About the book ––
The first generation of Christians were not popular. They were ridiculed, persecuted, yet according to Acts 17:6–7, "they ―turned the world upside down." As a result, their message was communicated louder and clearer than any message before or since. Even with today’s social medias, big- name celebrities, and shiny evangelism techniques that add glitz and glamour to the gospel, today’s Christians fail to communicate as effectively as the first followers of Christ. Simply put, the early church turned the world upside down, but today’s church has been turned upside down by the world.
Believing that this shift is a result of too many Christians failing to adopt a whole-Bible worldview, author and popular blogger Dan Phillips offers an easy-to-understand, conversational, and engaging analysis of the gospel and the results it once had—and should have again. Drawing on decades of studying the Bible’s Hebrew and Greek texts, Phillips clearly draws out the Bible’s teaching of God’s eternal plan as started in Genesis and played out through each book of Scripture. Written with the same accessible tone that has made Phillips’s blogs popular to thousands of readers, The World-Tilting Gospel challenges believers to hold fast to a biblical worldview even if it makes them unpopular. ―"When Christians are again gripped by that gospel rather than obsessing about being liked by the world," writes Phillips, ―"they will be able to turn the world upside- down again."
About the author ––
Dan Phillips (MDiv, Talbot Theological Seminary) has served as pastor in four churches and has taught seminary and college classes in New Testament studies, Hebrew, and Old Testament theology. He has preached and presented seminars on Proverbs and the Sovereignty of God, written biblical newspaper columns and tracts, and hosted a radio talk show. With an ongoing conference and pulpit ministry, Dan is most broadly known for his writing on the Pyromaniacs blog, with Phil Johnson and Frank Turk (http://teampyro.blogspot.com), and at his own blog, Biblical Christianity (http://bibchr.blogspot.com). Dan lives in Sacramento with his amazing wife, Valerie. They have four children and around six cats.
My review –– A breath of fresh air!
That's my best description for Dan Philips' latest book. It is a refreshing look at an old truth. It shouldn't have to be so refreshing; it should be like a comfortable pair of old shoes (you know the kind; you just slide your feet into them and go "Ah-h-h!"). However, since so many "Evanjellybeans" (a term which Philips borrowed from blogger Kay Stokes [http://englishmusings.blogspot.com] and uses to describe churches/Christians who take their cues from the world rather than from God and His Word) have watered down the Gospel to the point where it means nothing, holds nothing and does nothing, Philips' book is indeed like a cool, dry breeze blowing on your head in the middle of a muggy, Minnesota July afternoon.
Philips doesn't simply recite verses that speak of the gospel or merely support a writer's preconceived notions. No, he basically walks you through the entire Bible (well, okay, it's speed-walking at its finest) in order to show the reader that since the world is not as God intended, something is wrong and must be done about it. Trust me, when I say, these are not commonly accepted truths, whether you're talking about the world & culture around us (which blatantly reject such things) or far too many within churches (who have either embraced the things of this world, making them their gods, or who are just too squeamish––Philips would say, cowardly and weak-in-the-knees––to want to lovingly embrace them full on, so they corrupt them with man-centered thoughts). Having fallen in love with the doctrines of grace long ago, I found his work a significant reminder.
There were times I found myself wiping tears from my eyes due to the greatness of the truth from God's Word expressed in this book. What a gracious God we have, who would condescend to us, His rebellious creatures, in order to redeem us back to Himself. At other times, I actually laughed out loud while reading (at one point, causing the crowd at my local Caribou Coffee shop all look up and wonder what was wrong with me). Philips can write with a razor-sharp edge, but often uses wit and humor to make the scalpel slide in more easily so it can do its intended work of carving away the flotsam and jetsam of false belief.
I'll probably have to give a few more posts to this book as well. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. You must get it, read it, absorb it, gives thanks to the God of glory who is its subject.
The World-Tilting Gospel may be purchased here:
A free copy of this book was received for review purposes only.