Book Reviews

Posted: 10/13/06

Book Reviews

The Windshield is Bigger Than the Rearview Mirror by Jeff Wickwire (Chosen)

Jeff Wickwire writes as if he were sitting at your breakfast table, having a cup of coffee with you. His relaxed style flows with insight and optimism. Through great insight into human nature and the understanding that God has a purpose for each Christian’s life, Wickwire reveals how many of them are “robbed of joy, achievement, meaning and God’s best” because they are trapped in the past.

Part 1 of his book focuses on the six “chains” Satan uses to hold Christians captive—inordinate attachments to someone or something, past successes, heartbreak, failure, trauma and bitterness. In each chapter, he presents biblical examples to illustrate and validate these causes of imprisonment.

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

Part 2 centers on how captives can become free (through the power and work of the Lord Jesus) and achieve God’s purpose in our lives—to help others through the testimonies God has given us. By focusing attention through the “windshield,” Christians begin to see opportunities the Father places before us, as well as how others depend upon our response.

A wonderful book filled with optimism, faith and love, The Windshield is Bigger Than the Rearview Mirror should be required reading. It is a wonderful book that can be used by pastors to help deliver their people from the chains of the past to being victorious in their daily walk and service to the Lord. The minister also will gain insight and understanding into the lives to whom he ministers.

A book worth reading, Jeff Wickwire has written a book worth keeping!

Randall Scott, pastor

Immanuel Baptist Church

Paris

A Texas Baptist Power Struggle: The Hayden Controversy by Joe Early (University of North Texas Press)

Religion has an important and interesting role in the development and discussion of Texas history. From very early times, Roman Catholicism has played an important and dramatic part in Texas history and culture, even as the religious beliefs of the ancient inhabitants of the region have contributed to the richness and culture of the state. Through the years, other faiths have come to play significant and substantial roles in how the state is shaped socially and religiously. One group that emerged in the early part of the 19th century was the Baptist faith.

Leon McBeth, along with others, has presented studies of the rich heritage and often-dramatic controversies that have shaped and shaken Texas Baptists. A student and scholar trained and mentored by McBeth at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has contributed a significant and important volume to that history. In A Texas Baptist Power Struggle: The Hayden Controversy, Joe Early has presented the full and insightful story of that important struggle among Texas Baptists late in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Early sets the struggle involving Samuel Augustus Hayden and the powerful leaders of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in the late 1890s and opening years of the 20th century in the context of Baptist growth and rivalry. This was a struggle that involved two important newspapers in Baptist life—the Texas Baptist and Herald and the Baptist Standard. Early explains how this conflict was not unique for Baptists or other religious groups. He describes how the Methodists struggled with holiness and perfectionist theology and how the Churches of Christ and Christian Churches split over mission strategy, musical instruments and biblical interpretation. He carefully establishes the historical and religious setting for the controversy that developed among Baptists in East Texas and in time separated Baptists across Texas.

Early has produced a very readable, accurate, balanced story of an important controversy that helped shape two Baptist movements. He draws from the story some good, practical insights into how controversy can be handled.

This is a book worth reading and certainly valuable for those interested in the religious development of Texas. It provides insight into the nature of religious controversy and how it has shaped the important Baptist movements in Texas.

Jerry Hopkins, professor of history

East Texas Baptist University

Marshall