As anyone in ministry will tell you (if they are honest), there are times when we lose our cutting edge and become rather dull. This is true for both clergy and laity involved in ministry.

Rick Ezell's book, Ministry on the Cutting Edge, is fantastic. Having been in pastoral ministry for nearly 25 years, I know there are times when I lost the cutting edge. This is one of those rare books that focuses on certain skills needed in ministry. But its focus in not on learning on these skills as much as much as encouraging us to use them to continually sharpen the cutting edge of our ministry.

I recently picked up this book while on vacation. As I read it, I was challenged to review my ministry and make sure my ministry's cutting edge was sharp. "Ministry on the Cutting Edge" is a fairly easy book to read. But don't let that fool you. It will challenge you, as it did me, to make sure the cutting edge of your ministry remains sharp by taking care of your personal life.

Ezell lists nine issues that help a person maintain a sharp cutting edge in ministry: Vision, Investments, Balance, Priorities, Prayer, Worship, Leadership, Integrity, and Passion. Ezell states correctly, "The blessings of God and the effectiveness of ministry hinge upon the private, personal life of the minister."

If you have allowed the cutting edge of your ministry to get dull, I strongly encourage you to read this book. As we sharpen and maintain the cutting edge of our ministry, we will find that what we are doing is affecting those we minister to in a more positive, life-changing way.

If you are interested in your ministry remaining sharp, then this book is a Must Read.

It is a winner!

By writing this book Richard Muller has done a wonderful service, both for serious students of Calvin as well as the casual reader who has the slightest interest in the Reformer's thought. Muller presents Calvin's thought in its own context, demonstrating in the process how often his writings have been misconstrued by modern scholars asking modern questions of texts that were written over four hundred years ago.

One of the keys to Muller's work is his use of original documents, whereby he unfolds the relationship between the various genres in Calvin's body of works. He shows that Calvin's magnum opus, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, serves a limited purpose in his corpus, and must be carefully read in the context of both his sermons and his biblical commentaries. This insight alone clears away generations of false conclusions, and reveals details that other scholars have failed to note. Further, Muller provides important insights into the development and structure of The Institutes.

This book is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand Calvin. It is also a model for how documents from earlier ages of church history ought to be read and studied. No serious student of church history should be without it.

Dr. Riccards' book is an excellent review of the modern papacy, from the fall of the papal states to John Paul II. As the millenium nears, and John Paul's papacy nears its end, this book helps readers understand the social and political forces that define the leader of the church.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about how the papacy came to be in 1999.

This book is a fascinating treatise describing the development of Southern Baptist theology from the bedrock of Calvanism to the weeds of docrinal dissention which threaten to choke life from biblical inspiration. It is a well written book which educates, inspires and provokes serious thought about the origins and future of Southern Baptist theology. This book should be required reading for anyone, be they laity, ministers, or all who are curious about Southern Baptists. It is a worthy addition to any library.

In recent years Christians have become increasingly polarized around the question of what and how women should serve in the church and in the world, with rival organizations, conferences, books and articles all catching the public eye. Competing explanations of scripture, of history, and of human nature all vie for attention, while on the ground, churches and Christian ministries find themselves in tension between members who not only disagree, but question the fidelity of those with whom they differ. Linda Belleville has served us well with a book that moves sure-footedly through the issues: she gathers and concisely presents evidence for the actual roles women played in New Testament times, sets well the context for understanding Biblical statements, and judiciously presents and weighs differing interpretations of crucial texts about women and about leadership in the church. This is a book to move the discussion forward, eliminating some points of contention, and clarifying what's at issue in others.

Richard Rubenstein delves into the complicated Arian heresy of the 4th century and writes a readable account of the times and personalities that were part of Roman and church history. Rubenstein does not always quote from letters or council documents at times when the quotation seems critical, but he summarizes well. One criticism I would have is that he develops ten chapters very well, but the last seems to be hurried, like the climax in a novel that the author is rushing to after making painstaking plot developments. Overall I believe that Rubenstein does a good job explaining the context of Roman history in which Constantine was trying to unify the empire through a unifying religion. To today's perspective it may seem that the riots which occurred over phrases, even a single word, that makes such a fine distinction, were extreme.

For those who read this book to find out how Jesus became God, they will discover it had to do the Nicene Council. This does not answer how Jesus actually did become God. As a historian, Runbenstein does not deal with this from faith. This faith is what caused the riots, the murders, the excommunications and eventually the split between not only the eastern and western Roman empires, but also between the eastern and western churches. One wonders how this is a work of God - from the faith perspective.

Reading this book can help to explain how today's broad spectrum of religious faiths can both unify and divide the world. Still Constantine, Constantius and others probably could name make any other decisions than they did. The complexity of conscience and political realities as well as raw survival is very hard to determine. People so the best they can.

Those first few centuries after Jesus lived were filled with more turmoil within the young Christian church than I could've imagined. This book tells the history of the Nicene creed and outlines the emergence of many specific beliefs still embraced by the orthodox christian church today, for example the belief that Jesus was God incarnate.

As a youngster, I was taught that all the beliefs, traditions, rituals and heretical definitions were basically handed down to the Christian church directly from God, but upon reading the New Testament for myself, I began to wonder where all these things actually came from. This book does a wonderful job of explaining how the church as it currently stands was originally formed through a series of events taking place more than 300 years after Jesus' life on Earth.

If, as a Christian, you are even remotely interested in knowing where the definitions of "Christianity" and "heresy" came from, and who decided what the rules should be, this is the book to read.

There are far too few books on this crucial period of Church history in existence today, and after reading this rare gem perhaps you will understand why.

This is an engrossing book about the early Christian Church's struggle with defining the nature of Jesus. What many Christians probably do not appreciate is that in the Forth Century, for nearly seventy years the Church hierarchy fought each other tenaciously regarding the views of a priest by the name of Arius.

The Arian controversy threatened to divide all of Christendom. Radical Arianism believed that Jesus was not God at all, while Conservative Arianism believed that Jesus became God by growing in wisdom and virtue. Interestingly enough, it was the Conservative Arians in the Eastern Roman Empire who believed that Jesus was not God by nature, but that he earned his deification by growing in wisdom and virtue.

The significance of this book is two fold. First, it illustrates the development of defining the nature of Jesus and how one group happened to win over the other group, but it could have had a different outcome if not for certain historical events. What Christians today take for granted as absolute truth is shown to have been a closely fought battle for hegemony and doctrine.

Secondly, it is only my own theory, but maybe there was some Buddhist influence in the Eastern Roman Empire that helped formulate the Conservative Arian view that Jesus grew in wisdom and virtue to the extent of deification. Rather than reach nirvana, Jesus reached godhood.

The historical struggle of doctrinal views in the early Christian Church should be fascinating reading for both Christian and non-Christian alike.

What a powerful book! Wurmbrand holds nothing back as he relates his many years in a Communist prison. Beaten, starved, totured... at yet he still came out of prison preaching about God's never-failing love.

In his son's book BETWEEN HAMMER & SICKLE (by Mihai Wurmbrand) he gives a most powerful and awe-inspiring message to his son:

"Mihai, you know that in prison I had no Bible. I have forgotten it. I have forgotten all my theology. But these things I know for sure. First, there is a living God and he is our loving father. Second, Jesus Christ is the savior and bridegroom of our souls. Third, the Holy Spirit works in us to make us more and more Christ-like. Fourth, there exists beyond question an eternal life. And lastly, love is the best of ways. This is what I have learned in prison."

If that doesn't stir you, what does?

...A Christian-Jew in a Communist Country. If you think you need an example of a true Believer, then you should definitely read TORTURED FOR CHRIST and BETWEEN HAMMER & SICKLE.

I just finished "Tortured for Christ." As a busy executive, I have never typed a book review, possibly because I have never been so over-whelmed by such a book as this! This book by Richard Wurmbrand, not only addresses how he persevered through "unimaginable" suffering at the hands of his tormentors, but also is a clear warning and wake-up call to those of us living in America! Our great country is currently slipping down the same slope that eventually took over his country of Romania. For example: Just as the Communist Party, through the CYO (Communist Youth Organization) forbade parents teaching their own children about God (at the expense of prison and "life" separation from them), the "radical liberals" are very effective in brain-washing our youth through the public school system. In addition, we see the increase of government intervention in our personal lives as more and more the norm. Our freedoms, given to us by our "God-fearing" Founding Fathers, are slowly being eroded and Pastor Wurmbrand's book gives clarity as to how the "unthinkable" can become reality for us!

Even though this book was very difficult to read from an emotional viewpoint (when evil goes unchecked the unthinkable occurs), I was greatly encouraged by the amazing perseverance of Pastor Wurmbrand, his fellow prisoners and the power Underground Church. He was so grateful for the grace and mercy that Christ had covered him with, that he could truly "love" his tormentors. This "inconceivable" ability can only be possible through the supernatural presence of the "Living God". It's interesting to note that you can say the name of Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, numerous Hindu gods, etc., but no name in heaven or earth stirs the soul (for or against) like the name of Jesus Christ! Pastor Wurmbrand's unwavering integrity - never compromising the truth of his convictions - was truly inspiring!

"Tortured for Christ," a book written almost 40 years ago, will change the way you think about those persecuted for righteousness - FOREVER!

A truly pivotal moving book about the atrocities that a number of christians have and are experiencing in socialist countries - TORTURED FOR CHRIST is an affecting account shared and experienced by the author himself, Richard Wurmbrand, who have been tortured, starved and imprisoned all because of his faith and cause for Christ.

No particular form of belief have been found throughout history which have suffered as much of its believers than those of true christianity. The so-called-christian church scandals found from Jimmy Swaggart to Jim Baker's "ministries" (w/c the media have loved and overwhelmingly popularized) are all washed away of any significance compared to the accounts found recorded in his book if the subject of true christianity is concerned.
With such men, women, and even children standing for their faith in Christ amidst tortures, imprisonment, and even death itself - these are the people that really represent the truth and reality found in the Faith that speaks to the world in screaming certainty, quite resembling the authentic obedience to Christ of Mother Teresa of Calcuta, found through her ministries (who died around the time when princess Diana did, whom she surpassed in the number of her charity work but is much less heralded on the time of her passing away than the much celebrated said princess).

You want proof in God? Then read this book. I've read it some years ago, but the stories i've read here are still stuck in my mind throughout the years since.

Also, check out Wurmbrand's book on Marx and see what is the true spirit at work within communism.

You really do have to be a Catholic to truly appreciate this wonderful book. As a Catholic schoolgirl entering her eleventh year in Catholic school (scary, isn't it?), I can fully relate to this. I honestly don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my entire life.

You know what the funniest thing about this book is? Everything in it is true...from the different kinds of nuns to Father What-a-Waste (sigh); from the description of mortal and venial sins to the purchasing of pagan babies. Well, they don't sell pagan babies anymore, but they did in my mother's day.

Even a staunch Catholic like my grandmother would have to crack a smile at the descriptive, colorful language and the abfab portrayal of the sometimes ridiculous traditions of the world's most scandalous, under-fire church. This book is a must-read for all Roman Catholics, practicing or no.

I laughed all the way through this, which must be a sin! If you are a Catholic like me you will remember everything this book talks about. In fact, I had forgotten a lot of it. I'm a little surprised it did not go into Knights of Columbus Halls (a.k.a. - the Catholic bar) and Bingo (a.k.a. - Catholic gambling) a little more. But heck, they sure covered everything else. I have to go now, I have to finish crossing myself and say a few dozen hail Mary's.

...because if you went to Catholic school, you can relate. I first read this book ten years ago when I was in Catholic school, and the nuns didn't take it away from me (amazing!). I laughed my a** off. For those of you who have read it and aren't Catholic, yes, we do practice for everything, yes, the nuns are that bad (but they don't have clickers anymore). This book is hilarious. Please, please get it and read it, cover to cover. You will laugh every time you read it.

The author is up front about his devout belief in the holy calling of Joseph Smith, Jr. as a modern-day prophet. He, therefore, takes Mr. Smith at his word as it relates to the chronology of many of the important LDS claims. He is otherwise reasonably critical and respectably analytical with the context of Joseph's arrival in the world up through the movement of the early Mormons to Kirtland, Ohio in 1831. Mr. Bushman confirms contemporary belief of the final composition of 1 & 2 Nephi after the rest of the Book of Mormon, as well as contrasting the early Mormon view of "restoration" being simply restoring Israel to its rightful place to the later, more fundamental "restoration" that the LDS Church holds today. I would have loved to read more of his analysis of the development of the early Mormon priesthood hierarchy, from Joseph and Oliver Cowdery as 1st and 2nd Elders of the Church, respectively, to the later Rigdonite, full-blown priesthood. Still, there's only so much one can cover in a "Beginnings" book. A great read for students, faithful LDS/Community of Christ/etc. or otherwise, of early Mormon history.

Richard L. Bushman is possibly the best historian on the subject of the Mormons. This book is thoroughly documented. Bushman focuses very much on the culture that Joseph Smith grew up in, he duscusses Joseph Smiths parents and grandparents on how they may have influenced him. Bushman is very honest and objective in his approach to the early life Joseph Smith. Bushman does not get caught up in verifying or disproving the claims of Joseph Smith. Bushman just states the facts and interprets when necesary. Richard Bushman is writing a full biography about Joseph Smith which I believe will become the definitive biography of Joseph Smith. Bushman also gives a very fair explanation on the Book of Mormon which is the most important work by Joseph Smith.

Bushman truly lives up to his reputation as a historian with this book. This work is both fair and engrossing, and it seems a very even way to learn about a man who was important in both helping to define American religious feeling and adding yet another dimension to the dynamic world of the early American republic. Another reviewer on this site declared Bushman's insights as dry, politically correct, and biased. This review demonstrated an amateur approach to history. As an academic historian, Bushman tries and succeeds to weigh all facts and give a needed view of Joseph Smith. Bushman is not the first professional historian to write a serious work for his peers about the history of his own faith, although he may be one of the first Mormon to do so. As any conscientious historian writing from such a perspective, he admits to his reader his biases and how he dealt with them to offer an accurate portrait of Joseph Smith. "Obsessively footnoted," said that reviewer. Spare me. That's what professional historians do. A person glancing at those footnotes would see how Bushman's thorough use of sources has helped him be a judicious historian. Read this book. It's a great read and a very important contribution.

Richard Lischer's "Open Secrets" is a charming book detailing his three years as a pastor of a small Lutheran church in New Cana, Illinois. This was Lischer's first assignment as a pastor fresh from divinity school (he's now a teacher at Duke's Divinity School) and contains many candid, poignant looks at his experience.

Lischer writes eloquently and honestly about his experiences in divinity school (very little of the book is spent on those experiences, and this is unfortunate because what glimpses we do get are both humorous and insightful) and his time learning how to be an effective pastor at a small church in a rural midwest town. He's honest in his approach as he portrays his feelings of nervousness, disappointment in his assignment, and his occasionally blunt/occasionally amusing opinions of those who make up this congregation. He discusses baptisms, visits to hospitals, talks with confused church members, wooing new potential members, funerals, and the interesting interpersonal relationships that develop between a pastor's family and the congregation.

Overall this is an enjoyable, quick read, but I feel it could have been far more interesting if the author had spent some more time discussing his ministry (and his approach to it) and less time on the personal stories of those in the congregation. Nevertheless, a worthwhile read if not a typical glimpse into beginning life as a pastor in a small midwestern town. Recommended.

This was another one of those books that I really couldn't put down. I'm about to enter the seminary and a pastor loaned this book to me because it accurately reflected the life of a minister--especially a minister in a small town. It was fascinating to say the least. One aspect of this book which I found particularly interesing was the bredth of the problems that Rev. Lischer had to deal with: a teenager who is pregnant and fears telling her father because he'll beat her; a seventeen-year-old girl who's having an affair with a thirty-five-year-old man and doesn't understand why people are against it; advice to the man who is considering quitting his job at a factory to concentrate on farming full time; should contemporary songs be introduced to an extremely traditional congregation?; a young, frightened woman who is about to undergo emergency surgeory and her husband. I found myself asking myself what I would say in these situations as I may very well be facing them some day soon.

One piece of advice that Lischer points out once, but occurs more that he realizes is that reflecting the love and compassion that God has for you in your dealing with others tends to work. When Lischer treated people with respect and love, as God would have us treat others, things turned out pretty good for him; when he attempted to impose his own personal political feelings, things tended not to work out as well. Lischer does attempt to impose his own views quite often in the book--from the time he tried to have the American flag removed from the sanctuary of the church to his own biases concerning against "restrictive" tradition in the modern Lutheran church.

In sum, this has been an incredibly helpful book for me as I went about making my decision to enter the ministry. Although this book is well worth the read, I did have problems as an ordained minister tended to write against traditional religion and I was disappointed to find that Lischer wrote little about the domestic ups and downs of pastoral work (he briefly mentions a fight he and his wife had concerning the amount of time spent working versus the amount of time spend with his family). Recommended.

This book is good for a laid back look at a small country church in the "sticks". The reading is easy, entertaining and informative.

Although the author's religious background (Lutheran) is different from mine (Reformed, Christian Reformed Church), I never felt slighted (well, except for the one time he referred to us "Calvinists").

I was a little nervous about the lack of his references to God and God's leading. However, I gave the benefit of the doubt that it was the intent of the author to not throw "religion" in the face of the reader. That has pros and cons. I would have liked to have read more about his personal religious journey with God, not just with other people.

Overall, an enjoyable book, especially for someone like me who is usually more heavily into non-fiction.