Blue Parakeet Coming Soon

One of my favorite authors is Scot McKnight, a superblogger, author, theologian, professor, and overall pretty incredible guy.  I have read a number of books he has written, and he always seems to inspire, challenge, and motivate me with his writings.  He’s one of the few who I think can write in a truly deep academic style as well as an engaging devotional style.  Not many can bridge that gap.

Scot has a new book coming out in a few weeks, and I’m privileged to get an advanced reader copy.  I’m digging through it, and will be posting a couple of reviews of The Blue Parakeet soon. Should women be allowed to teach?  Be pastors?  Be elders?  Should they be completely silent in the church?  McKnight’s book arrives in timely fashion on the scene when I think these questions are being asked.  I can tell you that I’m wrestling with the text, and I encourage you to order this and read it right away!

 

Pop Goes The Church #1

I’m previewing a new book that Tim Stevens is writing called Pop Goes The Church.  I actually will finish it by the end of the day tomorrow.  It’s gripping me and although it disturbs me where we are as a society, he does an excellent job of laying a foundation for the reality of influence popular culture has on each succeeding generation.  This isn’t just another “sell out and bring pop culture into the church- it’s the only way to reach people” book, it’s an honest assessment of language, of “cultural exegesis”, as Kevin Vanhoozer might say.  Tim seems to really marry a passion for what the local church can be with a desire to truly understand the language he must speak to help those far from Christ take their next step towards Christ.  It’s a powerful combination that I believe will impact many many people.  I’m already being challenged to grab every opportunity I can to help my team  grasp the concepts in this book, wrestle with them, and implement!

There are so many quotes I’d love to share with you, but you’ll have to wait and read the book.  I will say that this is one of those books that I believe is a must-read for any pastor, lay leader, or simply someone who wants to share about Jesus with their friends.  I’ll be giving a more complete review soon, but for now, right now, stop and put this book on your “gotta get as soon as it comes out” list!