Book reviews for Autumn 2022
No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions / Suffering Wisely and Well: The Grief of Job and the Grace of God / Humbled: Welcoming the Uncomfortable Work of God
No Shortcut to Success:
A Manifesto for Modern Missions
Matt Rhodes (Crossway, 2022). 270 pp.
Rhodes, a missionary to North Africa, has written a provocative book that should be read and discussed widely. He reminds us that taking the gospel to those who have never heard is work that is long and hard. He wants us to approach ministry with devotion to excellence, which includes investing in theological education and mastering the language and culture where we serve. He also wants missionaries to avoid shortcuts by giving adequate time and energy to the task (p. 35). Years of careful preparation are needed to plant churches.
Rhodes looks at some of the shortcuts in missions and gives specific criticisms of church planting movements and disciple making movements, examining these methods in the light of scripture. He contends that foundations cannot be built in a hurry (p. 75). Undue emphasis on speed compromises the goal of planting churches that last. In the second part of the book, Rhodes shows how we can correct our course. He emphasizes learning the local language well so we can share the gospel clearly and boldly. He gives wise counsel on equipping and sending missionaries who will endure until mature churches are established. We all long to see churches multiply rapidly, but Rhodes reminds us that to see lasting fruit come from our labor, we need to persevere and avoid shortcuts.
Reviewer rating is 4 of 5 stars ★★★★☆
Suffering Wisely and Well: The Grief of Job and the Grace of God
Eric Ortlund (Crossway, 2022). 191 pp.
Ortlund, lecturer in Old Testament at Oak Hill College in London, writes “to help Christians suffer well by being wise about suffering” (p. 175). After an introductory chapter on the varieties of suffering in the Bible and our response, Ortlund carefully works through the book of Job. “What distinguishes a Job-like ordeal from other kinds of suffering is the intensity of the pain and its inexplicableness” (p. 33). Each of the chapters on Job ends with a summary and application, such as “The one loss that pains Job most deeply out of all his losses is the loss of intimacy with God” (p. 98). Ortlund’s treatment of God’s speeches is particularly enlightening. This book helps us understand better the modern-day Jobs we meet and to recognize that suffering is part of the life of discipleship.
Reviewer rating is 4 of 5 stars ★★★★☆
Humbled: Welcoming the Uncomfortable Work of God
David Mathis (B&H Publishing, 2021). 116 pp.
Mathis, executive editor of desiringGod.org and pastor at Cities Church in Minnesota, has gifted us with a helpful study on how to pursue humility. How do we respond to the humbling circumstances that God permits in our lives? Mathis reminds us that we are never treated unfairly by God. What do we do when we meet God’s frowning providence? “Will I humble myself before God, or resist in pride? Will I welcome his severe awakening, or kick against this kindness?” (p. 29). Humility begins with hearing the Word of God. We learn to walk the path of humility on our knees in prayer. The humility of Christ in Philippians 2 shows us that true humility is “God’s image shining in its fulness” (p. 105). God’s humbling hand is not painless, but God is always gracious. This is a book that helps us learn how to welcome God’s uncomfortable work.