What I've read, What I'm reading

Here are some titles that I've read recently, or which I'm currently just starting. I thought about writing more comprehensive reviews of the ones I've read, but thought that would take too much time (and unless I feel really strongly about a book, I have difficulty writing a review).

What I've Read

1. Jaded: Hope for Believers Who Have Given Up on Church But Not on God by A. J. Kiesling

This is a (another?) book about why people are disillusioned with the institutional church. I found it in the bargain section of ChristianBook.com. Although the Amazon reviews average out to just average, I thought the author provided some thought provoking material, particularly for church leaders. The main premise I got out of it was that the purpose of Christianity ought to be in finding God and getting to know Him, rather than church membership and/or attendance. According to the author, the institutional church is merely a tool in people's journey of getting to know God. The author echoes some of the misgivings and disillusionments I personally have with the church, so I found myself agreeing with most of the points made.

2. A Dangerous Hope: Encountering the God of Grace by Al Truesdale and Bonnie Perry

This was another title in the bargain bin at ChristianBook.com. Until I read this book, I didn't realize that the Nazarenes are Wesleyans, and therefore, close cousins of the Seventh-day Adventists. The premise of the book is that the Bible shows that the sovereignty of God is love, rather than absolute power. The authors develop this reasoning, based on scriptural evidence, to show how love, it being His essential character, necessarily limits what God is able to do in the universe without violating His own character. The authors work through themes including liberty and freedom, grace, already but not yet, and the kingdom of heaven to show how the Wesleyan perspective on salvation provides hope and assurance.

I found this book particularly enjoyable and stimulating. To my eyes, it seems most of the popular Christian titles are written by authors of the Reformed (Calvin) persuasion. I've been wondering recently if Seventh-day Adventists have been getting subconsciously influenced by the Calvinistic views of God's sovereignty and salvation. From what I see and hear, this might be the case. That is why I found this title so refreshing to read. I highly recommend it, if you can find a copy.

3. Ordinary People, Faithful God compiled and edited by Nathan Brown

This is one I picked up at campmeeting in July. It's a collection of stories about miracles and answered prayers. I realize many people are edified by such tales. I'm not one of them. It's not that I don't believe in miracles and answered prayers, because I do and I believe I've personally experienced some. But they're not the norm, and a large collection like this could possibly give the impression that it ought to be the norm. Nice book, nice stories, but it/they just didn't do anything for me.

What I'm Reading

1. Grounds for Belief by Ed Dickerson

This is another one I picked up at campmeeting. I've only read the introduction and the first chapter, so I can only give my initial impressions. So far it looks like something I'll enjoy. This is another of the titles that challenge in-the-box thinking and encourage out-of-the-box ones in regards to the topic of religion and religion-related things. I plan to read portions of the book during our weekly Sabbath gatherings (BTW, I really dislike the term "service" applied to church and worship).

2. Armageddon at the Door by Jon Paulien

This is yet another title picked up at campmeeting. I have Paulien's earlier Revelation book, The Deep Things of God. This is the next installment in a series from Paulien helping non-scholars develop tools to understand the book of Revelation. I've so far read through the first few chapters where the author describes the current Middle East situation. I'm not sure where things are going to head from here. It looks interesting, however.

3. Landmines in the Path of the Believer:Avoiding the Hidden Dangers by Charles F. Stanley

I belong to a "book club" type subscription by Thomas Nelson. Every four to six weeks I get a book. There are some authors that I simply can't stand to read, so I request they not be sent. I'm not sure as to which category this book and author is going to end up. I've only read the introduction, but the impression I get is that the author's primary definition of "sin" is behavior and thoughts contrary to God's commands. This is not the definition that I use as my starting point. "Sin" as I've come to understand it is primarily a broken relationship with God, or in slightly different words, a refusal to trust and depend completely upon God.

I'm not exactly looking forward to reading through this book, because it may just leave me frustrated and annoyed due to the differing views on the main thematic material. But I suppose that from time to time I need to read things that don't match my perspectives so that I don't get locked inside a box of my own creation. Not only that, but there just might be something I can learn from this book.