“Singalong”, Phil Wickham (free album download)
Saturday, August 30, 2008
9th Grade High School Summer Reading
I almost wish I could say for these books what I wished I had said for the 7th grade books. Owen Strachan says best what I felt.
“…the culture of the adolescent is no great thing for art…Much of what's avant-garde and much of what's popular today centers thematically around things like breaking up and setting out in life and handling a cheating lover. Boooorrrriiiinnnngg. These are the concerns of adolescents. This is high school stuff. The true power of art is in its depiction of the deeper realities of life, the stuff that you can't plumb in a text message or a conversation on the bus. It's in showing what it looks like for a man to love his Alzheimer's-afflicted wife, or a lost soul to grapple with question of God's existence, or a father to ruminate on his legacy, or a woman to reflect on her empty nest, or a poet to delve into the causes of war. I could go on. This is the sort of thing that compels the artist to make great art… [adolescents] are consumed by small things. They avoid the great matters of life and trivialize them when they cannot avoid them. Here is hoping for Christians to seize the day and to make a bunch of art that is meaningful and populated with mature people and mature, compelling existences. In a culture that is making art that is both secular and boring, we have a chance to be neither.”
“Of course”, the naysayer says, “…they are adolescents…what do you expect?” To which I would reply, please see Do Hard Things , i.e. I have higher expectations for our teenagers.
I can’t say that, however, for the 9th grade books, because, for the most part, they aren’t trivial. Many of these books tackle the “big ideas”. Evolution, God, war, abortion and others are all discussed very directly here. I “almost wish” they were trivial though because of the way these ideas are put forth.
My first concern is the “adolescent” style in which they are presented. It’s like wading through a cesspool of muck to get to the clear pool of ideas. The filth is disconcerting for books aimed at teens – or at anybody for that matter. I discussed this specifically in the review of Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes.
My second concern is the, almost, absolute unbalanced presentation. These books are perfect examples of the fact that an author’s bias, i.e. worldview, is apparent in their work whether they want it to be or not. The other side of the “big idea” is never presented at all or is a straw man at best.
Specifically, the “Christian” characters are so stereotypical as to be cardboard. Hypocritical, harsh, and simple are modifiers that could describe any “Christian” in these books. It is a reminder to disciples of Christ, but, more than that, it is an assault on the truth of Christianity. Most of these are books that, if read by teens at all; need to be read with parents alongside to provide wise guidance and Biblical answers.
Reviews of the 2008 9th grade books.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (review coming soon)
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Keeper by Mal Peet
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Stop Pretending by Sonya Sones
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
“…the culture of the adolescent is no great thing for art…Much of what's avant-garde and much of what's popular today centers thematically around things like breaking up and setting out in life and handling a cheating lover. Boooorrrriiiinnnngg. These are the concerns of adolescents. This is high school stuff. The true power of art is in its depiction of the deeper realities of life, the stuff that you can't plumb in a text message or a conversation on the bus. It's in showing what it looks like for a man to love his Alzheimer's-afflicted wife, or a lost soul to grapple with question of God's existence, or a father to ruminate on his legacy, or a woman to reflect on her empty nest, or a poet to delve into the causes of war. I could go on. This is the sort of thing that compels the artist to make great art… [adolescents] are consumed by small things. They avoid the great matters of life and trivialize them when they cannot avoid them. Here is hoping for Christians to seize the day and to make a bunch of art that is meaningful and populated with mature people and mature, compelling existences. In a culture that is making art that is both secular and boring, we have a chance to be neither.”
“Of course”, the naysayer says, “…they are adolescents…what do you expect?” To which I would reply, please see Do Hard Things , i.e. I have higher expectations for our teenagers.
I can’t say that, however, for the 9th grade books, because, for the most part, they aren’t trivial. Many of these books tackle the “big ideas”. Evolution, God, war, abortion and others are all discussed very directly here. I “almost wish” they were trivial though because of the way these ideas are put forth.
My first concern is the “adolescent” style in which they are presented. It’s like wading through a cesspool of muck to get to the clear pool of ideas. The filth is disconcerting for books aimed at teens – or at anybody for that matter. I discussed this specifically in the review of Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes.
My second concern is the, almost, absolute unbalanced presentation. These books are perfect examples of the fact that an author’s bias, i.e. worldview, is apparent in their work whether they want it to be or not. The other side of the “big idea” is never presented at all or is a straw man at best.
Specifically, the “Christian” characters are so stereotypical as to be cardboard. Hypocritical, harsh, and simple are modifiers that could describe any “Christian” in these books. It is a reminder to disciples of Christ, but, more than that, it is an assault on the truth of Christianity. Most of these are books that, if read by teens at all; need to be read with parents alongside to provide wise guidance and Biblical answers.
Reviews of the 2008 9th grade books.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (review coming soon)
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Keeper by Mal Peet
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Stop Pretending by Sonya Sones
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Friday, August 29, 2008
A Note From Penny
.JPG)
Big Daddy has gwaciously let me use his bwog for a bwief announcement. I am now a pawt (hmm...funny! pawt....paw...get it?) of the wolwd wide web. You can find my new bwog at http://pennythedogfromheaven.blogspot.com/. Bawk at you later...keep your paws dwy!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
We surf...so you don't have to - August 26
The Candidate and the President
Obama and his abysmal answers.
On Bible Reading
From the upcoming ESV Study Bible.
Does Proverbs Speak of Jesus?
Are there any legitimate connections?
Actual Notes from Preachers
Compare the notes to the actual sermon.
Dallas Schools Redefine Fair
This will not help them in the real world of work.
Obama and his abysmal answers.
On Bible Reading
From the upcoming ESV Study Bible.
Does Proverbs Speak of Jesus?
Are there any legitimate connections?
Actual Notes from Preachers
Compare the notes to the actual sermon.
Dallas Schools Redefine Fair
This will not help them in the real world of work.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Quote - Drifting
"People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self - control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated."
D. A. Carson, For the Love of God
D. A. Carson, For the Love of God
Saturday, August 23, 2008
What's on my iPod this week - John MacArthur
John MacArthur's Life Testimony (1:16:42 in length, a free download)
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Book Briefs - August 20
Indestructible: The Unforgettable Story of a Marine Hero at the Battle of Iwo Jima by Jack Lucas
A candid story of hardship and courage from the youngest Medal of Honor recipient in the twentieth century. At fourteen Jack Lucas lied about his age, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and fought at Iwo Jima. His story, laced with bravado, including objectionable scenes of his “conquests” of women, will not be forgotten easily. We should all be extremely grateful for the likes of Jack Lucas and their true sacrifices for our freedom.
“I know God was, and is, working in my life. He placed me on the one ship out of two hundred anchored in the harbor, where my cousin was on board to help me stowaway. He jammed my rifle so that I would look downward and see the grenades at my buddies’ feet. He stopped my heavy bleeding when I asked Him to save me. He broke my fall from 1,200 feet when my chute did not open. He persuaded a young man to warn Maryland authorities that my life was in danger. The list goes on and on. I do not know why God spared my life so many times…I feel that He has entrusted me with the responsibility of passing on to other Americans my first hand knowledge of the enormous price that has been paid for their freedom.”
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics by Jeremy Schaap
A triumphant story of overcoming racism during a pivotal time of world history. Jesse Owens performance in the Berlin Olympics was not only an important individual accomplishment but an important event in the social and political environment in Nazi Germany and the world of 1936. While illuminating the spirit of the times this narrative also gives us a fuller picture of Jesse Owens, and what he had to overcome, and dispels many of the myths of his transcendent performance.
“Nothing Jesse Owens did at the Olympic stadium diminished the horrors to come. He saved no lives. However, for those paying close enough attention, Owens, in Berlin, revealed essential truths. While the western democracies were perfecting the art of appeasement, while much of the rest of the world kowtowed to the Nazis, Owens stood up to them at their own Olympics, refuting their venomous theories with his awesome deeds.”
Hitch by Jeanette Ingold
An engaging novel narrated by a high school senior forced to provide for his family during the Great Depression because of his absent, alcoholic father. Moss Trawnley joins the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936 and leads other young men as they construct a camp, restore farmland and build a dam in Montana. A straight forward coming of age story needing more historical background and flavor, yet still providing a realistic, but sparse, view of what life was like in America during the Depression.
“Heeding the JP’s warning about his jurisdiction, Pa and I started walking north along a county road. As we walked, I tried talking about the newspaper article. “Maybe the CCC wouldn’t be so bad,” I said. “It would be a job anyway.” “Welfare,” Pa said. “I told you, me and mine is done begging for government handouts.” “But if I was working, I wouldn’t be begging.” “I told you, no!” he said, just before a trucker pulled up with an offer of a ride. Finally we were on our way west again, and I was braced to steady myself against the constant jolt and sway, jolt and sway of the car passing over rail joints.”
A candid story of hardship and courage from the youngest Medal of Honor recipient in the twentieth century. At fourteen Jack Lucas lied about his age, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and fought at Iwo Jima. His story, laced with bravado, including objectionable scenes of his “conquests” of women, will not be forgotten easily. We should all be extremely grateful for the likes of Jack Lucas and their true sacrifices for our freedom.
“I know God was, and is, working in my life. He placed me on the one ship out of two hundred anchored in the harbor, where my cousin was on board to help me stowaway. He jammed my rifle so that I would look downward and see the grenades at my buddies’ feet. He stopped my heavy bleeding when I asked Him to save me. He broke my fall from 1,200 feet when my chute did not open. He persuaded a young man to warn Maryland authorities that my life was in danger. The list goes on and on. I do not know why God spared my life so many times…I feel that He has entrusted me with the responsibility of passing on to other Americans my first hand knowledge of the enormous price that has been paid for their freedom.”
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics by Jeremy Schaap
A triumphant story of overcoming racism during a pivotal time of world history. Jesse Owens performance in the Berlin Olympics was not only an important individual accomplishment but an important event in the social and political environment in Nazi Germany and the world of 1936. While illuminating the spirit of the times this narrative also gives us a fuller picture of Jesse Owens, and what he had to overcome, and dispels many of the myths of his transcendent performance.
“Nothing Jesse Owens did at the Olympic stadium diminished the horrors to come. He saved no lives. However, for those paying close enough attention, Owens, in Berlin, revealed essential truths. While the western democracies were perfecting the art of appeasement, while much of the rest of the world kowtowed to the Nazis, Owens stood up to them at their own Olympics, refuting their venomous theories with his awesome deeds.”
Hitch by Jeanette Ingold
An engaging novel narrated by a high school senior forced to provide for his family during the Great Depression because of his absent, alcoholic father. Moss Trawnley joins the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936 and leads other young men as they construct a camp, restore farmland and build a dam in Montana. A straight forward coming of age story needing more historical background and flavor, yet still providing a realistic, but sparse, view of what life was like in America during the Depression.
“Heeding the JP’s warning about his jurisdiction, Pa and I started walking north along a county road. As we walked, I tried talking about the newspaper article. “Maybe the CCC wouldn’t be so bad,” I said. “It would be a job anyway.” “Welfare,” Pa said. “I told you, me and mine is done begging for government handouts.” “But if I was working, I wouldn’t be begging.” “I told you, no!” he said, just before a trucker pulled up with an offer of a ride. Finally we were on our way west again, and I was braced to steady myself against the constant jolt and sway, jolt and sway of the car passing over rail joints.”
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
We surf...so you don't have to - August 19
The Fear of Bad News
The fear of "the other shoe dropping".
Chick-fil-A Owner Doesn’t Press Charges
Chick-fil-A and grace.
Where Went the Neighborhood?
Where did the neighborhood go?
Me, Myself and I
Why “I” is capitalized.
HT: Challies
“Permit Me, Then, to Address You as Dying Persons…”
"...there is no better way to be talked to than as a dying person."
The fear of "the other shoe dropping".
Chick-fil-A Owner Doesn’t Press Charges
Chick-fil-A and grace.
Where Went the Neighborhood?
Where did the neighborhood go?
Me, Myself and I
Why “I” is capitalized.
HT: Challies
“Permit Me, Then, to Address You as Dying Persons…”
"...there is no better way to be talked to than as a dying person."
Monday, August 18, 2008
Quote - Suffering
“My dear brother, we must not mind a little suffering for Christ’s sake. When I am getting through a hedge, if my head and shoulders are safely through, I can bear the pricking of my legs. Let us rejoice in the remembrance that our holy Head has surmounted all His suffering and triumphed over death. Let us follow Him patiently; we shall soon be partakers of His victory.”
Charles Simeon, quoted in John Piper, The Roots of Endurance (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006)
HT: Of First Importance
Charles Simeon, quoted in John Piper, The Roots of Endurance (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006)
HT: Of First Importance
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Book Review - A Great and Terrible Beauty
A Great and Terrible Beauty Libba Bray
Delacorte Books for Young Readers (March 22, 2005)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
PARENTAL ADVISORY: This book contains material inappropriate for children. This review may reference that same material and thus may also not be appropriate for children.
In short: There is little great, a lot that is terrible, and nothing that is beautiful in this “tawdry” novel of a “diabolical occult ring” and sexual exploration.
After her mother’s mysterious death in India, sixteen year old Gemma Doyle is sent to an English boarding school where she meets a powerful clique of girls and stern, hypocritical Christians.
“…Reverend Waite, leads us in prayers that all begin with “O Lord” and end with our somehow not being worthy – sinners who have always been sinners and will forever more be sinners until we die. It isn’t the most optimistic outlook I’ve ever heard. But we’re encouraged to keep trying anyway.”
“Reverend Waite calls out, half-drunk, “Is anyone there?”
Gemma stands up to the clique, all who eventually become her friends, while dealing with bizarre hallucinations and the strange presence of a young man who, apparently, has followed her from India. As friendships develop and the dreams of Gemma continue, the girls find a cave on the school grounds where they learn the powers of “the Order” and open a dark portal into the supernatural where, “…what you imagine can be yours.”
“…for cloaking ourselves from the sight of others, for bending the minds of men to the will of the Order, influencing their thoughts and dreams till their destinies shake out before them like a pattern in the night stars. It was all written upon the Oracle of the Runes. Just to touch our hands to those crystals was to be a conduit, with the universe flowing through hard and fast as a river.”
It is here, in the cave, where the four teenage girls, experiment with the occult, alcohol and their budding sexuality.
“It’s not a request. Drink or you’re out of the club…A surprising warmth floods my entire body, weighing me down in a delicious way. I like the feeling…I’m floating inside my skin…Right now, the real world with its heartbreak and disappointments is just a pulse against the protective membrane we’ve drunk ourselves into.”
“Felicity pulls my hand to her mouth and bites into the fruit cupped there. Her mouth is still sticky sweet from it as she kisses me full on the lips. I have to put my hand to them to stop the tingling, and a blush has flooded my entire body.”
“Ann, don’t tell me you don’t know what men and women do when they’re together. Shall I show you?”…Felicity holds her gaze for a moment, then licks Ann’s cheek in one long stroke…”I’m going to have many men.”
The debauchery only continues and turns more violent and graphic as the murderous secret of the boarding school is revealed. The disturbing revelation that a young child was “sacrificed” by Gemma’s teenage mother and her friend years ago is the unfortunate climax of the novel, related in sickening detail.
I feel like Ray Ortlund who says he wasted $6.25 on “The Dark Knight”.
“I learned nothing. I was not enriched in any way…I’m weary of the world’s disappointing stimulants. I want more of Christ.”
Michael Spencer, in commenting on Ray’s comments says,
“But there’s just a lot- a LOT- of garbage out there. A lot of lies. Distortion. A lot of very bad story telling. A lot of poorly executed entertainment. A lot of humor and excitement drummed up from the lowest common denominators: sex, violence, greed. A lot of wasted minutes, hours and days…But when we are supposedly deeply moved by something that, at its core, isn’t deeply moving, isn’t redemptive, isn’t part of the grand story, but is just a vast, pretentious, technologically overwhelming retelling of the worst kind of human story, I want to have the backbone to say so.”
I haven’t wasted $6.25, nor have I just wasted $9.99, the cost of the book, but my tax dollars are paying for the presentation of this garbage to unsuspecting fourteen year olds as “relevant” literature worthy of study and we all need to have the backbone to say so.
With “in the wrong era” discussions of cutting and divorce; descriptions of kissing and sex and a rebellious attitude toward God, “Makes it sound as if we’re God’s puppets.”; this book has little great, lot's terrible and absolutely nothing beautiful to recommend it.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8
After her mother’s mysterious death in India, sixteen year old Gemma Doyle is sent to an English boarding school where she meets a powerful clique of girls and stern, hypocritical Christians.
“…Reverend Waite, leads us in prayers that all begin with “O Lord” and end with our somehow not being worthy – sinners who have always been sinners and will forever more be sinners until we die. It isn’t the most optimistic outlook I’ve ever heard. But we’re encouraged to keep trying anyway.”
“Reverend Waite calls out, half-drunk, “Is anyone there?”
Gemma stands up to the clique, all who eventually become her friends, while dealing with bizarre hallucinations and the strange presence of a young man who, apparently, has followed her from India. As friendships develop and the dreams of Gemma continue, the girls find a cave on the school grounds where they learn the powers of “the Order” and open a dark portal into the supernatural where, “…what you imagine can be yours.”
“…for cloaking ourselves from the sight of others, for bending the minds of men to the will of the Order, influencing their thoughts and dreams till their destinies shake out before them like a pattern in the night stars. It was all written upon the Oracle of the Runes. Just to touch our hands to those crystals was to be a conduit, with the universe flowing through hard and fast as a river.”
It is here, in the cave, where the four teenage girls, experiment with the occult, alcohol and their budding sexuality.
“It’s not a request. Drink or you’re out of the club…A surprising warmth floods my entire body, weighing me down in a delicious way. I like the feeling…I’m floating inside my skin…Right now, the real world with its heartbreak and disappointments is just a pulse against the protective membrane we’ve drunk ourselves into.”
“Felicity pulls my hand to her mouth and bites into the fruit cupped there. Her mouth is still sticky sweet from it as she kisses me full on the lips. I have to put my hand to them to stop the tingling, and a blush has flooded my entire body.”
“Ann, don’t tell me you don’t know what men and women do when they’re together. Shall I show you?”…Felicity holds her gaze for a moment, then licks Ann’s cheek in one long stroke…”I’m going to have many men.”
The debauchery only continues and turns more violent and graphic as the murderous secret of the boarding school is revealed. The disturbing revelation that a young child was “sacrificed” by Gemma’s teenage mother and her friend years ago is the unfortunate climax of the novel, related in sickening detail.
I feel like Ray Ortlund who says he wasted $6.25 on “The Dark Knight”.
“I learned nothing. I was not enriched in any way…I’m weary of the world’s disappointing stimulants. I want more of Christ.”
Michael Spencer, in commenting on Ray’s comments says,
“But there’s just a lot- a LOT- of garbage out there. A lot of lies. Distortion. A lot of very bad story telling. A lot of poorly executed entertainment. A lot of humor and excitement drummed up from the lowest common denominators: sex, violence, greed. A lot of wasted minutes, hours and days…But when we are supposedly deeply moved by something that, at its core, isn’t deeply moving, isn’t redemptive, isn’t part of the grand story, but is just a vast, pretentious, technologically overwhelming retelling of the worst kind of human story, I want to have the backbone to say so.”
I haven’t wasted $6.25, nor have I just wasted $9.99, the cost of the book, but my tax dollars are paying for the presentation of this garbage to unsuspecting fourteen year olds as “relevant” literature worthy of study and we all need to have the backbone to say so.
With “in the wrong era” discussions of cutting and divorce; descriptions of kissing and sex and a rebellious attitude toward God, “Makes it sound as if we’re God’s puppets.”; this book has little great, lot's terrible and absolutely nothing beautiful to recommend it.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8
Monday, August 11, 2008
Quote - Arm Yourself
"You live in a world where your soul is in constant danger. Enemies are round you on every side. Your own heart is deceitful. Bad examples are numerous. Satan is always laboring to lead you astray. Above all false doctrine and false teachers of every kind abound. This is your great danger.
To be safe you must be well armed. You must provide yourself with the weapons which God has given you for your help. You must store your mind with Holy Scripture. This is to be well armed.
Arm yourself with a thorough knowledge of the written word of God. Read your Bible regularly. Become familiar with your Bible. . . . Neglect your Bible and nothing that I know of can prevent you from error if a plausible advocate of false teaching shall happen to meet you. Make it a rule to believe nothing except it can be proved from Scripture. The Bible alone is infallible. . . . Do you really use your Bible as much as you ought?
There are many today, who believe the Bible, yet read it very little. Does your conscience tell you that you are one of these persons?
If so, you are the man that is likely to get little help from the Bible in time of need. Trial is a sifting experience. . . . Your store of Bible consolations may one day run very low.
If so, you are the man that is unlikely to become established in the truth. I shall not be surprised to hear that you are troubled with doubts and questions about assurance, grace, faith, perseverance, etc. The devil is an old and cunning enemy. He can quote Scripture readily enough when he pleases. Now you are not sufficiently ready with your weapons to fight a good fight with him. . . . Your sword is held loosely in your hand.
If so, you are the man that is likely to make mistakes in life. I shall not wonder if I am told that you have problems in your marriage, problems with your children, problems about the conduct of your family and about the company you keep. The world you steer through is full of rocks, shoals and sandbanks. You are not sufficiently familiar either with lighthouses or charts.
If so, you are the man who is likely to be carried away by some false teacher for a time. It will not surprise me if I hear that one of these clever eloquent men who can make a convincing presentation is leading you into error. You are in need of ballast (truth); no wonder if you are tossed to and fro like a cork on the waves.
All these are uncomfortable situations. I want you to escape them all. Take the advice I offer you today. Do not merely read your Bible a little—but read it a great deal. . . . Remember your many enemies. Be armed!
J.C. Ryle, from a tract called "Bible Reading"
HT: Between Two Worlds
To be safe you must be well armed. You must provide yourself with the weapons which God has given you for your help. You must store your mind with Holy Scripture. This is to be well armed.
Arm yourself with a thorough knowledge of the written word of God. Read your Bible regularly. Become familiar with your Bible. . . . Neglect your Bible and nothing that I know of can prevent you from error if a plausible advocate of false teaching shall happen to meet you. Make it a rule to believe nothing except it can be proved from Scripture. The Bible alone is infallible. . . . Do you really use your Bible as much as you ought?
There are many today, who believe the Bible, yet read it very little. Does your conscience tell you that you are one of these persons?
If so, you are the man that is likely to get little help from the Bible in time of need. Trial is a sifting experience. . . . Your store of Bible consolations may one day run very low.
If so, you are the man that is unlikely to become established in the truth. I shall not be surprised to hear that you are troubled with doubts and questions about assurance, grace, faith, perseverance, etc. The devil is an old and cunning enemy. He can quote Scripture readily enough when he pleases. Now you are not sufficiently ready with your weapons to fight a good fight with him. . . . Your sword is held loosely in your hand.
If so, you are the man that is likely to make mistakes in life. I shall not wonder if I am told that you have problems in your marriage, problems with your children, problems about the conduct of your family and about the company you keep. The world you steer through is full of rocks, shoals and sandbanks. You are not sufficiently familiar either with lighthouses or charts.
If so, you are the man who is likely to be carried away by some false teacher for a time. It will not surprise me if I hear that one of these clever eloquent men who can make a convincing presentation is leading you into error. You are in need of ballast (truth); no wonder if you are tossed to and fro like a cork on the waves.
All these are uncomfortable situations. I want you to escape them all. Take the advice I offer you today. Do not merely read your Bible a little—but read it a great deal. . . . Remember your many enemies. Be armed!
J.C. Ryle, from a tract called "Bible Reading"
HT: Between Two Worlds
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Sharing the Good News - Missed Opportunities
As she began checking us out she glanced up and became terribly excited about a Christian youth camp I was familiar with. She said one of her friends had been there and just loved it. I was a bit confused but said, "Yes, it is a great camp." I mentioned that my daughter's had been attending for a few years. I asked if she had ever been, she said no and continued to scan our items. I was at a loss as to what prompted the whole conversation. Finally, after some time, I realized my hat was an advertisement for the camp. I had thanked her and paid before I realized, too late, once again, waht an opportunity I had just missed to share the Good News. She was the one that brought up a spiritual topic, the Christian camp. I didn't even have to start the conversation. There are no chance encounters and I had, without a doubt, missed this opportunity to share. Lord, please give us boldness and attentiveness to the people you place in out path every day.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Book Review - Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy
Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went CrazySonya Sones
HarperTeen (January 23, 2001)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: An emotionally powerful story of mental illness and first love in story-by-poem format with only isolated objectionable content.
A thirteen year old girl tells a story, through poems, of when her big sister began withdrawing from life and was eventually institutionalized. Complex emotions are presented simply, and insightfully, in verse, including the feelings expressed in the descriptive title.
“Stop pretending
Right this minute.
Don’t you tell me
you don’t know me.
Stop this crazy act
and show me
that you haven’t changed.
Stop pretending
you’re deranged.”
Her struggles with the illness are explored as well as the emotions she has with friends who use mental illness as humor, ignorant to her sister’s condition.
“I’m tired of being thirteen
and of not being twelve anymore
and of wanting to help my sister
and of not being able to help.”
“I say, “Why don’t you just wear
that great little red dress, Kate?
The one you wore to the last dance.”
“That old thing?” she gasps.
“Are you out of your mind?”
I blink at her stupidly,
wishing I could say,
“No, I’m not. But my sister is,”
and wondering
what would happen
if I did.”
Based on the author’s experiences with her own sister, the thoughts, fears, and hopes expressed here are honest and realistic to that age. Particularly discerning, especially for parents, are the descriptions of first love.
“I wasn’t pretty
until John said I was.
He thinks I’m pretty
even when I’ve been crying.
I told him about my sister.
He didn’t care.
I mean he was sorry she was sick
but he still likes me.
I wasn’t pretty
until John said I was,
but now
I am.”
Fathers, and mothers, but particularly dads, would do well to remember this in interactions with our daughters. This does lead to a minor objection in that the narrator is extremely honest about her feelings, specifically in describing a situation involving her boyfriend’s physical display of affection. This particular situation feels unneeded; however, this story-by-poem structure focuses emotions in a powerful way so it isn’t surprising in that context.
In short: An emotionally powerful story of mental illness and first love in story-by-poem format with only isolated objectionable content.
A thirteen year old girl tells a story, through poems, of when her big sister began withdrawing from life and was eventually institutionalized. Complex emotions are presented simply, and insightfully, in verse, including the feelings expressed in the descriptive title.
“Stop pretending
Right this minute.
Don’t you tell me
you don’t know me.
Stop this crazy act
and show me
that you haven’t changed.
Stop pretending
you’re deranged.”
Her struggles with the illness are explored as well as the emotions she has with friends who use mental illness as humor, ignorant to her sister’s condition.
“I’m tired of being thirteen
and of not being twelve anymore
and of wanting to help my sister
and of not being able to help.”
“I say, “Why don’t you just wear
that great little red dress, Kate?
The one you wore to the last dance.”
“That old thing?” she gasps.
“Are you out of your mind?”
I blink at her stupidly,
wishing I could say,
“No, I’m not. But my sister is,”
and wondering
what would happen
if I did.”
Based on the author’s experiences with her own sister, the thoughts, fears, and hopes expressed here are honest and realistic to that age. Particularly discerning, especially for parents, are the descriptions of first love.
“I wasn’t pretty
until John said I was.
He thinks I’m pretty
even when I’ve been crying.
I told him about my sister.
He didn’t care.
I mean he was sorry she was sick
but he still likes me.
I wasn’t pretty
until John said I was,
but now
I am.”
Fathers, and mothers, but particularly dads, would do well to remember this in interactions with our daughters. This does lead to a minor objection in that the narrator is extremely honest about her feelings, specifically in describing a situation involving her boyfriend’s physical display of affection. This particular situation feels unneeded; however, this story-by-poem structure focuses emotions in a powerful way so it isn’t surprising in that context.
Book Review - Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
PARENTAL ADVISORY: This book contains material inappropriate for children. This review may reference that same material and thus may also not be appropriate for children.
In short: A graphic, and chilling, memoir, in comic book form, of a child growing up in a totalitarian regime, replete with content for mature audiences only.
The author was nine when the Shah of Iran was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic revolution. She describes her experiences and emotions during that turbulent time in this visual, and visceral, memoir.
This coming-of-age story also gives us some ancient history of Iran as well as a history of Iran in the 1980’s in a, sometimes, witty and humorous way. Satrapi uses that history as background as well as a metaphor of her coming-of-age, saying, for example, that her mother used the same tactics as the torturers.
“[I] sealed my act of rebellion against my mother’s dictatorship….Now I was a grown-up.”
“At 14 you don’t need your parents anymore.”
Told in comic book frames, the art is simplistic yet expressive. Words are sparse but effective as she conveys the horrors of war including torture, imprisonment and execution.
This is a brutal novel. Dismemberment, threatened rape, torture, profanities and blasphemies are all part of the picture.
“You know that it’s against the law to kill a virgin…so a guardian of the revolution marries her…and takes her virginity before executing her…”
I’m quite sure that the events are understated compared to the reality but still harsh nonetheless.
A verbally graphic description of the threatened rape is particularly disheartening. Although not surprising given the context of war in which it is described, it is, once again, a cheapening of a sacred gift that really isn’t necessary. Can we not understand the absolute brutality and horror of war and totalitarianism without resorting to vulgar descriptions of such?
God is not distant in these proceedings, both in the novel and in reality. Throughout the beginning of the novel the author has conversations with her god. Finally, after some of her experiences, she relates her last conversation with this “imaginary” god.
“Shut up you! Get out my life!!! I never want to see you again…And so I was lost without any bearings…What could be worse than that?”
This could be a great entry point to conversations about God and the “problem of evil”, however, the landmines are too numerous and coarse for anyone except mature audiences.
PARENTAL ADVISORY: This book contains material inappropriate for children. This review may reference that same material and thus may also not be appropriate for children.
In short: A graphic, and chilling, memoir, in comic book form, of a child growing up in a totalitarian regime, replete with content for mature audiences only.
The author was nine when the Shah of Iran was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic revolution. She describes her experiences and emotions during that turbulent time in this visual, and visceral, memoir.
This coming-of-age story also gives us some ancient history of Iran as well as a history of Iran in the 1980’s in a, sometimes, witty and humorous way. Satrapi uses that history as background as well as a metaphor of her coming-of-age, saying, for example, that her mother used the same tactics as the torturers.
“[I] sealed my act of rebellion against my mother’s dictatorship….Now I was a grown-up.”
“At 14 you don’t need your parents anymore.”
Told in comic book frames, the art is simplistic yet expressive. Words are sparse but effective as she conveys the horrors of war including torture, imprisonment and execution.
This is a brutal novel. Dismemberment, threatened rape, torture, profanities and blasphemies are all part of the picture.
“You know that it’s against the law to kill a virgin…so a guardian of the revolution marries her…and takes her virginity before executing her…”
I’m quite sure that the events are understated compared to the reality but still harsh nonetheless.
A verbally graphic description of the threatened rape is particularly disheartening. Although not surprising given the context of war in which it is described, it is, once again, a cheapening of a sacred gift that really isn’t necessary. Can we not understand the absolute brutality and horror of war and totalitarianism without resorting to vulgar descriptions of such?
God is not distant in these proceedings, both in the novel and in reality. Throughout the beginning of the novel the author has conversations with her god. Finally, after some of her experiences, she relates her last conversation with this “imaginary” god.
“Shut up you! Get out my life!!! I never want to see you again…And so I was lost without any bearings…What could be worse than that?”
This could be a great entry point to conversations about God and the “problem of evil”, however, the landmines are too numerous and coarse for anyone except mature audiences.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
We surf...so you don't have to - August 5
More Books for Guys
Another list of books that boys and men will want to read
Facts, Understanding, Faith and Discipleship
"Boys — you've got to grow up!"
Obama's Unreal Religion
It is either true or not true.
Three Reasons to be Humble
Humility.
Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
A review of another subversive "Christian" book.
Another list of books that boys and men will want to read
Facts, Understanding, Faith and Discipleship
"Boys — you've got to grow up!"
Obama's Unreal Religion
It is either true or not true.
Three Reasons to be Humble
Humility.
Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
A review of another subversive "Christian" book.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Quote - On Technology
"A capable cell phone today has more computing power than the computer that took the Apollo astronauts to the moon. It gives instant access not only to your friends' voices but to all the information on the internet. Are you keeping up or falling behind in the race for the latest electronic fashions?
Science and technology get a lot of attention because of the new gadgets they spin out. I love science, because it displays God's wisdom (Proverbs 8:22-31). I love technology, because it shows what great gifts God has given to us, and what great human capacity God has given us to exercise dominion (Genesis 1:28-30).
But I see hopes placed in science and technology that they cannot fulfill. Science, it is said, will solve the problems of world hunger. It will bring world peace. And more and better technology will solve the problems introduced by lesser technology.
Well, sometimes; and in some ways. Maybe science will find an efficient way to harness nuclear fusion to produce clean power—or maybe not. But we can be awash in technology and still be hate-filled or lonely. You can have 200 friends on Facebook and have no one who really knows you, no one who loves you.
Sometimes science only increases the problem. If, instead of seeing the wisdom of God in it, you listen to the propaganda of scientism, it will solemnly assure you that you inhabit a faceless, lonely, materialistic universe that is heading only toward ultimate death. And the gadgets of technology become Band-Aids to cover spiritual wounds and empty hearts. One more electronic game or one more DVD movie or one more pop song holds back the slide into boredom and depression. We search for one entertainment after another to keep back the dread of facing the hollow inside."
Vern Poythress, from an article in World magazine, July 26, 2008
Science and technology get a lot of attention because of the new gadgets they spin out. I love science, because it displays God's wisdom (Proverbs 8:22-31). I love technology, because it shows what great gifts God has given to us, and what great human capacity God has given us to exercise dominion (Genesis 1:28-30).
But I see hopes placed in science and technology that they cannot fulfill. Science, it is said, will solve the problems of world hunger. It will bring world peace. And more and better technology will solve the problems introduced by lesser technology.
Well, sometimes; and in some ways. Maybe science will find an efficient way to harness nuclear fusion to produce clean power—or maybe not. But we can be awash in technology and still be hate-filled or lonely. You can have 200 friends on Facebook and have no one who really knows you, no one who loves you.
Sometimes science only increases the problem. If, instead of seeing the wisdom of God in it, you listen to the propaganda of scientism, it will solemnly assure you that you inhabit a faceless, lonely, materialistic universe that is heading only toward ultimate death. And the gadgets of technology become Band-Aids to cover spiritual wounds and empty hearts. One more electronic game or one more DVD movie or one more pop song holds back the slide into boredom and depression. We search for one entertainment after another to keep back the dread of facing the hollow inside."
Vern Poythress, from an article in World magazine, July 26, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The Local Church - Part 2
Problems In the Local Church
Paul opens the letter to the churches of Galatia with a warm greeting.
"Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Galatians 1:1-5
He closes the letter with more caring words.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen." Galatians 6:18
Obviously, Paul loved the recipients of his letter.
As you know, however, Paul wrote the book of Galatians to counter a false teaching this church was disseminating. Some in the church were teaching that Gentiles had to become Jews first, thus minimizing the doctrine of justification by faith. This was a church that Paul had helped establish. Paul, one of the twelve apostles! Yet, he wrote lovingly, although sarcastically direct at times, and still considered them as the church of Galatia.
What about before that? What about the church written of in Acts?
"Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith." Acts 6:1-7
As Frank Turk says:
“And there are other examples in Acts – Acts, people! The first 30 years of the church! Think about the council at Jerusalem (isn’t eating meat offered to idols idolatry?), or the controversy over Paul's conversion (can we let a man who was a murderer and a blasphemer evangelize gentiles?), or the controversy over evangelizing gentiles (has Peter lost it? These people are unclean!). And the one example where two church guys separate in a tiff – Paul and Barnabas (Barnabas who was his only friend to start with; Paul the guy writing the NT through the Holy Spirit) – we can deduce from the rest of Paul's writings that he regretting this in the end, and thought he did wrong by Barnabas and Mark.
None of these things caused splits in the church – and even worse things, like the Galatian controversy, or what was going on in Corinth after Paul established that church, were not subject to the admonition, "brethren dude: get out of Dodge. That place has gone belly-up."
The admonition is stay and contend for the truth with the whole Gospel, both doctrine and life. And if we are honest with ourselves, that's the admonition we receive in Scripture about our lousy churches in America and we ignore it…”
Paul is not writing or speaking of the universal church but the local church, we know that because he tells us which local church. The local church has had, and will continue to have, problems.
Consider Paul writing to Timothy. Once again, from Frank Turk:
“…as Paul writes, we find some very troubling things in his words. All of Asia, he says, has forsaken him for false teachers; Demas has decided that the world looks pretty good and the Gospel not so much. So in that environment, you'd think Paul would give Timothy the advice any wise man would give: run away from the bad guys and go find someplace else to start a new church – because we have to run away from false teachers, and a church with false teachers is a church where it is necessary to leave.
You'd think.”
But then look at these references from Paul's letter to Timothy:
"Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." 2 Timothy 2:14-19
"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:22-26
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and [they] will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5
As Mr. Turk says once again:
"See: Paul didn't tell Timothy, "dude, my method landed me in jail, so you have to try something different. Check with Demas as he has found a nice job in the world -- obviously he knows something I don't." He told Timothy to not change and not adapt and not go his own way, but instead to "endure suffering" and "continue in what you have learned" and "depart from iniquity" and so on -- but not to leave the church."
It seems apparent that just because there is error in the church that doesn’t mean, necessarily, that we should leave. It seems that the Bible admonishes us to stay fixed on Jesus. We are to emulate Him who loves those that are perhaps, less than faithful and loving. If we can’t do it inside the church why do we think we can love those outside the church?
What does perseverance, mercy and love look like in a church setting? How did we contribute to the problem? Do we think of ourselves as one of the truly Godly and faithful but the others aren’t? That thought brings with it a whole host of other problems. Assuming we are, however, then how is that problem going to be fixed if we leave?
Are we, as Thabbiti Anyabwile writes, healthy church members ourselves:
A healthy church member is an expositional listener.
A healthy church member is a biblical theologian.
A healthy church member is gospel Saturated.
A healthy church member is genuinely converted.
A healthy church member is a biblical evangelist.
A healthy church member is a committed member.
A healthy church member seeks discipline.
A healthy church member is a growing disciple.
A healthy church member is a humble follower.
A healthy church member is a prayer warrior.
So we know the importance of the church and the fact that the church will always have problems - until His glorious return. Where then do we draw the line? At what point is “church shopping” acceptable?
(I rarely have an original idea. This post is without a doubt derivative of Mr. Turk's. I suggest you read all the articles written on this subject from him, as linked above.)
Paul opens the letter to the churches of Galatia with a warm greeting.
"Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Galatians 1:1-5
He closes the letter with more caring words.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen." Galatians 6:18
Obviously, Paul loved the recipients of his letter.
As you know, however, Paul wrote the book of Galatians to counter a false teaching this church was disseminating. Some in the church were teaching that Gentiles had to become Jews first, thus minimizing the doctrine of justification by faith. This was a church that Paul had helped establish. Paul, one of the twelve apostles! Yet, he wrote lovingly, although sarcastically direct at times, and still considered them as the church of Galatia.
What about before that? What about the church written of in Acts?
"Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith." Acts 6:1-7
As Frank Turk says:
“And there are other examples in Acts – Acts, people! The first 30 years of the church! Think about the council at Jerusalem (isn’t eating meat offered to idols idolatry?), or the controversy over Paul's conversion (can we let a man who was a murderer and a blasphemer evangelize gentiles?), or the controversy over evangelizing gentiles (has Peter lost it? These people are unclean!). And the one example where two church guys separate in a tiff – Paul and Barnabas (Barnabas who was his only friend to start with; Paul the guy writing the NT through the Holy Spirit) – we can deduce from the rest of Paul's writings that he regretting this in the end, and thought he did wrong by Barnabas and Mark.
None of these things caused splits in the church – and even worse things, like the Galatian controversy, or what was going on in Corinth after Paul established that church, were not subject to the admonition, "brethren dude: get out of Dodge. That place has gone belly-up."
The admonition is stay and contend for the truth with the whole Gospel, both doctrine and life. And if we are honest with ourselves, that's the admonition we receive in Scripture about our lousy churches in America and we ignore it…”
Paul is not writing or speaking of the universal church but the local church, we know that because he tells us which local church. The local church has had, and will continue to have, problems.
Consider Paul writing to Timothy. Once again, from Frank Turk:
“…as Paul writes, we find some very troubling things in his words. All of Asia, he says, has forsaken him for false teachers; Demas has decided that the world looks pretty good and the Gospel not so much. So in that environment, you'd think Paul would give Timothy the advice any wise man would give: run away from the bad guys and go find someplace else to start a new church – because we have to run away from false teachers, and a church with false teachers is a church where it is necessary to leave.
You'd think.”
But then look at these references from Paul's letter to Timothy:
"Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." 2 Timothy 2:14-19
"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:22-26
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and [they] will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5
As Mr. Turk says once again:
"See: Paul didn't tell Timothy, "dude, my method landed me in jail, so you have to try something different. Check with Demas as he has found a nice job in the world -- obviously he knows something I don't." He told Timothy to not change and not adapt and not go his own way, but instead to "endure suffering" and "continue in what you have learned" and "depart from iniquity" and so on -- but not to leave the church."
It seems apparent that just because there is error in the church that doesn’t mean, necessarily, that we should leave. It seems that the Bible admonishes us to stay fixed on Jesus. We are to emulate Him who loves those that are perhaps, less than faithful and loving. If we can’t do it inside the church why do we think we can love those outside the church?
What does perseverance, mercy and love look like in a church setting? How did we contribute to the problem? Do we think of ourselves as one of the truly Godly and faithful but the others aren’t? That thought brings with it a whole host of other problems. Assuming we are, however, then how is that problem going to be fixed if we leave?
Are we, as Thabbiti Anyabwile writes, healthy church members ourselves:
A healthy church member is an expositional listener.
A healthy church member is a biblical theologian.
A healthy church member is gospel Saturated.
A healthy church member is genuinely converted.
A healthy church member is a biblical evangelist.
A healthy church member is a committed member.
A healthy church member seeks discipline.
A healthy church member is a growing disciple.
A healthy church member is a humble follower.
A healthy church member is a prayer warrior.
So we know the importance of the church and the fact that the church will always have problems - until His glorious return. Where then do we draw the line? At what point is “church shopping” acceptable?
(I rarely have an original idea. This post is without a doubt derivative of Mr. Turk's. I suggest you read all the articles written on this subject from him, as linked above.)
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Book Review - Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Chris Crutcher
HarperTeen (March 18, 2003)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
PARENTAL ADVISORY: This book contains material inappropriate for children. This review may reference that same material and thus may also not be appropriate for children.
In short: An extremely well written novel with superb characterizations and a gripping plot, that could be a great conversation starter about important social and religious issues but, unfortunately, to get there requires a walk through a “locker room” of language and sexual situations.
Senior Eric Calhoune has become comfortable with his nickname, “Moby”. His best friend since grade school, Sarah Byrnes, her face horribly disfigured from a childhood “accident”, has helped him in that regard. His obesity that led to the nickname is not as much of a problem anymore since he started competitive swimming. The emotional scars are still there however, and Sarah, which Eric describes as “the toughest person he knows’, has suddenly become silent, withdrawn, and committed to a psychiatric ward. Eric, a loyal friend, faithfully visits Sarah to provide comfort and hopefully find an answer to what led to her current condition. Between visiting Sarah, swimming competitions and his mother’s new relationship the suspense builds to a confrontation with Sarah’s malevolent father, Virgil.
A major part of the drama in this powerful novel centers on classroom discussions of important social and religious controversies.
“…most of the right-to-lifers I know…get all wrapped up with life in the womb, and life after death, for that matter, but they don’t give a rip about life after birth….I just don’t think you can have this argument without talking about quality of life. Not just life. Quality.”
The themes and ideas presented here are important and useful to understand as characters on both sides of the issue discuss their positions. These conversations however, bring out a major flaw in the book, namely that the “deck is stacked”. The conservative Christians are portrayed as heartless hypocrites who argue in a most ungracious manner.
“I’m tired of all the excuses…You step up and take your medicine! You should be damn glad you’re alive and that God loves you!”
“People throw out this line of c _ _ _ for one reason: so they can do whatever they darn well please. It’s a bogus way of not having to be accountable to God.”
Even the other characters emphasize this.
“One thing about Mark, he forgives himself a lot more easily than he forgives others.”
“The religious argument, at least the way Mark Brittain presents it, is one cold damn argument, and it doesn’t address human pain.”
“He’s so damn righteous, such a dumb, plastic God Squadder. I with I could have religion their way. You know, no responsibilities in life but to cut down people who don’t think the way you do.”
All of us have a worldview with pre-suppositions which we bring in to any situation. (The question is which worldview portrays the truth).
“We started out talking about abortion, but the discussion quickly drifted to several beliefs. No amount of effort could have stopped that, because our points of view – the way we perceive things – are inextricably linked to our beliefs…What I hope we can learn is to be aware of how our beliefs color what we see.”
It is unfortunate that the view portrayed of Christians here is inaccurate, unfair, and stereotypical. It is convicting however.
“Mark Brittain, I’ve been in the same class as you from first grade on, and I could count the number of times you’ve spoken to me on an amputee’s fingers. I can’t even get you to look me in the eye. Are you telling me my life is as sacred to you as Jody Mueller’s?...And this man, who goes to the same church you go to, you know how many decent words – hell, any kind of words – he’s uttered to me in the past six years? Zip. Zero…How come you people care so much for the unborn when you don’t give even a little bit of a s _ _ _ for the born?”
This is how, at least a part of, the world sees us, and we need to do our part in changing that. This could be an excellent work to use in that regard. In addition to abortion, questions arise about the “innocent heathen”, the problem of evil, the character of God, universalism and accountability to God. All of these are “big” issues and this novel could help us train our minds, and our children in how to discuss these issues in an irenic way.
“If God is fair, how do you explain me and Sarah Byrnes on the same planet?”
“My plan is to get baptized late in the afternoon of the evening I die, so I don’t have time to sin. A spot in heaven awaits me.”
“…his own little view of the universe wasn’t the only view possible; that if there’s a heaven, decent people all over the world who have never even heard of Jesus Christ would get to go there. Even if they’d made mistakes.”
That being said, the filth one must wade through to get to these questions is formidable. It feels like walking through a guy’s locker room to get to the lecture hall. No obscenity or profanity is left unsaid, from descriptions of bodily functions and anatomy to frequent uses of blasphemy. Discussions of masturbation and sexual activity are unfortunate and gratuitous. The blatant cheapening of such a sacred gift as sex is a heartbreaking consequence of our society’s obsession with sexuality.
This poignant novel ends with some wonderful observations about the blessings of suffering, a Christian concept, and about truth.
“I think it is impossible to tell the good things from the bad things while they’re happening…if I hadn’t been fat I would never have known Sarah Byrnes.”
“The point is, if you go around making things look different than what they are – and what everyone knows they are – nobody’s going to want to get close to you because they know you don’t tell the truth. You just have to tell the truth in a way people recognize.”
Although extremely well written with superb characters this book is for mature audiences only. I say this not only because of the constant “locker room” setting but also because the important ideas discussed are often presented in a very emotional and one-sided manner.
Chris Crutcher
HarperTeen (March 18, 2003)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
PARENTAL ADVISORY: This book contains material inappropriate for children. This review may reference that same material and thus may also not be appropriate for children.
In short: An extremely well written novel with superb characterizations and a gripping plot, that could be a great conversation starter about important social and religious issues but, unfortunately, to get there requires a walk through a “locker room” of language and sexual situations.
Senior Eric Calhoune has become comfortable with his nickname, “Moby”. His best friend since grade school, Sarah Byrnes, her face horribly disfigured from a childhood “accident”, has helped him in that regard. His obesity that led to the nickname is not as much of a problem anymore since he started competitive swimming. The emotional scars are still there however, and Sarah, which Eric describes as “the toughest person he knows’, has suddenly become silent, withdrawn, and committed to a psychiatric ward. Eric, a loyal friend, faithfully visits Sarah to provide comfort and hopefully find an answer to what led to her current condition. Between visiting Sarah, swimming competitions and his mother’s new relationship the suspense builds to a confrontation with Sarah’s malevolent father, Virgil.
A major part of the drama in this powerful novel centers on classroom discussions of important social and religious controversies.
“…most of the right-to-lifers I know…get all wrapped up with life in the womb, and life after death, for that matter, but they don’t give a rip about life after birth….I just don’t think you can have this argument without talking about quality of life. Not just life. Quality.”
The themes and ideas presented here are important and useful to understand as characters on both sides of the issue discuss their positions. These conversations however, bring out a major flaw in the book, namely that the “deck is stacked”. The conservative Christians are portrayed as heartless hypocrites who argue in a most ungracious manner.
“I’m tired of all the excuses…You step up and take your medicine! You should be damn glad you’re alive and that God loves you!”
“People throw out this line of c _ _ _ for one reason: so they can do whatever they darn well please. It’s a bogus way of not having to be accountable to God.”
Even the other characters emphasize this.
“One thing about Mark, he forgives himself a lot more easily than he forgives others.”
“The religious argument, at least the way Mark Brittain presents it, is one cold damn argument, and it doesn’t address human pain.”
“He’s so damn righteous, such a dumb, plastic God Squadder. I with I could have religion their way. You know, no responsibilities in life but to cut down people who don’t think the way you do.”
All of us have a worldview with pre-suppositions which we bring in to any situation. (The question is which worldview portrays the truth).
“We started out talking about abortion, but the discussion quickly drifted to several beliefs. No amount of effort could have stopped that, because our points of view – the way we perceive things – are inextricably linked to our beliefs…What I hope we can learn is to be aware of how our beliefs color what we see.”
It is unfortunate that the view portrayed of Christians here is inaccurate, unfair, and stereotypical. It is convicting however.
“Mark Brittain, I’ve been in the same class as you from first grade on, and I could count the number of times you’ve spoken to me on an amputee’s fingers. I can’t even get you to look me in the eye. Are you telling me my life is as sacred to you as Jody Mueller’s?...And this man, who goes to the same church you go to, you know how many decent words – hell, any kind of words – he’s uttered to me in the past six years? Zip. Zero…How come you people care so much for the unborn when you don’t give even a little bit of a s _ _ _ for the born?”
This is how, at least a part of, the world sees us, and we need to do our part in changing that. This could be an excellent work to use in that regard. In addition to abortion, questions arise about the “innocent heathen”, the problem of evil, the character of God, universalism and accountability to God. All of these are “big” issues and this novel could help us train our minds, and our children in how to discuss these issues in an irenic way.
“If God is fair, how do you explain me and Sarah Byrnes on the same planet?”
“My plan is to get baptized late in the afternoon of the evening I die, so I don’t have time to sin. A spot in heaven awaits me.”
“…his own little view of the universe wasn’t the only view possible; that if there’s a heaven, decent people all over the world who have never even heard of Jesus Christ would get to go there. Even if they’d made mistakes.”
That being said, the filth one must wade through to get to these questions is formidable. It feels like walking through a guy’s locker room to get to the lecture hall. No obscenity or profanity is left unsaid, from descriptions of bodily functions and anatomy to frequent uses of blasphemy. Discussions of masturbation and sexual activity are unfortunate and gratuitous. The blatant cheapening of such a sacred gift as sex is a heartbreaking consequence of our society’s obsession with sexuality.
This poignant novel ends with some wonderful observations about the blessings of suffering, a Christian concept, and about truth.
“I think it is impossible to tell the good things from the bad things while they’re happening…if I hadn’t been fat I would never have known Sarah Byrnes.”
“The point is, if you go around making things look different than what they are – and what everyone knows they are – nobody’s going to want to get close to you because they know you don’t tell the truth. You just have to tell the truth in a way people recognize.”
Although extremely well written with superb characters this book is for mature audiences only. I say this not only because of the constant “locker room” setting but also because the important ideas discussed are often presented in a very emotional and one-sided manner.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
Posts
