Book Log: June 2009

1. Gordon Wenham. The Book of Leviticus (NICOT) – The best Leviticus commentary I have. Theological, readable, believing.

2. Derek Tidball. The Message of Leviticus (Bible Speaks Today) – Also an excellent commentary. Very strong in application, occasionally over-applies.

3. Robert I. Vasholz. Leviticus (A Mentor Commentary). Information is usually solid, but spends too much time on word studies for my tastes. I also find the structure of the book a bit baffling.

4. Tremper Longman III. Immanuel in Our Place: Seeing Christ in Israel’s Worship. Helpful introduction to a lot passages that often seem dull to modern ears.

5. Scott Klusendorf. The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture. Superb field manual for responding to abortion choice arguments. Well-worth owning and studying.

6. Herman Bavinck. Saved By Grace: The Holy Spirit’s Work in Calling and Regeneration. Reading Bavinck is always beneficial. Clear, astute thought on an old controversy that still has relevance today. Mark Beach’s Introduction is fantastic.

7. Seth Davis. When March Went Mad: The Game That Transformed Basketball. This is the story of 1979 NCAA Championship Game, Michigan State v. Indiana State (aka, Magic v. Bird). Pure fun, especially if you live in Lansing and work in East Lansing. Loved it.

8. Stephen J. Nichols and Eric T. Brandt. Ancient Word, Changing Worlds: The Doctrine of Scripture in a Modern Age. Not a book giving the doctrine of Scripture, but a book about the history of the doctrine of Scripture. A handy reference.

9. E.M. Bounds. Power Through Prayer. Eminently quotable, and very inspiring (and convicting).

10. James K. Hoffmeier. The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible. Accessible introduction to a thorny issue. Well worth reading.

*****
Bonus Coverage: Here are Hoffmeier’s conclusions, quoted directly from the end of The Immigration Crisis. Whether you agree or disagree, you would benefit from reading the book and weighing his exegetical arguments.

On Nations and Governments:
Since biblical times countries have had the right to clearly established secure borders that they controlled and were recognized by surrounding governments, travel tribes and individuals. Furthermore, nations, including Israel of the Bible, had the right to determine who entered their land and under what circumstances, and they could confer resident or alien status to foreigners should it be mutually beneficial. The same is true today, I maintain.

Legal Areas:
Cities and municipalities who offer sanctuary for illegal aliens do so without the support of biblical law. Because biblical sanctuary was only intended to allow the innocent party to get a fair hearing in trial, and not for the purpose of sheltering lawbreakers from the authorities and agents of the state, cities that provide a safe haven for illegal immigrants, well intending to be a gesture of justice, are in fact violating federal law and are misappropriating biblical law.

Social Area:
Today aliens (i.e. legal immigrants) who are needs should be extended governmental social services such as welfare, unemployment, food stamps, job training and other benefits offered to disadvantaged citizens…However, as the gleaning laws remind us, the poor and the aliens actually had to go out and work in the fields to get the grains and fruits (Lev. 19:9-10; 32:33; Deut. 24:19-21).

On Immigrants:
The Bible clearly distinguishes between the status of a legal alien (ger) and a foreigner (nekhar and zar), and one consequence of this is that there really is a difference between the legal standing of a present-day documented alien and an illegal immigrant. Therefore it is a legally and morally acceptable for a government to deal with those in the country illegally according to the nation’s legal provisions. The Christian insists, however, that they be dealt with in a human manner. Expatriation (as Abraham experienced) in itself is not inhumane, but it must not be done in a heartless manner.”

On Employers:
Employers who discriminate against workers because they are perceived to be powerless and lack legal protection and consequently pay them below the standard wage need to be appropriately sanctioned and fully prosecuted…Furthermore, when employees are paid “off the books”, as is the case with many illegal immigrants, the state is deprived of revenue. Hence, employers are obliged morally and legally to follow the rule of law and the ethical principles of the Bible by treating alien and citizen in hiring and compensation.

On Church and Religious Institutions:
People who take the teaching of Scripture seriously and want to treat people graciously will no doubt struggle to find an ethical and legal balance between helping those who are needy on the one hand and yet are residing in the nation illegally on the other. Then too one must accept the fact that the Old Testament law draws a distinction between the legal alien and the foreigner. Consequently, the Christian will continue to wrestle with being compassionate and yet recognizing that illegal immigrants, like themselves, need to submit to the laws of the land. Despite this quandry there are plenty of foreigners, refugees, and immigrants who legally reside in America, Canada, or Britain whom churches and religious institutions can assist.