My thanks to Jared Wilson, not only for another thoughtful book, but for expressing many of the very things I would like to express. In his 2015 book, Prodigal Church: A Gentle Manifesto Against the Status Quo, Wilson has written a book I wish I had written.
Book Reviews
Jesus Outside the Lines
This afternoon I started reading Scott Sauls‘ refreshing new book, Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides. It seems timely – at least for me.
I for one am growing weary of a culture in which increasingly polemic debates seem never ending. And while I was at first skeptical of the phrase, considering it a bit exaggerated and overblown, I am more-and-more inclined to agree that the United States is appropriately labeled a “post-truth society” – where what matters are not the facts, but rather striking a blow for your political side. That’s what it seems to me, as I read and watch the news regarding the Riots of Ferguson, Missouri, the RFRA in Indiana, among other items.
There is truth. There is wisdom. And what’s more, there are effective ways of finding the wisdom without sacrificing truth.That’s what I long for. I want to engage in intelligent discussion, both with those with whom I agree and with those with whom I do not agree. I want to understand, so I can process things from perspectives I may not presently possess. I want to be heard, without being demonized as either a bigot or a half-hearted traitor. I want to align myself to truth and wisdom, and I want to see truth and wisdom win the day. I get that most things are more complex than we may want to make them. I get that we can act wrongly even in those times when we are in the right. But call me naive, or utopian, but that is what I want.
That is what Scott Sauls advocates in these pages. Having not yet finished the book, I cannot say that everything Sauls writes will be as music to my ears. But I can say is, having read a couple of related interviews, what Sauls endeavors to do resonates with m
y sensibilities.
It is not compromise I desire, but something transcendent: I want to remember that God is truth, for his truth to reign. I want for God’s people to be the champions for the good of all humanity – which is, after all, created after God’s image. And I want these truths and values brought wisely, winsomely, and effectively into the Public Square. The fact that some – maybe many – don’t want these ideas in the Public Square is no reason to stop taking them there. And the fact that some seem to despise these ideas is no excuse for Christians to act in a manner unworthy of the Gospel, as we engage those who oppose and even hate us.
So far, Scott Sauls is not disappointing.
Related articles:
Galatians For You & Other Resources
In the present sermon series in our church I am working through Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Rather I should say “we” are working through the book of Galatians, as while I am preaching the bulk of the messages I am sharing the teaching with my Associate, Camper Mundy, and a couple of other pastors who are part of our church. But in my preparations for each message there are a few non-technical resources I am uising that would also be beneficial for anyone who is studying Galatians – whether a seminary graduate or a typical church member wanting simply to deepen his/her understanding of this letter.
One of these resources is Tim Keller’s Galatians For You. In the video above Tim introduces his intent in developing this book, and offers some suggestions of how it might be used beneficailly. And though perhaps to those hearing my message may assume seeming little of Keller’s words may be overtly expressed my messages, without question the depth of Keller’s insights has helped shaped my understanding of this book and how the message applies to us today.
Below is a short list of some of the non-technical resources I am reading (or re-reading) during this series, Freedom: A Study of Galatians.
- Galatians For You by Tim Keller
- Grace in Galatia by Ben Witherington
- No Other Gospel by Josh Moody
- Counterfeit Gospels by Trevin Wax
- Gospel Wakefulness by Jared Wilson
- A Scandalous Freedom by Steve Brown
- The Great Exchange by Jerry Bridges
No Other Gospel
After learning I would be beginning a new sermon series this week, a study of the book of Galatians, a friend and colleague who is an Army Chaplain asked me if I had read the relatively new book, No Other Gospel. Though I had seen it, I admitted I was not really familiar with it. He suggested it would be a good parallel book to coincide with the series of messages we will be offering at Grace Covenant between now and Easter.
I picked it up, skimmed it this afternoon, and expect to commend it to our congregation – at least to 
those who want to do a little digging of their own over the next few months. (I’ll read it more thoroughly as well.)
In the video above Justin Taylor interviews the author of the book, Josh Moody, who serves the historic College Church of Wheaton. Moody explains the basis and the gist of the book.
I Wish I Had Said That
OK. I’ll admit it. After reading J.D. Greear‘s book, Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary, I found myself subtly frustrated… Disappointed…
Why?
Not because of anything in the book J.D. wrote. But because it was a book that I wish I had written! So I am jealous… envious… and greatly appreciative.
This is a book I could have written. It is not that I would have written it as well as J.D. did. But in this book J.D elaborates on a number of practical issues that I have found need to be explored and explained from a gospel-centered perspective. And J.D. nails it. He interacts with the writings of many of the same folks who have helped shape my own understanding, illustrates the principles, and applies them to an assortment of questions and confusions that many seem to have when first introduced to gospel-centered Christianity.
GRACE & PEACE 