Wild at Heart (A Book Review)

This review is for the book, Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge published by Thomas Nelson.

The Truthinator is scratching his head over this one. It is a man’s book. It appeals to men and their desire to ‘be men’ instead of being what is politically correct. Eldridge makes some very astute points. He is correct about much of the information he deals with. Society does not allow men to be men and then society turns against men for not being men… 

 He also deals with men’s relationships with others and gives some pointers for men to understand themselves and for others to understand men. Is he always correct? Maybe. I think he is pretty close to being correct about much of the problems faced by men and those who love them and he is correct in giving perspective about why things are the way they are for modern-day men.

The reason I am scratching my head is that I just don’t get his take on God and the Biblical examples he cites to prove some of his more spiritual points. Some of the proofs are easy enough to see but others are a little out there (in my opinion). I am not sure his take on God and how God interacts with mankind is totally accurate.

This book is a little psychological, a little sociological, and a little philosophical. It points out the problems faced by today’s man very well. The spiritual guidance it gives is a little tricky however. I would only recommend this book to those who are Biblically spiritual and mature. I see more of a worldly perspective given by the author than a Godly one as defined in the Bible. I’m also not sure the God spoken of in this book is the God of the Bible.

The Truthinator conditionally recommends this book to the Biblical and spiritually mature only.

Thomas Nelson Publishing supplied this book to me free of charge in exchange for my reviewing it. They did not attempt to influence my review in any way.

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Noah’s Ark has been found?

It was reported yesterday that Noah’s Ark has been found at about 13,000 feet of elevation on Mt. Ararat in Turkey. Could this be true? My response may surprize you but I say, who knows and does it really matter?

Why such a response? Because it really makes no difference to the world spiritually whether it has been found or not. Are you saved? Do you believe there was an actual ark built by Noah that came to rest on a mountain? Of course you do. Will the unsaved suddenly believe in Christ if Noah’s Ark is found? No, because faith is not intellectually derived. Follow me.

I have read, heard , and said some dumb and immature things in my days. I once thought that if a celebrity such as Elvis had been saved and became an evangelist that many would have been saved. The truth is, no more or less would have been saved because a person’s celebrity has a lot to do with drawing a crowd but nothing to do with changing a life from eternally dead to living.

The Bible says there is enough proof in God’s creation that all men are without excuse for not believing in Him (Romans 1:20). The Bible also says that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus. This faith comes from hearing the word of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:17) not from intellectual stimulation.

Remember the parable about the rich man and Lazarus? The rich man begs for someone to be sent back from the dead to witness to his family for them to avoid going to hell. He is told that his family has the writings of Moses and the prophets for testimony and that they would not change even if someone went back from the dead (Luke 16). That is just not how God’s plan works. 

Would it be cool to actually see the boat built by Noah? You bet. Could this mean we are nearing the end? Maybe. What it does not mean however is that we can slack up in telling people the truth about what the Bible teaches. We must continue to teach God’s word because this is how He gives faith: through the hearing of His word.

 

 

Daily Truth Bible Study Acts 11:1-30 part 1

After Peter returned to Jerusalem, he was confronted by the other apostles and brothers in Christ. They were probably partially in shock that the Holy Spirit had fallen upon gentiles and that Peter had gone in and stayed with gentiles for fellowship. Traditions and customs run deep. Some of the jewish believers may have understood how a gentile could be saved but equal in Christ with jews…? No way!

The Bible says all men come from Adam. We are all related when to you go back far enough. Still, mankind is ‘determined to segregate based upon myriads of reasons. Peter carefully explained how God had shown him not to call unclean what God had cleansed. Notice verse 18. Once Peter explained what had happened in total, the others said,  “Well, OK then” (my paraphrase).  Actually scripture says that they glorified God and said He had also granted repentance unto life to the gentiles.

I’m sure they were amazed but notice that they dropped their traditions and prejudice. Peter told them what had happened and they adjusted their course accordingly.

We should be ready to do the same. We carry a toolkit full of traditions and prejudices every day. Reading the Bible will disarm these in our lives. When we read what the Bible says, we should drop our traditions and fall in line with scripture. All men come from Adam. God has considered all men cleansed as far the opportunity to be saved in Christ Jesus. Those whom God will save is not known to us. We must reach out to ALL with the Gospel.

When we (Americans) see TV images of people in Haiti, Africa, American poverty areas, third-world countries, and etc, how do we react? Hopefully with compassion. What did we do to deserve God’s blessing of prosperity? Nothing. God bestowed it. Let’s use what God has given us for His glory. How much do we really need that fancy dinner and movie this weekend? Could we donate the money we would have spent to a worthy cause?  You answer this question…

 

Book Review: Will the World End in 2012? by Raymond C. Hundley, Ph.D.

The date of the earth’s demise has been on the minds of people as far back as historical records exist. Every generation seems to believe they are the last. Every type of rationalization imaginable has been used to justify their positions. Why are people so fascinated by the concept of the end of time? Some have gone so far as to set a date for the end of time. The year 2012 seems to come to the top of the discussion for those who go so far as to select a date.

Dr. Hundley has examined most of the better known predictions of the cataclysmic end of time set to occur in December of 2012. He has given much time and effort to study each prediction from the sceptical observer’s perspective. He does not dismiss an idea out of hand; he looks at both sides of each. Some predictions are determined to be whacky and totally unrealistic while others are not so easily dismissed. Several even cause a certain level of concern to the most hardened sceptic.

Dr. Hundley also examines the Christian perspective of the notion of the possibility of someone being able to accurately predict the date of the end of time. He also includes analysis for the Biblical-minded person to consider while doing a study of the end of times. His work is concluded with an invitation to and explanation of salvation in Jesus Christ.

I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in an objective, Christian perspective of the study of the 2012 frenzy so many are captivated by in our day.

Truthinator recommends this book.         Disclaimer:  Thomas Nelson Publishing provided this book to me free of charge in exchange for my reading and reviewing it. They did not suggest any part of my review nor did they place any pressure to slant or shape my review. 

 

Daily Truth Bible Study Acts 10:24-48 part 3

While Peter was in the midst of his sermon, the Holy Spirit fell upon the new believers in Jesus Christ. This is a different way than it happened for the Samaritans who had to wait for Peter to arrive before receiving the Spirit.

Did Peter command and control the receiving of the Spirit? Hardly. God was likely using Peter’s presence as the connecting factor during this time of establishing the Church. Phony scam artists were undoubtedly running around claiming to have power from God. Peter’s presence was a unifying factor and this is how God chose to work. It is not a prescription for how God would continue to work forever.

Notice also that AFTER the believers were filled with the Spirit they showed the same sign as the Jews who had received the Spirit. God’s kingdom is open to His flock- Jew and Gentile alike. Once the Spirit was received by the crowd, Peter said they should be baptized. No mention is ever made of baptizing in order for someone to be saved nor of sprinkling babies with water for their inclusion in the kingdom…Odd, huh?  😉

What about the speaking of tongues? Scripture does not say that speaking of tongues is THE proof of having the Holy Spirit. Nor does scripture prescribe that everyone with the Holy Spirit will speak with tongues. The converts spoke as did the Jews earlier in Acts. This was God’s way of showing that the gentile converts were accepted into God’s kingdom just like the Jews had been earlier. I suggest not reading additional meaning into this.  

There is no Christian who does not have the Holy Spirit. The Spirit grants power to witness (Acts 1:8), ability to pray (Rom 8:26), gives assurance of salvation (Rom  8:16), and seals believers for the day of redemption (Eph 1:13, 4:30). He is also the pledge of our inheritance (Eph 1:14) and our teacher (1John 2:27).

Cornelius and his family asked Peter and his companions to stay on for a few days. Undoubtedly, there was much celebration and learning taking place. Pray that God will continue to expand His kingdom. One day, believers will join the celebration that will last throughout eternity…

Thanks to John MacArthur’s commentary on the Book of Acts

 

 

Daily Truth Bible Study Acts 10:24-48 part 2

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Peter enters the house of Cornelius and finds him and his family and closest friends assembled and waiting to hear a word from God through Peter. Cornelius was overwhelmed at the renowned man of God entering the room and fell at his feet. Watch Peter’s response; “Stand up, I too am just a man.” Peter was careful not to take glory that rightly belonged to God.

Let’s take a moment for a parenthetical discussion of taking credit for God’s work. Paul like Peter had also experienced this. Remember that Paul was received as if he was a mythological god in Lystra. He gave the same stern reaction that Peter gave by quickly correcting the error.

You have all seen the stage act where the person says very seemingly humbly, “please, no applause is needed” while motioning for the applause to continue with one hand…   This was not funny stuff to the apostles. They knew fully well how serious the work of God was/is. God deserves ALL of the glory. People are simply the divinely appointed tools to accomplish the work. Let’s not get caught up in the glorification of ourselves. We can do nothing apart from God that will accomplish anything of eternal value.

Peter walks into a mostly blind situation. He knew to go with the men to see Cornelius but that is about all. He walks in to find a large gathering. Watch what he does. This old salty, coarse-talking, bull-in-a-china-shop guy very humbly announces that he has been taught a lesson from God.

It was indeed unlawful for him to be associating with gentiles according to the Jews. However, Peter marched to God’s orders. God has shown him that all people who were chosen by God were welcome into His kingdom. Peter shows his humble obedience in following God’s instructions. No one in the room should have doubted Peter’s sincerity. Peter was there at the risk of his own safety.

Peter began to speak to the crowd about how God’s invitation is open to all people who fear Him and do what is right. This is not proof of a works-based system of salvation. Peter is simply stating that people who are brought into God’s kingdom via God’s sovereign will display these characteristics. Peter continues to tell them about Jesus and His ministry, about how he and others witnessed it,  and about the death, burial, and resurrection. Peter tells them that Jesus is the anointed One of God which alone can offer forgiveness of sins and everyone who believes in Him receives this forgiveness resulting in eternal salvation.

While Peter preached this clear and concise message about Jesus, the Holy Spirit fell upon the hearers just like it had fallen on Jews in the city at Pentecost. Peter and his companions received concrete proof that gentiles are a part of God’s kingdom. God’s plan was at work and continues to this day. Pray that the Holy Spirit continues to fall as God brings people into His kingdom.

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