March 14, 2010

Book Review: American Caesar

What do you do when you have a subordinate who has a list of military decorations as long as your arm? Has led troops into battle with little or no regard for his own life? Has been a faithful if sometimes controversial public servant for over forty years? Is a tactical genius? Has protected Australia from invasion? Has turned a retreating army into an attacking one? Has reconquered the Philippines? Has defeated a ruthless enemy? Has transformed said ruthless enemy from a warlike totalitarian state into a peaceful democratic society? Has held Communism at bay in the face of conflicting and confused foreign policy on the home front?

If you are Harry Truman, you fire him, of course--in the most humiliating way imaginable, designed to bring him the most personal pain possible.

William Manchester's American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964
brings the epic personality of Douglas MacArthur to life. In his detailed, even-handed style Manchester examines the circumstances that made MacArthur what he was (Union war-hero father, Confederate belle mother, etc.). He then follows the General's unique career.

Endowed with a brilliant mind and enormous (if fragile) ego, MacArthur was a product of the 19th century who saw far into the 20th and 21st. He was at once flamboyant and practical, generous and vindictive. He was a master of the craft of war, and longed to see it abolished. He is regarded as a hero in the nation he rescued (the Philippines) and the nation he defeated (Japan).

All of this Manchester, in his inimitable style, brings to life without attempting to reconcile the stark contrasts. Indeed, the contrasts made MacArthur who he was. The consummate biographer, Manchester details how MacArthur's own pettiness during the Korean conflict was resulted in disaster for him. He also shows how Truman's pettiness (not to mention underhandedness) resulted in disaster for the nation. The policies set for for Korea (the ones MacArthur opposed with every fiber of his being) set in motion the unspeakable horrors, not only of that war, but of Vietnam.

I personally learned much from this volume, and not just of a historical nature. Those who are in positions of leadership--be they pastors, missionaries, or executives--have much to gain by studying the brilliant successes and tragic failures of General Douglas MacArthur. Many men become larger-than-life after history has garnished their image. MacArthur truly lived larger-than-life.

It has been a long time since the United States has produced a gigantic personality like MacArthur, and the world is the poorer for it.

Talk back to the missionary: What lessons have you learned from historical figures? Share the wealth in the comments section.

Posted by Andrew at 4:03 PM // Comments: 0 // TrackBack: 0 //
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January 27, 2010

Book Review: The White Horse King

If you do not know much about Alfred the Great, have never heard of Alfred the Great, or think that Alfred the Great must be Alexander the Great's little brother, you should add The White Horse King by Benjamin Merkle to your reading list. This book will give you a crash course into the life of a man who--though you may not be aware of it--greatly influenced the world you live in today.

Although I had some idea as to who Alfred the Great was going in (thank you, home education) I realized that he was much more than an Anglo-Saxon king who held out against the Vikings. It is quite possible that had it not been for Alfred, we would all be speaking Danish and have names like "Sven". But Alfred's influence extends far more than his amazing "comeback kid" defense of Wessex. The very basis of English common law--and hence the basis of the US constitution--owes it's beginning to the legal codes set forth by the devout 9th-century king.

Benjamin Merkle's treatment of Alfred's life is detailed...but not TOO detailed. I enjoyed his vivid descriptions of battle scenes, as well as the details he gives of the cultural and political scenes of Alfred's day. The side notes are also quite interesting. (Did you know, for example, that the city of Nottingham was originally called "Snottingham" after an Anglo-Saxon ruler named "Snot"? Neither did I.)

The reading is very easy--but informative. Upon finishing the book I had a desire to learn more about this amazing period of history and this amazing individual. I imagine that this was one of the purposes of the author.

On a "missional" level, I was interested to read how Alfred confronted the pagan traditions of his day and established a biblically-based legal system.

The White Horse King is the perfect book for the history-lover in your life.

Talk back to the missionary: After reading this Alfred the Great became one of my favorite characters in history. Who is yours, and why? Give us the details in the comments section.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Posted by Andrew at 6:09 PM // Comments: 6 //
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January 8, 2010

Book Review: Perspectives Old and New on Paul

If one is interested in knowing about the much touted "New Perspective on Paul", but has no time or resources to read the major works that have been published--pro and con--then Stephen Westerholm's work "Perspectives Old and New on Paul" (subtitled "The 'Lutheran' Paul and His Critics) is the only book you need to read.

Westerholm begins his monumental task (in all it takes over 400 pages) by reviewing the main lines of Augustinian/Lutheran thought. He then reviews the work of those who have tried to deconstruct those lines. Finally, he delves into what Paul actually says about law, grace, and membership in the community of the redeemed. Not surprisingly, the conclusions he draws are of a decidedly "Lutheran" tone.

I can see myself returning to this book--especially the third section--as I prepare messages on any of the Pauline epistles.

Talk back to the missionary: Read any good books on Paul recently? Let us know about them in the comments section.

Posted by Andrew at 9:10 PM // Comments: 3 //
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January 4, 2010

Book Review: The Gospel Driven Life by Michael Horton

An anonymous benefactor sent this book to me from my Amazon wishlist. Whoever it was should know that they made a tremendous investment in the studies and thought-processes of this missionary. Content from The Gospel Driven Life has found its way into messages, Sunday School lessons and counseling sessions since the day I started reading it.

The subtitle--Being Good News People in a Bad News World--is an apt summary of the content of the book. Author Michael Horton is concerned that "the Good News [has] become just good advice". His main purpose in this work (which he says naturally follows his previous Christless Christianity) is to show how the Good News is central to every aspect of the believer's life--not simply at the moment of salvation. For this reason it is important that we "get it right" when it comes to describing what the Gospel actually is.

For me one of the most valuable parts of the book is where Horton expounds on the Biblical progression of Drama (God's vast redemptive plan throughout history) to Doctrine (belief in the objective facts that make up the Gospel) to Doxology (the natural worship that flows from an understanding of those facts) to Discipleship (grateful service as a natural outworking of said worship).

Not a particularly easy read, the The Gospel Driven Life is worth the effort. It should be noted that Horton is quite reformed, which means that Baptists such as myself have to discount the parts of the book where he refers to the ordinances as sacraments (and defends calling them such), the section where he claims that the sons and daughters of believers are "children of the covenant", and, of course, the obligatory disparagin of "premillenialism" (to which he offers no real alternative).

Where his subject is the Gospel and it's fruit in our lives, the book truly soars. If you want to renew a stagnated Christian walk by focusing on Christ and His Gospel, my I humbly suggest The Gospel-Driven Life as a good place to start.

Talk back to the missionary: How does the Gospel affect your daily life? Give us your thoughts in the comment section.

Posted by Andrew at 4:42 PM // Comments: 2 //
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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 at 2:20 PM // Comments: 5 //
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