Book Reviews: Theology

This is my third post of book reviews from the first half of 2014. Now that I'm into this series, I realize that this section is rather sparse. I've only read one book of theology this year (other than the Bible, of course, which the reader has had the opportunity to keep up on in other posts). Still, I couldn't think of how to put it in any my other sections, so this is it. For my former reviews from this year, as well as my review philosophy/system, the reader can see fiction and leadership/pastoring.

God Built by Steve Farrar: This book is ostensibly a study of the life of Joseph (found in Genesis 37-50). However, the author really uses this story to make the case for the sovereignty of God, which is more the theme of the book. Pastor Farrar shares some great lessons from Joseph's life about trusting God when everything looks hopeless, or obeying God, even when the outcome seems like the bad guys are winning. I was tremendously encouraged by these lessons. However, there were two things I felt the author did poorly: He didn't balance God's sovereignty with man's free will, and, by about halfway through the book, he had made his case, and was simply saying the same thing a different way. The latter issue is simply trying to fill a book, and many authors do it. That doesn't make it okay, but at least I understand why an author would want to drive his point home that way. I learned in high school english to make my point, then quit talking. I don't always do it well, either, but it does bug me when I get a book, and I spend half of it reading the same things over and over again with different stories. Regarding the former issue: I am convinced that God is sovereign. However, I am also convinced that somehow, in His sovereignty, God gives man complete free will. It felt like Pastor Farrar was really pushing the stereotype that God is a chess master playing both sides of the board, then he would make a case for man choosing to sin (or not), then totally say it's God who makes those things happen. I think Pastor Farrar and I would both agree that there's a paradox regarding freewill and sovereignty; I think we just come to different conclusions regarding what it is. For theology and writing style, I give this book a 2.5/5 stars. For the reminder of truths I did need to hear, though (my review, I can be contradictory if I want), I praise God for the 5/5 stars that I needed and was encouraged by.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad