Book Reviews_72505

Posted: 7/22/05

Book Reviews

Word Without End: The Old Testament as Abiding Theological Witness by Christopher R. Seitz (Baylor University Press)

“This book from Israel has become a word to the church … .” Seitz is a theological scholar and has confronted an important question about the Old Testament, “Whose book is it?” It's a strange question for some of us but with many wonderful insights.

Quite often, we do not do enough investigation to see what the original writers meant by their old sayings that are foreign and generations removed from us. This book is not for the new Christian or the novice in the word of God but might be very interesting to many pastors, who desire to engage more with the Old Testament in their preaching ministry, as well as to university and seminary students. Both urban and rural pastors alike need to read chapter 1, “The City in Christian Scripture.” Human sexuality also is discussed, with a few insights from the Old Testament to be pondered in our contemporary setting and sexual situations of today.

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

The book addresses three main areas–biblical theology, exegesis and practice. This is a very interesting book, but one needs to have some biblical background as well as time to work through approximately 350 pages of beautiful work.

Mike Barrera, pastor

United Baptist Church

Laredo

The Stewardship of Life by Kirk Nowery (Spire)

Sometimes, I buy books I want to read. Sometimes, people give me books they believe I should read or would enjoy reading. Recently, I received a new book by author, former pastor, former school administrator and former Miami Dolphin chaplain Kirk Nowery. He is president of INJOY Stewardship Services, and his new book is titled The Stewardship of Life.

This book is an easy read. It's only 158 pages long, including a forward by John Maxwell. It is outlined well and uncomplicated.

Nowery's basic premise is that “stewardship isn't just about money.” He explains that stewardship touches every aspect of one's life, and if it's to be lived to its fullest, life requires wise management of all one has and all one is. The book follows a VICTORY acrostic. Stewardship includes managing, investing and developing vision, influence, commitment, time, opportunity, resources and you! Interestingly, the author never mentions the word “victory.” Each of these elements of life is explained and given a biblical example. Ample examination is given to practical application in stewarding these areas of life.

Many pastors will find this book personally inspirational and beneficial for sermon development. The material found in The Stewardship of Life can serve as a good foundation for teaching on stewardship, allowing for a unique, even refreshing, angle–stewardship is about more than money.

David Hardage, director

Waco Baptist Association

Waco

The Next Reformation: Why Evangelicals Must Embrace Postmodernity by Carl Raschke (Baker Academic)

Postmodernism. Ugh. Something else I feel hopelessly behind on. Now I'm not just supposed to know about it; I'm supposed to embrace it. I hardly get to embrace my kids. …

Well?

First, reading this can be work. Second, Carl Raschke's got the philosophy of the emerging culture right. I teach philosophy, and I've started an “emerging” church. So this is my turf; and, for what it's worth, I pretty much agree with the general position Raschke takes. Last, the critics of postmodernism say God is not mocked, eternal verities don't change. True, but God is not shocked, either. He knows culture changes constantly and worldviews occasionally. We can therefore be confident that he will guide us to deal with today's change by the Spirit and the word.

So, should you read it? Yes, if (a) you're a strategic decision-maker or researcher; you don't have to like postmodernity, but you will have to deal with it; (b) you're a practitioner, trying to figure out how to speak gospel in the emerging culture; and (c) you're a missionally minded observer, seriously curious as to what exactly is going on here.

Mark Thames, pastor

Lower Greenville Community Church

Dallas

A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren (Youth Specialties)

When I was a child, I remember riding in the car with my father as we drove past a Christian Science church. My father commented that they were neither Christian nor scientific. When you read A Generous Orthodoxy, some of you will feel that McLaren is neither generous nor orthodox. I read this book because I already had been challenged by some of McLaren's previous books. If you like to read books that reinforce or restate what you already believe, then I suggest you skip A Generous Orthodoxy. You will not agree with everything the author writes (at least I don't), but you will be forced to ponder some new ideas.

Terry Austin, stewardship director

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Dallas

Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ by Dallas Willard (Navpress)

Dallas Willard's book title caught my eye because as a pastor and professor, I discover, at times, that wonderful Christian people fail to “immerse” themselves in the words of the New Testament because, as Willard states, the life recorded there is quite unlike the life they know in their Christian experience. Even though they are quite faithful to church and have Jesus as their only hope, they see actually living the Christian life as some “unsolvable puzzle.” Willard offers discouraged Christians fresh hope by guiding them into a path to true spiritual formation so that the Christian life might be experienced in fullness. I find Willard's propostion to be thought-provoking and timely.

Larry Ashlock

Dallas Baptist University

Dallas