Review of Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris

Mike Leake 1 Comment

Author: Joshua Harris

Pages: 256pgs

Publisher: Multnomah

Price: 13.49

Genre: Biography/Theology/Christian Living

Quick Summary:

This is the unfinished story of Joshua Harris. It is subtitled “Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters”. What, I think, Harris means by that is that this book is about his theology and holding good theology matters. “If we get theology wrong then our whole lives will be wrong”. So, Harris tells his story with humor, wit, and gospel-centered transparency. Along the way he explains “deep” theology in a way that those new to theological discussions could understand.

This book is a systematic theology but not the type you would read in a classroom. It is also a biography but not the kind that only tells a story. This book is about Christian living but not the kind that is divorced from solid biblical truth. It is a biography about Christian doctrine that leads to faithful biblical practice.

What I Liked:

Josh Harris is a tremendously gifted speaker and author, so it is fun reading every chapter. He even has very helpful illustrations to explain the process of sanctification. I am a seminary student and he explained “ivory tower” terms in a way that touched my everyday life. His chapter on sanctification was probably my favorite—but I also liked his “My Rumspringa” chapter.

This book is obviously written to those that are turned off to theology books. And Harris does a wonderful job of teaching sound doctrine that is also practical. Even those that are theologically astute will benefit greatly and should read chapter 11 on humble orthodoxy. This book models humble orthodoxy.

What I Disliked:

This book is definitely written on a level for those that are new to theology; which in my opinion makes it all the more awesome. But if you are a big nerd like me there will be some chapters that seem to drag a little. That’s totally fine because I got plenty out of it still and it is written to a different audience. But just know that if you read a ton of books on theology you probably will not learn anything new—but you will perhaps see in a new light that gives deeper roots to what you already know.

Should You Buy It?

If you are looking for a book that is finally going to settle the issue of limited atonement or once and for all solve the problem of evil as well as explain the Trinity, then this book isn’t for you. In fact I’m not certain you will find a book that will satisfy you. But this book is most certainly one that you need to purchase. Even if you are a theology student you will learn from this book. If you are turned off to theology I urge you to give this book a shot before you give up all that nerdy stuff. This would be a great book for a pastor to keep a few copies of in his office. Check out a sample or just buy the thing.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

 

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Review of Transforming Church in Rural America by Shannon O’Dell

Mike Leake

Author: Shannon O’Dell

Pages: 200pgs

Publisher: New Leaf Press

Price: 9.35

Genre: Ministry/Church/Pastoral Resources

Quick Summary:

I received this book from New Leaf Press to review. It is the compelling story of a pastor called to minister in rural America. It follows the typical “your small church doesn’t have to do small things” mantra. As it says on the back, this book shares, “a powerful vision of relevance, possibility, and excellence for these small churches”. This may cause many local church pastors to salivate—they’ll buy this book as the next great thing to help their flailing country church. If you think like me, these words are typically code for watered-down garbage. Even though the mega-church buzz words are present the heart of a local church pastor really does bleed through the pages of this book.

What I Liked:

O’Dell’s passion for the local body and for the lost is clearly seen. This guy really does love the rural church. His encouragement to stick it out in rural settings is encouraging. I hope many pastors (myself included) take his advice to use where God has planted you for His glory. He is bold and encourages pastors to be bold in leading. Furthermore I like his challenge to men to lead their wives sacrificially. There is much to be commended in this book. However…

What I Disliked:

Perhaps I am just an old fuddy-duddy (though only 29). Maybe I’m just too narrow minded, or maybe just a wimp. It seemed to me that this guy took a small church, cast his vision, and “made it happen”. This page was dripping with passion and boldness but not with gentleness and respect. I know that ministry can be brutal but at times it seemed like O’Dell was just airing dirty laundry or licking old wounds.

I read this at the same time that I read Church Planting is for Wimps, and the difference in the vision and attitude is telling. Mike McKinley talks about patience but he seems like a gentle shepherd. Shannon O’Dell talks about patience but doesn’t seem like a gentle shepherd.

Should You Buy It?

I’m a little torn with this. I think there are some things in this book that could be helpful. But I also think the attitude and “bold leadership” is dangerous. I cannot in good conscience commend this book to everyone. I’d much rather see you by McKinley’s book or even a book like Trellis and the Vine. But please be certain to read other reviews—I may just need sleep today. I have a ton of respect for Jared Wilson and he seemed to not enjoy this book.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Review of Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

Mike Leake 1 Comment

Author: Tedd Tripp

Pages: 211pgs

Publisher: Shepherd Press

Price: 10.05

Genre: Parenting/Christian Living

Quick Summary:

I had no idea how controversial this book was until I skimmed through the over 300 reviews on Amazon. Over 150 are 5 stars and a little over 100 are 1 star. Either you love the book or you hate the book. Why? Tedd Tripp encourages spanking as a means of shepherding your child’s heart. But this book is not a “spanking manual” as some have dubbed it. This book is about addressing issues of the heart and not simply getting your child to obey.

The book is written to help parents with any age of children, but is probably most helpful to those with younger children. It is divided into two sections. The first section lays the foundations for biblical childrearing and the second section deals with practical steps for each stage of your child’s life.

What I Liked:

Tripp is unashamedly biblical in his approach to parenting. He deals fully with human depravity as well as difficult things like not sparing the rod. Even if you do not agree with spanking as being “the rod” you will still benefit from the grace that permeates this book. It is sad that Tripp is often accused of advocating child abuse. The truth is that what Tripp suggests is further from child abuse than some of the other manipulative and emotionally abusive methods that are often advocated.

This book has been incredibly helpful for my wife and me. There are, in my opinion, very few good Christian books on parenting. Most simply advocate Christian moralism and embrace secular psychology to the neglect of foundational Christian doctrines. Tripp provides a gospel centered approach.

What I Disliked:

At times I think that Tripp may overstate his case. I think there are some things that he simply dismisses and does not really provide a thorough defense of a controversial topic. An added appendix would really help.

Should You Buy It?

Don’t believe the 1 star reviews (and not even some of the 5 star reviews). Even if you disagree with spanking read this book for what Tedd Tripp is really saying. Even if at the end of the day you are not convinced that spanking is the best (most biblical) method of discipline you can still apply the principles that undergird this book. This book is gospel-centered and really does have a hope of shepherding the child’s heart and not just creating a well behaved kid. This is a great resource that every parent should consider.  Buy it for 10.05.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Hiding Behind the “You Do It Too” Cop-out

Mike Leake

Frank Turk had an interesting post this morning: provide an open forum for all of those that dislike Calvinism and Calvinists to air their grievances.  He advised us Calvinists to stay out of the argument and just listen (at least I think that’s what he advised).  Unfortunately, most of those commenting are Calvinists and I remain discouraged by what transpired.  I was really looking forward to hearing “the other side”. 

There is one comment that I wanted to bring over here to make a point.  A blogger with the handle That Crazy Christian summed up a great response with these words:

But at the end of the day, it was “Calvinists” that caused me to not embrace the doctrines, not “Calvinism”. And that is something I am forever mindful of now that I am a Calvinist. I encourage my Calvinist brothers and sisters to be mindful too.

My reformed brothers, we are full of pride and arrogance as a whole. We are so smug and sneering in our intellectual superiority that we forget that we ought to lay down our lives for those God has placed in our paths. Please brothers, I see this attitude from some on this blog (bloggers included) and I beg you to stop it. You don’t honor your Lord by sneering at others or being proud of what you’ve figured out and others have not.

Please brothers and sisters, think about your attitudes.

I pull that comment over here because I have heard that accusation numerous times.  And you know what, it’s sadly too often true.  But that is not what I want to briefly discuss today.  I want to discuss the typical follow up comment to this great word from The Crazy Christian. 

Typically what you see after this is a comment like, “And it isn’t prideful and arrogant to call other people prideful and arrogant?  Your ‘humility’ reeks of pride when you call others to look at your attitude.”  Now, I am very thankful that I did NOT see this comment as a response on this particular thread.  But it is frequent enough that I was expecting it. 

This is the “You Do It Too” Cop-Out that creeps up frequently when people get called on something.  And it always works because its generally true.  Sinners rebuke sinners but it doesn’t make the rebuke any less true, any less redemptive, or any less hopeful. 

The truth is there is a ton of that pride, arrogance, and smug attitude of intellectual superiority that prevails in the blogosphere (often from us that adhere to the doctrines of GRACE).  But it also resides in my heart and I know that my gut reaction to being called out is to size up the other person and say “you do it too”. 

I guess I just want to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to listen to the truth in The Crazy Christian’s statement and find refuge in Christ.  I’m guilty what about you?

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