The Smell of Sawdust
Recently I picked up The Smell of Sawdust by Richard Mouw for $1.39 at Lifeway. (Don't we love Clearance) I have really enjoyed this read. For those of us, who where raised among the evangelical crowd this book is a good review of where we came. Mouw endorses the best of the Fundamentalism, yet is not blind to the realities of its many shortcomings.During the chapter, Fundamentalism Revisited, Mouw shares an analogy given to him by his predecessor David Hubbard. He said we evangelicals should look at the battles fought by previous generations in much the same way that American citizens honor the memories of those who fought in the Revolutionary War. "I can go to Bunker Hill," he said, "and feel patriotic, even though I have no animosity toward the present-day British."
If we could only live such a life. All to often, we live the battles of the past over and over again...
I am appreciative of those who have fought for truth, but not always proud of how they won. Every victory has losses, but our Christian witness, our generous spirit, our ability to forgive should never be the victim. Perhaps there is still much to learn from our past.
And perhaps this book is a place to be reminded of that again.
Labels: Book, Richard Mouw, Theology
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