Christian Book Notes

Sweet, Leonard and Frank Viola.  Jesus Manifesto: Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ.  Nasville: Thomas Nelson, 2010.  206 pp. $14.99. Purchase at Amazon for $10.19 or less.

Audio Book

Narrated by Sean Runnette. Esconido: christianaudio. 6 hrs. Download–$16.98, CD–$26.98.

Introduction

Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola (not the pitcher from the Minnesota Twins!) have written what amounts to a call to recapture the glories of Jesus Christ in the church today. Leonard Sweet is the Chair of Evangelism at Drew University. He can be found at LeonardSweet.com. Frank Viola has written numerous best-selling books and speaks at conferences worldwide. He can be found at FrankViola.com.

You can read more about the Jesus Manifesto online.

Summary

This is the shortest summary I have ever had to write. The book is about Jesus Christ. It is divided into ten chapters with the authors looking at practically every angle of the Christian life and how we have (unintentionally?) forgot who Jesus Christ is. All the while, they exhort the reader to think much of Christ and to make much of Christ. Each chapter is a basic repeat of the previous chapter–It is all about Jesus!

Review

There were a couple times I was afraid that Sweet and Viola were straying from the Triune God.  I was grateful to read where they reiterated this biblical doctrine. I enjoyed being exhorted to see Christ in everything and at every turn. Jesus Manifesto helped me to look to Christ all the more.

With that being said, there were some areas that the authors seemed to either misspeak or misrepresent the facts. The first is found on page 98 in a quick discussion of Calvinism and Arminians. Here, we read,

“The truth is, most Calvinists live like Arminians (they hold themselves and others responsible for their actions). And most Arminians pray like Calvinists (they submit their requests to the will of God.)”

It appears that the charge is being leveled that Calvinists do not hold themselves responsible for their sins and such. That is far from the truth. A genuine Calvinist is not going to excuse his behavior. The entire concept of predestination versus free-will is a mistake at best. These two doctrines are really different sides of the same coin. The Bible teaches both.

The other sentence that can easily be misread is found on page 138,

“The Bible does not hit just one note for sixty-six books. It speaks anew to every age. It should be read in the light of new information and fresh discoveries.”

This can very easily lead to a New Age understanding that everything is relative and the Bible must therefore change and conform to its cultural surroundings. The truth is that the Bible is timeless and unless you understand “anew” as speaking to a different people in a different time while giving the same basic message, then I have no problem.

Somehow, though, I struggle to see that this is what the authors meant. For they continue on page 139 as regards to reading and understanding the Bible, “…Participation is required because the reader plays an important role in discovering what the Bible teaches based on the diversities of what we bring to it.” The Bible teaches the same thing today as it did when it was written. That is, God created, we sinned, God saved.

Audiobook

Sean Runnette did an excellent job reading this book.  He is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators at christianaudio.  His voice inflection was great as he read with feeling as though he was exhorting the reader himself to look more to Christ.

Recommendation

Jesus Manifesto is a worthwhile book to read.  It will cause you to look hard at your beliefs and how you live your life in light of the reality of Jesus Christ.  I would hope that those who read this volume would seek to make much of Christ in all they do.  Unfortunately, the church has lost its vision of Christ today; hence, the necessity of writing and publishing this book.  I couldn’t help but think of the Puritans as I read Jesus Manifesto–those great divines who made much of Christ at every opportunity.  While many will not read the Puritans for various reasons, they will read Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola.  In so doing, I believe the church will be healthier and more effective.

Mahaney, C.J. Humility: True Greatness. Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2005. 176 pp. $12.99. Purchase at Westminster for $9.22.

Audiobook

Narrated by Sean Runnette. Escondido: christianaudio Hovel.  4 hrs.  Download for $9.98, CD for $15.98.

Introduction

C.J. Mahaney leads Sovereign Grace Ministries–a church planting and sustaining mission.  He served for twenty-seven years as pastor of Covenant Life Church where Joshua Harris now serves as pastor.  (I think being bald is a pre-requisite to serve as senior pastor there!)

Summary

Divided into three parts, Mahaney packs much into such a small book.  In part one, he takes a look at both sides of the issue–humility and pride.  The second part offers an exhortation to look at the One who defines humility and gave us the greatest example of humility.  It is by the standard of Jesus Christ that we can know what true humility looks like.

In true C.J. Mahaney form, the third part offers much in the way of how to live a life of humility; in other words, the application of the exhortation.  Mahaney looks at how you should begin each day, how you should end each day and everything else in between (as well as when you are sleeping). He concludes the book with a list of suggestions on how to weaken the pride in your life and cultivate humility.  One example he does offer is to play golf!

Review (Content & Audio)

The content is dead on.  Humility is written with some strong exhortations mixed with very practical applications.  Granted, we are not all going to play golf, but what Mahaney is saying is that there are many everyday ways in which you can cultivate humility in your life without becoming a monk and secluding yourself from the rest of the world.

The audiobook was very well done as well.  This was the first time I had listened to Sean Runnette read a book from christianaudio.  He read with feeling and emotion.  It was as though he was being deeply impacted by what he was reading and wanted to relay that on to those who would be listening later.  His pace of reading and voice were both steady and strong.  The audiobook was a joy to listen to.

Recommendation

Humility is a topic that is extremely tough to write about without coming off as arrogant.  C.J. Mahaney succeeded in doing just that.  He writes with a genuine humility that is seen or heard whenever he steps into a pulpit to preach.  He comes across as one acutely aware of his sin and God’s grace which is needed today more than ever.

I would recommend to every pastor or leader in the local church that they read and discuss this book with others.  I would also recommend that any Christian read this book.  Perhaps a youth group study would be advisable on the contents of Humility.