Book Reviews

Book Review: “The Gluten Lie” by Alan Levinovitz

January 7, 2020 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

The Gluten Lie: And Other Myths About What You Eat by Alan Levinovitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My record on food fussiness is well established. In short, I think we should eat just about everything with gratitude––even processed foods. Those who invoke the verse about our bodies being the temple of the Holy Ghost to justify their food anxieties and fears need the gentle correction of a holy raspberry.

Yes, now I remember, this is a book review. The Gluten Lie traces how food myths gain credence and become gospel, despite scientific evidence to the contrary. For instance, in the 80s we were told, “Fat is bad.” Then come to find out, it was the scientific studies funded by the margarine companies that were actually bad. Levinovitz has done a lot of deep diving on the complicated relationships between food, science, politics, dietitians, and how the general public is often having its chain yanked by the representatives of these various interest groups.

Perhaps his most helpful insight is how so many dietary gurus turn food and the enjoyment thereof into a sort of religious system. Priests declare foods clean or unclean, and if you eat “bad” food you must repent by purging out the unwholesome. For a faithful Protestant, we should have no qualms about saying, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, so pass the gravy.” Instead, many Christians have gone along with the crunchy trends, thinking that they are pursing sanctification, wen in fact they are following an alternative religion.

A really helpful book on how to think about food, and about the many food myths that snake oil salesmen are peddling.

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Book Review: “Mere Fundamentalism” by Douglas Wilson

November 22, 2019 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

Mere Fundamentalism: The Apostles’ Creed and the Romance of Orthodoxy by Douglas Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had the privilege of reading this book for CanonPress’ audiobook version, and then read it again with the elders of my church. Both times through I was thoroughly blessed, edified, and enlightened as to how to rightly hold fast to the apostolic faith. In Pastor Wilson’s own words, “Held the right way, narrow truths create the broadest of hearts.”

Wilson aims to show how fidelity to the Apostles’ teaching, provides the basis for true Christian fellowship across denominational lines. In essence, we need fundamentals of the faith to distinguish between Christian and non-Christian; but these fundamental doctrines are intended to unite Christians and provide them a basis by which to work through more tangential doctrinal issues. He does a wonderful job highlighting why creatio ex nihilo is such a vital doctrine to inform our understanding the death and resurrection story which God is telling. He covers mankind’s fall, and why and how God set about to redeem us.

The final chapter is a simple and short commentary on the Apostles’ Creed. Mere Fundamentalism is quite a useful book for even the simplest of theologians. It fortifies the faith, and points us to see that Scriptural foundations are vital for the furtherance of the Kingdom of god.

Book Review: “Poems” by C.S. Lewis

October 17, 2019 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

Poems by C.S. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lewis always aspired to be a poet. This was really his first literary love, and although he is far more well-known for his prose works, his passion for poetry shaped the way in which he wrote everything he did.

In this collection of his poems you get a first hand taste of his labors to master the skill of poetry. At points he shines with skill, at others he doesn’t scan as masterfully. Sometimes he selects a wonderful theme to gloss upon, and other themes should have simply been passed over. Poetry really is a lost joy in modern society. Sitting for a spell to look at something through the eyes of poetry is really a great blessing. It is worth the trouble and patience of reading a more archaic mode of communication. And of course, it is Lewis, so even when he’s at his worst, he’s still so good.

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Book Review: “30 WAYS TO PARENT ON PURPOSE” by Jonathan Harms

December 10, 2018 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

30 WAYS TO PARENT ON PURPOSE: Changing the World Through Intentional Parenting by Johnathan Harms
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My friend, Jonathan, recently self-published this short book on parenting. First of all, you come away from the book inspired by a father who loves his kids, and wants to do all he can to raise them in the ways of the Lord. Jonathan lays out thirty starting points where parents can get to work deliberately training their children. Some of these are simple, but we all can use the reminder to get rid of distractions and focus on investing in our children. I’d recommend working through this book as a husband and wife and at the bare minimum let it be a conversation starter for how you’re doing in raising your kids. A lot of people get into the parenting game without ever coming up with a strategy to win the game. I think Jonathan’s advice is, on the whole, really helpful in getting the planning juices pumping. Above everything else, he makes it clear that teaching your kids to love and glorify Jesus is the end-zone for parenting. It’s a really quick read, and so support my friend and grab a copy!

Book Review: “Toxic Charity” by Robert Lupton

October 22, 2018 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help by Robert D. Lupton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first half was very good, and eye-opening. Americans spend $5 billion dollars a year sending mission teams around the world; in some instances to paint the same orphanage six times in one summer. Clearly a poor use of our time and money. Further, oftentimes our charity produces an entitlement/dependency mindset that undermines the long-term health of those we are setting about to serve.

The second half was a little repetitive and short on answers/solutions. Particularly I would have wanted a more thorough Biblical explanation of how we should go about mercy ministry. Nevertheless, anyone involved in non-profit ministry, or charity work must read this and rethink how they go about their various ministries.

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Book Review: “The Temple” by George Herbert

July 31, 2018 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

The Temple by George Herbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A really wonderful collection of devotional poetry. George Herbert’s poetry sinks deep roots into the glorious doctrines of the Christian faith, and then raises us up to soar with poignant praise. He is witty, lucid, and demonstrates that good doctrine with a beating heart is a potent combination. What Adam had, and forfeited for all, Christ keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall. Herbert also mingles in a healthy dose of that good, ol’ fashioned earthiness of English poets. In almost every selection you find some sort of proverbial statement which are often quite Solomonic. I’d highly suggest leaving a copy on your nightstand and read a selection each evening. Really good stuff.

Here are a few of my favorite lines:

Pick out of tales the mirth, but not the sin.
A verse may find him, who a sermon flies,
The way to make thy son rich,
is to fill His mind with rest,
before his trunk with riches.
Do all things like a man, not sneakingly.
Laugh not too much: the witty man laughs least.
Towards great persons use respective boldness.
Be calm in arguing: for fierceness makes
Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.
All worldly joys go less
To the one joy of doing kindnesses.
Restore to God his due in tithe and time.
Praying’s the end of preaching.
Churches are either our heav’n or hell.
Sum up at night, what thou hast done by day.
And praise him who did make and mend our eyes.
The bloody cross of my dear Lord
Is both my physic and my sword.
What Adam had, and forfeited for all,
Christ keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall.

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Book Review: “The Lord’s Service” by Jeffrey Meyers

July 31, 2018 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

The Lord’s Service: The Grace of Covenant Renewal Worship by Jeffrey J. Meyers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Meyers’ work here is a really helpful primer on how to biblically order our corporate worship services. He exegetes scripture to show how certain Old Testament precedents should be carried on in our New Testament worship, as well as showing how our worship––now in Christ––should be patterned after the sacrifices of the Mosaic law (cf. Rom. 12:1-2). Meyers also provides insight into historic context for why the Church has continually observed certain practices time and time again.

The shallowness of much of our modern worship services is largely due to lackadaisical thoughtlessness. We rarely ask how God’s Word describes and proscribes how our congregational worship should be ordered. Some may bristle at the notion of ordering or establishing a set liturgy, thinking this “boxes out” the Spirit. However, even in the most spontaneous Pentecostal church, there will inevitably emerge a routine and pattern for our regular meetings. We can either be deliberate and purposeful, or mindless and willy-nilly.

Meyers argues for “covenant renewal” worship. This orders the way in which worship in accordance with the Word, and centers upon the shared meal of the Lord’s Supper. In this way, we are frequently reminded of the covenant of Grace which the Gospel proclaims to us. Overall, this book was a wonderful defense of such an approach to Lord’s Day worship. There are a few points where I would depart from Meyers’ suggested practices, but on the whole, a really worthwhile read.
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Book Review: “Revival & Revivalism” by Iain Murray

June 15, 2018 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

Revival and Revivalism by Iain H. Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Iain Murray’s book The Puritan Hope was one of the most influential books I have ever read. It knocked over all sorts of theological dominoes, which set me on the current course of ministry I am on. This book, Revival and Revivalism is a rich historical analysis of the Christian culture in early America. He quotes extensively from early American pastors and theologians during the time of the Second Great Awakening to reveal their view of revival.

He then shows how the emergence of “altar calls” and physical responses (i.e. standing, coming to the front, falling down, etc.), were at first a matter of concern, and then a matter of contention amongst ministers of the Gospel. One camp convinced that these means were vital to procure converts, the other camp wary that mere external signs of repentance did not mean true conversion. Murray points out that the older view of revival was that it was like the wind and the rain, you never know when God might pour it out, you need only be faithful to preach the Gospel and implore souls to repent and flee to Christ. The later view (popularized by Charles Finney) was that you could generate revivals, and have massive numbers of converts by following a certain formulaic approach (i.e. camp meetings, pressuring people to respond in some physical manner, etc.).

Murray is a really insightful historian, and this book was really a treat. It familiarized me with godly men I’d never heard of before, and helped me fit others I had heard of before into a more full-orbed historical context. In essence, the church should yearn and pray for revival, and be quite wary of revivalism. Otherwise, we will adopt unbiblical means of laboring for converts, instead of faithfully obeying how our Lord commanded us to rescue lost sheep.

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