Book review: John and Stasi Eldredge- Captivating

Captivating (Revised and expanded edition)
John and Stasi Eldredge

Captivating was hugely popular amoungst Christian teenage girls when I was in highschool. It was passed around a lot in my bible study group at the time. Seeing there was a revised and updated version I decided to go back and take a better look at it. I can see why it resonated so much with us back then. They address some of the struggles women do face. There is also lots of quoting from movies and a lot about being romanced.

The book had some good advice about things like dealing with past pain and finding your value in God. Unfortunately I think this book has some serious theologoical flaws. I agree that women and femininity have often been undervalued in the church and society. I agree that many women have been abused or neglected in all sorts of ways. Having said that, I don't think this book does a good job of dealing with the problem in a theologically sound manner. Many times I spotted misuse of scripture eg. Applying verses that in context talk about God's people in the old testament or to the whole church to individual women. Odd applications of Song of Solomon verses also made appearances.

The book also gives a skewed impression of the place of women and the place of God. Women are told to say "The whole vast world was incomplete without me. Creation reached its finishing touch in me" (pg.26). We are told that eve (and by implication women) was the crown of creation. While there is a sense that the world was not complete without women in the same way as it would be incomplete without men, this and multiple other places in the book give the incorrect impression that women occupy an exalted, almost divine position. God also comes across in the book as much less than he really is. Sometimes you get the impression from the book that God is a love sick suitor desperate for the attention of the glorious women. We are told that God is incomplete without us personally. (pg. 122). These ideas might make women feel special for a while, but teaching flawed ideas about God and themselves does their long term spiritual growth and emotional healing no favors.

I don't recommend this book. It has some occasional bits of good advice but is wrapped up in a problematic view of God, women and how to interpret the bible.

(referenced page numbers are from the new hardcover edition. They may not match older editions)

 Review copy provided by booksneeze.com

Featured song: Audrey Assad- For Love of You

Book review: Paul and Shannon Morell- Misconception

Misconception
Paul and Shannon Morell with Angela Hunt
Buy: christianaudio.com, amazon.com,  bookdepository.com

In Misconception, Paul and Shannon Morell write of their experiences of in vitro-fertilization (IVF) going horribly wrong. The eggs they had stored in the hope of having one more child were transferred to another women who became pregnant with the Morell’s child.

The book is interesting read. I’d seen their story in the newspapers even here in Australia so it was interesting to hear what goes on behind the headlines. It was certainly a fascinating and gripping story. It is also interesting from an ethics perspective as their situation resulted in many complicated ethical decisions. The extra material on the ethics of the IVF process would be of interest to people considering undergoing the procedure.

The book did have a few weaknesses. I felt the authors repeated themselves a bit too much, particularly in regards to how stressful the events were. It also would have been interesting to hear more about how their faith made a difference in how they handled the situation.


Review copy provided by christianaudio.com

Photos: In the garden #2

Worship- An experience?

I keep hearing people refer to what happens in their church services as a "worship experience". I find something about the experience bit a little unnerving. I don't know the motives of people who are framing it this way so don't take this as a criticism of any individual or group. Rather consider this a gentle warning to watch our hearts and where our focus is. I'm as much preaching to myself here as I am anyone else.

It is so easy to make what we claim to be our worship of God in a church meeting context all about us and how our experience of it is. It isn't in itself a problem that we liked choice of music, felt good or otherwise enjoyed church. I think there is merit in trying to honour God by conducting our services really well. But as an end goal, services focused on our experience are potentially a problem. That's because our experience is no real indicator of worship that honours God. I could have a fantastic, feel good experience at a concert that has nothing much to do with God. I have heard so many people evaluate a worship service on the basis of what they felt. Sometimes things get muddled by confusing hype or a good experience with the presence of the Holy Spirit. As someone who comes from a charismatic background, this is one I've had to learn to watch myself for.

It is God that our worship services are meant to be all about, not our experience. There will be times that you will feel nothing much or even feel depressed when you worship God. Read the Psalms if you don't believe me- its full of people who are sad or from whom God feels far away. What we feel and how much we enjoy it are not the point. It is better to have a room full of people whose hearts are focused on God but are lead by one out of tune guitar player than a whole stadium full of people lead by the hottest Christian band with the best sound-system who are just there to be entertained.

In joy, sorrow or numbness, may we all be able to truly worship the Lord.

Featured song: Switchfoot- this is your life