<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: The first word on Biblical stewardship (after the Bible)
Review: Craig Blomberg has produced the single best volume on the topic of what Christians should do with their money and other resources. He surveys hundreds of publications (nearly 700 are listed in the bibliography alone) and also includes relevant discussion of extra/inter/post testament documents from the ancient Levant. He presents a representitive sample of views and comments on every relevant Biblical passage from Genesis to Revelation in an equitable light. Not until the final chapter (almost with out exception) does the author "get preachy" and then it is not so much a guilt producing "what you need to do" as it is a humble example of what he has been lead to do with his considerable fortune (by global standards). If you are at all interested in taking action on this topic your time and money could not be better spent.
Rating:
Summary: Challenging, comprehensive overview
Review: I read this book as background for preaching on Christian giving and its relationship to tithing in the Old Testament. Blomberg provides a detailed look at the Bible's teaching on money and possessions, by examining the various biblical corpora. He also gives sobering, up-to-date information on how Americans spend their money and the proportion of it which they give to Christian missions. His account of his own journey on this issue is one of the many helpful features of the book. I also appreciated his discussion of capitalism versus socialism. This is done with grace, and should be helpful to you, whatever point of view you have. As a result of reading this book, I have been challenged to develop a plan for my own giving. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for sensible guidance on Christian stewardship.
Rating:
Summary: A Balanced Approach to Material Possessions
Review: This is a work that the Western Church needs today. With our pre-occupation with vending machine theology, a God who is obligated to give us what WE want Him to, whether it be "health/wealth gospel" preaching or the simple deemphasis of passages that speak on our need for contentment in all things, the author makes a good case for a Biblical view of wealth. One that does not despise the things of the world, nor does it cling to them. There is nothing extraordinary here to those who have thought on the issue. But it produces a thorough development of the Biblical teachings on weath, synthesizes thsoe teachings well, and given our general LACK of thinking on this issue, it is needed and welcome.
Rating:
Summary: The first word on Biblical stewardship (after the Bible)
Review: This is a work that the Western Church needs today. With our pre-occupation with vending machine theology, a God who is obligated to give us what WE want Him to, whether it be "health/wealth gospel" preaching or the simple deemphasis of passages that speak on our need for contentment in all things, the author makes a good case for a Biblical view of wealth. One that does not despise the things of the world, nor does it cling to them. There is nothing extraordinary here to those who have thought on the issue. But it produces a thorough development of the Biblical teachings on weath, synthesizes thsoe teachings well, and given our general LACK of thinking on this issue, it is needed and welcome.
<< 1 >>
| 
