"Finally Alive"

So what's next?  As a pastor, that's the question I find myself answering to new believers.  We Christians say a lot about repentance from sin and belief in Christ, but do we say much about regeneration?  Many know that they are sinners and want to change, but do not know how.  Too often we offer cheap grace turning the gospel into a get-out-of-hell-free card where sin following our "conversion" isn't that big of a deal.  Other times we turn to legalism turning Christianity into a religion of rules.

Both of these are wrong and heretical.  It is Martin Luther's proverbial horse.  He said that in Church History, we are like a drunken German (Luther being German can get away with saying that) trying to get on his horse.  He jumps on and falls off one side.  He then tries to get back on and falls off the other.  Luther said that the Church falls off the side of legalism and then falls off the side of licentiousness.  It seems the Church can never find the balance.

So what is the balance?  In a word:  regeneration.  John Piper in his new book Finally Alive offers the reader a biblical survey and theological treatise on the subject of regeneration and how it an important and necessary part of the gospel.  Unfortunately such books are far and few and that is to our own shame.

Piper does what he always does.  He walks the reader through what the Bible says on the subject at hand.  He lays out the gospel, substitutionary atonement, repentance, belief, and regeneration.  He explains the meaning of being "born again" and how that applies to regeneration.  What Piper wants is for the reader to understand that when we are redeemed, we are new creations.  We are not who are once were (even though we still aren't what we ought to be).

Piper offers a very good thorough introduction to the subject and should be read by a lot of Christians, especially new believers.  Many Christians want their sins forgiven, they just don't want to be changed.  And unfortunately, the Church has accommodated.

Though at times I became annoyed by Piper constantly saying, "I'm going to show," or "as we just discussed," or "in this chapter . . .", it was an excellent book that I would recommend.  Christians need to understand this doctrine whether your a pastor, a new Christian, or a seasoned saint.  The doctrines of the Bible are more relevant than we are willing to admit and Piper shows us how relevant the doctrine of regeneration truly is.

"Storm Warning" by Billy Graham

Billy Graham needs no introduction.  For decades he has been the primary spiritual adviser to the presidents, he has shared the gospel to every continent, and has led millions to Christ, and now in his old age he continues to share with the world the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Billy Graham is not perfect, but he certain is driven by the gospel.

Recently I sat down and read Billy Graham's latest book, Storm Warning: Whether global recession, terrorist threats, or devastating natural disasters, these ominous shadows must bring us back to the Gospel.  The book is a look at Jesus' prophetic Olivet Discourse and the book of Revelation and how it parallels with recent headlines.  Such a task has been done before (in fact this is an updated and revised version of a previous work of Graham's), but Graham brings something else to the table.  Instead of this being a book about prophecy and end times predictions, this is very much a book about the gospel.

My favorite chapter by far was the chapter on the cult of self.  In it he attacks our culture's obsession with self-esteem, pop psychology, blame shifting, our consuming desire for "leisure, convenience, and fun" (177), and so many other self-centered things.  Graham attacks this mentality as it is an affront to the gospel.  It is hard for one to die to the self, pick up one's cross and follow Christ to certain death when the culture commands we indulge the self.

Most of the chapters cover various aspects of biblical eschatology and Graham shows how current news and world events show that the end might be near.  The economy is tanking, wars and violence are escalating, and the world is spinning out of control.  Graham seems to have a particular fascination with the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse as he spends several chapters discussing (and interpreting) them.

Graham's understanding of Revelation appears to be very premillennial.  Nothing new there. He has supported premillennialism for decades.  This interpretation leads the writer to conclude in the end that inspite of all of the chas and injustice, Christ overcomes it all.  We must persever through it all looking forward to the day that all wrongs will be right and justice will reign once again.

But this book isn't just about looking to the future, but also facing today.  How do we get through today?  The gospel.  Billy Graham has seen the world and experienced it all and yet he comes down to the gospel at the end of every chapter.  It is amazing how he can so vividly describe the many dangers and hardships of the world and yet offer hope and peace to the reader with the gospel.

I would recommend this book to almost anyone even if one does not agree with Graham's eschatology.  Graham demands our attention and respect and his words here are well worth our time.  Though the world may be chaotic and hopeless, we can have peace in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  That just about sums up the entire ministry of Dr. Billy Graham.


I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”





For more:
Review - "The Preacher and the Presidents" 
Revew - "Billy Graham:  His Life and Influence"
Review - "The Journey"
Review - "The Evangelist"
Review - "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns 
Review - "Saint Patrick" by Jonathan Rogers
Review - "A Century Turns" by William Bennett Review - "Sir Winston Churchill"

"Conservative Victory"

I try to avoid as many momentary political books as possible.  By that I mean books that will be on clearance a year from now.  No one is reading that book from President George W. Bush's former press secretary.  No one is reading Bob Woodyards books on Bush or reading Bill Bennet's book on the moral bankruptcy of the Clinton White House.  Usually one can tell that a best-selling book will have a short shelf life and one easy way to do so is to see if the book is primarily about an event that just transpired or is about too.  This is especially true when it comes to political books (like Dick Morris' recent book 2010: Take Back America: A Battle Plan).

But there is one such book that I was interested in reading by radio host and Fox News anchor Sean Hannity and his new book Conservative Victory: Defeating Obama's Radical Agenda.  Hannity's audience and influence (and the number of books that have been sold) forced me to at least consider what he had to say.

The thing that impressed me immediately was the books binding.  The book is only available in paperback thus meaning that the book is cheaper and the author makes less money.  It only makes sense to publish a book first in hardcover because the publisher and the author make more money.  Hannity, however, has decided against it.  From what I know about Hannity, I get the feeling that he isn't interested in making much profit off the book, but genuinly wants as many people as possible to hear his message.

The book itself is pretty predicable.  Anyone familar with Hannity's political and moral views can almost write the book for him.  He is against the Obama administration, he considers the policies to be leading America towards socialism, and wants Republicans to win back both Houses of Congress forcing the radical policies of Obama to end and eventually take back the White House.  If you listen to his radio show or watch him on Fox News, you have heard all of this before.

But I must say that this is not just a book of ranting.  Hannity did his homework for this book and provides the reader with proof of everything he says.  It is rare to see a book by a radio hosts with this many references and footnotes (not that radio hosts are liars, but that normally books like this are purely ideological without all of the footnoting).  Hannity walks the reader through his many concerns with the Obama administration (like his many "radical" czars) always seeking to back up his claims.

The book is both a warning and a call to arms. He is warning the reader of the dangerous administration and at the same time calls on his readers to take back their country (again, predictable).  Hannity isn't writing a thesis, he is writing a book that he hopes will change America's direction.

Overall, though the book is predictable, I enjoyed it.  I do not agree with Hannity on everything, but I believe his views and voice are worth hearing.  Of all of the momentary political books I have read in the past, this one really surprised me and I might consider reading others.  So for those worried about the direction of the country, read this now because it will become outdated before this year is out.

"Doctrine" by Mark Driscoll

As I continue to serve as a pastor, there is one reality that hits me everyday:  all doctrine is practical.  Most of the hurts, hardships, brokenness, loneliness, and sin that I am confronted with on a daily basis could be remedied if only Christians had a better understanding of sound, biblical doctrine.  And as one with a masters in theology, I have read and recommended many books, articles, sermons, lectures, and pastors who are invaluable resources that teach doctrine.  Add one more to that list:  Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe (RE: Lit) by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears.

Mark's Driscoll's newest book is perhaps his most important.  Driscoll has an ability to present deep theology in an age where such theology is deemed worthless and boring.  Driscoll rightly connects right living with right doctrine and goes out of his way to prove his point.

Each chapter is a jewel and it covers the basic teachings of Scripture like God, the Trinity, the Bible, Creation, the Fall, Jesus, the cross and resurrection, salvation, and eschatology.  In each chapter Driscoll walks the reader through the doctrine itself, what the Bible says, what is orthodox, where there is limited room for disagreement (like on creation), and why it matters.  I have read a lot of books on theology and very few have applied the deep truths of doctrine like this one.

Another thing I really appreciated about this work is its dedication to balance.  For example, Driscoll goes out of his way to balance a proper understanding of the humanity/deity of Christ.  Driscoll rightly shows how over-emphasizing (or not even believing) one of the aspects of Christ's nature is dangerous.  Liberals and secularists present a human Christ who is nothing more than our best friend who is a great moral teacher.  More conservative, fundamental Christians (who out of fear of sounding like those liberals) over-emphasize the deity of Christ at the cost of His humanity.  As a result, many miss the unending values of knowing that Christ is in every way human like us and has suffered like (actually more than) us.

Furthermore, note the careful analysis formed from a Biblical worldview on the question of "sinful views of sin:

In materialism that believes in no spiritual reality, 'sin' is the result of electro-chemical imbalances leading to biological dysfunction.  Therefore, the solution to evil and sin is medical and chemical improvement of the human body.


In evolutionism, 'sin' is essentially anything that hinders the perceived progress of the human race rather than any offense against a personal God.


In psychologism, 'sin' is caused by low self-esteem that results in the repression of one's true feelings.  Subsequently, the answer to sinful behavior is not repentance and faith in God for help, but rather love and acceptance of oneself.


In humanism, 'sin' is reduced to attitudes or actions that hurt other people.  Because humanists also tend to see human beings as essentially good, the answer to evil behavior is better education and social conditioning to hep people act out of the goodness of their nature.


In environmentalism, 'sin' results form not acting on the truth that the earth is ultimately our mother and living as if all living things - from plants to animals - were of equal value to oneself.  People are encouraged to be one with and live in harmony with the rest of creation as the means by which they can overcome sinful actions.


In pantheism and panenthiesm, 'sin' is being out of balance with our immediate environment and living out of harmony with the rest of the earth.  So, the answer to evil behavior is for people to meditate and do yoga to connect with the cosmic consciousness and tap into their innate spirituality.

In just a few paragraphs, Driscoll manages to analyze, critique, and destroy the majority of worldviews in the West today.  I'm not sure if I have read a more precise and exact condemnation of the fallen worldviews around us from a purely gospel driven, Biblical theology and worldview.  And this is only one example of many found in this book.

The book is purely an in-depth survey of Christian doctrine.  The authors seek to guide the reader through the major doctrines of the Bible all the while warning of false understandings of those doctrines.  This is a rather short book in comparison to other theological treatises, but the point of the book isn't to be comprehensive.  Driscoll manages to summarize and great detail the major doctrines of the faith and to reveal why they matter in a way that perhaps no other author has done.

I received this book as a free digital download from www.christianaudio.com.  I could not have been more thrilled at the opportunity to listen, read, and review one of the best books I have read all year.  The narrator was pleasant the listen to and the quality was top notch.  For those who want a better understanding of theology, I can think of nowhere else you need to go but here.


For more:
Read a free chapter from the book here.  
Watch the sermon series that inspired the book here.
Reviews - Death by Love 
Reviews - Religion Saves
Reviews - The Radical Reformation
Reviews - Vintage Jesus 
Reviews - The Good News We Almost Forgot

"The Unquenchable Flame"

One of my favorite periods of history to study is the Great Reformation.  Recently I read Michael Reeves' survey of the period in his new book The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation.  Of all of the survey books on this important era in our history, Reeves offers one of the best overviews.  The book highlights the major events during the Reformation and those who shaped the history.  The book focuses primarily on the Gemran, French, Swiss, English, and Scottish Reformation (along with the Anabaptist movements and a few smaller ones).  Anyone, obviously, writing on the Reformation is forced to discuss these movements.

What I liked about the book is not only is it good, well-written, interesting history, but the writer manages to include some historical tidbits that even many Reformation history buffs may not have known.  For example, the author highlights a number of leads that were significant in the shaping of Reformation thought and theology that I had never heard of and I pride myself on being aware of some men and movements like John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, John Huss, and others.  I thought I was reading a simple survey, but what I read was a survey that was fitting for both those who are new to Reformation history and theology and those well aquinted with it.

My one "beef" with the book regards its limited discussion on the Scottish Reformation.  Perhaps I am bias here.  I love Luther (I really love Luther!), but I am always wanting to know more about the Scottish Reformation probably because I have an ancestor who was a collegue of Knox, was almost executed by the Pope for his Protestant belief, and helped shape the Protestant faith and ecclesialogy in Scotland (plus he was the personal chaplin to King James before his retirement).  His name was John Craig.

The author doesn't dedicate as much space to the Scottish Reformation as I would have liked, but that doesn't mean that he barely discusses it.  I particularly enjoyed his compare and contrast with the English Reformatio and the role that politics played in both.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in better understanding the Reformation and why it was so important.  Being a brief survey a lot of details are left out (I really noticed this in the survey of Luther's life), but the point of the book isn't to provide detail, but overview.  It is books like this that are helpful resources for anytime one needs to remember major names and events in this period.  If anyone is wanting to know more about the Reformation, look no further than Reeves.

"Fear Not"

As a pastor, one of the issues I am confronted with on a regular basis is death.  How I minister to those who are dying and those mourning a death is a major part of what it means to be a pastor.  As a result, I find myself in hard situations where it is difficult to find any answers of comfort.  What do you say when you enter a home after the news that a loved one has passed away?  I feel that no pastor or counselor has a definitive answer.

In his book, Fear Not:  Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective! author, pastor, and theologian Ligon Duncan along with J. Nicholas Reid offer their take on death from the Christian perspective (as the subtitle suggests).

Each chapter offers an answer from the words of Scripture regarding some of the most common questions surrounding death like, "what is death?" "what happens after I die?" "what is heaven?"  As one would expect from Dr. Duncan, the book is centered on the biblical text and pastorally seeks to guide the reader to understand what the Bible says on each subject and how it comforts us.  There was no apology towards difficult doctrines like justice, wrath, judgment day, and hell, but at the same time, these subjects aren't introduced to create fear, but a right understanding of the gospel. 

The book overall is well written and simple to understand.  However I must say that it isn't the best book on the subject.  I feel that a different approach could have been taken from the one that Duncan chose to take.  Although I found nothing biblicaly wrong with the content, I'm not sure it would be the best book to give someone in a moment of crisis and questions.  Certainly it is adequate, but the book struggled to keep my attention and did not create the sort of joy and comfort one looks for in such a conversation regarding the joys of resurrection and heaven for all those found in Christ.

What I'm Reading - May 24, 2010

I know it has been a while, but much of my reading has been focused on Brian McLaren's book.  Hopefully I can now get back into the swing of things and accomplish more reading.  The following books will receive complete reviews while others will not (some I have already written a review for them).  If I reviewed everything I read, I wouldn't get anything else accomplished.

"A New Kind of Christianity"

The reason I haven't posted any reviews lately is because I have been reading and critiquing Brian McLaren's new book A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith.  Well, I have just finished with the last and final question (I may add one more post later) and want to pass along each post here on the reviews page.  Anyone that knows me and my understanding of McLaren's theology knows that I'm not a big fan, but McLaren is an important figure for Christians to know and be able to articulate against.

Here are the links:

Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed: The Narrative Question - Part 1
Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed:  The Authority Question - Part 2 
Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed:  The God Question - Part 3
Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed:  The Jesus Question - Part 4
Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed:  The Gospel Question - Part 5 
Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed:  The Church Question - Part 6
Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed:  The Sex Question - Part 7
Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed:  The Future Question - Part 8  
Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed:  The Pluralism Question - Part 9
Theology - A New Kind of Christianity . . . Indeed:  The Where Do We Go From Here Now Question - Part 10  

For more:
Reviews - McLaren - A Generous Orthodoxy
Reviews - McLaren - A New Kind of Christian 
Reviews -McLaren - A Search For What Makes Sense: Finding Faith 
Reviews -McLaren - Adventures In Missing The Point 
Reviews - McLaren - Church On The Other Side 
Reviews -McLaren - Everything Must Change 
Reviews -McLaren - Finding Faith 
Reviews -McLaren - More Ready Than You Realize 
Reviews - McLaren - The Justice Project 
Reviews - McLaren - The Secret Message of Jesus 
Reviews -McLaren - The Voice of Luke 

"Father Fiction" by Donald Miller

Since the release of Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, author Donald Miller has become a household name among many Evangelicals.  He is certainly one of the best writers in the Christian market whose writing has gripped the attention of millions of readers.  Recently, Miller re-released a previous with updated material under a new title.  The book is called Father Fiction: Chapters for a Fatherless Generation and is a book primarily for those who are or have grown up without their father.

What makes Miller so powerful is his ability to tells stories.  Most of his books read more like memoirs than the traditional "Christian living" books that make up so much of Christian bookstores.  Miller seeks to draw the reader in through the medium of story, not propositions.  Many have pointed out that the culture is beginning to favor stories over propositions and Miller has capitalized on that trend.

 Miller reminds me of Randy Pausch, the author of the hugely successful The Last Lecture.  Like Pausch's book, Miller draws his reader in through the medium of story.  This is a powerful device becomeing more popular in our world today.  Certainly Jesus understood the importance and power of story as well as anyone as his mulitple parables prove.

But there is one problem with Miller's writing.  At times it is hard to tell what the point of it all is.  This is why I say that Miller's books are almost more like memoir's then actual books written to people in particular situations.  Those who did not know their father will be able to relate with Miller, but will be left asking what next?  It is one thing to relate, it is another thing to know how to respond.

Miller shows the reader the importance of godly male figures in a young boy's life, but by shying away from propositions, Miller leaves the door of mystery wide open.  Grant it, my father never left and is still a big part of my life, but as a minister, I understand what it is like to grow up without a father.  For the entire book, I was left asking myself if I would recommend this to a young person struggling with the absense of his father.  My answer:  I don't know.

If I want a young person to read a book they can relate too, then yeah, I would recommend this book.  But if I want a young person to read a book to better understand what it means to be a man regardless of their upbringing or lack of father in the home, then I probably wouldn't.  There are better books out there.

I was fortunate enough to receive a free audio copy of the book via www.christianaudio.com.  The quality and production of the book was professional and the narrator was well received.  I have listened to some audio books before that were hard to listen to.  This narrator was pleasant to listen to and I hope to hear him on future books.

What I'm Reading - May 5, 2010

I wasn't able to get as much reading done this past week so there will be a lot of repeats here.

"Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God"

One of the classics one is suppose to read while in seminary is J. I. Packer's book Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Ivp Classics).  The books reputation is not a farce.  One of the world's greatest theologians tackles one of the world most difficult questions.  Usually we look at God's soveriengty and the call to evangelize the world in one of two ways.

For one many emphasize the command to evangelize and so argue that God cannot be soveriegn over personal salvation making faith a matter of choice.  Here is the common Arminian approach to missions (and to the heretical side, the Pelagian belief that man is so free that he can actually be perfect and would not need God).  Arminians believe that God chooses in the sense that he already knows who is going to be saved, but salvation is through the freedom of the believer.

The second approach is the opposite and is known as Hyper-Calvinism.  It argues that since God chooses whom He will save, evangelism is pointless.  As the famous story goes about William Carey, he was reprimanded by a man in his church saying, "Young man, sit down.  When God pleases to convert the heathen world, He will do it without your help or mine!"  And so it is with Hyper-Calvinism.

Packer argues that neither are right.  Instead, the Bible says that God both elects and at the same time expects His followers to proclaim the gospel so that they might be saved.  How is this logical?  It isn't.  Packer labels this an antimony; something that is contradictory, yet true at the same time.  The example he gives of this is that of light which is both waves and yet at the same time particles.  How can both of these be true at the same time?  It baffles the mind.

Packer walks the reader through this difficulty and seeks to show the reader why both are necessary.  I have always said that if God is Sovereign over salvation then the pressure is off of my shoulders.  As the evangelists, all I must do is clearly define the gospel and leave the rest to God.  Packer makes similar points that need to be said.

Perhaps my favorite part of the book is his discussion of what the gospel actually is.  It is a sad thing that this is needed today.  Packer goes in much detail (its by far the longest chapter) on the components of the gospel including God, man, sin, Christ, salvation, etc.  It would do the Christian good to read this chapter and be familiiar with its content.

Overall, this is certainly a great book with great insight from a great theologian, but I must say that it didn't blow me away.  Certainly I can see why so many Christians have benefited from it.  However, I did not find the clarity that I was seeking.  But then again, perhaps that was my problem.  Like every Christian I seek to find clarity in the midst of this difficult subject.  And at this point we must accept the fact that God is greater than our minds can fathom and where we find such difficulties we must be thankful that God is great and yet He has revealed even His mysteries too us.

your help or mine.

"The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns

One of the ministries I have supported over the years is World Vision.  When I was in Africa we drove pass some World Vision ministries.  Furthermore, when I was a youth pastor, we participated in the 30 Hour Famine which is a World Vision ministry that raises money to end world hunger.  Also, when I worked at Family Christian Stores, we were constantly urging our customers to sponsor a child through World Vision.  I love World Vision.

As a result, I was eager to pick up the book written by the President of World Vision, Richard Stearns, who book is called The Hole in Our Gospel: What does God expect of Us? The Answer that Changed my Life and Might Just Change the World.  The title immediately should catch our attention.  As a Christian and pastor who regularly proclaims the gospel I want to make sure that the gospel I proclaim does not have any holes.

But then again, what he means by this should be pretty obvious.

Those who recommend this book are many and the names that caught my attention include Jim Wallis, Tony Campolo, Madeleine Albright, and Bono.  No offense, but these are not the people I look to for an understanding of the gospel (to the authors credit, Charles Colson and others I greatly respect wrote blurbs for the book).  Here is thesis:

[I have been arguing' that there is a hole in our gospel and that, as a result, we have embraced a view of our faith that is far too tame.  We have, in fact, reduced the gospel to a mere transaction involving the right beliefs rather than seeing in it the power to change the world.  I have painted a picture of a world aflame with violence, poverty, injustice, disease, corruption, and human suffering -  world in need of revolution.  But I have also attempted to make clear from Scripture that the whole gospel - the very social revolution Jesus intended as His kingdom unfolded 'in earth as it is in heaven' - has been entrusted to us, those who claim to follow Christ.  Jesus seeks a new world order in which this whole gospel, hallmarked b compassion, justice, and proclamation of the good news, becomes a reality, first in our hearts and minds, and then in the wider world through our influence.  This is not to be a far-off and distant kingdom to be experienced only in the afterlife. -243

My problem with this book is that I don't believe Stearns really believes or is aware of what he is suggesting.  By that I mean that I believe that Stearns believes whole heartedly in the substitutionary nature of the atonement of Christ on the cross by which through belief and repentance we might be saved.  In various places throughout the book, the author hints at this.  However, the entire book is about solving systemic and social sins.  There is no call to biblical repentance before God except when it comes to our lackadaisical approach to social problems like HIV/AIDS, poverty, and disease.

Stearns sounds more like an Emergent calling on Christians to embrace the social gospel than he does one who affirms the salvific nature of the cross and resurrection that then moves us to action.  Perhaps this is why Wallis and Campolo endorsed the book.  Though I don't believe that Stearns embraces the social gospel, but it is hard to find evidence contrary to that in this book.

For example, the author dedicates an entire passage to what he sees as the greatest challenge in this new millennium.  What is that problem?  He says it is the widening gap between the rich and the poor.  I have to categorically say that Stearns is wrong!  The major problem we face today has nothing to do with economics but with man's rebellion against God.  Even if the entire world were rich and poverty was alleviated, man would still need to be reconciled with God because they are sinners in constant rebellion against Him.  This has always been the major problem we face ever since Genesis 3.

World Vision is known for its humanitarian aide and the reason I have supported them is because their drive to share the gospel with those less fortunate.  That is what I am passionate about.  I want to see the gospel spread and then watch the gospel attack the many social ills of our day.  But unless we embrace the gospel, we will never accomplish any bold initiative we undertake.  There will always be poverty, disease, war, and injustice because the world is fallen.  What we need is the gospel.

Stearns is walking a fine line and Christians must be careful when they read this book.  Is there a hole in our gospel?  Certainly whenever Christians become lazy in their faith and believe that the gospel is just fire insurance.  Certainly it is more than that.  But to err on the other extreme is just as dangerous.  Repentance affects our response to God and to man.  I fear that Stearn is leading the Church in a dangerous direction.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”