Review of "Truth and Transformation" -- What Do We Look Like To An Easterner?

Truth and Transformation, written by Vishal Mangalwadi

Interesting and profound. But also, insightful and troubling.

This book is insightful in diagnosing what has strongly contributed to Western Civilization's unparalleled achievement, development, prosperity and success. (Yes, I'm using the word "success" even though I know it is a loaded word.)

Mangalwadi points to the historical influence of biblically-centered moral values; the biblically-directed pursuit of rationality; the biblically-centered institution of marriage and sexual mores; and other foundations of Western culture. His argument for the positive results of this biblical influence is powerful and persuasive.

One of the interesting distinctions that Dr. Mangalwadi makes is the difference between the Church's influence on Western culture and the Bible's influence on Western culture. He tends to look more favorably on the Bible's influence. I realize that many people would assume that there would be no difference between the two, but the author believes that there is. If you disagree, I'll let you argue that with him. I'm just pointing it out here because I found it to be interesting.

On the other hand, the book is troubling because over and over again Mangalwadi asks some variation of this question: Why is the West abandoning the biblically-oriented cultural morals and values that have been so central to its success?

Part of what gives the book an extra edge is that the author brings such a unique viewpoint to his observations. Dr. Mangalwadi is a Christian intellectual (some folks aren't even accustomed to seeing those two words together) who was born and raised in India and educated in philosophy at secular Western universities. So, he observes and analyzes the West with something of an "outsider's" perspective.

I believe many Christians who read this book will be motivated to pray for spiritual revival and a fresh commitment to the pursuit of truth--God's truth.

Dan Marler

Has God Messed With You Lately?

I asked a friend recently, “What have you been reading these days?”

She said, “I read this book ‘Crazy Love’ by Francis Chan. And God has really been messing with me, as a result of it.”

So, I picked up a copy of “Crazy Love”. It’s a quick read. And God’s been messing with me, now, too.

Oh yes, I’ve thanked my friend for contributing to my nights spent laying awake staring at the ceiling, pondering these matters. But she just laughs at me and says, “join the club, bub.”

I think Chan has a gift for challenging one to seriously grapple with questions like:

· Am I really committed to God and not just playing a game?
· Is there evidence of a true commitment to God in my life?
· Am I really trusting in God or does my life reveal that I have back up plans and insurance policies in case God doesn’t actually come through?
· If my faith in God could possibly seem “strange” to those who don’t walk with God, isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?


The questions listed above may or may not be found in the book, I don’t recall for sure. I’m just saying they are the types of questions that I found myself pondering as I read the book.

One of the questions that definitely is in the book is this one that was posed to a class in which Francis participated back in Bible college: “What are you doing right now that requires faith?” It’s an interesting question for an authentic Christ follower to ponder. Is there anything you are doing in your life, right now, that truly requires faith?

“Crazy Love” is likely to get you thinking and provide a good and important challenge to your faith in God. In fact, He might just “mess” with you as a result of reading this book.

Dan Marler
Oak Lawn, IL

E-Flash From Dan, June 3, 2009

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Hey, whacha’ doin’ this Sunday?

Bull fighting in Madrid? Bungee jumping in Rio? BMX racing in L.A.?
(Reading a book in Oak Lawn?)

See, that’s my point. Whatever you’re doing, it probably won’t be near as interesting as what’s happening here at church. We have a special guest speaker coming to our church this Sunday, June 7th, at 5:30 p.m. His name is Rick Green. Rick is a successful author, former Texas State Representative, co-host of a daily radio talk show “Wall Builders Live!”, professional speaker, and former stunt double for Scott Baio on “Joanie Loves Chachi”.

. . . Alright, I’m just kidding about the stunt double line, but all the rest of it is true.

Rick will be doing his talk on “America’s Religious Roots”. What were the intentions of America’s founders regarding the role of religion and morality in government and the civil arena? What did our Founding Fathers actually write and say about the matter? Rick will be giving us a tremendous amount of interesting, helpful information in regard to those questions.

He’s a great speaker. Funny. Interesting. Insightful. Challenging.

And Rick is going to do a Q&A time with the audience following his talk. I’m really excited about this portion of the evening because I believe some of us will have questions about his subject matter and this will be an opportunity for us to dialogue with a person who is an expert on the these issues.

We still have tickets available and there will be tickets available at the door Sunday night. The tickets are $5.00 and we are only selling tickets in order to help pay for Rick’s expenses, not to make a profit on the event.

I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

Blessings,

Dan


P.S. Also, this Sunday morning at 9 am & 11 am, we have a wonderfully gifted speaker who loves God. I can’t mention his name because of legal copyright issues but his initials are D.M. He has grey hair and an odd, overly active imagination. The title of my . . . oops, I mean “his” talk is: “What Not To Do . . . What To Do”, from Ephesians 4:31&32. Can you think of someone you could invite? Come on, take a risk!