The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against the Resurrection of the Christ, by Charles Foster

Review

The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against
the Resurrection of the Christ
by Charles Foster

I was very curious about what Charles Foster would show me when I received his book, The Jesus Inquest. It’s legitimately rare to come across a book that shows both the Christian and non-Christian views on crucial, foundational beliefs--and the resurrection of Christ is quite possibly the most foundational belief there is. Even Paul himself stated such in 1 Corinthians 15:14, proclaiming, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.”

What I discovered in The Jesus Inquest was very thought-compelling. I could tell right from the start that this was not the type of book a new Christian should read. The facts presented could easily shake the core beliefs their recently-received faith is built upon. Questions are raised and so-called “evidence” is revealed that could cause any Christian to doubt if they are not resolutely rooted in their commitment to God. However, on the other side of this frequently-flipped coin, a non-Christian could pick up this book and just as easily educate himself or herself on the religious arguments that they may have never seen before. Many rumors and objections that I had never been faced with were revealed to me and just as quickly argued against within the same pages.

The book’s presentation is very appealing. On one side is X--the non-Christian--who presents many alternative views to the resurrection of Christ. X uses a variety of methods to refute the Christian belief--from the revelation of scientific evidence, to reasoning, and even to comparisons of the Bible to myths. Granted, they are well researched. X did his homework, and made many compelling cases. However, as soon as X was finished, Y, the Christian, stepped in. Y goes through each of X’s accusations and pieces of evidence and disproves or counters them using almost the same methods: scientific evidence, reason, and facts. Y, too, did his homework. He does not simply splutter Scripture in Y’s face and puff up his very large egotistical Christian chest to defend his Savior. He is reasonable, level-headed, and makes a good case in favor of orthodox Christian beliefs of the resurrection. Any Christian would be satisfied with his representation of their beliefs.

Many topics are explored in this book surrounding the resurrection of Christ, and these topics are divided into smaller subtopics of interest. Some of the topics were more common: the death of Christ (whether he really died or not), for example, or the empty tomb (was a body ever in there at all?). But some of the topics I had never even thought of: Did the authors of the resurrection get their “story” from the influence of Greek myths? Did the early church actually believe in a literal resurrection, or was it merely some sort of poetic metaphor? I was quite surprised with these topics and equally eager to see what X and Y would say about them. Some arguments shocked me. Some made me wonder. Still more made me nod in agreement. I felt as if I was looking at the ideas of the resurrection of Christ in a whole new light.

In the end, Charles Foster did something I didn’t expect--he doesn’t pick a side. He doesn’t finish off his book by saying, “While X made some great points, in the end, it’s obvious he’s an absolute nutter. Y is obviously the one who is right.” Rather, Foster leaves the reader with all the evidence he can present--for and against the truth of the resurrection--and essentially lets them loose into their own minds to decide for themselves how they feel about what’s been laid out before them. Furthermore, the book doesn’t end there. There are appendices of extra information, a section of pictures and diagrams to accompany the readings, and a list of additional literature for the inquisitive mind. Foster intends for his reader to get the most out of this book, and to equip them with as much knowledge as possible on this very controversial, very significant matter in the beliefs of Christianity. He will not make a decision for the reader. That is up to them and them alone. He is merely an informant, and he does an excellent job of presenting the case in the pages of this excellent book.

Perhaps you’re curious as to just what is going on out there in the world concerning Jesus’s resurrection. Maybe you’d like to know what the Christians are saying about their Jesus, or maybe you’re a Christian who wants to know what everyone else has to say about your belief. Either way, The Jesus Inquest will provide you with practically everything you need to learn about the resurrection. But, it will be entirely up to you in the end to discover what you truly believe. Evidence only goes so far before faith has to step in.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (NKJV) by Max Lucado

Review

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (NKJV)
by John MacArthur

In the past, I have never owned a very good study Bible. However, I think The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible might have just changed that. My parents have always been big fans of Max Lucado, and though I’ve never read any of his books, this study Bible piqued my interest.

I have to say that am pleased with The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible. For starters, the overall layout of the Bible is very appealing to the eye. The font size is neither too small to strain the eye, nor so big that it looks obnoxious. Each book starts out with an introduction that contains many bits of information. It starts off with a small piece of text—either a small scenario to consider or just a few sentences and a question, all correlated to the topics covered in the chapters. There is also a section about the author (or authors, or anonymous authors!) of the book, as well as the main themes and a condensed table of contents.

On the margins of this Bible are lessons that pertain to a section of scripture within the current book. These lessons contain a small “devotional” that pertains to the scripture, as well as some further readings elsewhere in the Bible if one wishes to dig deeper. All of these lessons are laid out in the front of the Bible in a two-year plan to read and study the entirety of God’s Word. Also, scattered throughout this Bible, there are some themed lessons that take up a single page. These are more focused on specific themes (such as Grief, Vengeance, Peace, etc.), and give you a “study guide” to really dig in to their importance.

There are other features of this Bible that I enjoy. For instance, there is a Devotional Index, which is in the front of the Bible instead of the back—a “plus” in my opinion, so I can flip the Bible open and immediately start searching for a topic I need instead of digging through the back. And speaking of the back, the Index of this Bible is very nice. It includes a small section called “He Did This Just For You Verses,” which contains a list of topics and verses evidencing how great God’s love is for us and how He cares for us in every situation. Following that section, one of my favorite parts is the “New Believer Studies.” This section is a few pages long and contains a 30-day study devotional for new believers in Christ who want to learn more about God, Jesus, prayer, facing temptation, and all of the other topics that new Christians are curious or confused about.

All in all, I find this to be a fabulous study Bible. Max Lucado did an excellent job shaping this Bible into something that all ages and all maturities can utilize. There are many, many more features in this Bible--too many to list without making this review lengthy--that add to its usefulness in studying God’s Word. Naturally, the Bible is the number one book on my reading list, and I will always give it ten stars out of five. However, my review is judging Max Lucado’s crafting of the study guides and devotions this Bible offers. But even in that aspect, I must say, Lucado still gets top marks. He did a marvelous job.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity In Christ by John MacArthur

Review

Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity In Christ
by John MacArthur

So many times during Sunday School class and even while sitting in the sanctuary listening to the sermon, we will hear verses of servitude being preached. What we never realize is that “servant” is not the word that God wanted us to hear--we are not supposed to be choosers of our faithfulness to God. No, the original Hebrew translation, ‘ebed, means “slave.” John MacArthur shows us in his book, Slave, that a simple change in translation can lead to very different views of our dedication to Christ. We are not meant to follow him by choice. God will call us, and we will relinquish everything to serve him on this earth as his wholly committed slaves.

MacArthur walks the reader carefully through his explanation of this “slave” word. After all, in today’s society (particularly in America), the word holds a bad connotation. Slave explains to the reader what the word originally meant for the common Roman society during Biblical times. A slave was bound to its master, to be faithful and loyal in every task. In return, a slave was cared for; they were provided with shelter, provisions, and other basic needs that even the free poor people of the times were not assured. MacArthur shows the reader that God is our good and benevolent master, who will care for us and provide for us, while we dedicate our lives to pleasing him as his faithful slaves.

I enjoyed Slave thoroughly. I was a bit weary to the idea of viewing Christians as slaves--no matter how true and right it is, it can be hard to understand (and explain to others!). But John MacArthur explained it in a way that made sense, by guiding me through the actual meaning of the word in Biblical society and showing me how it applies to my life now. Slave provides the foundation for much deeper studying and research with annotations in its pages for further readings. It is a good read that provokes a lot of thought and intrigue. I read this book in one sitting in front of a fire in my living room, and enjoyed every minute of it. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand and appreciate the paramount paradox of being a Christian: that there is ultimate freedom in being a slave of God.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Manual for Christians in Sales by Christopher A. Cunningham

Review

Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Manual for Christians in Sales
by Christopher A. Cunningham

I admit that Jungle Warfare isn’t my type of book. I don’t read “how-to” books, and I’m not in sales either. However, Jungle Warfare can provide any Christian with guidance in their life. After all, we’re all trying to spread the message of Christ to the world, much like a salesman would spread the news of his product.

Jungle Warfare, a devotional for Christians in sales, integrates an interesting tool: a real WWII guidebook for surviving the jungle. Each section begins with a small excerpt from that guidebook which pertains to the following message. Every chapter has a plan, a verse, and a prayer for the reader to consider.

Christopher A. Cunningham addresses all the struggles a Christian in sales may face—competition, downhearted thinking, struggling economy—and puts them in an encouraging perspective. He does a great job of inspiring men and women in sales to keep their heads up and stay strong in their difficult job market. In the time of an economy teetering on the edge of disaster, Jungle Warfare shows you that fully relying on God is the best plan of action—He is your best guide to surviving the jungle warfare of the business world.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Website: Shelfari

Shelfari

Shelfari is a website where avid readers come together. You can search for all the books you've read, are currently reading, or want to read, and add them to your own virtual "bookshelf!"

Readers can give the books a star rating and write reviews on books they've read. With books they own, there is a page to list the version, how it was obtained, and any other note about it. Users can also create a "wishlist" of books they hope to read in the future.

Shelfari is a community-based website that allows users the virtual hands-on involvement with information about books. On the novel's information page, users are allowed to submit a summary (short or long) about the book, detail the cast, explain the symbolism, and even give it a "parental rating." The users can also post their input on the authors' pages--their birth year, death year, nationality, biography, etc.

Groups are also available for users to join. These are user-run groups that aim toward certain audiences--the "Harry Potter fan club," for instance, or "National Novel Writers Month 2010." These groups are made for the purpose of bringing readers together over a common thread of interest to create friendships.

Sometimes it's hard to remember what you've read or what you want to read; that's where this website comes in handy. Shelfari is a brilliant way for readers to keep up with their long list of books. It's a wonderful community site to share opinions and information, and I highly recommend it to any big readers out there!

Join Shelfari Now!

Image: Screenshot of my personal Shelfari, Cheesy Cynicism.

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Beastly was a big surprise to me. I just happened to pick it up off the library shelf and examine it. I almost put it back, but kept it in my stack of checkouts on a whim.

I started reading it that afternoon and I didn't put it down until late that evening. Beastly is an awesome, beautiful tale. About a third of the way into the story I realized that Beastly was, essentially, a modern spin on Beauty and the Beast--and a great spin on the tale it is.

Kyle, the protagonist, goes through dilemmas and circumstances that reminded me so much of many other tragic fairy tales, like The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (two tales Kyle happens to read and empathize with, I might add). Anyone who loves the heart-wrenching tales that have you praying for the character's saving will adore this tale.
This story is not without its humor, however, so take heart; it's not at all a completely depressing novel.

Alex Flinn created an excellent tale that really and shocked me. I expected something about vampires, since that's such a hype lately (sparkling gaiety and all that). But, Beastly turned out to be a pleasant surprise and a great read!

Movie Moment

Beastly will soon have its own film counterpart. Company CBS Films will soon release the movie version of this book.
Take what you will from this film; I personally do not think it looks like it will at all measure up to the novel, but that's just a personal miff. I highly insist you read the book first before going to see the movie.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

This book was something I picked up because it reminded me of a movie I'd once seen. I was wary to read it, however, because it looked like it might be quite drab. However, I discovered that it was so enrapturing, I couldn't put it down until I'd read it from cover to cover.

It was a thrilling and engrossing tale. The story tied together three teens in a trek to survive a futuristic world where abortions are outlawed, but an alternative was created: if the parents still do not want the child once they've grown and hit their teenage years, they can have their children "unwound" and erased forever.

What really struck me was the realism and the high probability of something like this entering our society in the future. Unwind can tug at your moral code of conduct. It made me question: "What do I really believe? Would I really agree to this? Would I unwind my child?" It is an emotional tale that resulted in a few tears when I read a teenager's point of view while being unwound. It chilled me to the core.

An altogether amazing tale. Adventurous, chilling, and morally shaking.