Book Review of Total Truth

Let your mind be captured not by the world but by the word

Pearcey, Nancy Total Truth Crossway, 2004

Hey my name is Lindsey Campbell and I just finished reading this book called Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey it looks at what it means to have a Christian worldview. First, a worldview is the lens through which we view the world and our worldview should be based on what is true. As Christians we are called to redeem entire cultures we do this by living out a biblical worldview. This book helps to liberate you from the world’s, cultural and philosophical captivity. Pearcey describes how often even Christians’ minds are separated by a two story dichotomy with values on the top and facts on the bottom separating religion from anything logical. This intellectual split is what often leads to the falling away of the churches children upon entrance into college. Suddenly other ideologies are providing something Christianity did not.

Christians should not be separating their life into sacred items like going to church, praying and secular items like eating, sleeping, working 1 Corinthians 10:13 says “Whatever we do whether we eat or drink we are to do it all to the glory of God.” This book will help Christians discuss their beliefs in a way that non-Christians will understand philosophically. Often on one side of the college campuses we will see the bottom story of facts and science eating up the upper story of ethics or values. Move to the humanities department and the upper story of values takes over, getting rid of objective truth moving to the subjectivism of modernism, multiculturalism, and political correctness. 1 Peter 3:15 say “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. The Greek word defense is apologia which is the root word for apologetics, the defending of the faith. Apologetics is a crucial skill for Christians in our day.

This book educates Christians on the “isms” of our culture such as Marxism, Darwinism, and postmodernism by revealing the lie they are based on. Pearcey talks about three aspects that every worldview has first they all have some kind of Creation how the world came to be and what purpose it has second, a fall what happened or why there are their bad things that happen and Third redemption or how to make it better. “All truth is God’s truth” said John Milton with that in mind there is a solidly Biblical way to look at and be involved in every area of life.

Pearcey thoroughly takes her readers threw a tour of Darwinism and its errors then she shows us from a pragmatist perspective exactly where Darwinism will take you. Next, Pearcey talked about the first and second great awakening that led to the general “Christianization” of America but also led to the down play of the intellectual role of Christianity instead emphasizing emotional conversions. Pearcey also takes a look at the feminist movement which began when jobs were placed outside the home no longer a family farm or store front but instead work in a factory or office. This led to the need for someone to stay home rather than the family working together. All people long to contribute to something larger then themselves, what we to often forget is that we don’t need competition or a career to fulfill God’s purpose in the world. In the last chapter Pearcy talks simply about the need to live it out by saying “Even worldview studies can become a seedbed for pride instead of a process of submitting our minds to the Lordship of Christ.” I encourage you to read this book and learn what it means to live by a Christian worldview.

Home again, Home agian

After forty-five hugs and kisses, I hopped in a van and watched as my home and life of the last three months faded away. Surely there is a time to return but is there ever time to leave? My plane left Trujillo on Monday, November 24th at 4:55 in the afternoon for it's flight to Lima. Once in Lima when I got to the counter to check my bags and pick up my tickets I was told that my 11:40 p.m. flight has been delayed until 1:40 a.m. The lady on the other side of the counter said she was going to keep me on the same connecting flight she said "just move quickly and you should be fine, you have an hour and a half which you will need for customs and immigration." She put a "special" tag on my bag so it would come out first. After a fitful night of sleep on the plane, I was ready to run through Miami and catch my plane to Jacksonville. I made it to the baggage claim before the bags did and then they started coming out, the bags that is other peoples' bags. Wow! I though a bunch of other peoples' bags must have needed to come out "first" also. . . Now the people were starting to thin out and I'm still waiting. . . . There it is! I grabbed it and ran through immigration. I went to hand a man my bag to check and he said "I'm sorry you only have thirty minutes and you still have to go through security please step over to that counter for assistance on getting the next flight". He didn't listen to my petition that I could run fast! The news came at 8:30 a.m. and they put me on the plane at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon.
Since I have been home I have been kept crazily busy with family, friends and the holidays, but that's the way I like it!
I learned so much and gained so much experience while I was in Peru. I know I will continue to look back and discover the things God was teaching me with my time there. More than anything I am so thankful for the opportunities I have to serve God and speak of his son whether in the USA or in Peru. "Jim Elliot said "Wherever you are be there 100%." I don't know exactly what the future holds but wherever I am I will diligently strive to carry out this quote so that my time is not wasted on looking to the future and forgetting the present.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Each day My goal is to cheerfully give more and more of myself away no matter where I am. Knowing that his sufficiency will carry me.

Though I can't say how regularly, I hope to keep up the blog with clips from this life that God has loaned to me.

Last Days

I can’t believe it, I leave for home in two days. The last few days have been full of realizing that such and such is my last this and my last that. Thursday Samantha threw me a fogota (going away party) with the friends that we had made from Saturday night church and the other volunteers. We went to the beach in Salaverry and had a bon fire. I have loved hanging out with the young people from the church in Salaverry. We sang songs, played games, ate smores, and then ended with a prayer. Everyone is asking when I will be coming back.
Friday in school Miss Ali’s class (that I work in) and Amy’s Kindergarten class had a going away party for me. I was thrilled to get cards from several of the kids. Since Friday was my last day of language therapy I decided to get cookies and just hang out with each of my kids. Every time I go to get one of the kids for language therapy there are mixed emotions, sometimes they are ready to go and other days they hate the idea. Well, Friday several of the kids were playing outside when it came time to get them and they were completely miserable as I dragged them away. I wanted nothing more than to be like “listen today is a fun day, you don’t understand the surprise I have for you.” When I was standing outside calling one of them, I couldn’t help but think of God and how he has so much in store for us but we don’t want to move or go outside our comfort zone. What frustrating foolish sheep we can be sometimes. The way the kids treat me and the other tias is often a good demonstration of how we treat God. So, what behavior do I want to avoid? Ignoring his voice, saying no, never saying thank you, always asking for more, and not giving him what he asks for (because it’s all his anyways). Just as there are things to avoid there are definitely things worth imitating, the smiles, the love, the trust, their generosity, the kids here don’t have to bear their burdens alone, we too can rest in the arms of our father.

Monday night Sam and I put on an evening for the mother figures while Amy, Laura, and Angela watched the houses. We bought some chicken and made some mashed potatoes and salad, the best part was the cheesecake that was for dessert. I think they enjoyed the time to relax and spend time with each other. After dinner Sam read John 13.1-17 where Jesus washed the disciples' feet and then we washed the mothers' feet. We are thankful for their service to the kids.

Mother for today

Today, the mother of one of the houses took three of the girls on an outing while I watched the house. I was excited about getting a break up from my normal routine and getting the opportunity to spend time with some of the girls in their house. When I came to the house a little before eight this morning the girls were watching a movie, a little while after the Madre (mother figure) had left I cut off the television, which is always my goal and always a problem! Bridgett was doing homework, Milagros was playing outside, and Yamelit and Alisa were working in the kitchen which only left one in the house who was very mad at the evil Tia (aunt, the name all volunteers and workers go by) who doesn’t like TV. She continues to mumble about liking all the other Tias except for me while I insist on playing a game with her or reading a book. Finally, I pulled her out of the house and up to the volunteers’ quarters where I found three strawberries, some bread and sugar for us to make a “me” version of strawberry shortcake. The girl was pretty quiet. It was neat to see how she responded when I persisted to love her despite her unlovable attitude. It was a great day! I even got to do a short devotion with them on the beatitudes tonight.

Here are a couple of quick highlights and then some pictures. One day in language therapy I was telling Marita about my family from the pictures that are on the wall, the next day she comes in and says she had prayed for my mom and dad.
Sam and I take five of the older kids to church with us. None of them are confessing believers and so don't take communion. Last Sunday, Sam brought two younger boys and started to explain communion before we got to the church, one of them quickly says I don't won't to take it, but the other one said I do. While the rest of the kids and I went in to church, Sam sat down with Davis. He said "I understand it, the bread represents Jesus' body and the wine his blood from when he died on the cross for us" Sam asked "Is he still dead?" Davis - " No! he rose three days later, he is my savior and I really want to take communion."

Anable is one of the new girls, when she first came she cried a lot and did not like people to talk to her or come near. The other kids said she doesn't like gringos. Now, she is a different kid, so sweet, always says hi, and has the best hugs.

The sunset from our patio. You can't realy see it in the picture but the ocean is in the distance.

That bus is a migro and it is how everyone gets everywhere. You stand anywhere on a main road and wait for your lettered bus to come by. When you see the one you want comming you wave it down, and hop on as they slow down. They are fun to ride; I like it when there aren't any seats and I get to stand up, hanging onto the railing.

Plaza de Armes, or the center of town in Trujillo. I am with Liz the director of the orphanage.

So, one of the new workers has watched me play soccer and decided to ask if I play chess too. He brought his game from home and we played during lunch break, NO I did not win . . . shhhh .. .. don't tell anyone!

My school! Daily line up for departure.

Italo and Junior work on math with me.

Marita is learning to read. (I hope)

Here is the school teacher/ my co-worker and friend. Miss Ali is so sweet and is always talking about God. She truly demonstrates his peace and joy.

The kids went to the zoo.

This was the fiesta that Hugo and Sarita through for two of the boy's birthday. They invited me and Sam, and it has truly been one of my highlights.

Arnold, there is not a person I can think of that would not want him.

Hugo and Sarita and their boys. Sarita has been working here over six years and married Hugo five years ago. They are no longer the parents of the boys house I was really sad to see them go.

America, America

My thoughts have been consumed by my country as I pray for the upcoming election. Sunday, I was in charge of watching the kids in the library which gave me the time to read some different Bible passages as I was thinking about the state of my country. How easily the prayers and situations of the prophets seem to coincide with all that our country is going through.
In the passages that I read I kept seeing the importance of first confessing one’s own sin. When we come in with repentance and humility we can present the needs of our country.
Daniel 9:3-5 "So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws." This is my own confession as I desire it to be my country's confession.
2 Chronicles 20:3 "Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD" How much I am like Jehoshaphat I fear for the state of my country. I want God to preserve this country for himself. 2 Chronicles 20:15 "Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s" How comforting! God calls us not to be afraid but know that he is in control of the battles both physical and spiritual. Verse 16- 18 we will go out to battle and trust in the Lord and he will give us cause to rejoice (v. 27)

Nehemiah 1:3-11 "The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.
Nehemiah’s Prayer
4As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5And I said, "O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.' 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man."

Like Nehemiah I have a deep sadness for my country. Like the wall that surrounded Jerusalem was torn down so our moral wall is coming to ruin. While The Israelites were reassembling after being scattered my prayer has been for the Lord's mercy, that he would not bring destruction upon us by our own hand. It is so important to keep up our wall of defense as an individual and as a country, not letting our worldview be torn down by those who would have us live in lies.

Who knows how this will be read four years from now, or even tomorrow night.