Lucado and R.C. and Moore, Oh My!
Here is your update on the latest reviews at Discerning Reader. We have uploaded six new reviews for you this week—reviews that come from the pens of four different reviewers and which examine books by some of the Christian world’s most popular authors. It’s a banner week!
Leslie Wiggins, who writes reviews of books that are of particular interest to women, has a courageous review of Get Out of that Pit by Beth Moore. I say “courageous” because Leslie dares to suggest that perhaps this book has some poor theology and too little focus on the cross. Read the review and see if you agree.
I have reviewed Max Lucado’s upcoming book, 3:16: The Numbers of Hope (a review I’ve also posted here). A guaranteed bestseller that is going to receive massive publicity, this book is an examination of John 3:16. Though not without its strengths, the book suffers by not defining the target audience. This leads the author to make promises that are not his to make. I have also reviewed Quiet Strength, the autobiography of Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Dungy is a Christian who is very outspoken about his faith and this biography tells his story. Finally, I’ve added a review of A Taste of Heaven by R.C. Sproul.
From Scott Lamb comes a review of Foundations of Grace, the first volume of Steve Lawson’s series (five volumes are planned) dealing with the history of Reformed theology.
And finally, Colin Adams brings a review of Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger. He says, “This is not to say there is nothing helpful in the book. … Church is never truly simple, and Simple Church over-reaches by claiming that it is “returning to God’s process for making disciples.” (book subtitle). Put simply? Gain insights from this book; don’t build your ecclesiology on it.”
You know we’ll be back next Tuesday with more reviews…
Comments (12) »
1. donsands
August 29, 2007
8:20 AM
That was a good review on Beth Moore’s book.
A lot of woman love her. My wife has her books.
I read one, and became angry, because she takes Scripture out of context to make a point. Her theology is weak, and damaging. Very, very human-centered.
She said in the one book I read, “I want you to stop reading this book right now, and go look in a mirror, and say to yourself, ‘You are special, you are God’s special child.” (paraphrased)
She must be a marvelous Christian, but does she have a gift to teach the Holy Scriptures?
2. CBM
August 29, 2007
8:45 AM
At our former church it would have been more acceptable to question the inerrancy of Scripture (it styled itself an evangelical church) than to say that you don’t like Beth Moore studies. I think it even would have been a tar and feather situation in the Women’s Ministry!
3. Tim Challies
August 29, 2007
9:42 AM
I think it even would have been a tar and feather situation in the Women’s Ministry!
That seems to be the case in many churches—especially Baptist churches and even more especially Baptist churches in the southern states.
That was a good review on Beth Moore’s book.
I thought it was excellent too. Probably the best review I’ve read of a Beth Moore book. I can say that since I didn’t write it!
4. julie
August 29, 2007
10:12 AM
That was a good review of Moore’s book. I also wonder what Beth Moore (and lots of Christian teachers today) do with these types of verses:
Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah. (Psa 88:6-7)
The idea that God Himself may have put us in a *pit* for a season doesn’t seem to factor into Beth’s equation.
Excellent point, don sands. I’ve often wondered if ladies ought to be teaching other ladies doctrine anyway. They are not specifically directed to do so by scripture. But there are alot of other things that they are directed to do - are they faithful in them?
5. Evers
August 29, 2007
5:35 PM
I noticed in several of the reviews the use of the word ‘forward’ which should have read ‘foreword’.
6. donsands
August 29, 2007
6:22 PM
I wonder, I guess we could say, “Get Out of the Pit” is the pits.
Just kiddin’. Somebody had to be so lame.
7. Scott Lamb
August 29, 2007
7:39 PM
Evers, Doh! Those (sort of) hynomynimmers got me into trouble a’gin.
That’s why they call me the hip-hop-hynomynocerous.
8. Ken Pierpont
August 30, 2007
8:05 AM
This is the age of information, therefore it should be the age of discernment. Thank God for your ministry. I’m looking forward to readin the book.
9. Ken Pierpont
August 30, 2007
8:10 AM
This is the age of information, therefore it should be the age of discernment. Thank God for your ministry. I’m looking forward to readin the book.
10. Ann Addison
August 30, 2007
9:14 AM
Leslie Wiggins did a great job on the Beth Moore book review. I once took one chapter at random from one of her workbooks and looked up each scripture reference for context. She took ninety percent of the verses out of context. I hope to see more reviews like this one… and perhaps a few reviewing Joyce Meyer books. Thanks for Discerning Reader! : )
11. Ray Fowler
August 30, 2007
3:23 PM
Tim, I was wondering why at Discerning Reader you don’t post who actually writes each review. I notice you gave attribution here, but at DR all I could find for attribution was “the reviewer team” on the about page. I actually like knowing who wrote a particular review when I read it, so I was just wondering why this isn’t listed at DR (or is it there and I’m just missing it!)
Thanks,
Ray
12. Tim Challies
August 30, 2007
4:00 PM
Tim, I was wondering why at Discerning Reader you don’t post who actually writes each review.
That’s the number #1 question we get. The answer: because I haven’t added that functionality yet. It’s on my list of things to do! :-)
perhaps a few reviewing Joyce Meyer books
It just so happens that I’ve got a pre-release of the new Joyce Meyer book and I’m sending it Leslie’s way.