This book is for men. The book dripped with testosterone, and I appreciate Eldredge’s desire to write to men. Eldgredge sees that men have been emasculated in our current culture. He calls for men to be men. The author sprinkled personal stories and anecdotes throughout the book, some of which were humorous and entertaining.

Eldredge’s premise is clear: “The core of a man’s heart is undomesticated and that is good.” [original emphasis] (p. 4). Men are basically looking for adventure, and the greatest adventure of all is a relationship with a wild, untamed God. Thus, man’s undomesticated nature directly reflects God’s character. The author never connects man’s undomesticated nature (his thirst for adventure or something greater than himself) as his fallen condition, which is NOT good. Evidence of this is the lack of a clear presentation of Gospel, since there is no distinct need for redemption.

The author consistently demonstrated eisegesis (reading into the Scriptures). For example, the author refers to the meeting of Boaz and Ruth in a field one night. Scriptures tell us that Boaz put his blanket over Ruth to show his promise of protection. The author purports that Boaz was drunk (thus irresponsible, acting as men usually do), and that Ruth was manipulative, causing Boaz to think that he had illicit sex with her (pp. 227-230). Little research was done into the customs of the time, so the Bible is interpreted in light of 21st century ideas about society and culture.

Eldredge’s concept of God’s revelation leaves much to be desired. “God is intimately personal with us and he speaks in ways that are peculiar to our own quirky hearts — not just through the Bible, but through the whole of creation. To Stasi he speaks through movies. To Craig he speaks through rock and roll (he called me the other day after listening to “Running Through the Jungle” to say he was fired up to go study the Bible). God’s word to me comes in many ways — through sunsets and friends and films and music and wilderness and books.” (p. 239) (The individuals Eldredge mentions are his immediate family) Since revelation is held so vaguely, the author has no problem drawing spiritual inferences from culture, such as the theater, refering to several movies (most commonly Braveheart), all of which have no intention to present the Gospel.

On the eve of the election, I sat wondering why I should vote for McCain. I Googled the question, “Why should I vote for McCain?” I read an article which I will reference in a moment which changed my mind. I was not an undecided voter; I fully intended to vote the Constitution Party (Chuck Baldwin), so this was not a matter of trying to make up my mind.

I still believe Chuck stands for the right things, but I also realize that standing for the right things is simply not enough. You can stand for the right things but never accomplish anything significant. I think McCain at least understands the mindset of conservatives, even if he ignores them. I know that McCain can reach across the aisle (unfortunately and often at the expense of what is right) to create significant impact.

Perhaps the most convincing arguments were made in a TownHall.com article written in February of this year. (http://townhall.com/columnists/JohnHawkins/2008/02/01/why_youre_going_to_vote_for_john_mccain_in_november_and_like_it!?page=2)

The author addresses the significant turn-over of Supreme Court judges that will occur in the foreseeable future, addressing how the change will the issue of abortion specifically. The author writes, “May God forgive us if we condemn a million plus children a year to death by abortion because we’re angry at John McCain.” Being one of many who are angry at McCain, this sentence hit home. The writer also says in essence that McCain’s tenure would only be four years. I can live with that in comparison to the decades of damage that Obama would stimulate.

I will vote for McCain tomorrow, but I feel like I am being spanked as I circle that computer-readable dot.

As for my friends who think I was off the reservation for considering a third party candidate, I remind you that Lincoln was a third party candidate. I also reject the notion that because we do not think identically that my vote means less that someone else’s. That is the very fear I have with Obama. If my vote is a throw-away vote, then EVERY vote is a throw-away vote. I also say that the Republican party left me; I did not leave them.

God used Israel in the O.T. as a model for the rest of the world to see what it would be like for people to have a relationship with God.

When they chose to make God into their image they served themselves and were nationally (and spiritually) devastated. Yet when they elevated their view of God above themselves (ie Temple worship) they excelled in all areas such as education, military, economy, family…

We cannot disconnect a nation’s view of God from their ability to succeed. We may deduce that a nation’s success rises and falls upon it’s ability to honor the Lord from border to border, front door to front door, wallet to wallet, musket to musket…