A Match MAID in Hell

MAID, or Medical Assistance in Dying, is becoming a more common practice in some western societies. When you examine the changes in the practices in the last ten years, you may be surprised to see how it has developed. Today, we’ll look at one specific case to open our conversation about what is happening.

I recently read about a relatively young lady in the Netherlands, 29, who scheduled her death for early May of last year. The plan was for a doctor to administer lethal intervention to euthanize her, removing her from this existence. There are a growing number of cases like hers, especially in Canada and a select number of European countries. What started out as a right to die for the aging and terminally ill has developed into a choice available for a much wider segment of the population.

This young lady, Zoraya, was not terminally ill. Her condition was a combination of struggles with mental illness and what might be called malaise. Life hadn’t turned out the way she planned and at 29, she’d decided she didn’t have it in her to try and turn it around and make another effort at finding meaning.

She had a boyfriend; she lived in a nice house, and two cats to take care of, but that wasn’t enough. Zoraya hoped for a successful career, but she never finished school and struggled with depression and autism. This all came to a head when another conversation with her psychiatrist led him to proclaim to her, “there’s nothing more we can do for you. It’s never gonna get any better.”

When even the person being paid to help with her mental health presented such a fatalistic perspective, Zoraya had heard enough. She was ready to pursue the path a growing number of young adults are pursuing, ending it all with the help of the medical establishment.

In the Netherlands, as in Canada and five other countries, this option is being presented more commonly by medical professionals proactively. A healthcare ethicist notes that in the beginning, it was only offered up if the patient sought it out, but it is not uncommon now for a physician or psychiatrist to be the first to recommend euthanasia as a possible solution.

The biggest change is with people like Zoraya, young people with significant mental health issues. When a young person is looking ahead at possibly 40 or 50 years of life with no solution to their persistent feelings of depression or nihilism, death and self-destruction can seem attractive.

This is a complete reversal of the psychological principles on which I was trained thirty years ago, as well as a violation of the Hippocratic oath. “First, do no harm” would seem to imply that you would never tell a patient there is no hope. The medical journals are filled with cases where those with even the most severe mental illness were able to overcome it through treatment and life changes. We are all inspired by heroic stories like these, which usually involve a strong supportive community and often contain elements of faith and purpose.

Societal bonds are weaker now. It is much more common to find people who are isolated without strong friendships and family connections. If the only person speaking into the life of someone who is hurting is a medical professional who sees euthanasia as the best option, it can be a relatively quick and easy decision.

A medical professional who served on the review board in the Netherlands from 2005 to 2014 said, “In those years, I saw the Dutch euthanasia practice evolve from death being a last resort, to death being a default option.” He ultimately resigned in protest. Some medical professionals fear this is becoming a societal contagion. Hopeless individuals hear about others who ended their lives this way and it can seem like a normal solution.

Despair over climate change and other societal issues is seen as a contributing factor. When you believe that the world is doomed, it is a short journey towards wanting to leave it as quickly as possible.

The truth is that there is still meaning and purpose in the world. Family, friendships, service and helping others through acts of kindness and consideration are all things that give people deep satisfaction. These are the kinds of things our children and youth need to be encouraged towards. They are much more fulfilling than likes on social media or material wealth. If I was counseling a young lady like Zoraya, this is the message I would give her.

Unfortunately, she ended her life on May 22nd of last year, never finding the hope she needed to carry on. Instead her doctor and the few people close to her affirmed ending her life at 29. This is a tragedy. All life has value and meaning. We should find our hope in something greater than ourselves. As followers of God, we know this and attempt to live it out. We should spread this hope and joy to all we know. Don’t let the Zorayas in your life think so little of their place in this world. Here are a few reminders from Scripture of who God says you are:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31

Are You Being Manipulated?

I’m a firm believer that real life is lived in your immediate community, as in the people living around you that you interact with regularly. This includes family, friends and close groups like your church or work. This community is your reality. It is where you personally have the greatest potential to have a positive or negative impact on people’s lives. I’ve written about this on and off over the years, and it was the theme of the second book I released, The Danger of Being Alone Together.

For the most part, we tend to give people we know the benefit of the doubt. We’re more likely to try to understand their positions before we condemn them. Or, at least this used to be true. 2020 isolated us from much of our community and it seems like people have had a difficult time rebuilding it. In recent years, people in power have done their best to polarize around the issues they like to talk about. We’re pushed to have an opinion about everything in the headlines by those serving their own agendas.

No one likes to be manipulated. Whether it’s your friend, spouse, or someone at work, when you find out someone was using you, it’s demoralizing. In personal relationships, we want people to act fairly towards us and treat us with respect. Hopefully, you do your best to treat others that way as well.

Unfortunately, the further we get away from the situation, the easier it is to manipulate us. Limited information means that people can flip our emotions with a timely anecdote or sentimental story. Advertisers know this and politicians know this. Anyone wanting to separate us from our money knows this. I read a quote recently that epitomizes one of the ways people are frequently manipulated:

Injustice makes you angry
Anger makes you stupid
Stupid means you’re easy to manipulate

I would add the following line to this quote, “Shame means you can’t admit when you were wrong“.

This is who we are as people in a nutshell. These statements represent the frailty of humanity. We’re emotional creatures and our emotions can lead us to behave in rash or irrational ways. The internet is the gasoline on every fire because of its reach and pervasiveness and it’s no different in this case.

But the internet didn’t invent this. History shows how common it is for monarchs, presidents and sultans to manipulate the will of the people to gain their support. When wars happen, they want people volunteering to send their sons off to die. Sometimes this involves promoting of real injustices and other times it means exaggerating or manipulating the facts to create maximum impact.

This used to mean the extreme use of words, as most people received their information via speeches and later newspapers. The “worst” something in history happened. The “greatest atrocity” happened. They gave a rousing speech to call us to arms.

Television meant that people could see the images of the injustice in their own homes, often carefully curated by the editors for the desired outcome. Now, everyone with a cellphone has the power to create a narrative and many are always ready. The right footage can then be shown around the world, stirring the hearts and minds of the populace in a desired direction. AI and deep fakes make manipulation even more possible.

Now, with the right footage and software, I can make any public figure say anything I want. Is it true? If you already disliked the figure, you probably aren’t waiting around to find out, as you’ve already reposted and forwarded something that supports your preconceived notions.

In the last few years, the social justice profiteering movement has grown by leaps and bounds. It is not unusual for national non-profits to report donations in the millions after an event draws viral social media attention to their cause. Good meaning people with big hearts make large donations to shady organizations with no or low accountability.

The most tragic recent example was a large movement that raked in over $90 million in a short period of time. Only about 1/3 of those funds were passed on to organizations engaged in trying to help with the problem. Most of the rest of the money was paid out to the founders and their relatives or to buy houses for the people running the organization. They were able to successfully use injustice to become multi-millionaires in a very short time. Not exactly what the donors thought they were giving to.

Everyone can be manipulated in the moment with the right issue that appeals to them. When we see something so awful that makes us feel immediately enraged, we’re in danger of being manipulated. Knowing this about ourselves is important. It’s okay not to immediately react, repost or respond. Taking the time to think about our emotions and how they might use them against us is an important step.

What is the solution? Coming back to where we began, real life is in your local community with people you know and can learn to trust. When you have a beef with your neighbor, at least it is based on actual experience and not just what someone told you to think. We should care about what is going on in the world, but we should also realize that there are many who will attempt to profit from world events, even the ones they might have caused.

Another consequence of this manipulation is the impact it has on our daily morale. People in power want you to think they are the answer to all of your problems. They want you living moment by moment, sucked into their realm of influence so you’ll believe every area of your life is tied into their control. If they succeed in this influence, then they succeed in making you believe that who is at the top of the power pyramid will either guarantee your misery or happiness.

That just isn’t true. If you find yourself feeling miserable after reading about what is going on in the headlines, I would encourage you to give them a pass the next time. All of my adult life, I’ve seen people of every political persuasion complaining about those in power. It has flipped back and forth with every election, but the people who live in this daily stream are rarely happy and the majority of things they’ve been told to fear never come true.

I’d encourage everyone to take a daily step back from the insanity of the online world. Take a deep look at the people around you. Get to know them better. Spend time together. Live life and laugh together. There is joy to be found in community. We tend to have a lot in common with the people in our towns and in our neighborhoods.

If you’re angry about something you’ve seen online. Take a moment. Stop and think. Make sure you understand the issue. Ask yourself, “what does the person showing this to me have to gain?” If you’ve realized you’ve been manipulated, admit you’re wrong and be careful not to trust that source again. Fakenews isn’t just a tool of the right or the left, but anyone who wants to use you for their benefit.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Love & Respect – A Perfect Harmony

About eight years ago, we were preaching through the book of Ephesians at our Church. I was excited to tackle one of the passages that gets taken out of context the most: Ephesians 5:21-33. This is one of the longest passage in the Bible on marriage and when taken in context, it provides a beautiful picture of a wonderful union. Since today is Valentine’s Day, I wanted to revisit this topic. I’m fortunate to be a part of my own perfect union. Not perfect in that my wife and I always exemplify perfection in our own lives or towards one another, but we live within the bounds of this perfect aspirational form that God established, Christian marriage.

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.30 And we are members of his body.

31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

The first verse here is usually skipped. People want to get right to verse 22 so they can complain about “wives submit to your husbands.” But if you skip over 21 then you fail to see that the passage is in the context of mutual submission, as in “submit to one another out of reverence to Christ.” Not because our spouse is so amazing, but because of who Christ is and what He’s done for us.

Mutual submission looks like this: I will leverage all that I have, my power, energy and resources for the benefit of my family. This is an amazing picture of sacrificial love. Someone who leads, loves and serves their family with their best interest in mind. Why do we do this? Not because they deserve it. Not because we are such great people, but out of “reverence for Christ”. We do it to show our respect and honor for Christ.

After it establishes the pattern of mutual submission, it lays out teaching for the wife. It says it right there in the verse, for wives. This passage doesn’t say, “Husbands, tell your wives this”. Rather, it is a message from God via Scripture for the wives. Now, this is a prickly verse, often misused, but what are these Godly women submitting to?

Picture a man like this: Imagine you’re married to a man who genuinely believes you are the most fantastic person on the planet. He’s crazy about you. You have no doubt that your happiness is his top priority. He listens when you talk. He honors you in public. To use an old-fashioned term, he “cherishes” you. He’s not afraid to make a decision. He values your opinions. He leads, but he listens. He’s responsible. He’s not argumentative. You have no doubt that he would give his life for you if the need arose. You never worry about him being unfaithful.

Now, who would have trouble following a man like that? It’s easy, perhaps natural, to submit to someone who genuinely has your best interest in mind. There’s no fear. No reason to resist. Conversely, anyone who has your best interest in mind has in effect submitted to you. That person has chosen to leverage him- or herself for your benefit, basically saying, “You first.”

Next, God does the same thing for husbands. He doesn’t tell wives, “Tell your husbands…”, no in a much better way, God has a message directly for the husbands. The message is this: How do you feel about your body? Do you feed yourself, take care of yourself? Then this is how you should treat your wife, who is now a part of you.

“The husband who plops himself down in front of the TV and orders his wife around like a slave has abandoned Christ in favor of Archie Bunker. Christ bound himself with a towel and washed the apostles’ feet. If you want to be a Christian husband, copy Jesus not Jabba the Hutt.” – John Piper

Even while he was on his knees washing their feet, no one doubted who the leader was. Nor should any Christian husband shirk his responsibility under God to provide moral vision and spiritual leadership as the humble servant of his wife and family. This is leading out of love. 

32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:32-33

The mystery is this. Christ and the Church don’t reflect marriage, marriage reflects Christ and the Church, with the Church submitting to the leadership of the one who wants nothing but the best for them and who will act only their best interest and Christ modeling that kind of sacrificial love. Man loves his wife as he loves himself and the wife respects her husband, thus the man gets what he was designed to need and the wife gets what she was designed to need.

This was God’s plan from creation. By creating a person like Adam, yet very unlike Adam, God provided the possibility of a profound unity that would otherwise have been impossible. There is a different kind of unity enjoyed by the joining of diverse counterparts than is enjoyed by joining two things just alike. When we all sing the same melody line, it is called “unison,” which means “one sound.” But when we unite diverse lines of soprano and alto and tenor and bass, we call it harmony, and everyone who has an ear to hear knows that something deeper in us is touched more by great harmony than by unison.

The sound of Christian marriage is like this sound of a beautiful harmony, 2 things that are the same, but different, coming into sync with one another. This doesn’t happen automatically, rather it happens over time as God uses our marriage and our spouse to hone us into His likeness. Helping us to grow closer to Him as we grow closer to one another.

History as a Legacy of Grace and Truth

For the past year, I’ve been writing my first historical fiction novel, the story of our family’s immigration from Alsace Lorraine in Europe to the plains of the United States. It’s been fascinating to not only learn about my family’s history, but the history of the time.

Making the decision that millions of people did, to leave their home and everything they knew for the opportunity to forge a new life on the other side of the world wasn’t easy and many suffered along the way, but the promise of opportunity drew people from all across Europe.

The Gantz’ family, who are the focus of the story, left their homes after Mathias Gantz fought in the French and Prussian War under Napoleon III. For 18 months, Mathias Gantz hauled ammunition to the battle front and brought back the wagon filled with the dead and wounded. When the war was over in 1871, Mathias Gantz made up his mind that anything would be better than living under such tyranny. He had heard of a new land–the home of the brave and the free.

The Hensley family, came much earlier, in the late 1620’s, long before the US would become a nation. James Hensley, of Norfolk, England would pack up his small family of his wife Sara and daughter Elizabeth and board a ship for Virginia, arriving sometime between 1627-1630. We don’t know much about their reasoning, but we know many left England during that time to pursue religious freedom.

The heritage of these two families lives on in the lives and faith of my own family. When we read about the past, we learn about the good and the bad, but if we take a step back we can see the result of a family’s legacy as they build something together, both with one another and with God. A lifetime pointed in a certain direction means something and it is possible for us to leave a lasting heritage that is far more valuable than any land or money we leave behind.

A German Bible, presented to my Great Grandparents, George and Dora Gantz at their wedding in 1902.

Mathias Gantz and his family were Lutherans who became a part of the German-speaking Baptist Church when they arrived in Kansas in 1883. What we know of their Christian heritage is their continued involvement in the church wherever they lived.

Picture of the baptism of my great grandfather, George Gantz, along with my aunt and other family friends

The faith of the Rev. G.W. Hensley and his wife, Polly is recorded in both their obituaries and in a wedding celebration. In the same year that George’s brother Samuel passed from this earth at the age of 53 in 1885, God was working in George’s life in a new way. George and Polly had been faithful servants as members of their local congregations, but at the age of 45, George would answer God’s call to be a preacher of the Gospel. Over the next 36 years, he would faithfully administer this call in the following communities: Pleasant Ridge, Fletchall, Brushy School House, Maloy, Sublet, New Harmony and Union Church, all in Missouri. During his ministry he was instrumental in leading scores of souls into the Kingdom of our Lord and Master. It was only declining health that led him to finally retire from service at the age of 81 in Grant City, MO.

In addition to their faithful service for the Gospel, George and Polly were notable for the blessing of being able to spend more than 67 years together in marriage before Polly’s passing. During that time “they had their joys as well as sorrows. Bereavements have visited their home, but they have found their source of comfort in Him who is able to keep that which they have committed to Him against that day.” At a celebration for their 63rd Anniversary, they counted 63 grand and great grandchildren and the following blessing was pronounced, “During their last days on earth may the richest of blessings abide with them and when their eyes shall close in death and the flush of health shall leaven their cheeks and the pulse cease to beat, may they both have abundant entrance into the city whose maker and builder is God.”

G.W. would finally say goodbye to his beloved Polly on January 3rd, 1928, when she would pass into the arms of her Savior at the age of 88. It was written of their marriage and parting that they, “had passed the 67th year of wedded life, a long, long time down the path of life they had walked side by side. And now in this world while the walk has ceased, yet we feel sure that journey has been taken up on the golden streets of the New Jerusalem and while Bro. Hensley will be lonely, yet like David of Old he can say I cannot recall but praise God I can meet her in the world where all tears and sorrow shall be passed away and no more farewells shall be spoken.” G.W would last but a few more years before joining his bride on those streets of gold. On March 14, 1931, at the age of 91, the Rev. George Washington Hensley, would finish his earthly journey. It was written about him that, “Brother Hensley lived and stood for a life of righteousness and truth, it mattered not when or where.” Their legacy would live on in their family and the many who found their faith in Jesus through their ministry to His Word.

We don’t write announcements like that anymore, but these are things worth remembering. We should know where we’ve come from, both as a people and as a nation. Learning about our history helps us to appreciate the difficulties that needed to be overcome for us to enjoy the benefits of life today.

In my own family history, I find a “perseverance of the saints” that reflects well on the Christian character of my ancestors. They came together and built faith and family. G.W. and Polly were married 67 years. His son, T.J., wouldn’t marry until the age of 31, but they were together for 50 years until his wife, Sarah’s passing. George and his wife, Dora were married for 55 years until Dora entered eternity.

These things matter and they are worth remembering. The novel I was determined to write is designed to be a good, and entertaining story, but it’s also a testimony to the grace and truth that are passed down through this heritage. I hope you’ll enjoy, Across the Shining Sea and the books that follow. They’re my own way of helping to preserve what is worth remembering from our family’s history.

The Remaking of the World by Andrew Wilson – Book Review

Andrew Wilson’s The Remaking of the World presents a compelling narrative that intertwines modernity with a biblical worldview, offering readers an intellectual history that reflects on the evolution of contemporary beliefs and values. Wilson’s exploration is not merely historical; it serves as a guide for navigating the complexities of today’s world, which he describes as “WEIRDER” — Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic. The subtitle of the book is “How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West”, but the book expands beyond the bounds of the founding of America to examine greater themes across the world, especially in Europe.

Overview of Themes

Wilson’s book is structured around three central themes: grace, freedom, and truth. He argues that these themes have been pivotal in shaping modern society, particularly through the lens of evangelical Christianity. For instance, he highlights how the abolitionist movement in England was significantly driven by evangelical leaders who recognized the moral imperative of freedom for all individuals. He states, “The same century that gave rise to our modern world also gave rise to the modern evangelical movement,” emphasizing the intertwined nature of faith and social progress

Grace

In discussing grace, Wilson delves into the rich tradition of evangelical hymnody during the 18th century. He cites figures like John Newton and Charles Wesley, illustrating how their hymns emphasized God’s free grace available to sinful humans. This focus on grace not only nurtured personal transformation but also inspired collective action against societal injustices.

Freedom

Wilson’s treatment of freedom is particularly poignant as he connects it to historical movements for social change. He notes that “the campaign to abolish slavery was led largely by evangelicals,” showcasing how religious conviction can catalyze significant societal shifts. This historical context serves as a reminder of the potential for faith to drive positive change in a world often marked by conflict and division.

Truth

The theme of truth is explored through Wilson’s examination of philosophical discourse during the Enlightenment. He discusses Johann Georg Hamann, a lesser-known figure who defended religious truth amidst rising secularism. Wilson argues that Hamann’s work illustrates a crucial apologetic for faith in an increasingly skeptical world: “We must remember that truth is not merely an abstract concept but a relational reality rooted in divine revelation”

Structure and Style

Wilson’s writing is both accessible and thought-provoking. While he does not claim to be a historian by profession, his research is thorough and well-integrated into his narrative. The book flows logically from one theme to another, allowing readers to grasp complex ideas without feeling overwhelmed. His ability to weave personal anecdotes with historical analysis gives the text a relatable quality.

Conclusion

In The Remaking of the World, Andrew Wilson successfully articulates how our current cultural landscape has been shaped by historical events and theological insights. He does not provide a prescriptive solution to modern challenges but rather encourages readers to engage thoughtfully with their faith in light of history. As he poignantly remarks, “To help the church thrive in a WEIRDER world,” we must understand our past and its implications for our future. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to comprehend the intersection of faith and modernity, making it a significant contribution to contemporary discussions on culture and spirituality.

Hope for the Future

2023 was a rough year. It began with the loss of my mother, and we experienced several more losses throughout the year. As we entered this year, I purposed to pray to grow in hope over the course of this year. Hope is a powerful force, as long as it is based on evidence. It is only as strong as what we put our hope in.

When we put our hope in weak and worthless things, our hope will wither and fail. This could be a person, a group of people or the latest and greatest thing in our lives, like a technology. People want to be seen as our hope. They promise a better plan or vision for the future. They tell us that if we put our trust in them, they will make our lives better.

They might provide what they promise, at least temporarily, but human hope is destined to fail. Political parties are corrupt. Men and women fall and even relying on yourself is only as good as your own ability to serve good purposes with consistency. When you put your hope in yourself, you end up with double discouragement of failing and only having yourself to blame.

During the Christmas season, it is common to think about the hope that the birth of Christ brings. We often forget that the coming of Christ was preceded by a 400-year period during which God appeared to be completely silent, with no prophets or revelation to His followers. None of us can understand what that might be like. We’re not good at waiting and even a delay of several months can seem like a long time.

By contrast, the followers of God had been steamrolled by one empire after another and were currently under Roman oppression. They were poor, powerless, and without many of the basic human rights that we would consider essential today. Into that darkness, God gave the light of Christ, a Savior almost entirely different from what most of them were waiting for. The book of Hebrews talks about this unique form of hope God was about to provide:

17 Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

Hebrews 6:17-19 (CSB)

This transformative hope was not in the sacrificial system. It “enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” It isn’t like a human hope, it is “firm and secure.” The prophet Isaiah looked ahead to this event:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.

Isaiah 9:2

This great light is not the light of Israel, not the light of a new coming earthly king. It is the light that is coming to guide them out of the darkness. It doesn’t lead them to follow a political party or an earthly hero. They are strongly encouraged to seize the hope that is set before them, which is a hope for eternity. That is the future Jeremiah promised as God’s prophet:

“For I know the plans I have for you”-this is the Lord’s declaration-“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

This promise was given to God’s followers when they were in exile, imprisoned in a land that was not their own. True hope doesn’t ignore the realities of the pain of life, but is grounded in God’s promises. Our hope renews in Him. It renews in our ultimate hope, which is in a place where there are no more sorrows and tears.

God has answered my prayer to grow in hope this year. It didn’t happen all at once and it didn’t happen because everything went right this year, or better this year than the year before. My hope has grown because it is more aligned with God’s reality. The evidence is all around us. We can see His sovereignty in the spiritual transformation of people from death to life. We can know our future is secure and our present is known to Him. As we remember the birth of hope with the first Christmas, trust in the creator of hope. He is the anchor for our soul, firm and secure.

Live Not By Lies – Book Review

Rod Dreher’s Live Not By Lies serves as a clarion call for Christians in America to navigate the complexities of truth in an age marked by misinformation and ideological conformity. Drawing on historical examples, particularly from the Soviet Union, Dreher emphasizes the importance of discernment in recognizing and resisting the lies propagated by contemporary culture.

Understanding the Context

Dreher opens with a stark reminder of the totalitarian regimes that have sought to suppress truth. He writes, “The great lesson of the dissidents is that we must not live by lies” (Dreher). This statement encapsulates his central thesis: that Christians must cultivate a robust understanding of truth to withstand societal pressures that demand conformity to false narratives. He argues that just as Soviet citizens had to navigate a landscape rife with propaganda, modern Americans face similar challenges, albeit in different forms.

The Role of Community

One of Dreher’s key insights is the necessity of community in fostering truth. He asserts, “We need to be part of a community that speaks the truth to one another” (Dreher). This underscores the idea that individual discernment is often insufficient; it is through communal engagement and accountability that Christians can better navigate the murky waters of information. By surrounding themselves with like-minded individuals who prioritize truth, believers can fortify their understanding against misleading ideologies. Real life is lived in this kind of community, whether it is family, church or other regular gatherings.

Discernment in Information Consumption

Dreher also provides practical guidance on how Christians can discern true information from falsehoods. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and skepticism towards mainstream narratives, stating, “The first step in resisting lies is to question everything” (Dreher). This call for skepticism does not imply a blanket distrust of all information but rather encourages a more discerning approach to consuming news and media. By critically evaluating sources and seeking out diverse perspectives, Christians can develop a more nuanced understanding of current events. This section reminded me of a non-fiction version of the manipulation taking place in my latest novel, The Agency: DDD Inc.

Historical Lessons

Throughout “Live Not By Lies,” Dreher draws parallels between past totalitarian regimes and present-day America. He highlights how complacency can lead to complicity in falsehoods, warning that “the price of freedom is eternal vigilance” (Dreher). This historical context serves as both a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration for believers today. By studying the resilience of dissidents who stood firm against oppressive regimes, Christians can find motivation to uphold their values in the face of contemporary challenges.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

In conclusion, “Live Not By Lies” is more than just a critique of modern society; it is a call to action for Christians to actively engage with truth. Dreher’s blend of historical analysis and practical advice equips readers with the tools necessary for discerning true information amidst a sea of lies. As he poignantly states, “Truth is not merely what we believe; it is what we live” (Dreher). This powerful assertion reinforces the idea that living out one’s faith requires an unwavering commitment to truth, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular.

For Christians grappling with misinformation and cultural pressures, Dreher’s work offers both guidance and encouragement. By fostering community, practicing discernment, and learning from history, believers can navigate today’s challenges with integrity and faithfulness.

Are Books Being Banned?

It’s Banned Book Week! As an author, every year during October, my feed is flooded with posts about banned books. The vast majority of the books highlighted in the posts are books an avid reader may have read.

Books like these are often prominently displayed as “banned books”

  • Charlotte’s Web
  • Harry Potter
  • The Lord of the Rings
  • 1984
  • Animal Farm
  • The Catcher in the Rye
  • The Color Purple
  • Their Eyes Were Watching God
  • The Hunger Games
  • The Giver
  • The Handmaid’s Tale
  • A Wrinkle in Time
  • To Kill a Mockingbird

I’ve read every one of those books. When we see those books, we are supposed to have a strong reaction to the post. Based on the responses I’ve read, these types of posts tend to be very effective.

As an author, I stand against book banning. I’ve lived outside of the United States since 2000 and have lived in countries where banning of information is very common. What’s more, I’ve met people who’ve lived in oppressive communist regimes where it was illegal to possess any book except the very few sanctioned by the government.

In one country, I owned a book publishing company. Every book we published had to be sent to the government censor board. If it passed the board successfully, we were given stickers to put on our books, showing they were legal to sell. Again, this applied to every book.

In that same country, there was a law that said it was illegal to insult the culture of the country. During my time there, many authors, including the two most widely read authors from that country were given criminal charges for things their fictional characters said in novels. All it took was a complaint from a reader to open a case like this.

Even in an environment like this, where access to websites like YouTube were banned for years at a time, the overall list of banned books remained low. In 2017, 300,000 books were gathered up by that country’s government and destroyed, but that was mostly about politics and the connection of those books to one group.

Behavior like this is common around the world. There are still many countries where the government tightly controls all book publishing. The most common books banned from sale and distribution are the Bible (In atheistic regimes and some Muslim countries) and the Satanic Verses (only Muslim countries). These books are truly banned in those countries, illegal for publication, sale and distribution. It is a criminal offense to be found with one of those books.

This fits the definition of book banning: “banned books are books or other printed works such as essays or plays which are prohibited by law or to which free access is not permitted by other means.” As you can probably guess, this is not the type of book banning highlighted by Banned Book week in the United States.

In fact, I’ve never seen anyone complain about the true book bans taking place in countries around the world during this week where we’re supposed to be so concerned with book bans. Curious. Isn’t it a crisis that far more people than the entire population of the United States live in countries where their governments are preventing them from reading most things freely? Because these situations involve government censorship, they are much more effective than bans of old. Some of the countries provide only a limited internet to their citizens to prevent them from accessing any restricted material.

The American Library Association runs a website of what they called banned and challenged books. They are the #1 supporter of Banned Books Week, though many participate now. Their website has been my go to resource for information on book restrictions. When you go through their lists of challenged books, that is usually what you find, restrictions. Even though the words “ban and banned” are used prominently in all the promotional materials, they list few books that have actually faced bans and none that meet the definition listed above.

As you probably know, most attempts at challenging or restricting books come from parents. They usually fall in one of three categories:

  • I think the book is not appropriate for a school or public library and access to it should be restricted according to age or parental permission (in years past, this is by far the most common type listed).
  • I think the book is not appropriate for a school or public library and it should be removed. (the closest thing to a ban as it would remove the book from all circulation in one specific library)
  • I think the book should not be on a required or suggested reading list because I feel it is inappropriate.

In schools, these requests usually go through the school board meetings or other public venues for the public school. In communities, it is not uncommon for the locals to act poorly and threaten their local library’s funding if the library is not responsive to the request.

Every one of the books that I saw listed on a list or meme are available for sale on Amazon, the largest book retailer in the world. The vast majority of the books can still be obtained for free by joining one of the many libraries making their catalogs available to people outside of their normal jurisdiction.

Regardless about how you feel about all of this, I’m in favor of an honest conversation regarding the issue. It is not truthful to promote books as being banned when they are only being restricted. Wide scale bans carried out by governments and powerful book publishing companies are much more dangerous than what is being promoted during this week.

In general, I’m in favor of local conversations about these issues. Reasonable, rational conversations. If a parent wants to have a say in what their minor child reads, I believe they should have that say. As a Christian, I don’t think I have the right to force minors to read Christian material if their parent doesn’t want them reading it. I wouldn’t want my children reading things against my value system without my knowledge and respect other parents’ right to hold to their standards for their children.

The closer these conversations happen to the books and the children, the better they will be. If a book is being restricted, not much ground is gained by an angry, national campaign based on misinformation. It would be much better for an advocate of that book to engage in face-to-face conversation about the merits of the book.

Just a note, I did find one example of a book ban in the US in recent years. Amazon has banned one book permanently from sale on its website. I was able to find the book from another source when I listened to it this summer, so even that is not truly a banned book. What is it? When Harry Became Sally by Ryan Anderson. I bet that book won’t be showing up on any of the lists you see this year or in the future.

Ordinary by Michael Horton – Book Review

Ordinary > Radical

That’s my two word review of the best Christian book I’ve read this year. A pastor friend of mine recommended this book to me earlier this year. It’s been out for almost a decade, but this was the first I’d heard of it. It’s an important message for the church today, especially the American Church.

14 years ago, the American Church was taken by storm by Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. It was a message that resonated across the generations. I’m Gen-X and I incorporated several key ideas from the book into a few sermons I preached in the years after that. It was a message on value realignment, challenging the American Church to pursue greater things, a departure that might seem radical to many.

This message has been received. The last generation came up into their faith with this big idea banging around every conference, campus ministry and missions initiative. The impact is undeniable. Millennials and Gen Y are choosing a more radical path in many ways. Unfortunately, sustaining such a life has proved daunting for many.

I’ve been in ministry for over thirty years, and burnout has always been a problem. Now, more so than burnout ending people’s passionate pursuit for this radical lifestyle, a new issue has emerged. Call it boredom, lack of focus or disappointment when radical results are slow to follow radical pursuits, but many of the most radical among us are abandoning their calling and some, their faith.

Just as Radical offered some valuable perspective for a section of the church, I would suggest this book offers a healing balm to those suffering from radical redux. Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World by Michael Horton is the everyman (and woman)’s book on the Christian life. It can help all of us recenter from “the cult of perpetual novelty.”

“Ordinary isn’t mediocre. It’s not a call to do less, but to not give up on things that we give up on, when we don’t see an immediate return“

Real life is lived in the trenches. The author cites a famous quote that says, “Everyone wants a revolution, no one wants to do the dishes.” If you’ve ever functioned in the daily grind of ministry, you know there are a lot of dishes to be done, chairs to be arranged and meals to be cooked.

It was C.S. Lewis who reminded us that, “The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life—the life God is sending one day by day: what one calls one’s “real life” is a phantom of one’s own imagination.” Ordinary also reminded me of another influential book, Long Obedience in the Same Direction, by Eugene Peterson. Both of these books help normal Christian people to understand the inherent value of the little, faithful things in this life.

“Only the worthiness of the object can sustain long term excellence.”

If the outcome we’re looking for is to “change the world” through our own impact and actions, it will be easy to become discouraged if we struggle or narcistic if we somehow find success. Instead, we should keep our focus on our Savior. If He is the object of our faith and of our passion, we will find our satisfaction in faithfulness.

Then, instead of using the people around as props or NPCs in the movie of our life, we can see them instead as objects of eternity, dearly loved by our creator. To quote Lewis again, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”

Ordinary calls us to move away from being “a generation of deluded narcissists” trying to use God as a “tool in our lifetime achievement award.” Instead, we are called to walk deeply with Him, to live well and sacrificially, and to be ready to die well when the time comes. Our goal is His glory, not our own. In the early pages, it might seem harsh, but those chapters serve as a reality check, designed to bring conviction to those who might have been sucked into one of these dangerous paths.

I appreciate that the second half of the book is instead focused on building. Helping people to understand what a faithful, consistent, ordinary life might look like. We still do good works, but not for salvation, but because even though “God doesn’t need our good works, our neighbor does.”

I can’t recommend Ordinary enough. It is a message I want my kids to read and all those who I care deeply for who want to walk faithfully with the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a short book, but well worth your time. Some Christians need to be called to a more radical Christian life, but we all are called to live and walk faithfully with Him in the small, quiet moments that fill the majority of our existence. Be encouraged. This has eternal value.

An Abundance of Life, Peace, Love, and Joy

The Gospel of John is a rich and deep book to dive into. My professor said it was so deep an elephant could swim in it, but so easy to start reading a child could wade into it. It is loaded with word pictures to help us understand who Jesus is and the message He brought to us.

In John 10, Jesus gives a teaching about the Good Shepherd and his sheep. Jesus compares Himself to things in the real world his audience was familiar with. In John 6, He’s the Bread of Life. In John 8, He’s the Light of the World. There are actually two in John 10. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, but He’s also the door.

We get a beautiful description of Jesus and His love and care for us as our shepherd in the beginning of the chapter. He knows us and we know Him. But in verses 7-10 of that passage, Jesus says He is the door or gate for the sheep. In verse 9, He says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” Then in verse 10, Jesus contrasts His purpose with that of Satan, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Jesus is offering not only life, but abundant life. A life that is more than we even need. A life that goes beyond ourselves and allows us to live as both a blessing to others and a testimony to the truth of who God is. We are called to a full life in Him, and not just full, but running over the edges. Abundant life, life that has an impact wherever it goes, not because of ourselves, but because of Christ in us, the hope of glory. It’s a life we want. We should all want an abundant life, but how do we obtain it and what does that look like?

To understand that, there is another passage in John that is helpful, in John 15:1-17

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

If you’ve ever tried to grow a plant, you know how important proper soil, water and sunshine are. Vines are no different, but sometimes they can be deceiving. In America, we have different types of Ivy, which can take over an entire wall or the side of a house. You might see a thick mass of green larger than the room you’re in. In Jesus’ analogy, you would be looking at the branches.

It is easy to look at the healthy growth of the branches and assume that what is visible is the most important part of the plant, but that’s not right. The branches aren’t the vine. They only look healthy and strong because of their connection to the source, the vine planted in the earth. Without that vine, the branches will wither and die. Without the vine, they will not be healthy. They won’t bear fruit. To abide means to stay connected to the vine. To remain in Him. To remain connected to Jesus. That is the secret to abundance of life. We abide in Jesus. We rest in Him.

By abiding in Christ, we’re promised this abundance of life that Jesus talked about in John 10. This is illustrated in three verses John 14:27, 15:10, and 15:11.

14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

This is the first fruit. The peace of Christ. This is not the peace of the world. It is something far better than that. It is a peace that is eternal. When we abide in Christ, we have His peace. The peace that cures a troubled heart and removes the fear of this world. It’s a peace we can share with a world that is desperately afraid of what they see and what is to come. A peace that flows out of a life abiding in Him.

John 15:10 –  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

When we abide in Christ, we have His love. That sacrificial love. A love that goes beyond human emotion. Jesus ties abiding in His love to keeping His commandments. He’s removing the pressure of knowing what to do. We live according to the rules the creator of the universe established. Clear commands that guide our lives in abiding in Him. It’s a love we can share with a world hungry for true love. A love that flows out of a life abiding in Him.

John 15:11 – “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

We can have access to Christ’s joy through the word of God. Fullness of joy. A joy that doesn’t run out. Something so much greater than happiness. We aren’t bound by the daily ups and downs of our life on this earth, but by the truth of a security with our creator. A joy that we can share. A joy that flows out of a life abiding in Him.

The fruitfulness of having Christ’s peace, love and joy in our lives is the impact on the world. As we live as repentant beings, fully humbled in Christ so that it is His peace, love and joy the world sees, we can bear the blessed fruit of seeing people respond by coming to know Him. They become the fruit we have the privilege of introducing to the vine, to Christ.

The world doesn’t forgive. The world doesn’t know peace in the face of chaos and difficulties. The world only loves in return or out of selfish motives. The joy of the world is fading or often comes at the expense of others.

But as we live this life, abiding in Christ. As we exchange our old life, the life of the flesh, for a new life that is Christ’s, we show the world the message that we proclaim. That our only hope is in Him and that their only hope is to believe and give their lives over to Him.