Charles

Here is a book that anyone attempting to understand the world, especially the world of ideas, should have at or near the top their list of reference books. I want to choose my words carefully in describing this book. It is a map. It is an in-depth reference book of history and ideas within the Christian framework. It is a book about philosophy leading up to but focusing mainly on postmodernism. It is a book full of helpful and valuable insights in the development of theological and philosophical thought. While those words may suggest that this book is merely academic, for professional scholars, or trained clergy (and it is all those things) it is also a very readable book for the broader Christian community.

In many ways it reminds me of Stanley Grenz’s Primer on Postmodernism, only more expansive. There are so many conflicting opinions regarding postmodernism. On one extreme, some people denounce all that is connected with that philosophy. On the opposite extreme, others accept all that is understandable about postmodernism. Greer helps us to realize that there is much to be learned from postmodernism, especially as it relates to communicating the gospel and truth to this generation.

We need to be aware of Greer’s thought-provoking ideas regarding absolute truth and in order to communicate clearly to today’s audience. I believe he writes with sensitivity to our orthodox position but places his ideas in a context that speaks to contemporary people. He distinguishes between biblical truth and foundations in contrast to the philosophical foundationalism of 17^th and 18^th century philosophers and theologians. They grounded much of their thought on Scottish realism versus biblical revelation. You will remember Descartes’ famous saying, “I think therefore I am” as he dealt with certainty, doubt, and foundation. That tends to get a negative reaction from many postmodernists. Yet, biblical revelation is often included because of the belief that the two positions are part of the same, which of course is not the case.

Greer gives a good contrast between St. Augustine’s belief that there is perfect knowledge and Descartes’ similar belief. The way in which perfect knowledge becomes possible differs greatly between the two. Sadly, Descartes’ approach is often confused with or included in Augustine’s more biblical approach.

Others and I have used a three-part timeline to delineate the development of philosophical and theological thought over the years: premodern, modern, and postmodern. Greer suggests a five-part timeline: premodern, modern, existentialism, postmodern, and post postmodern. The former model used existentialism as a bridge between the modern and postmodern periods, and included Greer’s post postmodern within postmodernism, namely the emphasis on community and relationships. Greer has a lengthy appendix in which he defines and describes these five areas, which I found helpful.

Greer also suggests, as we have done, that postmodernism may either be just that or it may be ultra-modernism in its final form. A thought worth thinking about! Greer reminds us that Jesus Christ cannot be understood in the abstract but only in the personal area of faith and knowledge. He is the personal God who cannot be known impersonally. Failure in making that distinction leads many postmoderns to deal with them as one, thus missing an important part of the whole picture. Greer says, ” in the post-postmodernism” paradigm, absolute truth has a name: Jesus Christ. As the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Jesus Christ is the personification of truth par excellence, the one who is to be loved and known, but never mastered.”

This book, carefully read, studied, and discussed, could be one of those landmark books that helps us navigate through the turbulent waters of the early 21^st century with a better understanding of how to communicate God’s truth to today’s generation.

While we have written articles and reviewed books published since the tragic event of September 11, 2001, we would be remiss not to call your attention to the outstanding book by professor Gene Veith on terrorism. Terrorism is a new form of warfare, at least for those of us living in America, and according to those in authority, it will be present from now on.

This reality places new challenges before us as Christians. New opportunities will confront us in the days ahead. Being a kingdom disciple requires knowing and understanding our world. We are to make disciples not only in the church among God’s covenant people, but also by reaching out to those outside the church community.

Gene Edward Veith has written numerous books that we have been pleased to recommend. Probably his most important book has been Postmodernism. I believe Christianity In An Age of Terrorism will also be an important book to place alongside the others. Veith uses his vast field of knowledge to interweave topics such as the holy wars among Christians and Muslims, tolerance, the Taliban, secularists and terrorism.

Veith does a masterful job of demonstrating how terrorism and self-righteousness are connected. He explains very clearly how terrorists can be very pious and moral about their terrorism. From their position, it is not difficult for them to justify cruelty and injustice. His statistics about Muslims in America are on target; or at least consistent with other books we have read and reviewed. He points out that while Americans have purchased more flags since 9-11, so have more purchased copies of Islam’s Koran.

Veith correctly states “It is impossible to come to grips with al Qaeda and other Islamic radicals without taking their religion and the zeal it inspires seriously.” He also underscores that America’s lack of knowledge about Islam and its weak and worldly religions makes us extremely vulnerable to Muslim evangelism. Islamic terrorists are still mad at western civilization because of past history.

Veith shows the contrast between American Christians who believe that life is not based on what a person has to do but rather on what God has done for us. Islam is a works-oriented religion based not on what God has done but what one must do. The religion of Muslims motivates them to hate those of other religions. Veith clearly underscores, “It is politics when added to religion that makes such an incendiary and dangerous mixture.

The book is very thought provoking. It is an easy read and could be an effective guide for a discussion group. It contains a good summary of the basics of Christianity and “the just war” theory. Veith does not hide his Lutheran background but uses the tenets of Luther’s theology to underscore some important points related to this topic. His grasp of culture adds to the importance of this book. I recommend it as an important book to read.

Code red! The danger level is code red! That is the way I felt when I read George Barna’s Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions. I want to say that every pastor, every elder, every teacher, every parent, and every adult ought to put down whatever they are reading at present and read this instead. On the book’s jacket, Bill Hybels, pastor of the famous Willow Creek Church said, “Finally! I have been waiting almost thirty years for someone to put into book form what I have known to be true nearly all my ministry life. Children matter!”

This has been the message of Christian Education and Publications during my years as coordinator, and it has increasingly been our challenge and cry to the church. Barna’s conclusion, as the subtitle states, children should be the church’s number one priority. How biblical is that priority? The covenant community is the people of God configured in family, immediate and extended. God has told the covenant community to train the children in his ways, to pass on the faith to the next generation, and to be a witness to the children of the church.

Here in this volume, Barna has done some of the best research, with interpretations, that he has ever done. While I have appreciated Barna’s work, having had an opportunity to read his books and be with him on occasion, I feel this is his most important book. It brings us to the reality that what happens in a child’s life prior to his or her thirteenth birthday will set the stage for the rest of that child’s life unless God the Holy Spirit intervenes.

Barna tells how he came to this priority after a number of years of study and work. The book represents more than five years of gathering and interpreting data relating to children but he also indicates that it is only in the past two years that the conclusion really connected for him. He concludes that less than ten percent of professing Christians having a self-conscious, biblical worldview. Even children that are being brought into the church are not taught a biblical worldview; hence their understanding of Christianity matches that of their parents and teachers.

Barna exposes the myth that adult ministry is where the action is in a local church. That’s what I was told years ago when one of my seminary advisors said, Charles, “Don’t spend so much time with calves, that you forget the cows that give the milk.” Can you believe that myth? Of course you can. Look at your church’s budget. How much of your resources are focused on the children? Barna states, with the accompanying statistics to back his statements, “It was through this standard practice that God opened my mind and heart to ranking ministry to children at the top of the priority list.” He pleads with us that the church’s mission is not to see the children merely as add-ons. He says, “Ultimately, the purpose of this endeavor is to enable the Church to engage in the process of transforming mere children into spiritual champions.

Barna’s chapter on the spiritual health of our children is a stark reminder that the church must recast its mission, Adults, preachers, teachers, and especially parents, must be discipled with what we call a kingdom view of discipleship in order to pass it on to the children. Unless this happens, he says, “their spiritual life is prioritized and nurtured, they will miss out on much of he meaning, purpose, and joy of life.”

We used to say that seventy-five percent of all decisions, especially the decision to be a Christian, happens before a child’s eighteenth birthday. Now the research lowers that to thirteen years of age. I will not begin to list the numerous statistics that make that point, but you will want to read this book carefully and prayerfully. As I went through the highlights of this book with our CEP staff and committee, I was more and more convinced that we are failing to take God’s priorities to heart.

As I began to write this review, I was handed a brochure from a sister denomination delineating its distinctives. The brochure highlighted the denomination’s priority was to evangelize the lost, at home and abroad. Such is definitely a part of the church’s mission. But, I saw no mention of ministry to the rising generations. That may be the position of many of our churches, as well.

The church and its families must come together in a way that equips them to disciple the church’s children, and those not yet part of the church, with a kingdom view of discipleship. Sunday school and youth clubs are part of that process but as Deut. 6 reminds us, it must be at all levels of the children’s lives.

Barna concludes with the challenge, “If we default on our responsibility, we cannot blame those substitutes for making the most of the opportunity.” That is what is happening. By the age fifteen, church dropouts increase significantly. Thirteen years of age ought to be burned into our minds and hearts, as we look at children. Barna has given us excellent information to encourage and challenge us to do whatever we need to do, expend whatever resources we have to spend, in order to make kingdom disciples of our children.

Here is a book on one of the intellectual giants of the 20^th century, C. S. Lewis. Some would say that Lewis was the most influential Christian writer of his day. His repertoire of writings ranged from children’s materials, to imaginative literature, to Christian apologetics and theology. I was given his Mere Christianity as a young Christian, which sparked my interest in philosophy as a university student.

Large numbers have read his Chronicles of Narnia, imaginative stories, with delight and some of us, not particularly oriented to the fantasy genre have struggled to understand the imagery. In another book reviewed here Chuck Colson speaks of how influential Mere Christianity was upon him and his conversion.

While I have not always agreed with everything I have read by Lewis, I have recognized his genius and ability to make a person think. While that is often painful, it is necessary for spiritual and intellectual growth and development.

Being very much interested in cultural apologetics, I have read him with eagerness to understand, because he says what I have been attempting to communicate for years. In his apologetic, God in the Dock he says, “You must translate every bit of your Theology into the vernacular. This is very troublesome and it means you can say very little in half an hour, but it is essential. It is also the greatest service to your own thought. I have come to the conviction that if you cannot translate your thoughts into uneducated language, then your thoughts were confused.” I have been challenged by that thought for many years and have committed myself to doing just that.

For those who’ve been intimidated, but would like to read Lewis, this new volume may be just for you. This book is easy to read and not overwhelming. Patricia Klein has put together a year’s worth of daily readings from more than thirty Lewis’ books. It could be Lewis in “bite size”. Overall, it is a good compendium of some of Lewis’s thoughts.

Though it is a daily reading, not meant to take the place of your Scripture reading, it could be read as part of your daily thoughts and reflections. The following from the 17^th of April will show you what I mean about thought provoking. In A Grief Observed, a little book written after the death of his wife, Joy, Lewis says, “Keeping promises to the dead, or to anyone else, is very well. But, I begin to see that ‘respect for the wishes of the dead’ is a trap.” You can read the rest of the comments on that day. Klein selected from Lewis’ most important works in this volume.