Gaither Homecoming Bible

Edited By

Bill and Gloria Gaither

A Review

I am not sure what I was expecting; but given the size of this Bible, I did expect something more substantial than what I found. The book is clearly a devotional Bible, not a study Bible. Devotions are prepared by many members of the Gaither Homecoming "family". The history and sources of about one hundred sacred songs (hymns and more contemporary tunes) are included. I would have loved to have a DVD or an on-line resource to access mp3 versions of the many songs. It would have added some value to the book. As one reviewer said, if you are a fan of the Gaithers, you will enjoy this Bible edition. Others may find the book to be of less value - though reading the scriptures, in whatever format, is of great value.

Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes a Day - A Review

Understanding Theology

in 15 Minutes a Day

by

Daryl Aaron

A Review

It was a little over a month ago that I stumbled upon a classic theology book by Gordon R. Lewis, Decide For Yourself.  This small book provided a workbook that guided individuals toward discovering their own theology - rather than being fed a canned theology.  Alas, this small paperback is nearly out of print and is very expensive, if it can be found.

Daryl Aaron’s book attempts to accomplish some of the same thing - though, rather than being a workbook, it is a monograph that works through the various important issues of theology.  The 40 chapters start with the nature of theology itself (a discussion included in most theological texts) and end with a discussion on the nature of the church and the end times.  Dr. Aaron attempts (and succeeds) to write an unbiased synopsis of the various positions that have been taken by scholars in the theological literature.  He also is careful to state his own opinion - though putting the summary of his opinion in a section separated from the main body of his text at the end of each chapter.  

Each chapter discusses a major issue in theology.  The ideas are presented objectively and include scripture to support each opinion.  Because the book is rather small, each chapter is in reality only a summary of the various opinions.  Though references are provided, they do not provide significant guidance for the reader to really do additional study on their own.  The other major absence is the lack of an index.  Though terminology is used throughout the book, there is no way to find where a particular term is referenced in the book.  

The book is readable by the average layman and would serve as a good book in a Sunday School class or small group study.  It would also serve as a helpful handbook to use along with Lewis’ Decide For Yourself, mentioned earlier.  
______________
This review is based on a free copy provided by Bethany House, the publisher, for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.  

Spies and Lies - A Review

The Romanov Conspiracy - A Review

My Fall 2012
Reading List

I have added a number of books to my Kindle over the past 24 hours.  These books have all been provided by the publishers for the purpose of creating honest reviews over the next few weeks.  I kind of think of these books as being the books on my nightstand - which is not a bad metaphor, since I do keep my Kindle on the nightstand at night.  If I wake up at 3:00 AM, I will then have something to read.  Okay here is the list, along with some comments as to why I chose these particular books.

__________________________

1. Just Politics: A Guide for Christian Engagement by Ronald J. Sider
   
   
   
   Ron Sider wrote a classic book on the Christian's use of his or her finances to make a difference in our broken world.  His newest book is an attempt to do the same for the Christian who is involved with or interested in politics.  I am looking forward to reading this book as we approach what is shaping up to be one of the more important Presidential elections in US history.
   
   
2. Hobbit Journey, A: Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth by Matthew Dickerson
   
   
   
   
   Just as I completed a review of A Hobbit Devotional, this book crossed my path from Baker Publishing (Brazos Press).  With the soon to be released film version of "The Hobbit", I have enjoyed exploring with these authors the spiritual implications that I enjoyed reading nearly 40 years ago.  I am looking forward to reading this second attempt to explore the Christian themes in J. R. R. Tolkien's classic work.

3. Reading the Gospels Wisely: A Narrative and Theological Introduction by Jonathan T. Pennington
   .
   
   
   
   
   The Gospels introduce us to the life, character, and work of Christ.  Jonathan Pennington attempts to show us, not how the gospels each tell of Jesus Christ, but how they collectively do so.  Written for the academic - whether professor, student, or pastor - the book caught my attention as a Pastor who loves wrapping his preaching in the lives of the men and women of Scripture, including Jesus.
   
   
4. Computing for Ordinary Mortals by Robert St. Amant
   
   
   
   As most know, I spent most of my career in higher education teaching computer science.  The one course I taught semester after semester was CSC 101 - Introduction to Computer Science.  The course was a simple introduction to computing and its impact on society for non-majors.  This book would have been an excellent text or ancillary text for this freshman level course.  Though I am only in the middle of the first chapter, I am looking forward to reading the entire text prior to writing my review.
   
   
5. 52 Ways To Grow Your Faith by Gregg Peter Farah
   
   
   
   

   A number of years ago I preached a series of sermons on the spiritual disciplines.  My sermons focused on the the traditional disciplines as normally used within the church.  This book discusses some of those traditional disciplines, yet it goes a step further in giving the believer tools to use individually, corporately, and within your community.  At first glance, the book is practical - very practical. 
   
   
6. Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi - Volume 1  Force Storm by John Ostrander
   
   
   
   I first saw Star Wars in a drive-in theater with my wife shortly after our third wedding anniversary.  The story has come a long way since then.  This book, on the other hand, serves as a prequel to all of the canonical stories.  Rather than being a novel to be read, it is a comic book.  Eventually to be released as a trade paperback, I will be reading this on my Kindle Fire.  I will be looking forward to again exploring the excitement of the Star Wars universe.   

__________________________

Well, my reading is set for the next few weeks.  The variety of genres, topics, and formats, will make for an interesting fall.  Reviews will follow.

A Hobbit Devotional - A Review

Hind and Seek A Review

The River: A Review

The River

by

Michael Neale

A Review

The River is alive.
The River is timeless,
and it's moving all over the world.
I find myself drawn to the River.

-- Gabriel Clarke's Journal

The River is the story of a boy who becomes a man.  It is the story of misunderstood loneliness, anger, and lose.  Yet it is also a story of forgiveness and understanding – that only time can bring.  
The story begins in an airport as two passengers wait for a delayed plane in Denver.  As Gabriel Clarke begins to tell his history, the book moves back several decades, to the day that 5 year old Gabriel Clarke would lose his father to The River.  It was on that day that Gabriel began to feel the hatred, the confusion, the anger, that he had for all those associated with The River. 
The next fifteen years were spent living with his mother in poverty.  The community was supportive of the family, but not many would support the hurt that Gabriel faced as he continued to deal with the loss of his father.  He would find himself going to his “secret place” to find some solace – but it never seemed enough.

Gabriel would occasionally cross paths with The River – with his landlord, Mr. Earl, on a fishing trip; with the town boys, who would gather at the pond.  It felt good, in spite of how others treated him – but he did not know why.

At twenty Gabriel would join some of his friends and their college friends on a trip to Colorado that would change his life forever.  It was not a quick change – it would take most of the next six months.  But that trip to the River - with the white water rafting, with Meredith, with Ezra, and with Jacob – would change the direction and the momentum of his life forever.  


God would bring an amazing set of events together that none of the characters, the writer, or the reader, could have anticipated.  God intervenes in the life of this young man in unexpected ways.  And once He did, Gabriel’s adventures would be just beginning. The grace that God showed to Gabriel that spring and summer is an example of the grace that he offers to each of us.  Michael Neale makes it clear that God's grace can be found even in the most difficult circumstances, if we will take time to slow down and listen to Him in the midst of our busy lives.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.