May 20, 2009
A Review: Arsy Varsy, Reclaiming the Gospel in First Corinthians
Phillip A. Ross is a pastor and author of numerous books, many seem to be self-published, and has most recently released Arsy Varsy, Reclaiming the Gospel in First Corinthians. The author sent me a copy to review on my blog, though I need to toss in the disclaimer that it’s a very thick book, so I didn’t manage to read it cover to cover.
Having tossed in that disclaimer…
I read selections of Arsy Varsy to see if it would help flesh out some passages I’ve been studying for some upcoming sermons I’ll be preaching. However, AV isn’t exactly an exegetical commentary on 1 Corinthians.
Ross has put together a series of sermons for the book. These sermons focus more on connecting the text with contemporary life, and he certainly succeeds at many points, but doesn’t offer reflection on the level of a commentary or a more exegetical sermon. Taken for what it is, Ross has certainly achieved his aim of putting together a well-written collection of reflections on First Corinthians.
Perhaps I’m a bit hung up on my own expectations, but I’ve been struggling with the value of connecting a Biblical passage to the contemporary setting without some significant discourse on the passage’s original context. Ross certainly provides some of that. However, in the selections I read, I felt a need for a bit more along those lines. Having said that, I never sensed he misrepresented a passage.
Based on the book’s stated goals, Ross has certainly succeeded, and I believe he has a lot of good things to share with the church. All the same, readers should not pick up this book expecting a thorough treatment of First Corinthians. Ross adopts a broader approach, the merits of which we could probably debate, but an approach that certainly delivers its own value.
Of course the one draw back of self-publishing is the lack of insight from seasoned professionals about key parts of the book, especially the title. For being a great collection of sermons, it’s my take that a title like “Arsy Varsy” lends itself to much judging based on a cover. It’s not the first title I’ve chaffed at, but I think a book’s title should at least intrigue readers, not befuddle them.
Perhaps some may be intrigued by the title. I’m more in the befuddled camp on this one.
Nevertheless, I give Ross high marks for putting together an interesting book that is well worth reading if you don’t mind it’s significant 400-page bulk. He approaches the text with a pastor’s heart, and as such, has some insights well worth reading. I also highly respect anyone who can self-publish, as putting a book together is a monumental task.
If you’d like to read a bit more about Phillip Ross’s books and extensive ministry experience, you can check out his web site: Pilgrim Platform.
You can read a sample chapter: here.
