Evangelical Reunion: Denominations and the Body of Christ
This is one of those books which is simultaneously edifying and exasperating.
It is edifying for several important reasons. The first is that Frame very clearly sees and identifies the sin of denominationalism as sin. In this regard, the book is filled with tremendous and valuable insights. Consider this one, in his discussion of para-church organizations. "We need to recognize that in an important sense, denominations themselves are para-church organizations. God did not authorize denominations" (p. 158).
Frame ably sets forth the scriptural requirements for unity between believers, and he shows why Christians have adjusted their theology to accomodate the unbiblical existence of denominations. In this exegesis and analysis Frame has provided the Church with a valuable service.
But there are also several reasons why the book is exasperating. First, and most important, is the attitude Frame takes toward the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout Evangelical Reunion, Frame treats the Roman Catholic Church as though it were just another denomination. To be sure, he acknowledges that they have serious doctrinal problems, but these problems, in Frame's analysis, do not exclude them from being a Christian church.
Now we know from Scripture (Rom. 11) that Judaism will be grafted back into the olive tree of true Israel — the true Church. And if not Judaism, then why not Catholicism? The answer is that it is quite possible that Catholicism will be grafted back into the Church, but not until the Lord grants full repentance for full apostasy. And until that glad day of resurrection comes, we must not overlook the apostasy.
It is ironic that Frame will find his approach could be a cause of an even greater disunity among orthodox evangelicals. One of the greatest hindrances to true evangelical reunion is the tolerance, by some evangelicals, of that woman Jezebel. True unity must be the result of faithfulness to the doctrine and spirit of the gospel. It must be evangelical.
A second point of exasperation is the superficial treatment of some particularly thorny issues. An example would be his "Sure, why not?" approach to union between baptistic and paedobaptistic churches. Those who applaud this as a goal (as this reviewer does) must nevertheless pray, meditate, and study through the issues carefully. A lot of theological spadework has to be done; a theologically sloppy union will be a much greater offense against unity than the status quo.
Still, even with such problems, Frame has done us a service by clearly stating the problem that must be solved, and, in some key areas, pointing us in the right direction.
The Coming Economic Earthquake
Larry Burkett is a Christian financial advisor. His speciality for years has been that of teaching Christian families to manage their personal finances — microeconomics. So this book is something of a change of pace for him; in it he details why the economy of the United States is headed for a disaster. This is a book about macroeconomics, and because of the state of our economy, it is a book about a macrodisaster.
This is significant when Burkett's well-established position in the evangelical mainstream is considered. For years this reviewer has been familiar with (and in large part sympathetic to) the writings of hard money conservatives. You know, the kind who write about the four G's — God, guns, groceries, and gold. Burkett's book will not really sell to that crowd; he is pointing out what has been obvious to them for years, and at certain points his analysis is simplistic.
But his book is still significant — for several reasons. When a "mainstream" figure starts yelling for us all to head for the tall grass, it is time to head for the tall grass. And secondly, there are many compromised Christians, who have a debt-slave mentality, who could greatly benefit from this book. If this book results in any Christians getting out of debt before the Crash, then reading it was certainly time well-spent.
At the same time there are some problems. First, it is clear that Larry Burkett has some sort of prejudice against precious metals. It may be that he does not want to do or say anything that will make him look like some sort of monetary crank. Nevertheless, given the irresponsibility of our government which he sets forth in his book, and given that gold and silver cannot be brought into existence by an Act of Congress, Burkett's bias against precious metals mars the book. Another problem is that he is too nice to some of the key scoundrels in all of this. Again, perhaps it is because Burkett does not want to look like he is part of the Glazed Eye Crowd, but to say that FDR helped the plight of suffering Americans is simply not true; FDR's programs prolonged and exacerbated the Depression.
I recommend the book with some reserve, and pray that it is a good first step out of debt for many.
