Veritas et Lux

The Holiness of God – R.C. Sproul (1985)

The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul is a tremendous book that ought to be read by every Christian. The author contends the subject of God’s holiness is one of the most important issues for believers to wrestle with. How one understands the character of God affects everything in life. Worship, service, or true obedience cannot take place without understanding the holiness of God.

The theme is developed by defining the meaning of holiness. The author argues that holiness is more than “absolute purity” or “separateness.” Rather, the deeper and primary meaning of holiness of holiness is “transcendent purity.”

Dr. Sproul notes the fearful and adverse reaction to what Rudolph Otto calls the “mysterious tremendum” and uses the examples of Isaiah and Martin Luther to drive his point home. The author intends the reader to not only understand God’s holiness from a theological frame of reference but also challenges the reader to live a holy life before a holy God. Holiness of life is more than saying “no” to cultural taboos. Rather, holy living involves controlling the tongue, acting with integrity, and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit.

The Holiness of God is a deeply God-centered book. Sproul does not side-step aspects of God that may be uncomfortable for readers to swallow, namely, the justice of God. He does a masterful job at explaining the relationship between God’s justice and mercy: “God does not always act with justice. Sometimes he acts with mercy. Mercy is not justice, but it also is not injustice. Sometimes he acts with mercy. Mercy is not justice, but it also is not injustice. We may see non-justice in God, which is mercy, but we never see injustice in God.” Sproul is quick to counter the typical arguments that run contrary to the portrait of God that emerges in sacred Scripture.

Dr. Sproul also skillfully explains the wrath of God (a doctrine which seems to be fading from modern pulpits). In fact, I remember hearing a well-known evangelist say, “God is not angry with sinners.” This popular sentiment is running rampant in our churches and must be exposed and dealt with in a frank and forthright manner.

The author raises issues that cause readers to think theologically. The net result is a love for God that can only grow in the awesome light of his majesty and holiness. This is my third opportunity to read this great work, a book that will undoubtedly be in print one hundred years from now. I enjoy it more every time I read it.

5 stars.

THE MESSAGE BEHIND THE MOVIE: How to Engage With a Film Without Disengaging Your Faith – Douglas M. Beaumont (2009)

The Message Behind the Movie by Douglas M. Beaumont discusses the importance of engaging with worldview themes in movies. The author reveals his cards upfront (which is increasingly rare these days, especially in a movie). He writes as an “evangelical, philosophical, theological, movie lover” and seeks to unite these interests in his approach to the book.

The book is organized in three basic acts. Act one focuses on watching and understanding movies. Act 2 discusses the evaluation process. Act 3 explores what kinds of movies to watch and what kinds of movies to avoid. Ultimately, the author seeks to “show how we can all better interact with our culture by understanding the movies that shape and reveal it.” His aim is “to show how we can all better interact with our culture by understanding the movies that shape and reveal it.”

ACT ONE: Watching and Understanding Movies

The author begins by setting forth the historical context by which we knowingly or unknowingly evaluate entertainment. The two positions find their origins in Plato and Aristotle. Plato held that art is basically useless and even may be harmful. Aristotle’s view was quite different. He believed that art has the ability to “describe ultimate reality” and as a result should not be avoided. The author sides with Aristotle and writes approvingly: “An Aristotelian approach to movies needn’t condone sinfulness; instead, it can recognize how central storytelling is to human experience and seek to accurately critique the messages that stories in films are communicating.”

Beaumont points out that movies either engage in direct or indirect communication. He argues that if a blatant message is promoted in a movie, most people will consider this propaganda. “Almost by definition, then, popular movies will rarely state their messages explicitly.” All the more reason for disciples of Christ to carefully discern the times.

The author makes it clear that when a filmmaker produces a piece of work, this does not necessarily mean that he/she is endorsing what emerges on the screen. “This is the difference between description and prescription.” Therefore, readers are urged to evaluate the message of a movie with objectivity.

The author helps readers understand the story or plot-line of a movie. Style is discussed (or style elements). Again, caution must be exercised not to throw the baby out with the bath water.

Beaumont takes time to explore the suppositions that emerge in movies – what we generally refer to as a worldview. However, the author stresses that the worldview is “not necessarily the same thing as its message. In fact, distinguishing the two is one of the most important, and difficult tasks of evaluating movies.” Again, discernment is critical.

ACT TWO: Evaluating and Discussing Movies

The author encourages Christians to discern good and bad in movies. He prompts Christ-followers to use movies as a starting point in sharing the gospel message.

Beaumont encourages Christians to explore movies from a philosophical angle. He adds, “[Movies] can also open doors to conversations about philosophical issues that might be a hindrance to faith.” The author presents a basic approach to epistemology and rightly notes that “truth is objective (based on reality, not our thoughts about reality), absolute (true for everyone), and knowable.”

ACT THREE: Applauding and Avoiding Movies

The author not only has his eye on culture; he also rejects the sympathetic attitude that some Christians have toward postmodernity. By embracing the correspondence theory of truth and the law of non-contradiction, he places himself in a school of thought that is oriented to classical apologetics. For this we can be thankful.

Beaumont writes boldly and humbly. His mingling of authoritative teaching with a sympathetic heart to lost people is encouraging indeed.

Evangelicals have a track record of retreat. For too long, we have fled from culture instead of interacting with and influencing culture to the glory of God. The Message Behind the Movie is a step in the right direction.

3.5 stars

STICKY TEAMS: Keeping Your Leadership Team and Staff on the Same Page – Larry Osborne (2010)

Sticky Teams by Larry Osborne is a leadership book with an emphasis on team-building. The author maintains, “Sticky teams stick together.” And sticking together in difficult times is an indicator of health.

Osborne divides Sticky Teams into three parts, each designed to promote long-term unity and health in local church, which a special emphasis placed on the elder council, staff, and congregation.

Osborne stresses the three pillars of unity which includes doctrinal unity, respect and friendship, and philosophical unity.

He alerts the reader to transition points when growth takes place within a church and recommends different approaches (or “changing the game”) for different contexts.

PART ONE: Landmines and Roadblocks

The author sets his sights on five roadblocks to unity: 1) meeting in the wrong place, 2) ignoring relationships, 3) not meeting often enough, 4) constant turnover, and 5) too many members.

Principles of protecting the unity of an elder council and church staff are discussed, what the author refers to as “guarding the gate.” Osborne insists on maintaining high standards at the leadership level. Spiritual maturity is central. Leaders must be on the same philosophical page – they must agree on the overall direction of the church. Finally, leaders must work as a team relationally. There must be a relational match.

Osborne spends time focusing on clarification of roles at the board and staff level. “Healthy teams have great teamwork,” he writes. “There’s little role confusion, and everyone knows what the ultimate goal is.”

PART TWO: Equipped for Ministry

Part two develops the importance of ministry alignment, mission, values, and methods. Healthy churches employ creative training opportunities for elders and staff members alike.

Osborne recommends scheduling monthly “shepherding meetings” to deal with “important but neglected priorities” and should focus on team building, training, and prayer.

The author discusses the importance of staff alignment which helps ensure the team agrees with the core values and priorities of the church. He argues that healthy teams are committed to a plumb line which may vary from church to church.

He also focuses on congregational alignment and includes five keys for maintaining the health of a given church:

1. A clear and simple mission statement

2. A front-loaded pastor’s class

3. The drip method of preaching (where the core values and vision of the church are included in the regular preaching diet).

4. Sermon-based small groups

5. Short congregational meetings

PART THREE: Communication

Part three includes a host of practical suggestions for vibrant communication. Controversial topics are broached such as setting salaries, money management, and dealing with difficult staff members.

SUMMARY AND EVALUATION

I am certainly glad I read Sticky Teams. The author shares many stories that are rooted and tested in personal experience. I appreciate Osborne’s heart for leadership development and his “down-to-earth”approach to ministry.

One critique is especially worth mentioning. The author places a great deal of attention on the importance of small groups, even to the exclusion of formal theological education. While I wholeheartedly embrace and endorse the use of small groups in the local church as a strategy of discipleship, I resist the notion that theological education should play “second-fiddle” or be excluded from the “performance” all-together.

I have seen first-hand the value of developing a strong theological education department in the local church context. The Christian mind must be educated, the affections must be engaged, the whole person must be equipped, and God-centered living must be encouraged. Therefore, the development of a rigorous theological education track is essential for biblical discipleship to take place.

3 stars

THE SUPREMACY OF GOD IN PREACHING – John Piper (1990)

Some books merit a quick scan. Others deserve a careful read. Few books need to be read over and over. The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper is such a book. This is my fourth time through Piper’s powder keg.

Part One – Why God Should be Supreme in Preaching

Part one follows a logical and biblical progression, as Piper lingers over four key areas.

First, the goal of preaching – the glory of God. The author argues, “God is the goal of preaching, God is the ground of preaching – and all the means in between are given by the Spirit of God.” And ultimately, the glory of God will be reflecting in the willing and humble submission of the creature.

Second, the ground of preaching – the cross of Christ. Piper writes, “Preaching is the heralding of the good news by a messenger sent by God, the good news … that God reigns; that he reigns to reveal his glory; that his glory is revealed most fully in the glad submission of his creation; that there is, therefore, no final conflict between God’s zeal to be glorified and our longing to be satisfied, and that someday the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord, echoing and reverberating in the white-hot worship of the ransomed church gathered in from every people and tongue and tribe and nation.” The author emphasizes the supreme necessity of preaching cross-centered messages and the cross as the “ground of humility in preaching.” This demonstrates the glory of God and showcases the pride that plagues every person. And the cross magnifies the greatness of God’s worth!

Third, the gift of preaching – the power of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Piper emphasizes that the goal of preaching and the ground of preaching will be fruitless apart from the ministry of the Holy Spirit: “It takes the Holy Spirit to make us docile to the Bible.” Therefore, faithful and effective preaching is dependent on the power of the Spirit.

Part Two – How to Make God Supreme in Preaching: Guidance From the Ministry of Jonathan Edwards

Part two introduces readers to the most influential theologian (outside of Scripture) in Piper’s life (and mine as well). After a brief summary of his life, the author unleashes the Edwardsean vision of God and the effect of this vision on his preaching.

Edwards stressed the sufficiency and sovereignty of God in his preaching. Piper adds, “The sovereignty of God for Edwards was utterly crucial to everything else he believed about God.”

Piper places a great emphasis on the views set forth in Religious Affections. The thesis of that profound work is simple and profound: “True religion, in great part, consists in holy affections.”

Piper takes the thoughts of Jonathan Edwards very seriously and applies them to the preaching task: “Delight in the glory of God includes, for example hatred for sin, fear of displeasing God, hope in the promises of God, contentment in the fellowship of God, desire for the final revelation of the Son of God, exultation in the redemption he accomplished … Our duty toward God is that all our affections respond properly to his reality and so reflect his glory.”

Jonathan Edwards sought with all his heart to make God supreme in his preaching; to glorify him above all things. Piper recommends ten Edwardsean principles that pastors should take into the pulpit:

1. Stir up holy affections

2. Enlighten the mind

3. Saturate with Scripture

4. Employ analogies and images

5. Use threat and warning

6. Plead for a response

7. Probe the workings of the heart

8. Yield to the Holy Spirit in prayer

9. Be broken and tender-hearted

10. Be intense

These insights accurately reflect Edwards’ approach to preaching. They also reflect John Piper’s approach to preaching. But sadly, these principles are seldom seen in the American pulpit. Piper’s encouragement serves as a reminder and a motivation to young pastors who aim to please God with faithful exposition.

Summary

There a many good books available that unpack the task of preaching. But there are only a few that are worth reading again and gain. The Supremacy of God in Preaching does not focus so much on the nuts and bolts of preaching as it does the aim of preaching, namely, the glorification of a God who is worthy to be praised and proclaimed. Piper’s work motivates, encourages, convicts and challenges pastors to faithfully preach a message that bears witness to the greatness of his work and the glory of his name.

5 stars

LEADERS WHO LAST – Dave Kraft (2010)

C.H. Spurgeon writes, “Beware of no man more than yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.” Spurgeon poignantly alerts us to the danger of indwelling sin. The writer of Hebrews warns against that sin; the “sin that so easily entangles” (Heb. 12:1a). Tragically, many Christian leaders fail to heed the warning of Spurgeon and the book of Hebrews. Theological compromise leads to liberalism. Moral compromise leads to immorality. Few Christian leaders, as a result, finish strong.

Leaders Who Last by Dave Kraft serves Christian leaders well by turning their attention to the standards set forth in the Word of God. Kraft writes, “The greatest and most pressing need in the body of Christ today is an army of leaders who have a vision of a desired future and are called and anointed by God. These leaders possess a fire burning in their hearts that can’t be extinguished. They are motivated and led by God to intentionally, passionately, and effectively influence others.”

Kraft argues that leaders (and pastors in particular) have four key responsibilities, namely, shepherding, developing, equipping, and empowering. Three sections provide a helpful framework for developing the author’s argument.

PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS

Kraft presents five areas that should characterize the life of every leader. The center hub represents the power of Christ. Four additional spokes make up the “leadership wheel” and include purpose, passion, priorities, and pacing.

“Leadership” writes Kraft, “begins and ends with a clear understanding of the gospel and being rooted in the grace of Jesus Christ as a free gift.” I might build on the author’s presupposition by adding that no amount of talent, speaking ability, giftedness, or charisma can replace a working knowledge of the biblical gospel. So many churches appear successful on the outside. Some Christian leaders and pastors (especially some young pastors) appear to have it all together on the outside. But when the gospel is compromised and the core truths of the Christian faith are neglected, tragic results are waiting around the corner! When a pastor begins to compromise the doctrine of hell, the exclusive claim of Christ, or the authority of God’s Word he willingly embraces a “different gospel” (Gal. 1:6-8). The leadership foundation must be established for any kind of tenure in ministry. And Kraft does an excellent job developing the “leadership wheel.”

PART TWO: FORMATION

In part two, the author narrows his focus. He discusses the leader’s calling, gifts, character, and growth. Finishing well should be a high priority for every Christian leader. Kraft presents five helpful suggestions for achieving this important goal:

1. Maintain a vibrant relationship with Christ.

2. A posture of learning.

3. Identifiable goals and self-control.

4. Supportive personal relationships and family.

5. Clear vision, strong biblical convictions, perspective, and surrendering to the lordship of Christ.

PART THREE: FRUITFULNESS

Part three summarizes the leader’s vision, influence, and legacy. The section on vision is especially helpful. Kraft writes, “A leader is a person who is dissatisfied with the way things are. He has a God-given burden, a vision, and a call to see something different. He wants to see something change, to build a new future. He then begins to communicate what he thinks and where he wants to go.”

Kraft is calling for visionary leaders to step up to the plate; leaders who have a “destination in mind and possess the ability to take others along on the journey.” He makes a strong case for visionary leadership. These leaders must:

1. Develop the vision.

2. Communicate the vision.

3. Implement the vision.

Leaders Who Last is a book that every pastor should read, absorb, and put into practice. Dave Kraft writes with the heart of a pastor and clearly communicates essential leadership skills that should be included in the makeup of every Christian leader. Every leader who intends on finishing strong needs to read Kraft’s book. The principles are biblical and practical. No theory here. Highly recommended!

MEANING AT THE MOVIES: Becoming a Discerning Viewer – Grant Horner (2010)

Meaning at the Movies by Grant Horner is not designed as a set of glorified cliff-notes for Christian movie buffs. Rather, it is as the author notes, “An extended meditation on why we have movies at all, why they are so powerful, and why Christians need to think deeply and theologically about film art – indeed, about all human cultural production.” These words alone were enough to draw me in.

Horner endeavors to explain the curse as a two-fold problem, namely, the search for meaning and death. He holds, “Culture is what we produce in our futile attempts to understand the world. It is what we believe and what we do to deal with the twin problems of meaninglessness and death.” This is where movies emerge, which are in the eyes of the author, “the modern-day equivalent of philosophy,” or “the absolute center of modern culture.”

Practical Considerations

The author builds a strong case for developing Christian discernment (a discipline that seems to grow weaker by the day among Evangelicals). He argues that when we walk away from movies we should be “stronger for having been exposed to error, and exposing it as error.”

Horner proposes a simplified definition of worldview I rather like: “Who believes what about what and why?” The five elements that emerge in this definition may be directly applied to movies and promote Christian discernment. He builds on his initial definition by adding the following: “A worldview is any collection of ideas and their attendant attitudes that attempt to explain and systematize, at some level, how the universe works.”

Horner rightly maintains that ideas never occur in a vacuum. “Ideas are related to other ideas … Most ideas that claim to be new are merely rehashed versions of old ideas” (think, New Age movement and recall the original lie in the garden, for instance). Accordingly, he sets out to briefly explain the dominant worldviews that are entrenched in culture including theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism, and pantheistic monism.

Discernment is crucial. The author notes, “If you watch a film with the powerhouse combination of a mind saturated with Scripture and a working understanding of the major worldview systems, you will in many cases be able, even with a single viewing, to analyze a film with a high degree of discernment.”

The author continues to sharpen the discerning skills of the reader in a chapter entitled, “How to Interrogate a Movie.” Thoughtful questions are encouraged, including:

1. What view of anthropology is presented?

2. What metaphysical view is presented, i.e. ultimate reality?

3. What is the view of destiny, i.e. random or determined?

4. Is the universe progressing or decaying?

5. What ethical framework is presented, i.e. moral absolutism, relativism, or pragmatism?

6. Is the film in the modern or postmodern stream?

Horner adds, “The next time you watch a movie and don’t think biblically, you’ll be disobeying God.” This sharp and necessary admonition catapults the reader immediately into section two.

Analysis

The second half of the book is devoted to exploring various aspects of film including comedy, “the invention of fear for pleasure,” romance, and dark themes that emerge in contemporary movies.

Horner’s discussion on fear is worth the price of the book. He writes with great insight here: “Because we are wired to gain pleasure from the fear of God, yet as a race we do not fear him, we find ourselves in the rather perverse position of experiencing certain pleasures coming to us in the form of highly manufactured and densely controlled fears packaged as entertainment. I believe this is why ‘fear for pleasure’ has become such a profitable sector of the film industry.” He argues that people in general want control over the things they fear. They want to “limit that fear within prescribed boundaries, which [they] can never do in the case of the ‘fear of the Lord.'”

Meaning at the Movies is a good resource to turn for thoughtful Christians who are concerned with the content that is being propagated on the silver screen. Horner’s analysis is biblical and balanced. And he demonstrates a good working knowledge of movies and the worldviews that lurks behind the storyline.

AGAPE LEADERSHIP – Robert Peterson and Alexander Straunch (1991)

Robert Peterson and Alexander Strauch summarize the life and leadership of Pastor R.C. Chapman in Agape Leadership.

More than anything, Agape Leadership puts flesh and bones on the elder qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Peterson and Strauch cover the pertinent biographical information that one might expect. But the critical elements concern the leadership lessons that emerge from the life of R.C. Chapman.

Chapman (1803-1902) is portrayed as a godly man. He was committed to the Word of God, prayer, evangelism, and the local church. His friend C.H. Spurgeon called him “the saintliest man I ever knew.”

R.C. Chapman’s life reminds me of a church I visited in Belarus. I noticed a sign in Russian above the pulpit. I asked the pastor to translate. He responded with great humility, “Ah, the sign says, ‘We preach Christ crucified.'” Chapman’s passion was to do just this. His aim in life was to preach Christ crucified. May his tribe increase!

PUJOOLS: MORE THAN THE GAME – Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth (2011)

Pujols: More Than a Game by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth is a thoughtful and informative account of baseball all-star, Albert Pujols.

The book chronicles the journey that Pujols took from the Dominican Republic to the big leagues. The authors’ provide a detailed look at Pujols pilgrimage which is an inspiring rags to riches story.

Pujols contains the typical biographical data that appeal to baseball fans. But this is more than a statistical smorgasbord. It is a rich account of Pujol’s personal faith in Jesus Christ and the difference the gospel makes.

And the gospel has truly impacted Pujol’s life. The glory of God is clearly revealed in his life through the Pujols Family Foundation (PFF), through his marriage, and by his attitude and actions on the field.

Lamb and Ellsworth carefully assure readers that Pujols’ statistics are legitimate. In other words, the record books need not place a “check mark” next to 408 career home runs or 1230 career rbi’s. This baseball player is clean and the authors do a terrific job in arguing Pujol’s base.

Pujols serves as an inspiration to young people who are looking for heroes to emulate. The book demonstrates the value of hard work, integrity, and persistence. But most importantly, Pujols shows the importance of doing all things for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program.

CAN I KNOW GOD’S WILL – R.C. Sproul (2009)

R.C. Sproul consistently writes excellent books. He has a unique ability to make difficult theological truths understandable. Can I Know God’s Will? is no exception.

Chapter one explores the meaning of God’s will. Dr. Sproul makes it clear that the will of God is no matter to trifle with. Indeed “to search for the will of God can be an exercise in piety or impiety, an act of humble submission or outrageous arrogance – depending on what will of God we seek. To try to look behind the veil at what God has not been pleased to reveal is to tamper with holy things that are out-of-bounds.”

Sproul argues that Christians have a habit of looking for simplistic answers that yield unhelpful and unbiblical results.

The author rightly notes that the will of God is spoken of in more than one way in Scripture. The first Greek term he explains is boule, which expresses a “rational and conscious desire.” This term is contrasted with the Greek word, thelema which means “an impulsive or unconscious desire.”

Sproul points out that boule usually refers to God’s providential and predetermined plan (see Acts 2:23) while thelema has more to do with a will of consent, desire, or command.

This leads to a discussion of the decretive will of God and the preceptive will of God. The decretive will (or will of decree/secret will) is what God ordains in eternity past: “When God sovereignly decrees something in this sense, nothing can prevent it from coming to pass.” Sproul warns against restricting the will of God to the sovereign will. He warns against embracing a “what will be, will be” attitude which is in the final analysis a “sub-Christian form of fatalism.”

The decretive will of God stands alongside the preceptive will of God (or will of command/revealed will). The preceptive will of God is violated and disobeyed by people every day. Sproul continues, “The preceptive will of God is found in His law. The precepts, statutes, and commandments that He delivers to His people make up the preceptive will.” Sproul also introduces God’s will of disposition which is “tied up with the ability of man to disobey God’s preceptive will.”

The author includes a helpful section on righteousness and argues that “true faith manifests itself in righteousness … We are called to bear witness to the righteousness of God in every area of life – from our prayer closets to our courtrooms, from our pews to our marketplaces.”

In the final analysis, Sproul maintains that the will of God is a serious matter to consider for every Christian. We must embrace the distinctions that surface in Scripture that concern the will of God. We must resist any inclination to uncover the secret aspect of his will. On the other hand, we must strive to obey the revealed will of God and pursue righteousness.

Chapter two overviews the meaning of man’s will. The author urges readers to examine how the will of man functioned before the fall and how it consequently functions after the fall. He applies Augustine’s classic formulation which outlines four possibilities:

1. Able to sin

2. Able not to sin

3. Unable to sin

4. Unable not to sin

This helpful discussion leads Sproul into an exposition of man’s radical fallenness. He argues with Augustine that post-fall man no longer has the ability “to not sin.” He continues to articulate the anthropological position of the bishop of Hippo: “Augustine declared that in his prefallen state, man enjoyed both a free will and moral liberty. Since the fall, man has continued to have a free will, but has lost the moral liberty he once enjoyed.” Additionally, he compares Augustine’s views with Jonathan Edwards in his monumental work, Freedom of the Will. While they differ at some points on terminology, their views are virtually identical.

Sproul boils the subject of free will into a clear sentence that we are so accustomed to: “Stated simply, man still has the ability to choose what he wants, but lacks the desire for true righteousness.” He stands on the shoulders of Jonathan Edwards by reasserting his view: “Not only can we choose according to our strongest desires, we must choose according to our strongest desires of the moment.”

The author presents the dominant position that has emerged in the church (and contrasts the Augustinian position). This view wrongly holds that the will is “free from any internal rule of disposition or desire.”

Chapter three discusses God’s will as it relates to vocation. The author seeks to answer four questions that help answer the vocational dilemma that is so common:

1. What can I do?

2. What do I like to do?

3. What should I like to be able to do?

4. What should I do?

Finally, Dr. Sproul provides helpful advise for those seeking God’s will when it comes to marriage. His arguments are biblical, balanced, and encouraging.

The book under consideration is a short book. But make no mistake – this is vintage Sproul! Once again, R.C. makes difficult truths understandable and readable. His writing is typically clear and biblical. While brief, Sproul’s work is perhaps the best work I have read on the will of God to date.

4.5 stars

One or Two – Peter Jones (2010)

One or Two, another important book by Peter Jones contrasts paganism with historic Christianity. Jones refers to these worldviews as one-ism and two-ism respectively.

One-ism is the erroneous belief that all reality is one. One-ism believes “that all is one and shares the same essential nature.”

Two-ism, which describes the historic Christian faith acknowledges a Creator-creature distinction. “Two-ism believes that while all of creation shares a certain essence (everything apart from God is created), the Creator of nature, namely God, is a completely different being, whose will determines the nature and function of all created things.” God is outside his creation (but is at the same time intimately involved with it) and is sovereign over all.

The book is divided into three parts. Part One describes a church that desperately needs to return to the truth set forth in Romans 1. Jones describes two kinds of worship, one in which the creation is worshiped (which represents one-ism and is a lie). The other kind of worship, namely, biblical and God-centered worship is fixated on the Creator (which represents two-ism and is the truth).

Jones warns, “Neo-pagans infects the church by dressing up as the Christian faith.” The author clearly sets forth the purpose behind the book: “Only a clear understanding of the two worldviews based on either the Truth (Two-ism) or the Lie (One-ism), will open our mouths to speak the truth with love and courage that honors the person of the triune God.”

Part Two is an exposition of Romans 1 in light of the concerns raised in the previous section. The author skillfully contrasts the Truth and the Lie by pointing to specific examples. Three critical issues are contrasted, namely, the truth and lie concerning God, spirituality, and sexuality. Jones demonstrates how the three areas are interrelated. He argues, “Mess with your sexuality, and you will mess with your worship. Mess with your worship and you will mess with your thinking about God. Mess with your thinking about God and you will mess with your sexuality. No matter which exchange you make, you will begin to adopt a Oneist spirituality and ultimately expose yourself to the judgment of God.”

Part Three focuses on personal application. Jones challenges readers to soberly examine the choices that stand before them. He clearly describes the deception of One-ism: “One-ism exchanges the God of Two-ism for ‘the god of this world,’ who is not a god but a creature, the epitome of Evil. Without the true personal God, without the heavenly Father, we creatures – lonely orphans in an impersonal universe, worshiping idols of their own making – are left to ourselves to devour one another.”

Once again, Peter Jones strikes at the core of neo-Pagan lie. He clearly and lovingly warns readers to steer clear of this diabolical worldview. But the warning also includes joyful proclamation, namely, the hope of eternal life found in Jesus Christ. Jones is a straight shooter. He combines an informed mind with a warm heart and sounds a necessary alarm in a culture that is growing increasingly secular and pagan.