EXCELLENCE: The Character of God and the Pursuit of Scholarly Virtue – Andreas J. Kostenberger

I have been reading a lot of Andreas Kostenberger lately.  I am very impressed by his heart for God and precise scholarship.  His latest work, Excellence: The Character of God and the Portrait of Scholarly Virtue is a fine addition to his growing body of Christian writing.

Kostenberger begins by laying the foundation for excellence by appealing to the character of God.  Indeed, “the character of God is the grounds of all human excellence.”  He continues, “Excellence starts and ends with God and is first and foremost a hallmark and attribute of God.  Without God as our starting point and continual frame of reference, our discussion of excellence would be hopelessly inadequate.”

The author builds his case for pursuing excellence by pointing readers to God’s Word which demands excellence (2 Pet. 1:3).  The imperative is clearly rooted in God’s glory and excellence and motivates believers to do everything  with God’s glory in mind (1 Cor. 10:31).  He rightly argues, “Mediocrity and sloppy scholarship never glorify God.  Christians must strive for excellence – including, and especially, in pursuing their scholarly calling.”  Effective Christian ministry is the result of pursuing excellence.

The aim of the book is to “identify, describe, and encourage those virtues that are essential to fulfilling a specific call to glorify God by pursuing excellence in Christian scholarship.”  Kostenberger achieves his goal as the book unfolds.  The remaining sections deal with vocational excellence, moral excellence, and relationship excellence.

No stone is unturned in this superb work.  Excellence should be required reading for every Christian student entering the University or Seminary.  It strikes the necessary balance and clearly outlines the kind of personal godliness and scholarship that is mandated in Scripture.  Excellence is a much needed tonic in an age characterized by slopping thinking and shoddy work habits.  It is sure to make a difference in the life of anyone who has the courage to read it.

5 stars

The Reason For God: Unbelief in an Age of Skepticism – Tim Keller (2008)

Some have compared Tim Keller to C.S. Lewis.  Other believe he is the C.S. Lewis for our generation.  One thing is for certain though – Keller’s book, The Reason for God is a terrific read.  I read Keller’s apologetic treatise when it first hit the shelves in 2008.  The second read was even better!

The title of the book is revealing.  The author aims at the heart at mind of the skeptic.  And he’s good at it.  He has a way of peeling off layer upon layer of unbelief.  His strategy is simple.  First, seven typical arguments are presented which appear to militate against the historic Christian faith:

1. There Can’t Be Just One True Religion

2. How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?

3.Christianity is a Straitjacket

4. The Church is Responsible for So Much Injustice

5. How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?

6. Science Has Disproved Christianity

7. You Can’t Take the Bible Literally

Careful reader immediately notice that Dr. Keller gently unravels each of these arguments.  And this is what makes The Reason for God  such a compelling read.  Honestly, Keller’s arguments against skepticism are quite devastating.  But his approach is gracious and humble.  His knows how to interact with skepticism in a winsome way – without compromise, all the while instructing Christians to do the same.

Part two contains the heart of the book.  The author presents seven reasons for faith:

1. The Clues of God

2. The Knowledge of God

3. The Problem of Sin

4. Religion and the Gospel

5. The (True) Story of the Cross

6. The Reality of the Resurrection

7. The Dance of God

These reasons are soaked in Scripture and come face to face with real life.  Keller argues that there are sufficient reasons for believing Christianity – what he calls “critical rationality.”  Again, he reasons gently.  His arguments are convincing and compelling.  But he refuses to steamroll the unbeliever.

Keller is quick to criticize religion and prop up grace: “Religion operates on the principle ‘I obey – therefore I am accepted by God.’  But the operating principle of the gospel is ‘I am accepted by God through what Christ has done – therefore I obey.”  He continues, “It is only grace that frees us from the slavery of self that lurks even in the middle of morality and religion.  Grace is only a threat to the illusion that we are free, autonomous selves, living life as we choose.”  Herein lies the biggest strength of Keller’s work – the emphasis on grace and the gospel.  While the arguments are most helpful, his emphasis on the saving redemptive work of God in Christ make the book a must read for skeptics and believers alike.

4.5 stars

STEP UP – Dennis Rainey (2011)

Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood by Dennis Rainey encourages men of all ages to fulfill their God-given role.  They must as 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Act like men.”

Rainey’s challenge to men is presented in five movements:

The First Step: Boyhood

The Second Step: Adolescence

The Third Step: Manhood

The Fourth Step: Mentor

The Fifth Step: Patriarch

Each section includes strong biblical rationale and real life stories which serve to motivate men to live with Christ-centered resolve.  Stepping Up is a breath of fresh air.  So many books devoted to men are in the final analysis, man-centered.  But real men are God-centered and their lives reflect the glory of a great and awesome God.  Rainey’s timely advice is sure to encourage men to step up and make a difference in God’s kingdom.

4 stars

DON’T WASTE YOUR SPORTS – C.J. Mahaney (2011)

“Don’t Waste Your Sports” by C.J. Mahaney is a book worth reading.  In fact, every Christian athlete should read this book.

Mahaney applies 1 Corinthians 10:31 to the athletic area – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  With the biblical imperative firmly implanted in our hearts and minds, Mahaney calls readers to either a) “examine our hearts and lives for the presence of idolatry,” or b) “devote ourselves to the glory of God in all of life, including sports.”

So Mahaney urges athletes to run, pass, kick, and cycle to the glory of God: “Every play, every inning, every race becomes an opportunity to draw attention to God.”  The essence of this act is worship.  The author adds, “[Worship] is something we do in all of life, including our sports.”  So we draw attention to the greatness of God – not personal greatness.

Mahaney suggests several way to play to the glory of God:

  • We play to the glory of God by thanking him for his good gifts.
  • We play to the glory of God by demonstrating humility on the field.

Don’t Waste Your Sports in the final analysis is more about the gospel than sports: “The cross of Christ not only makes possible forgiveness of sin, but also provides power to overcome sin.”  This bedrock truth encourages Christ-centered behavior on and off the field.  It encourages athletes to do everything to the glory of God.

Don’t Waste Your Sports is a powerful antidote in a world that is dominated by proud athletes who drink from the polluted stream of self-glorification.  It should be required reading for Christian coaches and athletes.  It is a book that parents should read with their children.  Perhaps the next generation of athletes will stand together with men like Tim Tebow and do all things to the glory of God.

FINDING FAITHFUL ELDERS AND DEACONS – Thabiti Anyabwile (2012)

A few years ago, I heard Thabiti Anyabwile preach at Together for the Gospel in Louisville.  I remember being impressed with his pastoral heart, theologically precise mind, and his feet that were obviously set on obeying and glorifying God.  His newest book confirms my first impressions at T4G.

Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons reads like cliff notes for men who either aspire to serve, or are currently serve in either office.  And “cliff notes” is not a criticism; rather it is written in the most positive vein.  This does not suggest watered-down content or “weak tea.”  Rather, it affirms the qualifications and responsibilities that emerge in Scripture for faithful elders and deacons.  It reminds me of Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch – but tends to be less technical.  While Anyabwile’s treatment is theologically and exegetically accurate, it veers away from some of the more technical language and arguments that appear in Strauch.

The book is arranged in three parts.  Part one and part two survey deacon and elder qualifications – in short how to find faithful leaders for the household of God.  Part three summarizes the job description of pastors:

  • Elders Refute Error
  • Elders Avoid Myths and Train for Godliness
  • Elders Hope in God
  • Elders Command
  • Elders Let No One Despise Their Youth
  • Elders Set an Example
  • Elders Teach
  • Elders Grow
  • Elders Watch Their Life
  • Elders Watch Their Doctrine

Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons is a welcome and needed reminder for churches who are set on living, leading, and shepherding to the glory of God.  This is an important book and deserves to be read.  Highly recommended!

4 stars

THE CHRISTIAN IN COMPLETE ARMOR: Volume 2 – William Gurnall (1655)

Many works on spiritual warfare these days are laden with extraordinary tales that tug at the heart and manipulate the will.  Some of these works offer very little biblical help.  William Gurnall’s The Christian in Complete Armor towers above most of what passes for spiritual warfare literature.

Originally published in 1655, Gurnall offers the typical insight we expect from the Puritans. In volume two, this Puritan divine guides readers through the armor that Paul describes in Ephesians 6.

His exposition begins and ends with Scripture.  He leaves no stone unturned as he examines and explains the armor.  His exposition reminds the reader of a pastor on a quest for buried treasure.  He digs as deep as his shovel will take him.  And readers are rewarded with valuable insight; insight that may be immediately applied to the Christian life.

4 stars

LOVE, FREEDOM, AND EVIL – Thaddeus Williams (2011)

The debate over free will has raged ever since Pelagius recoiled at the prayer of Augustine: “Grant what thou commandest and command what thou doest grant.”  Thaddeus J. Williams enters into the discussion with his excellent book, Love, Freedom, and Evil.

Williams show graciousness and charity throughout as he refuses to caricature his opponents, namely – theologians who embrace the notion of libertarian free will, i.e. the power of contrary choice. The author refers to libertarian free will as the “Axiom of Libertarian Love,” which he defines at the outset: “Any agent, A, must possess libertarian free will to love or refrain from loving another agent, B, if A’s love for B is to count as authentic.”  The central aim of William’s work is to dismantle this argument.

Williams cuts through a wide range of philosophers, theologians, and Christian writers – from Pelagius and Cassius to Norm Geisler and Rob Bell.  He is to be commended for keeping an extremely complicated topic accessible for readers willing to put forth the effort.

In part one, the author argues the notion of libertarian free will actually militates against authentic love: “Libertarian free will, which seemed like a requirement of authentic love from a pre-analytical perspective, turns out to be a significant threat to authentic love.”

Part two examines whether the idea of libertarian free will has the theological endurance when subjected to deep biblical insight, what Williams refers to as “depth capacity.”  The old Pelagian argument that “ought” implies “can” is addressed with the full weight of biblical authority.

Finney’s flawed anthropology is exposed, namely – that sinners have “the natural ability to obey God.”  Williams unravel’s Finney’s argument by making an appeal to John’s gospel.  He adds, “Can the notion that ‘ought implies can’ breath at the depth of John 6:44?”  The contextual answer is a resounding no!

The author turns to Luther to expose the erroneous views concerning liberty in Erasmus:  “For Luther, imperatives do not lead to the libertarian conclusion that ‘ought implies can,’ but rather: Ought exposes cannot, and cannot exposes the need for radical grace.” 

Williams insight is something akin to Luther’s: “From this ‘ought exposes cannot’ perspective, God is not like a bully commanding a blind man to behold the Sistine Chapel for sadistic pleasure.  Rather, the picture of God comes closer to that of a compassionate optometrist who commands a blind patient to behold the Sistine Chapel before restoring his sight.  The impossible command serves the vital function of demonstrating who deserves all credit once the patient marvels at the painted ceiling with clear eyes.”  The remaining chapters deal with the tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility.

Finally, part three focuses on “the scope of divine action in human love.”  This section is arguably the most helpful section of the book.   The author alerts the reader to several models of divine action in human love.  He presents the Pelagian, Semi-pelagian, Arminian, Augustinian views and also includes a view that could be construed as Pantheistic.  The tension is presented between divine giving and human coming, divine unifying and human loving, and divine raising and human remaining.

The author succeeds in roundly refuting libertarian free will.  He stands in a long line of godly men who have done the same including Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, and John Owen.

4 stars

REAL MARRIAGE – Mark and Grace Driscoll (2012)

Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll hit the evangelical world by storm a few days ago.  Some, like the influential theologian, Wayne Grudem, are praising it and some are condemning it.  In my mind, the hype is a bit overplayed on both sides.

Real Marriage  is biblical in its scope, practical in its counsel, and contains a wealth of information that will serve to strengthen marriages.

The book is grounded in a transparent look at the Driscoll marriage.  They share candidly about their mistakes and failures.  And they humbly share their triumphs and some of the necessary ingredients that have contributed to what is now a healthy marriage.

One of the greatest strengths of Real Marriage is its bold promotion of complementarianism, the notion that men and women are created equal as image bearers in the eyes of God, yet maintain distinct roles.  The husband must love his wife as Christ loves the church and the wife must respect her husband.  Mark and Grace point to numerous examples from their own marriage that bolster the case for complementarianism.  They should be applauded for their clear biblical teaching on a controversial theme that draws angry fire from liberal critics.

Mark rightly admonishes men: “God wants His glory to shine through men.  God wants His kingdom to be made visible through them.  God wants them to be His sons.  God wants us to follow, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the example of Jesus.”  Driscoll charges husbands to honor their wives in several significant ways: “physically, emotionally, verbally, financially, and technologically.”  He demonstrates the importance of understanding the covenant of marriage and includes several practical points of encouragement, especially for young husbands.

Grace further elaborates on the complementarian position that is advanced in the book: “Men and women were created with equal worth but different roles.  God created and called the man to lead and love his wife, and when he doesn’t do that in a holy way, he is sinning.  God created the woman to help and respect her husband, and when she doesn’t do that in a holy way, she is sinning.”  She helpfully overviews biblical respect/submission and provides numerous ways that wives can embrace the biblical model by respecting their husbands.

In a chapter entitled, “Taking Out the Trash,” the Driscolls spell out what repentance looks like in marriage.  Repentance is not “managing our sin, blame-shifting our sin, excusing our sin, or manipulating God or people for blessing.”  They rightly argue that repentance includes “confession, contrition, and change.”

Additionally, forgiveness is explored: “Forgiveness is a gospel issue … It has everything to do with God.  As an act of worship, we must respond to our sinful spouses as God has responded to our sin – with forgiveness – because it is a gospel issue.  We cannot accept forgiveness from God without extending it to our spouses.”  The Driscolls maintain that the gospel is the only answer to a healthy marriage.

Almost half of Real Marriage is about sex – a sensitive subject that been largely under-emphasized by Christians.  There is much to commend in these chapters.  The Driscolls include many practical principles that are rooted in Scripture.    Mark exposes the sin of pornography; a sin that has ruined many a marriage and he duly warns men and women to steer clear from this grievous sin.

Chapter ten is entitled, Can We _____? and is receiving the most criticism in the online reviews.  While the Driscolls seek to answer legitimate questions based on the framework of 1 Corinthians 6:12, much of the material is inappropriate and does not benefit readers.   The graphic nature of the material proves more harmful than helpful.  Indeed, “not all things are helpful” (1 Cor. 6:12).

Real Marriage is a difficult book to review.  There is a blend of good and unnecessary.  Readers should approach the book with a discerning eye and be sure to keep it out of the reach of children.

I received a complementary copy through the BookSneeze program.

3 stars

DESIRING GOD – John Piper

Desiring God is a book devoted to helping readers find their happiness in God.  The theme is that “God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him.”  Dr. Piper carefully builds his case for this concept and calls it Christian hedonism.  The issue for the Christian is one of desire.  Will one feast on the pleasures of sin or will he run to the streams that God offers and drink from his delights.

Christian hedonism is really a philosophy of life that is driven by five convictions.  1) The longing to be happy is a universal experience, and it is good, not sinful.  2) We should never try to deny or resist our longing to be happy.  Rather we should seek to intensify this longing and nourish it with whatever will provide the deepest and most enduring satisfaction.  3) The deepest and most enduring happiness is found in God alone.  4) The happiness we find in God reaches its consummation when it is shared with others in love.  5) To the extent we try to abandon the pursuit of our own pleasure, we fail to honor God and love people.  Or, to put it positively: the pursuit of pleasure is a necessary part of all worship and virtue.  In other words, the chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.

Piper develops the concept of Christian hedonism by applying the principles to the subjects of conversion, worship, love, Scripture, prayer, money, marriage, missions and suffering (Suffering has been added to the tenth anniversary edition of the book).

Desiring God is filled to the rim with strengths.  The writing is clear and thought-provoking.  The content is not abstract and unrelated to life.  Rather it hits the reader right between the eyes with the truth of God.  Second, the writer comes to the table with a Reformed worldview which pervades the book [I might add that the writer rejects the Reformed emphasis on the Covenant of works].  Third, this book forces the reader to deal with matters of the heart.  Forth, this book is radically God-centered.  Every subject discussed comes back to the issue of the Lordship of Jesus  and whether or not the reader is finding his complete satisfaction in Him.

Piper has written a tremendous book.  He has the heart of a pastor and the mind of a theologian, a combination difficult to find in twenty-first century pastors.  Desiring God is a passionate book.  The contents will not only bring the reader to tears, but will engage his thinking in ways beyond the scope of his imagination.  Desiring God is a practical book.  It challenges readers to re-examine cherished presuppositions and think biblically about crucial life issues. 

– One of the most important books written in the last 100 years!

5 stars