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.

Persistence Pays Off

Something Borrowed, Someone Dead was my introduction to Agatha Raisin. Maybe if I had met her earlier I would have a different impression but without the context of the rest of her story I found her off-putting. Though she does seem to have a big heart I wonder if she was more polished before she became a raisin. Not that the current book isn't good. It was, in fact, a good read, The characters and locale are well developed. The Cotswold Villages seem very inviting as they are portrayed in this book although I would stay away from Piddlebury where the current story is set. I have already lived in too many villages where strangers were viewed with suspicion.

In this book a newcomer to the village, Gloria French, has jumped into village life and become a fundraiser for the church (which certainly ingratiates her to the local pastor). However, Gloria has a habit of taking things from the people of the village and not returning them. (The good thing about being a kleptomaniac is you can always take something for it). One morning Gloria takes a nip of borrowed wine and ends up dead. Agatha is called in to solve the mystery. Her presence is not appreciated and she gets little help from the good people of Piddlebury.

If a reader is expecting to find the observation skills of a Sherlock Holmes or the forensic science of a CSI they will be disappointed. It seems that what Agatha brings to the case is persistence. Maybe that provides a balance we need in the kind of world in which we think some test will provide all the answers. Sometimes the solution comes because we keep working.

I would be interested in reading some other books in the series to read more about Agatha Raisin but I did find this one a good read.

I received a galley of the book from NetGalley with the understanding I would write a review. The book is by M.C. Beaton and published by St. Martins Press

Fiction or Prophecy?

The Troop by Nick Cutter can be read in two ways. It can be read as a work of fiction, as advertised, and reviewed as a good read with well-developed characters and a good plot line. If it is read this way the reader can finish the book, put it down and say, “That was a good read”.

Or it can be read as a prophecy—a look into a possible future—in which an amoral scientist experiments with a simple worm that is genetically altered and the face of the earth is changed forever.

The Troop is so gripping because it could happen.  That is why it is a good thriller.

The story opens with Scoutmaster Tim Riggs taking his scout troop to a deserted island for their annual camping trip. This is usually the time when the scouts have an opportunity to earn some badges in orienteering and survival skills.  The arrival of an emaciated stranger on the island during the night changes the camping trip into a battle for survival where the last thing on their minds is a badge

As the story unfolds we are given details about the stranger, the experiment and a mini- biography of each one of the boys on the trip.  We are left to ask who will survive and at the same time hoping that one of the scouts will not survive. 

In this book published by Simon and Schuster Nick Cutter succeeds in writing a story that will change the way we view camping trips.

I received a galley of this book through Net galley.com with the understanding that I would read and review it. This was no explicit or implicit demand that I write a favorable review. In this case there was no need to ask that. I truly like the book.

We used to tell a joke about a guy who wanted to find God's plan for his life through the Bible by opening the Bible up and pointing. The first verse said, “Judas went out and hung himself”. The second verse said, “Go thou and do likewise”. The last verse read, “What thou doest do quickly”. Of course the joke stopped there so we never asked what the guy did next but in the new biography of Francis of Assisi we see Francis using a similar method and acting on it. He used a practice, accepted in his day, called sortes biblicae. In which the priest opened the missal three times and for Francis the three verses set the course of his life. “Go, sell what you have; take nothing for your journey: let a man deny himself take up his cross and follow me” became the first step in the founding of the Franciscan Order.

This practice of sortes biblicae shows that Francis was very much a man of his time as well documented in this new biography by the Dominican priest Augustine Thompson, published by Cornell University Press. The writer makes it clear from the beginning that he is telling the story of a saint of the Church without the glitter and glam that similar biographies contain.

I admit that as I read there was something in me that looked for more of the spectacular but that would have taken away from the reality of the man Francis—the privileged young man who gave it all up for God and the Church. (Francis love for the Church, rightly ordered, is a theme running through the whole biography.)

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This was my first in depth reading of Francis of Assisi and it was a good start. The writer shows us a man with faults and flaws like the rest of us but who was mightily used of God because he was willing to be used, even though he was uncomfortable in the roles God gave him. This book reminds us that God can draw straight lines with crooked instruments.

 

I received the Ebook edition of this book through NetGalley.com but there was no expectation other than an honest review

I just finished listening to Next Generation Leader: 5 Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future (Audio CD) by Andy Stanley and wrote these thoughts. I once served on a pulpit committee charged with finding a new pastor for the church I attended. My first suggestion was to write out a job description for the pastor. The pastor emeritus, also serving on the committee, protested saying, "If a man is called he will know what a pastor does". My reply was, "You just fired the last pastor because he wasn't doing his job. Maybe we better get more specific". If that conversation were to happen again I might reply "Let's use Andy Stanley's book as a guide." Though not just for pastors Andy's book certainly does deal with the work of the pastor in this generation. The writer lists 5 essentials for leadership: Competence, courage, clarity, coaching and character. Mr. Stanley illustrates each of these essentials with stories from the military, sports and his own life. When dealing with his own life he not only talks about lessons learned but is honest in saying he learned many of the lessons by failing the first time. Two areas were especially helpful. Leaders need courage and leaders need coaching. Many in leadership positions fail because they are afraid to make a move without all the details. That is not how it works. God often just tells us the next step and we get more details when we move. There are pastors who fail because they think they need to have all the answers and are afraid to ask for help but most leaders need coaching. The author has presented us with good food for thought and I recommend this book. The audio edition was read well with good nuance in the reader's voice. I received a copy of the audio book for review from christianaudio with no expectation but that I review the book.

A Homicide Detective investigates the Gospels

Cold Case Christianity A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels J. Warner Wallace, Pub. David C. Cook When I first began reading this book about the truth claims of Jesus I began to wonder if it wasn’t rather morbid. The illustrations are taken from the files of a homicide detective so naturally they involve dead bodies. But I have to admit Det. Wallace pulled it off. It works. In fact, I used one of his illustrations in a presentation I did for a youth group and I had no problem getting one of the guys to play dead as we investigated the cause--Natural, accidental, suicide or homicide. It was a good way to get the young people to begin looking at the evidence for the Gospels. Wallace’s presentation on evidence is very helpful. He uses the California Judicial Code as a basis for establishing the merits of a case. i.e. chain of evidence, the reliability of witnesses and applies this to the Gospel record. Were the disciples reliable witnesses? Do the Gospels pass the test of accurate reporting? I found this book to be a very readable presentation of the evidence for Jesus Christ and that his story was accurately presented. In fact the evidence was so convincing it brought Det. Wallace to faith in Christ. The appendices are a good resource for further reading and corroboration for those who want to do more research. I appreciated the opportunity to preview the book before publication and I gave it 4 stars.

A Hero’s Throne by Ross Lawhead Book 2 of The Ancient Earth Trilogy Published by Thomas Nelson Fantasy Literature is probably my favorite genre so the theme of A Hero’s Throne fits right into my favorite category. Calling it fantasy literature assumes, of course, that I don’t really believe there is another realm under the country of England, a land inhabited by dragons, giants and those smelly creatures, the yfelgopes. (Word check, please add this word to my dictionary.) It is into this word that Daniel Tully and Freya Reynolds were taken eight years before the events of Book 2. They left this underworld with a feeling of betrayal that hangs over them through this latest adventure back to Nidergeard, the destroyed capital city. Their mission, as they see it, is to return to this city, find the Carnyx which will signal for help, then free the city. They are accompanied by their two companions from the previous mission, Ecgbryt and Alex as well as an older companion Vivienne. Once again the story has many twists and turns without any final resolution. The resolution will come in the third volume I hope because Book 2 ends with a lot of details still left hanging. The fact that I read the book in about 10 days speaks for the ability of the writer to hold my attention. However, as with the first book I got lost in some of the detailed descriptions. One thing I would have appreciated would be a summary of the first book as a refresher and introduction to the continuing adventures of Freya and Daniel. I will look forward to the third book in the series and hopefully I will get a copy for review as I did the first two.

A PEST in the Church

One Sunday morning two years ago I arrived at church to find we had been invaded by termites. There are swarming, crawling and simply making a mess of the place. We quickly surveyed the damage and realized the critters had been quietly working for years and had eaten sizable portion of the platform and the wall. We had to do move out for several weeks while the damage was repaired but we caught them before the platform disappeared. Pests can do a lot of damage.

I want to suggest there may be a pest in the church that may cause just as much damage spiritually.By that I mean the possibility that apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers (APEST for short) are all still valid leadership gifts today. While a discussion about leadership in the church can be a good thing, we also must be aware that not all leadership styles are healthy. There certainly are some unhealthy leadership styles. (My doctoral thesis project was on leadership within Independent, Fundamental Churches.)

If we take a good look at leaders and make a clear diagnosis of what is healthy and biblical we all benefit. But if we receive a wrong diagnosis then we are likely also to receive a wrong treatment and I think that may be true with one of the proposed leadership solutions—that the leaders Paul named as Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher ( See Eph. 4:11) are all valid today.

I think the impetus for some of the discussions on leadership has come in response to a business model of leadership being espoused by the church. I don’t believe this was the model upon which the church was founded. However, I don't think we should uncritically accept the validity of the APEST model either. .

The idea that there are flesh and blood apostles and prophets alive today demands a thorough investigation. Getting it wrong it can be devastating to the church. What if we listen to an apostle and find out he/she is wrong (that could happen in a fallen world). Let’s begin with Scripture and see how the early church understood the term apostle.

The first place I reference is Acts 2:42. In this passage we find that the early believers gathered to hear the teaching of the apostles--which apostles? It would seem that they recognized a specific and small group of people as apostles, namely those Jesus called to be with Him. As a matter of fact, Peter had already determined that to be called an Apostle a man had to have seen Christ and been with the Jesus from the beginning of his ministry. When did that qualification get dropped? Paul was well aware that he was an exception to the first qualification but he in fact did see the risen Christ.

In Ephesians 2:20 Paul writes that the household of God is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Once again I can ask which ones? I think the answer is a specific and small group of people— not every one who might have claimed to have the gift of apostleship.

There is one passage of Scripture that specifically gives the number of Apostles as 12. In Rev. 21:14 the wall of the city has 12 foundations and each foundation has on it the name of one of the apostles and I don’t think those apostle are alive today. These Scriptures at least suggest that there was a well attested group of people called and recognized as apostles in the early church. I also believe that the New Testament use of the word apostle most often is in a specialized way.

Truthfully, I am afraid of the damage that may occur when we begin to look for apostles and prophets in every church. Even if the word apostle is used in a broad way in the New Testament, which is infrequent, did Paul really mean that those other than the 12 plus Paul had the same authority and gifting as Paul and his colleagues? I don’t think so (and Wayne Grudem doesn’t think so either). Before we start to pick out possible apostles and prophets in the church today maybe we should take a step back and say “Seriously”?

Invasion by Jon S. Lewis

I am sure the target audience of this book is Middle School/High School young people ( a group considerably younger than me) but my grandmother used to say “Once a man, twice a child so I felt right at home. I always enjoy alien fantasy books.

In this particular book, which promises to be the first in a series, a young man, Colt McAlister takes an aptitude test for a secret organization called CHAOS (Central Headquarters Against the Occult and Supernatural). His memory of the test is wiped away after his introduction to the program but he is not forgotten by those who are in leadership in this secret organization. And Colt will find himself very quickly in a life and death battle with aliens trying to take over the planet.

After his parents are killed in a cart crash Colt moves in with his grandfather who it turns out was once engaged in battle with aliens allied to the Nazi army. I say once engaged in battle but it turns out Grandpa McAllister is not finished doing battle.

I found the book a good read. However, I found that, even though I can accept the possibility of aliens coming to earth through gateways, I had a problem accepting that three High School kids were as adept as they are at computer hacking and doing battle with aliens without protection or special training. But remember I grew up in the blackboard age not the digital age.

I received a copy of the ebook through the BookSneeze program of Thomas Nelson Publishing with the understanding I would write a review.

A Lost Generation
A Review of More Lost Than Found by Jason Herd
What distinguishes Jason Herd’s book from other books discussing the missing generation in most American Churches is that Jason is talking to those who have dropped out while others are talking about them.

It is probably for that reason that Mr. Herd writes on a familiar and non scientific level, meaning, in part, that he doesn’t build his story on statistics. It is also why some of his writing is not theological but relational.

This is not to say, as one reviewer declared, that Mr. herd is a theological liberal. In my opinion, there is nothing in the book that suggests a liberal theological bent. To answer one of those accusations I refer to the quote on p. 89, “Christianity in its origins was about the ideas that Jesus taught, about a new way of connecting with God through what Jesus taught.” One reviewer says this is a serious error because Christianity is about what Jesus did not what he taught. That kind of thinking has actually led to the great immaturity of the American Church. Many people are trying to do what Jesus did without the power of the message. Both the message and the action are important.

I found the book to be a good evaluation of American culture and the church culture--a culture based on appearance and illusion. His chapter entitled “Painting over the Mona Lisa’ is especially helpful in this regard.

There was one section that made cringe and that was chapter 10 subtitled , why myth is not a four letter word. We are still living too close to the demythologizing of the Bible for the word myth not to be fraught with undertones of untrue or not real. The word story would have been a more appropriate word to young people who are really looking for a good story.

I may not use this book as a reference but it was a helpful reminder that there are people outside the walls of the how will not climb over those walls to get inside. To reach the uncharted we have to know where they arte and reach them. This is, I believe, what Jared Herd has been doing in his ministry and what he is trying to do with his book.

I received a copy of this book from Booksneeze in return for writing a review. I was not asked to write anything favorable rather just to be honest.

The Realms Thereunder: Ross Lawhead, Thomas Nelson Publishers

Those who have passed from the earth to another realm often have problems with reentry. One case in point is Lemuel Gulliver who could not adjust to life on earth when he returned from his many travels. In the Bible we find the story of Lazarus whose return to earth from Paradise became a source of irritation for the religious leaders who wanted to kill him.

Reentry is also a problem for the two main characters in The Realms Thereunder. Daniel Tully and Freya Reynolds enter another realm while they are on a school field trip. These two thirteen year olds who share a birthday also share an adventure and difficult adjustments when they reappear two months later. Daniel has become a homeless wanderer and Freya suffers from OCD.

They alone know they saved the earth but don’t even talk to each other about it, and rarely see each other, until they are called on to take on another mission. It is this mission which forms the linchpin holding all the pieces together in this first book in The Ancient Earth Trilogy.

I found the book interesting enough to commit to sitting at my computer to read the eBook. There were some minor annoyances, however. I thought there was too much detailed description of the rooms the wanderers entered. I wanted to move on to the next room to see what was goi8ng to happen. But perhaps the attention to detail is the mark of an artist. Andrew Wyeth used to sketch the trunks of trees even though they would not show up in the painting.

Then there is the problem with the ending. I wanted some sort of resolution to this story before I went on to the end. Unfortunately for me I did not get my wish. More adventure awaits in the next volume. Fortunately for the writer I will have to secure the next book in the series.

I guess it is the nature of life on earth that the battle between good and evil is never ending and, as the book reminds us, doesn’t just take place on earth or effect life here.

I would also that the reader go to the language notes at the end of the book to get the pronunciation for the names of the companions so we can do them the honor of saying their names correctly.

Rumors of God, Whitehead and Tyson by Thomas Nelson
Experience the Kind of Faith You’ve Only Heard About

Rumor 1 : talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source 2 : a statement or report current without known authority for its truth
www.merriam-webster.com

Most of the definitions of rumor imply that the information being passed on is unverifiable. I don’t know if Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson were suggesting that the concepts in their book have not been verified but that may be so. In Rumors of God these pastors tell us about grace, justice, love, freedom and other Christ-like characteristics that for many people are just that, rumors--good ideas but not verified.

How many of us have really experienced a grace that keeps on loving when we have failed? How many have witnessed generosity that gives away fully loaded minivans or pays for trips to the orthodontist for some kid at school?

How about asking how a friend is doing because you really want to know or belonging to a group that really cares for you. For how many people are these ideas just rumors, nice stories, but not verified.

I could nod at every negative illustration the authors used. In 60 plus years in churches I have seen some ugly things. Broken TV’s given for ministry, grace withheld from those who needed it the most and an unfortunate desire to hold on to everything we have in case we need it some day.

Tyson and Whitehead invite us to look closely at Jesus. It is a much needed invitation. The church in the US needs to verify these rumors by its actions. This book is not one I can put down and walk away from. It requires action.

In ten chapters we are reminded of the things that happen when we make following Christ a priority: Exotic dancers get an extreme makeover, pastors who fail create a place for other failures, Manhattan executives get involved in water projects for the third world and people with cancer receive prayer from the whole community

I underlined quite a few sentences and created my own index so I could review my notes. I will be coming back to this book.

If enough people read this book and take it to heart we may be able to revert to the root meaning of the word rumor: a soft low indistinct sound, a murmur --no longer unverified but the good news that is now spreading.

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews published by Thomas Nelson

In The Final Summit the reader is invited to sit in the gallery and eavesdrop on last meeting of the Travelers, those people throughout history to which God has given the mission to help the world. Their wisdom and insight is then made available to other Travelers as needed.

One of those Travelers is David Ponder who years before had been visited by Gabriel and taken on a quest. At this final summit, with the fate of the earth depending on their decision David Ponder is called to moderate this meeting of the minds. In the words of the promotional material, “There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship—and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.”

And yet with the accumulated wisdom of the ages they miss it, in my opinion. The solution offered has its positive side but it is very American and it won’t save the world. There is no spoiler alert needed. I will not give away the answer but I hoped for a more transformative solution.

I did find the book entertaining, although a bit schmaltzy in places and it did force me back to my history books. Any book that gets me into another book can be considered beneficial.

Although I consider myself a history buff I had to do some research to more about Eric Erickson. When he was first introduced at the Summit I thought I was meeting the psychologist. Then as he was introduced as Red Erickson I thought I was meeting the man who discovered Greenland. Neither of which I would have imagined in God’s Conference Room.

A little research led me to the fascinating story of The Counterfeit Spy (played by William Holden in the 1962 movie of that name). This man was credited with bringing an end to World War II. If for no other reason I could recommend The Final Summit.

Although I believe all truth is God’s truth I have some questions about the presence at this final summit of those who refused to acknowledge God’s truth when they were on the earth. I believe that God is gracious but I think he prefers a nod in his direction before we leave the earth for our private summit with God.

This book would definitely be a good book for a discussion group on the condition of the world and what to do about it. My hope is that those who are still living would come up with a better solution than the Travelers.

Washington: A Legacy of Leadership by Paul Vickery for Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010

The dog ate my homework. Yes I am serious. I laid my copy of Washington: A Legacy of Leadership on my desk and the two year old lab jumped up, took it off the desk and devoured it cover to cover. Fortunately, the good stuff in middle was left intact, dog-eared but still readable. In fact the book was very readable.

It is not a scholarly treatise, though there are 18 pages of notes and bibliography, but it does give a good overview of General George Washington. It is one of a series of books in The Generals Series by Thomas Nelson and gives a look at the person of the Commander in Chief of the Colonial Army.

Parson Weems would probably not like the book because it talks about some of the failures and mistakes of the man who led the army in the War of Independence (For example Vickery suggests that Washington caused the French and Indian War) but I found great comfort in knowing some of our great leaders made mistakes. This book is definitely not a hagiography but on the other hand the author does not go in the direction of many modern biographies that dwell on warts and peccadillos.

After reading quotes from Washington’s writings and excerpts from his prayers I think that either the definition of Deist needs to be changed or we need to admit Washington was not a Deist. I found the following comments about Deists on a Free Thought website.

Most of the Founders were Deists, which is to say they thought the universe had a creator, but that he does not concern himself with the daily lives of humans, and does not directly communicate with humans, either by revelation or by sacred books.

And yet we find General Washington talking to this creator and asking for his intervention. In July of 1776, the very day the Declaration of Independence was approved, General Washington gave the general orders for the day, “…Let us therefore rely on the goodness of the cause, and with the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands victory is to animate and encourage us to good and Noble actions….”

Could a real Deist expect that some first cause would lift a finger to help? And at another time set aside a day of prayer to implore the help of the God? If this is a Deist bring on the Deists. They seem to have more faith in the power and presence of God than many church members.

This is not the place to determine the faith of Washington but his own words reveal faith in a God who acts on behalf of us humans. Vickery’s book is valuable for its insight into the man George Washington, husband, leader and man of faith.

This may be my shortest blog.

Harold Camping Repent.
Repent of your arrogance.
Repent of your disavowal of the church.
Repent.

Defiant Joy: The Remarkable Life and Impact of G.K. Chesterton by Kevin Belmonte, A Review

A jovial mound of renown—that phrase or something similar kept coming to my mind as I read this biography of the “real G.K. Chesterton”. And I think the title aptly describes the contents.

The joy of Chesterton certainly comes through not only in his writing but in his interactions with others. His heroes bring smiles of surprise. The country priest Father Brown and the Napoleon of Notting Hill, Auberon Quin, are not our typical heroes but have taken that form in the playful mind of Chesterton. (G.K. himself did not have the looks of a hero either with his massive girth and unruly head of hair.)

However, this joy was not obtained without pain. In a chapter entitled A Perfect Storm the writer describes the crisis of faith Chesterton experienced in school. G.K. later said of that time, “I held on to religion by one thin thread of thanks”. He also knew the pain of death having lost a sister. Her death brought a grief that hung over the Chesterton home and could have shaped G.K. into a melancholic soul but when he found faith he also found joy.

What I especially appreciated in the book was the relationship G.K. had with those who did not share his views. He maintained an ongoing friendship with George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells and his passing was mourned by those who did not share his faith. I couldn’t help but ask if the same would be true of many people of faith today. Will we be mourned by our opponents or will our passing bring a sigh of relief?

Apart from a few biographical notes I had not read anything before about the life of one of the most influential authors of the last century. Kevin Belmonte’s book was a good place to start.

Why are fire engines red?

Fire engines are red and newspapers are read so that makes 2.

2+ 2 is 4

4 x 3 is 12

12 inches is a ruler.

Queen Elizabeth is a ruler.

The Queen Elizabeth is also a ship.

Ships sail in the sea.

Fish swim in the sea.

Fish have fins.

The Finns fought the Russians.

Russians are red.

Fire engines are always rushin’.

So therefore fire engines are red.

About 15 miles from my house a highway sign is counting down the days until Judgment Day with this stamp of authority “The Bible guarantees it”. Yes, judgment day is less than 2 months away on May 21, 2011 according to this sign. Where did this date come from?

In case you haven’t read the supporting material permit me to summarize it. The coming judgment of God upon the world is 7000 years from another judgment, the Flood, and that would be May 21 of this year.

To arrive at this conclusion the promulgator of this idea has come up with a date for the flood (after having researched this with Bible scholars) that becomes the basis for calculating the final Day of Judgment.

God was patient with the people who lived on the earth in the time of the flood and gave them seven days to get on the ark. However, the seven days of Noah become 7000 years by misreading 2 Peter 3:8 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day".

In 2 Peter 3:8, which is quoted above, Holy God reminds us that one day is as 1,000 years. Therefore, with the correct understanding that the seven days referred to in Genesis 7:4 can be understood as 7,000 years, we learn that when God told Noah there were seven days to escape worldwide destruction, He was also telling the world there would be exactly 7,000 years (one day is as 1,000 years) to escape the wrath of God that would come when He destroys the world on Judgment Day. Because Holy Infinite God is all-knowing, He knows the end from the beginning. He knew how sinful the world would become. (Quote from the website of Family Radio)

What the writer conveniently forgets is that if 1000 years are as a day so also one day is as 1000 years. So the calculations may be off by 6999 years and 359 days. If this is the case the judgment is past.

Now I admit God may come in judgment on May 21, 2011 (however, that would contradict my theological view of the rapture) but it won’t be because of the calculations. The calculations don’t prove a thing except the arrogance of Mr. Camping.

As with the argument for red fire engines we can prove almost anything if we assume a lot and pick the verses we want to use.

A Weapon of Mass Destruction

A recent exchange on Facebook got me to thinking about how we use the Bible in our arguments. The issue raised on Facebook was one of those hot button issues that move beyond debate to insult and accusation. I admit I made my own accusation when I brought up the legalist trump card.

In this case, the issue was homeschooling. I support, in principle,the right for parents to homeschool, meaning I think some of them are doing a good job. However, some parents home school only to promote an isolationist point of view and neither educate the whole child or prepare him or her to be a full citizen of the Kingdom of God.

So I am like the teacher who yelled at the kids playing in her freshly poured sidewalk. She loved kids in the abstract not in the concrete. I support homeschools in the abstract but not in the concrete, not categorically.

That being said one of the FB friends in the debate apparently believes every parent should home-school or risk being in league with the forces of darkness. He is entitled to that opinion but in my opinion he is making a statement that is too broad. .

What stirred my thinking though was this FB friend’s use of Scripture in such a way that those who took a different view were labeled fools and then this use of Scripture was justified by saying “Hey, I am not the author. I am only quoting Scripture”.

Let’s put the argument in context.

I think parents should home-school for the Bible says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Maybe I am wrong (it wouldn’t be unusual) but using Scripture this way implies that parents who home-school are following the way of wisdom but those who don’t are fools This turns the Bible into a weapon of mass destruction.

It is clear from the Bible itself that Scripture is a weapon—and an offensive weapon at that. Paul says in Ephesians that we are to put on the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We could debate the meaning of this passage since the word rhema and not logos is used but let’s assume for sake of argument that the Bible is a sword and therefore a weapon. How does that impact my use of Scripture?

Do I use the Bible to behead people, even other Christians with whom I disagree? Or do I present the Word and let the Spirit do His work?

Quite often we use the Bible as a hammer. I have done that myself, sometimes on purpose to make a point, and on one occasion I used the Bible as a hammer to save myself from a beating but that is another story.

Is there another way to promote home-schooling (and once again I note there are those who shouldn't)? How about Paul’s words in Philippians?

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

I think the Holy Spirit is capable of applying the word He inspired to reach me and others. I don’t need to use Scripture in such a way that it becomes a weapon of destruction.

The issue raised on FB was homeschooling but the principle I am raising is how we use the Bible. Are we using it as a weapon to beat people who disagree or to end an argument or do we allow the Spirit to reprove, rebuke and correct.

And to get almost everything on the table I think you should know that I have taught in 3 Christian schools (One of these I, with several other pastors, got jump started) I also worked under contract to the state of Pennsylvania working in adult literacy—teaching reading to adults who did not learn how to read in public school. Now I work for the Federal Government but I am not writing this as a Federal employee nor are my views representative of the views of the Federal government. These views are my own and I believe them to be true or I would change them.