Locked Doors of the American Church is a book written by Brian Culver. In the book, he attemts to address what he perceives as a real problem in American Churches.
For this review, I will be giving some highlights, items I agree with, places where I disagree and the "emphasis" points that he dwells on. After reading the book, you will definitely know that he has a passion about the 10 Commandments and making sure that people know the Commandments and know them in order. The reason for this can be linked to one of his key phrases: Without Law, we cannot know what sin is.
The opening of the book has numerous scriptures. These scriptures are the foundation and premise for what the book will be built upon. It is great to see a book that is based upon the Holy Word of God and placed front and center for the book's foundation.
Purpose
One of his stated purposes (pg. 22) is the following: The book will go in depth to examine what we can do to improve our fulfilling of the Great Commission.
Over the next 55+ pages, he goes in-depth on the 10 Commandments and this is the basis for us to improve and fulfill the Great Commission. I believe that there can be argument and debate over wether this is the best way to improve and fulfil.
Before he launches into the 10 Commandments, there was a statement on page 28 that I think is a very important statement and one that I could not agree with more. It is the following: God is able to equip any person who has called on Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is not just enough to just say you are a Christian; there must be fruit to prove it to others.
We as a community of believers must do two things:
- we must eliminate the "pastor-only" approach. ALL PRIESTHOOD.
- we must bear good fruits (people will notice)
Ten Commandment Challenge
Still not sure how to use the Ten Commandments? Still haven't memorized them? You will have several opportunities to learn them throughout this book. Once you do learn them, then it is time to hit the streets running. It is time to start saving people by getting out of the church and out into the streets where the sinners are. (pg. 33)
Seminary Question
Ask the seminary students if they know the Ten Commandments. If no, it is possible that they are not truly saved. (pg. 91)
Salvation: Are/Were You Saved
These people who fall away from Christ, never had truly accepted Him as their Lord and Savior in the first place. They were never presented the Ten Commandments to show them just how sinful they were. (pg. 94)
Excitement in Church
Do you want to see excitement in your churches? Encourage your pastors and congregation to go out and do some open-air preaching (pg. 99)
Words to Applaud
This bok is titled, Locked Doors of the American Church. I do not feel we lock people out of the church but rather have presented a culture whereas we lock our faith inside the church. We do not take our faith out into the world. We act scared. Won't someone take the lead? Won't you? (pg. 101)
I fully agree. I agree in the sense that so many times, we as churches are just concerned about us and we keep ourselves busy in the church; this must stop.
Church Service
He spends a few pages making sure that we need to be preaching the Ten Commandments and sin leads us to HELL and stay away from sermon series and we need to make sure that we keep the donuts and coffee out of the worship space for reverence and connection to God in a holy way. There was one section on page 110/111 that confused me when he was comparing the Acts Church and Today's Church.
He finishes the book off by adreesing people and groups. He addresses bishops, then elders, church members, non-going church christians and non-christians. There are small nuggets of truth in each one of those.
My Cynical NitPick
Memorize the Ten Commandments and then Repent of your sins. Actually, once you learn the Commandments and are broken hearted over your sinfulness, repent and then memorize them! (pg. 127)
Memorize are the book ends :)
We will finish up with the Gospel as an acronym and his final message for us.
God
Offers
Sinful
People
Eternal
Life
Law + Grace = Life
8 comments:
I think it is interesting that he equates Knowing, or memorizing the ten commandments with becoming a Christian. As he says about the seminary students, if they don't know all of the ten commandments then they probably aren't saved. This smacks a little of "works righteousness" to me. It is as if you have to work the "formula" perfectly in order for God to work in you life. Talk about locking the doors!
Just don't start me off.....
DP, please get started. It is always so much fun when you do. Ready, set, Go!
Nator:
The knowing the Ten Commandments are very crucial for him.
I am not sure how many times he referenced asking X if they know them and if not then .....
In the book, he ends with Law+Grace and he mentioned Grace a few times, but Law was dominant.
I would like to have an open discussion on the Law and how that can/should really play out.
So would I. You start and I'll join in.
You guys ......
The Ten Commandments are the crux of the Way of the Master. Without them their WAY falls apart. I find it interesting that Jesus never had anyone learn the Ten Commandments, or even recite them before he talked to them. He even forgave people before they asked for it! "GASP" I don’t see how this was using the law.
Nator:
I agree with you. When Jesus asked his disciples to follow him, he did not ask them that question.
I am looking through scriptures when he forgave people and when he healed people when he went and had dinners with sinners where he gave them a discourse on the LAW, showed their errs and pointed them to Grace.
I am going to learn more about them and how they come to the conclusion. I really do want to understand.
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