Firsthand – Ryan & Josh Shook

[Update! My video endorsement of Firsthand by Ryan & Josh Shook can be viewed at my YouTube channel.]

©2013  WaterBrook Press, Colorado Springs

Brothers Ryan and Josh Shook grew up in church. In fact their parents planted a vibrant, exciting church in Houston. Now they are actively seeking careers far away from Houston. Ryan is a filmmaker living on the west coast, while Josh is a musician living in Nashville. And though they seem to be far removed from their roots in Texas, they write a book about how their faith roots are stronger than ever.

In a day when more and more people in the younger generation (in this case an age range of 16-26) are growing disillusioned with the faith of their parents, the Shook brothers have found the secret to faith that is lasting and real: stop playing at religion that is at best a hand-me-down from your parents and replace it with a firsthand, no-holds-barred relationship with Jesus Christ.

This book is less of a “how-to” book and more of a “what could happen” vision. Starting with their own wandering away from their parents’ faith and building on that with interviews and candid remarks from a number of people who had discovered the difference between plastic religion and real relationship, the authors weave a story that is at both challenging and a bit unnerving. There is no sugar coating here, just real admission of attempts and failures followed by struggle and success. Bottom-line advice from these two young men who have “been there” is to stop trying to be a Christian (based on what was handed down to you from your parents), and just build a relationship with Jesus.

This short 8-chapter book deals with all the things that church-goers try to do to get in good with God, and gives testimony and example of how one might stop going through motions and let their relationship grow. Their term, as the title suggests, for this authentic experience is “firsthand faith.”

This book is a good starting point when someone has grown disappointed in the church experience of their roots. While believers are encouraged to do the things that our church society has done as a sign of their relationship with Christ, the motivation is moved from marking your checklist of being a good Christian, to letting the actions flow from who you are.

Even so, because the book is focused on the generation of younger adults, those who are approaching or have even passed middle age who are dealing with the same questions about faith are neglected. This is not necessarily a fault of the authors or the publisher but a drawback built into focusing on a particular audience, limiting further (with age) an already limited audience (Christians or Christ-seekers). That said the book has value when someone (of any age) is struggling with whether what they’ve always believed is really real—especially when it is believed because that’s what they (or their family) has always believed.

Each chapter includes a sampling of quotes from a handful of the people interviewed in the researching of the book, some questions for deeper thought, and some practical application suggestions to put what the preceding chapter has discussed into action.

I would suggest that pastors and youth pastors, as well as collegiate ministry workers, would want to have a copy or two of this book handy to help young people who are dealing with questions of whether the faith they espoused at the age of 8 or 9 is real or not. The struggle of authentic faith is one that has been around for ages and will continue to haunt the church. In Firsthand the church has a resource to address this struggle head-on. I give the book 4 out of 5 reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter April 19, 2013

[Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.]

Theodore Boone: The Accused – John Grisham

©2012, Dutton Children’s Books, New York

In his third outing as an author of juvenile fiction, John Grisham is showing a practiced hand. Not only is the hero (Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer) a likable young man, he is also extraordinary. How many thirteen year old boys are all but partners in their parents’ law firm? How many are liked by everyone? How many smarter than the entire staff of their Junior High School? Well . . . in real life probably none. But in Strattenburg, there’s only one – Theo Boone!

Opening paragraphs of The Accused call on readers to remember TheAbduction (Theo’s sophomore appearance) with the beginnings of the re-trial of Pete Duffy for his wife’s murder. But the defendant has disappeared. [Readers who missed the first two books in the series will want to catch up with Theo’s cases from the very beginning.]

What follows is not focused on Duffy (although his case is a running thread throughout the story), but rather on Theo’s travails as a victim of sabotage, vandalism, and framing. We know that he’s innocent, his parents and uncle know he’s innocent, the faculty and administration of Strattenburg Junior High know he’s innocent. In fact, it seems that everyone knows that Theo is innocent except for the police.

A couple of things are disturbing about this book: the helpless feeling the reader gets as his hero is being hounded by the police as well as his stalkers (this can be chalked up to the good writing). Perhaps even worse, though, is the thought that police can enter a school and use the same bully tactics which one sees on television with a thirteen-year-old. And this without his parents or lawyer (in this case both might be the same) present—and when the parents do enter the scene, they make no fight for a minor having been treated so. [Note: since I am not an expert in the law or in police procedure, I would not claim to know the legality of this—I just find it disturbing.]

On a lighter side, readers will enjoy the moment from Animal Court. It provides a needed rest from the struggle of fighting an unknown assailant, and gives more than a laugh or two.

Again, Grisham fans will be satisfied, as will suspense and young adult mystery readers. The writing is on par, the action is compelling and the characters are well-developed. I give Theo Boone’s third story The Accused four out of five reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, March 26, 2013

I'm Behind on My Reviews

Since Christmas, I've continued to read, but haven't found the time to do much reviewing, so here's a sampling of what I've read, and if I get a chance to get back to reviews, maybe I'll catch up.

Bill Crider's latest Dan Rhodes book Murder of a Beauty Shop Queen (2012, St. Martin's). Fans of small-town murder mysteries and Crider's characters and writing style will be well-pleased with this new installment. (5 out of 5 reading glasses).

Reckless Faith by Kevin Harney (2012, Baker). This book seems to be challenging, but has some struggles along the way (I really do need to get a review done of this work). (3.5 out of 5 reading glasses)

Calico Joe by John Grisham (2012, DoubleDay). I've read Grisham's efforts at writing fiction about football and enjoyed them enough. Here's one set on the baseball diamond. Baseball fans will like it - I did. (4 out of 5 reading glasses)

The Names of God by Ken Hemphill (2001, B&H). This is an excellent devotional read based on a series that Dr. Hemphill has preached a number of times. Read it for the devotional content. (4 out of 5 reading glasses).

Breaking Anchor – Henry Melton

©2012  Wire Rim Books, Hutto, Texas

Henry Melton just keeps on churning out books. He is constantly working on making his stories available through print, e-publishing, and occasionally he releases one of the good ones serially online. His longest-running series of Young Adult Science Fiction is the Small Towns, Big Ideas series which follows high school-aged heroes and heroines from small-town America into some interesting adventures that have included extra-terrestrial life forms, super-intelligent technology, and time travel. He’s also hard at work on the recently developed The Project Saga, which started in modern times but promises to carry readers drastically into the future from Earth and into the far reaches of the universe.

But today’s story is part of the Home Planet Adventures series. Tommy Dorie is on the verge of becoming a man. He’s still caught up in the throes of high school finals week when his father Nick sends him on another goose chase. Can Tommy risk ignoring yet another pop quiz, or could it really be serious business this time around? Since the loss of his mother just a few months before the story begins, Tommy and Nick have developed a strained relationship highlighted by communication through text codes developed by Nick because of his secretive job.

Tommy finds himself caught up in corporate battles that really belong to Nick. His only hope for survival is to stay away from the company goons who are after the Dorie family sailboat. The secrets keep revealing themselves as Tommy works to rescue Nick and his co-workers along the way.

As per usual, Melton treats his readers to a book that is chock full of information about a lesser known pastime (sailing in this case) and technology. Breaking Anchor is another of those “hope it’s not true, but maybe . .  .” stories that calls the reader to think about the big what ifs of life that so often are just ignored in preference for regular life. Between the pages you’ll find action, intrigue, passion, and excitement. And a smarter than average dog. I have to give Melton another five-reading glasses review for this little gem.

—Benjamin Potter January 7, 2013

[This book was received from the publisher for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own. No other compensation has been received in order to influence the reviewer.]

Ten Myths about Calvinism – Kenneth J. Stewart

©2011 IVP Academic, Downers Grove, IL

In recent years the Calvinist theology has been seeing more than a modicum of attention among evangelical leaders (especially among some of the younger leaders). This fascination with what proponents prefer to call Reformed Theology is sweeping across denominational lines. It is also sparking quite a controversy among leaders of these denominations (including my own), whether that controversy is deserved or not. On one side of the argument are those who are buying into the teachings of Calvin as they have sifted down through the centuries. These adherents, including Calvinists of long standing and new converts to the theology, stand strong in their beliefs, ready to defend the theology as much as the Savior we all serve.

In the other corner we have those who do nothing except find fault with Calvinism. This is not to say that all of those who are dubious of this new interest in Calvinist theology land firmly in the full opposite extreme known as Arminianism, but the lines are drawn as to Calvinist and Not. And more often than not, each side is convinced that they have God’s mind figured out. I work diligently to foster my friendships and relationships with people of both sides because it is more our responsibility to show the love of God than to win arguments about our interpretation of His Word. I believe this is part of what Stewart is trying to accomplish with his historical sketch of Reformed Theology.

The book is an apologetic in defense of historical Calvinism. Stewart prefers the terminology “Reformed” to Calvinism, because the theology encompasses a greater span than simple John Calvin and Geneva in the 16^th Century. In doing this, Stewart has identified four “myths” being spread by Calvinists and six that are being spread by non-Calvinists. All ten of which he says are historically inaccurate, and should not be spread any longer. He deals first with those myths spread by people in the Calvinist camp, and then moves to those supported by opponents of Calvinism:

• One Man (Calvin) and One City (Geneva) Are Determinative
• Calvin’s View of Predestination Must Be Ours
• TULIP Is the Yardstick of the Truly Reformed
• Calvinists Take a Dim View of Revival and Awakening
• Calvinism Is Largely Antimissionary
• Calvinism Promotes Antinomianism
• Calvinism Leads to Theocracy
• Calvinism Undermines the Creative Arts
• Calvinism Resists Gender Equality
• Calvinism Has Fostered Racial Inequality 

I must admit that I am familiar with about seven of the ten “myths” identified. Not being strongly steeped in Calvinist doctrine might attest to my lesser familiar stance with the others. I should also point out that when the author addresses the tenth of these myths that I found less defense of Calvinism than simple histrionics.

With a purpose to provide a defense for Presbyterian and Reformed churches both from errant thinking within and attack from without, Stewart does a fair job. What results though is less of an apologetic than a study of fifteenth to seventeenth century theology (other time periods are dealt with, but the major focus is in this window). Reading this book will not move most people from one camp to the other, but perhaps it will provide a better understanding of who the early Reformers are and what we should apply to their teaching.

The book will have limited appeal to those who are studying the church of the Reformation Era, those (like myself) who are trying to get a better handle on what Calvinists do and/or should believe and teach, and to those who are looking for solid defense for why they have landed in the camp of Calvinism.

As a history book, this is a good read. As a textbook, it is a fair resource. As a wealth of information helpful to the general reader, it falls rather flat. For anyone outside of the Presbyterian tradition, the book will not speak very loudly. For those (for instance) in the new movement of Calvinism in Baptist or Evangelical Free churches, will discover only a rare tidbit of helpful information. Because of this I rest the book in a balanced three of five reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, January 1, 2013

 

Chasing Christmas – Steven Hunt

©2012 Harbour Lights, Aztec, NM

I want to get the review for this year’s Christmas read up before Christmas. That way, if you are interested in a good book that’s set during the Christmas season you’ll have time to snag a copy and read it during the holidays. I know, I know, Christmas is just around the corner. But you can do like I did and get an e-copy (they deliver immediately from all over the wwweb). I must also admit that I have a special reason for touting this particular book this particular Christmas. The author was my very first college roommate. Yes, before either of us knew anything we roomed together in an early-enrolment summertime program at Oklahoma Baptist University (shout out to all our Academy ’80 buds). Since those days, both Steven Hunt and I have grown up and had a variety of careers. Steve’s latest endeavors have brought him to the arena of Christian fiction. And he’s pretty good at the stuff.

One week before Christmas a despondent and down-hearted Teddy Whitaker decides the best way for him to handle life is to make his disappear. He’s lost his parents, his business, his daughter, his wife and his best friend all in a matter of months. So the story opens with a very discouraged hero aiming his vintage Camaro for the local ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ for one final ride. What he gets is the ride of a lifetime.

Miraculously spared from his impending doom, Teddy must learn three lessons from three unlikely teachers and make it home before Christmas morning or he will be dead and never see his family again. Accepting the stakes through a fog of doubt, Teddy decides to give it a try. After all, he really has nothing to lose.

This story, along with the fact that it is a Christmas tale, is a story of homage. In the vein of Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” and Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life,” our hero interacts with otherworldly beings that help him to move beyond himself and learn the most important lessons in life. Hunt even pays special homage to some of these timeless classics in the telling of the story, although the angel characters have no knowledge of them. The book is also an honor to the author’s preacher uncle (to whom the book is dedicated, whom I have met, and who makes his own appearances in the story from time to time) who taught Hunt the very lessons that Teddy learns over the course of a week. Finally, the greatest homage is paid to the King of kings about whom the original Christmas story revolves.

This book has everything a good Christmas story should have: action, suspense, romance, conflict, and a spiritual side as well. Thanks for another good story to read by the Yule Log, my friend. You’ll be glad to receive the four and one-half out of five reading glasses, and your readers will want to get copies of this book to stuff all the Christmas stockings with. For my readers, get a copy of this book for yourself and one for a friend, and hop on over to the American Christian Fiction Writer’s (ACFW) bookclub, join and vote for this book.

Merry Christmas—Benjamin Potter, December 20, 2012

[This is a review of the ebook version (for Nook; also available for Amazon's Kindle). The book is also available in trade paperback.]

A Year with G.K. Chesterton – Kevin Belmonte, editor

©2012 Thomas Nelson, Nashville

G.K. Chesterton. That great Christian author from England who gave us the Father Brown mystery stories was also the prolific writer of philosophy and apologetics. He was one of the influencers of C.S. Lewis in his own personal journey to Christianity. Is it any wonder that when I found a devotional based on Chesterton’s life and writings I grabbed at it?

This book holds a full year’s worth of writings and anecdotes from Chesterton’s life to provide devotional reading on a day-by-day basis. In addition, the editor has included some extra readings in the back of the book which he labels “Supplemental Readings: The Main Festival Days of the Church.” Of course these would specifically be related to the Roman Catholic Church of which Chesterton was a member.

With little variation, the reader will find a Scripture for the day, a short writing (it is unclear in the book whether this is by Chesterton or an observation by Belmonte), then an excerpt from one of Chesterton’s essays, stories, or other writings. Most days will also include a verbal snapshot of what happened “On this day” in the life of Chesterton.

It gives a quick overview of the man and his writing. Each day is filled with inspiration or as the subtitle of the book suggests “Wisdom, Wit, and Wonder.” Because I needed to get this review done in a timely manner, I’ve based it on a hurried perusal of the pages. I can’t wait to take the time as designated by the book’s design and spend “A Year with G. K. Chesterton.”

I would recommend this for anyone who has enjoyed Chesterton’s prose, or for faithful readers of Lewis and Tolkien. Readings only require a few minutes daily and the uplifting one gets is worth the moment. Four out of five reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter December 6, 2012

[This book was provided free of charge by the publisher for purposes of this review. The opinions are my own.]

Judas and the Gospel of Jesus – N. T. Wright

 

©2006 Baker Books, Grand Rapids

The name of N. T. Wright is fairly familiar in the arena of theological thinkers. Modern Christian ministers, if they haven’t read some of his writings or about him in places like Christianity Today, have at the very least heard the name or seen it on the spine of a book or two when they were looking for the latest pop culture influenced book at their local Christian bookstore. Wright is not only a bishop in the Church of England, but is a Biblical historian and teacher of New Testament at institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge.

In recent years when another “new” gospel started creeping into theological circles, he half-heartedly ordered a copy of the translation and began piecing together what this so-called “Gospel of Judas” had to add to serious theological study. What he found was an authentic third century document that attempted to discredit and/or “correct” the New Testament account found in the canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

Lauded by modern-day Gnostics, the document in question is part of a larger find which was discovered in the 1970s but was not finally studied and translated until thirty years later. The text of the document, while not considered a forgery and hoax (as many Believers would hope), turns out to be an early Gnostic tale about how Judas Iscariot was really the hero of the New Testament story because he was acting in obedience to Jesus in His conspiracy to rid Himself of the earthly body in which He was trapped.

This and several other heretical Gnostic teachings are addressed in this book of historical apologetics. Wright takes time to explain some of the basics of Gnosticism and contrast them with what has been taught as orthodoxy throughout the centuries. Ideas like the Creator-God is evil and should not be worshiped as should the greater gods than He. Wright does two things in this short and readable book that are well worth the reader’s time to see:

1. He sets aright the true Gospel in contrast to what proponents of this “new gospel” have tried to topple—namely, the Biblical record of Christ.
2. He addresses issues that seem to sidetrack modern-day Christians who get caught up in one tangent or another in their faith-walk. In doing so, he reminds readers that they need not fear what intellectuals with big vocabularies are spouting when we have Truth on our side.

Conservative Evangelicals will thrill and cheer as Wright discredits the Gnostics and the supporters of this new “Gospel of Judas.” But then we begin to understand the audience of the Old Testament prophet Amos when he was proclaiming the oracles against all the nations surrounding Israel. You might recall that each nation was called down for their sins against God. Finally, the prophet narrowed the focus to Judah and then to Israel herself—and the proclamation against Israel was far more serious than that of her neighbors because of the depth of her transgression. Israel, after all, as a nation was “the people of God” and should have known better.

In this same manner, Wright after setting the scene for the dismissal of the Gospel of Judas as authoritative (even if it is an authentic third century document) and Gnosticism in general (either the early New Testament era version or the more modern variation), he levels his sights on the modern evangelical movement (American Protestantism in particular) to call us on our propensity to amalgamate certain teachings of the Gnostics into our own instruction just to keep from having to take part in debate over issues we’d rather ignore. The last chapter of the book is a bit harder to take, but its truth cannot be denied. We as Christians ought to be less defensive over our man-made traditions and more concerned with living as the Scriptures dictate.

Even though I feel a bit scathed having read the last pages, I can’t help but give Wright four and one-half reading glasses. This defense of the True Gospel in light of late archeological discoveries which would try to disprove that Gospel is one that will be helpful to both the academic and the layman alike. It will help you know more why you believe what you believe about the Passion of the Christ.

 

—Benjamin Potter December 6, 2012

Time for a Christmas Special

Are you looking for a great stocking stuffer? Well here's just the thing. You can order my little Christmas story from Amazon.com. Or, you can cut out the middleman and just contact me directly (I'll be glad to sign the book with a dedication to whomever you want.) And if you order five or more copies direct from me (sorry can't say what Amazon would do) I'll throw in shipping. (Cover price: $7.00 plus $4.00 s/h; Amazon price $6.00 plus $3.99 s/h; Direct order from me: $5.00 + s/h; orders of 3 or more price is $4.00. Orders of 5 or more receive discounted price plus free shipping. I can fulfill orders through PayPal.)

Experiencing the Cross – Henry Blackaby

©2005 Multnomah Publishers, Sisters, OR

Henry Blackaby has been a favorite of mine ever since I first went through the material he helped develop called Experiencing God. Not only is he an influential leader in Baptist life, but he is also a very personable man when in speaking situations. A couple of years ago, I had opportunity to meet and visit with him for a few minutes as he spoke at a pastors’ retreat I was attending. While I am not always overwhelmed by Henry’s writing (often finding in it a re-packaging of Experiencing God), I am always ready to hear what he has to say or read something he has written.

This little book is yet another testimony to the readability of his writing. And the content is very challenging and helpful. In Experiencing the Cross, Blackaby draws the reader’s attention back to the focus of the cross—why it happened, why it had to happen, and what happened because it happened.

Using Scripture (a hallmark of the author), Blackaby leads us to see God’s plan in the event of the Cross. He then teaches us what that means for believers and non-believers in Christ alike. Finally, the author leads the disciple into a deeper discipleship about what is meant when the Scripture says that in order to follow Jesus one must “take up his cross” and follow Him.

This volume is filled with challenging and encouraging teachings that will help Christians to better understand and appreciate the cost of the Cross as well as the life to which the Cross calls all who would dare to follow Jesus. I recommend this book highly to anyone who desires his faith to be more vibrant, more active and more genuine. Five out of five reading glasses.

—Benjamin  Potter, October 26, 2012