GRACE AND WORLDVIEW INSIGHT

This week I would like to recommend a book for you to read and a daily podcast for you to listen to.

The book is "The Case for Grace" by Lee Strobel. "The Case for Grace" is an enjoyable and encouraging book and like all of Stobel's books is a record of his search into a particular aspect of Christianity. I like this book because it helped me to understand in a practical way the grace of God and how unique grace is among all of the world religions. It is a book of testimonials about the grace of God -- the grace of God worked out in the lives of lost sinners. Here is an excerpt from the book:
"I pointed to the Bible on the table between us. 'Which teaching of Jesus best crystalizes grace for you?' Hazen was quick to respond. 'It's got to be the story of the Prodigal Son. It's over-the-top! It really does show how we're not just talking about mercy; we're talking about a God who's singularly focused on having a love relationship with us and is willing to do just about anything for that. In this parable, the son takes his inheritance and says, 'I'm going my own way.' The father probably took a deep breath and said, 'Oh, I hope one day he comes back!' And after a disastrous life that helps him realize the enormity of his sin, the son does come back - and scanning the horizon, the father sees him and without a moment of hesitation runs to him with a ring, sandals and a feast. The father doesn't just begrudgingly allow his son secondary status as a disfavored servant, but he orders a party in his honor and reinstates him as his child.'
Hazen's eyebrows shot up. 'Wow!' he exclaimed. 'What a story of undeserved favor! You don't find anything like that in the other religions of the world.' 'Are you sure?' I asked. 'I thought there was a story in Buddhist literature that parallels the Prodigal Son parable.' 'Well, they're similar to the degree that they both involve sons who rebelled and left home, then later saw the error of their ways and came back. But the Buddhist story ends quite differently - the son has to work off his misdeeds.' 'How?' 'He ends up toiling for twenty-five years, hauling dung. So that provides a stark contrast between the God of grace and a religion where people have to work their way to nirvana.' A feast with a fatted calf versus hauling piles of dung - yes, quite a difference, I mused. 'What about Islam?' I asked. 'How would the Prodigal Son story play out there?'
'In my view, it's just not possible for a parable like that to emerge from Islamic circles,' Hazen said. 'I'm not sure the prodigal son would ever come back. Family shame is very significant in Islam. The family's honor is a reflection of the way the family submits to Allah. The level of shame in the young man leaving his family would have been intolerable.' 'And if he did come back?' 'He'd be on his hands and knees before Allah, and there would be great penance to pay - if that. No, the prodigal son is a product of Christian theology, which is a wellspring of grace, forgiveness, and hope. You find the Prodigal Son story coming from the lips of Jesus - and nobody else.'
My hand swept the array of books on Hazan's bookshelves. 'You've spent your academic life studying the religions of the world. Are you saying grace is nowhere else to be found?' ...

I also want to recommend for your listening (or reading if you prefer) a daily podcast called "The Briefing" by Albert Mohler. "The Briefing" analyses major news events from a theological and Christian worldview perspective. I appreciate "The Briefing" because it gives me overall understanding of what is taking place in the world from God's viewpoint. "The Briefing" helps me to look at the bigger picture and understand in a practical way the clash between darkness and light, lies and truth, God's kingdom and the kingdom of Satan in this world.
To listen to the briefing click here  You can also read the content of "The Briefing" but it may be posted a little bit later than the audio. A phone app is available by searching "The Briefing" by Albert Mohler on your browser. You can also go to www.albertmohler.com for other articles and resources.

Have a great week in Christ. Time to go and shovel some snow.