Matt Chandler (1) (1974–)

As a general rule, I tend to not like most of what I read by Calvinists. There are a few exceptions that I have found to be helpful and useful: D.A. Carson, Timothy Keller, and Steve Brown. I may have to add Matt Chandler to that list. He hits so very many things just exactly right in this book that I can easily forgive the few things I quibble with. He gets that the gospel isn't just asking Jesus into your heart. The Gospel is the story of God's encounters and interactions with man and is show more best expressed not as a simple occurrence in a believer's life, but as God made flesh in the life of Jesus with a plan for man that precedes the beginning of time and lasts far past the end of time. Well done, Matt Chandler. show less

"The Mingling of Souls" perhaps, but also, most assuredly, "The Mangling of the Song of Solomon."

Using his own experiences and a highly disputable arrangement and exegesis of the Song of Solomon the author seeks to advise Christians through the whole path of a marriage relationship, from attraction to dating to courting to engagement to marriage issues.

The author's experience is valuable. Much of what he has to say, in terms of marriage and relationships, is completely solid.

But his show more treatment of the Song of Solomon turns Solomon and the Shunammite into the nice middle class American family who sits next to you at church. It is simply not possible to make sense of the author's take on the Song in its original 10th century BCE context, under a different covenant, written as erotic poetry by a guy with hundreds of wives and concubines. I grant the author that his creative interpretation may seem somewhat credible on the surface, but one must truly wonder whether our goal in understanding Scripture is to thus domesticate it for our purposes or be willing to accept it for what it is.

If you can get past the exegesis of the Song, there's some good stuff here. It's hard to recommend it, however, in light of the brusque treatment of the Song. show less

The Wind of Gods Spirit coursed through my heart and faith as I finished reading the last 2 chapters. His clear and decisive way in which he shows evangelism can and ought to take the form of hospitality, was very compelling and refreshing to read. And, He’s right.

I’ve been shown hospitality probably 30-50 times by humble and loving believers (sometimes opening their house for a week at a time while I was in transition in moving in between jobs), and it certainly makes an impression. show more Hospitality is self denying and sacrificial, but it proves to others in a visible way, that Christ (really is) “our life” Colossians 3:4 and that it’s more satisfying to honor / obey / love Christ John 14:15 than to live comfortably as we pass the time of our sojourn in this world (1 Peter 1).

Pastor Matt’s loving exhortations (especially towards the end) will stir your faith and cause you to feel excited to be alive at a pivotal and unique time as this.

I will note that he does not speak in a polished / professional / eloquent way. It’s very “down to earth.” Some will appreciate this, others may not.

I was edified, and will recommend this to other brethren.

I’ve read books with plenty more substance before, but this will be a refreshing and faith strengthening read, I have no doubt of that. show less

Some deep thoughts

Matt Chandler has written a few sermons on Philippians. He then put all of these together, made a small effort of tying some things here and there and published a book. I mean, some of these chapters are great, some of the passages deep, thought provoking and powerful... But as a book it lost me a few times. Too many personal stories back to back to present the same point, too many times the same lesson was repeated. It works when preaching, but it's not the same when show more reading.

7/10 for content
6/10 for execution

A nice read for a weekend in the woods. show less