Book Review of Erwin R. Lutzer's Book: Rescuing the Gospel

Galatians 1:11-12 "For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."

Introduction:
Today's post is a brief review of a new book authored by the Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church in Chicago, Ill, Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer entitled: "Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and Significance of the Reformation" (Baker Books, 2016). 

Dr. Lutzer's book comes at a very timely season, since October 17th, 2016 will mark the 499th anniversary of the watershed event sparking the Protestant Reformation (Martin Luther's nailing of the 95 Theses on the Wittenburg Door, stating his opposition to the Roman Catholic Church's selling of indulgences). I will first summarize the contents of the book and then conclude with some personal takeaways in the overall value of the book. 

Summarizing "Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and Significance of the Reformation", by Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer

1. Laying the playing field for the book in the introduction and chapter one

In the introduction on page xv. of Dr. Lutzer's book: "Rescuing the Gospel", we find the following statement:

"Nearly all the conflicts of the Reformation are still ongoing today, albeit with different players and in a different context." 

By presenting his case as to why he wrote the book, he then begins chapter one by noting the "Power, Scandals and Corruption". Dr. Lutzer states on page one: 

"It's our nature to reject the gospel's verdict on us and resist the profound simplicity of it's transforming message of grace. The gospel must always be defended, and sometimes it must be rescued."

What Dr. Lutzer then does throughout the rest of chapter one is to lay the groundwork with his refreshing summary of the historic Protestant Reformation that shook the 16th century and which still has ripple effects today. 

2. What paved the way for the Protestant Reformation: chapters two and three

As the reader proceeds into chapters two and three of the book, one finds that there were two men who were used by God to call for reform in the Medieval Roman Catholic Church prior to the 16th century: John Huss and John Wycliffe. Both men lost their lives for their efforts in proclaiming the Gospel. Huss and Wycliffe's efforts provided a preview and foreshadowing of what would be a call for reform by Martin Luther. As Dr. Lutzer notes on page 7:

These prereformers tried to reform the church before the period we commonly refer to as the Reformation, but their success was limited and generally confined to local areas or a few specific issues. And yet their attempts weakened the stranglehold that the church had on the masses and paved the way for Luther.

3. The identity and significance of Martin Luther and his amazing life in chapters 4-12

As Dr. Lutzer introduces the reader to Martin Luther, the bulk of his book (chapters 4-12) presents a balance of Luther's beginnings; actions that triggered the reformation in Germany (such as his nailing of the 95 theses on the Door of the church at Wittenberg); his private life and struggles; his public debates with Catholic leaders and authorities; and then a final section on his family life. 

As a monk of the Augustinian Order of the Roman Catholic church, Luther began studying closely the New testament books of Romans and Galatians. Luther concluded that the church's view on how people were to be reconciled with God was at odds with the scriptures. Martin Luther's main contention with the Medieval Roman Catholic Church began with the issue of its sale of supposed extra-merits of grace to the masses which were termed "indulgences". 

The efforts of the Roman Catholic church to sell people on having less time in purgatory were aimed at funding the completion of St. Peter's Basilica Church in Rome. Luther found this practice to be offensive and posted 95 reasons why he opposed it and other practices of the church. This matter led to even bigger differences with which Luther had issue with the Pope and the church: namely how a person is made right before God (i.e justification by faith plus the Church's rituals or justification by faith alone) and the authority from whence we understand salvation, God and life in this world (The church or scripture alone).

The autobiographical style with which Dr. Lutzer presents Martin Luther in each of these chapters provides both spiritual lessons for believers today and valuable information concerning Luther and the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation. So much could be noted about the various trials, debates and adventures Luther ended up having as a result of his reform efforts. However, for sake of brevity, we will consider the following from page 141 of his book regarding Luther and his wife:

"Martin and Katie taught us not only how to live and love but also how to die. In the end, both humbly bowed to accept God's will in all things, including the inevitability of death. Even today their example of love and hard-won partnership is an inspiration to us all."

4. Three other major reformed movements that were contemporary with Luther's reforms - chapters 13-16

Dr. Lutzer then takes the reader to three other major movements which comprise the Reformation throughout Europe. Undoubtedly, Luther's reformed efforts in Germany lit a fuse that spread throughout Europe. 

In chapter 13, Dr. Lutzer summarizes the Swiss Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli. Zwingli was a contemporary of Luther who at points took his efforts one step further. Luther attempted to reform the Roman Catholic church by never intending to break away from it (even though he eventually did). Zwingli on the other hand saw that if he were going to begin his reform efforts, a total break would be required. Both men would end up disagreeing with one another over the exact interpretation of the Lord's supper and how far to take the reforms. Zwingli's influence and reformation efforts would have its affects on another movement detailed by Dr. Lutzer called "The Anabaptists". 

In chapter 14, the reader is introduced to Anabaptists. This group of people represent what Lutzer calls "the radical reformation". The Anabaptists saw the need to not only break-away from the Roman Catholic Church, but even from the other Reformers' (i.e Luther, Zwingli and Calvin) view on the church as being more regional and the practice of infant baptism. Since the Anabaptists could not find infant baptism in the New Testament, Dr. Lutzer notes on page 154: 

"The men had been baptized as infants, but now they were baptized as adults on the profession of their faith in Christ." 

Since this group baptized anyone coming from the Roman Catholic Church into their fellowship, their enemies deemed them "ana-baptists", since they were accused of "baptizing again". As Dr. Lutzer details the life of this reformed movement, the reader finds how persecuted they were for their beliefs by both Roman Catholics and other Protestant groups. From the anabaptists would spawn such groups as the Mennonites, the Hutterites and the Amish. 

In chapter 15, the third movement we find in Dr. Lutzer's book is that led by John Calvin in the city of Geneva. Dr. Lutzer details Calvin's reforming of Geneva and lasting influence into today in chapter 16. Calvin's theology and view on church government influenced Christian leaders in places such as Scotland (led by John Knox), England (embodied by the efforts of the Puritans) and the Dutch Reformed church in Holland.  

5. The final chapter: Is the Reformation Over? 

The final chapter of Dr. Lutzer's book is perhaps the most significant chapter in the book, since he attempts to answer whether or not the reformation is still relevant for today. So the question is: "is the Reformation Over?" As mentioned earlier, 2016 stands as the 499th anniversary of the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation.  People may wonder whether Protestants ought to make peace with the Roman Catholic Church and vice-versa, since the lines drawn between them in the 16th century are surely no longer relevant for today. 

Per Dr. Lutzer's overall presentation, the call reformation must continue, since the Roman Catholic Church has retained tenets that are incompatible with the Evangelical Gospel of justification by faith alone. He lists reasons why the Reformation must continue and why the contemporary Romans Catholic Church will not and indeed cannot endorse an evangelical view of salvation on pages:

A. There can be no unity on the gospel of salvation without discussing indulgences, prayers to Mary, purgatory and the like.

B. Contemporary teachings which include Mary as being Queen of heaven and co-redeemer with Jesus.

C. The Roman Catholic teaching on transubstantiation 

D. The fact that the Roman Catholic Church still advocates indulgences or extra amounts of grace available through extra good works.

E. Other teachings that promote superstitions like weeping statues and its process of declaring departed Catholics to be "saints". 

Dr. Lutzer notes on page 199:

"The fact that there are some born-again believers in the Catholic churches is good news, but it doesn't affect the character of the church as a whole. No doubt there are many unnecessary divisions with the church today, but some are necessary when the doctrine of salvation is at issue. Yes, we must strive toward unity, but unity should not cause us to compromise the central doctrine of the scriptures. As the old saying goes, 'It is more important to be divided by truth than it is to be united by error."

As Dr. Lutzer closes out his book, he quotes Acts 20:28-32. In that Biblical passage, one finds Paul's final words to the church at Ephesus regarding warnings of false teachers infiltrating their ranks. The elders to whom Paul spoke to were ensure that the truth of the Gospel be preserved and protected - since the salvation of the souls of the congregation depended on it. The need for the Reformation and the thoughts of Acts 20:28-32 leads Dr. Lutzer to pen the following closing sentence: "This is our task in every age."

Final takeaways and Personal Assessment of the book 

This blogger found Dr. Lutzer's book to be accessible, informative, spiritually uplifting and compelling. If one possible criticism (and I use that term very lightly) could be raised, it would be that more material could had been devoted to the Anabaptists, Zwingli and Calvin to equal out the amount of material devoted to Martin Luther. Still, the conclusions Dr. Lutzer drew regarding the relevance and importance of the Reformation for today requires one to understand why Luther began the movement in the first place. If for anything else, the main value of "Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and Significance of the Reformation" is this: the battle for clarifying, communicating and applying the gospel is never done. Each generation has the responsibility to attend to the task of proclaim this message until Jesus returns (Matthew 24:14).

A review of Rice Broocks’ book: Man, Myth, Messiah: The Evidence Behind God’s Not Dead 2

Book Review - Rice Broocks – Man, Myth, Messiah: The Evidence Behind God is not Dead 2. Thomas Nelson. 2016.

Note: For interested readers, this book is $9.99 on Amazon.com

Introduction:

Let me begin this review by inviting people to go see or download the movie: “God’s Not Dead 2”. Why? It presents compelling reasons as to why Jesus is not a myth, nor just a man but truly the Messiah who raised from the dead. In the movie, one of the characters is seen reading the book “Man, Myth, Messiah” authored by Rice Broocks. Dr. Broocks is a substantial author, senior minister of Bethel World Outreach Church in Nashville and scholar in his own right (research PhD from Fuller Seminary, with the focus on defining the office of the evangelist). The foreword of the book was written by world-renowned Christian apologist and Liberty University Professor Gary Habermas, who is among the world’s foremost experts and defenders of Jesus’ resurrection. For anyone concerned about the validity of this book as a sound resource: such fears can be laid to rest. Now to the book.

As Dr. Broocks unfolds his case over ten chapters, his arguments are accessible and well-researched. Chapter One deals with what he calls “The Great Question”, based upon Jesus’ question: “who do men say that I am” in Matthew 16. In chapter two, we find what is called the “Minimal Facts Approach” (“minimal facts” being those details of the Easter accounts agreed upon by skeptical and believing New Testament scholars and which are unmistakably demonstrated). 

Dr. Broocks’ central idea in these first two chapters is to show that Jesus was indeed a real, historical person who lived, died and resurrected from the dead. In chapters 3,4 and 5, we find sound arguments and evidence for the reliability of the Gospels, the crucifixion and resurrection.

It is from the credibility of Jesus’ existence and the resurrection accounts that Dr. Broocks unravels skeptical notions of Jesus’ resurrection mimicking pagan myths. This idea is actually turned on its head, since Christianity was situated in the soil of 1st century Judaism, rather than Greek Mythology. In many cases, either the myths turn out not to teach what skeptics claim or appear to actually borrow from Christianity itself! In chapter 8, Dr. Broocks addresses the so-called “problem of miracles”, wherein he writes on page 175: “In other words, in order to believe no miracles ever happened, one must begin by assuming that no miracles can happen. This logic is circular reasoning and therefore self-defeating from the onset.” I found this chapter to be particularly strong, since he appeals not only to logically sound arguments, but also to valid contemporary examples and further resources on miracles.

Undoubtedly Dr. Rice Broocks’ well-reasoned and very readable style makes a strong case for Jesus Christ being the Messiah who raised from the dead. However, the last two-chapters were perhaps the most helpful parts of the whole book with respect to the local church. In chapter nine, Dr. Broocks outlines a four step process for discipleship or following Jesus: engage unbelievers, establish foundations of faith, equip Christians to share their faith and empower them to do the ministry. Such a process is what he uses in the church he pastors and the ministries God has used him to plant. His definition of discipleship is right-in-line with Jesus’ teaching on the subject: deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him.

Chapter ten then links together the tasks of Christian apologetics (articulating and defending the faith) and evangelism. Dr. Broocks’ discussion includes a four-step strategy for beginning evangelistic conversations through what he calls S.A.L.T: Start a conversation, Ask questions, Listen and Tell the story. To facilitate this method, Dr. Broocks mentions an app and a tool called “The God Test”. The tool has a series of questions that are designed for either those who believe in God or for those who claim they don’t. 

As a communicator, pastor and evangelist, Dr. Broocks’ process for sharing the Gospel and defending it also entails an acrostic that he calls “G.R.E.A.T” – Gospel, Reasons, Empathy, Approach and Tools. By combining his “S.A.L.T” into his overall approach to sharing the gospel, the author concludes by appealing to great figures of the past who as skeptics or hostile unbelievers were transformed by the Gospel. I commend this book to Christians who want to be equipped to handle contemporary objections to the Christian faith and be more adept to sharing their faith with friends and loved ones. As a final note: grab some popcorn and see the movie “God is Not Dead 2”! – reviewed by Mahlon Smith

A Highly Recommended Resource for Husbands and Fathers: The Shepherd Leader at Home

Ephesians 5:22-25 "Wives, be subject to your own husbands,as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her."

Introduction:                                                            Today's post features a review of a marvelous book written for husbands and fathers by a great friend and mentor, Dr. Timothy Witmer. The book is entitled: "The Shepherd Leader at Home". The below review is also available at the other blogsite: https://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/highly-recommended-resource-for-husbands-and-fathers-the-shepherd-leader-at-home/

An Overview of "The Shepherd Leader at Home"

To begin on a personal note, it is rare to read a book that is written by an author that is considered to be a family friend and mentor. If the reader is looking for a well written and accessible book containing illustrations and wisdom for men who desire to be better men of God for their wives and children, then “The Shepherd Leader at Home” comes highly recommended.  Dr. Witmer’s central thesis is that men are called to be “shepherd leaders” in their homes in the capacities of knowing, leading, protecting and providing for their families. The below review aims to briefly summarize Dr. Witmer’s book with the aim of commending it to every man who desires to shepherd his wife and children by God’s design. At the end of the review there will be a link for the reader to go to in wanting to know further information about the book. 

Part One: The Shepherd Knows His Family

The first three chapters explain what is entailed in men knowing their wives and children. Dr. Witmer notes on page 31 that marriage is designed by God to be permanent, meet the needs for companionship, help in the tasks of life, relationship, intimacy, joy and functions to illustrate Christ and His church.  In chapter two we see the following quote that emphasizes the priority of getting to know one’s wife: “This is an important way to express your love for your wife as you show her that being alone with her is a key priority of your life.” Dr. Witmer develops the idea of knowing one’s wife as foundational and thus leading to the important effort in knowing one’s children. The third chapter contains four necessary elements in exercising quality communication with your children:

1. Look at the most effective way to interact with each child
2. Commit yourself to building up your children with your words
3. Remember, quality communication means being a good listener
4. Finally, speak to the heart

Part Two: The Shepherd Leads His Family

Knowing one’s wife and children is crucial to how a man begins to understand their role as a shepherd in the home. The second part of Dr. Witmer’s book challenges men to lead their families. One of the most insightful illustrations on leadership itself appears in chapter four of the book. In the illustration he progressively introduces three boxes labeled from left to right: “followers”,” leader” and “goal”. He then sets a fourth box with the label “God” directly above the other three and has arrows leading from the bottom three boxes to  the “God” box. Dr. Witmer’s point is that all the relationships between followers, leaders and goals must be directed toward and in relationship to God, who is the Creator and supplier of all three. This insight is then used in undergirding chapter five’s emphasis on leading the wife with unconditional love and the children by loving principles in chapter six.

Part Three: The Shepherd Provides for His Family

The third part of the book urges the man of God to shepherd his home by way of providing for his family both materially and spiritual. Dr. Witmer explains the material provision as the man of God exercising the attitudes of child-like dependence, thankfulness, generosity and dependence. Such attitudes are modeled and reinforced by the shepherding father to his children. In the sixth chapter we see the shepherding father and husband encouraged to lead his family by the scriptures. Dr. Witmer uses the four-fold function of scripture described in 2 Timothy 3:16 as the basis for such spiritual provision: teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.  Dr. Witmer writes on page 116: “As the Lord renewed his covenant with Israel, he reminded parents that their responsibility was to convey their love and commitment to the Lord and His Word everywhere and all the time.”

Part Four: The Shepherd Protects His family

Thus far “The Shepherd Leader at Home” has unfolded three functions of the man of God who aims to shepherd his home as a knower, leader and provider for his wife and children. This final section of the book unfolds the fourth and final area of protecting the family through the drawing forth of boundaries. In chapter nine Dr. Witmer lays out boundaries for husbands to draw that can protect their marriages from unfaithfulness: namely determination to walk in the Lord’s way; rejoicing in one’s wife; immediate rejection of lustful thoughts; reliance upon the Great Shepherd and accountability. The final chapter of the book is devoted to drawing boundaries for the children. Dr. Witmer’s seven-step process for reacting to the inevitable crossing of boundaries by the children is invaluable:

1. Ask the Lord for wisdom
2. Be sure the line has been crossed
3. Confront and clarify
4. Deliver the promised consequences
5. Explain additional consequences of action
6. Forgive completely
7. Graciously restore and move on

As Dr. Witmer closes out his book, he has an “afterword” that reminds men that they have less time than they think to directly impact their children before they become adults. Applying the principles of the “Shepherd Leader” must begin now if results are to bear forth fruit over the lifetime of the children and the duration of the marriage relationship.  A very helpful appendix listing resources for family devotions is included to help men to know where to look in furthering their responsibilities as shepherd leaders.

Final thoughts:

As was noted above, this book is highly recommended and a must have for any husband and father wanting to shepherd their home by God’s design.  It’s size (158 pages plus appendices), cost ($12.99 or $10.71 on Amazon) and readability makes “The Shepherd Leader at Home” a necessary resource for every husband and father. Below is a link that describes the book in further detail.

Timothy Z. Witmer. “The Shepherd Leader at Home” Crossway. 2012. $12.99 ($10.71 on Amazon)                                                                  http://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Leader-Home-Protecting-Providing/dp/1433530074/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420145253&sr=8-1&keywords=shepherd+leader+at+home