Best Books About Church - Part 5

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt invites Christians to examine their way of life compared to the lives of the disciples who left everything and followed Jesus. Platt challenges us to recognize our duplicity in twisting the gospel to fit our comfortable life styles. Defining what Jesus said and meant and illustrating the revolutionary results that come when we “believe and obey” Platt then describes “The Radical Experiment – a one year journey to authentic discipleship.”

I read this a year ago and need to read it again. This is a good book to read and reread It will help us persevere in a deeper walk with Christ.

Radical Together: Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God by David Platt takes Platt’s ideas from his book Radical and applies them to the church. Platt asks what happens when a church unites in exalting God above all else? “What happens when our primary aim is not to make the crowds feel comfortable but to exalt God in his glory?” This book can change our churches if enough Christian churches read it, study it and put it into action. Radical Together includes a group discussion guide. This is a challenging book. 

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God’s Spirit invades the Hearts of his People by Jim Cymbala is a powerful account of how God’s Spirit worked in the life of Jim Cymbala and his wife when they led a run down church with few members and no financial support. Through many struggles and thoughts of giving up they stayed the course and the Brooklyn Tabernacle is now an icon in the city of New York and the world. More importantly it has transformed the lives of many people from all walks of life.

Early on Cymbala decided that the Tuesday evening prayer meeting would be the most important gathering each week. He believes the prayer meeting is “the engine that drives the church.” Sound doctrine is essential, but we also need the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to seek him with passion. The book is full of biblical illustrations and contemporary stories of changed lives. This inspiring, timeless book encourages all Christians to depend on the Holy Spirit.

Here are some choice quotes:

• Boldness can only be imparted by the Holy Spirit. There is no such thing as “taught boldness.”  Pg 123

• We are consumed with the unbiblical concept of “church growth.” Pg 124                                             
• The old saying is true. If you have only the word, you dry up. if you have only the Spirit, you blow up. But if you have both, you grow up.  Pg 152

• The Bible teaches that we are always drawing nearer to God or falling down. There is no holding pattern. Pg 164

I first read this book years ago and yet I still remember Cymbala’s charge to new members to stop anyone who says an unkind word of criticism about anyone. Pg 160

This is a small book you will read and reread. It is full of wisdom.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

Blessings, Dottie 

Best Books About Church 1

Best Books About Church 2

Best Books About Church 3

Best Books About Church 4

Best Books About Church - Part 4

This is my fourth post in a series on best books about church. The links for the others are below.

Extreme Church Makeover: A Biblical Plan to Help Your Church Achieve Unity and Freedom in Christ by Neil T. Anderson is an excellent book about how to achieve church unity. Anderson describes a biblical plan involving corporate repentance that will lead to freedom and unity in Christ. Anderson’s thoughts on spiritual warfare and overcoming historic baggage in a church, ring true to me as a clinical social worker and as a church member.

Anderson says “If the [church] leadership lacks an adequate theology of resolution, they either lower their standards and expectations or live in denial and continue to muddle along with business as usual. We have learned that Individual freedom must come to the leadership before organizational freedom can be accomplished. The church Body cannot rise above its leadership.” (pg12)

This dynamic book can help transform and unite church leadership and the church as a whole.

The Emotionally Healthy Church: A Strategy for Discipleship that Actually Changes Lives by Peter Scazzero describes the ingredients for a church to be authentic and healthy. The book is in four sections - Discipleship’s Missing Link, Biblical Basis for a New Paradigm of Discipleship, Seven Principles of an Emotionally Healthy Church and Where Do We Go from Here? Scazzero presents a brilliant and needed strategy for life changing discipleship.

I have seen many churches copying each other, attempting to be like the well known mega-churches. So I especially liked this comment:

“It takes great maturity for a church to identify opportunities and to choose not to take advantage of them. Each church, like each small group, ministry, and individual, has God-given limits. How many services should we have on Sunday? What about a Saturday night service? Others are doing it successfully and growing. If we are two hundred people, why not become four hundred or eight hundred, or ten thousand? I always assumed continued numerical growth for every local church was God’s will. It is not.” Pg 141 

Christian leaders and laymen should read this book.

The Gospel as Center: Renewing Our Faith and Reforming Our Ministry Practices, edited by D.A. Carson & Timothy Keller, features chapters by influential Christian leaders from a variety of denominations. Their purpose is to clarify, unify and strengthen the gospel message in the church today. Their hope is that this will stem the tide of cultural in roads into our faith and practice. It's an excellent resource book for concerned Christians.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

  

Blessings, Dottie 

See previous links to Best Books About Church:

#1 http://faithnotes-dottie.blogspot.com/2013/11/best-books-about-church.html#links

#2 http://faithnotes-dottie.blogspot.com/2014/01/best-books-about-church-part-2.html#links

#3 http://faithnotes-dottie.blogspot.com/2014/02/best-books-about-church-part-3.html#links

Best Books About Church - Part 3

Church Book Reviews 3

This is my third post in a series on best books about church. The links for the others are below.

The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception by John MacArthur, well known pastor and author. MacArthur writes about the fact that Truth is under attack by our post modern culture and some of those attacking it are inside the church. False teaching, indifference and a lack of accountability infect many churches today. MacArthur says, “False teachers aren’t necessarily even that obvious. They don’t wear badges identifying themselves as apostates. They usually try hard not to stand out as enemies of truth. They pretend devotion to Christ and demand tolerance from Christ’s followers.” Christians concerned about the church may want to also read these other books by MacArthur: Anatomy of a Church, Ashamed of the Gospel and Reckless Faith.

They Like Jesus but not the Church: Insights From Emerging Generations, by Dan Kimball, Pastor of Vintage Faith Church. This is a must read for those who want to reach emerging generations while speaking the truth. The book is divided into three parts – Why Emerging Generations are Changing, What Emerging Generations Think About the Church, and How the Church Can Respond. I was especially helped by an illustration of syncretism (combining contradictory views) Kimball observed in a TV sitcom.

“A family was discussing which religion to dedicate a newborn baby in. The father wanted the baby baptized. But the mother wanted to have some sort of Hindu ceremony performed. And the grandparents wanted the baby to be circumcised by a Jewish rabbi. Before you knew it, the whole family was arguing. In the end, they compromised and said, “Each of us will bring our own religious leader and we will do all of them.”

Kimball emphasizes the need to form friendships first, listen to what others believe, understand what attracts them to their “faith,” and be respectful. We know this, but don’t always practice it. Only when we do these things should we attempt to explain the Christian faith. Kimball has interesting visuals in his book—a historical map of when each faith began, and pictures of three different mountains to God showing why all roads don’t lead to God. He says various faiths have similar teachings at the base of the mountain, but they each climb a different mountain leading to a different God. This is an excellent book!

 Religion Saves + Nine other Misconceptions is by Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Driscoll answered questions from his congregation in an evening service (without children there). The top nine sermons are included in this book. In the introduction he states that “religion” never saved anyone, and religious answers to complex questions are simply misconceptions, hence the title. His answers are biblical and he notes that many of today’s issues are not addressed in the Bible. Questions covered deal with dating and sex, the long standing debates between Arminians and Calvinists, and between Catholics and Protestants, the emerging church and how Christians should relate to culture and the lost. The chapter on what worship is and isn’t describes differing views about this in a clear and balanced way. This is an excellent and well researched book written in an easy to read format.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

Blessings, Dottie

Here’s the link to Best Books About Church 1

Here’s the link to Best Books About Church 2

Best Books About Church - Part 2

This is the second in a series of posts on books about church. Today I’m reviewing two more excellent books about today’s church. These books describe the failure of many churches to remain focused on biblical truth. Many churches espouse false beliefs or syncretism – combine contradictory beliefs. Both books also offer positive solutions. Here’s the link for Best Books About Church Part 1.

Bad Religion: How we Became a Nation of Heretics by Ross Douthat gives a detailed, carefully researched study on the decline of Christianity in the United States in the last fifty years. He says that “American democracy, while formally secular, has always depended on religion to provide a moral framework for its citizens.” The decline in faith has impacted our morals, both private and public. Douthat says: “Faith has been steadily marginalized with increasingly disastrous results” and he argues that America doesn’t have too much religion, or too little religion, but rather, Bad Religion. The decline of traditional Christianity has led to many destructive “pseudo-Christianities.”

Douthat gives a detailed account of the reasons for the decline in faith including observations about social trends. He cites the effect of many heretics – John Spong, as well as misguided leaders, Joel Osteen (“Pray and grow rich”), Joyce Meyers (“Obey me and you’ll be blessed”), Elizabeth Gilbert (“God dwells within you as yourself “) as well as Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, and Oprah Winfrey.

He concludes with a hope for revival and renewal of orthodox Christianity and his perspective on how this might be achieved. This is an excellent book for scholarly readers. The details became tedious for me – though I learned much and I’m glad I read it.

The Courage to be Protestant: Truth-lovers, Marketers and Emergents in the Postmodern World by David Wells explores significant issues for the church today as indicated by the sub-title. Wells, a Congregational minister, theologian and author, addresses five doctrinal themes: Truth, God, Self, Christ and the Church. Wells urges the evangelical church to have the courage to be faithful to its biblical roots. He laments the light-weight topical messages in many churches today. In many churches psychological wholeness is emphasized rather than biblical holiness. Wells says, “Unless the congregation is being confronted—is being informed by the truth of God’s Word—it will leave as empty and confused as when it came in, no matter how good it may feel about itself. Unless the congregation is learning to think God’s thoughts after him in this world, one that is highly modernized and postmodern in its ethos, it will not be able to function with a Christian worldview.”  

I recommend both of these books.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

Blessings, Dottie

Best Books About Church

Prior to writing and while writing my book, Changing Churches, I read over forty books about the church. Today I want to share several of the books that best address the issues in the church today. I highly recommend each of these books.

Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton is a wake-up call to the Christian church. Horton, a theologian and author cites the many ways the Church has lost its way; is virtually Christless. He says, “I think the church in America today is so obsessed with being practical, relevant, helpful, successful and perhaps even well-liked that it nearly mirrors the world itself.” This book expanded my knowledge and understanding of the issues facing the church today—especially the creeping syncretism (combining contradictory beliefs), false teaching and misguided changes. This is a must read for all concerned Christians.

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever, is another excellent book about the church today. Dever, pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., describes nine essential qualities missing in many churches today and necessary for the health of the church. Christians who are not growing and are not bothered about this fact should disturb us. Dever also describes social ills replacing sin in our concerns. He says, “Today, horizontal problems – problems between people – often obscure the fundamental vertical problem between us and God.” This is a book well worth reading and studying by Christian leaders and lay persons. 

Vintage Church: Timeless Truths and Timely Methods by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears is another excellent book clearly describing what the church is and should be. Jesus Christ as the head of the church is exalted throughout. Chapter titles include: What is A Christian Church, Who is Supposed to Lead a Church? Why is Preaching Important? How Can a Church be Unified? How Can a Church Utilize Technology? How Could the Church Transform the World? In the chapter on church unity a detailed discussion of what divides the church including: heretics, pride, legalism, distrust, traditionalism, to little or too much organization, founder dysfunction, mission loss and doing too much. The book contains a wealth of information, is carefully researched as well as lived by the authors. This is a book written in language understandable for both pastors and laity.

Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal, by Chuck Swindoll, is a passionate and hopeful book on the church. Dr. Swindoll, a well known pastor, theologian and author, is also known for his Insight for Living radio broadcast. Swindoll addresses this book to serious church goers and church leaders, urging that the Word of God be central in church worship. He describes erosion that has taken place in the church over the years, a gradual slide from its past historical foundations. We live in a postmodern world in which many no longer believe in absolute truth. Quoting from Isaiah 12:32, "Men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do," Swindoll says the church needs discernment and clear heads in turning the tide of postmodernism that has caused the church to slide "into the murky waters of a post-Christian swamp." Swindoll’s book lifted my spirits, informed and delighted me.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

Blessings, Dottie

What is Truth?

Changing Churches: News & Views       

A Newsletter for Christians Concerned About Changing Churches  

- On this rock I will build my church. Matt. 16:18

What is Truth?

Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal, by Chuck Swindoll, is one of the most passionate and hopeful books on the church I have read. His thoughts and beliefs on the Truth of God's Word resonate with mine. Dr. Swindoll, a well known pastor, theologian and author, is also known for his Insight for Living radio broadcast. 

Swindoll addresses this book to serious churchgoers and church leaders, urging that the Word of God be central in church worship. He describes erosion that has taken place in the church over the years, a gradual slide from its past historical foundations. We live in a postmodern world in which many no longer believe in absolute truth. Quoting from Isaiah 12:32, "Men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do," Swindoll says the church needs discernment and clear heads in turning the tide of postmodernism that has caused the church to slide "into the murky waters of a post-Christian swamp."

"Men who understood the times..."

A sermon series on this very subject, and citing this same scripture, alerted me to the inroads of postmodernism into the church. We are in an age of skepticism which says you cannot know truth; it's not universal, not absolute. According to post moderns, truth is not discovered; it is created by the prevailing community. There are no timeless truths. There are no absolutes. This thinking is prevalent in the church as well as outside it. Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Church, says you really can't interpret the Bible accurately and correctly because you and I were not there at the time. "We are making it true as we live it out today." 

No absolute truth? No absolute right and wrong? Lord, help us! I believe all Scripture is inspired. The Bible says so. "All Scripture is God breathed..." (2 Tim. 3:16) We try to understand the words in historical context. But we know there is something unique that sets Scripture apart from other literature. The truth of the Word is timeless and universal because it is from God. It is God's Word.

Church: We must guard the truth of the Word in order to know Him and be true to Him. No truth? Know Truth: He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Guard the Word that was entrusted to you.

Blessings, Dottie

  

Dottie Parish