Truth About Money Lies?

 President and CEO of Ronald Blue and Co.—a financial and investment advisory firm—Russ Crosson co-wrote a book with Kelly Talamo called “The Truth About Money Lies: Help for Making Wise Financial Decisions.” While the authors provide some healthy financial advice, their truths aren’t based on all the information. For example, while they warn about being in too much debt—which is sound—and quote a Proverb about a borrower being enslaved to the lender, they ignore the many verses that assume people will have to borrow at some time. And most of the warnings—including Christ’s Sermon on the Mount—are for the lenders: you must lend even if a Sabbath year is coming when all debts are released (Cf. Deut. 15.1-2; Mt. 5.42; Lk. 6.34); don’t enter the house to reclaim any collateral used to secure a loan (Deut. 24.10-11); return a person’s cloak by nightfall so the borrower can be warm at night (Deut. 24.13). And so on. The authors don’t or minimally discuss these aspects. 

Likewise, while they like to quote the average credit card balance of $14,000+, they don’t discuss the data’s distribution. It’s not a normal, Gaussian, bell-curve distribution. According to the Federal Reserve, nearly half, half or over half (depending on the year) carry no balance on their cards, paying their charges each month. Decades ago, the AT&T credit card president was fired because they didn’t make enough money, missing their target: the reason is they based their projections on the average and not the median. Only 3% of Americans are delinquent being 30 days overdue. What drives the high average figures being quoted? According to the CFPB, one-third of payments made towards credit balances cover 10% or less of the balance. So there are a minority of credit card holders—and since people have 3+ credit cards, it may be the exceptions—that are carrying very large balances. Remember the 3% delinquency rate. However, the authors sound the alarm about using credit cards as if most people end up paying interest on tens of thousands of dollars. Most Americans are handling their credit cards well.

So while there’s good financial advice, it’s not necessarily founded on truth or sound premises.

Bible Says So?

In a forthcoming book entitled “The Bible Says So,” Dan McClellan tackles a lot of controversial topics in this book: only one god; homosexuality; abortion; Jesus is God….and so on. One can appreciate his approach with regard to historical-critical analysis. In reading any of the essays, if approached with prior knowledge of the topic, a reader may wonder if the author is a “confidence man” in that he speaks untruths confidently and thus sounding authoritative. However, McClellan does show where the analysis is ambiguous and the conclusions can’t be certain. Likewise, he concludes the whole book by saying further information and analysis may change any summaries he’s put in this book. This may be similar to his approach on his social media outlets.

While there are a very few core beliefs being explored here, most are not critical to a person’s critical basis for faith. There are single-digit issues worth dying for; many worth defending and a vast majority fall on the spectrum of discussing extensively to not worth mentioning. Many will find most of the chapters fall on nearer the spectrum point of “let’s talk a bit and then move on” because it doesn’t jeopardize the core beliefs. However, part of the author’s social media oeuvre is that people want to get hot and bothered about some pseudo-controversies (e.g is the logo for a highly caffeinated/energy drink the “mark of the beast”?). 

If you find yourself in a lot of discussions around some of these topics—particularly with others of a non-Christian faith tradition—it might be helpful to have this reference around. It’s not comprehensive on all the difficult Hebrew and Greek scripture texts but it covers some topics not found elsewhere.

I’m appreciative of the publisher providing an advanced copy. 

A Different Look at Histories Related to Christ

 History is written by the victors, they say, and Nixey’s book elucidates this. While not providing any hint towards which histories are more correct than others—the canonical Gospels, the apocryphal gospels, the critical, secular historians—she does show how the various sources existed concurrently with each other (perhaps). She gives voice to those who point out the similarities between the Jesus of the Gospels and other ancient deities, wizards, magicians who also are described in extant hagiographies (or anti-hagiographies). This is not a book for the faint-of-heart/faith but for those who want to discipline and firm up their faith with logic, reason. (In one passage, Nixey suggests that the Gospel of John’s famous opening could be written, “In the beginning was Reason….”) 

While citing many works that come from 3rd-, 4th- and later centuries CE (AD) that contradict the Gospels, which have been traced to the 1st century, she merely points out the paucity of earlier editions of the apocryphal gospels and critical essays. Historians have cited the multitude of purges and book-burnings. Likewise, the author makes no claims as which of the contradictory versions are more accurate. Historians know that tracing sources closest to the time period are probably more true. Just think about various versions regarding the cause(s) of the American Civil War (1860s) exist—and which ones despite their popularity might still be false. Or the Jewish Holocaust during WWII and its deniers, in less than a few decades of its occurrence. JFK assassination. The moon landing. 9/11 instigators. 2020 election fraud. These are relatively modern examples of what the ancient illiterate world had to deal with: disinformation, misinformation and truth rolling around in a mud hole, and none coming out clean. Likewise, historians have shown that such writings as the gospels of Thomas, Barnabas and so on are most likely hoaxes written by people unfamiliar with Israel’s geography, and using names more common in later centuries and places outside of Israel.

The major monotheistic religions have had to deal with accusations of suppressing alternative versions. The faithful’s retort to the accusation is, “God has ensured His word remains in its true form.” God who knows just how greedy, ambitious and manipulative we are and has chosen to trust some of pure heart will sort through the mess and help us discern the wise and helpful from the silly and destructive narratives.

I appreciated that the publisher had given me an advanced copy. The book is now available.

Irreverent but Informative

 A soon to be published book by Kate Sidley, a writer for Stephen Colbert’s show, looks at sainthood. You’ll learn everything from A (All Saint’s Day) to Y (Yahweh, you) about canonization. With self-proclaimed irreverence, Sidley walks the reader through each step and some history around the process. While pointing out some of the nonsense (nepotism—declared a saint because his dad was a pope (celibacy?) and a saint—the author also describes the traditions and practices.. You’ll learn about saints, both real and fictional, but because there are thousands of proclaimed saints, not all are covered here. You’ll get a glimpse into many saints’ lives, their triumphs and tribulations. Written with warmth, the facts are laid out while a little fun is poked. The book is illustrated with many paintings of saints and the captions may be the funniest part of the book.

If you’re very serious about your religion, this book isn’t for you. If you want to learn about the history and traditions while having some fun, you’re in the right place.

I appreciate the publisher providing an early copy.

Soon to be Published Commentary on James

 Unlike many commentaries that repeat predecessors’ opinions, Eng for Hodder Bible Commentary Series adds some new thoughts on the book of James. Besides exegesis (verse by verse explanations), he provides structural analysis looking at the whole of the book and motifs. I appreciate how he continually brings James’ writings in relation to the Shema (Deut. 6.4-5—Listen, O Israel, the LORD our God is one God. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, strength. There is an exhortation to listen and then do (love…). Christ called this the greatest with a second great command to love your neighbor. Eng points out that James hearkens repeatedly to this listen, acknowledge your fealty to the one True God and then do/love. Besides this, the commentator shows parallels to other Hebrew passages that James readers/hearers would have been familiar with.

Eng decides that of the competing theories as to the author and date of this letter, the most likely is James (Jacob), the earthly brother of Jesus (Y’shua) written before 50 A.D. making it one of the earliest circulated New Testament writings. Chances are perhaps that even believers dispersed outside Judea would have been familiar with some abridged gospel writings, such as the Sermon on the Mount. Though James was not part of the inner circle, the disciples, growing up in Mary’s household, he would have heard his brother pontificate on many of themes that the gospel writers recorded from the Christ’s formal ministry. When the apostles would have taught Christ’s lessons, they probably did not sound alien or new to James. He likely was able to acknowledge and agree with them.

The author also refutes Martin Luther’s dislike of the epistle because it seems to contradict Paul’s epistles espousing salvation through faith alone. Luther focused on Paul’s writings to contrast with the Roman Catholic’s teachings of salvation through works. Eng shows how James’ letter and Paul’s letters can be harmonized.

Like many commentaries, a reader can get lost in the minutiae. Eng tries to bring it back to broader themes and main points (theses) periodically. Such as linking James’ teachings to the Shema. Often it’s easy to understand this epistle as filling in the blanks following “If your really believe….”

…God has chosen you believers, part of the 12 tribes, then you will understand His favor has not disappeared though you face trials and tribulations.
…God wants to complete a good work in you, through you then you can persevere, find joy in the midst of trials.
…God has created a community of brothers and sisters, equal co-heirs, then you will guard your tongue when you talk about God’s beloved.
…God gives good gifts, and not man, then you will not show favoritism expecting quid pro quo.
….God wants you to love your neighbor, you will not cheat workers of their wages.
And so on.

This is worthy companion when reading the epistle of James.

I appreciate the publisher for providing an early copy to review.