Thursday, December 11, 2014

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber

It says it defy's the genre. Mesmerizing. Thought-provoking.


After finishing this book, I closed the cover and thought, "What did I just read???"

Faber is quite skilled with words and creating story. With The Book of Strange New Things he tells the story of Pastor Peter who travels to a distant planet in order to pastor the natives while leaving his wife on planet earth.

Peter and his wife, Bea, are able to communicate via e-mail and that is your only insight into her side of the story. In fact, society begins to crumble on earth and most of the impact is lost on Peter (and the reader) This is done intentionally I think.

You end up thinking Peter is this selfish lush who only cares about the alien beings due to his thoughtless replies to his wife's pleas.

I kept waiting for something to happen. Ultimately I was duped as there is no ending.

The Christian aspects were surprising as Peter behaves as you would expect a compassionate pastor to act. (Outside of his indirect callousness to his earthbound wife) But this is by no means a Christian book. The language and certain sexual content eliminates those thoughts.

But I was very off-center reading this book. I didn't know how to categorize it. I didn't know how to respond to it. So it's a story about faith and relationships. Okay...now please write an epilogue so I know what happens next.

Seriously, the book just runs out of paper. The story doesn't end. Threads are left wide open. I suppose it's meant to be left open to your own imagination.

This was a strange book. And the title fits the bill.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Hogarth Publishing.


Thursday, December 4, 2014

Churchless by George Barna and David Kinnaman

I typically enjoy reading Barna books.


This one left me wanting. After reading other reviews on Amazon, it must just be me but, it seems like I've read all this information before from them.

I know that America is post-Christian in the culture and that many churchless people view the church as out of touch and judgmental. These were covered in great detail in previous Barna books.

The only new information I could find was the bit about advertising/promoting your church and how the ways don't work anymore.

For instance, churches shouldn't make unsolicited phone calls if they expect the average "churchless" person to start coming. The basic mailer won't work either. (Surprise, surprise. Most mail goes in the trash)

The answer, according the Barna's research, is to find a need in the community and meet that need. Maybe it's a matter of everyone know's the answer but nobody's doing it so they feel the need to repeat it.

I must be in the minority after reading this but this was not a great read from the Barna Group. It felt like rehashing the same data we've read before.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Compassion Without Compromise by Adam Barr and Ron Citlau

The book is exactly what the title says.


Two pastors provide compassionate and gracious answers to how Christians ought to think about and discuss issues of homosexuality without shying away from the truth of Scripture.

Speaking truth in love does not mean we abandon kindness. On the same side, approaching the issue in humility does not mean we water down the Gospel or the reality of Sin and sinful sexual behavior and the repentance that needs to take place.

This book was a breath of fresh air for me. As a pastor, I have experienced both extremes from people in the church and I have struggled with how to respond.

What do you say to someone who "hates the gays" or declares "all they're good for is burning in hell"?
How would you respond to someone who says, "Doesn't God want me to be happy? Why did God make me this way?"

Barr and Citlau help you navigate those waters. There is a sensitivity to their writing and practical advice. Something we all need in any case. And that sensitivity provides the openness to declare sin is sin and people who commit sin need repentance without coming across as the crazy bullhorn preacher.

It is the power of Jesus that we all need. It is the deliverance from sexual sin that we need to address.

There are ten quick chapters in this book, so it will read very quickly. Once you finish, you'll probably think to yourself, "So now I know how to put my response to words that honor Jesus."

This is a fantastic resource of practical, real-life advice.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Bethany House Publishing.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Tarkin by James Luceno

Luceno has written these tie-along Star Wars books for a while. For the most part, they are fun to read  to add a little background to what you see in the movies.


This one tells a little story about the Grand Moff who defy's the evacuation order at the end of Episode IV. It takes place a few years after Episode III so you have Tarkin interacting with an excited Emperor and a minted Darth Vader.

Some of the background story might be a little boring to anyone other than the strictly die-hard fans. (those who have entire rooms devoted to the mythology) But whenever the familiar characters appear on the page, I was sinking into my reading chair and not going anywhere.

Luceno is a talented writer. I enjoy his Star Wars books.

Look forward to others.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Random House

Blood Feud by Edward Klein

We all know the worst kept secret is the animosity between the Obamas and the Clintons. It boils down to who is going to rule the Democrat Party.


Edward Klein uses soures "privy to conversations" and "in the room" to flesh out this political family conflict.

One of the things I like about reading Klein's books is that he isn't into the character smearing with all the horrible name-calling so often found in political books of this kind. It almost feels like a Woodward book in that he simply lays the information out there.

Now, of course, depending on which side of the political aisle you find yourself, you will see what you want to see in this book.

Some of the information was unbelievable - how could this be true? The President and his wife sleep in separate rooms? The President told Secretary Clinton to blame the Benghazi attack on a video? The President played with his blackberry while President Clinton was talking to him at an invited dinner?

I mean, how self-serving is this President?

I never knew the extent to which President Obama and his administration used people for their influence/money/network and then forgot all about it. (Oprah will never forgive the Obamas for how they treated her after the 2008 election)

Of course, the mastermind behind everything is Presidential Advisor Valerie Jarrett. She is the Karl Rove of this administration and her protective hedge is deeper than Rove's ever was.

After reading this book you will shake your head in disgust at the Obama administration. You might even feel led to do your own research to confirm everything exposed in this book.

For me, I know one thing: I want to read more books by Edward Klein.