The Lost World of the Torah by John H. Walton

The Lost World of the Torah by John H. Walton ISBN-13: 9780830852413 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: IVP Academic Released: Feb. 26, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Walton and Walton offer in The Lost World of the Torah a restorative vision of the ancient genre of instruction for wisdom that makes up a significant portion of the Old Testament. In the ancient Near East, order was achieved through the wisdom of those who governed society. The objective of torah was to teach the Israelites to be wise about the kind of order needed to receive the blessings of God’s favor and presence with the context of the covenant.


My Review:
The Lost World of the Torah uses very academic language, which didn't serve to clearly communicate the author's ideas. Even the examples didn't clarify things. He argues that the Torah does not contain a legal code but was intended to teach wisdom so that those who made judgments would have a certain sense of what was a good and a bad judgment. After muddling through it, all I can say is that he didn't convince me with his arguments. Here are some examples, as I understand them:

1) The Torah is not comprehensive (covering every type of judgment or civil code needed to run a society), therefore it doesn't contain any actual laws that were intended to be obeyed and used when judging cases. 2) Even though the leaders were supposed to regularly read through the Torah and their rulings may match what is given in the Torah, they aren't actually referring to it since they don't specifically quote that law when making their ruling. (Talk about imposing modern Western standards on a different, ancient culture!) 3) Scholars currently believe that the Code of Hammurabi is a listing of judgments that were intended to show off what a just king he was, so all ancient "they sure look like laws" lists must be the same type of thing rather than an actual list of laws. 4) Because the Hebrew words for "obey" and "keep" [as in, keep my commandments] can be used in a different sense about wisdom sayings, they can't refer to actual keeping of laws even when the wording seems to indicate that.

And so on. The author seemed certain he is right and stated that anyone who disagrees must prove him wrong, but he twisted the clear intent of anything that might be used as proof against him so that he can dismiss it. Not impressed.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

What If It's True? by Charles Martin

What If It's True? by Charles Martin ISBN-13: 9780785221326 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: Jan. 29, 2019

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Years ago, Martin cracked open his Bible and began wrestling with a few fundamental questions. He asked, “What if every single word of Scripture is absolutely true and I can trust it? How do I respond? Something in me should change, but what? How?” This book is the result of that exploration.

Writing as our guide, he uses a storyteller’s imagination to illuminate key moments from the Scriptures, primarily from the life and ministry of Jesus. In addition, Martin shares key moments from his own journey as a disciple—and bondservant—of Christ and a mentor to others. The result is a striking exploration of truth that helps us to live differently.


My Review:
What If It's True? was part story format and part commentary. The author started the chapters with a scene from Scripture in which he filled out the details with speculation. He was pretty clear about what was directly from the Bible, what was his speculation, and what he based that speculation on. Many of the scenes were about the crucifixion or events leading up to the crucifixion, but one was based on a parable and another on an experience he had. After the scene, the author talked about what impresses him about how Jesus acted in that moment. He drew in Old Testament references and cultural background information that provided insight into the events. He ended each chapter with a long prayer about the theme he talked about in that chapter, like forgiveness.

While I liked the first half of the book, I had some problems starting in chapter 8. He's earnest and means well, but the focus of the book started to shift at that point. He urged Christians to repent for your ancestor's sins. While I can see confessing (stating what is true, like "I and my ancestors have sinned against you, God"), I don't agree that people can repent (turn away from) sins committed by your ancestors unless you are also committing them. This is a very long chapter as he tries to convince people that his view is true, but I was not convinced. The next chapter centered around a semi-fictionalized conversation between him and God. Happily, he did get back to focusing on scenes from the Bible before the end.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

A Week in the Life of Rome by James L. Papandrea

A Week in the Life of Rome by James L. Papandrea ISBN-13: 9780830824823 Paperback: 160 pages Publisher: IVP Academic Released: Feb. 19, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In first-century Rome, following Jesus comes at a tremendous social cost. An urbane Roman landowner and merchant is intrigued by the Christian faith—but is he willing to give up his status and lifestyle to join the church? Meanwhile his young client, a catechumen in the church at Rome, is beginning to see just how much his newfound faith will require of him.

A Week in the Life of Rome is a cross section of ancient Roman society, from the overcrowded apartment buildings of the poor to the halls of the emperors. Against this rich backdrop, illuminated with images and explanatory sidebars, we are invited into the daily struggles of the church at Rome just a few years before Paul wrote his famous epistle to them. A gripping tale of ambition, intrigue, and sacrifice, James Papandrea's novel is a compelling work of historical fiction that shows us the first-century Roman church as we've never seen it before.


My Review:
A Week in the Life of Rome is partly fiction and partly nonfiction. The novel is set in 50 A.D. in Rome. It followed characters in the various churches in Rome and included people from different backgrounds and economic levels. The main characters were a freedman and his family. His wife and his stepson are Christians, and he's interested. However, his patron asks him to do things that would be against the Christian faith. He must choose between advancement in Roman society or his family and new faith. Cultural and historical details were woven into the story which show what it would've been like for a Roman mindset confronted with Christian values.

There were nonfiction sidebars that discussed certain topics from the story, like the Vestal Virgins. This helped to further explain things happening in the story and help readers understand some of the issues talked about in the New Testament. The book contained some interesting photographs of Roman ruins and archaeological artifacts which illustrated information from the nonfiction sidebars and events in the story. I found both the story and the nonfiction interesting and informative. Overall, I'd recommend this book to people who aren't very familiar with this type of Bible background information.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Suffering Is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot

Suffering Is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot ISBN-13: 9781535914154 Hardcover: 128 pages Publisher: B & H Books Released: Feb. 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) was a Christian author and speaker. She, having lived through great loss, taught on God’s grace in the midst of hardship. In her final book, Elisabeth Elliot describes how it is often through the deepest suffering that God teaches us the deepest lessons. As we trust Him through our trials, we come to a greater assurance of His love and sovereignty—even as He works all things together for the good of those who love Him.


My Review:
Suffering Is Never for Nothing is lightly edited from a talk that Elizabeth Elliott gave at a conference. She talked about some of the things she has suffered through and what she's learned about suffering from those experiences. The overall idea is that we more deeply come to know God through suffering and learn to depend on Him and His love and sovereignty. The focus was not so much on detailed theology as it was advice on how to get through suffering. Overall, I'd recommend this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.