Veritas et Lux

REDEFINING LEADERSHIP – Joseph Stowell (2014)

Leaders understand the true nature of the task before them. But true leadership must be redefined, according to Joseph Stowell. His newest book, Redefining Leadership seeks to draw leaders to a “character driven leadership experience that will produce maximum outcomes.”

Stowell presents two distinctly different kinds of leaders: Outcome leaders and character-driven leaders. The former are referred to as “instinctive” leaders, the later – “kingdom” leaders. The author describes kingdom leadership which is “measured by the life of a leader who cuts a wide and impactful swath of positive influence.” This is the kind of leader, in the final analysis, who makes a difference in God’s kingdom.

The book is arranged in three parts:

Part I: A Redefined Priority

Outcome-driven leaders focus primarily end results while character driven leaders live exemplary, God-pleasing lives. Character-driven leaders “use their organization to build stellar people, who in turn build a thriving culture that produces maximum corporate outcomes to the fame and glory of God.”

The author address potential pitfalls and “delusions” that character-driven leaders need to avoid. This brand of leader has his eyes fixated on the One who humbled himself and became a Servant to all, namely, Jesus Christ.

Part II: A Redefined Identity

Part 2 introduces the concept of “followership.” The author maintains effective leaders “choose to identify themselves, first and foremost, as followers! Followers of Jesus.” He adds, “Only when we have a firm grasp of our identity as a follower of Jesus are we equipped to effectively lead and influence others.” Three qualities mark the leader who is committed to the notion of followership:

Follower-leaders count it an honor to follow Jesus.
Follow-leaders actively pursue Christ.
Follow-leaders are found in the “Way” with Him.

Part 2 proves to be the heart and soul of the book as the author spells out the importance of “moral authority” and the importance of humility in a growing leader who commits himself to the “Way” of Christ.

Part III: A Redefined Leader

The final section surveys the core competencies of a leader which is grounded in the kingdom priorities of Jesus. This leader relies on the strength that is granted through the indwelling Christ. Indeed, he is committed to the kingdom agenda that emerge in Matthew’s gospel. Such a leader manifests qualities such as repentance, forgiveness, meekness, and mercy.

Redefining Leadership is a book which is totally unique. Few books devoted to the topic of Christian leadership are filled with the depth of wisdom found in these pages. Both young and seasoned Christian leaders would do well to pour over these pages and benefit from Dr. Stowell’s wisdom.

4 stars

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.

CHURCH ELDERS – Jeramie Rinne (2014)

Everything rises or falls with leadership. In the local church, this kind of leadership begins with pastor/elders. As such, I believe that the fruitfulness of our churches is dependent upon men who exert strong, humble, and God-centered leadership. Godly leadership is informed by at least four critical assumptions:

It must be anchored to the Bible.
It must be guided by unshakeable convictions.
It must be based on God’s blueprint – for he has an order for his church.
It must be intensely spiritual.

Church Elders by Jeramie Rinne another fine selection in the 9 Marks Series, edited by Mark Dever. Rinne begins with some basic presuppositions which are designed to guide prospective elders down a path that is both biblical and practical.

The author outlines the qualifications for the office of elder as set forth in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5. The discussion is elementary but is nonetheless very helpful. In addition, the terms for elder are surveyed (pastor, elder, overseer, and bishop). There can be no misunderstanding that the terms are synonymous, a feature that seems to be misunderstood by many people.

Elders are called to shepherd the flock. Therefore, they are called to:

Engage in relationships with the flock.
Minister with the intent of growing the flock in Christian maturity.

Readers should not be surprised that elders should participate in the teaching ministry of the local church. This fact is the key factor in distinguishing between men who are called to serve as elders as opposed to deacons. The elder must be “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). Rinne makes it clear that this teaching ministry is not limited to the public preaching of God’s Word. It may include biblical counseling, one-on-one discipleship, classroom instruction, or small group gatherings. The important take-away is that a qualified elder is able to teach God’s Word – which means he also has a good handle on God’s Word.

Additionally, elders are called to protect the doctrinal sideboards of a church family: “He must play both doctrinal offense and defense, ‘holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).

Elders are to pay attention to the flock and hold God’s people accountable to their faith commitment as well as their membership commitment. They are charged with watching over the straying sheep. The author notes five kinds of straying sheep which include sinning sheep, wandering sheep, limping sheep, fighting sheep, and biting sheep.

Elders must be humble men. Rinne adds, “The simplest and most effective thing a church can do is to develop an intentional process for screening potential elders, and then be sure to select humble men.” Men must serve in plurality. There is no hint of a lone ranger eldership in the New Testament. The author rightly notes that elders always serve as a team – in plurality.

Church Elders by Jeramie Rinne is a terrific introduction to the subject of biblical eldership. Readers interested in a more comprehensive treatment may turn to Thabiti Anyabwile’s work, Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons. For the best survey of this subject, I commend Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch.

THE GOSPEL: Recovering the Power That Made Christianity Revolutionary – J.D. Greear (2011)

J.D. Greear’s excellent book, The Gospel: Recovering the Power That Made Christianity Revolutionary is based on a simple prayer:

“In Christ, there is nothing I can do that would make You love me more, and nothing I have done that makes You love me less.”

“Your presence and approval are all I need for everlasting joy.”

“As you have been to me, so I will be to others.”

“As I pray, I’ll measure Your compassion by the cross and Your power by the resurrection.”

The book is a plea to the church to return to the simple gospel – that gospel that is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The author seeks to convince readers to know and live the gospel. He adds, “The goal of the gospel is to produce a type of people consumed with passion for God and love for others … Being converted to Jesus is learning to so adore God that we would gladly renounce everything we have to follow him.”

Greear’s book stands among a growing list of books that emphasize the simple gospel of grace. This should be required reading for every Christ-f0llower!

EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING – David Helm (2014)

Some guys are telling stories from the comfort of a stool. Others are ranting about politics or psychology. Many are waxing eloquent about pop culture and exploring the benefits of modern technology. These well-intentioned fellows may hold an audience and they may attract a crowd. But one thing is for sure: they’re not preaching.

David Helm sets the record straight in his excellent book, Expositional Preaching. Four sections make up this book which is a part of the 9Marks Series

Contextualization

“Contextualization in preaching is communicating the gospel message in ways that are understandable or appropriate to the listener’s cultural context.”

Helm is quick to admit that contextualization is necessary in a solid expositional preaching ministry. However in many pulpits, contextualization has eclipsed the Bible. The author helps preachers understand some of the tendencies that can overrule the authority of Scripture in the pulpit.

One instance that is explored is the popular devotional practice, Lectio Divina which has origins in the Roman Catholic church. This questionable practice places more emphasis on the subjective which ends up marginalizing theological knowledge: “Lectio Divina advocates a method that is spiritual as opposed to systematically studious. It substitutes intuition for investigation. It prefers mood and emotion to methodical and reasoned inquiry. It equates your spirit to the Holy Spirit.” Simply put, this devotional practice ignores exegetical tools and sound hermeneutical methodology. Let the preacher beware! Lectio Divina is only one example which is cited. Readers can investigate the other pitfalls for themselves.

Exegesis

Second, the author alerts preachers to the importance of biblical exegesis which should drive every sermon. Unfortunately, many preachers are bypassing this crucial aspect of sermon preparation and moving directly to application which is in the final analysis, a deadly mistake.

The overriding theme that emerges in this chapter is the importance of knowing the Word of God and understanding the original intent of the author. But Helm warns, “Exegesis is not enough. Done in isolation, exegesis alone can lead to preaching that is either overtly intellectual or merely imperatival.”

Theological Reflection

The author encourages a robust adherence to biblical theology and systematic theology as these disciplines inform the preaching task. In particular, systematic theology offers at least three advantages:

1. It holds you in the faith.

2. It helps you connect to the gospel from particular genres.

3. It hones your ability to speak to non-Christians.

Today

Finally, a positive case is advanced for contextualization. Now that the preacher has done his exegetical homework, using the tools of biblical and systematic theology, and sound hermeneutics, he may advance to work on contextualization. He is concerned here with three important elements:

1. The makeup of his audience.

2. The arrangement of his material.

3. The application of his message.

The great strength of this book is its brevity. The author clearly defines his terms and sets preachers on a course which is determined to lead to fruitfulness in the pulpit which will serve many congregations well in the future. More comprehensive treatment may be found in Lloyd-Jones work, Preaching and Preachers and John Piper’s, The Supremacy of God in Preaching.

BLOOD WORK – Anthony Carter (2013)

I have an aversion to blood. A recent trip to the hospital to pray with a friend before surgery was a vivid reminder of my problem. My intent was to be strong for my friend; to be a source of encouragement. But as the nurse completed the IV, the “rock of strength” crumbled.

But when it one considers the high points of theology, nothing could be more important than blood. This much is clear in Anthony J. Carter’s excellent book, Blood Work: How the Blood of Christ Accomplishes Our Salvation.

Carter examines the work of Christ on the cross for sinners in a multi-faceted way that highlights important themes such as propitiation, justification, redemption, and sanctification. Carter does not pretend to explore these and related themes in a comprehensive way. Rather the important facets of the cross are introduced and applied, albeit with great care, precision, and reverence.

Carter utilizes some of the great hymns of the faith to drive home some of the pertinent points, reminding readers to return to these timeless classics. But more important, readers are reminded to turn their attention to the blood work of Jesus Christ.

Blood Work is a terrific introduction to John Murray’s Redemption Accomplished and Applied. Carter’s clear and winsome style should draw beginning readers in and attract their attention to writers like Murray, Packer, and Stott who have written extensively about the cross work of Christ.

GOD’S LOVE: BETTER THAN UNCONDITIONAL – David Powlison (2001)

How many times have you uttered the words, “God’s love is unconditional?” Yet the term is strangely absent from Scripture. One might argue that other terms are absent as well, like “Trinity” and “hypostatic union.” Of course, the terms are missing but the truth of the Trinity and the hypostatic union are clearly taught.

So what does one make of the notion of God’s “unconditional love.” David Powlison tackles this important subject in his book, God’s Love: Better Than Unconditional. Here’s his proposal: “God’s love is much different and better than unconditional … God cares too much to be unconditional in his love.”

Powlison is not the only one who resists the notion of God’s unconditional love. R.C. Sproul adds, “I can think of no more pernicious lie to destroy people’s souls than this, which some preachers are spreading around the world: God loves you unconditionally. No, he does not. If we do not meet the conditions that he established for us in creation, then God will send us to hell forever” (Truths We Confess, Vol. I, 216).

Powlison grounds his argument with four “unconditional truths.”

1. It is true that “conditional love” is a bad thing.

2. It is true that God’s love is patient.

3. It is true that true love is God’s gift.

4. It is true that God receives people just as they are.

The author admits that the phrase “unconditional” has a “noble theological lineage in describing the grace of God.” But the term is fraught with difficulties. He suggests four biblical improvements:

1. There are more biblical and vivid ways to capture each of the four truths just stated. The Bible provides much richer descriptions of God’s love than “unconditional.”

2. It is clear that unmerited grace is not strictly unconditional. While it is true that God’s love does not depend upon what you do, it very much depends on what Christ did for you. In that sense, it is highly conditional.

3. God’s grace is something more than unconditional in that it is intended to change the people who receive it.

4. “Unconditional love” is filled with cultural assumptions. Such a term implies the minimizing or even elimination of expectations on the one receiving the love.

Powlison urges readers to consider the notion of “contraconditional love.” He continues, “God has blessed me because his Son fulfilled conditions I could never achieve. Contrary to what I deserve, he loves me. And now I can begin to change not because I can earn his love, but because I’ve already received it.”

I commend God’s Love: Better Than Unconditional to fellow pilgrims. It contains the biblical answer to the questions in regards to the love of God. Readers concerned with Powlison’s thesis will be quickly persuaded and encouraged to pursue God with greater obedience and passion – an overflow of the love received from the sovereign and loving God of the universe.

5 stars

WHAT IS BIBLICAL THEOLOGY? – James M. Hamilton Jr. (2014)

Biblical Theology is “interpretive perspective reflected in the way the biblical authors have presented their understanding of earlier Scripture, redemptive history, and the events they are describing, recounting, celebrating, or addressing in narratives, poems, proverbs, letters, and apocalypses.” So says, James Hamilton in his latest work, What is Biblical Theology?

Hamilton is no stranger to the world of biblical theology. In 2010, he wrote God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment, a book that I devoured and greatly benefitted from. In many ways, What is Biblical Theology? could serve as a sort of introduction to the earlier work as it summarizes the important discipline of Biblical Theology.

The sub-title accurately reflects the essential nature of the book: “A Guide to the Bible’s Story, Symbolism, and Patterns.” One important question that Hamilton addresses is, “How is God going to bless Gentiles in Abraham’s seed?” Ultimately we learn that “all families of the earth will be blessed in the seed of Abraham, Jesus the Messiah” (Gal. 3:14-16). But Hamilton leaves no room for ambiguity here: “Gentile Christians enjoy all the blessings given to Israel in the Old Testament” (Eph. 1:3-14).

The emphasis on continuity is a breath of fresh air, especially to one like myself who was trained with the presuppositions of classical dispensationalism. The remainder of the book explores these and related themes. In the final sense, the author seeks to draw readers into the drama of the biblical plot line. Of course, he should receive high marks for writing a book that mines out the deep truths of Scripture in clear and winsome ways.

Readers who are interested in other works of biblical theology should turn to The King in His Beauty by Tom Schreiner and Kingdom Through Covenant: A Biblical Understanding of the Covenants by Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum.

5 stars

The Conscience Of A Conservative For The 21st-Century

The reason that I am a Conservative can be summarized by three important influences:

1. The influence of my parents and grandparents.

2. The leadership of President Ronald Reagan which restored American exceptionalism.

3. The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater

The Conscience of a Conservative was written by Barry Goldwater in 1961. I didn’t read it until I was a high school student and later read it as an adult. It left a profound mark on me and continues to wield a mighty influence. But a new book by former U.S Representative Allen West could easily serve as the new barometer for Conservatives. Indeed, it could easily be considered The Conscience of a Conservative for the 21st century. Guardian of the Republic is Congressman West’s plea to restore the vision of the founding fathers. It is his earnest appeal to return to the ideological roots that make America great.

Part I: My Conservative Roots

Part one explores the background of Congressman West, a Lt. Colonel in the military who was raised in Atlanta and influenced by his parents which shaped him into the man he is today.

Part II: Conservative Principles

Part two is a primer on a conservative ideology which stands in the tradition of President Ronald Reagan. The author includes the basic philosophical and historical framework which undergirds a strong conservative stance. Among these principles include limited government, fiscal responsibility, a free market, individualism, a strong national defense, and an understanding that all of man’s freedoms come ultimately from God.

West includes three “pillars of conservative thought” which include effective and efficient conservative government, peace through strength, and traditional American values.

None of these are new ideas. But the reframing of these conservative principles is a welcome reminder which should call America back to her founding principles.

Part III: Conservatism in the Black Community

Part three may be the most interesting section. The author calls black Americans to return to their roots – for they “fail to understand the soul of [their] souls.” West reminds readers the reason for the establishment of the Republican Party: “the abolition of slavery through the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment.” Yet many social programs only create dependency on the government and enslave people in the final analysis. What’s the bottom line? West argues that these programs are tantamount to a “twenty-first-century economic plantation.” Slavery ended long ago, yet a new brand of slavery continues – a kind of slavery that needs to be abolished once again.

Part IV: The Future of the American Republic

Congressman West pleads with Americans to stand alert. He challenges Americans to wrestle with some critical questions that will have an impact on the future direction of our country:

Do we want an opportunity society or a dependency society?

Do we prioritize preeminence of the individual, or dominance of the state?

Will we choose individual exceptionalism or collective relativism?

Do we value wealth creation and expansion, or wealth redistribution?

Will we bet on economic freedom or economic enslavement?

Do we stand for principle or for party?

Do we want policy or politics?

Congressman West warns readers, “If there is to be a future for this republic, we must elect good leaders, not highly marketed, well-politicized petty usurpers and impostors.”

While Congressman West has been caricatured as an “outcast” by some and a “war criminal” by others, nothing could be further from the truth. He has been falsely maligned and his character has been unjustly impugned – all in keeping with Saul Alinsky’s horrible diatribe, Rules For Radicals. Allen West is a breath of fresh air in a day when political expediency and opinion polls appear to rule the floor of Congress and the White House. Congressman West is a man who says what he means and means what he says. He is unmoved by the banter of political pundits. And he refuses to be intimidated by the progressive agenda which is steeped in the ruinous ideology of socialism. Allen West has led by example. He has served our nation well. He has guarded the Republic with honor, courage, and dignity. Perhaps he can wield his influence in the Oval Office one day. America would be a better place with this principled man behind the most powerful desk in the world.

The Real Concern About Heaven

Today, the movie Heaven is For Real hits the silver screen. The film is based on the popular book by Todd Burpo, a Wesleyan pastor from the great state of Nebraska. The book has experienced unparalleled success. It has sold over 8 million copies and does not appear to be losing any momentum. First published in 2010, Heaven is For Real continues to attract Christians and non-believers alike. On the week of April 14, 2014, the Burpo book sits strong at number two in the combined print and e-book nonfiction category on the New York Times bestsellers list. It boasts nearly 8,000 reviews on Amazon.com, with almost 6,000 of those credited with five stars!

Whenever a faith-based movie drops, Christians tend to flock to the theater. Many churches are bound to jump on the bandwagon and promote this motion picture which will only catapult book sales to great heights.

Heaven is For Real chronicles the testimony of Colton Burpo, a three-year-old child who experienced a life-threatening illness. While he was thankfully never pronounced dead, during his traumatic hospitalization, he recounts his experiences of his time in “heaven” with his parents. The book contains several first-hand accounts that describe how “he went up out of his body,” “spoke with angels,” “sat in Jesus’ lap,” “saw the rainbow colors”, and got to pet Jesus’ “rainbow horse.”

Despite all the accolades and the interest the book is generating, there are some real problems that surface. Heaven is for real; this much is true. Yet the theology which emerges is deeply troubling. Readers should carefully weigh the content with biblical discernment and discretion. At least three general problems plague this book.

Theological Problems

Heaven is For Real promotes views about heaven that do not match the teaching of Scripture. For instance, little Colton describes being afraid in heaven. Colton says, “Dad, Jesus had the angels sing to me because I was so scared. They made me feel better.” Yet Scripture describes heaven as a place where tears and fears will be erased. When John the Apostle describes the new heaven and a new earth, he writes, “He will wipe away ever tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4, ESV).

Colton describes his experience with the saints in heaven who actually have wings. “Everybody’s got wings,” he says. Evidently, Jesus is the only one in heaven who doesn’t have wings: “Jesus went up and down like an elevator,” he says. Additionally, Colton remarks how “everyone kind of looks like angels … and have a light above their head.” Of course, there is nothing in Scripture that even hints at the idea of saints who don wings or have halos above their heads. This is the kind of banter that has grown popular at funerals where grieving loved ones anticipate the heavenly abode. The only problem is that these beliefs are foreign to Scripture.

Colton eagerly describes his encounter with the Holy Spirit. He claims to have sat next to the Holy Spirit and maintains the third member of the Trinity is “kind of blue.” Yet the Bible never attaches a color to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit possesses all the attributes of God and stands alongside the Father and the Son. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ (John 16:14). Jonathan Edwards reminds us, “There is no such thing as seeing God properly with the bodily eyes because he is a spirit; one of his attributes; that he is invisible.”

In a stunning admission, Colton refers to a deceased relative who is in heaven: “He’s got a new body. Jesus told me if you don’t go to heaven, you don’t get a new body.” The problem is that “Jesus” appears slightly confused because the Word of God says otherwise: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Phil. 3:20-21, ESV). Jonathan Edwards adds, “When believers get to heaven, Christ will conform them to himself, he will give them his glory; they shall in their measure be made like to him; their bodies after the resurrection shall be conformed to his glorious body.” In other words, the only person in heaven with a glorified body at this time is the Lord Jesus Christ. His followers wait for his return to receive their glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-49).

One of the preoccupations with people who claim to have toured heaven is with the various colors. There is no doubt that heaven will be a place brimming with color (Rev. 21:9ff). However, what is troubling in these accounts is the fascination with the colors and the minimization of God’s glory (Rev. 21:22-26).

The Bible never hints at anyone who died and went to heaven and came back to report about it (Prov. 30:4). Scripture records four men who caught a vision of heaven and briefly reported what they saw – John the Apostle, Paul the Apostle, Ezekiel, and Isaiah. Additionally, Scripture is clear about the destiny of people who die: “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27, ESV). No second chances. No return visits. After death comes the judgment, not a book deal.

Biblical Problems

Heaven is For Real promotes a mindset that militates against the Sola Scriptura principle. Colton claims that “Angels carry swords so they can keep Satan out of heaven!” He maintains, “Jesus wouldn’t let me have [a sword]. He said I’d be too dangerous.” He claims to have seen Satan. And he claims to have seen Mary kneeling before the throne of God. The Reformers rightly said that Scripture was their highest authority. To report this kind of information about heaven is tantamount to adding to Scripture, activity that is forbidden (Rev. 22:18-19).

All these extra-biblical revelations indicate a lack of confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture. Ultimately, Heaven is For Real pits experience against the authority of Scripture. The author notes, “We had taught Colton about our faith all his life. But if he had really seen Jesus and the angels, I wanted to become the student, not the teacher.” The humility is commendable. But a father is charged with discipling his children and raising them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

The author expresses his belief in being careful about what he says about heaven from the pulpit. He writes, “I teach what I find in Scripture.” Yet the author is quick to accept the testimony of a small child – even if that testimony militates against the Word of God – a dangerous practice to be sure.

A Ukrainian girl named Akiane has reportedly visited heaven and has returned to tell her story. The author of Heaven is For Real admits, “I made a mental note for future sermons: Akiane’s story showed that God can reach anyone, anywhere, at any age – even a preschool girl in a home where his name had never been spoken.” But Scripture disagrees with this assessment: “But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:14-17, ESV).

Apparently, Akiane paints portraits of Christ as she saw him in heaven. Colton appears to have verified the image as identical to the “Jesus” he saw in heaven. The author seems to think that he has “seen the face of Jesus.” But here is the rub. He adds, “We still don’t have all the answers – not even close. But now we have a picture in our minds, a picture we can look at and say, ‘Wow.'” Yet the Word of God expressly forbids such activity (Exod. 20:4). Calvin rightly refers to the human heart as an “idol factory.” Each of us is vulnerable and easily led astray by images of Christ. Again, instead of trusting the sufficiency of Scripture we are led astray by images.

Gospel Problems

Heaven is For Real contains some disturbing ideas of what constitutes the gospel. For instance, Colton remarks, “Jesus told him to be good.” This is nothing more than moralism. This is a subtle brand of works-based salvation that the Scripture finds so repugnant (Isa. 64:6). Too many people are embracing a gospel of good works; a gospel that finds sinful man making his way to a holy God. But in the final analysis, we find a holy God making his way to sinful men by sending Jesus to die on a cross for the sins of everyone who would ever believe. J.D. Greear beautifully summarizes this gospel: “The gospel is the announcement that God has reconciled us to Himself by sending His Son Jesus to die as a substitute for our sins, and that all who repent and believe have eternal life in Him.” So let us cast aside a gospel of good works and embrace the biblical gospel (Gal. 1:6-8).

Summary

Make no mistake – Heaven is for real. The Scripture reminds us of this in powerful ways. Yet God’s Word demands readers to exercise biblical discernment, what Tim Challies refers to as “the skill of understanding and applying God’s Word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong” (The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, 61). Not everything in Heaven is For Real is wrong. Not everything is unbiblical. Some of these descriptions are taken directly from the biblical account.

My concern has less to do with the imagination of a three-year-old boy. My greater concern is with people who believe these stories; stories which do not match the infallible authoritative Word of God. The real concern about heaven is guarding the biblical doctrine of heaven; about embracing everything the Bible teaches about heaven and refusing to add details that militate against biblical revelation.

So let us be discerning in these days (Col. 2:8; Matt. 24:4; Mark 13:5). Let us pray the prayer of Solomon as we evaluate books and movies in this culture. And may we hold steadfastly to the gospel once for all delivered to the saints.

“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”” (1 Kings 3:9, ESV)

CALVIN ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – Michael Horton (2014)

John Calvin is numbered among the maligned. He was a target in the 16th century and he continues to attract the attention of the uninformed today. Yet Calvin’s life was a pilgrimage characterized by God’s providential grace. It was God’s providential grace that led him from place to place, equipping him for a lifetime of ministry. It was God’s providential grace that sustained him during his period of exile and sheltered him through the storm. It was God’s providential grace that empowered him to write and preach and shepherd people for the glory of God. It was God’s providential grace that brought him “through many dangers, toils and snares” to coin a phrase by John Newton. Indeed, it was God’s providential grace that rescued his soul from hell and seated him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6).

Michael Horton beautifully records the life, legacy, and pastoral ministry of the Genevan reformer in his latest work, Calvin on the Christian Life. Horton honestly assesses Calvin’s role both theologically and pastorally in categories that are unique to the one of the world’s most well-known leaders. Horton’s work is readable without being simplistic and alerts readers to some of the defining moments of Calvin’s life. Calvin on the Christian life is a welcome guest in the ever-expanding books which survey the Protestant Reformation.