Book Reviews_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Book reviews

Evangelism in the Early Church by Michael Green (Eerdmans)

One of the most effective churches I have ever seen in evangelism was St. Aldate's Church in Oxford, England, when Michael Green was the pastor in the 1980s.

Green, who later taught at Regent College in Vancouver and then returned to his homeland to serve the Church of England in evangelism and missions, details here the key reasons Christianity spread so rapidly in its first centuries. While doing careful analysis, he never reduces this story to technique. It is always about the will of God, the good news of the cross of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com.

For a church seeking solid direction on evangelism, Green's book is superb.

This volume, first published 35 years ago, is listed by Christian History magazine as a classic. Evangelism in the Early Church is over 400 pages long, and although well written, it requires a motivated reader.

Where you can find it still available, Green did a shorter version titled Evangelism Now & Then.

Bill Blackburn, president

Partners in Ministry

Kerrville

The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys by Mark Noll (InterVarsity Press)

Mark Noll provides a wonderfully readable historical survey of the roots of evangelicalism in early America and Europe. For the historically curious, this work looks at the spiritual and cultural forces as well as the personalities who traversed a growing movement that today is trying to chart its future course.

Reading history helps thoughtful believers understand the events that brought us to the present time. It also gives us guidance about what is ahead. Our response to the present issues in which we all are immersed or entangled can benefit from framing them in historical perspectives. Knoll has done this well, as he helps us understand the emergence of the basic tenets of historic evangelicalism and the currents of conflict and division. I found his treatment of Calvinism and Arminianism during this period helpful, given the present attention on the re-emergence of Calvinism in Baptist life.

If you want to know more about these early days of American evangelicalism, you might enjoy this first of a projected five-volume history.

Michael R. Chancellor, pastor

Crescent Heights Baptist Church

Abilene

The Winter Pearl by Molly Noble Bull (Steeple Hill)

Molly Noble Bull, a member of First Baptist Church in Uvalde, has created a beautiful story, full of emotions and characters you can believe in. Honor battles self-doubt and her confused reactions to the pastor's biblical lessons. The pastor has conflicting feelings for the young woman who isn't a believer. Or is she? He can't control his need to protect her, but he can't let himself declare his love until he knows she shares his faith.

Most surprising in The Winter Pearl is the complex story of Uncle Lucas. Rather than make Lucas pure evil, Bull explores the mindset of an alcoholic, following all the downward steps that took him to the place where he's ended up. Bull gives him a depth unusual in a villain.

The Winter Pearl simply is well done. Any story can be told well or poorly, and the mark of a gifted author is how deeply she pulls you into the story and how much she makes you care.

The Winter Pearl is one of the good ones. Sweet, sentimental and honest.

Mary Connealy

Decatur

God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It by Jim Wallis (Harper-SanFrancisco)

The subtitle to Jim Wallis' book accurately reveals his criticism of both political extremes in the United States, the divide that exists between them and their relationship with people of religious faith. Wallis calls for people of faith to reclaim a prophetic role in the public debate, free from ties to either political party that speaks to issues from a consistently applied Christian ethic. He envisions an option in which Christians combine a conservative stance on values with progressive views on social policy, where believers can consistently apply the expectations of the gospel to public debate.

God's Politics will be valuable reading to any person who has grown tired of the divisive nature of American politics and hopes for a more complete expression of the gospel in public discussion. While one may not agree with all of Wallis' conclusions, serious readers will benefit from interacting with the questions he raises.

God's Politics will challenge readers to apply their faith to a broad range of public issues.

John Thielepape, pastor

Meadow Lane Baptist Church

Arlington