Review: Indescribable: Encountering the Glory of God in the Beauty of the Universe
Indescribable: Encountering the Glory of God in the Beauty of the Universe by Louie Giglio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Do we know what it means that the heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1)? If we know anything, we only know a very small part of it. It is good for us to search the heavens and see and hear God’s glory displayed there. This book is full of pictures of wonders in the universe that quiet us to behold them. A lot of effort is spent in trying to give scale and perspective to a few wonders beyond us that are ultimately indescribable.
Redman and Giglio are guides for us in this book. This is not their story. It is the story of our great Creator and they stay out of the way for the most part so we can see what they are pointing to and talking about. They do a good job describing the indescribable and making far-away things accessible to us. The book could benefit from a little theological editing but I wouldn’t want that to keep anyone away from what is so good about it.
Ultimately, this book will help to expand your view and vision of God. I often found myself wondering with David why in light of the glory of the heavens God would be mindful of man (Psalm 8). If we struggle to comprehend and explain the things God has made, how much more beyond us is God Himself? Yet, He condescended to take up human flesh, work out a righteousness for us in the flesh, and offer Himself as a blood sacrifice to atone for our sins. That wonder is made greater by beholding the heavens. I highly recommend this book for your reading and considering.
Review: 12 Challenges Churches Face
12 Challenges Churches Face by Mark Dever
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I picked up this book because the title was intriguing and I have read other works by the author. What I didn’t realize until I started reading it is that this is a study of 1 Corinthians. Dever goes through chapter-by-chapter touching on the major themes and ideas of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. Throughout he makes modern practical applications from this first century letter.
This book is readable. It is not written like a commentary, which it is not. Though I am sure the book was developed from sermonic material, it doesn’t read like a collection of sermons. Dever keeps it all together by keeping in sight the big picture context of the book as a whole.
As always, there are things here and there we could pick at. There is an appendix in the back that gives brief answers to some of the tough questions in 1 Corinthians 7. I appreciate the answers given to what are some tough questions from that chapter, but couldn’t agree fully with many of them. 1 Corinthians as a whole presents many difficulties and this book isn’t going to give you a lot of help on those. The real strength of this book is staying with the big picture and main themes and ideas. Some of the difficulties of 1 Corinthians can actually get you off track if you lose sight of the overall context. In that regard, Dever does a great job here.
If it has been a while, read the whole book of 1 Corinthians through and then read “12 Challenges Churches Face.” It will be well worth your time.
Review: Create: Stop Making Excuses and Start Making Stuff
Create: Stop Making Excuses and Start Making Stuff by Stephen Altrogge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Sometimes you need a good swift kick to get moving. That is what Altrogge gives us in this brief book. His argument is not complex, but it is effective. He doesn’t develop a biblical theology of work, but he does bring a biblical perspective to creativity and productivity. That makes this book stand out in the genre of motivational books.
Altrogge takes a broad swipe at creativity. He doesn’t dwell on any one aspect, whether writing, painting, or gardening. I appreciate the way he acknowledges we are all creative. You don’t have to be an artiste to create. No cape or beret required. Just get up and get to work.
This book is fun. He doesn’t take himself too seriously and gives good plain advice. Despite the lightheartedness, it did provoke me to more serious thought. There are pockets of Christianity that are creative and productive and there are other pockets that are not. What about the not-pockets? Why are they not more productive and creative? What is a pastor’s role in encouraging and facilitating God-glorifying creativity in his people?
All good questions and many others beside. I have thought of some answers, but that is beyond the scope of this brief review. I recommend reading Altrogge’s offering and asking and answering your own questions. Get to work.
Review: Resolving Everyday Conflict
Resolving Everyday Conflict by Ken Sande
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As the title suggests, this is a very practical book on a relevant topic. Everyone experiences conflict. It is not possible in a fallen world of sinners to avoid it. I am afraid that many of us just accept that fact and determine to live with it, which means we have a growing mountain of unresolved offenses that is going to landslide on us someday. Unresolved offenses is fertile ground for bitterness to take root.
Ken Sande brings biblical truths to bear on this topic and highlights with personal experiences of conflict, forgiveness, and reconciliation. He gets at the heart of peacemaking and distinguishes between it and peacefaking. He treats the offender and the offended. He also gives some consideration to whether an offense can be passed over. That issue and forgiveness need a fuller biblical treatment, but he does give some good thoughts.
We must realize that Jesus commands us to resolve our conflicts, whether we are offended or the offender (Matthew 5:22-26; 18:15-17). This is to be done soon, humbly, and as privately as possible. This book will be helpful to you as you strive to live peaceably with all men in obedience to Christ’s demands.
Review: Future Men
Future Men by Douglas Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good books on raising boys are rare and this one is a gem. Wilson shoots straight where it is needed and puts keen insights on biblical foundations. As you would expect from him, the text sprinkled with wit and humor in good places.
One of the problems with a book like this is that it can feel overwhelming. You feel the pressure at the start and it doesn’t let up. Raising boys requires a lot of work and patience. In the appendix on Proverbs, Wilson highlights the need for repetitive instruction, not nagging or harping, but loving, patient, meek, persistent instruction. We need that as well as our sons, so come back to this book and pick out sections to read again and consider.
I have been provoke to a lot of good thought for the raising of my own sons. I recommend reading this book and keeping it handy for reference from time to time as you grow in your understanding and your training of boys to be men.
