To write the book "Tithing" Leblanc travels around America and interviews a number of different people who are living out a commitment to tithing.
Rather than a biblical or theological treatise on why we should practice tithing, Leblanc shares stories. In many ways this creates a very effective way of talking about this neglected spiritual practice.
At times it can seem that there is a 1 to 1 relation between tithing and being blessed by God. But I think that Leblanc does a good job of making the point that we are not supposed to tithe so that God will bless us, but rather tithing is a way that we experience more of what it means to live in relationship with a giving God.
Some of the interviews are better than others, but in the end it is a good read and sure to challenge some to start giving more.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Finding Our Way Again
Finding our Way Again is Brian McLaren's introduction to the Ancient Practices series. He does an excellent job of laying a ground work for why it is good to practice these disciplines. They are the practices that help us become "weighty" (pg. 13). People of substance and depth. They are also practices that help us to become alive, they open our eyes to what God is doing all around us.
Those who have read other Brian McLaren books will no doubt recognize many of his main themes from other books. There is certainly some overlap. However, this is not a bad thing. McLaren is a gifted writer with very good ideas and so it is certainly worth the read.
Perhaps my area of greatest disagreement is his drawing of parallels of Judaism, Islam, and Christian practices. I agree with McLaren that there are certainly similarities in these three religions, but I failed to really understand why he felt the need to bring them into this book on the ancient Christian spiritual practices (Unlike McKnight in the Fasting books where it made sense). McLaren tries to bring it all together in the last chapter, but I was unconvinced in the end.
That said, this is a great book and totally worth the read.
I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Publishers "Booksneeze" book review program. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
Those who have read other Brian McLaren books will no doubt recognize many of his main themes from other books. There is certainly some overlap. However, this is not a bad thing. McLaren is a gifted writer with very good ideas and so it is certainly worth the read.
Perhaps my area of greatest disagreement is his drawing of parallels of Judaism, Islam, and Christian practices. I agree with McLaren that there are certainly similarities in these three religions, but I failed to really understand why he felt the need to bring them into this book on the ancient Christian spiritual practices (Unlike McKnight in the Fasting books where it made sense). McLaren tries to bring it all together in the last chapter, but I was unconvinced in the end.
That said, this is a great book and totally worth the read.
I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Publishers "Booksneeze" book review program. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
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