Christian Book Notes

Manning, John L.  Writing Drama that Touches the Heart: Scriptwriting for Today’s Church.  CreateSpace, 2009.  224 pp.  $16.95.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

John L. Manning has been writing drama for churches for 25+ years.  He is also a freelance writer living in the Dallas, Texas area with his family.

Note:

I do understand some may radically disagree with the use of drama in the local church.  Honestly, I am one of those pastors that doesn’t care for drama to be used during a worship service.  Drama can, however, have its place in the local church though it should never supplant the preaching of the word of God.

Summary

Manning has divided his work into three sections with two appendices. The first section seeks to answer the question “Why Drama?”. Here, the author offers an apologetic for why he writes drama and then lays a foundation as to the purposes and misuses of drama. It is in this first section that John puts the reader at ease regarding drama in the local church.

Section two offers the nuts and bolts to writing drama. While it may seem like common sense (even for writers), there are some key ideas in this section that will enable the reader to better serve in the area of writing scripts to be used in the local church. Obviously, the first aspect is to begin with a theme and then to narrow your focus to better hit your aim.

Chapter seven lists the classic dramatic structure–a very valuable chapter for someone like me who does not know much about writing scripts. He concludes this section with a chapter on developing strong characters and how to write realistic (and believable) dialog in the script.

The third section engages the actual writing process. Here, the reader is shown how to take what is in his head and put it down on paper. The key is to write, re-write, and re-write some more.

The two appendices give a script diagram and a list of questions that are helpful and often times necessary when putting the finishing touches on a script.

Review

This was an interesting read. As I stated above, I am not much for drama (or any play for that matter) in the local church, but do see where it can have its place in the local church. (The Lord actually used a drama entitled Heaven’s Gate/Hell’s Flame to save my soul from damnation.) Manning helped to discern when and how drama should be used.

His tips are extremely helpful and will certainly go along way in being an aid. His own writing style is easy to follow–this is important for someone like myself who is ignorant about writing scripts and skeptical of them to begin with.

Bonus

Manning also has two books that consist of drama’s already written out for use in the local church. These are entitled Drama That Touches the Heart Volume One & Volume Two. Having read through volume one, I was quite impressed with his ability and style. The key for me was that the scripts were not gimmicky and presented real-life situations.

Recommnedation

Writing Drama that Touches the Heart is definitely worth reading if your church is looking to add some drama presentations. This can be used to teach members of the local congregation who are interested in doing such a thing and then turn them loose. To be able to give ownership to the congregation in a ministry like this is invaluable. As I warned above, however, be sure that drama does not replace the real need of everyday evangelism and proclamation of the gospel.

Kammann, Ian.  Hezekiah.  CreateSpace, 2010.  28 pp.  $9.95.  Purchase at Amazon.

Review/Recommendation

Everyone who has attended church for any length of time has heard of the book of Hezekiah.  Many have looked for Hezekiah 3:17 only to be frustrated that their Bible does not include this particular book.

Thanks to Ian Kammann, your Bible can now have this “lost book” of the Bible.  Next time someone says to turn to Hezekiah 3:17, you will be actually be able to quote the passage!  You will know that it reads, “Yet few shall make the effort to look up Bible references.”

OK, seriously now.  Ian Kamman has written a fun book that every youth pastor will want to have available.  It is definitely not meant to be serious–if you take this serious, you really need to get out more!

It certainly makes a great “gag” gift and will have you laughing with each “verse.”  I recommend this book as a gag gift that will surely be enjoyed by whoever receives it.

You can find out more and read a few pages at Ian’s website, Hezekiah.

Washington, Amanda.  Rescuing Liberty: Perseverance Book 1.  CreateSpace Publishing, 2009.  216 pp.  $12.49.  Purchase for less at Amazon.

Introduction

Amanda Washington is a real person and from my own interactions with her and from her website, is very similar to the main female character (at the end!) in the book.

About the book itself, Amanda writes,

It’s not religious, nor is it preachy or condemning. Rescuing Liberty is more about realistic characters struggling through believable circumstances, and coming to terms with their mortality and the decisions they have to make to survive.

Summary

Rescuing Liberty features Liberty Collins and Conner Dunstan as they struggle to survive a complete collapse of the American society. Conner was a successful trial attorney with prior service in the U.S. special forces. He has a niece who will not talk to him because of what he did to her parents.

Liberty Collins worked at a marketing firm before the economy completely collapsed. She was single and proud of it as she had no time for a relationship except with her dog. Once it became “every man for himself,” Liberty set out to move to Canada to live with her friend Michelle.

Conner saves Liberty’s life in the hopes that she might be able to help him with his niece, Ashley. Together, the three set out for Canada hoping they can survive long enough to start life over on foreign soil. What they do not realize is that their is a plan for all three of them that has brought them together.

Review

Rescuing Liberty is the first book in a series entitled Perseverance. It is certainly a fast-paced thrill-ride. It is written from a two-person, first-person point of view. In other words, some chapters are from Conner’s perspective while the others are from Liberty’s perspective. This can be a bit confusing at times, but offered an intriguing story line given the two perspectives going on simultaneously. Also, there are twists and turns that are completely unexpected. So, for an action thriller, this series proves to be extremely promising.

However, I am reviewing this book from an intentionally Christian perspective. With that in mind, I had a couple problems with the book. First, “the call” is evidently God talking to Liberty through an inner voice. He only shows up every now and then and when He does, He merely confuses Liberty.

Second, there is no mention as to how to attain the greatest hope man can have through Jesus Christ. Matter of fact, as far as religion is concerned, the greatest concern is that one prays. It is evidently written from a Roman Catholic perspective with all the “crossing” people do.

This book is replete with death and murder and the total depravity of man. A true gospel message somewhere in the story would have been well received by the reader. Nonetheless, the biblical doctrine of the total depravity of man really was on stage for all to see and, unfortunately, was not too difficult to imagine!

Third, there was some language and a lot of adult-themed material throughout the book. Violence by men against women (sometimes graphic) was found in most every chapter. The language was not too bad, but it was enough to cause me some concern even though it is certainly typical of many who profess faith.

Ultimately, she meets her statement above about this book not being religious or preachy. It does cause you to think at times about what you might do in certain situations.

Recommendation

A few years ago, I would have had no problems with this book whatsoever. Now, and in light of my intended audience on this website, I can only recommend this book to adults and even then, I am hesitant because of the themes and violence towards women. With that said, for those who do enjoy a good, fast-paced thrill ride along the lines of Jonathan Kellerman or James Patterson (though it is not a murder mystery), this book will meet your need. If you read this book, you will definitely be curious about what happens next.

Murphy, Martin. Theological Terms in Layman Language. CreateSpace Publishers, 2009. 140 pp. $9.95. Purchase at Amazon.

Review

I have reviewed Martin Murphy’s book The god of the Church Growth Movement. I found that book to be a nice introduction to the discussion on the the idol that has become church growth. Now, he has published a dictionary of theological terms with the pew sitter in mind.

This dictionary is not just for theological terms as the title would indicate. Rather, it includes theologians and philosophers from throughout history as well as theological phrases. The book also includes theological and philosophical terms.

Included in some of the definitions, Martin offers some opinion, but for the most part he gives straight-forward definitions.  Below are a couple examples of the definitions from the different categories.

Descartes, Rene. A French philosopher of the 17th century who sought to explain the relation and interaction between matter and thought.  He sought to understand the relation between extension and non-extension.  Descartes described matter as extension and thought as non-extension.  He coined the phrase “Cogito ergo sum,” I think therefore I am.

Mediator. One who attempts to reconcile two parties in conflict.  In the Old Testament the priest was the mediator between God and man prefiguring the true Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ.  As the God-man Jesus Christ represents both sides God and man.

There is nothing written in here that would keep me from recommending it to a member of my congregation. At $9.95 (cheaper at Amazon), this book is worth purchasing for that Sunday School teacher just getting started or that new Christian “chomping at the bit” wanting to learn more about God and the Bible.