58. The Eclipse of God

 58. The Eclipse of God: Our Nation's Disastrous Search For a More Inclusive Deity (And What We Must Do About It). Erwin W. Lutzer. 2024. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [christian living, culture, theology]

First sentence from the foreword: Any Christian living in this present age knows we are facing an epic crisis. That crisis is moral, but not merely moral. It is cultural but not merely cultural. It is ideological, but not merely ideological. At its heart, our crisis is theological. 

First sentence from chapter one: C.S. Lewis wrote, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." But what happens when there is an eclipse of the sun? The moon comes between the earth and the sun, blocking the sunlight from reaching the Earth. As for the sun, it shines as brightly as ever, but its light is obscured. 

The Eclipse of God is one of the best books I read in 2024. I highly recommend EVERYONE read this one. Will everyone who professes the name of Christ love it? Maybe. Maybe not. I could see how it might step on some toes here and there because it's very straight-forward, no nonsense. 

It addresses the past, the present, and the future. How did we end up in this "epic crisis"? The book does a deep dive as to WHY we are in this huge mess. It explains everything so clearly, so succinctly that things start to make a LOT of sense. Plenty of books try to tackle the present problems facing society and culture without really taking the time to explain the evolution of ideas, of ideology, of all the isms. 

The book doesn't dwell on the past to the exclusion of the present and future. It isn't so focused on society (and culture) that it isn't properly theology. 

I underlined SO many passages. There were chapters that were so good I kept going back to reread them. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

57. Gentle and Lowly

Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. Dane Ortlund. 2020. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy] [3 stars] [christian nonfiction, theology, devotional]

First sentence from introduction: This is a book about the heart of Christ. Who is he? Who is he really? What is most natural to him? What ignites within him most immediately as he moves towards sinners and sufferers? What flows out most freely, most instinctively? Who is he?

I read this book twice--back to back. Why???? This is not typical for me, at all. Mostly I reread it because I spent so much time confused. Confused about if any particular sentence (or paragraph, or chapter) was true or false, biblical or unbiblical. Perhaps that might sound a little harsh. Often when people talk about distorting scripture they mean it's really been stretched and twisted and warped and is completely off. I think what I mean about this one is much more subtle, demure even. I think in some places certain scriptures are becoming the whole prescription through which the author views the whole Bible. And no one verse is really supposed to have that much hold that you don't take a more grounded big picture approach to all of Scripture. This book also seems to push a few extremes. The narrative has a shock factor to it. Which also puts me on edge slightly. If this book offers something so new and life-changing and shocking, it implies that Christians have been getting it wrong for thousands of years. 

Perhaps this book uses a shocking approach to wake people up--to engage with readers in a way that most other theology wouldn't. To wake and shake the mental slumber, to get readers to think and consider, to ponder. 

This book is heavy on Puritans and the Word of God. The book seems to hold an incredibly high view of Scripture. It is not dismissive of Scripture. Which makes it even more confusing because you naturally want to believe that their interpretation of Scripture is correct. I imagine that there are many places where they do in fact get it right. But still there's something unsettling about a few of their positions, interpretations, takes.

So the one verse that they use as a prescription to interpret the entire Bible--Genesis to Revelation is Matthew 11:29. I love that scripture in context. It's a wonderful passage of scripture. But to view the entire Bible and say that that one verse sums up everything--EVERYTHING--that the Bible has to say about the heart of God is a bit too much for me. The author says something to the effect that the Bible only talks about the heart of God [of Jesus] in one place. And again that doesn't sit right with me because I strongly disagree. SO much about God is communicated throughout all of Scripture. And this one verse is far from the only place where Jesus' heart is on display. 

The topic of this one is how does Jesus feel about sinners and sufferers. I think the answer to this is revealed in many, many, many places. Of course the book doesn't just cover Matthew 11:29. Each chapter focuses on a single verse or single passage. OR perhaps in certain cases a particular book by a Puritan (when the Puritan is covering one passage or verse). 

Again, I think there are probably many true statements in this one. But there are a few that have me uncertain and questioning. If it was just a matter of easily discerning THIS is true THAT is false, the book would not be confusing. It's this weighing doubt where I truly don't know if my instincts are right or wrong. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Books and Bibles Read in 2025

Books Read in 2025

Bibles Read in 2025

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon #48

Bible reading

NASB 77

• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Colossians
• Philippians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon
• James
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John 
• Jude
• Revelation

NKJV

• 1 Samuel
• 2 Samuel
• 1 Kings

KJV

• Ezekiel 31-48
• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus 1-5

ESV

• Ezekiel 20-48
• Daniel
• Hosea
• Joel
• Amos
• Obadiah
• Jonah
• Micah
• Nahum
• Habakkuk
• Zephaniah
• Haggai
• Zechariah
• Malachi

Amplified (1965)

• Genesis

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

56. Cloud of Witnesses

56. Cloud of Witnesses: A Treasury of Prayers and Petitions Through the Ages. Jonathan W. Arnold (editor) Zechariah Carter (editor). 2024. 345 pages. [Source: Library] [Prayer, devotional, christian nonfiction, history] [5 stars]

First sentence: He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'"

Cloud of Witnesses is a collection of [historic] prayers. This book of prayer features exactly one hundred prayers covering a wide range of subjects, themes, topics. The book is organized relatively chronological. The first section of the prayer book covers the early church (100-500), the medieval church (600-1500), the reformation church (1500-1700), and finally the modern church (1700-1900). The second section isn't so much a 'prayer book' as a history lesson. It features mini-introductions of all the writers included in the one hundred prayers. Again these mini-biographies are arranged chronologically. They do provide greater context for appreciating the one hundred prayers. The third section is technically the appendix, this section might be the least practical, however it isn't without its charms. This third section features the one hundred prayers in their original languages--or the source material for which these English translations are made. 

If you are looking for a prayer covering a specific topic or subject, there is an index for that.

The prayers vary in length and style. Some are very short, concise, practical. Others are longer--much longer. A few seem a little too wordy to be practical. But overall, I enjoyed reading this devotional prayer book. 

Prayer number 14 (Old Gallican Rite)

Grant holiness to new believers, O Father. Give knowledge to the ignorant. Give aide to those who are running their course. Give sorrow to those who have erred without knowledge. Give passion to those who are lukewarm. To those who are mature, give a good ending. We ask all of this for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Lord, Amen. 

Prayer number 70 (Thomas Cranmer)

Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, allow us to hear them, read them, mark them, learn them, and inwardly digest them in such a way that, by the patience and comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and ever hold on to the blessed hope of everlasting life that you have given to us in our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I am so glad that I read this one! Don't be intimidated. The one hundred prayers make up a small part of this one. They can be read and reread. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

25. ESV Large Print Personal Size

25. ESV Large Print Personal Size. God. 2016 edition text, 2020 publication. 1952 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

ISBN number for the one I'm reviewing: ‎ 978-1433555909

Start date: September 12, 2024

End date: November 26, 2024

I love the Bible. That much should at least be obvious. This is my twenty-fifth time through the Bible in 2024. I love the ESV, aka English Standard Version. I do. Is it the top of the top of the top in my list of translation preferences? No, but it's in my top four or five. 

This is a TEXT ONLY edition. There are a few textual notes, but no cross references. There are not book introductions. This is a very straight-forward, basic, no thrills edition of the ESV.

It is DOUBLE-COLUMN. Words of Christ are in red, not black. This is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. There are people who love black letter and people who love red letter. Red letter ESV bibles are harder to come by. So definitely if you are looking for red letter, this might be the one for you.

The font size. What can I say....It is GLORIOUS, FABULOUS, WONDERFUL. 12 point. It is LINE-MATCHED. 

It is the perfect weight, size. It is not too heavy. It is quite portable. 

Visually this bare-bones, basic bible has EVERYTHING I could ever want. Mostly. It is one of the best purchases I've made in a good while. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

24. NASB (77) Topical Chain Study Bible

24. Topical Chain Study Bible. New American Standard Bible. 1977. 1983 for the Topical Chain Study features. God. Thomas Nelson publisher. 1660 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Start date: September 17, 2024

End date: November 25, 2024

Things you should know about this Bible:

It features the text of the New American Standard Bible, the 1977 text edition. 

It is out of print. It was printed in the early 1980s.

It is NOT a rainbow study bible though it does seem to have some similarities. 

It is single column, black letter. 

It has interconnected references to four major Bible themes, each identified by a capital letter (G,J,H,S) and a color code. Grace is color coded red. Judgement is color coded blue. Holiness is color coded yellow. Sin is color coded gray. 

Verses that touch upon these four themes appear highlighted in that color. (Much like the rainbow study bible would later do)

But the chain references also are coded to 107 different topics. These are separate topics from the main four themes. Most topics try to reference something from each of the four.  

In addition to the chain references on the (left side of page) there are cross references (on the right side of page). 

There are also translation notes.

789 bottom of the page commentary/observations that can "kickstart" devotions. 

There are a handful of charts, maps, indexes, concordances, etc. 

Did I use all the features in my read through? No. I didn't really learn the system and give it full commitment to study using the chain references.

I did read [roughly] half the bottom of the page references. Some were excellent. Others got me thinking but not necessarily in agreement. 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the NASB 77. That is the main reason I thrifted this one. 

My main issue with this one is that the font size is TINY and it is single column. The combination does not work well with my vision. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible