Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Paul and Scripture by Steve Moyise

Author Steve Moyise gives a quick look at how Paul used sections of the Old Testament to shape his beliefs following the resurrection of Jesus.

Paul and Scripture is a short book for any student of the Bible.

Inside you will find 8 sections devoted to Paul's use of the Old Testament writings:

Paul and the Creation Stories
Paul and Abraham
Paul and Moses
Paul and the Law
Paul and the Prophets - for Israel and the Gentiles, for the Christian community
Paul and the Writings (Psalms, Proverbs, Job)
Modern Approaches to Paul's use of Scripture.

This last section deals with 3 approaches to Paul. These include Intertextual, Narrative (popular by N.T. Wright), and Rhetorical.

I was really digging deep into what Moyise was writing early in the book, but by the time I got to the Psalms and the different approaches, I had lost interest.

Paul and Scripture is a great book for anyone studying Paul and his writings. The last section would have made a great book on it's own comparing the different approaches, but it seemed rushed to tack on.

In the end, I prefer to read N.T. Wright's work - even if it comes in a thicker book.

Paul and Scripture: Studying the New Testament Use of the Old Testament
This book was provided for review by Baker Publishing.

Monday, November 29, 2010

I AM

If you are a fan of non-linear storytelling ala Crash, you may enjoy I AM.

A snobby heiress is diagnosed with cancer and wants to be frozen in cryogenics.  Her brother is willed the family fortune if she dies before turning 50. She's 49.

A detective is on a vengeance search for the doctor who killed his wife during an experiment.

A once-famed rocker has become a shell of a man after his son is tragically killed in an accident.

The future Los Angeles District Attorney is squeaky clean until he learns about his girlfriend's past.

All of these storylines connect within this film. There are some nice twists and small surprises but overall, the movie is very slow. It may have made a good made-for-tv movie with the commercials breaking up the boring story.

Having said that, I AM was made to show to non-Christians. Throughout the film, they project one of the Ten Commandments and you realize how each character is breaking them.

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and an intense scene.

I am giving copies away for free. All that I need is the cost to cover Shipping & Handling. Leave a comment if you'd like a copy for Christmas.

I Am

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Jesus Before Christianity by Albert Nolan

Albert Nolan offers us his glimpse of Jesus before the church added the flair. Jesus Before Christianity attempts to reveal Jesus as a man who is filled with compassion for the dregs of Jewish society.

We read that by opting to be baptized by John, Jesus was revealing how he was going to do business.

This book falls into the quest-for-the-historical-Jesus category. Nolan just about dismisses any divine/miraculous events recorded in the gospels. A prime example is the feeding of the 5,000. Nolan points out that it probably wasn't just the fish and loaves the disciples had which fed the multitude; the crowed probably had pockets of food throughout, but the miracle was that Jesus showed them how, if they all shared, everyone would be fed and there would be leftovers.

I enjoyed reading some of the contextual insights about Jewish lifestyle, their approach to time and politics. I also liked Nolan's views on the kingdom of God and how Jesus viewed it's coming and existence. However, I find it interesting that many of these historical Jesus writers tend to dismiss anything written about Jesus being God as snippets that were added later once the church began to grow.

Both sides of the debate interpret scriptures differently and they both pick & choose at some level.

If you can keep you head about you, Jesus Before Christianity is a terrific read for those desiring to learn about the times.
Jesus Before Christianity

This book was provided for review by Orbis Books.

Monday, November 8, 2010

A Million Ways to Die by Rick James

Rick James exposes the little deaths that we experience everyday and how these deaths assist us in the correct way to live. "Death is not the ending, it is an invitation to a more abundant life."

A Million Ways to Die is a thick book made up of 7 sections:
Democracy of Death
The Wake of Faith
The Life of Martyrs
The Little Death of Trials
Ode to Courage
Humbled and Mortified
The Passion of Love

Each section is made up of 3 chapters that unpack James' ideas.

You will understand why James believes Jesus was being accurate in telling us to daily pick up our cross and what it means to die a little every day.

Part lecturer and part storyteller, Rick James has written a book that may cause you to rethink your life.
A Million Ways to Die: The Only Way to Live

This book was provided for review by David C Cook Publishing

To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller and John MacMurray

Donald Miller created this book to share his insights on growing up without his father in the picture.

Most of the book revolves around his experience living with his friend, John and family.

This is what you would assume you'd find in a book about being role models and needing father figures in your life.

Donald shares his ideas about belonging, authority, making decisions, manhood, girls (and how they toy with guys), integrity, education and a few other thoughts.

It is similar to Blue Like Jazz in that you're reading ideas and thoughts from a guy who spends the majority of his time sitting around coffee shops.

To Own a Dragon isn't for everyone. Even fans of Donald Miller might find it hard to read through this book as it's really written for boys.

My recommendation would be to pass this one (and it's updated cover copy) for a different Miller book.

The Men Who Would Be King by Nicole LaPorte

This book should be required reading for anyone interested in business and/or Hollywood.

The Men Who Would Be King: An Almost Epic Tale of Moguls, Movies, and a Company Called DreamWorks is about director Steven Spielberg, billionaire David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg (brains behind The Lion King) and their partnership in creating DreamWorks.

Author Nicole LaPorte gives us the juicy, behind-the-scenes of the creation of a new studio and the workings of how a film is made. This is the kind of gossip that us underlings thrive on.

While the book is hefty, and Nicole uses a lot of words in her re-telling, this book is a great resource for anyone thinking about business or maybe curious about how anal those in Hollywood tend to be.

Basically, Katzenberg was offended by Disney CEO Michael Eisner so he decided to build a studio to compete. (Think Antz vs A Bug's Life; Shark Tales vs Finding Nemo) Geffin always needs an enemy to vilify and spread nasty things about in the press while Spielberg wanted a place to expand his creativity.

None of the main characters gave LaPorte interviews for this book so much of the story is "he-said/she-said".

I love reading about behind-the-movie-scenes and this satisfied my core. No one is immune to LaPorte's revealing words as Russell Crowe, Whitney Houston, Jim Carrey and other big stars have their prima donna tendencies on display.

If you can sit through the hours it will take to chug through this tome, you will end up enjoying the rise and fall of DreamWorks SKG.

The Men Who Would Be King: An Almost Epic Tale of Moguls, Movies, and a Company Called DreamWorks

Rise Again by Ben Tripp

If you enjoy all things zombies, you will get a thrill out of reading Rise Again.

Author Ben Tripp has taken what is typically a movie medium and brought it into the world of novels.

Rise Again tells the story of Iraq-veteran turned Sheriff, Danny Adelman. Her sister, Kelley is distraught. After writing a farewell letter, Kelley slips away into the night.

The next day, people start acting weird. They scream and run then fall down dead. Minutes later, they get up and being stumbling around.

You guessed it - they're ZOMBIES! And this time, they evolve. At first, they are slow and stupid, but by the end of the story, they have gained speed and intelligence.

Rise Again feels like every other zombie story. You have a group of survivors trying to find shelter and avoid the flesh-eaters. They come upon a paramilitary group who turn out to be just as evil as the zombies.

The quest is Danny's search for her kid sister, Kelley. Will she find her? Has Kelley turned into a zombie? How many of the ragtag survivors will actually survive this apocalypse? And who is responsible for the creation?

With lots of language and gory details, this book is really only for zombie enthusiasts.

Rise Again: A Zombie Thriller
This book was provided for review by Gallery Books publishing.

Monday, November 1, 2010

The Trial

The Trial feels like watching an episode of Perry Mason or Matlock. It's a nice courtroom drama film about a depressed lawyer who's tasked with defending a boy accused of murder.

The problem for the defendant is he can't remember the event. He claims he would never have killed the girl because he loved her. But is he telling the truth or is the amnesia just a clever ploy?

The Trial stars Matthew Modine (Memphis Belle, What the Deaf Man Heard) as attorney Mac who is depressed because his family has been killed in a car accident.

Bob Gunton (Patch Adams, 24) plays the prosecution seeking the death penalty.

And Randy Wayne (To Save A Life) plays Pete Thomason: the accused.

Rated PG-13 for thematic material and a disturbing image, The Trial offers your basic courtroom drama with a couple twists that may surprise you.

The Trial