Book Review: We Named Her Faith by Tim Orr

We Named Her Faith is a warm hearted story of grace and love and how God in His providence works in the daily lives of His people. This book isn't my normal line of country. I tend to engross myself into deeper works of theology however, the result of that deeper theology should have the outcome we read about in the lives of the Orr family. When it comes to the trials of faith many of us have read of the faith of men like Calvin, Luther, Warfield, Newton and many others that endured incredible hardships and were triumphant at the end of their lives. Most of us just aren't like that. We're average people just trying to make it day by day striving to be obedient and living on God's grace. And so it is for the Orr family.

We Named Her Faith is the story of Tim, Michelle and Faith Orr. Their past and present - how they got to where they are today through life's trials and struggles and how they were happily able to adopt their daughter, Faith who has Down Syndrome. Their story has many twists and turns, happy and sad, losing and winning. But through it all we see God's Providence working behind the scenes for their good and His glory.

Its a wonderful story. As for the book itself, it has its share of positives and negatives. On the negative side, it was difficult to determine the author's beliefs. Often oscillating freely between the terms "providence" (as in God's Providence) and the term "luckily," I was confused. Were their circumstances from God or by coincidence? The author, in his early years was Pentecostal and at some point became a Reformed Baptist but it was difficult to see when and thus could account for the confusion here and at some other points. At times there was too much irrelevant information and at others too little which made the story wordy and somewhat disjointed. On the positive side we see a childless couple reach out in God's love and adopt a child with a disability. We see God moving in their lives from when they were young to the present in many marvelous ways. Life isn't easy but we see God's grace working in the background of their lives to bring about the wonderful conclusion of adoption.

This is a great book for the church library or your home. Its worth a read. A definite 3.5 out of 5.

I received a review copy of "We Named her Faith" to review. No other compensation was received, and the opinions are my own.

The Heart of Stonewall

Stonewall Jackson

I have been called to pass through the deep waters of affliction, but all has been satisfied...the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. It is his will that my Dearest wife and child should not longer abide with me, and as it is His holy will I am perfectly reconciled to the sad bereavement, though I deeply mourn my loss. My dearest Ellie breathed her last on Sunday evening, the same day on which the child was born dead. Oh! the consolation of religion! I can willingly submit to anything if God strengthens me. Oh! my Sister would that you could have Him for your God. (From a letter from Stonewall Jackson to his sister on the occasion of the death of his wife and child. Quoted in All Things for Good by Steve Wilkins.)

Though he suffered and labored under this hard affliction of losing both his wife and stillborn son, Jackson never lost his faith. Indeed, it appears over time it may have bolstered it. How will we endure should such a tragedy infect our lives today?

The Five Solas part 1

The Reformed faith can be defined by the well known acronym T.U.L.I.P. However, another way it can be defined is by the five "solas" which are Soli Fide, Soli Gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Scriptura and Soli Deo Gloria. Perhaps these are familiar and then again perhaps they are not. These may also be more commonly known as "by Faith Alone", "by Grace alone", "Christ alone", Scripture alone" and "Glory to God alone." These phrases were born of the Protestant Reformation and were used to define the Reformers basic beliefs. The Latin sola means "only" or "alone". Each bears its name as a testimony to the heart of the true Reformed faith and each is worth at least a brief examination.

First, a look at Sola Fide which is often called "The Heart of the Gospel" because it answers the basic question of all mankind which is, how can sinful man be justified before a perfect and righteous God? This teaching comes to us through the book of Galatians and particularly, chapter 2, verse 16, which states, "... yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law because by works of the law no one will be justified."

Contrary to others, the Protestants (Reformed) add the word alone. There is nothing we can add to attain our salvation for our works are nothing but "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). "Only the merit of Christ can set us right with God and we access this merit by trusting in Christ alone" (Tabletalk, August 2009, pg. 46). We should also note that we are justified first, the Lord does not wait for us to be righteous first or we would never be justified.
As each sola is tied to one another, a brief study of each is required. Next time: Sola gratia, by Grace alone.

Want more? Here’s a short video from R.C. Sproul of Ligonier Ministries on "Faith alone."