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

50. Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion

Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion. Allie Beth Stuckey. 2024. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [christian nonfiction] 

First sentence: It was like I could feel her anxiety.

Can empathy be toxic? Stuckey argues YES. She makes an effort to distinguish between compassion, empathy, and toxic empathy. The book tackles five "lies" being promoted by society. She argues progressive society, but, I think it is more widespread than that. This is more the majority opinion, the mainstream opinion. Even within the mainstream church you can find advocates for all five lies. The church is not necessarily "safe" from these persuasive lies.

The five lies are as follows: 

• Abortion is health care
• Trans women are women
• Love is Love
• No human is illegal
• Social justice is justice

These are both political issues and moral/ethical issues. And Stuckey does not deny that these are complex, mutli-layered issues. But she also is clear that the Word of God is authoritative, that feelings are not truth, that Christians need to be clear where the Bible is clear. Kindness, true compassion, must be grounded in biblical truths. 

She writes,

"The erroneous conflation of love and empathy has convinced the masses that to be loving, we must feel the same way they do. Toxic empathy says we must not only share their feelings, but affirm their feelings and choices as valid, justified, and good."

She continues, 

Empathy can help us see their perspective and foster compassion, but that's all it can do. It can't guide us into making the right decisions or donning the wise, moral, or biblical position. Toxic empathy bullies us into believing that the unwise, immoral, and unbiblical position is actually the righteous one."

She follows up,

"To love means to want what is best for a person, as God defines "best." God's definition of what is good and loving will almost always contradict the world's definition, which will inevitably put us at odds with mainstream culture. While this is uncomfortable, the sacrifice is worth it. The truth can change lives."

And,

"This book isn't about killing empathy. It's about embracing God's vision for love, order, and goodness. My goal is to equip you with commonsense, biblical truths that dismantle toxic empathy from its foundations. Again: real love--the kind described by the God who created and is love (1 John 4:8)--always includes truth. The two are inextricably intertwined, since true love celebrates truth (1 Cor. 13:6). Christians are called to this kind of love regardless of whether we feel empathy or not." 

Finally,

"Putting yourself in someone's shoes may help you feel their pain, but their pain isn't determinative of what's true or false, right or wrong." 

I think the book is timely and relevant. I think it is well organized and laid out. The chapters--if you can call them chapters--are EXTREMELY long. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

30. The Story of Abortion in America

The Story of Abortion in America. Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas. 2023. [January] 512 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence from the foreword: Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas tell the story of abortion in America by telling the stories of abortion in America. 

First sentence from chapter one: Journalists for centuries have wrestled with how much attention to pay to the creature in the womb.

The authors stress that this is a STREET history of abortion in America--as opposed to "suite" history. It is a history book spanning almost four hundred years. It doesn't have a solitary or sole focus or angle. The approach isn't solely (or strictly, or exclusively) from a moral/ethical perspective (or frame). It presents the story of abortion in America from MANY angles/perspectives. It is first and foremost a book chronicling facts, facts, facts, and more facts. It has a plethora of stories spanning CENTURIES. There are some voices/perspectives that are pro-choice. There are some voices/perspectives that are pro-life. It shows how people's perception of abortion has changed through the centuries. 

I found this one fascinating AND heartbreaking AND sometimes astonishing. I was surprised by how early the [American] church betrayed the unborn. I always assumed that the church gave into pressure from society/culture. I didn't know that the church supported abortion years--if not decade(s) before it was legalized. That pastors had referral circles to abortionists. That they were actively encouraging women to get abortions if they found themselves in difficult situations. That was heartbreaking. 

There are so many STORIES. This one was so well-researched. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible