Reviewing Brian J. Walsh's & J. Richard Middleton's The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian Worldview

The Transforming Vision was a book I was assigned to read for a Cedarville University education class I took several years ago. It is divided into four parts and consists of twelve chapters:

Part 1: What are Worldviews?

Chapter 1: Worldview and Culture

Chapter 2: Analyzing Worldviews

Part 2: The Biblical Worldview

Chapter 3: Based on Creation

Chapter 4: Acknowledging the Fall

Chapter 5: Transformed by Redemption 

Part 3: The Modern Worldview 

Chapter 6: The Problem of Dualism 

Chapter 7: The Development of Dualism 

Chapter 8: The Rise of the Secular Worldview 

Chapter 9: The Gods of Our Age

Part 4: The Biblical Worldview in Action

Chapter 10: A Christian Cultural Response

Chapter 11: Worldview and Scholarship

Chapter 12: Toward a Christian Philosophical Framework

The premise of this 215-page book is that society is a wreck and only through a Christian worldview can it truly be transformed. Dr. Walsh and Dr. Middleton desire to see every facet of life transformed - families, schools, businesses, governments, and more. They explain how the Christian worldview is the key to that transformation.

The Transforming Vision is a good book that is well-documented and biblically sound, but it reads very much like a college textbook. It is not a challenging read, but it definitely requires some reflection. I have read a few books pertaining to the topic of worldviews, and The Transforming Vision is not at the top of my list of most enjoyable worldview reads. I recommend Chuck Colson's How Now Shall We Live? for something that is both engaging and thought-provoking. James Sire's The Universe Next Door provides a better overview of major non-Christian worldviews. Although I have recommended reading other worldview books, I did benefit from reading The Transforming Vision and believe it will continue to bless many others.

Treasure on Earth or Treasuring Jesus?

Jesus' Encounter with the Rich Ruler (Luke 18:15-33) from Mark Wickersham

Reviewing Glen Schultz's Kingdom Education: God's Plan For Educating Future Generations

I was given Kingdom Education by a fellow administrator a couple of years ago, but I just finished the 180-page book. It is required reading for one of my M.Ed. classes I'm taking in a few months. This 16-chapter book is divided into five "Kingdom Education" sections:

1. Its Definition, Purpose, and Result
2. The Role of the Home
3. The Role of the Church
4. The Role of the School
5. The Future

Dr. Schultz's main message is that parents must ensure that their children receive an education that is biblically based. The local church must work with parents and teachers so that every child has the opportunity to receive an education that is Christ-centered. Some of what Dr. Schultz shares about public schools will likely be a surprise to many, and opinions will definitely be formed.

I believe Dr. Schultz's book has a good message. It is loaded with Scripture, and it is evident that Dr. Schultz desires the best for young people. I do think more practical solutions as to how to make Christian education a possibility for everyone would make this book even better. Church buildings definitely need to be more than a Sunday and Wednesday meeting place, as Dr. Schultz stated, but much needs to change about our thinking for all young people to have the opportunity to receive a Christian education. Getting a Christian education is expensive, and many simply cannot afford it. What can we do to make Christian schooling affordable to all? Many Christian schools are lacking creativity and a challenging curriculum. How can we better engage our minds and be producers instead of imitators?

I would have also liked for Dr. Schultz to write his book with a more international mindset and provide more information concerning some of the statistics he used and statements he made about America's youth. I do not want these minor criticisms to come across as if Kingdom Education is not worth reading. I am thankful to have read the book and feel Kingdom Education is an excellent book for Christians to discuss if they have anything to do with teaching today's youth. If you are a parent struggling with the schooling issue, I recommend checking out John MacArthur's Grace To You site and gotquestions.org.

Reviewing Dave Harvey's When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage

I placed When Sinners Say “I Do” on my Amazon Wish List after reading a Tim Challies’ review in which he stated this is perhaps the best marriage book he has ever read. I had no excuse to purchase the Kindle book once I saw it for under $2. It was released in the summer of 2007 and consists of fewer than two hundred pages. When Sinners Say “I Do” is organized in the following manner:

Chapter 1: What Really Matters in Marriage

Chapter 2: Waking Up With the Worst of Sinners

Chapter 3: The Fog of War and the Law of Sin

Chapter 4: Taking it Out for a Spin

Chapter 5: Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

Chapter 6: Forgiveness, Full and Free

Chapter 7: The Surgeon, the Scalpel, and the Spouse in Sin

Chapter 8: Stubborn Grace

Chapter 9: Concerning Sex

Chapter 10: When Sinners Say Goodbye

The author, Pastor Dave Harvey, has written a few books, has served in pastoral ministry for over 25 years, and has been married for more than 30 years. Harvey writes candidly in When Sinners Say “I Do” that the problem in marriages is our sinful hearts; however, he doesn’t stop there. He also points us to the beautiful solution, the Good News of Jesus Christ. When Sinners Say “I Do” can be easily understood by those new to the faith, yet strikes straight at the heart of those who have been walking faithfully with the Lord for many years. Humor is tastefully sprinkled throughout this biblical book. I found chapter eight to be particularly insightful and used much of it for a devotional I led on encouragement. The chapter on sex was done in good taste. I’m thankful to have finally read When Sinners Say “I Do”, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any Christian, regardless of whether you have recently gotten engaged or you have been married for a good number of years.

Are You A Spiritual Discerner?

Are You A Spiritual Discerner? from Mark Wickersham

You Are The Christ

You are the Christ: The Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:13-20) from Mark Wickersham

How Can I Be A Neighbor?

How Can I Be A Neighbor? The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) from Mark Wickersham

Reviewing Ted Kluck's Hello, I Love You: Adventures in Adoptive Fatherhood

Although Hello, I Love You was written more than two years ago, I wasn't aware of it until a couple of weeks ago. In a few weeks, my wife and I will be adopting our third child from China, so reading Mr. Kluck's book during the Christmas break was perfect timing. Hello, I Love You is quite different from other adoption books I've read. This 190-pager is written by a Christian thirty-something guy who speaks quite candidly about the challenges of international adoption, infertility, communication, the church, and more. It's both humorous and raw.

The 11 chapters are divided into two parts. Part 1 is entitled Tristan, which is the name of the first child the Klucks adopted from Ukraine. Part 2 is entitled Dima, which is the name of the second child the Klucks adopted from Ukraine. Mr. Kluck is quite frank about not always enjoying the way things operate in the Ukraine, and I could see some Ukrainians being offended; however, Mr. Kluck has good things to say about the Ukraine as well. Adopting children is not always a smooth process, and that is certainly the case here. Reading about Kluck's two international adoptions made me extremely thankful for not having to face their trials. It was also good to read that Mr. Kluck is fully aware that complaining is sinful and that he understands that his wife has been so patient with him. I can more than relate to these things.

If you are looking for a book that talks about how everything about adopting children is beautiful, this is not the book for you. If you are interested in reading what international adoptions can be like and feel like, especially if you're a man, I recommend Hello, I Love You. Although I was disappointed not to read about the completion of a third adoption, I know the story has not ended.

Reviewing Stephen Altrogge's Create: Stop Making Excuses and Start Making Stuff

Stephen Altrogge blogs over at www.theblazingcenter.com, and I frequent his site regularly. I have enjoyed listening to his music as well. Create is the first book I have read by Mr. Altrogge, and like his blog, Create is packed with wit and truth. Since the book is only 43 pages long and written in a conversational manner, reading it will probably take you very little time.

Create is not only designed for art majors like my wife, but it's also designed for people like me who think concretely and enjoy predictability. It doesn't matter what your profession is; this book can bless you. Create is designed to help you see that all of us have creative abilities. People not only create magnificent paintings and sculptures, but also create professional documents, delicious meals, fun presentations, and inviting homes. A big part of this book is to encourage you to get off your butt and start creating. Mr. Altrogge does this in an encouraging way and not like a crazy drill sergeant. Create is written from a biblical perspective, so you'll find Scripture references throughout the book.

A minor criticism of the book is that I felt Mr. Altrogge became a little repetitive in an attempt to motivate us to start creating. He does quote a couple of authors who have views that greatly differ from the Reformed faith; however, much can be learned from them. Overall, I think Create can be a very good read for people who lack some confidence and need a little push. It also serves as a good reminder that we have been given abilities to make creative contributions that can bless others and give God all of the glory.

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8

Reviewing David Gregory's Night With A Perfect Stranger: The Conversation That Changes Everything

Several years ago, a friend gifted me with David Gregory's bestseller, Dinner with a Perfect Stranger. I enjoyed the book so much that I read the sequel, A Day with a Perfect Stranger. I rarely read fiction, but since I liked Gregory's first two books in the series (and because the book was only a few bucks), I downloaded this third book. Part of the reason the Perfect Stranger series has appealed to me is that they have been a break from the typical reading I do.

The basic premise of Night with a Perfect Stranger is that a businessman, Nick, has a second face-to-face encounter with Jesus. Although Nick grew in his faith after meeting Jesus at an Italian restaurant six years ago, he had not been growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus in recent years. Things changed for Nick after he got into another conflict with his dad, and while driving home, Nick's U-Haul truck ran out of gas. Jesus shows up with a gas can and hops in the truck. It sounds pretty cheesy, but Gregory did enough to keep me intrigued.

As far as the theology in Night with a Perfect Stranger, there were some statements in the second half of the book that were a little confusing and could use some clarification. Some examples include sin doesn't matter as far as God's love, we are brought into the heart of the Godhead to be one with them, being a part of Jesus, and everyone is an expression of Christ. I am sure there will be some thinking I am overanalyzing what many consider to be a light read. Despite what kind of work one categorizes Night with a Perfect Stranger as, a crucial subject matter has been written about, so I believe we should properly reflect upon it.

I did initially enjoy reading Night with a Perfect Stranger, but after several chapters of this 12-chapter book (144 pages), I realized I had lost that lovin' feelin'. Along with some of Gregory's unique wording, I feel that if I hadn't read the first two books in the series, then I would have different thoughts about Night with a Perfect Stranger. A lot of Amazon reviewers gave Night with a Perfect Stranger favorable views, but it should be noted that it appears that many of them did not read the first two books. A Night with a Perfect Stranger's familiar formula was fine, but I do not see myself picking up another book like this anytime soon.

Below is a book trailer with some groovy music and footage.

Reviewing Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle's Erasing Hell: what God said about eternity, and the things we made up

It is my strong preference to read, talk, and think about Heaven, but it is essential that we also know about Hell. I want to have a proper understanding of Hell for a host of reasons. I read about it regularly in the Good Book, people often talk about it unbiblically, I teach about it occasionally, and Jesus has saved His people from it eternally. I want others to know what it means to call Jesus the Savior of the world; therefore, I need to learn about Hell. Erasing Hell helped with that.

Erasing Hell is the third Francis Chan book I have read. Like thousands of others, I have greatly benefited from reading his books as well as listening to his sermons. Francis Chan can make challenging topics more understandable, and he has a knack for getting people from both ends of the spectrum to listen. Preston Sprinkle is new to me, but I think he's alright since he rolls with Chan.

Erasing Hell did not get my juices flowin' like some of Chan's other books (Crazy Love and Forgotten God), but the book is solid. Erasing Hell came largely in response to Rob Bell's Love Wins, and Chan and Sprinkle respectfully refute some of Bell's unorthodox teachings. Regardless of whether you are a fan of Bell's teachings, Chan and Sprinkle provide a profitable book about a not-so-easy topic. You may not always agree with what Chan and Sprinkle say, but they speak humbly and in a manner that can appeal to both seasoned and beginning theologians. Below is how the book is organized, as well as a book trailer.

Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Does Everyone Go to Heaven?
Chapter 2: Has Hell Changed? Or Have We?
Chapter 3: What Jesus Actually Said about Hell
Chapter 4: What Jesus' Followers Said about Hell
Chapter 5: What Does This Have to Do with Me?
Chapter 6: "What If God ...?"
Chapter 7: Don't Be Overwhelmed
Appendix: Frequently Asked Questions
Bibliography
About the Author
About the Coauthor
Sample Chapter from Forgotten God

Reviewing David Murray's Christians Get Depressed Too: Hope and Help for Depressed People

Although I have never suffered from depression, like you, I interact with people who are or have been depressed. Since that is the case, I felt reading a short biblically-based book (128 pages) about depression was something I should do. Christians Get Depressed Too is written by Dr. Murray, an Old Testament and theology professor at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. I have greatly benefited from Dr. Murray's HeadHeartHand blog as well as his resources, How Sermons Work and God's Technology, and now I can add Christians Get Depressed Too to that list. Christians Get Depressed Too is organized in the following manner:

Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: The Crisis
Chapter 2: The Complexity
Chapter 3: The Condition
Chapter 4: The Causes
Chapter 5: The Cures
Chapter 6: The Caregivers
Appendix: On the Sufficiency of Scripture: Salvation, Sanctification, and Spectacles

Dr. Murray provides a very compassionate view of depression. We must understand that people from all walks of life can and do suffer from depression to varying degrees. Everyone's mental, physical, or spiritual state must be examined carefully. This includes Christians. Dr. Murray may not be a doctor or psychologist, but the contents of this book are supported by those who are. Dr. Murray has had to communicate with countless depressed people, and he offers practical advice and encouragement. If you want books about depression that are more in-depth, the last chapter contains a list of recommendations. If you are depressed, prone to depression, or know of someone who suffers from depression, I believe Dr. Murray's book can provide you with some useful information and perhaps a level of comfort.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Reviewing Ted Kluck's The Reason For Sports: A Christian Fanifesto

I gifted my father-in-law The Reason For Sports a couple of years ago, and I wish I had read it then. The Reason For Sports was on Amazon Wish List for over three years, but I did not purchase it for myself until seeing it for less than 2 bucks a week ago. Yes, I can be cheap. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and there were a few reasons for that...

A. The book was a break from my typical reading. I found The Reason For Sports to be an entertaining read as well as one that caused me to think.

B. I share some things in common with Mr. Kluck: We're former residents of the Hoosier state, thirty-somethings with declining athletic abilities, and reformed.

The Reason For Sports has twelve short chapters that cover a range of topics such as athletes publicly confessing sin, steroid use, showboating, and racism. Some of the athletes that are written about more in-depth include Mike Tyson, Ricky Williams, Tony Dungy, and Muhammad Ali. Boxing and American football tend to be the sports most often discussed in this book. I never competed in those sports and only catch sports headlines today, but I think many Christians will like this book even if they do not follow much of the American sports scene. Sports are a huge part of our culture that often come up in our conversations. Unfortunately, we often fail to have a Christ-centered perspective about sports, but The Reason For Sports can help us view sports in the way God intended. So even if you live outside of the States, haven't watched a football game for years, or your body takes a year to recover from soccer games, I highly recommend The Reason For Sports.

* The Reason For Sports is not the first book written by Ted Kluck that I have read. I have also read Why We're Not Emergent and Hello, I Love You: Adventures in Adoptive Fatherhood. I highly recommend these books as well.

Reviewing R.C. Sproul's The Priest With Dirty Clothes

When I finished reading The Priest with Dirty Clothes, my seven-year-old daughter asked if I had other books like that. I think that is a clear indicator that she was a fan of this book. My daughter Rose, who is in the fourth grade, said this was a good book and that she enjoyed the whole storyline. After going over the 12-question study guide at the end of the book, we decided to check out other picture books at the Ligonier Ministries site written by Dr. Sproul. We definitely plan to read more of his books in the near future.

Dr. Sproul dedicates The Priest with Dirty Clothes to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Before he begins the story, there is a letter to the parents explaining the purpose of the book. The Priest with Dirty Clothes is based on one of Dr. Sproul's favorite passages from the Bible, Zechariah 3:1-5, and it is recommended that the passage be read with children prior to reading the story. The story starts off with a brother and sister coming home extremely muddy, and a grandfather telling them a story after they get cleaned up. The grandfather tells his grandchildren of a priest who got his special clothes muddy. Because of this, the priest was not permitted to preach before the king and was told to preach the next week with clean clothes. Unfortunately, the priest's clothes were permanently stained, so he went to the prince to get help. The prince told the priest to go to the king with his dirty clothes and to trust that the prince would take care of everything. The priest was confused as to how his clothes would get cleaned, but he did as the prince instructed. When the priest came before the king with muddy clothes, an evil magician and others shouted at the priest. At this time, the prince walked into the room and presented the priest with the prince's beautiful clothes. The priest put on the new clothes, and the prince put on the priest's dirty clothes. The priest was now allowed to stand before the king. He would go on to deliver his best sermon and would continue preaching about the prince and wearing the prince's clothes. The story concludes with the grandfather explaining how Christ washes our dirty hearts and creates clean ones - how Christ took our sin and gave us His righteousness.

It has been a blessing to have read a couple of Dr. Sproul's modern classics, Chosen by God and The Holiness of God. These books helped me to better understand predestination and God's holy nature significantly. In The Priest with Dirty Clothes, Dr. Sproul helps children (and adults) better understand another all-important topic, the imputation of Christ's righteousness. Although imputation is a weighty topic, The Priest with Dirty Clothes is not told in a manner that is above the heads of lower or upper elementary students. The plot is easy to follow, the words are age-appropriate, and the pictures are colorful and fun. The book has all of the elements needed to keep the attention of today's millennials. I have read many books to my girls over the years, and you are not going to find too many children's books that are as captivating while explaining themes of such crucial importance. My daughters and I heartily give Dr. Sproul's book, The Priest with Dirty Clothes, our Wickersham stamp of approval.

Although I will receive a free copy of this Reformation Trust publishing title as compensation for this review, a positive book review is not required.

Lay's Cheese Lobster Chips Are Da' Bomb Diggity!

Here in China, I have consumed some potato chips by Lay's that you probably won't find at your local grocery store. This includes blueberry, Italian red meat, lemon tea, and cucumber. This past week, I came across a flavor new to me - cheese lobster. What's the verdict? I bought a second bag. What do they taste like? Think cheese plus lobster. Ah yeah! Cheese lobster chips are da' bomb diggity!

Reviewing Ken Sande's and Kevin Johnson's Resolving Everyday Conflict

As a husband with an ISTJ personality married to a Godly woman with an ENFP personality, we do not always see eye to eye. As a middle school principal at an international school, part of my job is to help resolve conflicts with foreign and national teachers, parents, and students. As a saint who must battle a sinful side that can be quite prideful, easily angered, and super selfish, you can say I have some issues. These are the reasons Sande & Johnson's book appealed to me. Even if you are single, have a blue-collar position, or others consider you to be humble, gentle, and generous, I do not see how this book cannot benefit you. Everyone has conflicts and needs to know how to resolve them. Ken Sande has served as a Christian mediator for three decades and was once an engineer and lawyer. He understands challenging circumstances and how to make peace.

Resolving Everyday Conflict consists of eight chapters of nearly 130 pages...

Chapter 1: The Nature of Conflict
Chapter 2: The Hope of the Gospel
Chapter 3: Escaping, Attacking, or Peacemaking
Chapter 4: G1 - Glorify God
Chapter 5: G2 - Get the Log Out
Chapter 6: G3 - Gently Restore
Chapter 7: G4 - Go and Be Reconciled
Chapter 8: Overcome Evil with Good

A Going Deeper section points you to Sande's popular book, The Peacemaker, as well as his website, which provides a variety of peacemaking resources. The Peacemaker is nearly 200 pages longer than Resolving Everyday Conflict and is endorsed by J.I. Packer, John Piper, and Chuck Colson. An appendix includes several questions for reflection and discussion that coincide with each chapter. Resolving Everyday Conflict is a good book supported by Scripture that I believe you will find to be very applicable in day-to-day life. I recommend it without any reservations.

Reviewing Dave Kraft's Leaders Who Last

I own this book in audio format, and the 150-page book can be listened to in just over three hours. The 12 chapters are neatly divided into three parts: Foundations, Formation, and Fruitfulness. Part one consists of the Leader's Power, Purpose, Passion, Priorities, and Pacing. Part two covers the Leader's Calling, Gifts, Character, and Growth. The last part is about the Leader's Vision, Influence, and Legacy. 

I learned of Dave Kraft and his book through the Resurgence site, and Kraft's book title immediately caught my eye. Mr. Kraft has a resume that more than qualifies him to write a book called Leaders Who Last. If you are looking for an author who is a successful CEO of a large multinational company and writes books based on surveys and studies, look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for an author who has been involved in full-time Christian ministry leadership and has been faithfully married to the same woman for more years than I have been alive, this is your book. 

Leaders Who Last reminds us that the Christian life is more like a marathon and not a 100-meter dash. I personally think life is more like a decathlon, but that argument is for another blog post. Based on Kraft's personal experiences and convictions, he tells us how to finish the race and finish it well. This includes having a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, building a network of friends who will be real with you and keep you accountable, and making significant contributions using the gifts God has given you. Although Leaders Who Last is geared toward church leaders, I found it very applicable to my job as a principal. Some questions that are addressed include: 

1. What is a leader? 

2. Who do future leaders look like compared to past leaders? 

3. What are the key ingredients of Christian leadership?

Leaders Who Last is an easy-to-read book that contains various life illustrations, quotes, and Scripture. If you are a Christian and have any position where you are leading others or might be leading others, I recommend Kraft's book. Life's race can be tough, and most will drop out, but for those who are rooted in the grace of Jesus Christ, we will cross the finish line with gold medals around our necks.

Reviewing John Piper's John Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God

I received this book in audio format, and the 60 pages can be completed in approximately one hour. Although I do not advertise this greatly, it should not take long for others to see that I have many of the same theological understandings as John Calvin. This book by John Piper, my favorite author, consists of seven short chapters. The titles of the chapters include...

Chapter 1: God Is Who He Is
Chapter 2: A Passion for the Glory of God in Christ
Chapter 3: Mastered by the Majesty and Word of God
Chapter 4: Ministry Made by the Majesty of the Word
Chapter 5: Marriage to Idelette
Chapter 6: Constant Trials
Chapter 7: Constancy in Expounding the Word of God

Pastor Piper starts off John Calvin, unlike many biographies I have read. Instead of being told how John Calvin's life began in France, Piper points us to the centrality and supremacy of God. This was Calvin's passion - to magnify our Sovereign Lord. It is not until the third chapter that we read about Calvin's birth and rebirth. In other chapters, we read about the constant challenges Calvin faced, the works he produced, and his dedication to expository preaching. A four-page foreword written by Professor Gerald Bray of Beeson Divinity School and an appendix entitled Calvin's Barbaric World: The Case of Michael Servetus are also included. I believe Piper does a wonderful job of not glorifying Calvin but giving glory to God. In the appendix, you can read about what many consider to be Calvin's greatest shortcoming, his condemnation of Servetus. If you want a basic overview of one of the great reformers of the faith, I recommend John Piper's John Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God.

Reviewing Paul Chappell's Leaders Who Make a Difference: Leadership Lessons from Three Great Bible Leaders

Leaders Who Make a Difference attracted me for three reasons:

1. I enjoy reading biographies of biblical figures.

2. I desire to be a leader who makes a difference for the glory of God.

3. It was a free download on Amazon. :-)

In his book, Pastor Paul W. Chappell looks at the lives of three men from the Old Testament:

1. Joshua: A leader who had vision

2. Nehemiah: A leader who brought revival

3. Joseph: A leader who finished well

Leaders Who Make a Difference contains nine chapters, a short introduction, and a conclusion. Chapters 1-3 focus on Joshua and are entitled Vision is Developed through Preparation, Vision is Mobilized through a Plan, and Vision is Realized through Provision. Chapters 4-6 are about Nehemiah and are entitled Revival is Initiated by Supplication, Revival is Possible through Synergy, and Revival is Continued through Stamina. The last three chapters of Leaders Who Make a Difference center on one of my Old Testament heroes, Joseph. These final chapters are called Finishing Well Begins with Faith, Finishing Well is Accomplished through Faithfulness, and Finishing Well Requires Forgiveness.

It is important to note that Pastor Chappell started the West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California, and he pastors one of the largest Baptist churches in America. West Coast Baptist College is unashamedly unaccredited and uses only the King James Bible. All of the verses in Leaders Who Make a Difference are KJV, so a few of the verses might be slightly challenging to understand for those who are not familiar with the English spoken 400 years ago. I wasn't aware of Pastor Chappell's background when I started reading his book, and as I progressed through his book, I could see I had some secondary theological differences from him. As a Reformed Baptist, some of my understandings of God's sovereignty, sin, suffering, and supplication differ from Pastor Chappell's, and this stood out to me in his statements throughout his book. Because of these differences, I don't intend to read his books again; however, I strongly believe Pastor Chappell has blessed many people and will continue to do so. 

Reviewing Tim Keller's The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy

I downloaded this book onto my school-purchased iPhone for several reasons:

1. Tim Keller - I enjoyed reading The Prodigal God, watching The Gospel of Life, and listening to numerous sermon clips and interviews of his.
2. The Subtitle - Sometimes I struggle to find joy in tasks that God has required me to do, but I want to rejoice always.
3. Cost - The book was under a buck through Amazon, so I couldn't pass it up.

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness consists of four short chapters, and I was able to finish the book on a bus ride home from work. Chapter one is called The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, chapter two is entitled The Natural Condition Of The Human Ego, chapter three is The Transformed View Of Self, and the final chapter is How To Get That Transformed View Of Self.

Chapter one opens up with two immensely important questions:

1. "What are the marks of a heart that has been radically changed by the grace of God?"
2. "If we trust in Christ, what should our hearts be like?"

In The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, Pastor Keller focuses on a section of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians: 1 Cor. 3:21-4:7. In this passage, we are shown that the church in Corinth is divided due to pride and boasting. Like the Corinthians, we often look at ourselves too highly. This is something I have done all too frequently and something I continue to battle. Additionally, many people are on the other side of the spectrum and feel they suffer from low self-esteem. We help people to combat this by telling them they are somebody; however, this is totally the wrong approach. We cannot build ourselves up by meeting our own standards or society's standards. This doesn't work. Apart from Christ, we will never be satisfied with ourselves. Our ego always desires more, and we get hurt in the process. We constantly desire to accomplish more in order to feel like we're somebody important. God expects us to deny ourselves and look to Him. God is to be our audience, not the world. We must seek to bring attention to our Awesome God and not to ourselves. The only way we can do this is by looking to the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is He who declares us innocent so we can live this life full of joy and be prepared for a life of pure joy in Heaven.

If you are looking for a quick read that is biblically sound, I recommend Keller's book to you. Pastor Keller preaches to a few thousand intellectuals in Manhattan every Sunday, yet his book can be understood by those new to the faith. The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness does not use complex theological terms, and deep thoughts and discussions should result from reading the book. Although I still struggle to find joy in some daily tasks, reading Keller's book is a great reminder of how I should be thinking. At the back of the book, you will find a few thoughts and questions for reflection, endnotes, and a list of Keller's books.