Joseph's Blog

Book Review – The Take Action Bible

dofkoon — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:02:48 +0000

Thomas Nelson’s The Take Action Bible is intended as a starter to ministry and social justice. It is the entire Bible in the New King James Version, with words of Christ in red, multiple pages of real-life stories of action, 52 social ideas, and standard Bible contents such as a concordance and maps. Beautifully done paperback with a gloss that seems waterproof adorns the exterior. The cover image is an African holding rice in his hand over a rice bucket. There back cover details the features of this particular Bible, along with a statement from Richard Steans, the president of World Vision. World Vision collaborated with Thomas Nelson Publishers for this venture, in an attempt to get more Christians involved in social issues, fulfilling such scriptures as Psalm 82:3-4, James 2:15-17, Luke 14:13-14, and Matthew 10:42. This Bible is wonderfully done with the interior images as well, which are inspiring true stories of ways that others are making a difference. These are also done on glossy pages. Nicely done, low priced (~$12), this is an easy way to get a copy of God’s Word with ideas to jumpstart your serving.

This book was given to me for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze program in exhange for an honest review.

Book Review – Finding Our Way Again

dofkoon — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:09:22 +0000

Brian McLaren’s Finding Our Way Again: The Return of The Ancient Practices is the introductory book in a series of books related to ancient religious practices. Notice the word religious instead of Christian. Although a pastor, supposedly evangelical, McLaren is known for his faulty biblical hermeneutics and “generous” interpretations of scriptural text. This book, although somewhat valuable in teaching historical practices, falls short in two major areas: 1) the practices McLaren espouses in the book are very easy to turn into legalism and ritual because that is what they are for the most part anyway, and 2) Finding Our Way Again is written from a religious neutral perspective. McLaren seemingly presents the three Abrahamic faiths–Christianity, Judaism, and Islam–as equally valid, and equally following and seeking for Jesus.

Although McLaren brings up some very valid points, such as fundamentalism being generally a turn-off to Christianity, his emphasis on outward practices puts a damper on the message he hoped to convey through this book. Although he calls for a return to ancient practices, he seems to contradict himself by saying Christians (and Jews, and Muslims) should not be too restrained by tradition. Should we practice these ancient ways? Or should we not? The back of the book features Jeremiah 6:16 in an attempt to give some biblical backing. However, again McLaren presents faulty interpretation and use of scripture. In the end, despite some seemingly good intentions and ideas, Find Our Way Again suffers from major flaws.

Book Review – The Portable Patriot

dofkoon — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:01:59 +0000

The Portable Patriot edited by Joel Miller and Kristen Parrish is a book containing documents, speeches, and so forth from America’s founding fathers and others in their time period. Here is a list of many things it contains:

Mayflower Compact

Declaration of Rights from the Stamp Act Congress

The Constitution of the United States w/ all 27 amendments

Selections from the Federalist Papers

Speeches, poems, and letters by Sam Adams, Thomas Paine, Paul Revere, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and many others.

There really isn’t much to say about the book other than summarize its contents. I find this a helpful read, because I am now in college and am taking an American Government class. In short, if you really love politics and history, or if you need it for a political science course, pick it up. If not, you won’t care about it.

This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. I am a review in Thomas Nelson Publisher’s “BookSneeze” program.

How Should A Christian Live? devotional

dofkoon — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:47:10 +0000

This devotional book, How Should a Christian Live?, has good content but seems a little cliche at times. I hate to say it, but it’s true. There are so many different devotional books out there today. Some are for men, some for fathers, some for mothers, some for boys, some for girls, some for firefighters, and so on. Each of these devotionals attempts to reach a certain target audience, and this one is no different. This devotion’s audience is the 10-18 year olds. For that reason, the accompanying CD of portions of audio Bible text is in either the New Century Version or the International Children’s Bible.

This commentary includes basic items toward the beginning, including the plan of salvation. I don’t know why that would be in there, because I doubt a non-Christian would buy a Christian devotional book.

If you want it, buy it. There are better devotionals.

This book was given to me for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Rick & Bubba’s Big Honkin’ Book of Grub

dofkoon — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:06:18 +0000

Rick & Bubba’s Big Honkin’ Book of Grub looked like a good book to request from Thomas Nelson for their book review program. I love food. I think all Baptists do. So, I got this book. It came in the mail, and I was excited to read some really good recipes. Unfortunately, most of the book is just Rick and Bubba talking about restaurants they like, making jokes, and so forth. I know my review is supposed to be around 200 words, but there just isn’t much to say other than that this book is a big let-down. The only really unique recipe is their BBQ sauce. There are, by the way, about 18 recipes in this book. For a 211 page book billed as a cook book, that’s horrible.

Don’t get this book. Spend your money on something else. Most of the approximately 18 recipes in this book are rip-offs of other things. Examples: Their version of Sloppy Joe, their version of squash casserole, a fudge recipe, and so on. I can get recipes for those anywhere.

I received this book for free through Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze book review program.

Why You Say It by Webb Garrison

dofkoon — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:30:03 +0000

Why You Say It is an interesting work detailing the origins and original meanings of many figures of speech and phrases. Coming in at 348 pages, this book remains a light read for the reason that the entire book works like this:

HEDGE

Throughout much of northern Europe, early farmers planted bushes and shrubs to serve as fences and boundary lines. Anglo-Saxons were partial to hawthorn, a row of which they called a hege. It was a mark of caution to plant hawthorn around a field, or hedge it. Eventually the name of the barrier came to be used in connection with many kinds of safeguards. As a result, we say that a person who wagers on several horses rather than only one hedges his bet. Many a person manages to hedge by avoiding direct promises and unqualified commitments.

(definition of “Hedge” from p. 182)

The above format is followed for around 600 different words and phrases. It makes for a slightly educational and interesting read, but I found myself growing uninterested very quickly. Why You Say It is not as interesting as it is made out to be. The book retails for $14.99, so unless you want to read about how all 600 phrases originated, purchase another book with your money, such as David Murrow’s The Map (also by Thomas Nelson Publishers).

This book was provided freely for my review. I am a member of Thomas Nelson Publisher’s BookSneeze book review program.

The Map by David Murrow

dofkoon — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:24:18 +0000

The Map by David Murrow is a spiritual growth book written, for the most part, as a novel. In the story, David is approached by someone that tells him that their is an ancient document called “The Map” or “The Three Journeys of Jesus.” So David and his companion set out to discover it. Along the way, there is murder, arrests, chases, and mysterious goings on.

David Murrow sets out with a good premise, to tell what most men are lacking in their spiritual lives today. The three “paths” or “journeys” are submission, strength, and sacrifice. Murrow states that men need to get in touch with their feminine side. He argues that love, compassion, submission, are all feminine traits. I would disagree. Love is just as masculine as it is feminine. Murrow also states that in certain parts of the book of Matthew, Jesus’ “life and teachings reflect a classic feminine pattern” (p. 105). Being loving, submissive, and gentle is not feminine in my mind. It’s just right.

Although I somewhat disagree with the way Murrow puts things, his overall premise is very accurate. Men need to realize that it is perfectly fine to show weakness, to cry, to be loving, to be gentle. If Jesus was loving, gentle, cried, and submissive, and He was the manliest man to ever walk the earth, why can’t we be the same?

I obtain free books from Thomas Nelson through their BookSneeze book review program.

Welcome to the Masquerade by Thousand Foot Krutch

dofkoon — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:45:37 +0000

Thousand Foot Krutch has quickly become a Christian rock favorite. The band released one CD called Set It Off in 2000, before it signed on with Tooth & Nail Records in 2003. After that, they released the popular album Phenomenon. The next album, called The Art of Breaking was released in 2005, followed by The Flame in All of Us in 2007. Their latest album, Welcome to the Masquerade, was released in 2009. Welcome to the Masquerade follows up with the rocking sound that TFK fans have come to love, and still keep the optimistic lyrics.

The first track is “The Invitation.” It is a totally instrumental song that lasts for just 59 seconds, but whets your appetite for the rest of the album.

Next is the aptly titled “Welcome to the Masquerade.” The song talks about the ‘masks’ we wear in life, trying to hide things that need to be dealt with. One line says “Out of the fire/rise from the ashes/reject your doubt and release the passion/let’s get on it/believe if you want it/step into the world where the real ones flaunt it/come back/rewind/another time on it/reach out/take that one off/step on it.” This is a scriptural idea of faith. Mark 9:23 says ” ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes.”

The third track is “Fire It Up.” This track talks about “turning everything up” and being passionate for Jesus and the Christian life. It has a very catchy rock chorus, with a nice finish.

“Bring Me to Life”, the fourth song, is the hardest rocking song on the album. It has a heavy, dirty rock sound. One part of the song says “Bring me to life/breathe air into me/take me from the darkness that I feel/’cause I just want to be free.” This is fulfilled by Jesus, for He frees us.

Fifth comes “E for Extinction.” This is the first of the slower songs. It gets harder. Its lyrics are a message that the Christian walk should be the main thing in our life.

The sixth spot is occupied by “Watching Over Me.” Its lyrics talk about God watching over us through life (I know You’re out there/and I know You care/’cause I feel You like an angel watching over me). Musically, it is a very peaceful and slow song.

Number seven is “The Part that Hurts the Most (Is Me).” This song picks the pace back up a bit, but still keeps things calmer than “Fire It Up” or “Bring Me to Life.” It talks about how we hurt God and ourselves when we sin.

Eighth is “Scream.” It talks about how frustrating it is when we sin and mess up a lot.

Ninth is “Look Away”, where the person in the song is telling God to “take all these cuts/and make them shine”

Tenth you have “Forward Motion”, a song that talks about not giving up when life is difficult.

Eleventh brings “Outta Control” to the table. This track is similar to “Scream”, where the singer is losing control and begs God to save him.

Twelfth is “Smack Down”. This track talks about battling with sin and that to win, you must look to God.

Lastly is the song “Already Home”. The thirteenth track shows someone realizing that God is their strength and that they need look no further.”I am on my knees/’cause You’re everything I need/…And I’m calling out You’re name/and I won’t run away/’cause I’m already home”

This album is Thousand Foot Krutch’s best one to date. It is very optimistic, very God-centered. It also has very good rock rhythms and uses of synthesizers.

Rating – 5/5

The Voice of Psalms

dofkoon — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:33:43 +0000

The Voice translation is an interesting concept; being such, I couldn’t help but request it from BookSneeze. To check out this translation, I compared it with the English Standard Version, one of the most accurate translations around.

Sadly, The Voice suffers from unnecessary additions in the text. Even though these additions are in italics, and they are sometimes true, they are nowhere present in the Hebrew Masoretic text, the Greek Septuagint, the Aramaic Targum, or the Latin Vulgate, which are used to translate the Old Testament in modern Bible translations. In addition to this, The Voice tries to be politically correct by adding in gender neutral language where the Hebrew does not allow for it. Also, modern-day figures of speech are used as below:

“Everyone who sees me laughs at me; they whisper to one another I’m a loser; they sneer and mock me, saying” – Psalm 22:7

I am fairly certain the King David, and our Lord Jesus did not use the 21st century American slang phrase “I’m a loser.” Because of these things, and the fact that other portions of the Bible in The Voice translation have been found to contain aberrant theology, I cannot recommend this to be anything other than a paraphrase or commentary at best.

I obtain free books from Thomas Nelson through their BookSneeze book review program.

Mom’s Bible (notes by Bobbie Wolgemuth)

dofkoon — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:34:45 +0000

Mom’s Bible: God’s Wisdom for Mothers is a novel idea, one that filled a spot that was empty. There are many speciality Bibles, such as Every Man’s Bible, Teen Study Bible, and so on. Now, we have one for mothers. I am happy to say, this delivers on the premise. The notes in the Bible are geared towards mothers mainly for two purposes: for enhancing the job of being a parent, and the other, for helping to strengthen her marriage. These notes are not deep in theology by any means, but they are very practical and should prove very useful to mothers. New mothers will benefit the most from these notes. That being said, this Bible is for all mothers. Mine is in her 50s, and just has a 17 year old son (me), and my 11 year old sister. She has plenty of experience being a mother. Still, I ordered this Bible from BookSneeze for free to give to her after checking it out and giving my review.

This is the entire Bible. It is present in the New Century Version, a dynamic equivalence translations similar in style to that of the New Living Translation owned by Tyndale House Publishers.

I give this Bible 4/5. The reason it doesn’t get 5 stars is that it is missing a boomarking ribbon.

I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review program at www.booksneeze .com.