Goodreads Review of Four Views on Moving beyond the Bible to Theology by Stanley N. Gundry

Four Views on Moving beyond the Bible to TheologyFour Views on Moving beyond the Bible to Theology by Stanley N. Gundry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As always, these multiple views books can be a bit disjointed, especially when the editors fail to ensure that all the contributors are the same page (which they often do; come on, editors!). This book is probably a little guilty of some of that, because, as Al Wolters demonstrates on his essay, the contributors seem to mean different things by “moving beyond the Bible.” Thus, at times, the work is less of a presentation on competing views–although there is certainly some of that–and more of a collection of generally complementary essays addressing a range of related issues.

Overall, though, I felt like this book was one of the better multiple views books I’ve read. The essays were overall well written, provocative, and stimulating.

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Goodreads Review of Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards

Freedom of the WillFreedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant!

Not any easy read by any stretch of the imagination. But what is given up in ease of ready is made up for in philosophical precision and leaving no stone unturned.

I can see how JE could be misunderstood as advocating a rather mechanistic view of human volition since he does argue for determinism. But in my understanding, that would be to misunderstand the fundamental premise of JE’s view–that man’s volitions, BECAUSE THEY ARE TRULY THE VOLITIONS OF MAN, are absolutely necessary as necessitated by man’s desire.

As JE himself says, “Nothing that I maintain, supposes that men are at all hindered by any fatal necessity, from doing, and even willing and choosing, as they please, with full freedom; yea, with the highest degree of liberty that ever was thought of, or that ever could possibly enter into the heart of any man to conceive.”

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Goodreads Review of Integrative Psychotherapy: Toward a Comprehensive Christian Approach by Mark R. McMinn

Integrative Psychotherapy: Toward a Comprehensive Christian ApproachIntegrative Psychotherapy: Toward a Comprehensive Christian Approach by Mark R. McMinn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The authors claim to present a (not “the”) Christian approach to psychotherapy. They are theologically sensitive. I appreciate this. However, it is less clear to me how their approach is DISTINCTIVELY Christian and not simply SENSITIVE to Christian truth-claims.

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Goodreads Review of The Dangerous Act of Worship by Mark Labberton

The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's Call to JusticeThe Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice by Mark Labberton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

–Thought-provoking and interesting. Although I have qualms with a variety of things he says, his employment of various motifs, and some unnecessarily ambiguous explanations, I very much agree with his thesis: worship and social justice must be connected. This is a needed prophetic wake-up call to the evangelical church which is largely apathetic or resistant to matters of social justice. Also, he writes well and interestingly.

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