In the opening pages, the author notes that such issues most often arise in the lives and words of committed Christians, not recent converts.

In I Corinthians 4:3-5 readers are challenged to carefully examine others’ motives cognizant that only God can see their hearts and their intents. We are not God and must not place ourselves in His position. Additionally, we tend to forget that we are fallen, and our reasoning is fallible. Even if we perfectly knew the intent, we would likely misinterpret actions from time to time.

There are times when we Christians need to make judgments regarding another’s actions. Where scripture speaks clearly, as to sinful behavior, so must we. The focus of this work is the times that we “play God” by interpreting the inner workings of another’s mind or heart. The helpful guidelines given allow us to examine our methodology of judging others.

As followers of Christ, we are tempted to usurp God by setting up our own commandments. They often far outnumber God’s Ten Commandments and have no legitimate scriptural support upon close examination. These new laws are justified only by twisting scriptures’ context. Such practices can quickly produce proud leaders, guilt-ridden followers, and church splits. External, extra-biblical rules become the basis for spirituality rather than the demolition of foundational heart issues such as pride.

The author devotes a number of pages to three appendices that help the reader work through potentially explosive issues. First, he briefly examines entertainment. What types of media can the Christian enjoy and employ productively? What are some criteria for biblical judgment of this medium? Secondly, how are we to evaluate the various ways of educating covenant children? He walks the reader through a statement adopted by the Confederation of Reformed Evangelicals and gleans some basic principles. Thirdly, he provides wisdom in discerning whether or not a professing Christian is actually a believer.

This valuable work will be an asset to the Christian library. It provides a biblically-balanced approach to studying issues that may unnecessarily sever Christian fellowship and mar our Christian witness before the watching world. It reminds Christians that unfair judgments and legalisms were a problem in the early church, as well as today. (The author devotes an entire chapter to “Jesus and Legalism”.) This may be of particular help to those that face family or church division because some are setting up unbiblical criteria for holiness in the Christian life. Each chapter concludes with a number of questions for discussion and application. This volume is useful for individual or group study. A final bonus comes in a chapter devoted to how Christians can live in unity with fellow Christians who are different. Christ sovereignly brought together disciples with different personalities and viewpoints. It was not long before they began to argue among themselves as to who would be greatest in heaven. How often do we continue such senseless lines of argument? This chapter points to a better way. It reminds us to capture our own thinking as we rub shoulders with others and delineate between issues of choice and issues of sin. As we diligently put biblical principles into practice, we can work for the advance of God’s kingdom in this world rather than the mandating of our preferences.

P & R Publishing, c. 2005, 2l3 pages including index of Scripture, paperback.