A Secular Faith
By: Darryl Hart
The Pastor’s Monthly Book Selection – November, 2017
To what extent should the Christian in America embrace the separation of Church and state? This hot button topic is often discussed from a perspective that equates the existence of the United States with that of God’s covenant relationship to ancient Israel. In A Secular Faith, Darryl Hart argues that America was never founded as a Christian nation. Furthermore, when religious people attempt to find a universal Judaeo-Christian foundation for the political life of the country, they run the risk of watering down Christianity to the point where the gospel is no longer evident and we are merely left with a set of morals and ethics. The end result is that Christianity is redefined and presented, not as the message of redemption through Christ and the hope of the coming kingdom of God, but as moral standards that preserve the nation from ruin.
Hart’s presentation of the history of the Protestant influence in American politics and the current debate about separation of church and state is rather interesting, although I did find it a little tedious at times. Nevertheless, his position that Christianity can flourish in any political system, and that Christians are a people living in exile while awaiting a new kingdom is well worth considering. Whether one agrees with the author or not, A Secular Faith is worth the read for those facing the challenge of being Christians in a pluralistic America.
This October marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. In light of that movement it seems appropriate to suggest one of the better biographies of Martin Luther. As one of the foremost authorities on the Reformer, Heiko Oberman believed that the best was to understand this man’s life is to recognize that Luther saw himself as being engaged in a great spiritual battle. Throughout the book the author paints a picture of Luther with both failings and strengths. He reminds us to look at this monk, not through the lens of our own age, but as a man of his times. Weaving together the religious and social events of the day, Luther’s upbringing, his theological discoveries, marital relationship, and his view of the world as a battleground between God and the devil Oberman gives us an understanding of Doctor Martin that is both engaging and enlightening to the reader. I recommend this book for those that wish to read a biography of Luther that is more than just a chronological timeline of historic events.
Regardless of who we are, everyone will face trouble and sorrow during their life. In When Trouble Comes Phil Ryken offers encouragement to the reader in times of difficulty. By using various Bible narratives, the author provides insight into suffering and gives us a glimpse of God’s comforting presence in seasons of trouble. I recommend this book for all who travel life’s pathway and need to know that hardship is not our only companion, but we have a God whose faithfulness never fails.
Two veteran TIME writers, Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy have written a fascinating book about a peculiar aspect of the ministry of Billy Graham. When being interviewed for this piece, Reverend Graham made the stipulation that the authors present the bad as well as the good. Following that wise counsel enabled Gibbs and Duffy to write a work that offers great insight for those wishing to understand the interaction between religion and politics in America.
In this well written work on the Ten Commandments, Phil Ryken expounds on the Reformed view of the three uses of the Old Testament law – Ceremonial, Civil, and Moral. Noting that the moral law is binding on all people everywhere, the author examines the Ten Commandments in a manner that is relevant to our 21st Century culture. Ryken’s remarks on law vs grace, as well as on interpreting God’s law laid a good foundation for the subsequent chapters where he worked through each of the individual 10 Commandments. Each chapter ended with follow up questions that can be used for personal devotion or group discussion questions. I recommend this book as a helpful tool for any study on this valuable yet neglected topic.
Hoping to suggest a book that would be an easy but interesting read for the vacation season, I decided upon this biography of the famous basketball star, Pete Maravich. Here is the story of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His college scoring average of 44.2 points per game might never be broken. Although his professional career began promising, Maravich never played on an NBA championship team. Nevertheless, his style of play changed the game and made him one of the most exciting players of his era. Through it all the man who was known as The Pistol, felt unfulfilled, frustrated, and often alone. By the end of his career self doubts and bitterness caused Maravich to withdraw into his own world. It was at this low point that Jesus Christ reached into his life and changed him into a man dedicated to the Lord. Although his conversion is described in terms that may seem somewhat out of the ordinary to Reformed ears, the power of God to change a life was rather evident in the remaining years of Maravich’s short life. This is a book well worth reading for sports fans and for those who wish to be encouraged by the work of Christ to transform a life.
