Christian Growth

Loved by God

R.C. Sproul | Word, 2001 |Reviewed by Charles Brown

“God is love.” What does this statement from 1 John mean? R. C. Sproul tackles this and related questions in his latest book, a treatise on the love of God. The work begins with an explanation of 1 John 4:7–11 and then surveys several other biblical texts which address the subject of God’s love.

In particular, Sproul tries to relate the love of God to His other attributes. He correctly notes on page seven that “all of God’s attributes help define all of His other attributes.” So, for example, God’s love is “an immutable love, an eternal love, an omnipotent love, a holy love. etc.” Sproul sets forth this doctrine in a manner sure to stir the soul of any regenerate reader. This volume reminds us that Reformed theology is warm and experiential, not cold and abstract.

For those familiar with Sproul’s five previous works on the holiness and sovereignty of God, some of the material in this book will sound similar. As usual, he presents the material in a simple and straightforward manner, adding a few technical terms along the way. In addition. an introductory mini-lecture by Dr. Sproul is available on the enhanced CD (audio and video) packaged with the book.

The Spiritual Quest: Pursuing Christian Maturity

Luder G. Whitlock. Jr. | Baker Books, 2000 | 192 pp., paperback, $12.99. ISBN 0-8010-6338-8. | Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna

Dr. Whitlock was the director of the New Geneva Study Bible and has contributed to several other important theological reference volumes. The Spiritual Quest departs from the scholarly work Dr. Whitlock has done in that it is accessible to, and written for, the layperson. The question the author asks is, “why is there so little difference in behavior between the Christian and the non-Christian?” It is because, Dr. Whitlock claims, in spite of the voluminous writings concerning the practical aspects of Christianity, there is precious little information on what constitutes a mature Christian.

The book shows the evolution of a mature Christian, starting with the spiritual stirrings at the time of conversion and ending with the slow process of continued sanctification. Dr. Whitlock’s thesis is that, in order to become more God-like in attributes, the reader should know the attributes of God. Whitlock thus spends the bulk of the book on God’s attributes of love, holiness, wisdom, sovereignty, and creativity and how the mature Christian displays these.

The chapters are short, easy to read, and contain a fair number of pertinent quotes from other Christians. Each chapter ends with a few questions for reflection. All in all, it is a pleasant and profitable read.

Issues

Genetic Turning Points: The Eth­ics of Human Genetic Intervention

James C. Peterson | Eerdmans, 2001 | $22, paperback | ISBN 0-8028-4920-2 | Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna

With the recent cloning of human cells, Genetic Turning Points is, if nothing else, timely in its publication. Yet this book fails to reach the promise of the title: there is little of genetics here, and less of solid ethics. The author assumes the reader is without prior knowledge of genetics—not an unreasonable assumption—but he does little to instruct the reader in the complexities of the topic. The ethics of the problems presented in this book are also addressed obliquely. The writing throughout is choppy at best, and disorganized and non-logical at worst. All in all, this book reads like a sophomoric set of musings about ethical problems in genetics.

Dr. Peterson divides his book into four major sections. The first deals with genetic research in general and the problems associated with such research. He addresses the issues of confidentiality and gene patents here. In the second section, Peterson turns to genetic testing and the question of how to handle the results of such testing, be they normal or abnormal. Should the patient be told he has a potentially lethal genetic disease? What about the family? The insurance company? These are questions that need to be asked, especially in light of the rapid advances in the science of genetics.

In sections three and four, Peterson addresses genetic drugs and genetic surgery. One of the advances made possible by genetic manipulation is the creation of a new, widely-used form of insulin. Yet questions remain as to the involvement of both physicians and the government in the creation and use of genetically-­modified medications. Where is the line drawn, or, perhaps more accurately, is there a line drawn? Since the creation of a new insulin was a success, should genetically modified drugs be used to enhance a persons’ height? Ability to run faster? Sleep less? Are these enhancements needed?

The ethical problem of cloning is raised, as well as the specter of eugenics, in the final section of the book. Both cloning and eugenics are quickly becoming more than mere hypothetical issues, they are nearly upon us.

The topic of the ethics of genetics is ripe for a solid review. Unfortunately, this book falls short of providing that.

Education

The Organized Homeschooler

Vicki Caruana | Reviewed by Liz Noell, Stillwater, Okla., RPC

Reading Vicki Caruana’s The Organized Homeschooler is a little like sitting in a personal workshop with the author over a cup of herbal tea. She doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all approach to organization or homeschooling, but tries to draw out of the reader what will work best for the homeschool situation in question. She uses pointed questions to help the reader find the approach to organizational problems that are best. Ms. Caruana begins the book with a chapter that will remind the reader of a Navigator’s Bible study guide. She asserts that it pleases God to be organized, and that, since He has equipped believers to do those things that please Him, He has equipped them to become organized. She supplies Bible references with spaces for note taking about how the Scriptures apply to organizing the home. She goes on to claim that organizing one’s homeschool starts with the right heart attitude. It progresses as a journey on which no one has arrived.

The book deals with a number of excuses for not being organized then argues that thinking ordered by God’s Word will help with a more orderly life. She offers some steps that can be taken to make goals and set priorities that will help lead to more organization in homeschools. She is a strong believer in making lists, observing that God Himself uses lists. She points out that the list of those written in the Book of Life as one.

The author gives examples of all sorts of lists that help her. At the same time, she gives some warnings about making lists that are so long they become a source of discouragement. Making plans is also strongly encouraged by the author. References to well-known books about organizational skills are listed. Throughout the book, Ms. Caruana makes suggestions about how to help children learn organization skills as well.

Toward the end of the book, Ms. Caruana provides concrete examples of organizational systems that have helped families with their needs in homeschool settings. These are simple ideas that don’t require a big investment of time or money. Two ideas that I found particularly helpful were the rubric and the portfolio.

The Organized Homeschooler is a book that will be helpful to anyone planning to homeschool a child. It will also be helpful to anyone who has been homeschooling long enough to be confronted with a child who makes the excuse that an assigned school project couldn’t be done due to the lack of a pencil or a particular book.