December 14, 2009
Rapid Reviews: Of Tilt-A-Whirls and Ape Men
Since July I have had the opportunity to read several books which time has not permitted me to review fully. What follows are short summaries of them, in no particular order.
Notes from a Tilt-A-Whirl
Author: N.D. Wilson
Subtitled “Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World”, this book can be thought of as theology for postmoderns. Note that I did not say “post-modern theology”, as there is much in here that would cause the likes of Tony Jones or Doug Pagitt to blanch.
Notes form the Tilt-A-Whirl is written in an off-kilter, sometimes-quirky style that reflects the short attention span of current generations. Wilson consistently puts high theological concepts on the bottom shelf where they are easily reached. He is very gentle in his approach, except when it comes to philosophers. These he routinely skewers with a rollicking sarcasm—especially Nietzsche.
Rapid Rating: This book will be a treat for you to read.
The Missionary
Authors: William Carmichael and David Lambert
Set in a “fictionalized” Venezuela—complete with a Chavez-esque dictator—The Missionary explores the relationship of the missionary with the political life of his adopted country. Motivated by the extreme poverty and tremendous abuse of power around him, young missionary David Eller decides to become involved in a “regime-change” plot, with near disastrous results.
I found this book to be riveting in some places, and rather tedious in others. Also, after spending several chapters building up the complexity of the characters, I found the ending to be rather clichéd.
Rapid Rating: Read this book if you are interested in the subject of missionaries and the politics of their host country.
The Reason for God
Author: Timothy Keller
In this book the eminently successful pastor/missionary Tim Keller addresses his target audience—secular westerners. He begins by capably answering several of the more common accusations leveled at Christianity (ie There Can't Be Just One Religion or the ever-popular How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?)
I felt he handled the subject matter well. I was disappointed (but not surprised) at his defense of a kind of “theistic evolution lite”. Other than that, it was a good read.
Rapid Rating: Read this book if you are a skeptical secularist, or if you know one.
Tarzan and the Leopard Men
Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
I found this in a little used book store while I was at the Conferência Fiel. It is full of what you would expect from a Tarzan book: jungle adventure, damsels in distress, and tree-swinging galore. In this particuar adventure Tarzan takes on the murderous Leopard Men, finally ridding the jungle of their evil menace.
Rapid Rating: If you are a Tarzan fan you have probably already read this. If not, you probably will not like it.
The DaVinci Code
Author: Dan Brown
My belated foray into the world of conspiracy theories combined with ancient gnostic heresies. If one temporarily suspends any shred of rational thought, the book is enjoyable. Otherwise it is difficult to see how it was taken so seriously.
Rapid Rating: Only read this is you are in a position of leadership that requires you to be on top of what popular culture is trying to pass off as theology.
Talk back to the missionary: What are the best books you have read this year?
Posted by Andrew on December 14, 2009 2:20 PM.
Comments
Posted by: Gary Collins at December 15, 2009 4:15 PM
Thanks Gary! Several of these are going on my list.
Posted by: Andrew 
at December 15, 2009 6:54 PM
Andrew,
I would enjoy a long chat with you on books. I keep a list of what I have read each year, just to keep track of where I can find forgottened info. I was surprised to see I read over 50 books this year. Many were Francis Schaeffer's books. The highlight for me was R.C.Sproul's (reformed) THE HOLINESS OF GOD. I will re-read and re-read it again.
I love your book reviews. Incidentally, when you hit the deputatin road, mark in a visit in Northern Missouri. I want my church (which is 30 miles north of me and in Iowa) to meet you.
Shirley williams
Posted by: Shirley Williams at December 16, 2009 5:42 PM
Shirley,
Wow! That is almost a book a week! This was my original goal, long since abandoned.
I read some Schaeffer books last year. Good stuff.
We will make every effort to get to Missouri (a state I have not been to since I was a teenager), so we can have that long talk about books.
Posted by: Andrew at December 16, 2009 8:01 PM
I just finished John MacArthur's, "The JESUS You Can't Ignore". It was a very thought provoking book -- excellent for this time of "tip toe thru the hard stuff" that is so prevalent in churches and spoken by supposed Christians.
Posted by: Martha Paye at December 18, 2009 12:29 PM
Subscribe via
Hi Andrew, Here is my Top Ten List for 2009:
1. If God is Good by Randy Alcorn
Subtitled- Faith in the Midst of Evil and Suffering
This book nearly replaces all books previously written on the subject, except for the Bible itself. I loved his previous work on Heaven also.
David Jeremiah has released two excellent books this year:
2. What in the World is Going On?
and its sequel,
3. Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World
Thom Rainer has written several helpful books lately. I especially recommend:
4. Essential Church
5. Simple Church
6. Surprising Insights from the Formerly Unreached
7. Leadership from the Inside Out by Kevin Harney
(examining the inner life of a church leader)
8. Twelve Challenges Churches Face by Mark Dever
(yes I now read Reformed authors- this particular book is a timely commentary on 1 Corinthians.)
9. Sex Is Not the Problem, Lust is- by Joshua Harris
(regardless of whether you kissed dating goodbye- this book is more important, and right on target.)
10. The Unexpected Adventure by Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg
(personal stories about evangelism along with instruction)
11. Grace in Eclipse by Zane Hodges
(This book about eternal rewards was written in 1985, wish I had read and understood it back then.)