Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

Monthly Archives: June 2018


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BOOK REVIEWS and NEWS

BOOK REVIEWS:
When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. Moody Publishers. Originally published in 2009. 288 pages.
****

I’d been wanting to read this book for some time now. I don’t know if you are like me, but I always struggle about what to do when I see people begging on the street or sidewalk. Should I give them a handout? Will they use it for food or alcohol? Does it matter?
The authors present their thoughts in a well-organized manner, from the theoretical to application, in this practical and helpful book directed primarily at North American Christians. They begin with foundational concepts for helping the poor, and then build on those with principles and strategies, as they offer solid, practical and biblical advice on an important subject.
The authors state that there has been a growing interest by North American Christians and churches to help the poor. However, they write that in many instances those good intentions can actually make things worse for those in poverty, and hinder the work of alleviating poverty.
The authors assert that:

  1. North American Christians are not doing enough.
  2. When North American Christians do attend to poverty alleviation, it often does harm.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for more of this book review and:
BOOK REVIEW ~ Through My Father’s Eyes by Franklin Graham
BOOK NEWS ~ Links to Interesting Articles
BOOK CLUB ~ The Prayer That Turns the World Upside Down: The Lord’s Prayer as a Manifesto for Revolution by Albert Mohler
I’M CURRENTLY READING…. Continue reading →


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FAITH AND WORK: Connecting Sunday to Monday

Faith and Work News ~ Links to Interesting Articles

  • By the Way Conference. I look forward to speaking again this year at the Lexington Community Church’s By the Way I’ll be speaking the evening of Thursday, July 12 on the topic of “How to Be Mission-Minded in our Everday Lives”. If you are in the central Illinois area, I’d love to have you stop by. More details to come.
  • Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace. That is the tentative title for the book I’ve been working on for about a year and a half now, with much more concentrated effort recently. I’m early on in the process with just over 30,000 words written. I would appreciate your prayers on this project and I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
  • When Work Stinks. Greg Forster writes “We walk—we work—by faith, not by sight. We trust that God is at work in our work, even if we don’t necessarily see or understand what he’s doing.”
  • Seven Marks of a Workaholic. David Murray writes “Workaholism is probably the most respectable sin in the Christian community, and maybe especially among pastors.”
  • The High Value of At-Home Work. In this episode of the Gospel Coalition podcast, Courtney Reissig talks about why work in the home matters to God. The message was recorded at the Gospel Coalition 2017 National Conference.

Click on ‘Continue Reading’ for:

  • More interesting article links – Real Life Examples, Influence at Retirement Age, Courageous Leadership and Answers to Good Questions
  • The Top 10 Faith and Work Quotes of the Week
  • My Review of Matt Perman’s book ‘How to Get Unstuck’
  • Snippets from the book ‘The Economics of Neighborly Love’

Continue reading →


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My Review of OCEAN’S 8

Ocean’s 8, rated PG-13
***

Ocean’s 8 is an entertaining, all-women sequel to the Ocean’s trilogy that was launched in 2001, directed by Steven Soderbergh and starred George Clooney as Danny Ocean. Those Ocean’s films were actually a remake of the 1960 Ocean’s 11 film starring the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., etc.).  Soderbergh serves as producer for this film. The film, which features an all-star cast, is directed by four-time Oscar nominee Gary Ross (Seabiscuit, Dave, Big), and written by Ross and Olivia Milch.
Oscar winner (The Blind Side) Sandra Bullock stars as Debbie Ocean, the estranged younger sister of Danny. The film begins as Debbie is finishing a five-year prison sentence. Although she convincingly assures the parole board that she is looking forward to the simple life, in reality, she has spent the past five years, eight months and 12 days planning her next big heist. Immediately after being released from prison she cons her way through a department store and into a high-end Manhattan hotel room. So much for the simple life.
Shortly after that Debbie contacts her best friend and nightclub owner Lou, played by two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine, The Aviator), to tell her of her plan to steal a large diamond. The $150 million diamond necklace, weighing in excess of six pounds, is locked in an underground Cartier vault, and only removed for special occasions.  One such event is the Met Gala, the annual fashion extravaganza at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it will be worn by the famous actress Daphne Kluger, played by Oscar winner Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables).
Debbie and Lou then go about putting together their dream team to carry out their audacious plan. Their team will be comprised of all women, because as Debbie says “A ‘him’ gets noticed. A ‘her’ gets ignored. And for once, we want to be ignored.” Each of the women will bring a specific talent to the team.
Their team is comprised of singer Rihanna as the hacker Nine Ball, two-time Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter (The Wings of the Dove, The King’s Speech) as Rose Weil, a struggling high-end fashion designer, Golden Globe winner Sarah Paulson (American Crime Story), as Tammy, a former fence (middleman), who is trying to live a quiet life as a mom in the suburbs, rapper-comedian Awkwafina as the pickpocket Constance, and six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling (The Office) as the jeweler Amita.
Fashion plays a big part in this film. Costume design is by Sarah Edwards. She not only outfits Ocean’s gang, but we also see incredible fashion on display at the Met Gala. We see Vogue magazine editor Anna Wintour, as well as a number of celebrities at the Gala.
How Ocean’s 8 carry out the heist with the tremendous amount of security around the diamond necklace was entertaining, and includes some plot twists, though the lead up to that was a bit slow.
There is also a subplot of revenge involving one of Debbie’s former lovers, Claude Becker, the art dealer played by Richard Armitage (The Hobbit films, Hannibal). Four-time Emmy winner James Corden (The Late Late Show with James Corden, The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Primetime Special, The 70th Annual Tony Awards) plays the excitable insurance investigator John Frazier.
The film gets its “PG-13” rating for adult language, including at least one abuse of Jesus’ name. Themes include theft, revenge and deception.
Ocean’s 8 is an entertaining twist on the Oceans films, this time using an all-female crew. The performances by Bullock and Cate Blanchett lead the way for this strong cast.


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THIS & THAT: A Weekly Roundup of Favorite Articles, Cartoons & Quotes

  • Twelve Tips for Parenting in the Digital Age. Tony Reinke writes “The greatest need of our teens today is not new restrictions and new dumb phones and contracts and limits. Their greatest need is a community of faith where they can thrive in Christ, serve, and be served.”
  • God Made You a Hedonist. David Mathis writes “Don’t try to escape it: God intentionally and lovingly hardwired you for joy. The powerful allure of pleasure, the search for satisfaction, your endless ache to be happy, the ceaseless factory of desires inside of you, is indeed leading you somewhere: to God himself.”
  • Only Messy People Allowed: Toward a Culture of Grace. Sam Allberry writes “Grace, then, becomes not just a formal doctrine but a felt reality. No one is too low, too far gone, too needy—too anything—to worry about not fitting in around here. Our testimony is not “I was a mess, then Jesus showed up, and now I’ve got everything together,” but “I was a mess—and I still am—but I’m a mess who belongs to Jesus, a mess he is committed to sorting out. He came to me, has stuck with me, and continues to be my all in all.”
  • The Best Weapon is an Open Door. Rosaria Butterfield writes “How tempting it is to withdraw. How easy it is to let fear rule our hearts as we shelter ourselves and our children from evil. How afraid we are to speak when our words, in spite of good intentions and biblical integrity, are declared hate speech. How ought we to live? Your best weapon is an open door.”
  • Self-Control and the Battle for Our Minds. Randy Alcorn writes “This is what we are to do with our minds—take charge of them, get them in battle condition so we won’t trip. Going into battle takes preparation, determination and perspective.”

Continue reading →


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My Summer Reading List


I love to read and have a number of books in a variety of genres (theology, biography, leadership, faith and work) that I plan to read this summer. Here are ten books on my summer reading list:

Immanuel Labor: God’s Presence in Our Profession by Russell E. Gehrlein
I’ve enjoyed reading the author’s articles on the integration of faith and work and am looking forward to this book.
From the Amazon description:
“Here is a fresh, comprehensive, Christian perspective on work. This is a solid introduction to this critical subject. It is especially geared toward those in need of Gods guidance on finding the right career and how to integrate their faith with the job. It is well-grounded in scripture, contains numerous inspirational quotes from other Christian leaders, offers practical wisdom, and includes many personal illustrations. Topics consist of the value of everyday work, thorns and thistles, the eternal value of work, finding a job that fits, how we are to work, and implications for those in ministry. It includes a helpful index of three hundred scripture references and questions for group discussion or personal reflection. This book will expand your view of how God can use your unique abilities in the workplace and how his presence at work makes all the difference.”

The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbes by Mark Dever
Mark Dever is a respected author and the long-time pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church.  I’ve enjoyed some of his previous books and hearing him speak at theology conferences.
From the Amazon description:
“In a time of political turmoil and religious upheaval, Richard Sibbes sought to consistently apply the riches of Reformation theology to his hearers’ lives. He emphasized the security of God’s covenant, the call for assurance of salvation, and the place of the heart in the Christian life. In The Affectionate Theology of Richard Sibbes, Dr. Mark Dever gives readers a penetrating look into the life and theology of this fascinating figure.”

Seven Leaders: Preachers and Pastors by Iain H. Murray
Iain Murray is co-founder of the Banner of Truth Trust. I enjoyed some of his previous books and hearing him speak at theology conferences.
From the Amazon description:
“Spiritual leaders lead people to heaven. Here in Seven Leaders are accounts of seven such men, together with the distinctive features of their lives in John Elias, the necessity of the power of the Holy Spirit; in Andrew Bonar, the reality of communion with Christ; in Archie Brown, the irresistibility of love; in Kenneth MacRae, the need for faithfulness to death; in Martyn Lloyd-Jones, theology and doctrine; in W. J. Grier, passing on the ‘sacred deposit’; and in John MacArthur, the governing authority of the word of God.
An Old Testament miracle once took place at a burial. We are told that when the deceased was ‘let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet’ (2 Kings 13:21).
Through books, the past can be touched, and the consequence may be as much of God as when Martin Luther handled the old writings of Jan Huss. Records of faithful servants of Christ still speak and can bring new life today.”

If There’s a God Why Are There Atheists?: Why Atheists Believe in Unbelief by R.C. Sproul
R.C. Sproul was my spiritual mentor for more than 30 years. He died in late 2017.
From the Amazon description:
“A common charge levelled against people with religious beliefs in general, and with Christian convictions in particular, is that their beliefs are motivated not by reasonable evidence but by psychological needs. In fact, many respected people, accepting the arguments of atheist thinkers, believe that psychology and the social sciences have explained away religion.
In this thoroughly revised and updated edition of If There’s a God, Why are There Atheists?, R.C. Sproul examines the arguments of four prominent atheists:
– Sigmund Freud: religion arises out of guilt and the fear of nature.
– Karl Marx: religion is used to keep the lower classes happy.
– Ludwig Feuerbach: religion is only wish–fulfilment.
– Friedrich Nietzsche: religion is rooted in man’s weakness.
Engaging with these thinkers’ works on a psychological as well as theological basis, Sproul shows that there are as many psychological and sociological explanations for unbelief as for belief – and that atheistic conclusions should not be accepted blindly.
For the believer who is troubled by doubts or who wants to respond intelligently to unbelievers, it offers clear, thought–provoking analysis. For the unbeliever who has an open mind, it offers stimulating debate, worthy of time and thought.”

Acts 1-12 For You: Charting the Birth of the Church by Albert Mohler
Albert Mohler is the President of the Southern Baptist Theology Seminary, host of the daily program The Briefing.
From the Amazon description:
“There is no more thrilling part of the Bible than the book of Acts, and no better guide to it than Albert Mohler. This first volume takes in the ascension of Jesus, the coming of the Spirit, the birth of the church, the start of persecution, the conversion of Saul, and the divine call to world-wide evangelism.
If you want to be fueled for Christian life and mission, you will want to read this book.
This Expository Guide takes you verse by verse through the text in an accessible and applied way. It is less academic than a traditional commentary and can be read cover-to-cover, used in personal devotions, used to lead small group studies, or used for sermon preparation. There is an accompanying Good Book Guide for small group Bible studies.”

Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music? Larry Norman and the Perils of Christian Rock by Gregory Thornbury
I enjoyed Larry Norman’s ground-breaking music and am looking forward to reading this new book about him.
From the Amazon description:
“The riveting, untold story of the “Father of Christian Rock” and the conflicts that launched a billion-dollar industry at the dawn of America’s culture wars.
In 1969, in Capitol Records’ Hollywood studio, a blonde-haired troubadour named Larry Norman laid track for an album that would launch a new genre of music and one of the strangest, most interesting careers in modern rock. Having spent the bulk of the 1960s playing on bills with acts like the Who, Janis Joplin, and the Doors, Norman decided that he wanted to sing about the most countercultural subject of all: Jesus.
Billboard called Norman “the most important songwriter since Paul Simon,” and his music would go on to inspire members of bands as diverse as U2, The Pixies, Guns ‘N Roses, and more. To a young generation of Christians who wanted a way to be different in the American cultural scene, Larry was a godsend—spinning songs about one’s eternal soul as deftly as he did ones critiquing consumerism, middle-class values, and the Vietnam War. To the religious establishment, however, he was a thorn in the side; and to secular music fans, he was an enigma, constantly offering up Jesus to problems they didn’t think were problems. Paul McCartney himself once told Larry, “You could be famous if you’d just drop the God stuff,” a statement that would foreshadow Norman’s ultimate demise.
In Why Should the Devil Have all the Good Music?, Gregory Alan Thornbury draws on unparalleled access to Norman’s personal papers and archives to narrate the conflicts that defined the singer’s life, as he crisscrossed the developing fault lines between Evangelicals and mainstream American culture—friction that continues to this day.  What emerges is a twisting, engrossing story about ambition, art, friendship, betrayal, and the turns one’s life can take when you believe God is on your side.”

The Gospel at Work: How the Gospel Gives New Purpose and Meaning to Our Jobs (Updated and Expanded Edition) by Greg Gilbert and Sebastian Traeger
I read the first edition of this book twice, once in a Faith and Work Book Club with friends at work and am looking forward to this new edition.
From the Amazon description:
“Reclaim God’s vision for your life.
Many Christians fall victim to one of two main problems when it comes to work: either they are idle in their work, or they have made an idol of it. Both of these mindsets are deadly misunderstandings of how God intends for us to think about our employment.
In The Gospel at Work, Sebastian Traeger and Greg Gilbert unpack the powerful ways in which the gospel can transform how we do what we do, releasing us from the cultural pressures of both an all-consuming devotion and a punch-in, punch-out mentality – in order to find the freedom of a work ethic rooted in serving Christ.
You’ll find answers to some of the tough questions that Christians in the workplace often ask:

  • What factors should matter most in choosing a job?
  • What gospel principles should shape my thinking about how to treat my boss, my co-workers, and my employees?
  • Is full-time Christian work more valuable than my job?
  • Is it okay to be motivated by money?
  • How do you prioritize – or balance – work, family and church responsibilities?

Solidly grounded in the gospel, The Gospel at Work confronts both our idleness at work and our idolatry of work with a challenge of its own – to remember that whom we work for is infinitely more important than what we do.”

Spurgeon on the Christian Life: Alive in Christ (Theologians on the Christian Life) by Michael Reeves
I’ve enjoyed a few of Michael Reeves earlier books and hearing him speak at theology conferences and am looking forward to this new volume from the Theologians on the Christian Life series. And can we ever read too many books about Spurgeon?
From the Amazon description:
“Charles Spurgeon, widely hailed as the “Prince of Preachers,” is well known for his powerful preaching, gifted mind, and compelling personality. Over the course of nearly four decades at London’s famous New Park Street Chapel and Metropolitan Tabernacle, Spurgeon preached and penned words that continue to resonate with God’s people today.
Organized around the main beliefs that undergirded his ministry—the centrality of Christ, the importance of the new birth, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the necessity of the Bible—this introduction to Spurgeon’s life and thought will challenge readers to live their lives for the glory of God.”

Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life: Doctrine and Life as Fuel and Fire (Theologians on the Christian Life) by Jason C. Meyer
I’ve read a few books about the respected London pastor Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and am looking forward to this new volume from the Theologians on the Christian Life series.
From the Amazon description:
“Martyn Lloyd-Jones, commonly referred to as “the Doctor,” had a successful career in medicine before abandoning it all to become a preacher in London. His sermons—displaying the life-changing power of biblical truth—diagnosed the spiritual condition of his congregation and prescribed the gospel remedy.
This study of Lloyd-Jones’s life will encourage and exhort readers to consider the role of the knowledge of God, the power of the Spirit, and the fullness of Christ in their daily lives, allowing them to discover the inseparable union of doctrine and the Christian life.”

Arnold Palmer: Homespun Stories of The King by Chris Rodell
I’ve read several books by and about Arnold Palmer, and am looking forward to reading this new book written by someone who knew him.
From the Amazon description:
“About 40 miles east of Pittsburgh is the small town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the place Arnold Palmer called home. The world knew Palmer as The King. But the Palmer Latrobe knew was funnier, goofier, saltier, and less grandiose than the one justifiably loved around the globe. In Arnold Palmer: Homespun Stories of the King, journalist, Latrobe resident, and accidental Palmer insider Chris Rodell draws upon over 100 interviews with the golf great conducted over 20 years, providing an intimate, charming, and at times irreverent glimpse at the icon outside the spotlight.”

This is my list (and I reserve the right to add other books too!). How about you? What do you plan to read this summer?


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My Review of ADRIFT

Adrift, rated PG-13
***

Adrift is an intense film based on a true story. More than 90% of the movie was filmed at sea. It is directed by Baltasar Kormakur (Everest) and written by brothers Aaron Kandell and Jordan Kandell (Moana), and David Branson Smith, based on the book by Tami Oldham The True Story of Love, Loss and Survival at Sea.
The film is set in 1983. Tami Oldham, played by two-time Golden Globe nominee Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies, The Descendants), has been enjoying taking it easy in the sun and surf for about five years since graduating high school and leaving home in San Diego. She currently has a job at a small marina in Tahiti. Tami meets the older 33-year-old Englishman, Richard Sharp, played by Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games) when he brings his boat into Tahiti. Richard’s passion is sailing and he actually built his own boat. You could say that both Tami and Richard have been adrift, without purpose, in their lives, going nowhere. But they soon develop a relationship. Richard mentions that he would like to sail around the world.
Then a wealthy couple offers to pay them $10,000 to sail a 44-foot yacht to San Diego. That would provide Tami and Richard enough money to sail for a full year. Soon, we see Tami and Richard take off in the yacht on the 4,000-mile journey from Tahiti to San Diego. As they travel, the film uses flashbacks to look at their growing romantic relationship.
About halfway into their journey in the Pacific Ocean, they run into Hurricane Raymond, a destructive category 5 hurricane. As they struggle to control the yacht in 145 knot winds, Richard is thrown overboard and Tami sustains a head injury. After some time, Tami sees Richard floating in the ocean clinging to the dinghy and is somehow able to rescue him. He has sustained significant injuries. All of this is shown in the film’s trailer.
The yacht is badly damaged and the communications no longer operate and there’s a food shortage. Their boat is not along any flight plans or shipping lanes. Will Tami be able to care for Richard and somehow get help or navigate them to safety? The odds are certainly against it.
We’ve seen stories like this in the past. The film may remind some of All is Lost, Robert Redford’s 2013 excellent one-man show at sea, or the story of Louis Zamporini as told in Laura Hillenbrand book Unbroken.
The cinematography by three-time Oscar winner Robert Richardson (Hugo, The Aviator, JFK), is superb, capturing beautiful sunsets and the beauty and the terror of the ocean. The CGI depicting the storm are also very realistic and frightening.
Content concerns include some adult language including abuses of God’s and Jesus’ names, a brief nude scene along with immodest clothing and the intense storm at sea. Themes include love, courage, survival, and perseverance.
Adrift is a well-acted film based on true events that will keep your interest. The storm, and aftermath, is realistically portrayed, which makes this film difficult to watch at times.


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THIS & THAT: A Weekly Roundup of Favorite Articles and Quotes

  • Do LGBT People Have to Choose Between Following Christ and Sexual Immorality? Denny Burk writes “People living in sexual immorality do indeed have to choose between their sin and Jesus. They can have one or the other, but they cannot have both. But this is not a unique message for those who identity as LGBT. It is the message for all sinners—gay, straight, or otherwise.”
  • How Do I Know God’s Calling for My Life? In this episode of the “Ask Pastor John” podcast, John Piper responds to the question “How do I know if the Holy Spirit is calling me to international missions?”
  • Can You Explain the Gospel in 3 Words? Russell Moore writes “I think I could explain the gospel in three words, so long as I would have follow-up time to explain all three words. And those words would be “Lord Jesus Christ.”
  • Will Some of Us Get Fewer Rewards in Heaven? In this episode of the “Ask Pastor John” podcast, John Piper responds to the question “Does this mean that we may not be rewarded to a degree we could have been, depending on our faith on earth? This question has been plaguing me since I listened to that episode. Would that not mean that God shows bias towards those with greater faith? I’m grieved because I’m unlikely to live up to the reward God may have planned for me, and forever be called a ‘lesser’ to those with greater faith. Those thoughts feel poisonous to me. Is it only my envy and pride speaking or is this something to be concerned about?”
  • Why Study Theology? Keith Mathison writes “The disconnect between theology and the church and between theology and the Christian has had disastrous results. One need only look at recent polls examining the level of theological knowledge among professing Christians to know that something has gone awry.”

  • On Being Less Offended and Less Offensive. Scott Sauls writes “Having received such grace, Christians have a compelling reason to be remarkably gracious, inviting, and endearing in our treatment of others, including and especially those who disagree with us.”

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