Reflections of the Kingdom

The Transforming Word Series, Volume 1: The Pentateuch: From Genesis to Deuteronomy by Mark W. Hamilton My rating: 4 of 5 stars Considering that I have a [large] 5 volume set of commentaries covering the same first five (5) books of the Bible, this single volume work is highly ambitious. And while the editor(s) and publishers did not impose any specific methodology on the contributing authors, from the Preface, it seems clear they all come from the Protestant “Restoration” tradition in which I was raised (as do most books from this publisher). While some readers may not completely agree with some of the exegesis, they should still benefit from getting a basic understanding of organization, historical context and theological implications (consensus POV, even when countered within the commentary). Each chapter is well organized into Contexts, Commentary, Theological Reflections Further Study and Works Cited. Maps, Tables and Features are also called ou...

Armageddon: What the Bible Really Says about the End by Bart D. Ehrman My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Apocalypse of John (Revelation) is often interpreted as the herald of Armageddon and the second coming of the Christ. As such, it’s extensive symbolism has been plumbed and twisted into prophetic visions that The End is Coming and the Final Judgement is at hand … again. If only we could all agree on exactly what John is talking about, maybe we can get it right this time. So when I found a book by noted New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman that attempts to explain it all, I was very intrigued … and I was not disappointed. Ehrman was concise and clear in his well organized and very accessible study of the Book of Revelation. I should probably confess at this point that I am an avowed a-millennialist so Ehrman’s scholastic refutation of millennialism was pretty easy for me to accept. What was new for me … and it probably should not have been … was the now obv...

Letters to Exodus Christians by Edward Hays My rating: 5 of 5 stars We know them as the unchurched … the "nones" and "dones” who have deconstructed their faith to exclude the institutional church and it is an accelerating trend.  This book is all about ministering to those “lost sheep” without first requiring them to come “home.”  It is something which I have thought about a lot now that I am in my third year of formation to be ordained as a deacon … so when I found this book on the table at the Museum of Family Prayer while on retreat in Easton MA, I was initially intrigued. Like St Paul, Fr Hays (a retired priest) organized the book into letters to cohorts struggling with specific issues of faith and deals with them in an amazingly loving and non-judgmental way … first by very deliberately referring to them as “Exodus Christians.”  In other words, they are in the wilderness where the Spirit of God works to polish their fai...

Calling Out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership by Scott Pace My rating: 4 of 5 stars A helpful guide to those who feel called to service in the [Christian] Church. I would be included in that category as I am currently in formation to be a deacon with a strong desire to properly discern that calling. With that said, this was not entirely what I was expecting or wanted, but it was still very helpful to my discernment process. The authors start the discussion by looking at “The Call” or 1) The concept of calling, 2) the current state of ministry and 3) practical ways to cultivate an environment for discernment … most of which I found relatively intuitive, but it was good to have them down in writing.  I was particularly interested in the steps prescribed to “confirm your calling” that looks at your desire, gifts. external affirmation, check your motivations and clarify your understanding of the call … I would submit that ove...