Book Reviews

The first of this duo, This Little Church Went to Market, is an easy read but extremely challenging and thought provoking, especially as it addresses some of the forces and ideologies that are changing the church today. Things such as: marketing, entertainment, and therapy (psychology). Gilley makes the point that is both interesting and telling that the three forces mentioned above are influencing the church in definite and intentional ways and none of the three are found in Scripture, at least as they relate to the church.

In the bookAn Essential Guide to Public Speaking in this review section, Schutlze talked about being a servant speaker and focusing on the neighbor audience with sensitivity to where they are and are coming from. Schultze is right for there are numerous scriptural references to show how people like Paul did just that, and while there are legitimate things that we can learn from the three forces, we cannot respond in a way that undermines the work and worship of the church. In a lecture by Ken Meyers of Mars Hill ministry, he said that the church hasn’t found a trend that it could use or incorporate in its ministry.

We do and must continue to live in a tension between how we do ministry in our churches. While we cannot play to audience, as though it is the centerpiece, we cannot simply assign the audience to some peripheral area either. We cannot hope to be successful in our mission if we simply do ministry as we have always done it for people living in a different time today than say fifty years ago, much less hundreds of years ago. While we cannot alter the truth, we must carefully, with much thought and prayer, research, study, and learn how to communicate the good news of the gospel to today’s world. Sadly, many who are attempting to do that, and while most are well meaning in their efforts, are actually changing the message, mostly by what they do or do not say, or how they communicate it. Though Marshall McLuhan was not writing in a Christian context, he was on target thirty years ago when he said that the medium can become the message. That’s what I call common grace truth. Maybe that’s why the church is actually loosing its effectiveness–because it has become so market-driven that its techniques and skills mimic those of the marketers in today’s world.

Gilley says, “if the church is the pillar and support of the truth and the children of God grow as the truth of God’s Word penetrates their hearts, what happens when the church no longer knows the truth? What happens if it has confused the infallible truth of God with philosophies and fads of the moment?” Those are legitimate questions that churches and church leaders must ask today. We are living in a biblically illiterate culture, and that includes both inside and outside the church. That’s the conclusion poll after poll, from Robert Wurthnow, to George Barna, to Christian Smith, to George Gallup, Jr.

I believe Gilley is correct when he writes that the church today has sold out to being market-driven, user-friendly, with a new paradigm. Then he asked, if that is true, then why have so many not recognized the transition? When people today talk about being into spirituality but not religion, most seem to say, good! The average churchgoer, much less the non-churchgoer, is not equipped to recognize the eastern influence on our western religious orientation. Putting the emphasis on “spirituality” or “religious experience” at the expense of knowing the truth and basing our experience on truth will take us in the wrong direction, and in fact, already is in many cases.

In and easy-to-read style, Gilley effectively communicates this concern. He demonstrates how the church may be building on the wrong foundation–a new paradigm that shifts the focus. When we take the marketing/consumer approach to church growth, we then have to be willing to change as the consumer changes and that produces serious consequences. How do we make our product appeal to the general populace? Some are saying we do it by not focusing on sin, hell, death, redemption, or even the atonement of Christ. They are not the essentials of the faith, so focus on the positives. But do we have that choice? Of course we do not make any one part of the whole counsel of God “the truth in isolation from the other parts,” but we can’t adopt the philosophy of one of America’s leading TV personalities who said that just because it’s in the Bible doesn’t mean that we have to preach and teach it.

Gilley understands what is happening and challenges us to think more seriously and biblically about the church. He challenges us not to be a church with the wrong message, building on the wrong foundation, focusing on the wrong needs, while misunderstanding worship. You will find some helpful evaluations of people such as Rick Warren and his Purpose Driven approach. This is an important, easy-read book.

The second title, This Little Church Stayed Home, is equally challenging and thought provoking. Here he gives an overview of the postmodern culture and its philosophy today and what it is doing to the church, outwardly and inwardly. He writes, “Yet despite all the claims of spiritual interest, despite the runaway numerical growth at the celebrated megachurches, despite frequent ‘sightings’ of revival and despite the rapid succession of fads (from Promise Keepers to the ‘Prayer of Jabez’ to ‘Forty Day of Purpose’ to ‘The Passion of Christ’) each promising to reform the church, the fact is that the church’s light is flickering.”

He quotes George Barna, whose book Revolution is evaluated by Gilley, stating that unchurched people are not just lazy or uniformed. They are wholly disinterested in the church. Therefore, many are saying, and Gilley deals insightfully and effectively with some of them in part four of this book on the emerging church, that we need a new church, not a reform of today’s church.

Barna is right in saying that the church cannot compete with the world’s system but it has been trying to do that for the past 50 or 60 years at least and moved into overdrive during the past 25 years. True says Gilley, we are living in changing times and postmodern philosophy has become that of today’s world, and the church is buying into more and more. The concern is not with absolute truth today, it is what’s good for me or us and what feels good for me. That’s what my spirituality is all about, me! The one place where people should expect to find the truth, after all the Bible calls it the ground and pillar of truth, the church, is not living up to its nature and purpose.

Gilley gives helpful analysis of the influence of what he calls postmodernity, or I would call postmodernism, on the church. This includes how more and more are buying into the postmodern philosophy as it’s related to truth and authority.

As I read this second book, I remember reading Os Guiness’s comments about our being so committed to making the church relevant that we are actually making it irrelevant because we are not emphasizing the things that make it relevant. I thought speaking the language of the age, which we must do to effectively communicate, can actually trivialize the truth we are trying to communicate if we are not careful in the process. There is that part of the Christian community today, a preferred term by the emerging church people over church, is that we are a movement in search of an experience but not the truth.

I challenge you pastors, church leaders and teachers, parents, and general membership of the church to read this book. Both are important but if you must choose between the two, read this book.

We are in a predicament today that we must recognize and respond to-that is, if we are in search of an experience or meaning to life and that experience is not based on our theology and if our theology is not based on Scripture and Scripture tells us about God, then how can we have a meaningful experience or find real meaning to life in a vacuum? That’s the kind of questions we need to deal with and Gilley will help us along in that process.

Here is a book that you will want to read, especially if you are trying to understand something of the postmodern world.Worship wars, consumerism, ethics and morality, politics and the entire spectrum are under the postmodern umbrella. If you are not convinced that you need to expand your understanding of this philosophy, read this book and then make that determination.

For those of you who have reading Making Kingdom Disciples, or a few other books that deal with philosophical and theological development, you will recognize White’s overview of philosophy in the three major periods of history: pre-modern, modern, and postmodern. While we are definitely in the postmodern period, we are actually still in transition from modern to postmodern. Understanding this transition is important to interpreting our culture and world and knowing how the Christian faith provides what is missing in both the modern and postmodern paradigms.

We have previously mentioned how the reformers surrendered much of their influence early on by trying to use the framework of modernism and its language to communicate the Christian faith, leading to a strong movement in the direction of dualism in the western world. Hopefully, but obviously not in all cases, we did not learn that lesson very well, because today Christians are trying to synthesize and syncretize Christianity with the postmodern paradigm and it may be giving away the essence of the Christian religion.

Postmodernism is a worldview that influences our perception and understanding of reality. Though many of the leaders in the postmodern philosophy movement are Frenchmen, postmodernism is no longer simply growing in Europe but all through the Western culture, including North America. And though postmodernism is extremely difficult to define, there are enough key ideas that once understood will enable you to see how impacting this philosophy really is, especially with who we call the “rising generation.”

White is right on target when he says that ideas drive culture. We can be pragmatists and say either ideas do not have consequences or I do not need to understand ideas, I just need to see what works and go in that direction. Or, we can move beneath the surface and try to understand why things are moving in the direction they are in order to know better how to respond, challenge, and offer better ideas.

White reminds us that new ideas take time to actually permeated and transform a culture, which says to me, we should know what those ideas are and challenge those that are contrary to the Christian philosophy of life before they take root. Postmodernism, as the third major school of thought in history, is new enough that maybe there is still time to recapture those who are embryonically involved in postmodernism. For example, why are so many rejecting modernism and embracing postmodernism? White states, “The culture is changing and postmodern ideas are driving the change.”

The change in our culture is impacting every aspect of our lives, from private to public, religious and philosophical, to day to day living. While we are reminded that it is hard to identify our own worldview and be somewhat objective about our culture, we must put forth that effort or Christianity will never have the transforming influence on the world that God has in mind. White mentions three general concerns that Christians have with postmodernism: the moral concern–tends towards relativism, the evangelistic concern–knowing something about postmodernism will help communicate to postmoderns without changing the message, and the theological concern–a time to rethink and develop new ways of teaching what Christianity is all about.

Reading this book gives you a basic understanding of postmodernism and deals with six areas that are so crucial in understanding its impacts: ethics, self, language, knowledge, culture, and history. White raises one thing that demonstrates the importance of taking the time to read and study this topic, “the social forces that have such power over individuals are not in general trustworthy. After all, how many of them have your best interest at heart?” To which I would also say, how can a postmodern, with his socially constructed view of reality actually know what is in his best interest? Society has to determine that.

I agree with White that postmodernism is a big deal because it involves a worldview shift. It affects what people think on so many topics. I also agree, contrary to what some have said, postmodernism is not a flash in the pan, and that modernism with its rational, logical and scientific approach is not likely to return, though those things will never totally leave us. White concludes, and I amen what he says, “Postmodernism, as outlined in this book, is the latest large-scale cultural change to hit Western civilization. It will change a lot of things for Christians and non-Christians alike.” Please take the time to read, discuss, and study this little book. You will benefit in so many ways. It is written in an easily readable and comprehensible style.

Don’t gloss over these comments on this outstanding book. Some of you may not do public speaking, others may think you already know how. If you fall into either of these categories you will miss an outstanding book. While it focuses on public speaking, it actually talks about communication that touches each one of us.

Quentin Schultze is no stranger to our readers. He is the master “guru” in communication. He holds the Arthur H. DeKruyter Chair in Faith and Communication at Calvin College. He has authored numerous books covering the waterfront in areas of communication. Why this little book? I use the term little book (111 pages) to encourage you to take the time to read it. I was challenged by Schutlze’s idea that we can become so professional and skilled with the science of communication that we often neglect what he calls the purpose and ethics of communication.

Throughout the book he encourages Christians to take public speaking more seriously by focusing not so much on self, the presenter, but on the audience and how we not only choose words, but how we posture ourselves ethically and morally in what we say. He uses St. Augustine as the classic example and refers to him many times. Before his conversion Augustine was a master of rhetoric (the art of persuasion). However, Schutlze writes, Augustine used and taught deception and equated good rhetoric (eloquence) with audience impact. He also believed that the real character of the speaker was irrelevant to the audience. Therefore, when Augustine was converted he backed away from that form of rhetoric only to realize later that Christians have much to contribute to this area. Schultze writes, “Christians historically contributed some of the most important insights on public speaking. Early Christians discerningly adapted speech practices from ancient Greeks, who founded rhetoric.”

What is needed is for Christians to develop their abilities to be “servant speakers.” Schultlze says, “Servant speakers are called to speak the truth in love without conforming mindlessly to the ways that the wider society communicates. Our public speaking must be sensitive to the rights and perspectives of those with whom we disagree while remaining true to our values and beliefs. What we say and how we say it are part of our witness to the world.” Schultze suggests that we think of the audience as our neighbors and speak responsibly, truthfully, and with sensitivity.

To communicate with truth and sensitivity effectively, servant communicators must learn to listen well. He says we must listen vertically to God and then listen horizontally to authorities and audiences so that we know in advance what we are speaking about and to whom we will be speaking. He then says we must also listen internally to ourselves. He further writes that a servant speaker seeks to know God’s wisdom without pretending to be God. Therefore, “learning to be a servant speaker includes lifelong self-evaluation. For many of us, this painful.”

With that kind of emphasis, Schultze gives us many practical ways to apply the servant-speaker attitude in our communication. While this is a book about public speaking, it is also a book on good communication in general. You will find many helpful tools in speech preparation, implementation, and evaluation. He does not simply focus on the verbal aspects of communication but also on the non-verbal, an area that is often neglected-the body, the face, the arms, the tone of voice. I would like to go through this book chapter by chapter but you will have to do that. As you do, you will find much that will challenge and encourage you. You will also think a little differently after you have read it. I had the opportunity to do a training seminar after reading this book. I was reminded of these things all through the presentation, especially being a servant to the audience and sensitive to where they were. That’s the kind of benefit in store for you in reading and applying these essentials.

In our book reviews and articles in Equip for Ministry, we always stress the importance of having familiarity, if not in-depth knowledge of church history. If you are not already aware of this, it is incredible to trace current teachings and ideas back to their origins. Not only is it interesting, it also gives us a clearer understanding of the present and for some ideas about the future.

For those who are tempted to think that church history is boring or not applicable, you need to read Word to the World by William Barker. Barker has been a professor, a seminary president, an editor, and academic dean and professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary prior to retirement. Currently he is adjunct professor of church history at Covenant Theological Seminary.

I delighted in reading this book containing fifteen chapters on a variety of biblical, theological, and historical topics. I read articles dealing with everything from the authority of Scripture, Church and State relations, Puritanism, Doctrinal Subscription within the Presbyterian Church in America setting, to history’s impact and insights on what has been controversial in the recent past and briefs on a number of Puritans. Other topics included are: The Westminster Assembly on the Days of Creation and Theonomy, Pluralism, and the Bible. As I read those chapters, I was reminded once again of the importance of studying our past in order to gain better understanding and insights for the present.

I have long admired William Barker for his gracious Christian statesmanship, leadership, teaching ability, and his ability to link together the past and present. His comments on the separation of church and state made me wish every American, and especially those in civil government, would read and understand the significance of that basic principle. He develops this at length in the chapter History of Church and State Relations in Western Christianity and he also opens up this topic further in his chapter on Theonomy, Pluralism, and the Bible. One of the helpful things he addresses is the proper place for pluralism and the improper place for it. “Is pluralism biblical?” he asks. Pluralism within the religious belief of Christianity is not, but: “It is my contention that such religious pluralism within a society is our Lord’s intention for this time in history and hence is biblical” (page 133).

He clarifies how the Christian should relate to the law, as far as living in both the civil and the church realms. While he underscores the Christian responsibility to maintain a good witness and even address the conscience of unbelievers regarding God’s law, he cautions against the position that civil authorities should enforce or require a relationship with God. This is an important topic for kingdom disciples.

Two highlights were his chapters on Inerrancy and the Role of the Bible’s Authority and the Authority of Scripture and Assurance of Salvation. In the chapter on the role of the Bible, Barker builds around a critique of The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible by Rogers and McKim. He deals with the differences that surfaced at Princeton, leading to moving away from the historic position held by Charles Hodge and B.B. Warfield.

In the chapter on Scripture and Assurance, he whetted my appetite to learn more about the Reformer John Bradford. I had known that name from church history, but I did not realize how significant a role he played.

This book is a demonstration of a Christian scholar of the highest caliber known for his Christian character and life, his knowledge of and commitment to the Reformed tradition, writing about Puritanism. If you have any question about the importance of history, especially church history, read this book and you will realize how vital knowledge in this area really is for Christians.

Here is a good book that you will want to read for personal edification, to help people understand the order of the salvation process, as well as how to help others understand the entire spiritual birthline sequence.

Stephen Smallman has given us a worthwhile book that is easy to read, full of life-oriented stories and testimonies and a clear exposition of salvation. You will find this to be a good resource tool to use in discipling both youth and adults. Because God gives us these truths in his Word, it is obvious that he wants us to understand the process and nature of the new birth and conversion. He uses the metaphor of a midwife to talk about our role in helping or assisting in the spiritual birth as midwife does in a physical birth.

In the forward, Charles W. Colson writes, “Unless we understand true conversion in terms of the work of the Spirit, we will continue this sin of presumption and nominal Christians will continue to fill our pews.” He continues, “My friend Steve Smallman has written an important book that explains the link between the work of the Spirit and the conversion experience.” I underscore his comments.

Not only is there much solid biblical and theological truth in this book, but he uses people that he has known whom the Holy Spirit has brought to spiritual birth to make those truths understandable. He says almost all the stories and testimonies deal with people he knows or has known in his ministry. Stories like Kathy, a professional in Washington DC who contracted AIDS and how God worked in her life between the time of her diagnosis and her going to heaven. Or Mr. U. born into a Punjabi/Hindu family and how God gave him a new birth in Christ.

I especially appreciate the inclusion of the stories of Steve’s family and their testimonies. When asked why he didn’t include himself, he responded that the entire book was his pilgrimage from being born again and coming to an understanding of his spiritual birthline. In chapter two, Smallman sets forth in narrative and graphics the spiritual birthline process, comparing the spiritual birth to the sequence of physical birth. While there are specific events to which we can point to in our spiritual development, it is clearly a process, as is physical pregnancy.

At one point Smallman writes, “the issue therefore is not the objective truth of Scripture or our experience. It is learning to understand the truth of Scripture in order to understand our experience and that of others.” That is the focus that we appreciate so much in this book. It places things in their proper order and focus on God, not so much on us, though we are very much a part of the process of salvation.

In faithfulness to God’s Word, Smallman makes it clear that just as the case with pregnancy, the moment at which we start the birthline is a mystery. It can begin very early in a person’s life, or as with Mr. U., later in life. While we do and must continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to work in our children’s lives early on, the timing is the Holy Spirit’s. The brief section, “Do our children need to be converted?” answers an often-asked question to those involved in family and children’s ministry. I also appreciate Smallman’s emphasis on the Kingdom of God and living for the King.

This is an easy read but full of great truth. You can read it, teach yours and other covenant children, and be comfortable passing it on to other adults.

When Charles handed me this book to review I wanted to give it back as I was just not interested in reading how one man trained pastors 200 years ago. Instead, I decided to at least read the introduction. That was all it took. This was an enjoyable, interesting and a helpful read. It takes us beyond the history of Princeton’s founding father and gives us a glimpse into the thinking, methods and issues of the day, especially with all the events that were taking place, like the second Great Awakening, the beginnings of the major cults, and the early years of liberalism.

The book is more than Princeton Seminary and more than Alexander’s view of preaching–it is a summary and cataloging of Alexander’s teaching on practical theology. Garretson shows us Alexander’s heart as he pours his life into the men he trained. We are given to see Alexander’s background to understand why he said all that he did to his students regarding their call, qualifications, passion, piety, practices and gifts.

Garretson gives us five reasons for this study: 1. to see God’s hand at work at this point in history through this man 2. for us not to forget about, but to learn from our spiritual ancestry 3. to deepen our appreciation of our Presbyterian confessional identity 4. to show us God’s gospel of grace in His use and development of a person’s character rather than methods, as he says, is stressed today, and 5. to demonstrate that the study of these times “will make us more effective ministers in our own time.”

Dr. Garretson shows us who Alexander was and why his influence is still important. Al Martin says that he would have used this as a textbook supplement in pastoral theology had it been available.

I believe that this work would be all the more valuable if Dr. Garretson would now take all he has gleaned from his study of Archibald Alexander’s published and unpublished works and rewrite them for today’s audience, with his own interjections.

Perhaps my only criticism is the comment that Alexander was Post-millennial. I say this only because the only justification for this came from a statement that I also make. However, this was made in passing, and in no wise distracts from the book.

This book was a great read and one I recommend to not only historians, but to pastors and pastors-in-training.