Growing Edge: Book Reviews

Any assessment of twentieth-century American Christianity will have to include an evaluation of Billy Graham’s life and ministry. While other biographies tell the story of Graham’s rise to fame, Lewis Drummond’s The Evangelist (Word, 2001) assesses whether Graham’s ministry is “a genuine historical phenomenon that finds itself in the mainstream of evangelicalism.”

In effect, Drummond answers this question by testing Graham against 12 essential doctrines and beliefs of evangelicalism. I found nary a fault or deficiency in the book’s evaluation of Graham’s beliefs, methods, or impact. Graham clearly passes the test.

Drummond favorably quotes Reverend Maurice Wood, member of Britain’s House of Lords, who puts Billy “in line with the Wesleys and Saint Augustine” and extols him as “the most spiritually productive servant of God in our time.”

We must admit that it simply might not be possible for those of us who admire Billy Graham to evaluate him objectively. It would have been interesting for Drummond to assess Graham’s uncanny ability to preach the gospel without offending those who hear him. Indeed, an intriguing question might be: is it possible for a man to be absolutely true to the gospel in a post-Christian culture, and yet be among the most admired men in America, year after year?

Nor does Drummond analyze questions such as whether Graham’s overtures to and cooperation with Roman Catholics and liberal Protestants will have the unintended long-term effect of obliterating important doctrinal distinctions.

We do not know how future historians will view Graham. Will his legacy be his leadership of unifying evangelicals and challenging them to engage the culture? Will it be the worldwide impact of his Evangelism Congresses that have inspired tens of thousands of evangelists? Or might he simply be remembered as a man who was unusually blessed in the preaching of the gospel?

If Augustine is remembered for his theology, Spurgeon for his sermons, and the Wesleys for their revivalism and the founding of the Methodist Church, perhaps Graham will be primarily remembered for giving the world a model of Christianity lived out with integrity, for being a man who showed us that fame does not have to corrupt and that genuine humility can exist in the life of one admired by millions.

Drummond’s book reminds us that ultimately, one of Billy Grahams’ greatest contributions is that he has a heart as big as the world and has stayed focused on the gospel rather than national and political goals. He has given Christianity needed credibility at a time when many ministers have besmirched the name of Christ through greed, pride, and sexual infidelity. Graham has remained true to his calling; he has taken steps to make sure that he will finish well.

Graham’s skill as a preacher and evangelist is highlighted in a CD-ROM that comes with the book—a compilation of audio and video highlights including newsreel footage from the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade, his invitation at the 1996 Charlotte Crusade, and his sermon “The Value of the Soul,” comprised of five excerpts, each delivered in a different decade.

If it is true, as the Manila Manifesto states, that “nothing commends the gospel more than a transformed life,” Graham’s own life has eloquently preached the gospel to the world. For this, all of Christendom is grateful.

Erwin Lutzer is pastor of Moody Memorial Church Chicago, Illinois

Preaching with Conviction by Kenton C. Anderson (Kregel, 2001) Jack Newman has a problem: should he stick to expository preaching or try contemporary communication techniques? Which approach will reach his listeners: relevance or biblical authority? Jack is a fictional pastor that author Kenton Anderson, former pastor and now homiletics professor at Trinity Western University in British Columbia, uses to depict the struggle of preaching while trying to connect with postmodern audiences. Jack wonders, “Is it possible to offer authoritative meat from the Word of God with life and passion and imagination?” He ultimately decides on a model of preaching that asks the text the questions his listeners would ask. My preaching has already been enhanced by the insights into postmodernism and by following Anderson’s advice. Duane Tweeten, pastor Stromsburg Baptist Church Stromsburg, Nebraska
Preaching Grace by Kennon L. Callahan (Jossey-Bass, 1999) Full of practical helps to buoy preachers’ spirits, this book contends that graceful preachers bring grace-filled sermons. Author and consultant Kennon Callahan challenges preachers to live “loving, sharing, caring lives” in the context of community. I must admit that there is not much about this book that is provocative or cutting edge. Pastors looking for the latest technique to capture an audience won’t find it here. But pastors who need encouragement in their ministry should read Preaching Grace. Dick Rant, church planter Boise, Idaho
Living Water for Thirsty Souls by Marvin McMickle (Judson, 2001) Marvin McMickle, pastor of Antioch Baptist in Cleveland and teacher of homiletics at Ashland Theological Seminary, proposes eight L’s of sermon preparation: limits, literature, language, location, leads, links, lessons, and life application. His method is simple, systematic, and memorable. McMickle’s example sermons, however, frustrated me. While he says that sermons should reflect “the word of the Lord” rather than “the words of the preacher,” I disagreed with his applications to political issues like gun control and affirmative action. How do you give living water to thirsty souls? How can you avoid misinterpretation and misapplication? The answer is in this book. But only if you can preach what McMickle proposes, while following his example with caution. Bryan Anderson, pastor Cornerstone Fellowship Evangelical Free Church Greenfield, Iowa
Preaching with Relevance by Keith Willhite (Kregel, 2001) Keith Willhite suggests sermons are like pizzas. Deep-dish sermons can be biblically rich but indigestible. Thin and crispy sermons are easily applied but light on biblical truth. Willhite argues that a good sermon can be both—expository and relevant. Though a bit academic, Willhite, who teaches preaching at Dallas Seminary, gives ten practical strategies to connect biblical truth with the secular mind. His strategy for developing arguments helped me preach a controversial sermon on 1 Timothy. Likewise, Willhite’s chapter “Bundle a Packaged Deal” helped me unify a series by pointing to “the big idea.” This book is perfect for meat lovers who appreciate fresh delivery. Coy Wylie, pastor Cornerstone Baptist Church Amarillo, Texas
Communicating for Life by Quentin J. Schultze (Baker Academic, 2000) Calvin College communications professor Quentin Schultze contends that our language holds the power to shape reality and truth in the minds of our listeners. The words, gestures, and symbols of our communication, therefore, need to be stewarded well. Christians are often guilty of misusing the symbols of language to dishonor their enemies. But Schultze challenges Christian communicators to a higher standard. “Whenever we communicate peacefully, in accord with God, we taste heaven.” This book has convicted me to use my gifts in communication to build community, rather than destroy it. C. Mitchell Carnell, Jr. Charleston, South Carolina
Spiritual Leadership by Henry and Richard Blackaby (Broadman & Holman, 2001) This father and son team focuses on walking with God and leading people according to God’s agenda. Despite the book’s moralizing overtones, I was convicted by some of its scolding. I realized that I’ve concentrated on ministry’s practical side, while giving token acknowledgement to prayer. My abiding thought in ministry has been “how,” not “Who.” Despite the book’s moralizing overtones, I was convicted by some of its scolding. I realized that I’ve concentrated on ministry’s practical side, while giving token acknowledgement to prayer. My abiding thought in ministry has been “how,” not “Who.” Reading Spiritual Leadership requires concentration, but review boxes ease the task. It includes lessons from Churchill, Roosevelt, Truman, Robert E. Lee, Napoleon, Iacocca, Schwarzkopf, and others. A study intended not just for pastors but for all Christian leaders, this book increased my desire to be with God, to lead with courage, and to make Him proud. Dean Cernek, pastor Cave Creek Church Cave Creek, Arizona
A Church Called Graffiti by Taylor Field with Jo Kadlacek (Broadman & Holman, 2001) Called from his home in Oklahoma to a drug-infested, poverty-stricken neighborhood on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Taylor Field tells of the grace he found pastoring there for more than 15 years. Field tells about ministering to the woman whose apartment was filled with 25 years of trash, to those whose cardboard hovels were bulldozed in the park across the street, to the local drug lord, and to a homeless man grieving over his dead dog. The pastor is honest about his struggles with success, his family’s safety, and his season of burnout. I was helped by these words: “We cannot do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” David E. Carlson, pastor Bethany Evangelical Free Church Madison, Wisconsin
The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork by John C. Maxwell (Thomas Nelson, 2001) Our church recently made “team-life,” doing all ministry in teams, a priority. We wanted to move the congregation from casual small groups to mobilized ministry teams. The results have been phenomenal. Our leaders are excited about growing their teams, and 80 percent of our congregation is now active in at least one team. Our staff chose, among other resources, John Maxwell’s Laws of Teamwork as a tool to equip our lay-leaders. Maxwell offers strategies to build the vision and concrete ways to invest in team members. Each chapter includes the story of a successful team leader and a key principle drawn from his or her success. Whether you are a pastor or team member, Maxwell’s book will provide essential elements for building and maintaining your ministry teams. Linda A. Wurzbacher, pastor of women’s ministry CrossBridge Community Church Rochester, New York
A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren (Jossey-Bass, 2001) Washington D.C.-area pastor Brian McLaren once concluded that “either Christianity is flawed, or our modern, commercialized version of it needs serious revision.” His book attempts to answer three questions: Why am I not the same kind of Christian I used to be? What might a fresh kind of Christian be like? How do I become one? The book shares intimate, thought-provoking conversations between a fictitious pastor and a science teacher with a doctorate in philosophy (whom we later discover has an important connection to ministry). These men reflect on faith, reason, mission, and leadership in the postmodern world. It’s a journey that leads them both to a renewed passion for ministry. Churches that desire to equip this new kind of Christian need to integrate spirituality with community. McLaren writes, “No longer will the churches of these Christians recruit people to be consumers of religious programs. We’ll recruit them to be colleagues in our mission. The church doesn’t exist to satisfy the consumer; it exists to mobilize men and women for God’s mission in the world.” Don’t be surprised if this book challenges you to adjust the way you do ministry. John Brunette, pastor Faith Lutheran Church Oakville, Missouri