Book Reviews

Posted: 12/14/07

Book Reviews

Christianity’s Family Tree by Adam Hamilton (Abingdon Press)

How did all the Christian denominations come to be? What do they believe? More importantly, what can they teach me about being a better disciple of Jesus Christ? These are the questions Adam Hamilton’s Christianity’s Family Tree sets out to answer.

As the name implies, Hamilton views the various denominations as part of the whole Christian family. Seen from his self-acknowledged United Methodist viewpoint, Hamilton’s outlook on church history is charitable and lucid. He neither ignores nor dwells on the major theological differences. Instead, he finds the strengths all Christians can learn from the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist, Pentecostal and Methodist traditions.

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

Christianity’s Family Tree is first and foremost a book of discipleship, and it never strays from this main goal of making “more authentic and effective disciples of Jesus Christ.” Through solid historical and theological detail, Hamilton delivers a read on the denominations that will inspire faith. It is ideal for any small group that desires to learn how the history of the various churches can deepen their journey with God.

Todd Ferguson, associate pastor for youth and children,

Willow Meadows Baptist Church, Houston

Harvest of Hope: Stories of Life-changing Gifts by Kay Marshall Strom (IVP Books)

Have you ever received a gift catalog? Not the kind offering luscious food or handy gadgets, but the kind providing opportunities to fill hungry children’s stomachs, vaccinate babies or buy “Jesus Loves Me” lambs. Perhaps you considered making a purchase but wondered if your gift could really help. Before tossing that catalog in the recycle bin, read Kay Marshall Strom’s Harvest of Hope: Stories of Life-changing Gifts that chronicles real people whose lives dramatically changed because they received such a present. From prenatal care in Senegal and wheelchairs in Poland to sewing machines in India and village wells in Cambodia, Strom personalizes the gifts wrapped in physical help and spiritual hope.

Strom closes with the story of a first-grade class that voted to raise funds to buy a goat for a family in Niger and ended up leading their community to donate “one goat, two sheep, one donkey, one camel and school supplies for 34 students.”

If you enjoy stories about the difference one Christian can make, read Harvest of Hope, peruse Strom’s appendix of reputable organizations, and then decide what difference you can make with your gifts.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, Waco

Humble Leadership: Being Radically Open to God’s Guidance and Grace by N. Graham Standish (Alban Institute)

Humble Leadership replaces misguided expectations of the pastor as ego-driven CEO with a clear biblical model of leadership. Leaders should possess humility, or rather, humility should possess the leader.

After examining the scriptural model of humble leadership, Graham Standish leads the reader in self-examination of why true humility often is missing. Both deeply biblical and interesting, the book also is practical.

Humble leadership only is achieved through a vibrant prayer life, prioritizing unity and Spirit-led living, and Standish tells how to make these things happen.

Standish illustrates how the practice of humility positively has impacted his own church in common situations like conflict and building projects and denominational relationships.

A churchwide study of this book would be a good investment. At a minimum, Humble Leadership ought to be in the hands of pastor-search committee members, so they would have a clear image of what they should be looking for, and ministers, so they would be called back to the biblical roots of leadership.

Karl F. Fickling, coordinator

Intentional Interim Ministry

Baptist General Convention of Texas, Dallas