How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens – Review

How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture by Michael Williams

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this book! I copied the chapter on Exodus and gave it to my students at the Christian school where I teach. Michael Williams goes through each book of the Bible, and somehow manages to capture how Christ fulfills the central themes of each book. But, this is no mammoth scholarly tome. This is an immensely practical book, and each chapter ends with “hook questions” that help to apply the Christological implications of each book in the Bible to our lives.

This book is designed to help students of the Bible recognize the broad theme of each Biblical book and see how it is fulfilled in Christ. Below the title of each chapter is a phrase which summarizes the theme of the Biblical book. For instance, under “Exodus” we find “Deliverance into Presence.” After an introductory paragraph, which outlines the historical background of the book. Then, we find the theme of Exodus: “God delivers his people from slavery into his presence.” After a paragraph summarizing the highlights of Exodus, we find a memory verse: Ex. 29:46. Williams has selected memory passages from each book which both epitomize the Biblical book, and are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Williams typically follows the memory verse with a paragraph discussing the spiritual significance and themes of the Biblical book under consideration. Then, we get to Jesus, with “The Jesus Lens” section. Williams shows how Christ fulfills the themes of the books, resolves tensions, answers questions, and provides additional meaning. At this point, we can marvel at the intricate story that God has been writing throughout redemptive history. Williams then moves into pastoral theology, showing how our salvation and spiritual struggles follow the same patterns as the Old Testament narratives.

All good theology must be applied, and so Williams ends each chapter with “Contemporary Implications,” relating Biblical themes to our world and our experience. Lastly, Williams provides a few “Hook Questions” which bring these great truths and themes to an intensely personal level. These questions reveal much about our own sinfulness, and how much we fail to live out the grand story that God has written for us. But, Williams ends with a paragraph of pastoral encouragement, reminding us of God’s faithfulness and abiding love.

Although each chapter is short, I believe this book should be part of every pastor’s, teacher’s, and Christian’s, library. I say this because I have found that many Christians have no idea how the Old Testament applies to us now (especially the youth I’ve taught over the years). Williams’ book should help fill this lacuna in the contemporary Church.

(Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Zondervan book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.)

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Review – Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels by Kenneth E. Bailey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is amazing! Bailey lived for 60 years in the Middle East, and has literally lived through the Bible story. The book begins with a stunning study, which presents a convincing case that Jesus was actually born in a house (since many poor, Middle Eastern homes actually have mangers in the house!). I won’t give away the rest of his argument, but I did want to share another tid-bit that lept out at me.

Speaking of the Magi, and who they might have been, he writes: “In the 1920s a British scholar, E.F.F. Bishop, visited a Bedouin tribe in Jordan. This Muslim tribe bore the Arabic name al-Kokabani. The word kokab means “planet” and al-Kaokabani means “Those who study/follow the planets.” Bishop asked the elders of the tribe why they called themselves by such a name. They replied that it was because their ancestors followed the planets and traveled west to Palestine to show honor to the great prophet Jesus when he was born. This supports Justin’s [Justin Martyr - ca. 165 A.D.:] second-century claim that the wise men were Arabs from Arabia,” (Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, 53).

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So, I’ve finally finished this! It took about three years to read, mostly because I had to fit it into the cracks of my teaching and graduate school schedule. But, it was well worth it. Bailey’s insights probably need to be digested over a long period of time anyway, since they are so paradigm-changing.  Nearly every chapter had moments of truly deep insight, combined with pastoral applications throughout. I can’t recommend this highly enough! Every pastor needs to read it, to avoid recycling some common misnomers about the Bible.

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Dictionary of Christian Spirituality – Review

Dictionary of Christian Spirituality by Glen G. Scorgie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mentioning “spirituality” makes the typical conservative Christian think of meditation, saying the Jesus Prayer, and similar practices which sound suspiciously New-Age. But, this new Dictionary of Christian Spirituality should dispel such notions. The authors are firmly grounded in Biblical theology, and find their moorings in the Evangelical tradition. At the same time, they welcome the truths that other traditions have emphasized.

The book is divided into two parts: (1) a series of integrative essays on the discipline and history of spiritual theology, and (2) the Dictionary proper, which includes a vast array of entries on all aspects of Christian spirituality.

Overall, this is a welcome addition to any scholar’s or pastor’s library. Interested Christians will also find a wealth of thoughtful, and practical, material. The volume is huge (a mere 852 pages!), but it is bound well, and is designed with a view to aesthetic layout.

(Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Zondervan book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.)

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King Jesus Gospel – Review

The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited by Scot McKnight

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Scot McKnight’s new book, The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited, is a keeper. In fact, I would say it’s one of the best theological books I’ve ever read. Part of what makes it exciting is that McKnight is excited himself! You can sense his energy and his joy in his subject, as he leads us step-by-step through his own theological development. It takes some work to read Jesus in his own context, and McKnight is patient with us.

I used this book in my classes at a Christian school, to help bolster my case that Christians should read the Old Testament more. My students were honest in their admission that they don’t read the Old Testament much, and don’t see the point. McKnight argues that, unless we understand the story of Israel, we cannot really understand Jesus.

I appreciated his critique of the Reformation, his insistence that we learn about the early church, and his endorsement of prayer-books and creeds. If you don’t see how those are connected with Jesus in first-century context, you’ll just have to buy the book and find out for yourself!

My only real question concerns the “contextualization” question. McKnight presents a solid case that Apostolic preaching looked like thus-and-such. Basically, the preaching of Peter and Paul was dramatically different than our “four spiritual laws” presentations and arm-twisting methods of “gospel” persuasion. Granted. But, Peter and Paul were preaching to a largely Jewish culture. Even when Paul is writing to sort out problems between Jews and Gentiles, he’s still working within Jewish categories. When we take the Gospel to Africa, do we still stress every aspect of Old Testament history as much as the Apostles did? Stephen’s speech in Acts wouldn’t seem to work so well in remote jungles. I hope McKnight will take this up in another book.

Overall, this is a splendid book, and I hope it will help to shake up the anemic and shallow American church!

(Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Zondervan book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.)

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The Heresy of Orthodoxy

The Heresy of Orthodoxy by Andreas J. Kostenberger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really helpful, and scholarly, treatment of the claims made by radical skeptics like Bart Ehrman and Elaine Pagels about the reliability of the New Testament text, and the formation of the canon. I might be a little prejudiced (since I took a class from Dr. Kruger at RTS-Charlotte), but I hope this book finds a wide readership. Unfortunately, it will probably be ignored by the liberal gate-keepers of the media.  But, for those who are serious about pursuing truth and good scholarship, this is essential reading!

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The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms

The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms by David R. Beach

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Brian Webster and David Beach have produced an accessible introduction to the Psalms. Christians have always treasured the Psalms, but they can seem foreign to our culture today. Just this afternoon, I had a long discussion with my junior Greek class on what David meant when he says that God “hates evildoers” (Ps. 5:5). The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms gives a practical commentary on topics like this, explains the background of each psalm, and notes the type of Psalm, as well as key themes and phrases. I especially appreciated how the authors draw attention to how the Psalms are quoted in the New Testament. The book is illustrated with lots of colorful, and thought-provoking, pictures. Some are a little too post-modern for my taste, but they do help the reader to think in metaphors and symbols, which is the point of poetry in the first place! A great little resource!

(Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Zondervan book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.)

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Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission – Review

The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission: Promoting the Gospel with More Than Our Lips by John Dickson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fantastic book! I loved Dickon’s combination of scholarly acumen and practical wisdom. The “best kept secret of Christian mission,” it turns out, is that all Christians are called to missions, in some way or other.

This is not the same as saying that all Christians must share the gospel with at least one person per day. Dickson came out of that mentality, and shows the flaws in such thinking. Dickson also spent many years as an evangelist, and he argues that some people have the gifts and calling of an evangelist. But, he also acknowledges that most people don’t have this calling. How, then, can all Christians participate in mission?

Dickson, with a careful balance of substantive exegesis and pastoral directions, works through various ways the Bible presents the missional calling of all Christians. First, we pray, both for people we know who need Christ, and also for the evangelists in our churches. Secondly, we support missions with our money. Thirdly, we support missions with our lifestyle. The way we live, and the good works that we do, will draw others to Christ.

Dickson then spends quite a few pages defining the Gospel Biblically. It turns out that the Gospel is quite a bit more powerful than the gospel-bytes and sinners’ prayer that most of us were taught in evangelism classes. (I love how Dickson invites his readers, at the end the book, to pray the LORD’S PRAYER, rather than some sappy “sinner’s prayer”!

Dickson then lays out the exegetical groundwork for believing that a distinct office of “evangelist” exists in Scripture. The chapter I most enjoyed, however, was chapter 10, where he shows that our public worship is evangelistic. For a liturgy-geek like me, it was the icing on the cake. We evangelize simply by worshipping God! Of course, this implies that we actually bring our non-Christian friends to church, something I am personally not very good at doing …

Perhaps that’s why chapter 11 is so important. Dickson shows how we can magnify Christ in our daily conversation. There are countless opportunities we have throughout our lives to drop little phrases that glorify God, and might spark further conversations.

The last chapter is a fictional story, drawing together many pieces of Dickson’s experieces with evangelism. God uses all sorts of ways to bring people to Himself. Dickson does a splendid job of showing our every area of our lives has the potential to be missional!

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Re-thinking King David’s Adultery

Like me, you’ve probably heard sermons that go something like this:  “So, we should never put ourselves in compromising situations.  Look at King David.  It says he was in Jerusalem in the Spring, ‘when kings go to war.’  He wasn’t going to war, like kings were supposed to do.  He was lounging around his palace.  Then, he saw Bathsheba, and it was all downhill from there!” 

First, let me say that we should stay focused on our callings.  Working hard has a way of not giving us much time to be tempted!  But, I’ve read a couple things recently that make me question this standard reading of King David’s adultery.

Howard F. Vos writes: “Kings did not always lead their forces into war.  And, in fact, the time came when the people at large insisted that David stay home from the front for his personal safety and for their good.  ‘You are more help to us in the city,’ they said (2 Samuel 18:3 NKJV).  Moreover, the autocratic kings of the ancient Near East had so much administrative detail to attend to at home that they could not always handle both military and domestic affairs adequately,” (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Manners & Customs, 160).

And, from renowned scholar Kenneth E. Bailey: “In the Middle East, men and women are exceptionally modest about exposing their bodies … [Bathsheba] decided to take a bath in front of an open windo facing the palace.  Why should spend her life with a lowly paid foreigner if she could manage to move in next door with King David?  If taking a bath in front of a window was all she had to do–why not give it a try?

“No self-respecting women, in any culture, would do such a thing.  In a traditional Middle Eastern village, only powerful people have second and third floors to their homes.  Such people can look down on and see into their neighbor’s homes, walled courtyards and windows … David’s Jerusalem was small (twelve to fifteen acres), and all of it crowded … the space between the palace and Bathsheba’s house could hardly have been more than twenty feet.

“Bathsheba knew what she was doing and she was no fool.  Her plan succeeded, the king noticed her, and within a short time David arranged to have her taken to the palace” (Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, 40-41).

David definitely sinned, but these authors make the story more human, and thus add more interest.

Evangelical Traditionalism

Evangelicals are supposed to be totally devoted to the Bible.  Sola Scriptura! we shout.  But, as Craig Allert shows, Evangelicals are just as prone to following traditions as any other branch of Christendom.  (Just where in the Bible does it say to close your eyes when you pray!??)

Allert writes:  “What is actually happening in contemporary North American evangelical circles is that traditionalism has gradually crept into our understanding, or lack thereof, of the fundamentals.  Jaroslav Pelikan’s famous statement is apt here–’Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is he dead faith of the living.’  Traditionalism is doing or believing something simply because it is a custom, even if it is devoid of understanding, meaning, and/or significance.  This is what contemporary evangelicals have done in retaining their core set of essentials … The evangelical is exhorted to believe the sore set of doctrines because they have ‘always’ been seen as essential …

“Thus, not only have certain nonessentials been given essential status, but also some foundational aspects of theology have been underemphasized or even ignored and therefore undervalued, and this to the detriment of the body of Christ.  The rich liturgical tradition of the church becomes confined to musically induced emotionalism.  The importance of the community of faith for the life of the believer is reduced to crass marketing strategies and the newest ‘get spiritual quick’ scheme.  The living voice of the Bible in theological history becomes lost in individual interpretation and defense of a rather static propositionalism” (A High View of Scripture?  The Authority of the Bible and the Formation of the New Testament Canon, 33-34).

Evangelicals have been used by God to preserve and fight for some very important doctrines.  However, we always need to re-examine our beliefs, to make sure we are not simply holding on to ideas and doctrines because that’s “what we’ve always believed.” 

Allert’s book is about how the NT Canon was formed.  Most evangelicals (and most Christians in general) have no idea how we got our Bible.  This is peculiar, since we say we believe it is the Word of God.  Wouldn’t you want to know how the Word of God got into your hands!?

I’m sure I’ll be posting more on this topic …

Adoption Theology

The Orthodox Study Bible repeatedly emphasizes the theology of adoption in its explanatory notes.  This is laudable, since Protestants generally neglect this important way to understand our own salvation. 

 

We know several adoptees personally, and it is good to meditate on the fact that we are all adopted sons and daughters of the King.  In this regard, the Study Bible’s notes to Luke 3:23-38 (the geneology of Joseph and of Jesus) are particuarly moving: “Jesus was born to bring all mankind into adoption by the Father, and thus He affirms that a lineage of adoption is as binding and receives the same inheritance as a lineage of blood (Gal 4:4-7).”

 

(A good essay on this is C.N. Wilborn, “Adoption:  A Historical Perspective with Evangelical Implications” in Sanctification: Growing in Grace, eds. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. & J. Andrew Wortman, 2001.  Wilborn quotes Robert Smith Candlish:  “The more I think of it, the more I am disposed to regret that the subject of adoption, or sonship of believers, has been so little made account of in our Reformation theology.  It seems to me to be the appropriate crown of Calvinism…”)