Lost in the Taiga (a book review)

Lost in the Taiga is basically a documentary book(if such a thing exists) written by a Russian journalist. It follows a family of "Old Believers" of the Russian Orthodox Church, who had moved into the wilderness (Taiga), and were not seen by anyone for 30 years! When Russian geologists finally found them, it was almost like the family had timetraveled from the past. The younger family members were unfamiliar with things like TV, flight, wheels, and the like. They lived almost solely on potatoes, though once in ever great while they would catch deer in their hunting pits.
This book follows their struggles, not only with the wilderness, but with technology, for the 10 years after they were found. Especially interesting is their legalistic determination of what technology was "sinful" or not. They were arbitrary enough to reject matches, but to accept candles. Indeed while they claimed to be "true Christians" they lived in many ways inconsistent with the Christian worldview. Indeed probably the greatest one of these inconsistencies, the reason for their living in the Taiga, was their escapist attitude to the world and exaltation of traditions, from preferences to doctrines.
As this book was written from an atheistic, Communist perspective, it is incredibly interesting to read it from a Biblical perspective. Besides all this, it includes alot of Russian history, which is also interesting.

Practice the Presence of God (a book review)

Can we really fulfill the command to "pray without ceasing." Can we constantly and consciously rest in the Lord and have fellowship with him? If such is possible does it require that you live in a monastery?
These questions and more are answered in a 1600s book by Brother Lawerence, entitled, "Practice the Presence of God." In a simple way his book explains how it is possible to do EVERYTHING for the glory of God, and how to have continuous communion with him. No it does not take a special formula or a higher theological education, it merely requires the express and total purpose of your life be the service of God. That you would view doing the greatest pleasure for yourself, rather than for him, to be a greatest misery possible. And that the most distastful chores, and mundane tasks be done only and totally for him. Indeed it is possible to do something so little as picking up a straw from the ground for the glory of God. Brother Lawerence explained how, because of his communion with God, the private times of prayer where no less times of fellowship with God then when he worked in his kitchen.
While on earth, we will still have failures while excercising this communion with God, Brother Lawerence explained, but yet it is a fortaste of heaven, unbroken fellowship with the Lord.

This book was a great encouragement and conviction to me, I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking closer fellowship with God. You can find it free online here:
http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/practicegodspresence08.html

A Method For Prayer

"A Method For Prayer" is a book on prayer, written by the well known Pastor and Commentator, Matthew Henry in the 1600's. While his grammar maybe be old fashioned and the book itself is almost 400 years old, it is just as applicable today as the day he wrote it. The relationship with God that he speaks of, and the knowledge of the scripture he had, makes me yearn for those things.
He address each part of Prayer and shows how to use scripture in each of those areas. He does this by listing literally pages of scripture! You might say, "Isn't that sort of boring?" Well you might think so, but Matthew Henry was able in some way, to make it incredibly edifying. So many times I would recognize one of the scripture he was using,(whether it was in Adoration, Confession, Petiton, Thanksgiving, or Intercession.) and think to my self, "What a powerful way to pray that verse." In addition to that, the huge amount of scripture he lists, and the depth to which he digs in each of those five areas, almost makes it a theology lesson!
After addressing those specific parts of prayer, he went on to compile scriptural prayers for public meetings, conclusions of prayer, and an extended Lord's Prayer. After this he gives one chapter of short, non-scriptural prayers (I could tell he was still using alot of scripture, but it wasn't referenced, and it wasn't 100% scripture.).
After this there are three Discourses on how to spend the day with God. If you don't have time to read nine chapters of prayer, you still MUST read these discourses. I found them encouraging, convicting, invigorating, sanctifying, and INCREDIBLY powerful!
The first was on how to begin the day with God. I found myself convicted in that my service and communication to God is almost an after thought, and I forget the thankfulness for the grace He showed me through the night watches.
The second was on how to spend the day with God. In this I was again convicted in the importance of waiting on the Lord, and how little I do it. We are to wait on him whatever the circumstance, whatever the action, etc.
Third was Closing the day with God, and here also I found myself lacking. Prayer to God at the end of the day is of the essence. We must pray for forgiveness, show thankfulness, pray for his protection through the night, not only for physical harm but from spiritual also, and pray that keep our hearts from thinking on wickedness.

In conclusion, this book is one of the most power books on prayer. It is immersed in scripture, and it has truly convicted and influenced me. I thank the Lord for work Matthew Henry, and I especially thank him for this incredible work, A Method for Prayer. I hope everyone who reads this review, will read this book, and I pray that God will use it in your lives, for his glory and the advancement of his kingdom.
Thank you for reading,
In Christ, David.

The Influence of the Dutch

"The Dutch?" you might ask. Did they have an influence on any thing? Aren't the Dutch those people from that tiny country, who live in windmills, and grow tulips? What is that country even called? isn't it Holland?
Well let me start off by addressing your questions, yes the country of the Dutch is very small. It is actually smaller than Nebraska. Now as to the Dutch living in windmills, windmills were actually workplaces, not residences, and today they are more of a national symbol than anything else. It is also true that the Dutch are known for their tulips, but those too, serve in a large part as a national icon. Lastly Holland is merely a province in the Netherlands. To equate the Netherlands with Holland, would be as offensive to the Dutch as a foreigner equating the U.S. with California.
So today I would like to discuss three areas of world culture that the Dutch significantly influenced.
The exploration and settlement of countries,
Philosophy,
and some of their most influential individuals.

Now historically, in the realm of exploring, discovering, and settling countries the Netherlands had a major role. In the 16-17 hundreds it was a major sea power. During that period, it did a lot of colonization, most of the result of which can still be seen. For example, the first Europeans to settle South Africa were Dutch protestants. In addition, the most spoken, and one of the several offical languages there is Afrikaans, a mixture of Dutch and African. Also because of their sea power, the Dutch participated in the exploration and discovery several well known landmasses, New Zealand, which is named after a Dutch province, and Australia, which for over a hundred years was known as New Holland.
Perhaps most important of all, the Dutch had a hand to play in the settling of America.
Albany, New York was started as a Dutch settlement and New York City itself was formerly known as New Amsterdam, after the largest city in the Netherlands. In fact, New Netherlands in the Hudson River Valley, New York was first settled by the Dutch. To this day, many names in and around New York, are derived from Dutch. Who knows whether New York city would ever have become the World landmark and American icon, it is today had it not been for the Dutch.
My second point is perhaps a little more recent. Within the past century, several Christian Dutch Philosophers and their heirs have made huge impacts not only in philosophy and Christian apologetics, but in every area of life. The first of these philosophers was Abraham Kuyper, a man who taught that Christianity concerns more than a man's salvation, but his entire life. Whether it is work Business, Politics, Farming, or Engineering we should never forget that every action must and will be influenced by our worldview.
Cornelius Van Til, Kuyper's intellectual heir, was born and raised in Holland, Netherlands. He became the philosophical Father of Van Tillian Apologetics. Now I suspect most of you know what apologetics is, but I will briefly define it for those who don't. Christian Apologetics is the defense of the Christian faith. Van Til definitely didn't make up a whole new argument for Christianity, rather his apologetic method masterfully follows the commands of scripture, to argue for the truth of scripture and the existence of God.
The work of these men has led to great reformation in the realms of Christian Education, Worldview, and Philosophy.
Now you might feel that this speech is really hopping around, from nation building, to apologetics, to important individuals, but I felt it would be important while dealing with the influence of the Netherlands, to deal with one of their great artists, and one of their great missionaries. Both men who are very famous individuals. Rembrandt Van Rijn was a protestant artist in the sixteen hundreds. His works are some of the most acclaimed of that period. He especially excelled in his portraits of Biblical events. His biographer Visser't Hooft compliments him saying, "Rembrandt is the painter whose art seeks to express a faith exclusively rooted in the gospel."
While not related or a contemporary of Rembrandt, Andrew van der Bijl, also had a faith rooted in the gospel. Now while Mr. Van der Bijl is a famous Missionary you probably do not know who I am talking about. That's because in America he is known simply as Brother Andrew. Now you might remember him. During the time of the Iron curtain and the Soviet Union, Brother Andrew would deliver Bibles to believers in Communist held countries. Now with the collapse of the Iron Curtain, he mainly ministers in Muslim countries. 54 years ago he became the founder of Open Doors Mission,(not the poverty outreach.) a worldwide ministry to the persecuted church.

"Wow!" you might say. How did we start with the Netherlands, and go on to windmills, philosophy, art and missions?! Would you agree now that the Dutch have had a little more influence than you previously might have thought? Indeed this tiny tulip growing nation has influenced world nations, languages, philosophies, art, and missions. Even a little country has more to it than meets the eyes.

The Holy War made by Shaddai upon Diabolus, for the Regaining the Metropolis of the World; Or, The losing and taking again of the Town of Man-soul.

The Holy War is a short novel (approximately 200 pages), written as an allegory by John Bunyan. While not as famous as his earlier allegory, Pilgrim's Progress, I found it nearly as valuable.
The story is structured around one Town of Mansoul. This town, built perfectly, bears the image of it's builder, King Shaddai (Almighty). Now a rebellious servant of this King, by the name of Diabolus, was disowned and dismissed from the King. This Diabolus in revenge, goes to Mansoul and through deceit, gains entry to their town by convincing them to overthrow the rule of Shaddai. Once inside, he distorts the town from it's former semblance, for he mutilates the image of the King and sets up his own image. He also causes the eyes of the mayor of the town (Understanding), who had permitted his entrance, not to see the light. The recorder (Conscience), he also causes to sin, making him a madman, at times sinning and at other times condemning sin of the city. Also the allegiance of Lord Willbewill changed from one that did righteousness, to one who serves Diabolus.
Because of the fall of these three men, the voluntary surrender of Mansoul to Shaddai is impossible. Besides, Diabolus strengthened his stronghold in the city by bring into it all manners of Diabolians (sin), who pollute the city. He also fortifies the Eye-Gate and Ear-Gate, so that enemy penetration will be made even more difficult.
Despite this treachery Shaddai's son, Emmanuel, takes a vow to restore the City for the Glory of his Father.
To tell much more could reduce your desire to read the book, which would be antithetical to my goal. Suffice it to say, The Holy War is a brilliant exposition of many intricate doctrines. Mainly, the fall, conversion, salvation, and perseverance of the soul, not to mention, fellowship with God, the discipline of God in the life of a believer, and sanctification. The list could go on but my explanation of the book will not compare to you going and reading it, for indeed this book review is merely scratching the surface of this magnificent parable.
You can find the entire book online, here. http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.John.Bunyan/Sermons.Allegories/The.Holy.War/index.html

Pilgrim's Progress

Before I read Pilgrim's Progress I did not understand why it is so loved. I had imagined, that for the most part, it was merely a conjectured parable, one based more on emotion and experiences than on scripture. I had suspected that it was not an allegory that could be ranked very comparable with the Christian Life. I was totally wrong! While it is true that every analogy breaks down at some point, the thought that Bunyan put into the allegory of Pilgrim's Progress, makes it line-up SHOCKINGLY well with Scripture.(It also helped that Bunyan didn't just draw thoughts from his mind, but was constantly using scripture as a basis for his analogies!)

There are two parts to Pilgrim's Progress, the first which deals with Christian's journey to Heaven, and the second which deals with Christiana, Christian's wife, and her journey to Heaven along with her children.

In the first part Christian, convicted of sin, and shown the way to go, sets off alone to live the life of a Christian. As he was one of the first from his country to take up the Pilgrimage, he meets few other true Pilgrims on the way, for most of those he meets are either obvious enemies, or hypocrites. Each person has a name, normally describing who they are. (Though there are some whose names are found in scripture, such as Moses and Adam-the-first.) When ever Christian meets another person, the reader is shown how their name indeed describes, both their character and whether or not they are fellow pilgrims. The reader is normally shown this through a conversation between Christian, and the other character. The conversations Christian has with Talkative and Ignorance, were favorites for me. Also throughout the Pilgrimage many trials and dangerous places are met with, places were previous pilgrims had been persecuted and killed and places where the trials separated the wheat and the chaff. One of the most intriguing place was Mount Sinai where Christian seeks relief from his sin. Lastly, on the journey are met places of refreshment and rest where the servants of the True King offer lodging and advice to the Pilgrims. Such was the Delectable Mountains, a place of Peace where Christian met with Shepherd of the King, who gave him many warnings and encouragement.

And that's just the first half!!! The Second half while similar in many ways, as to the places that the Pilgrims come to, and how characters are introduced, but it is also much different. Instead of a lonely pilgrimage like the one of Christian, the group of Pilgrims grows exponentially through the Story which started with only Christiana, Mercy, and Christiana's 4 children. Such was a glorious picture of the growth of the church through history. Also many of trials Christian had gone through now, are safer because of his testimony. While in part one, more evil was met than was good, in part two more good is met with than evil, and much of the evil that is met with is defeated.(Those pilgrims slew 4 giants through their pilgrimage.)Part two also shows many believer all at different stages of their sanctification. Some like good Mr. Fearing see so clearly the grievances of their sin, they are inclined to doubt the grace of God, yet He gives them power to trust him.

In Conclusion Pilgrim's Progress is more than a cute bedtime story, it is a VERY theologically sound book, that shows hypocrites for what they are, the sin of believers for what it is, and the Grace of God for what it is! It deals with the issues of doubt, assurance, lust, and trust. In this short book review I do not feel I can adequately praise it!

Ben Lueder's Concert

Last night I went to a good friend's concert, where he performed a number of the songs he's written. It was really exciting due to the fact that he is not only a good musician, but also a great Godly man and his songs reflect that. I videoed the whole thing and will try upload it to youtube soon. (Some of his previous concerts I already have uploaded. Watch them! His name is Ben Lueders.)