Wednesday, August 30, 2023

59. Being Elisabeth Elliot


Being Elisabeth Elliot: The Authorized Biography: Elisabeth's Later Years. Ellen Vaughn. 2023. [September] 304 pages. [Source: Review copy] [biography]

First sentence: "I feel perfectly certain that I shall never marry again," Elisabeth Elliot declared early in 1956. It had been nine days since her muscular young husband and his four fellow missionaries had been speared to death by members of a remote tribal people in the Amazon jungle.

This is the second volume of Ellen Vaughn's biography of Elisabeth Elliot. It is an authorized biography. Both volumes are authorized. She was granted access to materials that other biographers haven't been able to access--exclusive access. While other biographers have had access to some of her letters and published excerpts from her journals, Ellen Vaughn was granted access to LOTS of her journals. 

There is no "one" Elisabeth Elliot--her spiritual and theological growth was ever-changing and ever-evolving. And the Elisabeth Elliot of later years--particularly the last two or three decades of her life--radically differs from earlier decades. She was something of a radical in the 1960s and 1970s. Not anti-establishment necessarily, but anti-evangelical establishment. What some refer to today as "big Eva." It wasn't so much that she questioned God, just how the evangelical church liked to box him in and speak for him.

This volume focuses on Elliot's "later years" focusing primarily on the years 1956-1978 (or 1979?). Essentially the biography begins to wind things up when she marries her third husband. A little is said of this time. It was very productive in creating the Elisabeth Elliot legacy--many of her most iconic works were published at this time. (Though not the most iconic, perhaps). But her third marriage...was....well, it came at great sacrifice. For example, if someone tells you I want to FENCE YOU IN ON ALL SIDES AND PROTECT YOU, you should probably give serious thought to what exactly they mean. Because it might not be as swoon-worthy and romantic as you might think.

The writing style worked so well. This was a QUICK read. The chapters were manageable (unlike that other Elliot biography I reviewed this year.) Each chapter seemed to have a purpose, a point. 

Some of the content did surprise me. I didn't necessarily want to read the lusty, sensual side of Elisabeth Elliot. But it is a way of making sense of her later years and the decisions she made. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Monday, August 28, 2023

9. NASB 1977


9. Giant Print Handy Size Reprint NASB 1977 Edition. 2011. AMG Publishers. 2304 pages.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

This is my second third time to read through the NASB 77. I started July 4, 2023 and completed on August 28, 2023.

I still absolutely love, love, love, love, crazy love this translation. I could easily see this being 'the one' if I believed in such. I don't believe that there is 'the one' as in 'the one and only' when it comes to Bible translations. At least not for me personally. I have about five or six translations that are all my favorites. (For those that are curious, they are the BSB, NASB 77, NASB 95, ESV, KJV, NIV 84. In no particular order, I don't play favorites. The Bible in my hand is usually "my favorite." Usually. Not always). 

I loved, loved, loved so much about this bible. I loved the size of the font. Giant print isn't as GIANT as you might imagine. It's slightly bigger than a regular size font you'd find in just about any Bible from the 80s or 90s. But it was super-comfortable on my eyes. Not too big. Not too small.

It is double-column. I don't mind double column, especially with a nice size font.

It is red-letter. But red-letter in a "giant" size font isn't all that bad. I'd still prefer black letter, but it's not bad at all.

I loved the size of this one. It isn't too heavy. I don't know that I'd go so far as to say you could hold it comfortably up in bed to read it, but it isn't too heavy for normal use. It is the perfect weight for daily reading and for taking to church as well.

I loved the translation itself.

Quotes:

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, 
            I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
            He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul; 
            He guides me in the paths of righteousness 
            For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
            I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; 
            Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 
            Thou hast anointed my head with oil; 
            My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, 
            And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.


“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, thereyou may be also. “And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Sunday Salon #35


Current Bibles

Giant LSB: Psalms 102-119; 1 Samuel; 2 Samuel; 1 Kings; Ezra; Nehemiah; Esther; Job; Mark; Romans;

NASB 77: Psalms 102-150; Deuteronomy; Isaiah; Jeremiah 1-27; 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy

Revised Berkeley (MLB, Modern Language Bible): Deuteronomy 10-34; Joshua; Nehemiah; Esther; Acts 1-17;

BSB M'Cheyne: 1 Samuel 1-; Romans 10-16; Jeremiah 49-52; Lamentations 1-3; Luke 17-23

G4L Psalms 1-4: Matthews Bible 1537, NKJV, KJV, ESV

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Sunday Salon #34


Current Bibles and plans

Giant Print LSB: PS 68-101; Deuteronomy 18-34; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; Luke 16-24; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; 1 Thessalonians; 2 Thessalonians; Zechariah; Malachi; 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles; 

Revised Berkeley: Numbers 22-36; Deuteronomy 1-9;  2 Chronicles 6-36; Ezra;

NASB 1977: Psalms 68-101; 2 Kings; Leviticus; Numbers; Isaiah 1-39; Colossians;

BSB M'Cheyne: 1 Samuel 3-11; Romans 3-9; Jeremiah 41-48 ; Luke 10-16;

G4L Psalms 1-4:  NASB 95, BSB, 1611 King James Version, NIV 2011, BSB, 1560 Geneva


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

58. No Greater Love


No Greater Love: Experiencing the Heart of Jesus. A.W. Tozer. 2020. 158 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Sometimes we can go too far and exaggerate, making statements by using a superlative. However, it is quite difficult to exaggerate the vital importance of the teaching of our Lord in the opening verses of John 3. It is wholly revolutionary. It is sharply classifying; it excludes and includes, it divides and distinguishes human beings from each other. 

NO Greater Love is a collection of Tozer teachings [sermons, writings] on the gospel of John. It doesn't have a chapter for each chapter of the gospel. Though I believe there are a handful of Tozer books that cover the gospel of John and/or the writings of John. (I know I've read some on Revelation and John). 

The main theme or main subject focus of this one is the love of God [as displayed/illustrated/shown] in the gospel of John. This isn't so much a commentary on the gospel of John as it is a commentary on society and the modern church. You might think this would make the book dated. After all, if you're in the know, you know that Tozer died in 1963. How could his thoughts on the direction of the church, the direction of society, the flaws of mankind still be relevant. Tozer is ancient, right???? WRONG. Tozer reads truth [from Scripture] into his analysis. And human nature--human SIN nature--doesn't change. Jesus Christ does not change. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. So if and when Tozer is right on something--he's forever right. 

I love Tozer's tell-it-like-it-is. He doesn't sugarcoat anything. He's honest. He's zealous. His zeal for the truth, his zeal for the Word of God, for Jesus is undeniable.

Did I agree with everything in this one? No. There were a few theological points where we do not see eye to eye. We just disagree, end of story. But I still love Tozer. I still really love Tozer. [He does have one chapter on free will and man's will in salvation.]

Quotes: 

I believe in the brotherhood of man. I believe there is a universal brotherhood of the once born, and then I believe in a universal brotherhood of the twice born. Where our modern and liberal friends make their mistake is that they do not distinguish between the once born and the twice born. They make a universal brotherhood and say everybody is in. Jesus makes a universal brotherhood and says everybody is out except those who are born again. 

My sin does not overwhelm the love of God. Rather, the love of God overwhelms my sin.

I cannot think my way into God's presence. It is the love of God that overwhelms me and opens up the gate into His presence. God's great delight is to overcome our depravity. As bad as we are, we are not too bad for God to deliver us from that depravity and bring us into the brightness of His delight.

There is one distinctive road to heaven, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. And the train that gets me from here to heaven is the unconditional love that Christ has for me. Once I am on board that train, nothing else seems to matter. 

I am going to heaven--not because I die. I am going to heaven because I have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and I have allowed His love to flow into my heart and overwhelm me with desire and adoration for Him.

God loves me because He created me in HIs image, and that is the end of it. I do not bring anything except God's love for me.



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Sunday Salon #33


Current Bibles and plans

Giant Print LSB: Psalms 30-67; Leviticus 5-27; Numbers; Deuteronomy 1-17; Song of Songs; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Jonah; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai. 2 Corinthians 3-13; Luke 1-15; 

Revised Berkeley Leviticus; Numbers 1-21; 1 Chronicles 1-29; 2 Chronicles 1-5;  Job; 

NASB 1977 Psalms 30-67; Genesis 22-50; Exodus; 1 Samuel 22-31; 2 Samuel; 1 Kings; Philippians; 

BSB M'Cheyne: Judges 20-21; Ruth 1-4; 1 Samuel 1-2; Acts 24-28; Romans 1-2; Jeremiah 34-40; Luke 3-9

G4L Psalms 1-4: Revised Berkeley; New English Bible;

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

57. Elisabeth Elliot: A Life


Elisabeth Elliot: A Life. Lucy S.R. Austen. 2023. Crossway. 624 pages. [Source: Review copy] [adult nonfiction; biography]

First sentence (from the prologue) On Monday January 9, 1956, listeners to HCJB, "the Voice of the Andes," tuning in for the "Off the Record" radio program heard a disturbing news bulletin: five young American missionaries were missing--captured or killed in the jungles of Ecuador. 

Is this the only Elisabeth Elliot biography released in 2023? NO. Will I be reviewing both of them? Probably. I have every intention of reading both. This is an all-in-one volume biography of Elisabeth Elliot. The other is the second of two volumes covering her life. 

What should you know about this one going in? Chapters are long, long, long, super-long. If you are the type of reader who wants to finish whole chapters in one sitting, expect to sit still for at least an hour per chapter. (I'm a fast reader, so it took me anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half per chapter. The author, I suppose, wants to keep things together. There are three sections or parts. Part one covers 1926-1952. This covers from birth to the time she heads off SINGLE to Ecuador. Part two covers 1952-1963. These years are her Ecuador years, mainly. Part three covers 1963-2015. This section covers everything after her return to the United States. Three little chapters. Or not so little chapters as the case may be. The last chapter, for example, covers her third marriage--which I believe was in the late 70s--maybe 77? 78?--through her death in 2015.

I was reminded that theology/spirituality is not stagnant or static. Her views of EVERYTHING relating to faith changed--radically, dramatically, often. Her world view was in a state of constant change. For better or worse. At first, I thought she might be a forerunner of a deconstructionist. But the more I read, the more I realized it might be more of a dis-entangling. She definitely unpacked EVERY doctrine she was raised with and thoroughly questioned everything minutely. I would call the doctrines she was raised with (including home, boarding school, undergraduate and graduate) had fundamentalist leanings mixed with Victory/Holiness leanings. Definitely some strict, harsh, legalistic, judgmental patterns. A tinge of prosperity as well. If you do x, y, and z, then God will bless you with a, b, c. 

Elliot had STRONG feelings at all times--in particular about the evangelical church, about missions, about the structures and organizations of world missions. She came to question a lot of what she'd been taught about missionary life, about missions, about how to do missions, what that looks like, feels like, works. She thought that there was a lot of double-speaking or lies by omission. Remove the sentimentality and flowery inspiration. Be honest about it's incredibly draining and depressing. 

This one does not seek to idolize Elliot. She's not presented as a super-extraordinary-amazing-sinless saint who had all the answers. She's not held up as a model to imitate--not really. I think the goal is to fully flesh out her ENTIRE life. I think it's an honest examination. It doesn't condemn Elliot for being raised in a different--much, much, much--different generation. It doesn't seek to cancel Elliot for being who she was, for having different views. 

I struggled to find Elisabeth Elliot likeable. I know that sounds horrible--horrendous. Everyone is supposed to love Elliot, right????? I mean she's one of the most famous Christian authors from the twentieth century. But the more I read about her, the more I struggled to like her. Perhaps in part because I found Jim Elliot insufferable. (He wasn't the only husband I found insufferable). 

What the book excels at is honest examination and evaluation. She looks at both Elliot's life and works. She keeps things big picture in some ways, but, also does go into greater detail. I was reminded that some things do change, but others tend to stay the same. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Monday, August 7, 2023

56. The Great Love of God


The Great Love of God: Encountering God's Heart for a Hostile World. Heath Lambert. 2023. [April] 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: God loves you. God's love is greater than the measureless galaxies in the vast expanse of creation. It stretches eternally beyond the distant sun and plunges forever past the depths of the deepest sea....

Christian nonfiction. The topic/theme/subject matter is the LOVE OF GOD. The author stresses how transformative the love of God is, and how Christians sometimes don't know what quite to make of the love of God. It can be overwhelming and beyond comprehension. 

Twelve chapters about the love of God. Each chapter does spend a good, solid amount of time in Scripture. This is always so important, in my opinion, when discussing any Christian doctrine but especially-especially important when addressing the attributes and nature of God. It is so important that Christians do not ADD or SUBTRACT to what the Bible reveals about the author--God. Books that are saturated in the Word are less likely--to a certain degree--to twist Scriptures and trick readers.

It is important that the concepts of LOVE and GOD'S LOVE (and mercy, lovingkindness, etc.) be discussed in light of what Scripture says and not contemporary society's concepts and ideas.

The book is also packed with the author's personal experiences and spiritual journey. 

The book at times made me squirm. Some of the passages are hard to take/accept. I don't know if this is because it is literally so difficult to comprehend that God actually actually loves me (loves us). Or if the theology at times gets slightly off. I think definitely a few phrases here and there might be misinterpreted when taken out of context. 

Quotes:  

The love of every other person for you is based on something about you. This is not the way God loves. everyone else loves you because of something true about you. God loves you because of something true about him. It is God's nature to love. Nothing you have ever done or ever could do will make God love you. He loves you because of who he is, not who you are. God's love flows from the fact that he is God. Love is who God is and what God does. God's love will never waver. 

The great love of God is his commitment, based on who he is, to delight in you, to give you wonderful things, and to protect you from harm. This love is the most precious reality in your life. You may not know it, but God's love defines you. God's love for you is the one thing in this world that gives your life meaning. God does not love you because you matter. You matter because God loves you. 


 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, August 5, 2023

Sunday Salon #32


Current Bibles and plans

Revised Berkeley (Modern Language Bible):  Exodus 5-40; Leviticus 1-15; Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon,  Matthew; James; 

NASB 77: Psalms 1-29;  Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah, Malachi, Genesis 1-21; 1 Samuel 1-21; Galatians; Ephesians; 

LSB (Giant Print): Psalms 1-29; Genesis 27-50; Exodus; Leviticus 1-4; Ezekiel 18-48; Daniel; Acts 10-28; 1 Corinthians; 2 Corinthians 1-2. 

BSB M'Cheyne: Judges 13-19; Acts 17-23; Jeremiah 26-33; Mark 12-16; Luke 1-2

G4L (getting a head start on August): LSB, NASB 77, NIV 2011, Revised Berkeley, LSB, NASB 95, 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Psalms 2:1, Varied Translations


Earlier translations:

Wycliffe Bible 1382
Whi gnastiden with teeth hethene men; and puplis thouyten veyn thingis?
Coverdale 1535 
Why do the Heithe grudge? why do the people ymagyn vayne thinges?
Matthews Bible 1537
VVhy do the Heathen grudge? why do the people ymagyne vayne thinges?
Great Bible 1539
Why do the Heythen so furiouslye rage together? and why do the people ymagyne a vayne thynge?
Bishops Bible 1568
Why do the Heathen so furiously rage together? and why do the people imagine a vayne thing
Geneva Bible 1560
Why doe the heathen rage, and the people murmure in vaine?
Geneva Bible 1599
Why do the heathen rage, and the people murmur in vain.
1611 King James Version
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vaine thing?
1769 King James Version
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Webster's Bible 1833
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Young's Literal Translation 1862
Why have nations tumultuously assembled? And do peoples meditate vanity? 
English Revised Version 1885
Why do the nations rage, and the peoples imagine a vain thing?
Darby Translation 1890
Why are the nations in tumultuous agitation, and [why] do the peoples meditate a vain thing?
American Standard Version 1901
Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
JPS Tanakh 1917
Why are the nations in an uproar? And why do the peoples mutter in vain?

Modern translations: 

Amplified
Why are the nations in an uproar [in turmoil against God], And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot?
BSB
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
CSB
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
CEB
Why do the nations rant? Why do the peoples rave uselessly?
CJB
Why are the nations in an uproar, the peoples grumbling in vain?
EHV
Why do the nations rage? Why do the peoples grumble in vain?
ESV
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
GNT
Why do the nations plan rebellion? Why do people make their useless plots?
HCSB
Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain?
LSB
Why do the nations rage And the peoples meditate on a vain thing?
Living
What fools the nations are to rage against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God!
NASB 77
Why are the nations in an uproar, And the peoples devising a vain thing?
NASB 95
Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?
NASB 2020
Why are the nations restless And the peoples plotting in vain?
NET
Why do the nations rebel? Why are the countries devising plots that will fail?
NIV 2011
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
NKJV
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?
NLT
Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
NRSV
Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?
NRSV ue
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
RSV
Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

55. Your God Is Too Small


Your God Is Too Small. By J.B. Phillips. (1952) 2004. Simon & Schuster. 128 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: No one is ever really at ease in facing what we call "life" and "death" without a religious faith. The trouble with many people today is that they have not found a God big enough for modern needs.

I first read Your God Is Too Small in 2010. I didn't love it then. I gave it the rare two stars (as I found out on GoodReads). I had forgotten how I felt about the book--apparently. I decided to reread this one namely because it was short and still on the shelf. (Horrible reason, I know).

This one has TWO sections. It first deconstructs the small "gods" from society. (Or at least society circa 1950s). Each "small" god or "false" god is given a few pages. It is deconstructed or proved false. That is Phillips argues that that version of god, that concept of god is NOT the actual God. The second constructs (briefly--oh so briefly) the "bigger" God. Namely, Phillips is saying if you want to meet the actual God, you need to meet him in JESUS CHRIST. 

The premise of this one is solid enough. Phillips makes some good points in his sections. There's nothing in them that feels particularly off or wrong. I think my biggest complaint is that while it makes a few initial good statements as to who God isn't and who God is, it doesn't go far enough, deep enough. I wanted MORE, not barely enough. 

Yes, there are hundreds if not thousands of books about who God is, about his attributes, about his works, about all the essential doctrines of the faith. But I wanted this one to go there at least a little bit. He says more about who God is not then who God is. The second half covers the bare basics of Jesus. But it doesn't seem enough. I'm not saying that it couldn't be enough. The Holy Spirit doesn't only work through long-winded sorts. (After all, there is something to being concise and straightforward). But I wanted the section on Jesus to be more engaging, more soaked/saturated in the Word. 

This one I believe was written for a certain audience (at a certain time in history). I think the intellectual (dryer) tactic might have appealed to agnostics, in-name-only-"Christians", skeptics, theists, deists, etc. I definitely think that was Phillips intended reader. I don't necessarily see this one as being written FOR those already in the faith that have a relationship with Jesus. And that's okay. Again, I think the Holy Spirit can use this one to reach the lost or the deconstructed. 

Would I still rate it two stars? Probably two-and-half or three stars. 




© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible