Wisdom from the East

Wisdom of the Sadhu (Complied by Kim Comer) Plough Publishing House I first heard of Sundar Singh when I was in college but I heard more about him then I did from him until this book arrived. I vaguely remember a hint of suspicion hanging over Sundar in my very conservative, western thinking school so I was reluctant to go further. That was my loss. On one hand though I can see why he was viewed with suspicion in some circles. He wrote from an Eastern perspective that emphasizes narrative while those of us in the United States often give more weight to facts and propositions. Many Western readers are uncomfortable with narrative and stories. We prefer propositions. For example I was listening this morning to a well known pastor give an outline and several points for a story in the Old Testament. I am driving my car yelling at the radio, “Tell the story. Tell the story” Sundar Singh knew how to tell a story. I appreciated his allusions to nature. For example to talk about prayer he pictures the crane standing in the water waiting for lunch to swim by not noticing the water but just looking to get something. That is how many of us see prayer, “Seated on the shore of the boundless ocean of God's love, they actually give no thought to his majesty...Instead they are consumed with the thought of receiving something for themselves.” pp 112-113. I gained much insight into the Christian life from my brother, Sundar and wish I had met him sooner. Another area in which some may have been critical of Sundar is in the area of verbal plenary inspiration. Sundar may have placed more emphasis on the spoken word of God then the written word of God. He says on page 65 that Master never wrote anything down nor did he ask his followers to record his teaching. However it is clear from Revelation 1 that Jesus in fact asked John to write down his words to the church. Sundar Singh wrote at a time when the inspiration of the Bible was under attack and he may have been a victim of the battle for the Bible taking place then. If so is unfortunate because we have much to learn from our Eastern brother and the Eastern Church today. I received a copy of Wisdom of the Sadhu from Handlebar Publishing with the only expectation that I would write a review.

I must have been in a cave for the past two years or so because I had never heard of Jessie Rees, DIPG or Joy Jars until I read this book. I am certainly glad I know about them now. Though the book is a difficult read because of the subject matter, an 11yr old girl being diagnosed with a rare, incurable brain cancer, it is worth the time. It is a story of a family struggling with a serious disease with all the pain and questions that brings. I appreciate the honesty of Eric Rees, the father, as he yells out his lament to the God who seemingly has abandoned them. (As a father I probably would have kept the prognosis from my child as he did. But as a chaplain I think knowing that death is imminent is important.) However this is not just the anatomy of an illness it is as also the story of a young girl with a heart for other kids who are hurting. From the time Jessie began treatment she asked what could be done for other kids with cancer. This led to the creation of JoyJars that could be given to children in the hospital. Her goal of 50,000 jars distributed was reached after her death. This is also a story of a supportive community, a church community and the larger community. The reader also gets an unflattering look at the state of medical research and the sad statistics reveal that not enough is being done in the area of pediatric cancer. Unfortunately one of the reasons for the paucity of research is there is not much money in it. I certainly have no answer to the why question but I have to say Jessie's cancer and death have had many positive outcomes. I have two minor points of concern. At one point Eric Rees says that Jessie's death was God's will. It would require more space than I have to explain why I disagree with that phrase. Suffice it to say that God allowed rather than willed her death. Also on page 198 in the Rees' family letter announcing Jessie's death we read that Jessie earned her wings. I know people often say this but there is no indication that humans get wings at death. Minor points aside this book can change life for kids with cancer and may change the face of research. I received a copy of this book for review from Handlebar Publishing. For more on the book and Joyjars #NEGUbook

Leadership Principles from an Unexpected Source

When I received a review copy of Joseph James Slawek's book from Handlebar Publishing I was already reading another book on leadership and I was interested in seeing what "Ingredients for Success" would add to my search. I found much that was useful and some great points for discussion as well as one area that raises some concern. My concern does not take anything from the value of the book but it is serious enough to give the book only three stars.

One of the helpful points is in chapter 3 (the third principle: Know, Develop and Use Your Unique Abilities) in which the writer states that not all leaders are five-talent people, two-talent people and one-talent people. Our goal as leaders is not to become  5 talent leaders but rather to become the best leader we can with the abilities God has given us.

He also reminds us that we can't do anything we want. That is a good point in a society that seems to tell us that everyone can do anything they want. Listening to the American Idol competition is a good example of what happens when people think that can do anything they want--of course it is good entertainment.

I think all ten principles spelled out in the book are helpful but I found it strange they were based on three parables from Matthew 25 when there are so many other places in the Bible that seem more fertile ground for leadership principles.

However, there was a red flag for me in the first chapter that gave me pause and hung over me through the book. In chapter one he seems to raise his book to the level of divine authority. Slawek states "...these are concepts that come from God's word; therefore it is beyond a man's opinion...It is the God of the universe speaking personally and profoundly to each and every one of us. That should send a shiver up our spines." 

I have to admit a shiver went up my spine but not for the reason the author suggests. What caused me to shiver was the thought that the writer seems to think he has just written principles that rise to the level of divine authority. As good as these principles may be they are not on the same level as the Bible.  In fact one of the key concepts in the book (the 2 x 4 principle) is contradicted by another passage of Scripture in which God promises not double the  increase but 30, 60 or 100 percent increase.

In my theology the canon of Scripture is closed.