I ONCE WAS A BUDDHIST NUN, by Esther Baker
- BOOK REVIEW BY DAVE
This book is a heart warming story of Jesus’ power to transform lives. Esther Baker began searching for truth when she finished University. At University she had lived a hedonistic lifestyle but found it left her empty and full of questions. She began searching for truth. She was immediately attracted to Buddhism as it seemed to offer answers, looked like a religion of peace and offered a form of spirituality that didn’t include God.
However, after about 12 years of pursuing Buddhism, she began to have doubts and became disappointed with the answers it gave and saw it as powerless to truly help. At this point she begins reaching out for God. The book tells about her conversion, the new life she found in Jesus and how eventually she became a missionary to Buddhists in Thailand.
For me the best part of the book was being reminded that being fully human is found in being in relationship with God. She quotes the theologian Emil Brunner who said “For every civilization, for every period of history, it is true to say “show me what kind of gods you have, and I will tell you what kind of humanity you possess”. In the book she describes how her commitment to Buddhism led ultimately to denial of her humanity and the suppression of what makes us human. Though when she found Jesus, she found that she hadn’t just gained eternal life but had come to a knowledge of her true identity and fullness of life in Christ.
Click here to buy the book. A new series on other Religions starting at Cafe Church
WATCH
Clip shown in Cafe Church on 19th September 2009 - a great encouragement to keep witnessing when it seems fruitless.
THE REASON FOR GOD by Tim Keller - Review by Dave.
You may have seen the Bus posters which say “There probably isn’t a God, quit worrying and enjoy your life” and be wanting to look into the big questions for yourself. If so, then Tim Keller’s book is for you. The book takes a fresh look at doubt and looks at some of the main doubts and objections that non-Christians have, including how can there be just one true religion? Hasn’t science disproved Christianity? Why is there so much suffering in the world? After examining some of the main doubts that non-Christians have, he then goes on to look positively at the evidence there is for Christianity – showing why Christianity makes the most sense of life. The book is written for non-Christians, and it basically has two messages. Firstly, all of the doubts that people have about Christianity are all actually based on beliefs. Secondly, when Christianity is looked at positively it makes the most sense of life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it deserves a wide readership.
The following material was recommended to accompany our series.
Tim Keller’s Sermon on How to change - click HERE to listen. This is a great talk explaining what real God-given change looks like (rather than counterfeit change) and how the work of the spirit produces this in us.
A GOOD READ?
Whatever happened to the Human Race? by Francis Schaeffer - an eye-opening cultural critique which shows that humanistic thinking logically leads to increasing cruelty in our society.
You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for our Sinful Behaviour and Negative Emotions by Tim Chester. The title says it all! Get a copy.
BE WISE AT WORK
Know your rights as a Christian and read the article mentioned on 11th January, by clicking here.
Tell us what good books you’ve read or talks you’ve heard for free on-line. Email cafechurch@holyredeemerstreatham.org.uk
