SEVEN WAYS TO CHANGE THE WORLD - JIM WALLIS' CHALLENGE TO A GENERATION LOOKING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

Get involved. That, in precis, is the message of US evangelical Christian political thinker and activist Jim Wallis in his latest book Seven Ways To Change The World: Reviving Faith And Politics.

     Following on from his best-selling God’s Politics, Seven Ways To Change The World charts some of the positive moves that have been made in the US in recent years with regard to the vexed issue of religion and politics - particularly the loss of the hold of the ‘Religious Right’ as the only voice for Christianity in the US political sphere - and posits the idea of the political position of ‘conservative radical’ as an alternative to the left and right partisan politics currently on offer in the States.

     Wallis then turns to seven major arenas in which Christians can make an impact and, in doing so, change the world for the better. These subjects he covers under the banner of his seven themes, such as 'Life and Dignity' and 'Equality and Diversity,' are broad and include everything from poverty to caring for the environment and tackling racism and sexism, through to human trafficking, slavery, abortion and the Iraq war.

     DAVID ADAMS is challenged afresh with Jim Wallis' latest book, Seven Ways To Change The World... | more... |

FOLLOWING FIRE A USER'S GUIDE TO BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT IN FIGHTING INJUSTICE

Released by UNOH Publications, this is a collection of essays and articles by some of the world's most engaged Christians about how the Spirit leads us to fight injustice. When I first looked at some of the names of the contributors to this work I realised quickly that this would be something worth looking at.

     Not that I should read a book simply because of the reputation of its author(s), but these are people I deeply respect for their genuineness, brutal honesty, and concern for the poor. People such as Tony Campolo, Ash Barker, John Smith, Tim Costello, Shane Claibourne, and Dave Andrews are just some of those who have given their time and effort in this publication to describing how the Holy Spirit is essential in the Gospel work of fighting injustice in the world.

     NILS VON KALM reads Urban Neighbours of Hope's latest... | more... |

DARWIN'S GIFT TO SCIENCE AND RELIGION

Francisco J. Ayala mentions the mysteries existentialism invites us to inquire about, but he does not choose to ask existential questions. He asks only scientific questions: How do signals from nerve cells transform into ideas, the mind, and the self? He rejects existentialism and a transcendental level of knowledge, perhaps, because of a fear of mystery and a fear of the infinite. Or, he might derive satisfaction from the simplification that the scientific method can render the universe intelligible. In any case, his scientism is nothing but a superstition that places a barrier between himself and the incomprehensible and infinite One.

     The “religious answer” to the question of whether human beings evolved from apes can be found in Humani generis by Pope Pius XII. This 1950 encyclical says that the evolution of human beings refers only to our bodies and that our souls are created by God. The pope also said that regardless of what evolutionary theories there are about polygenism, the Roman Catholic Church knows from the Bible that all human beings descended from Adam. That the whole man - body and soul - did not evolve from apes was considered by the Holy Father to be a scientific and existential truth knowable by reason alone.

     DAVID ROEMER replies to Francisco J. Ayala's book Darwin's Gift to Science and Religion... | more... |

THE IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION A MUST READ FOR WOULD-BE "ORDINARY RADICALS"

Shane Claiborne’s The Irresistible Revolution is a must read for every Christian who wants to be a true follower of Jesus. It is not a book for those who want to settle for a mediocre life. Nor is it for those who want to be extraordinary. Instead, as the subtitle of the book says, it is about “living as an ordinary radical” for Jesus.

     No doubt there is a yearning in the church today for a type of Christian life that shines not just on Sunday but every day of the week. We want to bear witness to the Gospel in our everyday life. But we struggle to work out how this can be done. We long to have a sense of community. We run programs that attempt to reach out to our neighbourhood. But often we don’t see much long-term effect for our effort. Perhaps we are not living out the authentic Christian life? Perhaps what the world sees in us is not exactly what we see in the Gospels?

     SIU FUNG WU says The Irresistible Revolution is not for those who want to settle for the mediocre... | more... |

THE KITE RUNNER A POWERFUL TALE OF HUMAN FRIENDSHIP

“There is a way to be good again,” Rahim Khan said to Amir in the The Kite Runner – the New York Times number-one seller for over 100 weeks.

     The Kite Runner is a beautiful story about the friendship between two Muslim boys, Amir and Hassan, in Kabul in the 1970s. Amir belonged to a prominent and wealthy family. Hassan, however, was from a despised ethnic and religious minority (a Shi’a Muslim from Hazara). He was a servant in Amir’s household.

     After the Soviet invasion, Amir’s father took Amir to America and sought asylum. They were no longer wealthy and life as immigrants was hard. But eventually Amir finished college and became a successful writer

     SIU FUNG WU finds The Kite Runner a challenging read... | more... |

THE DAWKINS DELUSION? - A REASONED RESPONSE TO "DANGEROUS ATHEISTIC FUNDAMENTALISM"

This is a timely book that was needed to expose some of the nonsense that Richard Dawkins has put forward in his book The God Delusion. It is to be recommended if you struggle with some of the arguments that Dawkins has raised and the force with which they are presented.

    McGrath is a former atheist himself, which gives him some credibility in his critique. There is probably no better positioned person of religious faith to do so (and he is ably assisted by his wife, Joanna Collicutt McGrath). This book provides a rational and well thought-through counter to the dangerous atheistic fundamentalism that Dawkins postulates and that sadly follows the lead of religious fundamentalism over so many years.

    McGrath does not, however, go into the detail of rebutting each of Dawkins' arguments. Instead, he shows them up as a whole by exposing the fact that Dawkins' reasoning (or lack of), as well as his arguments, are deeply flawed. There is really no need for any thinking person to repudiate, in detail, the nonsense put forward by Dawkins such as the idea that all religion is evil and that it is a form of child abuse to subject your children to a religious upbringing. These are just some of the arguments with which Dawkins has tried to influence his readers.

     NILS VON KALM on a credible response to an unreasonable diatribe ... | more... |

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON FASTING

For anyone who has never fully grasped the purpose of prayer and fasting or the highly understated benefits that it can bring, This Chosen Fast is guaranteed to set even the most seasoned of sceptics straight.

     The book, written by Matt Madigan is the result of a personal and unexpected life-changing journey brought about through forty intense and compelling days of fasting.

     As we are led on a spiritual tightrope through Matt’s gripping account, we are often challenged about the fundamentals of what we believe as we observe his unyielding conviction in God’s faithfulness. Would you be able to trust God in the face of such impossible circumstance?

     CHOE BRERETON reviews Matt Madigan's book, This Chosen Fast... | more... |

LEE STROBEL TAKES ON CHRIST'S CRITICS

This is the latest of Lee Strobel's 'Case for' books and is probably the most timely. Strobel, who used to be an atheist and has a strong journalistic background, uses his sharp investigative skills again and asks the tough questions that any sceptic would ask.

     The reason this is such a timely book is because it challenges head-on some of the charges made against the Christian faith in the seeming plethora of publications and documentaries in recent years. Author John Dickson said recently that Jesus has become very popular in recent times. The question to ask, though, is which Jesus are we talking about?

     Strobel takes the main arguments that have been put forth and, through interviews with respected and learned Biblical scholars, presents the case for the real Jesus and leaves the reader to make up their own mind.

      NILS VON KALM finds answers in Lee Strobels's latest book, The Case for the Real Jesus ... | more... |

NO OPPORTUNITY WASTED - INSPIRING DESPITE THE BUNGEE JUMPING OBSESSION

I have recently finished reading a book written by New Zealand adventurer Phil Keoghan, possibly better known as the presenter of The Amazing Race television series than as a writer. The title of the book hints, in a less than subtle way, at its intention: NOW - No Opportunity Wasted.

      In summary, the book is an exhortation, an encouragement to live life to the full, to make the most out of the allotted time one has been given. In itself a noble intention, and surely a message that can be accepted by all who delve into the words of wisdom contained therein. Yes, I am being tongue in cheek, because while the book does contain many inspiring suggestions and illustration, there are also some serious shortcomings. But more about that later.

      RUSSELL STUBBINGS has no intention of going bungee jumping but he finds Phil Keoghan's book nonetheless inspiring... | more... |

CREDIBLE WITNESS - "BEING FAIR DINKUM TO BOTH SCRIPTURE AND CULTURE"

In this, his first book to be published, Darren Cronshaw lays the groundwork for effective and relevant mission in Australia.

      Flicking through this book before I bought it, I was reminded of John Smith’s Advance Australia Where?, written in 1988 as a search for the reasons behind the extraordinary lack of meaning in a nation like ours which has everything one could materially ask for in life. In fact, Cronshaw refers to Smith in Credible Witness, and provides us with a detailed and fascinating recollection of the spiritual history of this nation. I must admit to a sense of cynicism when I began reading that Australia has a long history of spirituality, as I was always of the opinion that this ‘Great South Land’ is one of the most godless nations on the planet.

      NILS VON KALM finds his preconceptions challenged by Darren Cronshaw's Australian take on mission... | more... |

SIMPLY CHRISTIAN: WHY CHRISTIANITY MAKES SENSE

The latest offering from N.T. Wright, the current Bishop of Durham in England, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense is a brilliant layout of the faith for seekers, doubters and anyone needing a good solid grounding in how the story all fits together. Written in the mould of C.S. Lewis, I recommend it wholeheartedly.

     Wright is one of the world’s foremost, if not the foremost, New Testament scholars. He has written many books and articles on Jesus, the Gospels and Paul. Perhaps his best known and greatest work has been The Resurrection of the Son of God, a book that Dr Ben Witherington describes as ‘magisterial’ in its thoroughness of the accounts of the resurrection and of the beliefs of people of the time about the idea of resurrection.

      Interestingly, Wright has been viewed as being quite conservative in his outlook. However, if being conservative means believing in the physical resurrection of Jesus and believing that the Gospels are an account of what actually happened in history, I'm happy to be on the same side as Wright.

      NILS VON KALM finds Simply Christian provides a solid grounding on the Christian faith... | more... |



HOW DO YOU KNOW HE'S REAL?

As far as celebrity status is concerned, this book will have more appeal to those living in North America than people in Australia but it is nonetheless a great book to reflect on the power of God to work in the individual lives of people on every continent.

    How Do You Know He's Real? features 35 testimonies from people like actors Gary Burghoff (you may know him better as Corporal Radar O'Reilly in MASH), Kirk Cameron (remember him from Growing Pains and, more lately, the Left Behind movies?) and John Schneider (Superman's dad on Smallville) and musicians and singers like Bill Ray Cyrus (he of the Achy Breaky Heart) and Leon Patillo (formerly of Santana) as well as a former Miss America, US football and basketball stars and a host of other celebrities.

      With a handy themed index covering subjects ranging from abortion, anxiety and addiction through to truth, worldliness and worry, the book tells of how God has worked in their lives in a range of different areas.

      LINDA ADAMS finds How Do You Know He's Real? a reminder of the many ways God can work in our lives... | more... |



TOO SMALL TO IGNORE: WHY CHILDREN ARE THE NEXT BIG THING

There is an image from a trip I made to Kenya in the late Eighties that burns indelibly in my mind. It’s that of a small boy standing in the dust outside a feeding station wearing an oversize T-shirt and shorts.

      A boy who lived in a notorious slum in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi known as the Mathare Valley. A boy who had no family. A boy who ate once a day. A boy who slept alone at night on the street and who, if he was lucky, might get invited into someone’s home on the odd occasion. Did I mention this boy was three-years-old?

      It’s that image that springs to mind when I read a book like Too Small To Ignore: Why Children Are The Next Big Thing. Written by Dr Wess Stafford, the chief executive and president of global children’s ministry, Compassion International, this book is a passionate cry from the heart. And just as the image that burns in my mind, it commands our attention. More than that, it commands our response.

      DAVID ADAMS finds Dr Wess Stafford's book challenges the way we perceive children, both our own and those in the wider world... | more... |

THE CHURCH OF 2020

The future starts now. And anyone that wants their church to be an influential part of that future needs to get moving.

      Such are the central pillars of Mal Fletcher’s book, The Church of 2020.

     “True influence is not a product of how well we celebrate the past or enjoy the present,” he writes. “True influence is a result of how well we engage with the the future.”

      The world is changing, says Fletcher, and Christians had better get used to - better yet, embrace - the idea.

      In writing peppered with Biblical examples and quotes from numerous futurists - including Dr Patrick Dixon and Dr Tom Sine, Fletcher sketches out a vision of how technology will continue to shape our daily lives - a dramatic expansion in the use of micro and nano technologies as they penetrate almost every aspect of our lives from the clothes we wear to managing the temperature in our homes, the melding of man and machine, and the use of holographic projections, to name just a few of innovations he lists.

      DAVID ADAMS encounters a vision of a Christ-centred future... | more... |

GOD'S POLITICS: WHY THE AMERICAN RIGHT GETS IT WRONG AND THE LEFT DOESN'T GET IT

Warning: this is not a passive read. Forget the niceties of dinner party conversations, Jim Wallis’ book dives straight into the issues of religion and politics and makes no apologies for doing so.

    Global poverty, the conflict in Iraq, the “War on Terror” and corporate misconduct are among key issues Wallis - a world renowned preacher, theologian, activist and author - dips into in the pages of God’s Politics as he challenges, in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets, what have become the established Christian attitudes in the US on both sides of politics and warns against such things as the emergence of a “national theology of war” in the US.

    In their place he offers a new paradigm for the future of Christianity in politics, one in which Christians weigh up the policies of all parties against the Biblical model and which sees Christians moving beyond "single-issue voting" and applying equal weight to issues such as abortion and capital punishment while at the same time ensuring a Biblically-based consistency when looking at issues, whether they be corporate governance or global poverty.

      DAVID ADAMS is challenged by God's Politics... | more... |

THE SHAPING OF THINGS TO COME

The Shaping of Things to Come is a seminal text with regard to mission and ministry within the postmodern Australian context. One of the most refreshing features about the book is that it is written by Australians, Mike Frost and Alan Hirsch, both of whom have extensive experience as practitioners and thinkers within the Australian Christian community, for Australians, and with the Australian social and spiritual context in mind. This makes it directly relevant to any who seek to understand the tension between mission and ministry within the Australian setting.

    The framework for the book is the premise that Christendom is dead. While we once lived in an overtly Christian country where church-going was a common, even popular activity, that landscape has now changed. Simply, the authors assert, the approaches used for mission 40 or 50 years ago are no longer applicable since we live in a post-Christendom culture.

     RUSSELL STUBBINGS finds The Shaping of Things to Come a refreshing take on the subject of mission... | more... |

PORRIDGE AND PASSION

This book continues the story of Jonathan Aitken’s life after his fall from a position of power and influence as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the British Cabinet. At the end of his first book Pride and Perjury, Aitken is awaiting sentencing after issuing a confession statement to the prosecuting authorities admitting his crime of perjury during a libel trial against the Guardian newspaper. During the court case Aitken suffered public humiliation, media vilification and personalised vindictiveness from his enemies, and his marriage ended in divorce. At the same time Aitken had become a Christian, repented of wrong doing, and was reaching out to God and other Christians for support.

    Porridge and Passion begins with Aitken being sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and starting his life as a convicted criminal. He gives a detailed account of his first night in Belmarsh Prison, and the conflicting emotions he went through as he entered an alien and disorientating world. The author’s account of his own reactions to prison life is often humorous, but he is also honest enough to admit his fear which was only controlled when he realised that God was still with him and still promised him "unfailing love and full redemption".

     CAROLE ADAMS finds herself encouraged by Jonathan Aitken's story... | more... |

WOMEN, LEADERSHIP & THE CHURCH

Does the Bible present a set of guidelines for women, different to those for men, on ministry opportunities and leadership responsibilities in the church?

     According to Jim Reiher the answer is no and his avowed task in writing this short book is to win the "diehards" who cling to a tradition rather than the scripture.

    Let's "look again", says Reiher, at the foundational texts on men and women, the verses that are timeless and the verses that address local or situational issues.

    He identifies Genesis 1, Acts 2 and Galatians 3 as "foundational moments" because they deal with "the start of humanity, the start of the New Covenant and the explanation of the gospel". In each of these chapters God's heart for men and women to be equal in "worth" and in "the function of rulership" are evident.

      LLOYD HARKNESS finds Jim Reiher's latest book a good introduction to what can be a controversial issue... | more... |

THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE

I will start this review by drawing two quick portraits, of which there could be a thousand variations, and setting you three questions to consider.

    Person A. Successful in business, I have always applied the principle 'what you sow you reap'. I have tithed to my local church and given extra to visiting ministries. God has prospered me and my God's desire is to prosper you too.

    Person B. I am a wage earner whose income doesn't always keep pace with inflation. God provides for me but I'm never going to own a house on a hill. I work at maintaining a generous spirit so I can give to people and organisations that are bringing honour to Jesus. God is my provider and He will be your provider too.

      LLOYD HARKNESS finds Jim Reiher's The Eye of the Needle: Discipleship and Wealth provides a thoughtful response to the so-called 'prosperity doctrine'... | more... |

PRIDE AND PERJURY

It’s the story of a man at the height of his career, newly promoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the British Cabinet, even tipped as a possible successor to the Prime Minister John Major. But it’s also the story of a man seeking a real relationship with God. This is the story of two journeys - a very public fall from grace, and at the same time, a very personal search for the reality of Christianity.

    Jonathan Aitken's tale begins with him experiencing power and influence at the forefront of British politics, while at the same time realising that he was feeling an inner “emptiness and lack of fulfilment within”.

      CAROLE ADAMS finds the first part of Jonathan Aitken's autobiography - Pride and Perjury - an intriguing look at a man's struggle to come to terms with two worlds... | more... |

GLIMPSES OF THE DEVIL

Dr Peck is perhaps best known as the author of The Road Less Travelled, a bestseller since it was released in 1978. He is also a Christian, and a psychiatrist.

      I am not one to give too much attention or focus on the devil, but at the same time it is important to realise that he does indeed exist and that his mission is to attack and destroy Christians, preventing them from fulfilling the purposes of God in their lives. This book offers a rare chance to “know thy enemy”.

      Peck writes about his professional and spiritual experiences with two patients that he suspects may be in the grip of something supernatural.

      JANET CAMILLERI finds a book that provides an insightful look at the ways of the "enemy"... | more... |

THE PURSUIT OF GOD IN THE COMPANY OF FRIENDS

My attention was caught by the title of this book when I was browsing at a book sale. Not just The Pursuit of God, but the second half of the title was what really held my attention. Christian community always sounds so wonderful in theory, but in practice often seems to create as many problems as it solves. Richard Lamb says in the introduction “as much as community has become a buzzword these days, a deep experience of community seems elusive”.

      The author believes that what we are all seeking is the reality of God himself in our lives, and that the pursuit of this desire will bring you into deeper relationships with those around you. On the other hand, if what you desire most is deeper and lasting friendships with those around you, this will lead you to pursue God. Lamb explains that friendship did not come naturally to him, and that his company of friends has, over many years, been a very big influence in shaping his life and his relationship to God.

      CAROLE ADAMS finds Richard Lamb's book, The Pursuit of God in the Company of Friends an insightful but challenging read... | more... |

THE HEART OF THE FAMILY

I must acknowledge that I was initially a little disappointed with this book. I have enjoyed reading the works of this author for a number of years, and was looking forward to fresh stories and insights. This, however, is a compilation of his previous works containing reflections on his, and God’s, family.

      Having got over my initial disappointment however, I found I was really enjoying each chapter with its mix of true stories, fiction, dialogues, sketches and poetry, even if it wasn’t totally new to me. Plass has a very down-to-earth and humorous way of sharing stories about his life and his walk with God which touch the heart. The author’s own comment about this book is revealing. “I have the feeling that people who run perfect families will not appreciate this book. They would prefer one of those ‘how-to’ books, even though they don’t need one because they are perfect. This book, by contrast, will certainly not tell you how to bring up your family, but it might reassure you that most of us are making the same sort of mistakes along the way.”

      CAROLE ADAMS on Adrian Plass' The Heart of the Family... | more... |

COME THIRSTY

Readers of Max Lucado’s books will once again enjoy, and be inspired by Come Thirsty. Lucado has a passion to see people receive and enjoy all that God provides for them daily, and in this book he encourages readers to receive the living water that God longs to give us: “If you are thirsty, come! If you want life-giving water, come and take it. It’s free!” (Revelation 22:17 CEV).

   The book is written in the usual Lucado style - descriptions of simple everyday stories and experiences, combined with scripture, and the author's personal spiritual insights. The introductory chapter is a modern day story of Jesus and the woman at the well, where He offers a young woman living water so that she will never thirst again. It sets the scene for what follows, and the concept of living water, which can be quite difficult to understand, is thoroughly explored.

      CAROLE ADAMS on Max Lucado's book Come Thirsty... | more... |

90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN

We’ve all heard miraculous stories of survival in which someone has survived against all odds only by hanging onto God. 90 Minutes in Heaven is not such a story. Rather, it’s the tale of a man who tasted heaven and didn’t want to come back to earth. Despite the miracle of his survival, Don Piper tells of his despair at having to battle incredible pain and his strong desire to give up, begging God to take him back to heaven. The answer was ‘no’.

      CAROLE ADAMS reads an unexpected story in Don Piper's 90 Minutes in Heaven... | more... |

      CAROLE ADAMS finds questions worth answering in Philip Yancey's collection of articles, I Was Just Wondering... | more... |

CAROLE ADAMS is inspired by John Eldredge's book, Waking the Dead... | more... |

DAVID ADAMS takes a look at Don't Look Back: The David Bussau Story... | more... |

TONY TOWNSEND on a book he says gives a refreshing and timely perspective on Islam... | more... |

TONY TOWNSEND on a book which digs deep in an investgation into Christianity... | more... |

BRUCE WEARNE finds a book about soccer even Collingwood supporters should enjoy... | more... |