One Nation Without God? by David Aikman

Aikman begins by reviewing the current literature on the state of Christianity in America, paying special attention to what has been written about American teens and young adults.

He asks, “Was America ever a Christian nation?” If your criterion is that 90 percent of the population considered themselves Christians (even if they never went to church), then, Aikman writes, America was at one point Christian. But, others argue, if you mean the nation was a society reflecting the ideals of Scripture, then early America does not deserve to be called Christian. Aikman notes that Winthrop did desire to build such a state, with laws modeled on the Old Testament.

He reviews the steady rise of opposition to Christianity in the U. S., describing the works of Hegel and Feuerbach and their effect on American universities. He traces the influence of Darwinism and follows the changes in the academic world and culture. He notes the influence of Billy Graham and then the erosion of respect for Christianity in the 1960s. He concludes that driving out religion, specifically Christianity, from higher education altogether succeeded to a large extent.

Aikman writes that serious setbacks to Christianity can and have been reversed, such as the Wesleyan revival in England. This is not the end of the story for Christianity in America. He reports on the Chinese rediscovering God, the resurgence of theism in academic philosophy departments, the work of Christian campus organizations, and the renewed interest in Calvinism among the young.

This is a good introductory review of Christianity in America. Those who have read a great deal on the topic may not find anything new here.

The encouragement at the end of this book gives one hope. Christianity may be down, but it is not out.

See more about this book at www.onenationwithout.com.

David Aikman is an award-winning print and broadcast journalist, a bestselling author, and a foreign affairs commentator based in the Washington, DC area. You can learn more about him at www.davidaikman.com.

Baker Publishing Group, 204 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book for the purpose of this review.

The 13: Fall by Robbie Cheuvront & Erik Reed

It's a little over a decade in the future. The President of the U.S. has been receiving mysterious announcements from a man who is warning the President about a future judgment on the nation. Unless the nation returns to honoring God, the judgment will come. While the President is a Christian, he is in a turmoil. Is this man a crackpot, a sham, or is this really a word from the Lord?

The President assembles a team of the best in national security to find this man they have dubbed The Prophet. Jon Keene is an extraordinary CIA agent with a chip on his shoulder against God for letting his wife die. Megan Taylor is undoubtedly the best computer hacker the FBI has in their ranks. A fervent Christian, she can get into any server, connect with any secured network, anytime. And Bozwell Hamilton, an ex-special ops soldier turned pastor.

As the three work to find The Prophet, the unthinkable happens. The greedy head of the recently combined national defense agencies has made a deal with the Chinese. New stealth technology has allowed the Chinese to hover at the U.S. borders. The scheme is that the Chinese would be allowed into U. S. protected areas to drill for their much needed oil. But the Chinese have a much more serious plan in mind – invasion.

This is a well written suspenseful novel. The characters are well developed, the plot is superb and the action is continuous. I highly recommend this novel as it portrays a very possible future for the United States. This is the first in a series and the book leaves you waiting for the next installment!

Watch the book trailer here.

Go here for publisher's information and to read a chapter. 

Barbour Publishing, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Center Church by Timothy Keller

Many have come to Keller's church wanting to know how to do ministry so they can be as effective as Redeemer Church. Keller is quick to point out that one vision or method will not work for all churches. He has written this book to provide a means for those in ministry to form their own theological vision, that vision for what you are going to do with your doctrine in a particular time and place. He advocates a well conceived vision for how to bring the gospel to bear on your particular cultural setting and historic moment.

The first part of the book is about gospel theology. He helps us understand what the gospel is, its contextualization, and that it affects virtually everything.

The next part is about gospel renewal, both personal and church. He shows how the church can cooperate with the Holy Spirit in bringing about gospel renewal.

He then looks at gospel contextualization and how that can be done in a God honoring manner. His discussion of the Bible and culture is excellent. He presents three biblical foundations for doing careful contextualization.

The next part of the book is about the city. He reviews its history, its place in the Bible, and its relation to culture. He writes, “If Christians want to reach the unreached, we must go to the cities.” (162)

Part five is about cultural engagement. He takes us through the history of and then models for cultural engagement. He suggests a balance among several polarities.

Part six is about mission. The gospel moves into the community and people are equipped for missional living. He explains the marks of a missional church as well as how to equip people for engaging their community.

Part seven is about integrative ministry, connecting people to God (worship), to one another (community), to the needs of the city, and to culture.

Part eight is on movements and institutions. Churches with movement dynamics generate converts, ideas, leaders and resources from within. There will also be movement without, such as church planting.

Keller explains in his Epilogue that he has written this book particularly for churches in urban settings. However, he also notes that the book is intended just as much for churches and ministries who minister to those of the modern culture.

This is an excellent book for anyone doing ministry. There is a wealth of information contained in the book. You will be both inspired and humbled at the task before you.

Food for thought: Keller notes a sure sign of an idol. “If we lose a good thing, it makes us sad, but if we lose an idol, it devastates us.” (69)

Find out more about Timothy Keller at www.timothykeller.com.

Zondervan, 400 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

The Power of Prophetic Blessing by John Hagee

John Hagee believes in the power of words. He believes in the power of blessing. He writes, “You have the ability, through the power of blessing, to revolutionize your life and control your future.” (18)

In this book, he explores the Prophetic Blessing. “The Prophetic Blessing is a spoken declaration by a spiritual authority over the life of an individual. The words of the blessing carry the power to control and direct the life of the person over whom they have spoken.” (94)

He first covers the Priestly Blessing of Numbers 6:22-27, notes that its content cannot be changed, and looks at the three promises it includes.

He distinguishes the Priestly Blessing from the Prophetic Blessing. The Priestly Blessing is God's declaration. “The Prophetic Blessing is the spoken declaration by God's spiritual authority concerning the life of an individual.” (26) The Prophetic Blessing is unique to each individual.

He reviews all the blessings of the Bible, such as that in Genesis, to Abraham, Jacob prophesying over his sons, and Jesus' prophetic blessings (the Beatitudes). He covers the six scriptural requirements for releasing and receiving a prophetic blessing.

While I appreciate a book on the power of spoken words, I think Hagee goes a bit far sometimes. As I noted in the first quote above, Hagee says I have the ability, through the power of blessing, to control my future. Where does that leave a sovereign God? I would rather submit myself to Him and let Him control my future.

Hagee paints a dire picture if I don't speak the Prophetic Blessing. “If you refuse to proclaim God's Word over your life and the lives of your loved ones through the Prophetic Blessing, you cut yourself off from your High Priest in heaven.” (214) Really!

And it seems Hagee has included some sloppy, at best, or deceptive, at worst, review of Abraham's (Abram's) life. He writes that Abraham “obediently left Ur, his family...” (54) The Bible scholars I've read say that Abraham taking his nephew lot with him was an act of disobedience to God's command to leave his family behind. Hagee also writes that God told Abraham to leave Canaan and go to Egypt. Hagee would have us believe that Abraham giving over Sarah (Sarai) to the Pharaoh was an act of faith in God's deliverance. (56) I just reread Genesis 12 and just don't see it.

Hagee speculates, “As [Abram] sojourned in Egypt, his thoughts were on the Prophetic Blessing God had spoken over him.” (55) Really! Hagee knows what Abram was thinking about?

There are some problems, too, with Hagee's interpretation of Joseph as a type. For example, based on the fact that Joseph that Joseph revealed himself to his brothers the third time they came to Egypt, he says Jesus will reveal himself to the Jewish people the third time they enter the Land. (152-3) This was May 15, 1948, nearly 65 years ago. So, are the Jews still waiting for this revelation?

Also based on the Joseph type, Hagee says Christians will be raptured before Christ returns just as Joseph asked the Egyptians to leave the room before he revealed himself to his brothers. (153-4) Does Hagee really mean to have the (faithful) church he believes will be raptured likened to the Egyptians, earthly and ungodly people in typology? I think he has stretched the idea of typology beyond credibility.

Lastly, Hagee spends a great deal of time writing about Israel. I know he has strong feelings about Israel, but he spends way too much time on the nation in a book that is supposed to be about speaking blessings on your children, your wife, etc.

John Hagee is the author of four new York Times bestsellers. He is the founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. He is the founder and president of John Hagee Ministries which telecasts his radio and television teachings to some 249 nations. He is also the founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel.

Worthy Publishing, 300 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Body Broken by Charles Drew

Body Broken is an updated and revised version of A Public Faith (NavPress, 2000).

Drew finds it sad that the body of Christ should be divided along political lines. The church has what it takes to be different from every other social institution in the world. Pondering how serious minded Republicans, Democrats and Independents worship together brought him to preach a serious of sermons that became this book.

To help those who want to celebrate their unity in Christ, he makes some distinctions in this book: distinction between moral principle and political strategy, between the calling of individuals and the calling of the church, and between theocracy and influence.

He addresses the question of how Christians should respond to what have named the culture wars. Do we remove ourselves or do we fight?

He has ordered this book around the Bible. He identifies our misdirected worship as the deepest cause for the heat in our political disagreements. He calls us to put our trust in God's sovereign rule.

He clarifies the priorities of the church in public life. He explores the ramifications of Jesus' teaching about what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God. He ends his book with ways of affecting social and political change that lies outside of the world of politics.

He has questions at the end of each chapter. While you could make good use of them on your own, they would be better used in a group setting.

Some will certainly bristle at what Drew suggests. For example, that hope in politics may have become an idol, or that we are not to make America legally Christian, or that we do not value God's glory above political goals.

I found his suggestions very valuable. Respect people. “Whatever we do as American citizens we must always act upon our King's operating principle that people are more important than politics or power.” (107) Look for ways to cooperate – Christians working together in a fallen world. Use your gifts and opportunities to bring the reign of Christ to bear upon your particular world. Choose to do what is right. Keep it simple.

In this year of national elections when feelings run strong, I recommend reading this book to help each of us keep politics and God's rule in perspective.

Charles Drew has pastored for thirty years in Virginia, Long Island, and New York, all in university settings. He presently serves as the senior minister at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, near Columbia University.

Follow the author's blog on this topic here.

New Growth Press, 175 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from The TB&B Media Group for the purpose of this review.

Tea Party Culture War by Stephen Johnston

Johnston believes we are at a point of no return for America. He writes, “The 2012 presidential election represents a fight for America to determine whether our nation will become a godless socialist country or an economically sound one based on biblical values.”

The book is in three parts. The first part covers the cultural attacks by the belief systems of theism, naturalism, and pantheism. The second part examines how non-theistic worldviews have influenced the American government and economy. The third part is an examination of how eastern mysticism has invaded religion and the Christian church in particular. He ends the book with a section on eschatology.

Johnston hopes that when you reach the end of the book, you will clearly understand that America is truly in a culture war.

There is good news and bad news about this book. The good news is that Johnston presents an excellent historical look at the various influences on current culture. His section on financial history, especially banking in England, was great. I found a great deal of historical information there I had never seen before.

The bad news is that Johnston sometimes make statements that are a bit over the edge, I think. For example, “The welfare state in America is creating a growing number of entitled sociopaths who are incapable of determining right from wrong.” And “Rick Warren and Robert Schuller's 'Chrislam' is an unbiblical unity of Christianity and Islam.”

Sometimes he wants to write the platform for the Party. “[Those in the Tea Party] must advocate for nuclear energy as the only feasible alternative to petroleum.”

Sometimes he would have us believe that our problems is the result of a conspiracy. He claims the problems afflicting America “reflect the destructive accomplishments of a long-term conspiracy against American society.” He fails to identify the conspiracy makers, however.

Sometimes he treats the nation as if it were an entity with a will of its own. “...[T]he reality is that if the United States is to prosper, it must return to its roots, worship God, and obey the core principles of the Judeo/Christian values on which it was founded.” I can see people worshiping God, but a nation?

Sometimes his writing is a little simplified in its conclusion. He writes that Einstein's theories “laid the foundation for the 'Big Bang Theory,' which would basically disprove the validity of evolution.” Really! Lest we didn't get it the first time, he repeats it later. “Albert Einstein's theories of relativity and Hubbell's [sic] finding that the universe had a beginning point were seriously undermining the validity of the theory of evolution, as it was now becoming apparent that the billions of years needed for Darwin's system of mutant species to work simply did not exist.” I am sure there are many evolutionary scientists who say the 13.7 billion year age of the universe might be long enough.

But then, I think America is off the hook. Johnston says the future of the nation lies in the hands of the Tea Party members. “As those of us in the Tea Party worship and obey God and His laws, our country will be blessed. But if we turn from God and fail to follow His laws, then we will bring judgment to our country and our children's children. Their fate is in our hands!”

OK, Tea Party members. The pressure is on.

You can find out more about the book and the author at http://www.teapartyculturewar.com/about.

Watch a video here.

I am taking part in a blog tour. See other reviews here.

Steve Johnston grew up in Southern California and was raised by fundamentalist Christian parents. He received degrees in law and theology. He is the former Vice-President of Apache Gas Company and former CEO of Morning Star Industries. He has served as a prison chaplain, is a supporter of the Tea Party and has written a previous book, When is Judgment Day? He divides time between his homes in Palm Desert, California and Brookings, Oregon.

Wine Press Publishing, 232 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book for the purpose of this review. I read this book on a device where the page numbers did not correspond to that of the printed book. Therefore, I was unable to give the appropriate page numbers for the quotes from the book.

Live to Give by Austin Gutwein

What does it mean to live to give? It starts with knowing the reason God put you on this earth. God has something for you to do. He has given you a gift and when you use it, it keeps in giving. Austin knows that God could do it all Himself. Yet, for some reason, God chooses people to solve the world's problems.

Austin has written this book to help young people understand what they have been living for and what they were made to be living for. He uses the example of the boy in John 6 with the lunch to show that each person is unique. He helps his readers find out what their spiritual gifts are.

He continues to use the idea of the lunch to teach several spiritual lessons. He has the knack of telling a very interesting story then associating a truth lesson with it. For example, oven baked, Chicago style pizza can take forty-five minutes to bake. But, “Like many good things, it's worth the wait.” (124) He goes on to write about waiting for God to produce results in your giving. Like planting a garden, results might not come for months.

Austin declares, “Nothing beats living this way! Nothing we could eat, drink, buy, play, watch, or win in life can compare to the feeling of giving ourselves away...” (11)

His final encouragement is to start where you are. “Be willing to let Him use you and your lunch.” (190)

This is a great book for teens. Austins gives man examples of young people who are giving their lives away. He relates stories of Bible characters. And he adds just the right amount of humor.

There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter so this would be a perfect book for a group study.

Austin Gutwein was nine years old when he watched a video showing children who had lost their parents to AIDS. He felt called to do something to help them. He loved basketball and decided to shoot free throws. On World AIDS Day, 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day at school. Friends and family sponsored Austin and he raised almost $3,000 that year, helping provide hope for eight orphans. Hoops of Hope has become the largest free throw marathon in the world, with an estimated 40,000 people in 25 countries participating, raising more than $2.5 million. Austin's first book is Take Your Best Shot.

You can learn more about Austin and his ministry at www.AustinGutwein.com and www.HoopsOfHope.org.

Watch a video here.

I am participating in a blog tour of this book. To see other reviews, go here.

Thomas nelson Publishers, 199 pages.

Please visit your local Christian bookstore to buy this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the LitFuse Publicity Group for the purpose of this review.

Nothing to Hide by J. Mark Bertrand

A headless corpse is found in a parking lot in Houston and Detective Roland March is on the case. The victim's hands are skinned so there are no fingerprints. (You have probably already figured out that this is not a “cozy” mystery.) But DNA evidence identifies him as a FBI agent.

When the case agent tries to keep March under control, he knows there is more to the murder than the FBI is admitting. March refuses to let the investigation go and does some deeper digging.

As March and his partner pursue the gun smuggling aspect of the case, March watches in horror as his partner is gunned down. He grabs an automatic from the recently discovered stash. One pull on the trigger and his partner's killer is down. But there were so many bullet wounds, March is put on administrative leave and is under internal investigation.

But he cannot let the investigation go. The deeper he goes on his own time, the more he finds the FBI has something to hide. He follows the guns to Mexico where it all goes bad.

Nothing to Hide is the next in the series featuring the hard boiled detective Roland March. This serious is not for the weak stomached. There are lots of gun fights and slicing of flesh. Roland March is not a Christian but his wife is. Christianity and Christian beliefs pop up here and there but are not central to the plot. This would be the kind of novel you could recommend to your unsaved detective mystery loving friend with a view to discussing it.

The plot is very complex, with hidden personalities and many subplots. Sometimes I got a bit impatient with the complexity of the whole thing.

There were a few places in the book where I felt the action wasn't quite right. I was most disappointed in the ending. As in a B western, the calvary comes over the hill and saves March from what appears to be an impossible situation. Ugh.

If you like hard boiled detective stories, you'll probably like this one. While it is not the first in the series, this novel can be read on its own. There are allusions to earlier novels but this plot reads well by itself.

Bethany House Publishers, 330 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.