Clear Winter Nights: A Journey into Truth, Doubt, and What Comes After, by Trevin Wax

**

Would-be church-planter Chris Walker is having a crisis of faith. The recent discovery of his estranged father's repeated infidelity has left him reeling. Between his father's hypocrisy and his own conflicting ideas of truth, religion, and morality, Chris doesn't know where to turn. Before he knows it, he's broken off his engagement to Ashley and is considering backing out of the church plant he's been involved with. Then, on New Year's weekend, he finds himself on the doorstep of his recently bereaved grandfather, a retired Baptist minister currently recovering from a stroke. Over the course of their many conversations, Chris begins to work through his doubts and questions about faith, truth, sin, and forgiveness.

For some time now, I've enjoyed reading Trevin Wax's posts on the Gospel Coalition blog. So when the opportunity arose to review his new work of fiction, Clear Winter Nights, I was pretty stoked. Unfortunately, as is often the case with Christian fiction, good theology does not always walk hand in hand with good storytelling.

Humble Orthodoxy: Holding the True High Without Putting People Down, by Joshua Harris

****

Why are all the truly orthodox Christians--the doctrinally minded, theologically sound ones--complete jerks? Why are nice, loving Christians typically wishy-washier than Charlie Brown? Is there a way to love your neighbor and love truth, to uphold good teaching without being an arrogant ass? According to Joshua Harris, the two qualities--humility and orthodoxy--not only can be combined, but should be.

Clocking in at just over 50 pages (not counting the study guide and other extra material), Humble Orthodoxy is an expansion of a chapter from Joshua Harris's recent (and much longer) book, Dug Down Deep. Apparently lots of folks (including John Piper) told him that this topic needed its own book. Who am I to disagree?

Fortress of Mist (Merlin's Immortals #2), by Sigmund Brouwer

**

After successfully (and bloodlessly) taking the city of Magnus in The Orphan King, young Thomas quickly learns that keeping a kingdom can be just as much of a challenge as acquiring one. Thomas finds himself up to his neck in political maneuvering, as the King demands his assistance in the ongoing war with the Scots, and treasonous spies try to incite the neighboring lords against him. Meanwhile, Thomas is plagued by seeming visions of the lovely (and supposedly dead) Isabelle. But it is Katherine, the kind, fire-scarred girl, who Thomas most wishes to see. Both women are drawn to Thomas, and both seek Thomas's allegiance (and his inherited collection of mystical books) for a powerful force: the Druids, who control so much of the land, and those who would oppose them. Will Thomas be able to hold Magnus in the face of these challenges? Will he align himself with the Druids, who offer limitless power and immortality? Will he side with their opponents? Or will he forge a separate path?

Quiet, by Susan Cain (a guest post)

****

Last year, I reviewed Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain. And I loved it. So when I was presented with a second opportunity to review the book, I recruited my husband to read it and share his thoughts. The book is also the subject of the Book Club over at Patheos, where we both contribute to Schaeffer's Ghost, an Evangelical commentary on books and film. Here's an excerpt of his review:

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I think part of the problem here is one of categorization. When thinking in terms of Christianity, the absolute categorization of either an introvert ideal or an extrovert ideal falls flat. This is because there is both an introverted and an extroverted component to the Gospel. 

On the one hand, Christians ought to be extroverted. This is true not only because we are expected (even commanded) to engage with others in sharing the Gospel, but also because the very foundation of our faith is someone external to us coming along, dragging us out of ourselves (it’s even more violent than that—the Bible uses the language of putting the old person to death) and planting us firmly in a non-optional relationship with another person (Jesus) and a group of other people (the church). In a very real sense, there is no ‘alone time’ for the Christian—something which no doubt causes many introverts to shudder in panic. In this sense, the Gospel has a quite necessary extroverted component. 

On the other hand, Christians ought to be introverted. We are responsible for our own spiritual lives—the commands to be holy and fight against sin are not Biblical charges to take up political crusades against institutional evil. They are rather directions for examining our interior lives and casting off those aspects of ourselves which continue to persist in rebellion against God. And of course part of this process is being slower to speak, being aware of our own sinful nature, and being on guard against allowing that sinful aspect of ourselves to take control of our tongue and actions (in one sense, the serpent in the Garden was the chief of extroverts—he projected his personality onto others in an attempt to remake them in his own image). Likewise, quiet meditation on Scripture, solitary prayer, and reflection should all increasingly be aspects of the Christian life. In this sense, the Gospel has a quite necessary introverted component as well.

Full review available here.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

God of All Creation: Life Lessons from Pets and Wildlife, by James Robison

**

Texas televangelist James Robison shares 28 lessons he's learned from animals and pets--most notably his miniature dachshund Princess. I had highish hopes for it, on account of the Beth Moore blurb on the back, but the end result is just ok.

Robison's lessons are pretty straightforward and simple--nothing earth-shattering or mind-blowing here. The chapters are short (the whole thing is less than 200 pages), and would likely make a decent devotional, albeit a fairly fluffy one. The writing is nothing special and borders on sappy, which is to be expected in a book like this, I suppose. Robison's relationship with his dog has clearly taught him a lot about how to relate to God--recognizing His voice, enjoying His company, obeying His commands, trusting Him with our hurts, etc. And there are some cautionary tales as well.

Which leads me to my main issue with this book. There seem to be only two categories in Robison's book: good dogs and bad dogs. Good dogs are happy and have a good relationship with the master. Bad dogs ... die. I'm not kidding. The two most pronounced examples of bad behavior end with the death of the dog. One chased cars and eventually caught one, to her detriment, and another had a talent for escaping and getting into mischief and also meets his demise at the hands (wheels) of a car. I understand the cautionary nature of these tales (and certainly a dog has less capacity for long-term sanctification or improvement than a human), but the end result feels more law than gospel.

The Radical Question and A Radical Idea, by David Platt

**

Two books in one. Or rather, two pamphlets in one, since each 'book' is only about 50 pages long, and with dimensions of approximately 4" by 6", we're not talking big pages.

In the first 'book', The Radical Question, Platt asks his readers 'What is Jesus worth to you?' He looks at some of the hard teachings of Christ--Luke 9:57-62; John 6:53; Luke 14:26-27, 33; Luke 18:22--and uses them to illustrate how the modern Christian's devotion to Christ is, essentially, weak sauce. In contrast, he describes his experiences with the persecuted church in other countries, and the risks those Christians take for the sake of the gospel. He then looks to Christ and, using the parable of the great pearl, asks his readers if Christ isn't worth sacrificing everything for. I suspect this is, in effect, a summary version of Platt's first book, Radical.

The second 'book' is directed less at individual Christians and more at churches. Platt admonishes churches not to get wrapped up in things like fancy buildings and church-run programs and ministries, but to focus on equipping church members to do ministry in their communities. Again, Platt relies heavily on his many international experiences, but this time they are illustrations of what a church really is. A church, he argues, is not a building, but a people. And it is the Word of God, not programs or highly polished worship services, that can draw people to Christ. To Platt's way of thinking, we need to stop asking 'professionals' to do everything and instead turn things over to the laity. This will, in turn, allow the church to have a greater impact in the world (for the simple reason that having hundreds of lay 'ministers' making disciples will necessarily produce greater results than a few professional ministers doing the same). This appears to be a summary of Platt's earlier book, Radical Together.

The Orphan King (Merlin's Immortals #1), by Sigmund Brouwer

***

Thomas has had it up to here with the servant's life.  As low man on the abbey totem pole, he is little more than a slave to the corrupt monks.  And yet, until now, he has been content to bid his time, studying the secret books him mother left him and preparing for the destiny that awaits him.  And now, finally, it is time.  With the assistance of a lone knight, an impish young pickpocket, and a pretty deaf mute who is more than she seems, Thomas sets out to find and reclaim the mysterious and impregnable castle Magnus from the cruel Lord Mewburn.  But there are forces at work behind the scenes, sometimes helping, sometimes hindering Thomas's plans.  Who can he trust?  What is he to make of the dark tales his mother told him--tales of shadowy Druids and powerful Immortals?  And what of Thomas himself?  Is he on the side of right, or merely a tool in the hands of another?

This is, at its heart, a perfectly serviceable young adult novel.  At just over 200 pages, it's not too intimidating, and it's got plenty to draw in young readers:  Knights! Castles! Science masquerading as magic! Bandits!  Chivalry!  Disguises!  Dungeons!  Secret societies!  Hidden knowledge! And no fewer than two damsels in distress!

As Silver Refined: Answers to Life's Disappointments, by Kay Arthur

***

Well known author and speaker Kay Arthur addresses the role of hardship, suffering, and disappointment in the life of the Christian.  The book is centered around what Arthur calls the "Deadly D's": distraction, deception, disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair, and demoralization.  These Deadly D's are used by the enemy and experienced by Christians on a daily basis.  Arthur encourages her readers to engage the enemy in the battleground of the mind, taking every thought captive and using the inspired Word of God to defend against attacks, whatever their source.  She reminds us that all things work together for the Christian's benefit--even hard things.  Hence the image of refined silver--a precious substance that has been purified by fire, time and time again.

Allow me to start of by saying that I'm not the best person to judge a book like this.  Just as an unmarried person may not know which books on marriage are the best, or those without kids aren't in the best position to judge the many parenting manuals, I am not all that qualified to evaluate this book.  I have not experienced much in the way of true hardship, and what little I have experienced has been largely the result of my own sin.  So there hasn't been a lot of opportunity for the "Why, God? Why?" internal struggle which is so painful to those living through horrific circumstances and facing heartbreaking (or life-threatening) difficulties.  Not that I don't complain (I do) or yell at God (I do) or struggle to understand His ways in the midst of setbacks (I sooo do).  It's just that while others are dealing with cancer-level disappointments, I'm whining about a papercut.  You get the idea.

My Big Bottom Blessing: How Hating My Body Led to Loving My Life, by Teasi Cannon

**

A memoir of sorts, tracking the author’s struggles with obesity, self-image, and spiritual growth. I confess, I was expecting more of a how-to book—something that would offer me advice and hope in my own attempts to achieve (and maintain) a healthier weight. I’m not sure exactly where this idea came from, other than the fact that nearly all books about weight loss and “body image” are, at heart, guidebooks to the svelte figure of your dreams (or at least to the wholehearted embrace of the beauty of your body, whatever its shape). And this book is more autobiographical than instructional.  It tells me about the author’s story, but offers little to no help for my own battles with gluttony, laziness, self-indulgence, fear of man, and vanity. But now that I re-read the blurb on the back of the book, I realize that the book was billed as a memoir from the start. There’s a brief line on the back cover, telling me that her story will propel me to realize my own value and beauty, but I suspect that’s just hype from the publisher. This is her story, not yours. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain

****

The differences between extroverts and introverts are well known.  One is caricatured as a sort of human golden retriever, eager for constant companionship, miserable when alone, perpetually cheerful, obnoxiously loud, and easily distracted.  The other is portrayed as vaguely misanthropic, shy to the point of social anxiety, dull as toast, bland as beige, and possibly maladjusted.  Cain, like many authors before her, has undertaken to dispel these generalizations and present the true essence of introversion--its weaknesses, yes, but more importantly its strengths.  The degree to which other authors may or may not have accomplished this goal, I don't claim to know, as I have by no means read all such books.  However, in Cain's case, I can safely say the result is a resounding success.

First off, the organization of this book is exemplary--Cain's ideas are presented in a clear and logical order, but the organization is fluid and subtle.  She doesn't draw the reader's attention to the structure itself.  (She does occasionally raise an issue and then assure the reader that it will be addressed in a future chapter, but this is not done so frequently as to be distracting, and is limited to those issues that really are likely to cross a reader's mind at a given point, but which do not belong in the current section.  So, for example, in discussing the scientific evidence that introversion presents in the very young, she assures parents that tips on parenting introverts (which do not belong in a chapter on the biology of introversion) will be addressed later.)

Cain starts off by essentially convincing the reader of the need for this book--that is, that we in America treat extroversion as the ideal, that this has not always been the case, and that perhaps in our charisma-driven, extroverted, groupthinking society we are denying the value of introversion and missing out on the contributions introverts can make to our businesses, families, and social circles.  This groundwork is well laid.  Cain, an admitted introvert, explains and establishes the extroverted ideal and highlights its shortcomings without seeming defensive.  She does not appear to view introversion as superior, but merely encourages her readers to consider the value of both personality types.  This rational, objective tone (which I imagine served her quite well in her bygone days as a negotiator) lends credibility to her presentation of the merits of introversion.

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country, by Cindy Woodsmall

**

Things have been tense in the Martin household.  Nineteen-year-old Annie tries to ignore her brothers' antics, but there's no denying that their drinking and swearing and gambling is a far cry from appropriate behavior for Old Order Mennonites.  When her mother sends her off to stay with her grandfather in Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, she's relieved to get away from all the fighting.  But Apple Ridge brings its own challenges, as Annie is reminded of her affection for quiet, stuttering Aden Zook.  As a young girl, she'd admired him; as a grown woman, she realizes he's everything she's looking for in a man.  And Aden seems equally taken with her.  There's only one problem: he's Old Order Amish, and the two are forbidden to intermarry, or even court.  With Annie's grandfather threatening to put the Zook family diner out of business, and Aden's crippled brother doing everything he can to tear them apart, will Annie and Aden ever find a way to be together?  Can they overcome the obstacles in their way?  Should they?

This books marks my first foray into the growing genre of Amish fiction.  And I have to say, I suspect it may not be the genre for me.

Breath of Angel: A Novel (The Angelaeon Circle, Book 1), by Karyn Henley

***

Melaia is a chantress, trained in the art of storytelling, but the story of her life seems pretty dull.  She's never left Navia, where she was left on the temple steps as an infant.  She wants to travel, to see new places, to have adventures, but soon she gets far more than she bargained for.  It turns out that the Angels in the old stories are real--as are the humans who ate the forbidden fruit of the Wisdom Tree, thereby gaining immortality.  But the Wisdom Tree was destroyed, and with it the Angels' ability to get home to heaven and into other worlds.  The angels on earth--and all the souls of those who've died since the Tree's destruction--are trapped on (or under) the Earth.  They can only be freed by the restoration of the Tree . . . but who will do it?  And how?  And what does all this have to do with a certain ancient harp and the handsome stranger who comes to Navia in search of it?  Melaia is about to learn the secrets of her past--secrets that may very well decide her future . . .

Let me start off by saying that this book is loads better than the second one.  Which is not to say it's a great book--it isn't.  But it's much more readable--and thus more enjoyable--than Eye of the Sword.  The primary reason for the improvement is the point of view.  This story is about Melaia, and hers are the eyes through which we see the world.  Which is convenient, since she (like us) is largely ignorant of the details of Angel culture and lore.  She doesn't know about the hierarchy of Angels, or the true legend of the Wisdom Tree.  She doesn't know how the Wisdom Tree is to be restored, or even what significance that restoration has. She has to be taught these things, and as she learns, we learn. This results in a steady stream of new information, to be sure, but the flow is measured enough that the reader can digest most if not all of it, and there are mercifully few sentences that begin with awkward constructions like 'she remembered the time [X important event happened]' (a construction that occurred with distressing frequency in Eye of the Sword).

There are, to be sure, an awful lot of names.  The characters trudge through various locales with names like Redcliff, Qanreef, Navia, the Durenwoods, the Dregmoors, and so on, and there are probably more characters than we really and truly need.  And there's still some rather confusing exposition on kinds of Angels that have yet to make an appearance in either story.  On the whole, however, it's much less overwhelming than the second book.

Eye of the Sword: A Novel (The Angelaeon Circle, Book 2), by Karyn Henley

**

Trevin has been both a thief and a traitor--now he is pledging fealty to King Laetham of Camrithia, in an effort to atone for his past sins and protect the woman he loves: King Laetham's daughter Melaia.  But someone else is also interested in Melaia--a swaggering, untrustworthy Dregmoorian prince who promises peace in exchange for marriage with the princess.  Trevin is powerless to stop their marriage, as the king sends him off to look for the missing comains (knights) who disappeared without a trace years before.  Trevin is determined to succeed in this quest, and in another: he wants to find the missing harps Melaia needs to restore the stairway to heaven.  Along the way, Trevin battles false accusations, his own guilt and shame, and a variety of more substantial enemies as well, and eventually discovers truths about his past that could change his future forever . . .

If this all sounds kind of confusing, good.  Because it is.  This book is ridiculous.  The whole thing is chock full of Henley's fantasy vocabulary--place names, magical races (including so many varieties of angels that she includes a chart in the opening pages to help the reader remember the difference between Ophanim, Kuriotes, Archae, Thronos, Exousia, Archangels, regular Angels, and Nephilim--many of whom do not even appear in this book), positions of power, magical substances, quests, mythology, and heaven (heh) only knows what all else.  There are plotlines criss-crossing all over the place.  Rejius wants to kill Benasin; Laetham wants to find his missing comains and restore peace to his lands; Stalia wants to take over Camrithia; Melaia wants to unite the three magic harps to restore the stairway to heaven and then maybe marry Trevin; Trevin wants to make up for his shadowy past and maybe marry Melaia; Varic wants to kill Trevin, take over Camrithia, and maybe marry Melaia . . . it's a mess, is what I am saying.

The Canary List: A Novel, by Sigmund Brouwer

***

~~CONTAINS SPOILERS~~

Improbably named middle school teacher Crockett Grey is drunk.  And he means to be.  It's the anniversary of his daughter's death and all he wants to do is be alone and miserable.  And it looks like he'll get his wish . . . that is, until one of his students knocks on his door.  Twelve-year-old foster child Jaimie Piper is terrified and on the run from an Evil no one else can see.  Before he knows it, Crockett finds himself behind bars, embroiled in a swirl of false (and devastating) accusations--he's being framed for child abuse and pedophilia, his elderly neighbor Nanna is missing, Jaimie's foster home has been torched, and he may never get to see his son again.  Crockett is determined to get to the bottom of what looks to be a conspiracy far deeper than he ever imagined . . . and implicating powerful people in very high places.

This book was rather a pleasant surprise.  Most of my experiences with 'Christian' fiction have been, shall we say, rather lackluster.  Then again, this book is not so obviously 'Christian' as many others, even if the main character does undergo a bit of a spiritual change of heart during the course of his adventures.  More than anything, this is a suspense/conspiracy tale--and not a bad one at that.  There were some less-than-original choices, to be sure--the Catholic church has been a popular fall guy for quite a while and I think it's safe to say that we've been there, done that.  Then, too, the combination of 'evil lurks in the Catholic church' with allegations of sexual abuse and pedophilia feels at times like an attempt to capitalize on semi-recent events (as well as a possible attempt to defend the church by laying the ultimate blame on supernatural forces). 

The Scroll, by Grant R. Jeffrey and Alton L. Gansky

*

~~CONTAINS SPOILERS~~

Biblical archaeologist David Chambers, along with his professional nemesis and his ex-fiancee, have been recruited to investigate the Copper Scroll--an ancient artifact rumored to contain the location of a host of treasures from the second Jewish temple.  From the start, their quest is plagued by violence and setbacks.  Someone is determined to keep them from succeeding--but who?  And why?  And how do these opponents know so much about their work?  And how far are they willing to go to keep Chambers' team from finding the lost treasures?  And will Chambers find what he's looking for--the temple treasure and, more importantly, the treasure of his lost faith?

I have to admit, I was not impressed.  The characters were caricatures at best--the boorish and bitter former Christian, the pious and compassionate Christian ex-fiancee, the jaded and smarmy atheist, the devout Jew, the crazed Muslim radical, the wealthy American businessman . . . The most interesting character in the mix is the head of security, and he's hardly front and center in the plot.  But then, the characters are really just vehicles for that plot, which is part redemption story (will the disillusioned Chambers find his lost faith?) and part 'end times' adventure. 

The theology here is a bit hard to pin down.  A Jewish character repeatedly reminds the Christian characters of God's sovereignty, which is certainly a plus.  However, the details of the Christian faith are muddy at best--Jesus and the Bible are mentioned, but the gospel is never spelled out.  Even Chambers' return to the faith is suspect--he originally left the faith because he resented his (Christian) father for being gone while his (Christian) mother succumbed to disease.  When Chambers finally returns to the faith, it is not because he has learned or accepted something about God, but because he finds out that his father didn't know his mother was dying.  This restores his father in Chambers eyes, and allows him to embrace his faith again.  Thus his 'redemption' is based more on the actions of humans than on a relationship with Christ.  And of course, there's some eschatology here that some Christians won't agree with (i.e., the rebuilding of the temple being 'God's work'). 

A couple notes on the writing: the exposition was particularly ham-handed and awkward.  I realize that some exposition is necessary in order to equip the reader for a trip through an unfamiliar field like archaeology, but Jeffrey (who teaches eschatology, prophecy, and biblical archaeology) and Gansky (novelist) should have come up with a more organic means of communicating information to their readers. Instead, they use such obvious ruses as a) explaining the backstory to a (random) back-up pilot on a private jet who has questions about their plans (she is never heard from again), and b) a preeiminent biblical archaeologist giving a junior-high level lecture/crash course in biblical archaeology . . . to two of the other leading professionals in the field. There are better ways to fill your readers in on the necessary details.

The authors also had a funny habit of telegraphing their reveals, and sometimes even double revealing (as in, a character would say something, and then a page later say the exact same thing to the exact same people and this second statement would be treated as a dun-dun-dun moment).  Even the premise itself made for a weird 'reveal'. If you tell a bunch of archaeologists that you want them to work on a 'secret project' connected to an artifact that is rumored to show the locations of lost temple treasures, telling them later that--surprise!--they're looking for lost temple artifacts . . . well, it's not actually a reveal. 

Bottom line:  This is a Christian novel, and I highly doubt that anyone other than self-identified Christians will have any interest in it whatsoever.  It simply does not stand up to the objective standard of good fiction--the writing isn't great, and the story isn't particularly compelling.  If you want an eschatological novel of unimpressive quality filled with cliches and featuring ostensibly Christian leads, then this might be the book for you.  Everyone else is probably better off steering clear. 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.