Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

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Genre: Non-Fiction, Biographical

Book Summary: Acclaimed Christian biographer Eric Metaxas writes the first biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer published in several decades. In it, he not only seeks to tell the story of the extraordinary man who lived an exemplary Christian life during Nazi Germany and became part of the plot to assassinate Hitler, but by using extensive amounts of Bonhoeffer's own writings, proves the Bonhoeffer was very much an evangelical, fundamentalist Christian, putting to rest the recent argument that he was a humanist and not a Biblical Christian.

Indulgent Book Talk: This book was long but excellent. It was dense but worth it. It was highly readable and described in detail Bonhoeffer's life, his theology, and his relationships with those around him. I started the book in the midst of the presidential election, and now that we have elected someone who I believe is perpetuating a modern-day holocaust of the unborn, it was interesting to see how one man behaved and acted in a regime that was even more flagrantly evil. While I in no way believe that Bonhoeffer's actions or decisions apply directly to our current situation (they don't; Nazi Germany was a unique evil) it was both encouraging and informative, and I am still thinking about it and how I can apply Biblical truth to living in a fallen, evil world.

Glorifying Elements: Bonhoeffer believed that one must not just believe Christian doctrine, but that Christian doctrine must influence and inform a Christian's actions, even unto suffering and death. Of the many Biblical truths that were lived out in Bonhoeffer's life, this was the most pervasive and influential. He believed in action and doing, not just sitting and thinking (though he did a lot of that too). He sought to live out the tension between faith alone saving us and works justifying our faith to world. He was not perfect, but he took this seriously and that showed in his life.

Worldly Elements: As with any Christian biography, we must know that the author is a sinner writing about a fellow sinner. Bonhoeffer was no Jesus, and he was imperfect and made mistakes. Arguably, his decision to help with the plot in assassinating Hitler might have been one of them. There are God-fearing believers on both sides of that debate, and honestly, I'm still not sure where I stand. But what can't be mistaken is that Bonhoeffer thought and prayed through every decision he made, and like everyone, regretted some of the actions he took in his life.

General Recommendation: Do yourself a major favor and invest in the hours it will take to read this book. It definitely has the potential to shift your paradigms and change your life.

Surprised By Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber

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Genre: Biography/Autobiography

Book Summary: Carolyn, a Canadian student in English, gets a scholarship to receive her post-graduate degree at the University of Oxford in England. While there, through many a conversation, event, and friendship, she meets Jesus, who changes her life and the way she thinks about everything.

Indulgent Book Talk: This was really an indulgent read for me, to be honest. A woman, who is just about as crazy about literature as I am, gets to go study at the University of Oxford, which any self-respecting English  major would do in an instant given the opportunity, and not only gets to have literary discussions with British professors and drink pints in pubs and have "high tea" (the anglophile in me jumps and shrieks in glee), she also comes to faith in Christ in the process. This book is peppered with quotes and references from literature, and is really a jewel when it comes to the writing style. It was just a beautiful book to read. It made me want to go sit on a lawn at Oxford and gaze up at the blue sky and ponder academia and life.

Glorifying Elements: Many. Much. Gobs. I think the real strength this book has though is the way it reminded me that rarely do people come to faith in Jesus in some radical, life-changing, single moment. Instead, like many people, Carolyn's testimony is one of many conversations, many events, lots of struggling and arguing and messy thoughts and attempts to behave and failures and successes. It's very real. I think Carolyn reminds us Christians that in our attempts to share the truth and love of Jesus and the salvation He offers, we would do well to be bold and forthcoming. Words and actions are equally important. With that though, we should be patient with those we are befriending, knowing that God works on people slowly sometimes, and to not rush what God may be deliberately taking His time on. That was an important for me to remember as I continue to witness to people I love.

Worldly Elements: Don't read this book expecting systematic theology. That's not its purpose. It's one woman's story. There are a couple uses of profanity, but it is well-thought-out, appropriate profanity. I know that's weird, but if you read the book, it makes sense. Also, the conversations Carolyn recounts seem a little far-fetched to have actually occurred exactly as they are recorded, but then again, I have hung around academics, so it's possible people really do sprinkle poetry into their sentences. And of course, no memoir is a legally verifiable account of events, they are of course shaped by the author's memory and emotions. So I really don't fault her for that.

General Recommendation: I fear this book may not be quite as delightful for people who aren't as obsessed with literature and England and academia as I am. It may come across as stilted or overly philosophical. But I just loved it, and I love stories about people coming to faith, and it is beautiful just for that reason. 

I Dared to Call Him Father by Richard A. Schneider and Bilquis Sheikh

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Genre: Biography/Autobiography

Book Summary: Bilquis, a wealthy Muslim woman living in Pakistan in the 1960’s, has a spiritual crisis when she starts studying the Qur’an and the Bible alongside each other and realizes their differences and that they can’t both be true. She secretly meets with American missionaries, who share the gospel with her.  She is still skeptical until Jesus comes to her in a dream and reveals to her that He is the Messiah. She turns her life over to him, but is not immediately ready for the conflict that it causes in her life and family.

Indulgent Book Talk: After taking a short day-long course on basic Muslim beliefs, I was interested in this book and reading of God’s miraculous work in one Muslim woman’s life. This book is a quick read and very straight-forward, no literary show is put on here.

Glorifying Elements: This is a book about one woman’s journey of faith, there is little that is not glorifying. I think one of the main things that helps us grow as Christians, particularly if we have been in the faith for longer than a year or two, is to remind ourselves of God’s saving power and the beauty of the gospel. We should never “graduate” from the gospel, and testimonies like this one should remind us of Jesus’ work on the cross and infinite love for all who believe.

Worldly Elements: Sometimes Biliquis’s faith came across to me as somewhat mystical or too Pentecostal, but there was nothing overly alarming, and those elements may have been a result of cultural influence more than anything.

General Recommendation: A resounding yes, especially if you, like me, often feel the situation in the Middle East is hopeless. It’s not! God is moving everyday in countless lives. And this is just the story of one of them.