Cornelius Plantinga

I’m not a huge fan of typical devotionals, because they can sometimes veer into a quasi-self-help Christianity. Or maybe it’s my Word of Faith/Pentecostal background filters I see through. In any case, I was hesitant about this book, but wanted to give it a try and I’m so glad I did. It’s an excellent little book, full of deep insights, but in an easy to digest format. It begins with a Scripture reference that the author recommends reading in full prior to reading the chapter and I show more agree with this as well, because it helps with understanding. Then the author dives into a topic, where he almost always brings out something that I’ve always wondered or something I have never thought of. Each chapter ends with a short prayer that could easily be memorized or saved and prayed again and again. Since I struggle with prayer, I very much appreciated this tangible application I could take away.

Though it’s a small book (178 pages), it’s one that could take awhile to read (if you so choose) because of how deep it is and how much “marinating” you could do. Overall, I’m very pleased with it and my faith in devotionals/reflections/meditations might be restored. show less

Plantinga is a well known author who offers insightful reflections on the Scriptures and is a sound guide for prayerful, faithful reading. Here he has biblical reflections for a deeper faith. The author asks us to struggle with the more obscure ideas buried in the text and seriously read the passages he reviews. The admonition is really to meditate and ponder the meanings of the texts.

Simplicity of expression does not result in superficiality. Plantinga demonstrates a profound grasp of show more spiritual insights arising from his meditations on the Bible and this little volume is one of the most inspiring tomes of Protestant spirituality that I have ever read. It reminds me of thoughtful and prayerful works such as J.I. Packer's Knowing God (https://www.librarything.com/work/10738/summary/34062857). I highly recommend this work for spiritual refreshment. show less

I read and very much enjoyed one of Plantinga's books (Engaging God's World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living) in college, so was particularly excited to see this book appear on NetGalley.

Now I want to go re-read _Engaging God's World_, lol!

Plantinga writes engagingly and informally in _Under the Wings of God_--the perfect approach to a devotional. He notes in the introduction a desire for the reader to really engage with Scripture, and he absolutely succeeds here. So many show more devotionals on the market today are just a verse or two and a page of extrapolation--not so this read, for which I am thankful. It includes (or points the reader to) extended passages of scripture, along with decently lengthy writings of Plantinga's own. Christ ought to be what we focus on most, and I certainly feel this read helps with that.

Meaningful and thought-provoking; 4/5 stars.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. show less

Plantinga writes the purpose of his book in his preface: to encourage students to receive Christian education and engage the Scriptures as they form their own personal worldviews and prepare to enter the “secular” world, ready to defend their faith and be prime citizens of the kingdom. As he describes the common themes of the Christian faith, however, that purpose is sometimes forgotten. He thoroughly explains the meaning and significance of creation, the fall, and redemption, but at show more times it seems that he does not explain how these three things relate to the necessity of education.

At times it seems disproportionate to spend three chapters on the ins and outs of the Christian faith and just one chapter on vocation within the kingdom of God. Plantinga writes only briefly about how learning is a “calling” that humanity has, and yet his purpose is to encourage students to partake in a Christian education. Some may know where Paul stresses learning in his epistles, but others may not. It is exceedingly important to understand the significance of creation, the fall, and redemption, but it is also quite necessary to expand on how Christians are expected and encouraged within the Scriptures and their knowledge of Christian history to further their educations.

Another issue that may arise is the Christian education versus the secular education: is the Christian education better in every situation? Many secular colleges have Christian groups on campus, such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Crusade for Christ, and so on. Not everyone is meant to go to a Christian college; some appreciate it, while others are glad they are at a secular university, as they have the opportunity to reach people who do not yet know Christ. Some students have gone to Christian schools all their lives and look forward to the day they may go to a secular college or university, while others wouldn’t dream of it unless they were visiting a friend. Still others can’t afford a Christian post-secondary education. Christian education is important, but perhaps Christian fellowship is even more important in shaping how one develops his or her worldview and lives it out as a prime citizen in the kingdom of God.

However, Plantinga does argue for a Christian education very well, particularly in the last chapter and epilogue of his book. He recognizes the need for and importance of a strong Christian background and worldview, and stresses the significance of being prime citizens in the kingdom of God. The idea of one’s Christian education also being his vocation during that time is a valid one: college is more than just job training. It’s preparation for life in the kingdom of God. Each student must prepare for the challenge, and if they prepare poorly, their lives will be that much more difficult because of it. Christian education can be expensive, but if it produces a competent college graduate who is ready to take his place in the world and fulfill his calling as a child of God, then it is worth it.

Walt Whitman wrote, “The question, O me! so sad, recurring – What good amid these, O me, o life? Answer. That you are here – that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” Plantinga develops a similar philosophy in Engaging God’s World, challenging readers to make their lives extraordinary and contribute a unique verse to God’s kingdom strategy. What will your verse be? show less