Week #30: Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

Now I think I understand what all of the fuss is about. I'll start with the positive.

Much of this book resonated with me. One of the most powerful statements in the book (for me) had to do with the way we use the word "Christian". Bell reminds us that it makes a great noun and a lousy adjective. Well put.

I was also challenged by the concept of recognizing God... though I know that this is an easy thought for people to abuse. It can quickly become a my truth/your truth kind of thing.

The difficulties I have with the book are representative of my struggles with Rob Bell at a deeper level. I do NOT doubt his sincerity. I only question (at times) his philosophy and approach to ministry.

1.) I do not agree that the way of Jesus = reality is an accurate way to talk about the saving/transforming power of Christ. It is easier, but not quite accurate. Bell doesn't seem to be one to talk about sin and its effects and the damnation that it (unfortunately) brings apart from Christ... that's reality.

2.) His thoughts on biblical interpretation are nothing short of dangerous. The implication is that none of us can interpret the Scripture without bringing our own bias to the table. Therefore the conclusion would be that one's view of Scripture is merely that... one's view. This is HUGE. I think it is the heart of what he thinks needs to be "repainted".

I'm not saying Bell is a bad guy. I don't know him. In the same breath I must evaluate his words and not simply accept without discernment everything he (or anyone else) has to say.

Week #29: The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun w/ Paul Hattaway

May this text be proof to Cessationists that spiritual gifts are indeed an all or nothing proposition! Legitimate stories of visions and miracles abound in the life of this modern-day prophet and teacher Brother Yun.

Over and over the truths of this man's story demonstrate the fact that God was using his life to carry a message that was larger than any one person's life... the gospel!

These are the stories legends are made of. Yet the only story here is the preservation of a man who was consumed with giving God the glory because of the miraculous nature of his existence.

From a culture that is quite different than ours we find MUCH teaching (and modeling) that should be present in American Christianity. The sacrifice. The humility. The focus. The power of giving yourself away for the cause of Christ. Would any of us be able to stand in those circumstances?

The greatest takeaway for me surrounded the suffering. Would I suffer for Christ as graciously as Brother Yun? He was not rude. He was not arrogant. It wasn't just that he "boldly" opposed others that made his stand appealing. He stood on principle for the sake of the gospel. Those who watched in disbelief came to a saving knowledge of who this man represented... Jesus Himself.

Week #28: Developing A Vision for Ministry by Aubrey Malphurs

At the outset I must admit that this book belongs in the classroom. Not because it is boring, but because it deserves to be studied. This is one that I will return to after this exhausting year of "flying-through-books" a week at a time. So study it I did (and will return to again).

The thesis is obvious enough. The short version is that we need ministries that are not just cookie-cutters of the "big ones". We need ministries that are tailored and inspired by God to spur on the Kingdom of the Heavens. There must be something beyond ordinary that our particular posts are called to be or we as leaders are failing to 1.) listen to and 2.) follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our ministries.

The one piece that I bristled against a little was the corporateness of the approach. Ministry is not business (as Piper reminded us a few weeks ago). One cannot simply take the things that "whomever secular business" has used to make it successful and transfer them into the Church.

That said, the signpost that most resonates with me is the need to clearly communicate and follow through on the vision that God has given you. Add to this an oversized dose of humility and you should be good for the long haul.

A parting word: any vision worth keeping and reproducing (or even just seeing through, for that matter) must be a God-vision... one that comes from above.

Week #27: Facedown by Matt Redman

The last 2 years I have chosen a book like this one to walk through with our High School Worship Team. We have a group of talented musicians who are (thankfully) using their gifts to help people understand who God is.

I want to keep it that way.

To that end my goal is to help all of us continue to understand that God is first interested in our hearts and then our hands (or voices or lips or whatever).

This book was stuffed with language to help us understand the proper human response to an infinitely holy God... that's the whole "facedown" thing in case you missed it. The entire book spends time discussing why He (God) is worth it. What a wonderful expression of how we are meant to come to God.

It's not about sound. It's about heart and substance.

Week #26: The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard

I love the reality that this book demands I examine. Willard reminds me that careful attention to spiritual disciplines is only half of the enchilada - as they say. It is equally important that I know and understand why I am applying these disciplines to my spiritual life.

Incidentally, I find Willard echoing the sentiments of the Bible book of James. There are many Christians who struggle with James' inclusion into the canon of Scripture... and understandably so. For James resists easy-believism and stresses that following Jesus has EVERYTHING to do with our actions as well as our words.

For Willard there is no conflict. His view reinforced in me the growing notion that it is not enough to say I believe Jesus was who He said He was - the Way, the Truth and the Life - and all that. There is also a re-defining lifestyle that I choose as a Christ-follower. One that affects the way I treat others. The way I treat my world. The way I treat my own spiritual development.

The "let go and let God" mentality can only be applied so far. Part of my maturing is wrapped up in my daily choices and how I choose to think and speak and live.