Chris Tiegreen

Picture this. God asks you to sacrifice the child you’ve been struggling to conceive for decades and you do it – no questions asked. Handily God steps in and saves your child, providing a goat in his place. Whew. The only thing is you didn’t know in advance how this would all play out. You were sold out, following God, no matter the cost. How would your spouse feel; your church family; how quickly would you be committed to a mental institution?

Yet this very scenario is one of the show more foundational events found in the book of Genesis. Abraham’s obedience to the command of God resulted in his standing in God’s books as a man of great faith. God was impressed, but was anyone else? In Fixing Abraham Chris Tiegreen examines 17 examples from the Bible in which His people behaved in odd, puzzling and ways that would indeed be interpreted as ungodly by the casual observer. Now we have the full span of scripture to tell us how things turned out, how God views these people, and how in turn we should see them. But what did it look like up close? What would it look like now if these events took place in modern congregations? Might there be implications here for our own individual faith-walks with Christ?

In an attempt to answer these questions Tiegreen deconstructs the shiny, happy, sanitized facades modern church has built around the lives of our spiritual ancestors. Stripping away warm fuzzy explanations, Tiegreen reveals how inappropriate the behaviour of these spirit-led individuals was not only in our own culture, but in theirs as well. In their pursuit of God, behaviour is exhibited which often seems contrary to the scriptural principles we hold dear. All of our best assertions as to what God would never do, who He would never use, or what He would never ask of us are swept downriver in a flood of contrary evidence.

Each example is initially presented in the modern context, often taking the form of bizarrely humourous dialogue and settings. The current-day version of Hosea telling his small-group buddies he’s about to marry a prostitute is priceless. Many of the modern-evangelical reactions to the situations examined throughout are humorous or heartbreaking. Commentary follows dealing with the original incidents and how they were likely perceived at the time, and how God worked through these unusual happenings. Some of the examined scenarios seem to be a stretched a wee bit far, and by book’s end Tiegreen had already made his point thoroughly, leaving me longing for his conclusion.

While Tiegreen’s illustrations seem to run on, his Introduction is striking, fresh, and worth every penny of the purchase price. I was challenged deeply on my own positions and stretched to consider God’s wild ways in new light. I slapped my thigh and exclaimed in delight and wonder on numerous occasions throughout the introductory section. Indeed the introduction is the best Christian non-fiction I’ve read this year! The author’s premise is clearly laid out in his opening statements with all other chapters serving as illustrative examples. Get a copy and read the first portion if nothing else.

Tiegreen in no way is seeking to undermine the word of God or its authority, and references it extensively (wonderful footnotes). Instead, he encourages us to see the ways in which scripture itself points out the unconventional, unexpected ways He has called His people to walk. In looking at scripture without the lens of familiarity, the odd and even bizarre behaviours of our heroes of the faith cements the old maxim firmly in place: “God works in mysterious ways.”

Fixing Abraham encourages believers to look beyond their carefully assembled systematic theologies and spiritual guidelines to the One who’s really in charge. He doesn’t always play safe, predictable, or easy, but if you’re willing to follow Him hang on! You’ll be drawn into His purposes, and chances are they won’t be what you expected going in.

Reviewed at http://quiverfullfamily.com show less

I am a big believer in studying biblical languages, exegesis, hermeneutics and theology. I am grateful for my seminary education but for all it has taught me, the best advice I can give to those who wish to understand the Bible is this: read it. My New Testament professor once said that the Bible is full of treasures but that it does not reveal itself to occasional inquirers. In other words, if you want to understand what the Bible says about creation, what it means to be human, the problem show more of evil, God’s plan of redemption, the mystery of the Trinity and the coming kingdom then you have to immerse yourself in scripture, inhabit the story and learn its symbols and metaphors.

90 Days Thru the Bible is a devotional resource put out by Walk Thru the Bible which (cleverly) is based on a 90 day reading plan which takes readers through the entire Bible. The plan laid out has you read through each of the books of the Bible. Most of the 66 books are each read in a day where some of the longer books are divided over two days or more(Genesis and Psalms are divided into five daily readings; and Exodus Isaiah are divided into three). Chris Tiegreen wrote two-three page reflections based on each of the daily readings.

I am currently using this devotional for my daily Bible reading. No doubt many will find reading through the Bible in three months ambitious. However, from my experience reading through the Bible in a short time is easier than reading through the Bible in one year. One year reading plans often have you reading through chapters from both testaments (and maybe a Psalm and a Proverb). Often they break up literary and thought unit,s making it difficult to follow the overarching themes of a particular book of the Bible. While reading through the Bible in 90 days takes a longer daily commitment on some days (some books of the Bible are really short and this plan never has you do more than one book a day), it enables readers to read through a book or section at one time. This is much easier than spending a month in 1 Chronicles and wondering what the point is. Even if you take longer than the 90-day allotment you are still likely to read through the Bible in 120 days and you will have read the Bible in a more connected and less disjointed way.

Chris Tiegreen’s reflections do a nice job of summarizing the passage and pointing out major themes. Each day also provides questions for reflection. Because the format of this devotional is dictated by the Biblical text, it seems more substantive than thematic devotions. That being said, this is a 90 day romp through the Bible so therefore is opaque on some of the details. Tiegreen also can gloss some of the sections that people find difficult (conquest, geneologies, etc.) But this isn’t a book for in-depth study, it is a guide through a quick reading of the Bible. The format dictates that all the details do not receive the same attention. I know from experience that when you read the New Testament with the Old Testament still fresh in your mind, you are much more able to appreciate the nuances of the text.

For me, I need a simple plan for reading through the Bible or I find it hard to practice the discipline of daily Bible reading. This book is great for my purposes, with just the right amount of detail to keep me attentive to what the text might be saying to me. If you are looking for a daily devotional guide, this seems like a good choice to me.

Thank you to Tyndale House for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for this review. show less

I am impressed with Chris Tiegreen’s devotional collection, The One Year Hearing His Voice Devotional: 365 Days of Communication with God. This book is full of scriptural truths, first hand experiences and expressions and a daily dose of something to mull over. Each selection I read struck a chord of truth with me. I often came away with a new insight and unique way of communicating with God. Personal and authentic, Tiegreen shares his views on achieving an intimate relationship with God show more and backs it up with sound Biblical thought. A bonus is that the book is a year long and each entry is dated — perfect for those, like me, that need a plan and structure in their quiet time.

If you are looking for a way to go a little deeper in your walk with God, then this devotional is for you. And this book would make a great Christmas gift too — a great way to start the New Year out right!

Highly Recommended.

(Thanks to Tyndale for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

The best way to start my day is a good devotion to focus on the things of God. 365 Pocket Devotions has a daily text with a Bible verse taken mostly from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Each day begins with “A reflection on:” and then a main topic, followed by times when this topic will be most applicable to my life. Just a few of the topics are Gentleness, Hope, Joy, Unanswered Prayer, Finding True Life and Grace. There is also a Topical Index at the back for those days you may show more need a particular topic. In spite of our busy days, these brief passages are perfect for a quick focus for the day.

The Bible passages are perfectly matched with the devotion text, not something I always find in devotionals, and even though the text is short, they are meaningful. One of the shortest devotions was on Hope, and I thought it was also one of the most powerful.

The cover is a pretty color that stands out so I can’t misplace it. It is made of smooth imitation leather and the binding seems very secure for long use.

My only complaint was the numbering of the pages. Instead of a perpetual calendar type labeling, it was just Day 1, Day 2, etc. I found it much more difficult to remember where I was, although it does have a ribbon place marker which does help. I would still have preferred a month and day format.

I received a review copy from Tyndale in return for my honest opinion. show less