Another Gospel? || Book Review

Alisa Childers grew up in a home where faith was living and showed itself in practical results. She loved studying her own Bible, where the stories fascinated and captivated her: they were real in her mind as she imagined herself stepping into the shoes of her favourite characters and experiencing the incredible events they did. She knew the Bible was the living Word of God and she never questioned that. But as an adult, when she attended a special class run by her pastor who questioned almost every claim Christianity has historically made and was more interested in questions than answers, Alisa felt the foundations of her faith shake -- right to their core. 

What do you do when everything you've always believed is called into question? Another Gospel: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity tells of Alisa's quest for truth, and the answers she found.

"Once I was put through my own type of deconstruction, I wanted to reconstruct my faith by planting my flag on the firm bedrock of truth. I needed to know what was true. After I left the class and spent some time in a fog of confusion, I had an idea. Rather than redefine or reject Christianity, why not go back to the beginning and find out what the real thing is? Maybe the only version I knew was true . . . maybe it was false." ~Alisa Childers

One by one, Alisa examines the objections raised by Progressive Christianity, and the evidence for or against them. What did Jesus really think and teach? We turn to His recorded words to find out. What did the early church leaders understand certain passages to mean? We read their own writings to see. Is the Bible we have today even reliable? Welcome to textual criticism. Does Progressive Christianity present a more advanced, a progressing, understanding of Christianity, or another gospel entirely?

I'm so grateful for Alisa's commitment to discovering the truth, whatever it might be and whether or not she likes it. Her calm, methodical, and purposeful way of searching and examining, followed by clear presentation is a welcome breath of fresh air. I loved reading this beautifully written book; I found it so gripping I didn't want to put it down!

My one complaint is the treatment of hell in this book. While there are some points made which have occurred to me previously and I agree with, it appears to me that different conclusions would be reached with a more comprehensive study of Scripture on the topic. Particularly, Luke 16:19-31 seems to me to negate the idea of the gates of hell being "locked from the inside."

All taken into consideration, Another Gospel is an excellent resource for everyone living today, when Progressive Christianity is so prevalent and seeps in where we might least expect. This book can help you find answers to your questions, equip you to answer questions others present, and strengthen your faith. Do yourself a favour and grab your own copy today!

"As I began to put put all the blocks back in their rightful paces, the finished structure was stronger and more beautiful than ever. Today my faith stands strong against the stormy waves of doubt that challenged the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, and the truthfulness of Christianity." ~Alisa Childers

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I've found helpful in my own life and think you will too.

Why Should Christians Care About Time Management Anyway?

Should Christians care about time management? And why? It's easy to think of it as a passing fad; a buzzword in the corporate world and topic of endless self-help books for everyone who wants to be trendy (or whatever the new equivalent of the term is). But let's put all that aside and ask, what is time management, really? And how should we approach it?

In a way, time management is like budgeting, but with time instead of money; it frees us to spend our time where we choose (or where God calls!) rather than just wondering where it went afterwards. Ever felt like something was really important to you, but you just didn't have time to do it? Maybe you have a Bible Study tucked away that you've always wanted to do, but it just never seems to happen. Maybe there's something you've felt God gently calling you to do, but you aren't sure when exactly you could manage it, because the everyday tasks of life seem to keep you busy all the time. Learning better time management techniques can be the solution to these problems. Time management is "the practice of using the time that you have available in a useful and effective way," according to the Cambridge Dictionary.

"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" ~Matthew 6:27

None of us can add extra time to our lives. Time is a finite resource, and once we've spent it there's no going back to make changes. Every moment of life is a gift from God. Do we treat it with appropriate appreciation? I remember receiving gift vouchers on my birthdays sometimes as small child. I prized those sheets of paper highly! I was careful to keep them out of pockets, where the washing machine might eat them. I didn't leave them lying around, where they might get muddled with other papers and be thrown away. I thought long and hard about how I would spend them. I wanted the very best deal I could get on the very best item available.

Time is a far greater gift than any Kmart voucher. Do we give it even a fraction of the consideration I gave my paper vouchers before spending it? Do we protect it from things that would "eat" it like a washing machine does paper? Do we get muddled about what we are supposed to be using it for? Do we consider the best things to spend it on? And the best ways to spend it on those things?

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." ~Ephesians 5:15-16

God calls us to make "the best use of the time" and He says that is something wise people do. Time management skills allow us to categorise the various demands on our time and then prioritise them. We learn to identify the little things that eat away at our time, like snails eat paper gift vouchers. Then we can get rid of those hungry little things and protect our time for more important pursuits. For the best things. 

Look back up at those verses from Ephesians. Notice that it doesn't say just to avoid bad things, or wasted time. "Making the best use of the time." Cutting all the trash from our schedules is a great start, but there's more to it than that! Maybe your life is filled with all good things. "The best use." Now it's time to look at those good things and work out how to make better use . . . and then best. Effective time management can help those good things take less time, so even better things can fit alongside them in your schedule.

"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."          ~1 Corinthians 10:31b

 Everything we do should be done for God's glory, and that includes the way we spend our time. Moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year we choose how our lives will be spent. Are you choices adding up to a result you are happy with? That glorifies God?

So yes, Christians should care about time management because time is a gift we should be thankful for and handle accordingly. We should care about time management so we can make the best use of time, as we are called to. We should care about time management because using our time in a way that honours God is important to us. 

Can A Christian Support Euthanasia?

About two years ago I was first properly introduced to the concepts of euthanasia and assisted dying. Since then I've learned a lot more about them; I've attended debates and speeches, and read material from both supporters and opponents. I've read the EOLC Act and polls showing the public's perception of it. I also have conversed with people, gaining a better understanding of their thoughts. I've found some things to be as I expected, but plenty has shocked me too. 

In truth I was convinced by secular reasoning to make space in my schedule for these topics and not leave them for someone else to deal with. I hope to share some of those soon, but right now I would like to focus on the Christian, biblical perspective.

I've been surprised by how often professing Christians have told me, "I'm not sure what I think about this." Particularly embedded in my memory is a conversation that included this acknowledgment from someone with a strong mission focus. To my shame I was too stunned to respond well, but I left pondering the irony of the situation and wondering what our thoughts had to do with it. Doing missions is about being an ambassador for Christ, something all Christians are called to do. If that is our focus, then shouldn't our question be, "What does He think about this?

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:20

Some of us will remember memorising all ten commandments during our childhoods, including the sixth: "thou shalt not kill." People fluent in the Hebrew language inform me that separate words are available for "kill" and "murder," as there are in English. This one would be correctly translated as "murder". But don't get too excited. The exceptions are self-defense, the death penalty, and war. An exception for "mercy killing" simply doesn't exist. 

But let's go right back to the beginning. In Genesis 1:27 we read: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." All the animals had been created already, and now mankind enters separately. All creation is pronounced "very good" but humanity alone is chosen to bear God's image. As such, human life holds special, inherent worth and value. Because we love God, we treat His image with respect. We don't harm or destroy it. And that goes for all lives; none are any less valuable than others and we don't discard anybody.

In many passages of Scripture we are called to love one another. One of the ways we do this is by bearing one another's burdens. We seek to alleviate and end suffering--not sufferers. We protect, support, and promote life. 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." ~ John 10:10

Our Saviour came to give abundant life. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Would followers of Christ follow His example, or that of His and our greatest enemy?

There's a lot more that could and should be said, but for the sake of time I will wrap up here with one last point. God reserves for Himself the power to give and take life. He alone decides when it is our time to leave this earth and enter eternity. If we take that into our own hands we choose to serve ourselves instead of God and in doing so we proclaim that God is no longer God of our lives, but instead we are our own god. Serving anyone or anything above the God who created us is nothing short of idolatory. 

Culture may argue and change its mind every few years about what is acceptable and what isn't, but God isn't confused or indecisive about the truth and He makes it clear so that we don't need to be either. I'm thankful for that.