Unfortunately, it's written in the context of the American Prosperity Gospel.
926220
Not much added value for readers who already know life is hard and then you die. Not nearly so funny as I'd been led to hope. Guess it doesn't take much to be the best seller in the Amazon category of colon cancer.
748582
After reading Jim McNeely's first book, The Romance of Grace, I must confess that I found it difficult to follow and somewhat elusive at times. I certainly appreciate his desire to exhort the believer to "passionately love Christ." However, it is clear that several issues of doctrinal concern became glaringly evident.
For instance, the premise of the  book is founded upon the couplet of parables found in Matthew thirteen. These two parables, the hidden treasure, and the pearl of great price are to be set in context alongside the other parables found in Matthew thirteen. My concern arises from McNeely's faulty interpretation of the pearl of great price. While it is obvious that the two parables are "mirror images" of one another, the author presents a different view. He asserts that the man in the first parable is a believer seeking after God, more of God. Nothing wrong with that, right? Yet, it is obvious that the true nature of this parable was to point lost men to Christ. The opening verses of Matthew thirteen indicate that Jesus was speaking (from a boat) to a very large crowd of people who had gathered. These individuals were  "unbelievers" who were in desperate need of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus. In parable after parable,  the Lord is presenting the way of salvation to them. This is done in a repetitive fashion, which was a common way of empathizing something of great importance. McNeeely then alleges that the man in the second parable is God and that "we are the pearl." Do you see anything wrong with this? The problem with this view is that it is not speaking about the sacrificial death of Christ for this perceived pearl. It points more clearly to the value of the pearl. The value and worth is found in the pearl. Christ is the pearl, not us. The Bible clearly says that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  We were unloveable, and ungodly, and of no inherent value. McNeely's flawed interpretation of this parable comes from the misconception that it points to the relationship between Christ and His bride. When in actuality it points to Christ, as He is outlining the way and worth of salvation.
The book, as a whole, has several points that will raise your eyebrows as well as your conscience. I commend the author for pointing us to Christ. However, I wish that more consideration would have been given on  "how to"effectively flesh this out.

This review was done for Cross Focused Reviews as part of their book program.
2125366
This the second book by Pastor Leithart that I have read (A House for My Name is the other), and here he has written a book that is quite difficult to read.  Not because he uses bad English or his composition skills are lacking, but because he taking on such an overarching subject.  I think one of the main things I took away from reading this book is that we must constantly be aware of false assumptions.  When we go to church, when we read the Bible, when we pray, when we think about God, or when we write book reviews about good books we've read we must (by faith) seek to understand everything from the right perspective.

The most glaring false assumption this book pointed out to me was the assumption that the "Christianity" that I am surrounded by here in 21st Century America is 'prima facie' the faith once delivered to the saints found in Holy Scripture.  If you are looking for a book that may help you, anger you, confuse you, and edify you all at the same time: this is your book.
4901926
This first half of the book is a very thorough introduction to how the various books in the Bible were written and came to be part of the "canon" of authoritative Scripture. The second half deal with difficult issues in biblical interpretation. While I am not an "inerrancy" person, I do believe in the power and authority of Scripture when properly interpreted. I admire Adam Hamilton's ministry greatly, but was disappointed that his understanding of the inspiration of Scripture is like that of a pastor's inspiration in preparing a sermon, the only difference being that the biblical writers were closer to the events of the formation of the church and their writings are the founding documents of the faith. I an very troubled that "progressive" pastors feel free to deny many of the basic tenets of the faith, such as the divinity of Jesus, his substitutionary atoning death on the cross, the necessity of personal faith in Christ, the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, and the mandate for evangelism, simply because these don't "resonate" with our times. Most of the "problem" passages can be resolved by careful exegesis without blowing them off. Where the Bible is humbly read and believed, the transformative power of the Word of God is released through the power of the Holy Spirit. I feel this book falls far short of its promise of "rediscovering the power of Scripture today." I had hoped for much more,
1780670
Russell Moore, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, will probably surprise some Southern Baptist readers of his book Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel.  Sure, he's theologically conservative. But many of the positions he takes on social and political issues will endear him to the evangelical left and many democrats.

That last sentence is a terrible oversimplification.  I think one of the messages of Onward is that we cannot reduce everything to left and right, red or blue, liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat.  In fact, he warns that "when the 'Christian' position on everything just happens to line up, exactly, with the favored candidate or political party, how can we not expect cynicism from those who naturally start to suspect that 'God' simply means 'our team.'  When everything is prophetic, nothing is."

Christians ought to be a prophetic voice.  Noting that Christianity doesn't set the moral tone for the nation to the extent that it used to, Moore actually celebrates this.  As cultural outsiders, "our call is to an engaged alienation, a Christianity that preserves the distinctiveness of our gospel while not retreating from our callings as neighbors, and friends, and citizens."  The goal is not to be relevant, but to revel in our difference and speak truth in the world.

The biggest Christian distinction--if I'm not overstating Moore's perspective--is the Christian embrace of the value of every human life as the imago dei.  I was reminded of Ron Sider's book in the 1980s, Completely Pro-Life.  Now Moore and Sider may have their differences, but I think Moore would embrace that phrase.  Moore writes, "Abortion, torture, euthanasia, unjust war, racial injustice, the harassment of immigrants, these things aren't simply 'mean' (although they are that too).  They are part of an ongoing guerilla insurgency against the image of God himself, as summed up in Jesus of Nazareth."

No matter who you are, you'll probably find some point of disagreement with Moore.  But he will challenge your thinking as a Christian in public life in a good way, reminding us not simply to follow a party platform, but to embrace the saving, transforming grace of Jesus, and to embody an enduring belief that every person is made in the image of God.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
1436435
If this guy preached today,they would run him out of town.not the prosperity gospel you hear today on tv  or radio
1169593
This was quite frankly one of the most ill-advised books I have read in a long time. It was apparent after a few chapters that it was about developing lical church ministries. The fact that this was a mystery at first was indicative of a lot of other fuzzy thinking. Throughout, Osborne treated the church like it was a business with practices and even values that could and should change. He took something transcendent and made it ephemeral. This cheapens the Gospel and makes the Church just another organization which strives to keep its leader well paid and happy.
3712299
The cover is far less compelling than the message in this book. And that is maybe why it sat around on my stack for months, waiting for me to pick it up.

Or maybe the timing was perfect. I did The Truth Project study over the summer and found that to be a serious challenge to what I believed. Our belief systems are so personal and so uniquely twisted. What I believe to be true may offend the socks off the person standing next to me in line. Layers upon layers of simple observations, events, circumstances and words form our beliefs. And those beliefs become part of who we are so it's very threatening to have someone stomp on those beliefs because they have become one with our toes.

That said, Mr. Smith goes after some churchy beliefs that are areas of controversy and powder kegs. The title is pretty appropriate. This isn't a gentle disagreement. A lover's quarrel, by definition, is fueled by passion. Mr. Smith slams his sledgehammer of facts and observation very close to the reader's toes.

His targets:

The way we do church
Politics and religion
Modern soul winning
Evangelism
Christian publishing
Christian music
Christian marketing
Holidays
Missions
Church size
Church hierarchy

Is that enough to make your toes tingle?

The facts, the quotes and Mr. Smith's interpretations of those is definitely food for thought. I found a piece of gristle here and there, some serious toe bruising in a few places I didn't expect to find the sledgehammer. And I came away with the underscored understanding that just because someone says this, or we've done it like this for years and years doesn't make that thing true and right. My own observations and experiences tell me that the American version of Christianity is anemic and struggling in an attempt to change the world. When countries where we've sent missionaries in the near past now sends missionaries to America because we've become a mission field....well...that says something.

Overall, if we do not think for ourselves, we will be deceived. And thinking is hard work, it requires facts and study and digging deep, and if we are not willing to dig and seek the truth we are going to accept the better sounding lies as truth rather than gentle white lies that please our flesh and waste our time.

If you are looking for a meaty, disturbing, worldview changing book, you may want to invest in it. I have a few reservations with some of what the author says based on my experiences, so I can't say I endorse and embrace all that Smith says. But, what he says needs to be considered. When I finished my copy I immediately loaned it to two other friends who are hungry to follow Jesus on His terms, too. Definitely, this would be a nice, spicy small group or Sunday school discussion book.
2156139
This book is an expose into the seedy underworld of the American food system. It takes the reader throughout the massive infrastructure that is present in the United States and how the political clout that it wields is unnecessarily putting our health at risk. The message is an important one to cast and we as Americans should be absolutely apalled that things have gotten this bad. That being said I felt that his tone was to dreary and at times he focused to much attention on minute details that took away from his key message. I definately recommend that you pick it up. Don't be surprised if you have to walk away at times because of being overwhelmed by both the nature of the subject as well as his slow and meandering writing style.
4174358
Richard Stearns is the president of World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization. Prior to that, he was the CEO first of Parker Brothers Games and then of Lenox, Inc., maker of fine china. The Hole in Our Gospel is, in part, the story of how God called him to leave the business world and embrace the work of helping the world's neediest people.

But in greater part, this book is about the hole in the gospel preached in many American churches. American evangelicals believe that God forgives our sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, enabling us to live eternally in his presence. Stearns strongly believes this message himself.

A close reading of the Bible reveals, however, that the gospel is more than just a message promising individual salvation. "[B]eing a Christian," Stearns writes, "or follower of Jesus Christ, requires much more than just having a personal and transforming relationship with God. It also entails a public and transforming relationship with the world."

Skillfully blending personal memoir, biblical study, international statistics, and heart-wrenching stories, Stearns challenges evangelical Christians in America to use their tremendous material and financial blessings to serve the world's neediest people rather than themselves. It is a prophetic message, but Stearns delivers it with humility, love, and an inspiring call to action.

The book is written for the average reader, and it comes with study questions, which will enhance its use by church small groups and Christian book clubs.
3119696
Being a native from the midwest, I experienced a lot of changes when I moved south, to the bible belt, for college. One of these was evangelical Christians, or contemporary Christians, or bible-based Christians. They are the type to quote the bible off the cuff, to listen to Christian music, go to Christian events, and read books like this one right here.

The thing that bothers me about this book is the bible passages are taken way out of context. Harris takes them and shapes them to what he wants his readers to think. The messages of this book will appeal to those who seek this kind of stuff, but to those who don't, like me, it just comes across as insufferable and preachy. Or as I say: live a little.

The contemporary churches are using this book as their latest tool, along with "The Purpose Driven Life", to "save" people and make their numbers grow. If they really want to teach of Christianity, they should go back and teach people church history. This book is just one conservative Christians view on dating. It is skewed and just the latest "trap" by the bible belters. Also, at 21, does he have any right to give people advice on relationships?
1191538
Point: All wealth is owned by God, given by God, and is to be managed with His interests in mind.

Path: Witherington presents a biblical theology of wealth by looking at the subject through the scope of biblical revelation. Beginning with God as creator and owner in Genesis, he then moves on to Proverbs and money. He focuses on Jesus in the Gospels, James on riches, and wealth and poverty in Acts, followed by Pauls epistles, then the revelation of John on Patmos. He ends with a chapter entitled Towards a NT Theology of Money, Stewardship, and Giving in which he attempts to tie in all the strings of the various studies. His final chapter is more of a practical outworking of this theology.
His book includes two appendices, one on myths about money, and the other a sermon by John Wesley.

Sources: Witherington cites and interacts with authors such as Sondra Wheeler, Luke Johnson, Justo Gonzalez, and Craig Blomberg, all of whom have written important works on wealth and the Scriptures. He also cites early church fathers, other primary sources, commentaries, etc.

Agreement: This book is an effective tool to help the believer look at money through the lens of Scripture. The way we worked through the topic in a biblical theological way was much more helpful than attempting to systematize everything the Bible says about money.
His study on particular passages were helpful (with some exceptions) and informed.
His notes are very helpful for those seeking more information.
His observation on culture today are worth reading.
His critique of the prosperity gospel is good.

Disagreement: I agreed with much of his work and was only disappointed in several areas, none of which ruin the value of the work. He engages in speculation in regards to the origin of certain coins and taxes in the Gospels. In my opinion it is far fetched, but I haven't studied it out.
I think his view of Revelation is shortsighted.

Personal App: Do I live as though God owns all and I am merely a manager?

Favorite Quote: Money is like manure; its not worth a thing unless its spread around encouraging young things to grow. Thornton Wilder

It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.
1883865
This book is part of R.C. Sproul's attempt to prop up the penal theory of the atonement, and to convince people that they stand in need of the forebearance of infinite Divine retribution.

Unfortunately for Sproul, and fortunately for the rest of us, he is attempting to do the equivalent of holding back the mighty Mississippi;  scholars, preachers, and everyday Christians everywhere are being liberated from the notion that God's default nature is to want to render infinite suffering upon his creatures or that the sufferings of the innocent Christ has value to God.

Scholars of historical theology are teaching us that Sproul's ideas aren't nearly as ancient as he claims they are;  they were absent from any of the early church fathers.  Scholars of Biblical exegesis are teaching us that Sproul's ideas aren't really taught in the Bible;  the "New Perspective on Paul" tells us that the word "justification" does not mean what Sproul says it means.  Finally, as the Orthodox Church gains prominance in the United States, we will see that this way of thinking about Christianity is not shared by Christians.

Saved from What?  Perhaps in this day and age, the thing we are most needful of salvation from is Sproul's kind of theology.
2039054
Despite the over use of the term, I can sincerely call this book "life-changing". It led me to reconsider my relationship with the poor and what that said about my relationship with God. The book should challenge anyone calling themselves a Christian into thinking deeply about materialism and greed. I doubt that anyone living in the US could read this book and not find areas of their lives that need to change.
The author's use of a myriad of statistics and UN reports proves to be the weak point. Although heart stirring, the data slows the book down and complicates reading. Also, until the final section, the book leaves the reader wishing to do something, but not knowing what. Overall, the style of the writing does match up with the quality of the content (which accounts for the missing star in the rating).
Luckily this book concentrates on content. The view of the poor is excellent; the call for repentance is strong; and the suggested solutions are helpful. I would recommend this book to anyone living in an industrialized nation that is trying to imitate Christ.
"'How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!'"
2394534
"Prosperity gospel" nonsense. Christians are called to reject the world, live simply, and die to self. I'm not saying it's bad to be wealthy or pursue your dreams or draw a healthy income, but to suggest that "having it all," particularly material goods and lots of money, is the message of the Gospel is flat-out wrong.
4491768
The book provides sound Biblical perspective about why the USA and so many other nations practicing more indebtedness as a means for economic recovery and stimulus is nonsense. You should not have to read the Bible nor refer to scriptures to figure that out, however, the book does draw upon the Bible to underscore the need for reasonably free capitalism without overt economic government controls and overspending. The book is worth the read and another affirmation that government leaders in the past and today are careless and wreckless overspending thus devaluing currencies and putting at risk of killing true capitalism that expands wealth, propsperity and economic freedom.

Some scriptures, from my view, were a little overstretched to make an "economic point," when the context of the scripture was more about illuminating something else besides economic principles (spiritual principles). Our nation needs a fresh view of economic models besides Keynsian if we are ever to stop the economic trainwreck that too many of our leaders are ignoring at the expense of bankrupting our nation and its origingal forefather ideals.
2373246
I believe that any author who would catagorize people as being losers, is a part of the problem and not the solution. God would not want us to ever give up on our fellow human beings; He would want us to forgive and not discard people as if we were some disposable commodity. Businesses will never survive as long as we think only about the "bottom line".