Something to Chew On

“…provocative language and sweeping generalizations usually provoke, nurture, and justify the worst tendencies in human nature, rather than furthering the outworking of our redemption.”  -David Powlison

A Verse that should cause every counselor, pastor, and teacher to pause…

    They have healed the wound of my people lightly,
        saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
        when there is no peace.
     Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?
        No, they were not at all ashamed;
        they did not know how to blush.
    Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
        at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,”
    says the LORD.
(Jeremiah 6:14-15 ESV)

Today in Blogworld 2.2.11

Iain Murray, whom I respect greatly, has written an article giving some cautions for expository preaching.  Honestly, I’m not sure I agree.  (Maybe I’ll explain later).  Colin Adams is discussing this article on his blog.

7 Lessons on Suffering from Spurgeon (who battled gout and depression)

Exodus: The Back Story of Redemption

An Inferiority Complex can be Prideful

I am really excited about this one.  Free Audiobook of Adopted for Life.

My wife will really dig this:

(HT: 22 Words)

Do you adorn the gospel with friendliness?

More from the Secret Church Simulcast

Interview with Piper on the 25th Anniversary of Desiring God.  Check out the photos.

The new shape to the Creation v. Evolution Debate

The Affliction of the Gospel

This is hilarious, the Internet 16 years ago.

(HT: Denny Burk)

New Music Tuesday 2.1.11

Bob Marley fans will be excited about this Live 2 Disc-Set :

RED, a Christian metal band, has a new CD out called Until We Have Faces.  From Amazon: RED’s anticipated third studio project unleashes a torrential outpouring of in-your-face rock this troupe has become known for.  You can buy it today for only 5.99 .

I feel weird even suggesting it…but apparently many people like Rod Stewart.  If you are, I suggest counseling.  But on your way to your counseling session why not listen to his new Greatest Hits album: The Best Of... The Great American Songbook

If you like Gospel music you will be excited that WOW Gospel 2011 is now available.  It is two-discs of the best Gospel music of 2011. 

Feel free to check out the other new releases…

Review of Defiant Joy: The Life of Chesterton by Kevin Belmonte

For awhile now I have been intrigued by G.K. Chesterton, but my exposure to him as remained minimal.  So I was very excited for the opportunity to review Kevin Belmonte’s biography on the life and work of Chesterton .  I received this book free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a review. 

Belmonte is an apt biographer, I enjoyed his smaller work on William Wilberforce, and so I assumed this one would be good as well.  It weighs in at 315 pages and Belmonte states early that his goal is not to be extensive but to provide a summary of the life and writings of Chesterton.  His hope is that this work will encourage those of us newly exposed to G.K. to seek out more. 

For one with a minimum amount of exposure to Chesterton I feel that now I have a decent grasp on his works.  There are large portions of his writings and also of reviews by his contemporaries.  It is an interesting take on a biography.  Honestly it is more of a survey of his writings than it is an introduction to his life.

I was looking for something more on the life of Chesterton—and Belmonte said he had hoped to survey his works “in the context of his remarkable life”.  In reading this I think Belmonte knocked his first goal out of the park.  This is a very apt survey of the works of Chesterton.  He could have interacted with Chesterton a little more, but it serves as an apt introductory survey. 

However, if you are looking for an introduction into the life of Chesterton I would not suggest this book.  After trudging through 315 pages of Chesterton I still only feel minimally exposed to his life.  I know a few general facts but I wish Belmonte would have quoted less and interacted with his life a little more. 

Perhaps you will like it.  I had a hard time getting through it.  Maybe if this were the second Chesterton book that I had read I would have enjoyed this offering more.  But did Belmonte accomplish his goal of making me want to read more Chesterton?  Yes and no.  I want to read more of Chesterton because I am still intrigued by him—but I have to humbly confess that I will not be picking up another Chesterton work because of this one. 

If you are already somewhat exposed to Chesterton and want something that interacts with all of his works then Belmonte’s work here will be fitting.  But if you are looking for an introduction into the life of Chesterton I think you may want to look elsewhere. 

Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Buy it from Amazon for only 11.81