AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
Above, J. Warner Wallace, author of Cold Case Christianity and God’s Crime Scene
November 2015 – Contemporary culture is ravenous for a good mystery, with crime dramas cropping up left and right. This fascination with criminal mysteries and the steps to solve them is arguably reflective of an inward craving altogether different from macabre fascinations. God-shaped hole arguments aside, the fact remains that there are questions we all want to ask and questions we all want answered.
Enter veteran cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace and his new book God’s Crime Scene: A Cold-Case Detective Examines the Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe.
As with any work of this nature, the tendency to overreach is of concern, because where there is breadth, there is often
a requisite sacrifice of depth. But as Wallace says himself, “The strength of the case isn’t dependent on any single item of evidence but instead is assembled from the cumulative set of facts.” Wallace’s strengths as a detective shine as readers are taken on a veritable tour de force of investigating the evidence for a divinely created universe.
Wallace opens with details from one of his previous cold-case mysteries to set the stage for the book. In so doing, Wallace cleverly prepares the reader to explore the remainder of the book with the mindset of a detective intent on observing the evidence, asking the right questions, and narrowing down to reasonable conclusions by eliminating less reasonable ones.
This investigation for readers begins by examining the physical evidence as Wallace offers a look at the scientific basis for a created universe: “Just as every crime has a ‘back story,’ the universe also possesses a set of foundational conditions guiding, directing, and influencing the formation of life.”
While not detailed enough to impress a trained scientist, the scientific evidence presented is sufficient for those without the time or training to delve into the minutiae of a technical scientific presentation of each issue. This also prevents the book from getting too bogged down at any given point. The pace is lively, and helpful diagrams and Wallace’s own illustrations help communicate the points being made.
Philosophical evidence follows, with arguments ranging from the conception of the mind and natural law, to the problem of evil and how we reconcile it with a loving God. At one point he deftly explains, “The existence of evil is only incompatible with a loving, divine creator if our definition of love is restricted to a simple, unrealistic caricature.”
Following the primary investigation of the book, Wallace offers a particular feature which many will find helpful. In “The Secondary Investigation,” there is additional material for those who, in Wallace’s own words, are interested in “a deeper (more academic) investigation, or are simply trying to respond to objections.” Moreover, there are extensive endnotes for those seeking source material and additional content to more thoroughly explore the content presented in the primary investigation.
As with all apologetic works, this particular volume offers no definitive or exhaustive case. Nor should it be expected to. Rather than providing all of the answers, God’s Crime Scene prepares readers to ask the right questions and build the case for themselves. Wallace’s book offers a unique and engaging read that will provoke thought, entertain, and educate. Ripe with creative insights, enjoyable illustrations, and engrossing forensic details from actual cold cases, God’s Crime Scene is a great read for the would-be detectives among us, as well as an adequate primer for the skeptical.
To close with Wallace’s own admonition, “Start an investigation. Examine the evidence. Come to a verdict. Make the case to others.”
God’s Crime Scene provides that starting point. Available online and at bookstores everywhere.
Review by Nicholas H. Dean
Catching Faith portrays family drama
Left, Coach Z explains to Beau that actions have consequences, even for football stars.
The much-beleaguered Taylor family seems to attract more than the average amount of angst for a family of four, even though two of them are teenagers. But then, a good story often depends on an extra dose of conflict. In Catching Faith, Beau is a football star who is benched when his parents turn him in for drinking beer, though he had signed the school’s non-drinking conduct code.
Ironically, their stand for moral values puts them in hot water with other school supporters because the team can’t win without Beau. His sister Ravyn lives in his shadow and steals test answers in a misguided attempt to secure her spot as valedictorian. Mix in a recently widowed, overbearing, and critical grandma, and – well, you get the picture – a lot of tension, a lot to overcome.
How the Taylors grapple with their pressures (with solid resolutions) provides a satisfactory 90-minute, family movie night. Available at catchingfaith.com.
Review by Randall Murphree
Deep Dark Holes
“I find comfort in knowing that most of my heroes in the Bible were, at one time or another, in a hole,” writes author Michael Mason. “That gives me hope.”
In Deep Dark Holes: The Truth About Traps, Trouble and Temptation, Mason cites biblical heroes who had their deep dark holes – Joseph unjustly imprisoned, Jonah in the belly of a whale, Daniel in a den of lions, and others. But all of them later saw God use their dark holes to enhance their lives and their witness.
Some of us may be swallowed up in a hole we think we can never climb out of: an unfaithful spouse, terminal disease, a lost job, rebellious teens, prison, a home repossessed. Mason reminds us that through history, Christian men and women have found their way out of darkness and back into the light of Christ.
A bonus feature of Mason’s clear and uncomplicated writing style is that he frequently pokes fun at himself to illustrate deep, rich principles. He helps the reader realize that the bottom line is not at the bottom of a deep dark hole. The bottom line is that a hole is an opportunity for hope, to learn more, grow stronger, and follow Christ more closely.
Deep Dark Holes: The Truth About Traps, Trouble and Temptation is available at michaelmasonministries.com.
Review by Randall Murphree
When Calls the Heart: Heart of the Family
When Calls the Heart: Heart of the Family continues the story of Elizabeth Thatcher and her adventures in the Canadian frontier. The Hallmark Channel series is based on author Janette Oke’s popular book series, Love Comes Softly.
Having returned from a lengthy visit with her wealthy family, Elizabeth discovers that Coal Valley, previously named for the coal mine, has been changed to Hope Valley because the mine has been closed. In its place, Lee Coulter is trying to revive the town and the morale of the residents by starting a sawmill.
Elizabeth and Jack, the Royal Canadian Mountie, continue to struggle in their burgeoning romance. It is complicated by a visit from Charles Kensington, a childhood friend from Elizabeth’s past who believes he is the right man for her.
When Calls the Heart: Heart of the Family continues to display relationships that are proper and highly respectable. However, caution is again necessary. Low necklines, alcohol consumption, fighting, gambling, and innuendos are all portrayed.
Review by Debbie Fischer
