Book Review: Out Of A Far Country by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan

The story of the Prodigal Son is one of my favorite parables that Jesus taught in the Bible. In that parable we see a son who wanted his father's inheritance and squandered it until he reached a breaking point where he returned to his father. What makes this parable so amazing is the father embraced his son and restored him. This parable speaks to many Christians because it is their story or someone else's story. For Christopher Yuan, and his mother, Angela, this is their story.

The book Out Of A Far Country tells their story of how they were lost and came to the loving arms of the Father. Christopher is the son of Chinese immigrants, who noticed at an early age that he was different. He was attractive to boys. He kept this secret for a long time until he came forward to tell his parents the truth about himself. Angela could not accept what was happening in her son and she seek to change him which ended up in him in rebellion. Christopher left his home and embraced a life of drugs and porn. Angela was a woman who lost all hope.

Each chapter is written from either Angela or Christopher recalling how their lives were going out of control till one day God got a hold of them. Angela was the first to get saved and Christopher could not accept she was a Christian. Christopher ended up in prison where he discover that he was HIV positive. During his time in prison, Christopher embraced the gospel message and Christ forgave him of his sin.

Christopher went on to Moody Bible Institute, where he is now teaching. He and Angela travel all over the world telling their story how their life was a wreck yet Jesus redeemed both of them.

I have heard portions of Christopher's story before, but never had the chance to read this book until now. I highly recommend and pray this will be encouragement to those who are going through a similar situation.

Thanks Waterbrook Multnomah for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Recovering Redemption by Matt Chander and Michael Snetzer

When it comes to redemption, some Christians have the idea they have to redeem themselves by some external activity. We have the tendency to focus on what we can do better as a Christian if it were some kind of job evaluation. When employees get an evaluation from their employer, it is always about what they are doing what right and what areas could use some improvement. Other evaluations go so far as the employee feels like he/she will lose their job if they do not do better.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about what you can do to get better. The gospel is about what God has done through Jesus because you will never get better on your own. Matt Chandler and Michael Snetzer discuss the changes the gospel brings in their book, Recovering Redemption. The book begins with the beginning. In other words, we have to go back to the book of Genesis to see why mankind is so screwed up. The Fall of man shows us why we can never get better. We can never get better because we look inside ourselves not outside for redemption.

Of course what book about the change the gospel brings if you do not write about the gospel. Chandler and Snetzer devote one chapter explaining the gospel to their readers. The rest of the book deals with struggling with sin, the benefits of our faith in Jesus, and fighting fear. The epilogue of the book deals with the call that every Christian is called to do: make much of Jesus. That is not just inside the walls of a church, but that is also in our day-to-day lives. Our marriage should be all about Jesus as well as our finances. Our lives should not be one that worships and adores God, but also be on mission for him.

Every time Matt Chandler writes or speaks, I listen. He has incredible boldness and heart for the gospel that he is not afraid to address issues that will make most preachers blush. Michael Snetzer adds incredible insight as well as his own story of grace. This book should be read by every Christian whether you have been a believer for 1 month or 50 years. This book is a top contender for my top 5 list of 2014.

Thanks Broadman & Holman for letting me review this book.

Our Redemption Is For His Glory

Earlier this week, I began to read Ephesians, as directed by my Bible reading plan from the Reformation Study Bible. Later in the day I decided to do a more in depth study of the first chapter. I came across a pattern in Ephesians 1:3-14, which in the original Greek it is one sentence. Read these verses and see if you see that pattern (I made it obvious):

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,to the praise of his glory.

To the praise of his glorious grace. To the praise of his glory. I love this study note I came across in the ESV Study Bible: God’s ultimate purpose is not redemption as such but the praise of his glorious name through redemption. Redemption is not just about us getting right with God and getting eternal life. Redemption is about giving God glory. Redemption is not about us and how good we can become. Redemption is about God and how good He is.