1. jayber crow by wendell berry
2. a praying life by paul miller
3. tortured for christ by robert wurmbrand
4. mere churchianity by michael spencer (already reviewed here)
5. under the overpass by mike yankowski (already(reviewed here)
6. of mice & men- john steinbeck
7. tempted & tried – russelld. moore
8. radical together – david platt
9. unquenchable flame – michael reeves
10. tuesdays with morrie – mitch albom
11. according to plan – grahame goldsworthy
12. sticky teams – larry osborne
13. whitfield – arnold dallimore
14. surprised by grace – tullian tchvidjian
15. preaching in the holy spirit – albert martin
16. to kill a mockingbird – harper lee
17. how good is good enough – andy stanley
18. don’t call it a comeback – edited by kevin deyoung
19. north or be eaten – andrew peterson
20. am i really a christian – mike mckinley 
21. ablaze with his glory – del fehsenfeld jr.

(i actually already have 1 post there … just to prove i still know how to hit “new post”)

the stars and stripes aint what they used to be...

from ben simpson, HT: brandon porter

The most common religion in American might surprise you.  It’s not Christianity.  Neither is it Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Scientology, or Oprahism.  Neither is it atheism or science.  According to Christian Smith, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame, the most popular religion in our day–at least for young adults–is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.

Never heard of that denomination or religion?  That’s because it doesn’t officially exist.  In fact, those who espouse this worldview wouldn’t call it that.  They would call themselves Christian or Mormon or Muslim or Jewish or agnostic, etc.  But, they are not really those faiths.  They are more of an amalgamation of lots of different religions and no religion at all.  It’s half religion, religion lite.  I’m afraid that this worldview is becoming the default American religion of the emerging generation, and we should be on guard, lest our children go the way of the culture.

Let me break down the three parts of what Smith calls Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.

Deism is the belief that god created the universe but remains apart from it and permits creation to administer itself through natural laws. God basically wound up the universe, and let it go.  Deism thus rejects the supernatural aspects of religion, such as miracles and belief in revelation in the Bible, and stresses the importance of ethical conduct.  So, in this worldview, god is mostly distant and not particularly personally involved in our affairs—especially affairs in which we would prefer not to have god involved.  Here god is kept at a safe distance.  God is seen as existing but really has no relevance to life other than being the first cause of the universe.

This deism is therapeutic in that this distant god still wants everyone to be happy and occasionally is willing to get involved when a person has an unhappy crisis.  As Smith says, “This is not a religion of repentance from sin, of keeping the Sabbath, of living as a servant of a sovereign divine, of steadfastly saying one’s prayers, of faithfully observing high holy days, of building character through suffering, of basking in God’s love and grace, of spending oneself in gratitude and love for the cause of social justice, etc. Rather, what appears to be the actual dominant religion among U.S. teenagers is centrally about feeling good, happy, secure, at peace. It is about attaining subjective well-being, being able to resolve problems, and getting along amiably with other people,” (Smith, “On ‘Moralistic Therapeutic Deism’ as U.S. Teenagers’ Actual, Tacit, De Facto Religious Faith,” p3, http://scr.bi/jH7tS8).

God here basically becomes my means of getting what I want.  He’s the cosmic Santa Claus who puts nobody on the Naughty List.  This god wants me to be happy with me and be the best me I can be.  Of course, given the self-esteem and self-help movements of the last few decades, is anybody surprised that young people would conceive of a god in this way?

Finally, this deism is moralistic.  In other words, this god wants people to be nice and fair to each other, which this worldview thinks is the upshot of all world religions.  This aspect has two underlying false doctrines.  One is the belief that all religions are essentially the same, such that it doesn’t matter which one you follow as long as you are good through it.  One young lady from Maryland that Smith interviewed said, “Morals play a large part in religion; morals are good if they’re healthy for society. Like Christianity, which is all I know, the values you get from like the Ten Commandments. I think every religion is important in its own respect. You know, if you’re Muslim, then Islam is the way for you. If you’re Jewish, well, that’s great too. If you’re Christian, well, good for you. It’s just whatever makes you feel good about you,” (Smith, “On ‘Moralistic Therapeutic Deism’ as U.S. Teenagers’ Actual, Tacit, De Facto Religious Faith,” p3, http://scr.bi/jH7tS8).

The second false belief underlying this moralism is that mankind is naturally and basically good.  These young folks believe in an afterlife, even a Heaven and Hell, and “good” people go to Heaven, which includes almost everybody.  Hell is only for the vilest perpetrators among us—mass murderers and child rapists.

So, in summary, what we have here is an uninvolved god who wants me to do what makes me happy, hopefully doing more good than bad over the course of my life so that I’ll go to Heaven when I die.  Know any moralistic therapeutic deists?  Might there be one or a budding one in your house?

in various surveys throughout the years, the following quotes have been attributed by many as “bible passages”. their real sources are noted beside each one.

• “God helps those who help themselves” – aesop’s fables/ Benjamin franklins’ poor richard’s almanac
• “This too shall pass” – old English poem “deor” from 10^th century
• “A fool and his money are soon parted” from poem “Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry” by Thomas Tusser
  

there is another popular one that i hear often – “you know, the bible says- god will never place more on us than we can handle!”

this is usually an unintentional misquotation or “mis”remembrance of 1cor.10:13, which is not talking about hardships, but rather it is talking about being tempted to sin. the verse reads in part: “… god is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability…“

paul’s point is that god will never allow us to be in any situation where our only choice is to sin. our choice may be difficult, but we won’t be left with sin as our only option.

but as far as trials/hardship go- not only are we never told in scripture that we won’t be tested beyond what we can handle-we are often told that we will endure things beyond what we can handle- with the intended result being, not that god has faith in our ability to handle the situation (as another saying goes “god has faith in my ability to get through this!”)- but that our faith and trust in him to get us through it (not necessarily out of it) will grow. some examples…

    2 cor. 11:23 – 30 – Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

Hebrews 11:35b-38 (speaking of those who are held up as models of faithfulness to god!)
 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Philippians 1:29 – For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake

1 thess. 3:4b-5 – For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

1 peter 4:12-19 – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

so it is clear from these that Christians are not exempt from suffering- but does scripture ever indicate that they will never be tempted beyond their ability to handle it? – no! in fact, it states the opposite!
in 2cor.1:3-10 paul explicitly states that he and others  were tested “beyond their strength” but god was glorified by exhibiting his strength in their weakness.

he never says “but it will never be more than you can handle”.

but scripture does tell us that when we are overwhelmed we can have faith in *his* strength working in us- through our weakness. that is his point as paul continues in 2 cor. 12:9-10  saying “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

1 peter 5:6-10 – suffering will come, but it is the lord’s strength that carries us through.

so at the end of the day, we can be thankful, not that god has faith in our strength or ability to make it through hardships, as if he is saying “you can do it!” but rather we praise him that he says “you can’t do it- but *i* can!” and that he is gracious to provide glory for himself, using our weakness to display his strength- all for our good and his glory!

by now  the news that osama bin laden is dead is old hat, and the media is already moving on to other things. its interesting to note that it was only a week ago that the news brought with it an enormous reaction around the world, but none greater than in our own country. streets were filled with celebrations, large crowds of complete strangers held hands and hugged one another while singing patriotic songs.  the new york daily news wrote:

New Yorkers took to the streets Sunday night, rising up in a passionate chorus of patriotic pride over news that America’s most wanted man was dead. People crowded into Times Square and in the streets around Ground Zero, fists pumping and flags waving… Spontaneous choruses of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” filled the clear night air.

Draped in the American flag, Pedro Valerio, of Elizabeth, N.J., right, and others in New York's Times Square react to the news of Osama Bin Laden's death early Monday morning May 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)

the debate has already begun regarding the appropriateness of celebrating over the death of one who, by all accounts, never trusted in christ and so has just enetered into an eternity of torment- paying the price for his rebellion against god.(some good thoughts on this here, here,  and here).

i’m still sorting through those thoughts, but for today my mind moves to a different vantage point regarding this news and the response to it.

the country is coming together as, in many ways, hasn’t been see since the events  and days following september 11, 2011. bin laden’s death won’t bring world peace, but it brings a sense of justice. for now, there is a mostly unified spirit of patriotism and celebration. but over time, just as happened following the weeks, months, & years of 9/11, we will move on and something else will grab the headlines. the sentiment will remain, “justice has been served”, but the intentional celebration of the fact will wane and fade away.

this makes me think about the church and our reaction to another death. justa couple of weeks ago we were finishing up celebration’s of the death and resurrection of jesus christ. there was a lot of talk and pageantry regarding those events- but it didn’t take long for us to move on. and our lives as christians are often that way. we are thankful for the gospel, but day in and day out- we have other things that are more pressing that occupy our thoughts.

the gathering of christ’s church (another crowd of people from different backgrounds, ages & stages of life) should be a much greater celebration– because  our hero died a death that really will bring peace- & not only that, His resurrection gives us lasting hope that death & injustice will forever be eradicated.

that is why we worship. that is why we gather together each week– to celebrate our savior & rejoice that his life & death is more than a moral victory- it is the hope of all mankind. and for that reason our celebration of the executed (and risen!) savior should be louder, stronger, & sustained infinitely longer than the celebration over the death of an executed villain.

“now that song will be stuck in *your* head all day long now, too…*

disclaimer: i received this book for free from waterbrook multnomah publishing group for this review

radical together by david platt

radical together picks up where platt’s first book, radical (see review here), left off. hoping to motivate people within churches to work together for the cause of getting the gospel to the nations, platt offers more insight, scripture, and personal stories to inspire and motivate god’s people, in god’s spirt, with god’s word to reach the nations for god’s glory.

if you havent’ read the first book, radical, you should start there first, as it provides the vision, framework, and explanation which is necessary to appreciate radical together. still, this book fleshes out some areas that needed it and helps put a local church backdrop to this radical (which is actually just a much more biblical than we are used to) lifestyle.

of course, at the very center of the meaning of easter is jesus and the cross that he died on.

if you are a christian, would you agree with these two statements?

1.) the image of  the cross, that we are so thankful for, reminds us of the brutal and horrible execution of our savior jesus christ and the great cost of our salvation.

2.) jesus is our lord and god, worthy of utmost reverence, awe, and worship.

*i’ll give you a moment to answer*

if so… can you still, in awe, reverence, and without disrespect buy or eat one of these?

what, no jellybean coated “empty tomb”???

can you imagine putting a chocolate electric chair, syringe, or noose in your child’s easter basket? do you think god would have been more pleased if the israelites had made a chocolate calf instead of a golden one?

how can we, with straight faces, call on the world around us to take the gospel seriously when we buy (or “christian retailers” sell/ make money off of) these things? the world will never take the message of the gospel seriously if it sees the gospel’s messengers treating its subject so thoughtlessly.

is anyone going to go to hell for eating a chocolate cross or jesus?  no.

but is it tacky, a shameless marketing gimmick, and belittling to the murdered and risen savior and the great cost by which he bought our salvation? absolutely.

when jesus said “take and eat, this is my body…” this is not at all what he meant.

the shadow

the shadow fulfilled

Do We Really Believe What We’re Saying? from The Church at Brook Hills on Vimeo.

ht: ben terry

i haven’t read the book yet (it just came out tuesday), but bell and his publishers did plenty of pre-release p.r.to get the idea and the message of the book out, not the least of which were interviews and videos of bell himself discussing the book’s thesis and content as well as advanced copies (in part and in full) sent around to those who then read them and posted excerpts and insights on line. so even before the book was released,there was a pretty good idea of what was in the book- because of the author and his publisher themselves.

alot of people have decried the opinion of anyone who hasn’t read the book yet. usually, i would agree in at least some part with that. but if i wrote a book that you hadn’t read,but you’d seen the video about the book that i made, read/heard interviews i’d given about the book & its contents, or have read excerpts from advanced copies of the book- feel free to critique my thesis based on those things. if i work so hard to tell you whats in it before it comes out, then i should expect you to react to what ive told you.

so no, i haven’t read the book-but i have listened to the author himself tell me what he says in it. i will read it as soon as i can borrow it or buy a used copy. until then, here is an article from randy alcorn who does a pretty good round up of the brouhaha and its responses. here’s an excerpt:

I think the doctrine of hell may be the single biggest test of whether the Bible is our authority, or we and our culture are our own authority.

Of course, we can always say the Bible is our authority while reinterpreting its plain, straightforward meaning into something that we believe or want to believe. But if we do this, no matter what we say, it is not the Bible we are believing—it is ourselves. It’s what we want to believe and/or what our culture believes.

Someone can claim that they believe the Bible, yet declare that Jesus is not God. Someone can claim they believe the Bible, yet declare there is no hell. But the claim is meaningless when it requires that we reinterpret the Bible to mean something that the original writer/speaker (e.g. in the case of hell, Jesus) clearly did not mean.

We’re not God’s speech writers. He appoints us to deliver His message, not to compose it. He’s already done that—it’s called the Bible. He doesn’t need editors and PR people. He needs faithful messengers.

read his post and checkout all of the reviews/ videos, etc. here