in general.

~ Andrew

Never – J. Grace Pennington

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Wright) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:57:00 +0000

The day that Travis Hamilton was arrested, he never thought he’d be accused of murder. Let alone be sentenced to ten years of hard physical labor in the Dead Mines, from which few return alive. Even then, he never would know the measure of torture that mining could be. Shoved in a hostile environment, where men are more animal than human, and none interested in making friends, Travis is faced with a monumental choice of whether it is best to give in to the demands of a sinister enemy, or to die without compromise.

Ross Hamilton, just a humble rancher, is certainly no detective, but when his brother is falsely accused or murder, he leaves the ranch hanging, and throws it all on the line to find out what really happened that night—and who really shot the man his brother was accused to murdering.

The tests and trials that come to them in but a few weeks, are beyond what they could have ever thought to have faced, but deep down inside, they know that the only way to survive through the mystery, with scattered enemies, and sinister cover up, is to never back down. Never compromise.

Never.

Truthfully speaking, I am not one to typically read a western. In fact the only westerns I really like are Cormac McCarthy, but this book has made a huge exception for me.

Never, the second novel from the mind of J. Grace Pennington, is not just a western. It’s not even just a mystery—the book is a morality tale, painted for us against the backdrop of the old west, and seasoned with a plot that keeps you guessing. The characters that populate this tale are excellently varied, from the persecuted lead, Travis, the loyal brother, Ross, the schoolmaster Hayes, and the sinister villain.

These characters seek to explore for us the question of whether or not to compromise that which is important to us, even when the cost is unbearably high. Do you give in? Or will you, like Ross and Travis defiantly stand and say: “Never.” It’s that element that makes the novel so incredibly appealing—and compulsively readable. This is the kind of book that leaves you wanting to find out about the characters, and grasping to deal with the same moral questions. In fact, one of the things I would suggest you do while reading, is have a pad of paper and ask yourself the same questions. All of these are matters that we must face—for its all part of being human, and in particular as Christians.

This being the second novel that Pennignton has produced, already you can see a great level of growth as a writer, and this in particular leaves me fascinated to see how much farther this growth will continue into her future endeavors. Perhaps that’s what makes this novel so interesting, is because to see this writer tackling issues like this already, it leaves me very interested to see what she will produce as she goes on and grows.

With all that said, I give this one four out of five, a great second effort from this writer, and I’m waiting to see what happens next.

White Horse - Alex Adams

noreply@blogger.com (Eustacia Tan) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 11:06:00 +0000

It's the end of the world. A virus called the White Horse (and can only be described as a viral form of cancer), combined with another World War, has caused most of mankind of perish. One of the survivors, Zoe, is one a journey, and is supposed to (according to the book) show us the good in us humans. Unfortunately, the book fails on so many levels.

The most important failing is, to me, the emphasis on mankind. The whole mess was caused by humans, and it's human goodness that gives hope. That's basically the message of this book. And you know what? I don't buy it. I don't dispute the first part (that mankind is on a self-destructive path), but if you ask me, hope comes from God. Yet in this book, religious people are seen as misguided, even Jesus doesn't believe in himself, and well, after the second statement, I pretty much got the anti-Christianity message.

Apart from this, there are so many failings.

Not least is the writing style. The narrative jumps back and forth between "Then" and "Now". I understand it's supposed to raise the tension so that you wonder why things became the way they were, but it was just confusing. It felt choppy, and I couldn't follow the plot for the first few chapters. In addition, the descriptions of violence and murders were gruesome.

Second, there's Zoe. She's the shining light of humanities goodness, so she becomes kind on a superficial level. She'll give strangers food, does things just because she is kind and so on, but she'll also kill. The internal dilemna she felt didn't feel real, it felt like it was added on to prove what a nice person she was.

Thirdly, there was the misogynism. There's the main antagonist - the Swiss, who's a chauvanistic pig that abuses women. But (spoiler alert!) it turns out that she's actually a female, who was turned into a male by the White Horse. So are you telling me this is how women treat each other naturally? Please don't disrespect my gender like this.

I think there's a lot of things wrong with book. From how unbelievable the science is, to plotholes, it's doesn't have much going for it. But if you ask me, the anti-Christianity message and promotion of man's "innate goodness" is the biggest reason why you should stay away from this book.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

Deadrise - Robert Whitehill

noreply@blogger.com (Corey P.) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 21:32:00 +0000

Has any hero, in any adventure novel, ever discovered a treasure that didn’t get them into trouble? Gold seems to attract the most unsavory of characters and situations, from pirates to politicians to rogue agents to the threat of global catastrophe.

Or all four at once if you’re Ben Blackshaw.

When diving in the Chesapeake Bay, this retired Navy SEAL finds something far more valuable than oysters: a wrecked boat, a corpse, millions in gold, and enough explosives to start World War III. From that point on, his life gets considerably more interesting. And not in a good way.

Will our heroes ever learn to leave the gold and pursue a different, less hazardous career? One with a lower body count? Someday perhaps. But until then, we may as well enjoy the ride.

Deadrise is Robert Whitehill’s first novel. It’s a good one. Not simply “good for a first time effort,” but really, truly good. Whitehill writes with the skill of an experienced storyteller, and his work here far exceeded my initial expectations.

For one thing, the quality of Whitehill’s writing is exceptional. Not flawless, but still several cuts above average. There’s a sharp efficiency to it that compliments the frenetic pacing of the story, and I lost count of the times I vowed to read “just one more chapter” only to find myself reading four or five. Deadrise is pretty much the textbook definition of a page-turner.

The supporting characters are adequate, if not terribly interesting, but Whitehill’s best work is the character of Ben Blackshaw: a reluctant hero whose cultural background is just as important as his military training. Not, mind you, that his military training is anything to thumb your nose at…

Opposite Mr. Blackshaw is Maynard Chalk, corrupt NSA operative and villain extraordinaire. He’s brooding, vicious, utterly self-centered, and yet graced with an inexplicable amount of charm. He steals the scenes and chews them up. He is, in other words, a very good very bad bad guy.

The story itself is well plotted and consistently engaging, with one foot planted in reality and the other planted in a world of fantastical adventure – sort of like Indiana Jones meets Tom Clancy, with several unique twists of its own. I look forward to reading more of Whitehill’s work. He’s made quite an entrance, and I can’t wait to see where he goes next.

(It should be noted that Deadrise isn’t something to pick up for family read aloud. It’s for mature audiences only, due to strong language, brief sensuality, and a number of violent, intense, and occasionally gory action scenes.)

- Corey P.

(I received this book free in exchange for a review.
I was not required to write a positive review.)