Jesus: A Theography by Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola

Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola’s book Jesus: A Theography presents the biblical narrative as the story of Jesus Christ. The authors describe the presence of Jesus in all of Scripture through various thematic and verbal allusions. Sweet and Viola begin their “theography” before the Garden of Eden in pre-existent time. This is necessary in order to achieve a true understanding of Christ’s relationship to the Father as eternal. This backdrop allows for the proper theological understanding of Christ in regards to the Scriptures that Sweet and Viola intend to tease out in this book. The authors take seriously the task of searching for Jesus in every portion of Scripture in order to exemplify how Christ is central to the message of the Bible. Though the overall flow and structure of the book were helpful to implement this book into personal ministry, it did not create a succinct enough response. Sweet and Voila tried too often to create Christological parallels without using good hermeneutical techniques. The authors wrote their book with a lay audience and an academic audience in mind. Though their aspirations are admirable, the outcome was a easy accessible book that did not represent scholarly resources. I could not see myself recommending this book to either academics or lay people because the material is too bland.

A Shot of Faith to the Head by Mitch Stokes

A Shot of Faith to the Head by Mitch Stokes is a Christian endeavor to bolster faith amid an age of Atheism. The author has a practical and pragmatic method to improving our methods of apologetics in order to give sound defense against atheist claims. The author does so by identifying several problems and weaknesses with our current model of apologetics. Each chapter reveals the historical way in which we defended that particular view and then provides an up to date defense. I applaud the author’s attempt to create solid defense for many of the Christian doctrines and appreciate the time, effort, and study to prepare such a necessary tool. There are certain places in which the author’s time may have been better allocated. First, the author’s appraisal of Atheist views seem to be one sided, though I am a Christian, there are many things one can learn from unbiased study of Atheist perspective. In studying their perspective one may be able to provide a better critique of their claims. His appeal to scripture to battle against Atheist claims help bolster Christian faith but not the faith of those who do not hold to the authority of Scripture. Therefore, one might grapple with Philosophy and Ethics which are more secular arenas for discourse. In doing so with a Christian perspective, one can make claims which are translatable to non-Christians.

I am A Follower by Lenny Sweet

Leonard Sweet’s book I am a Follower: The way, truth, and life of Following Jesus is a deeply impacting tool. I provides its readers with a systematic approach to developing not only a drive for discipleship but a lifestyle which reflects discipleship. Through each of his chapters he uses life stories and personal events, which readers across the board can relate to, so that one might grasp how a life of discipleship might change one’s view on the world. His convincing methods and tools create a paradigm for growth in which believers are able to foster spiritual growth amongst themselves and others. Using the way of Jesus’ example of being the way, truth, and life we come across Sweet’s adoption of this into daily life. I found this book to be very helpful because it provided practical insight which would be applicable to daily life. His presentation was very attainable and by the end of the book I felt closer to Christ and had a day by day plan in which I would be able to grow in discipleship. I enjoyed the perspective which he gave because it gave a biblically sound approach to discipleship in which the method corresponded with the biblical accounts of Jesus’ discipleship practices.

Billy Graham's Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well

I have recently had the opportunity to read Billy Graham’s book Nearing Home: Life Faith and Finishing Well. This book struck me as outside of the box because it comes from the position of one who is understanding that they are at the end of their journey in life. Within this dark understanding of one’s plight Graham is able to bring about joyful hope and inspiration that even though one’s old age is beseeching upon one’s abilities one is still able to forge ahead in the kingdom of God. Graham develops ideas about how one might use the benefits of their old age, wisdom, knowledge, and experience in order to bless the lives of the people around them. I think this book is a must read for anyone at any age because it can motivate any person into spiritual action. A book that keeps the end in mind is very useful in today’s times and Billy Graham in Nearing Home has the knack of bringing everyone into his mind and perspective. Which shows that even though humanity may be weak and physically frail; God is strong and able to use us. I would highly recommend this book for anyone seriously thinking about working with elderly people or those who have no hope of being used by God.

Max Lucado's "Max on Life"

Max Lucado’s work Max on Life is a delicate stroll through the plethora of questions asked of any pastor since the dawn of the church. Questions on how to live in response to a certain problem or issue and how to see God in light of certain circumstances are a prevailing notion that is brought about throughout the book. It is interesting to see how Lucado uses his life experience to bring about insight, which causes true life change. His ability to converse with his readers gives the book a level of grace which would provide peace for anyone going through almost any conceivable circumstance. On a whole, I enjoyed the structure of the book because it allowed for a series of short reads while seeing each individual question answered as part of a cohesive section and book. I would have liked to see a better exegetical presentation of the scriptures he quoted for each of his answers but it is difficult to do such things and provide such nurturing pastoral advice. I would recommend this book for any pastor for their personal use or to make available to their ministry workers within the church because of the great practical resources it provides for daily spiritual growth. It would be nice if Max Lucado would create a reading plan or study guide to go along with this book in order to implement it in one’s study program.

Doing Virtuous Business: The Remarkable Success of Spiritual Enterprise by Theodore Malloch

Doing Virtuous Business: The Remarkable Success of Spiritual Enterprise by Theodore Malloch is a great tool for anyone interested in not only increasing their ability as a business person but also as a pursuer of God. The book investigates this concept of how capitalism within our social constructs creates a an atmosphere for progress in the business world. Malloch expresses how one’s “spiritual enterprise” causes effects one how one conducts business because of the changes in one’s ethics and character. If one builds a spiritual enterprise where good morals and virtue are expressed one’s actions will reflect their moral strength. For example, if one builds forgiveness and honesty as part of their “spiritual enterprise” they are more likely to provide forgiveness for those who transgress them. This book is a very practical tool for all people because it shows how one’s spiritual condition is able to affect their daily life. Also, it inspires one to fine tune their “spiritual enterprise” so that they will be able to conduct better business. The only thing that Malloch infers which was hard to cope with was how he expected the spiritual values to appear in modern culture. This is hard to unify with a world of no absolutes in which people are all inherently evil.