What does it mean for the Christian to be "in the world, but not of the world?"

Mouw's treatment is very balanced and christocentric. He avoids the pitfall of a separatist fundamentalist approach that would have the church isolated in a Christian ghetto for the sake of some well-intentioned, yet misguided, notion of purity. At the same time, he avoids the temptation of many Christians today who uncritically accept the ethos of an increasingly secular society.

Mouw's solution to the question of how we as Christians relate to the surrounding culture is through the classic Reformed doctrine of common grace. Even though non-believers do not participate in God's saving grace, they do participate in God's grace that is common to all of humanity. On the basis of common grace, a Christian may enter into friendships with non-believers, appreciate the beauty of art produced by non-believers, and partner with non-believers for the improvement of society. The difficulty, that Mouw recognizes, is in discerning the appropriate type of involvement with persons in the non-believing culture. Sometimes we can draw too far back from being a witness for Christ, and sometimes we can get unnecessarily entangled and even seduced by the culture. Nevertheless, the task of every Christian is to "make disciples of all of the nations", and that requires engaging the culture at some level. In the end, Mouw would have us err on the side of the "wideness of God's mercy" as opposed to living in isolation.

I never had the privilege of meeting Richard Mouw when I was a student at Fuller, but I wish I did! If you are familiar with the themes and history of Dutch Reformed theology, you will benefit greatly from this book. However, even if your knowledge of Reformed thought is sparse, you will still profit. Even if you do not know all of the thinkers that Mouw discusses, you will appreciate how he explains the issues in a biblical manner that impact all Christians everywhere.

My only qualm with the book is that I wish Mouw had spent more time doing exegesis of the Scriptures, but I think that was partly due to the fact that the book was originally a set of lectures meant to address theological themes. If one reads the references mentioned in Mouw's footnotes, then you will find plenty of Scripture to work with.

I purchased this book after hearing Dr. Mouw's presentation at a conference at Calvin College. In it, he accomplishes much: he delivers a brief but cogent explanation of common grace, fairly represents the alternative argument against common grace, and encourages the reader to consider the importance of so-called "common grace" ministries. Any controversy as Mouw describes it between common and particular grace is rooted in differences primarily among Dutch reformed congregations. However, the differences have wide cultural implications and strike at the heart of how the Body of Christ responds to the non-Christian world. Theological nuances aside, Mouw encourages us to consider all that God creates to be fully worthy of our respect and compassion - including those who do not appear to be among the elect.

The beauty of this book is in its brevity. Mouw provides an excellent introduction to the theology of common grace, a brief explanation of supra- and infralapsarianism (an important but obtuse theological distinction), and most importantly, how common grace translates to the exercise of compassion through common grace ministries like psychotherapy. I highly recommend this book.

In this short volume (100 pages), Richard Mouw discusses the roots and implications of the doctrine of Common Grace. Though written for an audience familiar with Reformed theology, Mouw's defense of Common Grace should be required of all (especially evangelical) Christians who struggle with the implications of what it means to be "in the world but not of the world." The author's argument is sophisticated and he makes a powerful case that there is much in God's creation that Christians should embrace.

This book is a great way to see how fashion works and all the things that is in the job the pictures are great if youre thinking about being a fashion designer than you need to buy this

This is a really nice book. Lots of glossy color photos of star designers add to the enjoyment of reading this book. It's great for little or big girls interested in fashion. I especially liked the story of the little girl who made up a new kind of mitten. She's been very successful with her efforts. It shows that not everyone has to go to design school to be a success in the field.

This book was excellent. It has all the criteria that is needed to fulfill any book on this specific topic. Fashion designing is one of my most enjoyed hobbies and this book has done it all. From sewing to buying, this book suits anyone. I recommend it to anyone - whether you do or don't like clothes. It is perfect!~ If you have ever read the book, "Fashion Sketchbook" and loved it, than you will like this one a whole lot more. "Fashion Sketchbook" got a four-star review and I rate this book five-star. Enjoy this book, it is full of helpful hints on every fashion flaw there is. So...get reading!

to be a young man at 90 years of age must be a truly marvellous thing, and there is more to life than 70 or 80 years

This book was the most amazing I've read in years. Written better than other books on same topic. While others are trying to convince us that some unknown host of drugs and technologies will make us live longer, there are humble mountain-dwellers who are enjoying life at 120 or more.

The book explores the lifestyle of thoserare people on earth who enjoy life to its fullest for over 100 years. There are family photos of century old persons. A wonderful book. The men have their hair and libido into old old age. And they survive quite well without ice cream and cars.

I just finished teaching a two-year adult Sunday-school study of Judges, and I found this commentary extremely useful. Wilcock is able to think creatively about these age-old stories, and often brings a provocative, New Testament sensibility to his applications. He also has a clear, lucid and penetrating style that makes this book quite approachable, and not overly cerebral. Recommended.

Thanks, Joe Smith. I purchased this book on your recommendation above and have found it very helpful. The stories in Judges read like adventure stories. They are fun but you are tempted to consider them just a break from the serious work of the Lord's word. Wilcock is really helping me understand the spiritual meaning behind the stories - to see how they truly are examples of how God works our deliverance for all times and places. How God is faithful to His promises but you can't pin Him down as to how is is going to deliver. If you are interested in exploring Judges - a comparitively little-read work of the Old Testament, I also highly recommend this commentary.

I've just finished teaching a two-year adult Sunday school class in Judges, and Wilcock's book was extremely helpful. He takes a long-range spiritual view, often with a New Testament perspective, of this intricate and tricky Old Testament masterpiece. There were many times when I simply read aloud to my adult students lengthy paragraphs from Wilcock's book. Very level-headed, reverent, and insightful. Highly recommended for those who believe God's Word and wish to study it "with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind."

I can't recall when I've ever felt so strongly the musical rhythm of an author's style, or the extent to which it changes to suit the tempo of the action and themes. In the first third of this wonderful book by a very talented writer, conversations between the simple Mary and Granny Tamihana, the guardian of Maori traditions, echo and sound like chants; between Roimata and Hemi, a happily married couple, they resemble duets with complimentary themes. The scene in which Mary gives birth is a grand, complex chorus with the several family members singing over, around, and above each other as they fight for the narrative line. Toko's story of his big fish is a soaring aria which ventures into a mystical realm, for Toko is a seer. And all this music seems totally appropriate to the lives of these Maori characters living in harmony with the land and their ancestors.

The middle third of the book changes, as Hemi, the father of the family, abruptly introduces the harsh notes of reality which occur when "the works" closes down, and he and his friends find themselves unemployed. In mournful tones he comments on the loss of tradition, language, and connection to the land which are coming about as education is imposed on their children by outside authorities, and people such as himself accept outside jobs. Their very existence as a group is also threatened by developers who want to buy their land to put up hotels, build seaside parks where visitors can play with the dolphins and whales, and commercialize the lifestyle these Maori have enjoyed all their lives.

In the final third of the book, as the Maoris fight for their land, the staccato, simple language is like the harsh beat of a war drum, and the songs disappear from the language, not returning until the rebuilding of the sacred house and the funeral of a key character bring about harmony and poetry once again.

It is hard to imagine that Patricia Grace did not deliberately tailor her prose style to her subject matter, yet this seems so completely natural--so totally without artifice--that one wonders if this harmony of words and subject might be the ultimate, triumphant example of the unity of story and life which she so vividly celebrates in this memorable and touching novel.

This was a mandatory book in a Pacific Literature class. Lucky for me. It is filled with complex symbolism that tells not only of a land struggle for a people who are holding on to their traditions, but how they learn, and choose what they take from "Western" ideas in order to fight for what little of their own land that the government has left for them. A lot of other people -including Hawaiians- are going through this now, which makes this book as relevant today as it was when it was written.

The story is told through Toko, a deformed child who has a special knowing. He is central figure in the book, and not only as a story teller. His "second mother", Roimata, is the other story teller. Although, everyone has a story, they are the only two who actually tell the stories. It is an enriching and enlightening book for anyone familiar or not familiar with Moari culture or the struggles between land developers, government, and native peoples of any country or island. It is also much more than that, but I don't want to write an essay just to tell you how great the book is!

By luck, I got this book from my local library on recommendation of a friend. After reading it I still felt the emotions of these Maori people who maintain their ancient traditions and beliefs in a thoroughly modern world. The impact of old/new carvings, the constant sound and smell of the sea conflicting with modern bulldozers and "Dollarmen" trying to outwit the villagers, is only part of the story. You feel you can enter the minds of the family members who tell the story, mostly in English, but some in beautiful Maori poetry. You may not know what the words mean, but try reciting them out loud and you sense the deep meaning of them.

Just picked up a copy of "Quilted with Love"... it is a beautifully put together book with warm anecedotes and prayers about quilts and the stories behind the fabric patches. It seems to be a tribute to the women and personalities and lessons in Debbie Goodwin's life, but with some universal applications. A great gift book!

Wow! What a great book! It tugged at my heartstrings. Debbie Salter Goodwin expresses each short story so well, that I felt I was right there looking at the quilts she was talking about. Real life events, which include the feelings and desires of what inspired these women to stitch a quilt, makes for great reading material. I have been buying this book as great gifts for all the women of my family. My husband likes to read the stories too. I would recommend, "Quilted With Love", for any mother, grandmother, or friend. There is something they can relate to in every story.

A friend showed me this book at a recent gathering and I fell in love with it immediately. I rushed out and bought my own copy and one for my mother. Being a quilter myself made it all the more special. The stories are short, a quick read. They are filled with everyday reminders of grace and beauty, just as the title reads. I started out reading one story a day, but found that I couldn't put it down. I just finished the book and plan to read it again. If you read devotionals each day, add this one to your daily reading. I has touched my life.

Sent by her uncle to work on a truck farm during WWI, pretty, gentle Hilda Lessing uncovers a nest of German spies and risks her life to bring them to justice. Her faith and courage bring the admiration of a young train engineer.

A young woman takes a job on an isolated farm. So what's the big deal about that? Well, it turns out that her employers are a bunch of German spys and our young heroine finds herself in a whole passle of trouble and more danger and excitement than anyone would ever wish for. She has to make a daring escape, before she can take refuge in the arms of the man who has promised to protect her. I'd tell you more, but I might ruin it. But if you like mystery, wild chase scenes, and romance, you might like to check out this book. The hero is everything a girl could ever dream of...

This is a great book, full of suspense and excitement! If you're writing a mystery novel but got stumped, or if you're just looking for something good to read, get "The Red Signal"! Anything by Grace Livingston Hill is sure to be good!

This book is an excellent history of how the midwest was settled - a little like House on the Prairie, but for grownups. From her childhood in a sod house to the Nebraska Sandhills as an adult, she accurately tells the story of what it was like to live in a rapidly changing world. It is amazing to think of how hard life was on the prairie, and yet she found time to make the most exquisite quilts. I read this book because I know of Grace Snyder as a master quilter, and enjoyed this book because of all I learned about the settling of my state, particularly the Sandhill region, of which I knew very little. She brings you into her family, and you rejoice in their accomplishments, and share in their sorrows. This book is a gem.

As a little girl, Grace Snyder had three dreams: to marry a cowboy, to see the top side of a cloud, and to make the most beautiful quilts in the world. This book is about how her dreams came true. Grace lived at about the same time as Laura Ingalls Wilder, and her story is similar. She tells about her girlhood, her marriage and family, and making the quilts that earned her many ribbons and a reputation as one of America's finest quilters. She tells about good times and bad times, but throughout the book is the joy of a woman who lived the life of her dreams.

Grace Synder is my great aunt. i read this book when i was a child. iam now married to a quilter and i want to share the story whith her. Aunt Grace lived a long life and i whish she was here to give my wife some of her ideas. I have fond memorys of her that will last a lifetime.

This is a remarkable, touching story of God's grace at work in the heart and life of a man a lot of people -- including himself -- thought was beyond redemption. God has no limitations when it comes to reflecting His limitless love for those who respond to His love, His mercy and His grace. I felt compelled to continue to discover more about this man's life, the driving force in his redeemed life and the ministry he has started to reach other men in the a similar situation as he was when he was so uniquely touched. It is a powerfully inspiring story for all of us. I highly recommend it.

I read Terry's book in nearly one sitting. It's the kind of book you just can't put down. The end of each chapter entices you to get into the next one. It's good to finally read of someone who takes responsibility for his own failure and sin without excuse.

How marvelous is God's love and grace expressed in Mr. King's testimony throughout this book. I was overwhelmed with the miraclous change in this man's life and yet not surprised in what the power of God can accomplish in one's life when the heart is open only to His will. A living testimony written to further accomplish what God has for each of us when we look to Him for deliverance. A book you will not put down when you once open it's pages. Thr first thought will be to pass it on. God's grace is truly amazing.