Book Reviews by Ehlen Administration

Who Told You That You Are Naked? Genesis 3:11: Live Without the Bondage of Sickness and Suffering by Guy Right My rating: 4 of 5 stars Do you understand the nature of God? Do you think of Him as a cosmic killjoy, an enforcer, or not paying attention up there? Do you wish that God would save you from your circumstances but find yourself wondering if He even wants to? Who Told You That You Are Naked? Takes Genesis 3:11 and explains why the question is both necessary and revealing (pun fully intended) of the true nature of God. In short chapters author Guy Right - ok honestly, this pen name annoys me, despite how much I liked the book - breaks down the context of the verse and shows the application in other Biblical stories, and more importantly, uses it to reveal how much God really does love you. Not you in the collective sense, although He certainly does, but you as an individual, in the circumstances you find yourself in right now. Each chapter contains Scripture references alr...

From a criminal mind to the mind of Christ by Melody Wolfe My rating: 4 of 5 stars Melody has battled addiction, been incarcerated, survived the death of her husband and faced mental health diagnoses head on. She admittedly struggled to walk the straight and narrow, and wondered if it could even really be done. As a Christian, she knew she was a bad witness. But how do you work your way up to walking the walk? Of course the answer is you don’t. Melody found that only when she embraced the mind of Christ and let him do the directing could she walk the walk. Melody writes From a Criminal Mind to the Mind of Christ from a very open, raw perspective of someone who has been through it and while far from perfect, has embraced the radiant person that she is meant to be in Christ. I should note, this is written specifically from a Christian perspective and is intended for those who can embrace Christianity as part of their recovery process, if you are not already a Christian. There is a...

Author Ronald Cooke presents the idea of Summa 21 as an updated Christian theology for the 21st century, attempting to reconcile 21st century knowledge, particularly scientific knowledge, with the faith of Christian theology. In this way he hopes to make it both accessible and acceptable to Millenials and generations beyond, as well as provide a framework to integrate new knowledge and discovery without marginalizing the Bible and its teachings. I love the idea of Summa 21, particularly as it relates to acknowledging that science is important, indeed a gift given by God, and that scientists need to also acknowledge that the spiritual world is both real and relevant to their work. I feel that this has been missing and even purposely ignored in a lot of modern science, when really it isn’t a threat but a complement. I have to say I’m not on board with absolutely everything that Cooke presents, particularly about the nature of Jesus and the role of hell,  but I love that he is...

An Unspoken Compromise by Rizi Xavier Timane My rating: 4 of 5 stars I had not heard of Rizi Timane or his ministry prior to reading this book, and I am very interested to learn more. This is part memoir, part treatise, of a woman who believes she was actually born a man, and the journey she took to become he. It is a fascinating and honest account, and I appreciate that not all of the interactions or endings were portrayed happily. I think people need to know exactly how difficult it is, particularly when you add the element of faith, as Rizi is a practicing Christian, or as he puts it, a “Jesusian.” As a Christian, reading this book is challenging. I have always been one to point out the flaws of humanity when practicing their faith (Crusades, anyone?), and although I do not know if I agree entirely with his interpretation of Scripture I love hearing interpretations other than my own. I also appreciate honest debate, and particularly that Rizi takes his own medicine, so to spe...