Charles

A number of years ago, a highly respected Christian educator and communicator said, “Readers make leaders.” I have been challenged over and over by that statement. I love to read, but only God will know how much that has developed into leadership. I confess I do not do much reading for pleasure, at least as some would define it. Other than having so many books I would love to read but lack the time, which gives rise to some frustration, my pleasure in reading comes from three areas. First, there are those books that confirm my thinking and encourage me that I am not out in left field. The other area that brings me pleasure comes from reading those books that challenge, encourage, and enable me to think more clearly and deeply about life and reality. I pray regularly for a teachable spirit as I read. There is a third area that challenges and gives me pleasure regarding reading and that is encouraging others to read, to think through issues, and sharpen their world and life view from a kingdom of God perspective.

Why this personal confession? The following comments relate to a book that I must admit when I read the manuscript, I struggled. First of all the author is a personal friend whom I admire, appreciate, and highly respect. He is a faculty member and part of the administration of a seminary where I serve on the board. He has demonstrated deep commitment to truth in some most insightful ways in the years that I have known him. He is a thinker, willing to think out of the box if this enables him to arrive at truth.

You must also know that Carl Truman is from Britain. His background will come through quite clearly in this provocative little book. His comments reflect that cultural setting while at the same time challenging him and us to think biblically. As the title and subtitle suggests, this little book is about politics, and we realize that people have gone to war over religion and politics. Carl does not pull punches with his challenges. When Dr. Peter Lillback, to whom the book is dedicated, wrote the forward, he made a “right on” statement: “I heartedly recommend you read this book. But you do so at your own peril.”

Having read the manuscript and now the book, I concur with that statement. As a matter of fact, Dr. Lillback’s foreword has helped me realize what Carl Truman was attempting to do. Both are dear Christian brothers and colleagues, and there is a demonstrable affection and respect for one another, even at points where they differ.

This would be a good place to say something I have said so many times for years and that is that two Christians can be attempting to operate from a Christian kingdom world and life view and come to different conclusions regarding application, but rather than create conflict or raise a barrier between them, they can be “iron sharpening iron,” at those points of difference. You will find that to be the case in Republocrat. Read it and do not be afraid to think and even re-think where you believe necessary the author’s positions. Also, let the witness and testimony of Dr. Truman’s relation with Dr. Lillback be an encouragement and challenge to us to be willing to work through issues with those in the family of Christ with whom there is a difference of opinion and thought.

The entire political scene in our country and throughout North America could not be more uncertain, divisive, and fragmented. We need a clear Christian perspective on the political philosophy and its application.

Rather than pointing out those places that cause me concern in the book and definitely move in a different direction, read the book and let it challenge you to think. Enjoy letting this little volume challenge you to do some fresh and refreshed thinking on politics, how and where it fits within the Christian framework. I must say to Carl, “I do appreciate Fox News.”

Briefly, this is simply a book of some of the most outstanding sermons that Stott delivered between 1965 and 2000 AD at the Keswick Conventions.

I admit that reading some sermons can be a boring experience but with Stott’s double listening, masterful expository style, and genuine Christ-like spirit, I have not found that to be true about John Stott’s sermons. From my first hearing of Stott speaking on the upper room discourses at the Urbana Missions conference back in the 60’s to hearing him and seeing his leadership in the Lausanne movement, to his commitment to making radical (kingdom) disciples, I thank God for this man. He has taught me much by word and example.

Also, as I have stated in this publication regarding the late Francis Schaeffer, thank God that he led these men to write books for us to embrace, study, and learn from as we attempt to double listen and make radical disciples.

Related Book Reviews: Basic Christianity: The Inside Story of John Stott by Roger Steer The Last Word: Reflections on a Lifetime of Preaching by John Stott The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling by John Stott

This is a biography of John Stott. It basically focuses on that part of Stott’s life that began with his ministry at All Soul’s parish church in London to his worldwide ministry on all the major continents of the world. Steer included a quote from Dr. Billy Graham which I believe is so true, “John Stott is the most respected evangelical clergyman in the world today, and has been a standard, or role model for thousands of clergy.”

There are so many things that could be said about this biography. I’ll only mention a couple. Chapter 25, Wincing Under Attack, is an important chapter. One of the problems that developed several years ago that caused great concern for many evangelical and reformed theologians, and rightly so, was John Stott’s view of hell and punishment. Stott’s view differs significantly from most reformed and evangelicals understanding of hell. He has been misquoted, misunderstood, and often turned away because it was said that Stott did not believe in hell. This chapter contains a lengthy interview with David Edwards, a provost, historian, writer, and editor. He put this before Stott. Bottom line, it would be wrong and misleading to say that John Stott does not believe in hell. What does he believe? You’ll have to read this book and chapter. But I will quote him here, “”I do not dogmatise about the position to which I have come. I hold it tentatively.”

Another valuable chapter in this biography deals with “what is evangelicalism.” Not only has Stott written quite a bit on this subject, he has been looked to as the man to give a clear definition of a theological perspective that has become more and more vague, confused, and uncertain. (We reviewed an earlier Stott book giving his concept of evangelicalism).

Related Book Reviews: John Stott at Keswick: A Lifetime of Preaching by John Stott The Last Word: Reflections on a Lifetime of Preaching by John Stott The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling by John Stott

In reading thisbook and I believe it is one that should be read over and over, you will not only learn from and about a master disciplemaker, you will not be the same as you take to heart his words. I will highlight some of those words from Stott himself.

He states very pointedly that our role is not to make Christianity relevant but rather to demonstrate its relevancy. That strikes a strident chord because I have become more and more convinced over the years that the more we attempt to make Christianity relevant, the more irrelevant we make it. However, Stott’s says that he fosters the concept of “double listening.” He says he is convinced that much good Bible teaching does not reflect double listening hence the preaching becomes sterile. By double listening he means, first, listening to the Word of God and second, listening to the world. While admitting the change in his ministry when he actually embraced double listening, he also reminds us that the first level of listening to the Word must always have priority because the authority of the Word is so connected with the authority of Christ that both stand together. Stott shares his testimony of realizing his failure to listen to the world and how starting a small reading group of professionals in London broke the ice. But he admits that was not an easy learning experience for him. But he became more and more convinced of the importance of the relation of Scripture to culture, which he calls “a vital question.”

His challenge to develop a Christian mind has not only challenged me conceptually over the years, but his writings and modeling how Christians can and should deal with the contemporary issues have been tremendously impacting on my life and ministry.

He frequently reminds us that developing a Christian mind often involves dealing honestly with doubts. He says however, doubts should be transient while questioning should always be a permanent part of discipleship.

I would ask, what does bird watching, failing eye sight, humility, and Christian thinking, and discipleship have in common? The answer is John Stott.

In thisbook, he includes his famous Keswick sermon on Justification from Romans 5. What a basic and powerful message. That is worth the purchase of the book itself, especially with so much controversy over that topic today.

In The Last Word, Stott sets forth a fourfold challenge that has driven his own ministry and involvement in training/discipling Christians over the years. 1. Interpret the Bible, 2. Understand the modern world, 3. Living as a radical disciple, 4. Reach out in mission, so that faith, conduct, and mission blend together.

Related Book Reviews: Basic Christianity: The Inside Story of John Stott by Roger Steer John Stott at Keswick: A Lifetime of Preaching by John Stott The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling by John Stott

This book was written inStott’s 88^th year. Actually is has been written for the majority of his ministry for it summarizes all the basics that Stott has emphasized and taught so clearly over the years. According to Stott, a disciple is actually a “radical disciple.” By that he has a twofold meaning in that term: 1. a disciple is someone under instruction and discipline of a teacher, but 2. he or she is also radical, meaning, reaching to the root, thoroughgoing.

In this final book, Stott selects eight aspects of discipleship that he believes most Christians often neglect. As he list them, nonconformity, Christ-likeness, maturity, creation care, simplicity, balance, dependence, and death, he reminds us that kingdom disciples are not free to pick and choose those different things. Our challenge is to submit to the Lord’s authority in all these areas.

This is a powerful little book which is an easy read but difficult to dismiss. It is challenging from beginning to end and definitely centers on Christ the King. I would definitely say to our readers, this is a must read little book but be prepared, it is a powerful book.

Related Book Reviews: Basic Christianity: The Inside Story of John Stott by Roger Steer John Stott at Keswick: A Lifetime of Preaching by John Stott The Last Word: Reflections on a Lifetime of Preaching by John Stott

Meetings for Better Understanding: A Church Without Walls Model for Reaching Muslims for Christ
Ian T. Coulter, Foreward Dr. Anees Zaka.

Do we understand the Muslims we see everywhere in our culture today? When we see them in the grocery store, department store, malls, etc., what is our natural tendency? We avoid contact and certainly are both fearful and hesitant to talk with them. The Church Without Walls model of witnessing to Muslims gives us a practical usable strategy of understanding and a guide for practicing our responsibility and privilege of sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom. Dr. Anees Zaka, founder of Church Without Walls, says of Ian Coulter’s book, it is a step-by-step process for doing (this ministry).

Ian Coulter’s how-to book, Meetings for Better Understanding, is biblically written and because it is a common sense approach to spreading, sharing, or telling the good news, it works not only among the Muslims, but it works with anyone with whom God would have us witness. It will help us know what to say and how to say it to build relationships for better understanding whether it is one-on-one or in groups or larger settings. One suggestion for us is when we see someone with a burka or hijab on her head, let that be a reminder of the challenge God has set before us and do not turn away. Although that particular occasion may not be the time or place, God may give the right time and setting to us as we obey him.

Coulter’s book as well as similar books by Dr. Zaka come into view as we understand that as Christians we are not only responsible to know the truth, who is Christ himself, as he said to Pontius Pilate, we are also to share him with others. On the one hand we can and should be concerned about the growing number of Muslims locally and globally. But on the other hand, can we not see this as God providing opportunities to reach out to them?

In light of this growing concern of the spread of Islam, the stark reality of what happened on September 11, 2001 brought home to us the intent of Muslim terrorists when they hijacked three airliners, caused mass destruction, and over 3,000 people died as a result of their war on the U.S. Even now we are witnessing a wide spread controversy regarding the building of a Mosque Museum near “ground zero” where the twin towers, destroyed by two of the airliners, once stood.

As Christians we believe there is only one living and true God and this God exists in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ is the only truth, life, and way to God. Any religion not built on this truth has to be considered wrong, even false. Does this get us off the hook? We would like to think so. Does the Bible not remind us that God’s good news of the Kingdom belongs to those from every tongue, nation, tribe, and people? Does not the Apostle Paul ask and answer, “how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they preach…?”

Several years ago, being challenged to write a book on world mission strategy including a chapter on Islam, I became better acquainted with Dr. Zaka and the ministry of Church Without Walls, of which Coulter was later a part. I realized their philosophy of ministry was biblical, strategic, and just plain common sense. How can you witness to someone without dialogue and conversation and how much better if the dialogue grows out of a relationship? Having written on similar concerns, it was encouraging to receive a note of appreciation from Ian Coulter as well as to be quoted in chapter three of his book.