Posts filed under ‘Book Reviews’
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Book Review: The Vertical Self
by Adam Clark: theemergingnetwork.org
The Vertical Self: How Biblical Faith Can Help Us Discover Who We Are In An Age Of Self Obsession by Mark Sayers
Note:Disclosure of Material Connection: This book was received free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.
The title is a mouthful…
“The Vertical Self: How Biblical Faith Can Help Us Discover Who We Are In An Age Of Self Obsession”
…but if you can look past the length, the title gives away some great insight. First, Mark Sayers is going to base everything he says biblically, faithfully and with a strong theological basis. Second, we are obsessed by our own narcissistic views and, thirdly, how he can help. I love long titles so far as they hold true to the book. This does it perfectly.
When it comes to content, watch out Perez Hilton…
When it comes to content, watch out Perez Hilton, we may now have a new king when it comes to celebrity culture. Sayers nails it on the head: We are obsessed with being sexy, cool and glamorous, but that leaves us with nothing more than idolatrous viewpoints of those around us that we see as cool, sexy and glamorous. In the end, we strive for the mystery that comes with these labels, but instead of looking up to the eternal mystery that comes from God, we look out to the horizon to seek out how we can best fit in with those around us.
We have stopped looking up at God to find who we are (based on the created order that God himself declared as good). We see the world and creation as tainted and can no longer seem to piece together the “Christian” and “Society” puzzle pieces that we wrestle with everyday. We canʼt be sexy if we are Christian, can we? Well, God made everything including what we view as sexy, so sexy is good. It is what we do with the desires and understanding of sexy that is bad. When we throw around words like cool, sexy and glamor without thinking, they lose all meaning. When we can check our desires under the Lordship of Christ, in community, in their worthiness and by the fruit they produce, we begin to live once again as a vertical being seeking our meaning in God.
Mark Sayersʼ book illustrates that a life sought out in the horizon of our lives is tiring, wasteful, meaningless and without any input into the society to which we so desperately want to feel connected. I saw this because the images we try to perfect in order to be accepted are constantly changing. It does make more sense to allow the cool, sexy and glam lifestyle to come out naturally. Those who truly have it are comfortable in their own skin – they live looking upwards.
Being holy does not have to be dorky. It does, however, consist of looking up to our creator and finding our order in creation. Any youth leader should give it a read, or even use it as a study as the study guide in the back provides a great starting point for any accountability group.
Book Review: The 5 Love Languages
So I began reading The 5 Love Languages for the second time. The first time I read it I
was single and knew everything. This second time I am 8.5yrs married and know nothing.
I really enjoyed the updated version of this book. Gary Chapman is a clear communicator and the chapters semed to flow quickly. I finished the book on my third night of reading it. As far as the love languages go I’m still the same as I was when I was single but the other four love languages jumped out at me as I started to think about where I would place the various members of my family and those closest to me.
Here’s a rundown of the five love languages:
Words of affirmation–Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the reasons why someone loves you sends your spirits skyward.
Quality Time–In the language of quality time, nothing says “I love you” like full, undivided attention. Really being there, with the TV off and all chores on standby, makes your significant other feel truly special and loved.
Receiving Gifts–Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift.
Acts of Service–Can vacuuming floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an acts of service person speaks volumes.
Physical Touch– Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face can all be ways to show excitement, care and love to a person whose primary love language is physical touch.
This book is must read, however, the exercises in the book are a “must-do.” It’s one thing to read a book and agree or disagre with it. What I would suggest is that you use the exercises in this book over the course of the next six months to a year in you life and see what happens.
My only complaint about the book having such a world-wide audience is that it is still very American.
“Available now at your favourite bookseller”
The Search for God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield: Book Review
by Adam Clarke
Note: Disclosure of Material Connection: This book was received free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.
To be honest, when I saw The Search for God and Guinness on Thomas Nelson’s Book Sneeze program, I was a little skeptical. I had no idea the social impact that the Guinness family had on society, nor did I know the strong moral code their company would portray to, first, the people of Dublin and eventually, the world. I thought the title was very fitting for the book as it is a strong historical look at the family, the role God played in their lives, and Mansfield’s own search for answers.
What I found unique about this historical look at Arthur Guinness and the Guinness family is the strong teaching of influence and good actions, along with a strong calling from God that goes beyond family: it impacts society as a whole. They knew they had the means to help Dublin, so they put their wealth to work by improving Dublin, its people, and its image.
However, my favorite “sticking point” of the story is the role of apprenticeship. You see that through the Guinness’ line, great men didn’t just happen. They were given the support, trust, knowledge, and experience of the older generation, so that they could excel and continue the good work God had blessed them with. They exemplify what many fathers today are attempting to do – teach their children quality lessons. The only problem is many times fathers today forget the key component of time and energy. The Guinness men had plenty of patience to pass on these traits.
I did find the book very difficult to focus on at times. It came across as a history text, more often than not. As one with a history major, I loved the historical lineage and facts about the Guinness clan, but if there is no historical interest in the reader’s hearth, this could be a tough book to make it through.
Twilight Phenomenon: Book Review
by Adam Clarke
Kurt Bruner, in his work Twilight Phenomenon, does three things absolutely well:
[1] Expresses the true power of story on the readersʼ lives,
[2] illuminates the myths of both stories and vampires, and finally,
[3] allows the readers to see the greater good that comes from knowing the content of the Twilight series.
The power of art over argument – it worked for Dickens and child labour, it worked forBambi and the decline of hunting, so what is the power of this mega-hit?
Edward had always thought he belonged to the world of horror stories. Of course, Iʼd known he was dead wrong. It was obvious that he belonged here. In a fairy tale. – Bella
Stories are made to transform, encourage and challenge us. It is obvious that Bruner does not want that to leave the readerʼs mind as they work through Twilight. He points out three key spiritual concepts that Twilight raises:
[1] What it means to be human,
[2] the nature of the soul, and
[3] how romantic love inspires us towards our ultimate destiny.
The power of story for Bruner is found in connection with spiritual formation, which takes imagination, “Boys, girls, men, and women alike love stories because we are all hungry to connect with reality.” The power found in fictional realities is what brings us face-to-face with our own realities we experience everyday, the realities that we want to run away from, and the ones we would like to forget, but the power of story is what can provide answers.
The history of the vampire within the book is quite helpful and complete. It allows the reader to see the formation of the myth as well as the literary history of the character. The turn made by the author to point the reader toward the connections between the myths that make up vampires, and the truth that is spoken from the Bible about Satan, is incredible. There is a breakdown used, to show the nature of Satan and the myths that make up vampire methodology, that will prove how sinister a true villain really is.
The connections drawn to the Twilight series are done in completion, often citing the exact location of his findings which allows the reader to draw on his conclusions and also allows for the reader to form their own thoughts on the subject. In providing the reader with both positive and negatives about the qualities found within the characters, it allows for those both for and against Twilight to see both sides. The immaturity of the love portrayed, contrasted with the virtues illuminated through Edward, is only an example of the complete functionality of this literary critic.
Bruner is quick to point out that stories only have influence if we look at the authorʼs underlying assumption, as their spiritual agenda is often leaked out through their pen – whether they mean to or not. Thus, we need to be aware of the lenses that we, as readers, look at the story. The story is shaped by our experiences and influences, which is how we discern what is good or evil. When we become aware of these two filters, we can answer the three questions that Bruner wants his reader to focus on:
[1] What are we made for?
[2] What is wrong with our world?
[3] How will it be made right?
These are the questions he seeks out and provides the answers for. It is these three questions and the power of the complete story that makes Twilight relevant to anyone working with youth. How are the words shaping the worldview of those in our midst? What are the experiences that draw them to these stories? Ultimately, this book will allow youth to come face-to-face with many questions they may have about their faith and worldview. The complete breakdown of this process, done by the author, makes this book worth the read and purchase, as with two movies left to go this phenomenon, it is going nowhere fast.
Escaping the Vampire: Book Review
by Adam Clarke
When I was first asked to read over Escaping the Vampire by Kimberly Powers, I will say that I was excited. Right away, the connection to Twilight was unmistakable, the font type, the image bearing likeness to the forbidden fruit on the cover of the hugely popular series (hands holding a snow white rose). Being a fan of the relevance of Twilight, and
the influence it has had on the generation at large, I was ready to jump in and read it.
It took me two days.
However, after reading it through twice, I felt a little let down and disappointed. It was not in the content or the message the book sends to teen girls, but by the tie-ins to Twilight. They were present – and plenty – but there was a stronger push by the author for teens to watch out for the “Ultimate Vampire” or Satan. Although this is a strong statement and worthy of every tween and teen alike to take seriously, the original feeling and desire of the Twilight connection caused the message to be glanced over, as the reader constantly looks for the next quote about Edward and Bella.
Now that the misconceptions of this book are out in the open, the content becomes clear. This happened for me during the second read once I got rid of my Twilight bias. For Powers, the Twilight series is such a hit with young teens because it is a love story, and every girl longs for the type of love Edward has and shows to Bella.
A love that is attentive, protective, fought for, and to be desired.
Many of these qualities are not easy to fault a girl for, so why do many youth workers dismiss Edward as a tool? Too many times I have heard and witnessed leaders who, when asked by their youth why they should not read Twilight, have been told that “Itʼs bad …or evil …about vampires, who are evil.” I think that these misconceptions and default answers are why youth leaders need a book like this on their shelf: To allow them the ability to be culturally relevant.
If we cannot meet our youth in what penetrates their world, and have quality communication with them about the content, underlying themes, and the qualities that make the characters we love endearing, then we have lost some respect in their eyes.
That was one of the qualities of Kimberly Powersʼ book that I enjoyed. It was the ability to see connections and lessons that can come from popular culture.
Powers points the reader in to a strong conclusion – Satanʼs lies in our life are based on our selfish twisted desires of destruction. Too many times are young teens swayed by author, and therefore, buy into what society tells them is acceptable, and then try everything in their power to attain it. Such thinking is a bold-faced lie by Satan. Once attaining that goal becomes unsuccessful, they settle for a substitute: A form of enticement that they have been tempted with to ease the pain (i.e. cutting, eating disorders, anything that can lead to deeper pain and destruction). Satan is a masterful liar, as mentioned in Genesis 3, and there is only one true way out and that is not in the Escaping the Vampire – Kimberly Powers arms of Edward, but in the arms of the “Ultimate Hero” – God. The truth of Godʼs Word contrasts Satanʼs lies and can establish strength in the shadow of destruction.
As a resource that entices and draws on strong parallels to Twilight, I would give the book a “D+” but, for a resource that points young girls towards valuable life lessons through the truth of Godʼs Word and Godly women of faith, I would give it a strong “B.”
Worth the read, but probably not a permanent place on youth workerʼs shelf.
Book Review: The Hole in Our Gospel
The Hole in Our Gospel: The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World by Richard Stearns (Thomas Nelson).
This book combines Stearns deep and personal experience of God working in his life and makes a very direct challenge to North American Christians. Stearns tells the story of how he came from being a wealthy and successful Christian businessman to becoming the President of World Vision-USA.
Stearns shares his personal story of how God worked in his life in a very intimate way. How God surprised him and moved him into a greater understanding of what it means to believe the whole Gospel, not just certain parts that are personal and that’s where it ends. The whole Gospel as Stearns shares involves each on of us evaluating our own personal goals and lifestyles and if they parallel with what God has truly asked us to do for this world. Stearns issues a thought provoking challenge through his own personal story.
The Hole in Our Gospel is an excellent corrective challenge for youth workers. It will allow you the opportunity to think about the Gospel differently and view the world through a new set of lenses. The only question that you will have to answer after reading this book is, “How will you and youth ministry be different after reading this book?”
