Category Archives: Theology

Book Review: The Shack by William Young

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“The Shack” by William Young became a Christian sensation and allegedly helped many people find a renewed commitment to God. Several have said that it explained for them aspects of God that they had not thought of before. I’m thankful that many have drawn closer to God (although I’m not excited about the means by which it happened). Continue reading →

Book Review: God’s Will & Man’s Will by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum

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God’s Will & Man’s Will by Arnold Fruchtenbaum is the best work I have read that explains the sovereignty of God and free will of man controversy.  Too much fire has been created over this discussion and countless brothers and sisters have been divided instead of brought together. Continue reading →

Book Review: Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung

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Book Review: Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung        

Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung is a fresh view of understanding God’s will.  DeYoung is an exceptional thinker in many ways and seeks to look at the diamond of God’s will from another facet. Rather than trying to identify the precise action a person should take in order to be in God’s will, DeYoung approaches determining the will of God by allowing anything to be included that is not forbidden.  “Give up,” he says, “and ‘Just do something.’”

He begins by identifying the sovereignty of God’s will.  In DeYoung’s theological view “God always gets His way.” (p. 19)  It is true the will of God will always be accomplished, yet as DeYoung writes, “It is the ultimate determination over all things, and it cannot be overturned.” (p. 21) Does that mean when God desires all to be saved and some are not, that God doesn’t get His way?  It would seem that God wills that many are condemned because “God knows all things and sovereignly superintends all things.” (p. 21) That jargon removes human freewill.  It would seem that DeYoung discusses human choice all through his book, but not when it comes to the category of God’s sovereign will. To clarify, it seems that Young holds to the Direct will of God, but not the Permissive will of God (God allows sin to happen, even though God does not desire it).

DeYoung rightly states, “Yes, God has a specific plan for our lives.” (p. 24) It is true that in the Divine Decree, every condition, decision and futurition is certain.  Yet, man is not a robot.  By the grace of God, he makes choices  that prove when he is humbly submitted to God, he glorifies God and God works through him, but when he acts independent from God, he continues in sin, even as when he was an unbeliever. I affirm DeYoung when he states, “The better way is the biblical way: Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust that He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are and where we’re going.” (p. 26)

He answers the question why we want to know the will of God.  His first reason is we want to please God – very positive. (p. 27)  His fifth reason is we are cowards and don’t want to suffer harm or do something wrong that would put us in danger – very true. (p. 38) His point is that we often get too concerned with the precise, best will of God and are hindered from making a difference in God’s kingdom.

A couple times he states, “We risk, because God does not risk.” (p. 48) Everything is known by God, so we can venture forth and trust how God will lead.  In making those decisions, he states, “But it would have been wrong for me to use God’s will as a way to remove my personal responsibility in the decision.” (p. 49).  In other words, I can’t blame God. God wants us to use our brains (p. 53) and make decisions that honor His character and are within His scope of holiness.

The main thrust of DeYoung’s thesis is seek first God’s righteousness, don’t worry about all the details, but do make decisions out of a love for Jesus Christ. (p. 57)  In other words, do you want to mirror God’s character and please Him? Then “Just Do Something” and trust God in His guidance.  Don’t worry about the perfect job or perfect place to live. If they are not sin, then make the decision and God will lead if it is not the right choice.

At times DeYoung will make significant statements like “Apart from the Spirit working through Scripture, God does not promise to use any other means to guide us, nor should we expect Him.” (p. 68) Then he will incorporate a good section on getting counsel from others with wisdom (pp. 94-95).   He distinguishes the difference between moral and non-moral issues, which is appropriate.  Although it may be that a person’s personal study and understanding of Scripture has not reached the depth of a friend who may give better counsel regarding decisions.  That friend may have a better understanding of truth.

This review should be closed with the way DeYoung closed his thoughts,

Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself.  Be holy.  Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else you like, with whomever you like, wherever you like, and you’ll be walking in the will of God. (p. 122)

There is a great deal of qualification that must be understood from his material, but he opens your options of God’s will to “Just Do Something.”

Book Review: Worship in Song: A Biblical Approach to Music and Worship by Scott Aniol

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Book Review: Worship in Song: A Biblical Approach to Music and Worship by Scott Aniol
 

Worship in Song, by Scott Aniol, is the best book I’ve read on music and worship.  I have read many volumes regarding music and worship, because I have been perplexed for many years regarding what kind of music is appropriate for worshiping God.  I have transitioned from the perspective of enjoying anything to being very restrictive in the kinds and styles of music.  I have also tried to develop a system of rhythms of music for what is appropriate.  I know I will continue to refine my perspective as I understand our infinite God and how to connect with people to worship God.  Unfortunately, the music debate has caused too many problems in churches and created too many walls between Christians.

Scott Aniol insightfully developed a balance in explaining music in biblical worship.  He puts the emphasis where it belongs: on God. His bottom line seems to be that God is most pleased with the process of people dependent on God to determine what honors Him, rather than merely choosing a particular style.

He begins by examining worship in its foundation.  Worship is about God, not man. Therefore, “A Christian’s number one concern in life should not be his rights or his preferences. It should be the glory of God,” writes Aniol (p. 40).  Offense is not whether my feelings are hurt or not, but whether my actions lead another into sin (p. 41).  Additionally, he writes,

If you are not actively pursuing sanctification; if you are not daily in God’s Word, striving to know His mind and think His thoughts; if you not willing to give up what might be legitimately your right, then you cannot expect to discern what music styles are pleasing to the Lord. (p. 42)

Aniol continues by describing “affections” as a missing link (p. 45f). Love for God is not a duty, but something we choose to do. He writes, “Love in the portrayal of pop media is something we “fall into,” something involuntary, even accidental. But biblical affection is not that way. Biblical affection intricately involves the mind, the will, and the emotions.” (p. 54) Affections are a choice to focus on God and worship Him, not a response of emotions that we don’t control.

Aniol records an excellent synopsis on history of music, culture and the church.  It was in the 18th century when the church was dethroned and secular culture and the Industrial Revolution became more influential to replace folk culture.  This pop culture began to govern church music (p. 77).

He makes an excellent analogy regarding  “beauty.”  Most people would say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”  However, beauty is not subjective according to what man likes.  Some are so perverted, they think pornography is beautiful.  True beauty rests with God, not man (cf. Pro. 2:3-6).  The same is true with music.  Aniol writes,

If certain forms of music draw a listener into a sensuous experience of physical pleasure only without deflecting its finite representation of beauty to the divine, they are not worthy of Christian use.  In other words, music that merely stimulates the passions instead of uplifting the affections is dangerous. (p. 116)

There is clear distinction between what is beautiful and what is wicked.  The middle ground of acceptability is large.  So, where is the line?  The issue can be made for music also. Aniol writes,

Recognizing clearly immoral music is fairly easy—any Christian can do it.  Trying to determine where the line between good and bad music, is, however, remains difficult, if not impossible for finite man.  Therefore staying away from the middle may be prudent for the Christian. (p. 140, author’s emphasis).

            After an exceptional analysis of music and worship, Aniol summarizes with four statements:

  • God created all things.
  • God created all things for His own pleasure.
  • God is worthy of our worship because He created all things for His own pleasure.
  • God is worthy enough for us to consider carefully how we worship. (pp. 238-244)

This is a must read for every pastor, especially those leading with music.  Scott Aniol provides a fresh, solid approach to music and worship.  Aniol is a tremendous communicator and pastor, always thinking of how to bring glory and honor to the Lord.

Book Review: The Sabbath by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum

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Book Review: The Sabbath by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum

 

The Sabbath by Arnold Fruchtenbaum is a thorough study of the “Sabbath.”  In true Fruchtenbaum style, he has carefully examined the Scriptures to look at both the meaning of Sabbath and to ensure he examines it in context.  He does not insert presuppositions into the text in order to fit his theology.  Sabbath is for a memorial of the Exodus, a sign of Israel’s sanctification as a nation and a sign of the Mosaic Covenant (p. 31)

Fruchtenbaum’s study of Sabbath is hermeneutically correct, consistently clear noting the contextual elements throughout Scripture and charitably fair in pointing out inconsistencies in other interpretations.  First, he is clear on his hermeneutic (method of interpretation) of a Literal Historico-Grammatical method of interpretation to ensure his analysis and discussion harmonizes with all of Scripture.  He doesn’t insert theology into the study, but extracts the meaning from each genre and dispensational section of the text.  Because of inconsistent hermeneutics, many have distorted the meaning of “sabbath” to Christian living today. 

I appreciate how well Fruchtenbaum isolates the meaning of “Sabbath” as beginning with the Mosaic Law.  And with the passing of the authority of the Mosaic Law, with the beginning of the Church Age, he notes the passing of the necessity of the weekly Sabbath observance.  Interestingly, he makes clear that the Sabbath was for rest and refreshment, not necessarily worship (p. 14).  Israel gathers three times for annual festival worship, but the weekly Sabbath was to rest and enjoy God’s presence with family.  Misunderstanding this has caused many Christians to mandate how and when worship should be defined today.  For example, worship does not need to be on Sunday (pp. 87-89).  Christians 1) need to decide to set aside some time for worship, 2) they must meet together and 3) the local congregation can decide when and where (p. 84).  I used to understand three reasons for Sabbath, but Fruchtenbaum describes 19 reasons (pp. 31-33).

Secondly, Fruchtenbaum is consistently clear emphasizing context each time.  When God speaks through Isaiah ordering a cessation of sacrifices for the Sabbath, God is not cancelling the Mosaic Law, but condemning their ritual without reality observance (p. 48).  His consistency is also in noting when Sabbath is used typologically in the book of Hebrews rather than literally (p. 82).  Ultimately, Fruchtenbaum is a master at comparing Scripture with Scripture to ensure consistency (p. 82)

Thirdly, he is charitable in pointing out inconsistencies of other Sabbath interpretations (p. 24).  He even responds with his genuine sense of humor in addressing inconsistencies (pp. 22, 31, 85). 

This is a fantastic study on Sabbath that is clear, consistent and fair in addressing the biblical view.  You could secure a copy of this at ariel.org.

Book Review: The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn

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Book Review: The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn

“The Harbinger” by Jonathan Cahn is a fascinating narrative regarding current events connected to a prophecy given to Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Cahn insightfully draws parallels from the prophecy of God against Israel and relates that to current day United States of America.  The parallels are intriguing, the dialogue is adventurous and the ramifications are significant.  The challenge is, “Can such parallels be made?”

What is a harbinger?  A dictionary definition would define it as “a person who heralds another” or “something that foreshadows a future event” as in a sign.  “The Harbinger” is written to foreshadow an apocalyptic event in the future of the United States of America.

The story line is built around Nouriel who is drawn into a relationship with the prophet related to the events of and following 9/11.  Cahn delineates nine harbingers as signs of warning to Israel, who disregarded them to her own demise, of which also parallel to events in the United States. Significant events, down to the “exact days” describe how a potential judgment is coming upon America. Included in the analyses are quotations proclaimed by the US Senate leadership and the President himself related to the defiance of Israel against God’s wrarning.  Just as Israel defied God’s warning and was destroyed, so also the US is defying God’s warning and may face coming judgment.  Each of the nine seals, or harbingers, unveils a premise that if the US does not return to the Lord, it will face certain judgment. The narrative is put together like a Hollywood thriller movie exploiting the details of contemporary history.

Is it possible that Cahn could be right?  The coming judgment of the US seems to be certain based on the rejection of American people toward the Lord and the downward spiral of morality.  Much of the story line documentation supports the premise that America will fall to a second rate country in the near future, but I would be very cautious using a prophecy given to the nation Israel. Yet, there are several reasons why the parallels should not be made.

First, Isaiah prophesied to Israel, not America.  The many specifics that Cahn sites are fascinating and should cause students of Scripture to continue research into Cahn’s primary sources and to be open to continued parallels. However, you can’t take a prophecy given to Israel and directly apply it to another nation.  Could God do that?  Yes.  In the same way, Matthew quoted from Hosea 11:1 a prophecy that God would call Israel out of Egypt and Matthew uses that in Matthew 2:15 as an interpretation applied to Jesus “called out of Egypt.” I’m very comfortable for Matthew to do that under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, however hermeneutics (laws of interpretation) don’t allow me or anyone else to take prophecies given to Israel and directly apply them to another country.  Principles in application can be applied, but caution should be exercised. 

Secondly, Cahn uses 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a solution for US defiance toward God. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  This a great verse, but if America does repent, the verse cannot be used for an automatic response from God.  God doesn’t promise that America will be restored to world greatness, even if the American people do repent.  Second Chronicles was written regarding Isreal and is there for our learning that we might have hope in God (Rom. 15:4).  If the people do repent, God in His gracious sovereignty can choose to bless the United States.  God is not under obligation to remove any pending divine discipline.

Furthermore, does the Isaiah prophecy apply to other countries that have existed since the time of Jesus?  Maybe Cahan would say, they did not have the foundation based on biblical truth as the United States did.  That may be true, but the direct comparison of the US to Israel seems stretched.

Thirdly, too many cults have proclaimed doom (Millerites 1844; Harold Camping 1994; Pentecostal William Branham 1977; Edgar Whisenant 1988; David Koresh 1993; Jehovah Witness 1914) and applied prophecy inappropriately.  A Christian today does not have authority to make predictions for a specific country, when the prophecy was given to a different country.  That violates principles of a literal historico-grammatical approach to interpretation. I in no way want to imply Cahn is a cult leader or not a Christian.  I am not able to find a statement of faith regarding his beliefs in Jesus Christ. He seems sincere in website information.

I would also be concerned that Cahn may hold to Replacement Theology, although he never makes an issue of that in the book.  Replacement Theology says that the church replaced Israel as the people of God and Israel is no longer a factor in contemporary history.  On the contrary, Israel continues to be a factor and the unconditional covenants that God made with Abraham, David and Israel in the New Covenant will be fulfilled at the Second Advent. 

On the other hand, I would not blow off what Cahn is saying.  The unusually specific quotations parallel to what happened with Israel are most interesting.  This is a well-written, captivating and inspiring dialogue.  Each chapter is filled with dialogue that reveals attention to detail and exqauisite dialogue. 

Book Review: Center Church by Timothy Keller

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Book Review: Center Church by Timothy Keller

“Center Church” by Timothy Keller is articulate, serious, thoughtful and challenging.  He’s challenged my thinking in many ways regarding gospel ministry in cities.  There are three main sections: Gospel; City; and Movement.  Each section is sub-divided into parts and each part has several chapters.  Keller is brilliant in his perspective.  I might not agree with all of his theology, but he has thought through issues that I have not considered.  He is extremely well read and he incorporates the summary and thoughts of an abundance of authors throughout his discussions.

His book is on “Center Church,” because he is seeking the center to balance theological, philosophical and practical extremes of world view.  He seeks to balance the gospel axis between legalism and relativism; the city balance between challenge and appreciate; and the movement balance between structured organization and fluid organism.

His chapter “The Gospel is not Everything” was bothersome as a title, but it caught my attention.  He does not mean the gospel good news of Christ’s sufficiency and blood atonement, but that the gospel influences every part of life and is far more expansive than a simple story to get people into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Yes, indeed, the gospel affects everything and the church that expounds the gospel in its fullness will look unique.

Keller provides many approaches to his subjects.  People are not just saved or rebellious, but it is helpful to classify rebellious in a religious and irreligious mode.  Both are unbelievers.  In the city context, many will consider themselves religious, who can then be shown they are not of the gospel.

His second section on city was challenging.  The city seems to be a gathering place for immorality and the exaltation of sin, which they are.  However, Keller exposes the importance of ministering in cities to reach the multitude of people for whom Jesus died.  He clearly shows many of the advances brought about by cities, but the balance is that those advances have not drawn people closer in their relationship with God.  He emphasizes one day all will be drawn to the “city” of God, so cities are not inherently bad.  Yet, he seems to be careful to not offend city-dwellers who depend far too much on human strength and abilities rather than God’s Spirit.  I would have hoped he emphasized that as the city attracts multitudes and various peoples, sin multiplies exponentially and apart from the Holy Spirit, it will not be brought under control prior to the Lord’s return.  I do appreciate his approach to ministry in cities, because he is building bridges unlike many of us who burn bridges to city-dwellers, much like Jonah in Nineveh.

He notes that the early Christian movement “was largely an urban movement that won the people of the Roman cities to Christ, while most of the rural countryside remained pagan.” (149)  he writes, “The city is an intrinsically positive social form with a checkered past and a beautiful future.” (151)  Apart from the Holy Spirit cleansing the cities through the gospel, they will continue to spiral down.  It’s interesting that immorality, abortion, wickedness and the like begin in the cities and then slowly penetrate into the rural areas. The church, then, must hear the call to the city. (154)  He cites some crucial statistics of the declining spirituality in America. (182) 

So how should the church respond to culture?  Great discernment is needed.  Keller presents five approaches in which he delineates strengths and weaknesses of each.  Keller sees the grays in between black and white choices of response and that has greatly assisted him in reaching the city culture.

His last section on “Movement” describes the structure of the organized church and the fluidity of the organism of the church.  Both are necessary for becoming a missional church.  A missional church is going to adjust to the culture where it can in order to reach into and rescue souls seeking God’s solutions.  I appreciate his urgency to connect people to the culture, so that the church influences culture, rather than be influenced by culture.  His comparison of an “Institution versus Movement” is insightful and thought-provoking.

“Center Church” is not going to be a book everyone will sit down and consume in a few nights.  The 382 pages are double-columned, so most people will be put off by the amount of material.  It doesn’t have testimonials and stories or pictures, so many will drift away.  However, every student should consider studying this as it is likely used in many academic contexts.  I’d encourage students of Scripture to study this for expanding your thinking.

Book Review: Freely By His Grace: Classical Free Grace Theology ed. By J.B. Hixson, Rick Whitmire, and Roy B. Zuck. Pp 580.

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Freely by His Grace, edited by J.B. Hixson, Rick Whitmire and Roy B. Zuck is the best text  on the market on Free Grace Theology.  It should be a seminary text for every student of God’s Word.  It objectively analyzes the subject matter, God’s Word and arguments made regarding God’s grace from Dispensational and Reformed Theologies.  This text should be examined closely so students of God’s word don’t fall into gospel confusion, works righteousness or eisegesis in interpretation.

Each of the 17 chapters define specific issues related to Free Grace Theology.  Each chapter secures linchpins for Free Grace Theology.  For example, the first chapter, “What is Free Grace Theology?” written by Michael Halsey, outlines a clear, but succinct presentation of Arminianism, Lordship Salvation and Free Grace Theology.  The term Lordship Salvation is used, because Reformed Theology holds to the Lordship Salvation  position.  Lordship emphasizes “entire surrender” of every area of life to the Lordship of Jesus with the requirement of “works of righteousness” to ensure salvation.   The challenge presented in this article and the rest of the articles is that the Lordship position is not supported by Scripture.  It is a practical reaction to the failure of many Christians who say they are Christians, yet do not grow spiritually in sanctification.  Instead they continue living in sin.  As Halsey concludes, “Salvation is not by maintenance; salvation is not by performance.”  (14)  It is solely by the finished work of Jesus.

The second chapter is a reprint of chapter one from L.S. Chafer’s book on “Grace.”  In summary, “God saves by grace,” “God keeps through grace those who are saved,” and “God teaches in grace those who are saved and kept how they should live.” (27)  Yet, Chafer cautions, “The eternal relationship between the Father and His child can never be set aside.  The Father may correct and chasten His erring child (1 Cor. 11:31-32; Heb. 12:3-15)…” (25)

J.B. Hixson focuses on “What is the Gospel?” to define this essential truth.  The Gospel is good news, but what are the human requirements at the point of salvation or after salvation?  Hixson wisely outlines if something must be done or added to life after salvation, then it is no longer grace, but works.  Interestingly in the endnotes, he takes issue with other Free Grace theologians who while they do hold to the finished work completed on the cross, that information is not necessary to be understood for salvation.  This some have referred to as a “crossless” gospel.  I completely agree with Hixson. (59)

George Meisinger addresses the content of the gospel from 1 Corinthians 15 in chapter four.  Meisinger delineates the basic essentials of the Gospel and then well defines six end results of understanding Christ’s death and resurrection.  Each  result helps define why Free Grace must be held if Scripture is rightly divided. (90-93)

Each of the writers record fine scholarship to remove cloudiness in thinking and restore objectivity for future discussions.  The rest of the chapters include: 5) What about Lordship Salvation?; 6) The Distinction between Salvation and Discipleship; 7) The Nature of Saving Faith; 8) Repentance and the Free Grace of God; 9) Regeneration and the Order of Salvation; 10) Is Salvation Forever or Can it be Lost?; 11) Can you know for Sure You are Saved Forever?; 12) Sin and Classical Free Grace Theology; 13) Sanctification by God’s Free Grace; 14) Rewards and the Judgment Seat of Christ; 15) What is Traditional Dispensationalism?; 16) The Link between Dispensationalism and Free Grace;  and 17) God’s Grace in Missions, Evangelism, and Disciple-Making.  I found each chapter well documented by God’s word and other authors.

The Gospel and the Christian way of life are far too important in which to muddle.  In our desire for clarity, it is important to stand with Christian charity, but without compromise.  Let no one take away from the sovereign work of God in Christ Jesus and let no one reduce the immensity of the grace of God by adding human works of righteousness. 

Book Review: So…What Happens Next? Exploring Biblical Prophecies to Make Sense of Today’s Chaos by Jeremy Stevens

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In “So…What Happens Next?” Jeremy Stevens adeptly approaches biblical prophecy with a fresh, contemporary perspective.  He is dispensational, historical and current.  He draws upon a tremendous background of world history to present the potential layout of world history leading up to the Tribulation. 

Jeremy Stevens is historical.  Using prophecies drawn from Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation, Stevens weaves current geo-political history into a prophetic newspaper of events.  Many people delineate how the United States must be out of the picture for Tribulation events, but Stevens demonstrates that some kind of USA structure could easily exist and must exist for the Anti-Christ to rule over the end time ten world kingdoms. 

Stevens describes the need of a United States entity to protect the global system through military superiority, technology, communications, language, economic interdependence, global cooperation and a single super-power.  This is necessary to protect the Western-European system for the rise of the Anti-Christ persona.  Following this are the potential inevitabilities of the Russian, Turkey, African, Middle East and Eastern power block engagements into biblical prophecy.  He examines each region politically, economically and historically for their roles in events leading up to the Tribulation.  One key is Russia’s urgency to act soon before it weakens nationally and slides into being a third world nation that could not invade Israel. That potentially would delay prophecy for hundreds of years. We’ll find out in the near future if that is God’s plan.

Jeremy Stevens is historical, but he is also humorous (should I say “hysterical”?).  His wit permeates the entire book making the analysis engaging and enjoyable.  I imagine his students enjoy his teaching in history.

He slips in six events that must precede the Tribulation.  While he holds the Rapture is imminent, he adroitly delineates six events that have biblically taken place and will take place prior to the initiation of the Tribulation period.  This section could have been expanded and reiterated with Scriptural references. 

You will have to decide on his overall analysis, but his fresh approach is significant and potentially very accurate.