Spurgeon and MacArthur Book Critique Order Instructions: BOOK CRITIQUE INSTRUCTIONS
For each of the Book Critiques (Spurgeon and MacArthur), read all of the assigned book chapters. Then, address the following 3 sections in a 3–5-page, well-written paper.
1. Bibliographic Entry
Include a bibliographic entry for the text at the top of the page. An example of a correct bibliographic entry is:
Bibliographical Entry
Willard, Dallas. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2002.
2. Summary
Summarize the themes, concepts, and principles of the book. Do not simply restate the contents of each chapter. Demonstrate that you have identified the themes, concepts, and/or principles by expressing them clearly in your own words. You must support your summary with parenthetical references identifying where the material can be found in the text. Your summary must be no longer than 1–1.5 pages.
Note: Do not make the mistake of simply restating the contents of the various chapters which you have read; this is not what the assignment is asking for, and you will not receive credit for rewording the contents of each chapter.
3. Critique
Critique what you have read by stating your position on the text and supporting it well with parenthetical references. If you agree with the reading, say so, and provide evidence to support your position. If you disagree with the text, state that and support it equally.
Remember: you must not state your position based upon another text. Many students in LEAD 635 enjoy reading MacArthur, and inadvertently, or purposely, compare their other texts to his. Avoid this at all costs! Your critique of a text must stand on the merits of the course text alone.
Your critique must be no longer than 2 pages.
4. Evaluation
Evaluate the book’s value in its larger academic context by stating/showing if or how the book contributes to the field of pastoral ministry. If you decide the text is beneficial, then support your statement in tangible ways, using scholarly references. Do the same if you take the reverse position. Your evaluation must be 0.5–1 page.
One final note: pastors sometimes slip into what is called “sermonizing” when writing academic assignments. You must avoid this. While it is perhaps second nature to slip in a mode of teaching/preaching, “sermonizing” and academic assignments do not go together. Please review the General Instructions for Writing Assignments. Always use spell-check, and proofread your assignments before submitting.
Important Notes for completing your Book Critiques:
Your assignment must follow the instructions included with the General Instructions for Written Assignments document. Do not exceed the maximum page limit for this assignment.
Save & submit your assignment as follows:
BCSyourlastname.doc (Book Critique Spurgeon), and BCMyourlastname.doc (Book Critique MacArthur).
Example: BCSsmith.doc
The Spurgeon Book Critique is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the Module/Week 4.
The MacArthur Book Critique is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 7.
Spurgeon and MacArthur Book Critique Sample Answer
BOOK CRITIQUE
Bibliography Entry
MacArthur, John and The Master’s Seminary Faculty, Pastoral Ministry. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 2005.
Summary
The book is centered on a running theme of character that is above reproach as a pastor in the call to lead the church. Two broad views are expounded on and broken down into four perspectives from which he gives a more detailed discourse. Integrity and leadership are two themes which are interlinked and which of necessity cannot be divorced from each other. Integrity must be above reproach (1 Timothy 3: 2, ESV), implying deadness to self and not moral perfection.H e says “anything else is an abomination to God and spells doom for the life of the church”.[1] Leadership is elevated to giving moral direction and also providing spiritual protection as a shepherd. The pastor has the responsibility to invigorate the church by inspiration and motivation with himself as the role model. Alex D Montoya writes: “It is not enough to be at the front of the pack; the leader must do also inspire the pack and do it with a willing and enthusiastic attitude.”[2]
The above themes are the foundational themes on which the perspectives are expounded. Biblical, Preparatory, Personal and Pastoral perspectives are discussed and the way they affect leadership in the church. In the preparatory perspective, sexual morality is emphasized as being a cornerstone in benchmarking the character of a pastor. The ability of a pastor to effectively govern his household is given prominence in Personal perspectives, as failure to do so would affect the ministry negatively The importance of living by example off the pulpit is highlighted in Pastoral perspectives. Practical Christianity by the pastor brings a good image to the church.[3]
Critique
I agree with the author’s position of leadership and humility which is a trait frowned upon in the American society today. He emphasizes the need to lead by serving with humility as Christ taught the church. This is lacking in today’s so-called “mega-churches” where pastors are taken as small “gods”.
Sexual sin which is damaging to the image of the church is another point in which I concur with him. This sin has made many churches to diminish in congregational membership as well as retiring once promising clergy who fell into sin. Impurity of the sexual nature is not only limited to sex but also watching pornography and “sexting” which all sins are. Public integrity is equally important to private integrity, as one is interlinked with the other. Pastors need to embrace and practice both of them.
Two points of divergence are on the radical position taken on sexual purity before ministry and children who may reject the truth. The author states that there must be no sexual immorality even before one got saved. Then where is mercy and grace applicable, since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? (Romans 3:23, ESV).The essence of Christianity is based on fallen humanity which needed a savior. The call into ministry is followed by a process of justification and perfection. (Romans 8:29, ESV) Impure sexual thoughts would disqualify all pastors if an honest survey was to be undertaken to gauge purity before ministry.
Another point I differ with the author is if children of a pastor reject the truth, then he is disqualified from serving as a pastor. Many good men would fall short of this bar, yet the same children can reform and embrace Christ down the line. The family is the smallest unit of the wider church and differences in opinion between a pastor and his children will be expected. Rejection of the truth could be a result of rebellion against authority as a teenager but later accepts Christ with maturity and introspection.
Evaluation
MacArthur and his team have contributed to academic discourse which is both practical and pastoral. This book has value in reading by both the church congregants and pastors, but can also be used in Bible Colleges and Seminary in their coursework. His book adds value to the preparatory perspective of leadership training with concise and academically and reasoning. The book is not a long and boring academic presentation of facts and figures, but it challenges the reader to take action. Its approach enriches the academic literature on leadership with a strong emphasis on integrity. His work carries the hallmark of excellence academically since the author is both a pastor and a tutor in a Seminary and his work-life balance can be practically interrogated. Many scholars base their work on theory, majoring on the academic treatise only, having value only inside the classroom and nothing else.5This author has balanced academic quality with practical significance.
Spurgeon and MacArthur Book Critique Bibliography
DISSERTATION NOTICES. The Journal of Applied Christian Leadership, 8(2), (2014). 110-115. Retrieved from https://search.prquest.com/docview/1754574556?accountid=45049
MacArthur, John and The Master’s Seminary Faculty, Pastoral Ministry. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 2005.
[1] MacArthur, John and The Master’s Seminary Faculty, Pastoral Ministry. How to Shepherd Biblically. Thomas
Nelson, Inc, 2005. Pp. 68
[2] Ibid, pp. 30.
[3] Ibid. pp. 230-231
