Book Reviews

As I approach reviewing this book, I do so with some trepidation. First, I have many positive thoughts about many of VanDrunen’s words. I appreciate what he is attempting to do in making a distinction between the church as the redemption community (kingdom) and the kingdom in general as reflected in the “cultural mandates” and the “Noachian covenant.”

Second, I would like to encourage the careful reading of this book. However, as one coming from a one kingdom perspective, as I believe taught by John Calvin, Abraham Kuyper, Cornelius VanTil, Francis Schaeffer and others, VanDrunen is writng from a two kingdom perspective. (We will say more about this in the lead article in this issue and in the next book to be reviewed written by Richard Mouw).

One of the obvious problems with Christianity today is its confusion about the church, the kingdom, and their respective roles. I have written and taught on this topic for a number of years. We often find the church being and doing things that God never assigned her to do, and consequently, the kingdom fails to have the witness and impact that is needed today. I do not believe the two kingdom view, which in effect separates the church from the kingdom, helps address the problem.If you will read this book from the perspective that the church is part of the kingdom, while not synonymous with the kingdom nor removed from it, but understand the “spiritual mission” of the church within the kingdom, you will find much to feed on in these pages.

If you look at the diagram in the lead article of this issue, you will see that the church is the heart of the kingdom but is not the totality of the kingdom. We use the terms kingdom general and kingdom special to delineate between the broader kingdom and the church. Also, we need to be careful about the phraseology “the spirituality of the church” because it has been used to suggest that thechurch has no redemptive emphasis on the culture in which it ministers. As we wrote in the review on the book Politics, the church doesn’t involve itself in making political pronouncements nor does the church attempt to establish a Christian political party, whatever that is, but it does have to teach the people what the Bible says about politics and how that impacts the Christian worldview. The church, in teaching the Word, does so in a way that will enable Christians to have a biblical perspective on politics.

I really want to read the things VanDrunen writes from a one kingdom perspective but emphasize the difference between the church’s mission in disciplemaking by teaching the Word and administering the sacraments, and the kingdom’s role of seeking to flesh out that the Triune God is sovereign over all, which even includes that limited kingdom darkness.

While it is important to realize that Christians are not assigned the role of transforming culture, as some maintain, it is responsible to have a godly impact on the world in general. Whether or not that happens basically depends on the church, focusing on the things that God has given to her to make kingdom disciples. Van Drunen writes that a Christian should not withdraw from the broader culture, but should take up the cultural tasks with joy and express their Christian faith through them. Every lawful occupation is honorable, says VanDrunen, (page 13). The church’s role is to equip, train, and disciple Christians to live in that broader culture as Christians.

He further writes, “The redeemed people are citizens of the “redemptive kingdom,” whom God is gathering now in the church and will welcome into the new heaven and new earth at Christ’s glorious return. Until that day, Christians live as members of both kingdoms, discharging their proper duties in each.” I would simply say that we who are redeemed should live in the kingdom where God, by his Spirit, leads us with whatever redemptive influence God would allow us to have.

In conclusion, because we believe the church’s role is to live redemptively in the kingdom, and while it has not been assigned the responsibility to transform culture, as salt and light, there will be a strong Christian witness as Christians live as kingdom disciples.

Wayne Grudem is no stranger among our readers. We have benefited from many of his previous writings, such as his Systematic Theology. We have also known and appreciated his input and leadership in the translation of the English Standard Version of the Bible which we recommend as our preferred translation. This latest contribution on a highly relevant topic which carries the baggage of much misunderstanding, even among Christians, will prove to be most helpful. As stated in the book by Nancy Pearcey, the younger generation is cynical regarding politics, yet it is so influential as it touches almost every area of life in some way or other. This need not be from a Christian perspective. God’s Word has some clear things to say about the topic of politics.

We need not be reminded, given our current situation, both in North America, especially the United States, and throughout the world, we need to know what God would have us know and do regarding this topic. It appears that people are looking in all the wrong places for an understanding of politics without realizing the importance of starting at the right place with God.

While this is a big book and could be somewhat overwhelming and intimidating, it should not be. Grudem has covered the waterfront with this book, but he has written it in such a manner that the topics and chapters are not long and his style of writing makes it highly readable. As a matter of fact, I had the occasion to say to him that I think this should be a standard text book for high school students in the political science curriculum. J. I. Packer referred to it as “a giant tract for the times.” Marvin Olasky writes, “If you read only one book this year, read Politics-According to the Bible.” Chuck Colson writes, “This can be a wonderful resource as we face growing tensions from an ever more powerful state.”

Realizing we are living in a pluralistic country and not a theocratic one, at least until the Kingdom comes in its fullness, Christians need to know that God cannot be left out of or separated from any area of life, especially the political. What does a Christian need to know and do in such a circumstance to think clearly about politics from a biblical perspective?

The first part of the book deals with the basic principles where differing views about Christians and government are discussed. How can and should a Christian seek to influence government and what are the biblical principles concerning government? Added to those topics he includes a biblical worldview regarding politics and a most important section entitled ‘The courts and the question of ultimate power in a nation.”

Part two focus on specific issues, such as marriage, the family, economics, national defense, private property, foreign policy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and special groups. Those are enough to encourage you to want to read this book.

Grudem concludes this outstanding book in part three by addressing the problem of the media bias, application to Democratic and Republican policies today, and trusting God while working in politics. I was intrigued by his closing section. As he refers to revival in our country, he asks, “What might it look like if God brought about a revival of the church and a transformation of the nation for good?”

While the church has the spiritual mission of making kingdom disciples, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded, as Jesus said, and while the church must avoid moving outside its given role in the kingdom by becoming involved in political and civil government, it must disciple its people with the biblical framework to be involved in politics.I appreciate Grudem’s labors. Read it! Study it! Teach it in the home, church, and certainly in the educational systems as early as possible.

Editor’s note: This following is the introduction to a report evaluating the gender language used in the 2011 edition of the NIV Bible. The report was produced and provided by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (www.cbmw.org). To read the full report, you can download the pdf file by clicking on the link below.

Download Full Report

Introduction

According to the Christian Booksellers Association, the NIV is the best-selling Bible in English-ahead of the King James Version, the New King James Version, the New Living translation, the English Standard Version, the New American Standard, and several others.[1]

But now Zondervan, the publisher of the NIV, has issued a new edition, the 2011 NIV. This edition will replace the current NIV (the 1984 edition). What is this new edition like?

The last two attempts at revising the NIV were met with a great deal of controversy due to their use of a gender-neutral philosophy of translation.[2] The gender-neutral approach of the TNIV (Today’s New International Version) in 2002 and 2005 became such a lightning-rod that the version never caught on with American evangelicals and has now been discontinued.

The TNIV provoked a lively discussion among evangelical scholars and Bible readers about translation philosophy in general and about gender-neutral approaches in particular. In fact, the debate actually preceded the appearance of the TNIV because of rumors in the evangelical world that the NIV was going “gender-neutral.” That debate began in 1997 and extended through the mid-2000s. Many of the contested issues in that discussion remain unresolved.[3]

It is no surprise, therefore, that many evangelicals have been anticipating the release of the 2011 NIV. Readers want to see how this latest revision has resolved (or not resolved) points of contention about gender language that are left over from these previous discussions.

Does the 2011 NIV deserve the same prominence among evangelicals that the 1984 NIV has enjoyed for so many years? Or will 2011 NIV fall into disuse and go the way of the TNIV?

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[1]The CBA’s rankings are available online at http://www.cbaonline.org/nm/documents/BSLs /Bible_Translations.pdf.

[2]The first attempt was the New International Version – Inclusive Language Edition (NIVI) in 1996 (released only in the UK), and the second was Today’s New International Version (TNIV) in 2005.

[3]See Mark L. Strauss, Distorting Scripture?: The Challenge of Bible Translation & Gender Accuracy (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1998).; Glen G. Scorgie, Mark L. Strauss, and Steven M. Voth, eds., The Challenge of Bible Translation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003); Vern S. Poythress and WA Grudem, The Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy: Muting the Masculinity of God’s Words (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2000); D. A. Carson, The Inclusive-Language Debate: A Plea for Realism (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998); Vern S. Poythress and WA Grudem, The TNIV and the Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2004); Wayne Grudem and Jerry Thacker, Why Is My Choice of a Bible Translation So Important? (Louisville, KY: Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, 2005).

Postmodernity is peddling a disastrously feminized view of masculinity, surrendering men’s God-given roles to women and exalting a monosexualism that flies directly in the face of God’s purposes for creation. There is a crying need in the church today to recover a biblical view of manhood. But we must be certain that our vision of what a man is called to be is reached through sound exegesis of the texts relating to masculinity. Phillips’ excellent book provides that exegesis.

The starting place for understanding God’s intentions for a man is the garden, where God places man in a covenant relationship with Himself. Taking issue with John Eldredge, the author of Wild at Heart, Phillips observes that the masculine soul was not created for the wilderness but for a covenant relationship with God to be lived out in the garden. There, as both servant and lord of the created order, he is called to bring glory to God.

The masculine mandate is given in Genesis 2:15 where we read, “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” The Hebrew word translated, “work,” is avad, also translated “serve,” “labor,” and “cultivate.” Men are called “to cultivate something worthwhile for the glory of God and the well-being of their fellow men,” (pa 13.)In subsequent chapters, Phillips applies this mandate for men to be worker-builders in the workplace, home and church.

The second part of the masculine mandate is found in the word, “keep.” The Hebrew word, shamar, is also translated, “watch over,” “guard,” “protect.” “A man is not only to wield the plow but also bear the sword. Being God’s deputy lord in the garden, Adam was not only to make it fruitful but also to keep it safe,” (pa 15.) To be a man is to stand up and be counted when there is danger or other evil to be faced. Phillips applies this calling to be protectors throughout the book. In our families, our presence is to make our wives and children feel safe and secure. At church we stand for truth and righteousness. In society we stand up against evil and defend our families and nation from danger.

In the second half of the book, besides his excellent application of the masculine mandate to our marriages, child rearing, and church life, Philips includes a chapter entitled, Men In Friendship. He draws upon the relationship of Jonathan and David for practical insight about male friendships.

In the final chapter, Phillips rightly points out that according to Eph. 4:15-16 each follower of Jesus is being discipled by Jesus right now, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I’m delighted to see Phillips make this point but he doesn’t go far enough. According to the text, Jesus disciples his body, not just through the Holy Spirit, but through each member of his body being connected to the other members of the body. This truth could have significantly strengthened his chapter on men needing male friends.

The book comes with discussion questions for each chapter. This is a must read for every men’s bible study in the PCA! To order a copy click here.

Bible study…everybody’s doing it! In the most inventive contexts around the globe, this vital activity is taking place. Yet “Bible study” means different things to different people.

Kathleen Nielson, known to many through her conference speaking and as author of The Living Word Bible Study series, has brought her extensive expertise and literary gifts to present us with a clear perspective on the Bible and what it means to study it.Dr. Nielson asks the penetrating question: Just what is Bible study? Is it possible to pinpoint a flexible cluster of characteristics that must be present for “Bible study” to be identifiable and effective? The Church, Authority, and Word are identified as three perceptions that we follow throughout the book.

“It is God’s Word that teaches us how the church, the body of Christ, must be fully equipped for the mission of making disciples in these last days. That equipping happens through the Word. It is God’s Word that teaches his authoritative and loving rule, through his commands that must be obeyed. It is God’s Word that is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12).With this right starting point, Kathleen Nielson guides us in the next nine chapters, through a series of five truths about God and His Word that have huge implications for how we personally study, teach, and train others in faithful and true Bible study. As we follow the ways of the Word, the reader is shown that the Bible is: God speaking, powerful, understandable, a literary work, and one story.

In preparation for writing this kingdom tool, the author included friends in ministry throughout the world to have a voice in sharing valued perspectives, challenges, and clarification as we think through exactly what we are doing in Bible study.

Attention all laypeople and church leaders who delight in the Truth and power of God’s Word! This is a resource that has multiple applications within the church of Jesus Christ. Solid biblical truths that offer great challenges and promises of the place of Bible study in individual lives and in the corporate ministry of the church are fleshed out with clarity and passion. This equipping tool should be in the hands of men and women who hunger and thirst for the Word of God in their own lives and who desire to faithfully pass on its truths to succeeding generations.

In this unique and needed resource, Kathleen Nielson, with a prayer that “God will raise up in his church, huge, loving armies of men and women who are well armed with the sword of the Spirit…which is the Word of God”, offers the reader a clear approach for understanding and valuing what true Bible study is.

In the last edition of Equip to Disciple, we included a book by Gabe Lyons, The Next Christians. We believe it contained valuable information on the rising and emergent generation, many of whom have dropped out of church. This book by Drew Dyck fits into that same kind of category. It deals with those who are turning away from the church, and in many cases are turning away from God. They are not only leaving the church, they claim to be leaving the faith.

This is an easy but disturbing book. It kept my interest as I read story after story of those who have been “deconverted,” as the book suggests. Dyck tells of those he has known who have not only left the church but the faith. He began to probe why. Then he asks, what can I or we do to try to bring them back?

Here’s the real concern, “Unlike older church dropouts, these young ‘leavers’ are unlikely to seek out alternative forms of Christian community, such as home churches and small groups. When they leave the church, many leave the faith as well.” One such young man had attended church, Promise Keepers, etc., but now he has “left the faith.” He said, “When I left the faith, I thought it would feel really bad. I assumed I’d come right back. But I didn’t feel bad. I felt nothing.” He went on to say he felt liberated and had no regrets. As I tried to talk with him, said Dyck, he wasn’t moved by the apologetics of yesteryear. Those ideas were completely alien to him. He had embraced a different worldview which would not match the Christian lifestyle.

This emerging generation of young adults is steeped in the street version of postmodernism. They actually believe that truth is whatever an individual wants it to be. Of course that will differ from person to person. So many have bought into the idea of the French philosopher Jean Lyotard of “the incredulity of metanarratives.” There is no big story that pulls everything together. There is no objective truth, morality, or values.

Many interviewed by Dyck have been “hurt by people and disillusioned by God.” One young man who left the faith said, “I felt like I was converted but not to God but away from him.” Worldview becomes an important key to reaching out to many of them but as Dyck cautions, “when you talk across worldviews, your words disappear in the void.”

The book also picks up on the now familiar notion coined by Christian Smith in Soul Searching, that the average religion for the typical American teenager is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. From there the book realizes that many who have left, have never had a clear biblical understanding of and belief in the God of the Bible who is more than that.

Another factor in their drifting away was that they never really had helpful, constructive, meaningful relationships, which by the way, becomes a key in reaching out and trying to bring them back-truth in the context of relationships just as Francis Schaeffer so often reminded us.

A section on prayer highlights the important role of prayer in seeking to reclaim a leaver. One of the leavers said, “One thing I really missed initially when I left the faith was expressing gratitude through prayer.” So, I still say those prayers, just expressing thanks for the beauty of the world and the joy of relationships.” Two of the chapters are worth the reading of the book-one deals with “speaking to the modern leavers” and another focuses on the Wiccan movement. Georga Barna says that 55% of American people have never heard of the term, but it comes from witchcraft and neo-pagan, earth based religion.

This book not only speaks about our belief and understanding of the Christian faith, it will speak to our emotions as we hurt for those who have chosen to drop out, drift away, and denounce the faith. It reminds us within the faith, involved in the life and ministry of the church, and the activities of the Kingdom, of the importance of building good healthy relationships upon the truth of God.