Read or listen to chapter one from The Constantine Codex by Paul Maier:

Charming, intriguing, colourful and action-packed. 

I enjoyed The Constantine Codex for many little reasons, and a few big reasons too. Let me summarize the highlights:

Mr. Maier wrote a charming story about a husband and wife team who specialize in archaeology and ancient manuscripts.

Their discovery of a clue about the Constantine Codex leads them into a whirlwind adventure and all the while this couple's relationship, much like the story's overall tone, stays charming all the way through.

Meteora, Greece

The plot highlights an intriguing idea: What if a book of the Bible was lost and has yet to be found? Mr. Maier explores this idea as he sends the main characters around the world in search of ancient overlooked Scriptural manuscripts.


Which brings me to the novel's colourful scenes and settings. From an unprecedented, possibly life-threatening religious debate to the stunning countries visited by Maier's protagonists, this novel never ceases to bring colourful images to the reader's mind. Check out the pictures of these places appearing in the book.

Throne room at the
Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople, Istanbul

And lastly, Maier's plot is action-packed, barely slowing down along the way. He weaves narrative, dialogue and action together well, which is the key to keep a novel moving.

There were a few aspects of the writing I'd suggest to change. Some of the dialogue comes across as if it were being written rather than spoken, making it seem a little unrealistic at times.

Meanwhile, the tender moments between husband and wife lean towards the cheesy side, although still very sweet, and a few of their discoveries seem a little too coincidental. No big deal, though.

The most well-developed character is the protagonist. His wife, who's also a main character, seems like a carbon copy of husband's character, personality, speech and quirks (except for her fear of heights). Even Caesar's speech in the codex sounds like it's being spoken by the main character. In short, too many cast members sound like copies of the protagonist.

Inside the church building at
Great Lavra monastery,
Mount Athos, Greece

It seems important to point these things out, in case the author finds them helpful feedback for writing future stories. I don't want to seem critical, though, because of how much I enjoyed the story and how tender and kind the author seems to be. His personality certainly came through the story loud and clear, which was a delight to discover.

So let me end on a high note: Besides the adventure, mystery and colourful settings, Maier also tackles an extremely sensitive issue, namely that of religion and violent extremism. He's gentle in carving out a thoughtful place where Christian readers may think about different angles on this issue and he uses the story to highlight the fact that every religion has its extremists, moderates and liberals. His perspective seems wise and balanced and I don't think he could've done a better job of conveying his beliefs on this issue. A job well done.

Readers: Whether you enjoy Biblical history and archaeology, or exciting stories that lead you through interesting puzzles and places, you'll enjoy The Constantine Codex.

And don't miss Maier's post: The story behind the Constantine Codex

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and LitFuse Publicity.

In Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate, Jerry Bridges gently focuses our attention on widespread sins in the church. Not only are they common, but they also go unchecked.

Bridges’ confession

Before expanding on these sins, though, he makes a confession to his readers: He’s not perfect, he has committed many of these sins over the years and he doesn’t pretend to be any better or holier than the rest of us.

He makes this confession right at the start, helping readers to understand his humble attitude while writing this book, which ultimately helps us to accept what he has to say about these sins.

Seasoned Christians still have room to grow

Next, Bridges walks us through those familiar Bible verses about sin, salvation and grace. He knows he’s talking to people who’ve heard these things a million times, but he reframes them to help us see ourselves—that is, lifelong Christians who think we’ve got this faith thing all worked out—in the centre of God’s plan of salvation.

Even now, as seasoned believers, with years of Sunday services under our belts, countless worship songs sung, who knows how many prayers said, devotions read and volunteer hours logged, we're still sinners in need of God’s grace who have lots of room left to grow.

Down to the nitty-gritty: Sins Christians tolerate

Bridges covers everything from anger, judgmentalism, anxiety and impatience to worldliness, pride, selfishness and lack of self-control.

Sometimes we Christians purposely ignore these 'respectable' sins. Sometimes we just don't take them seriously. Gossip and materialism are a couple examples of this.

Other times these sins are winked at or they’re the subject of jokes. I can think of a few, but I’m curious which sins you (reading this review) would file under this category?

Bridges hits the mark

I’ve grown up in the church and consider myself to have been a believer most of my life, (You know, the ‘asked Jesus into my heart at age 6’ story), and I’ve seen each and every one of these sins in myself and in most ‘mature’ Christians around me.

Some of them, like materialism and selfishness, are shied away from in sermons, Bible studies, devotionals and especially in conversation with one another. We’re so hardwired from birth to practically idolize individualism, privacy and a citizen’s ‘rights’ to do whatever he wants with his money that we hardly distinguish them from the true sins of materialism and selfishness that God’s Word tries to guide us away from.

Other sins, like anger, are sometimes wrongly interpreted. I’ve been angered by serious sin in the church (e.g. putting personal comfort over helping a neighbor in need), and for that I have been accused of the ‘sin’ of anger. We Christians don’t know the difference between good anger (e.g. at cruel injustice) and sinful anger.

Bridges also missed a few biggies

Bridges really does justice to most sins that we Christians often let slide. He invites the reader, after reviewing each issue, to consider instances in our own lives where we have committed those sins and how we can return to a belief and a lifestyle more reflective of God’s desire for us, His Bride.

There are a few sins, though, I wish he had mentioned.

Love your neighbor: We don’t do it
The second commandment, to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, seems like a biggie in Scripture. And yet, growing up I’ve witnessed countless times when Christians have refused to help a fellow Christian in need.

Not helping one’s neighbor is often made to seem acceptable with the false teaching that people must suffer in silence, without asking for help, in order to prove that they’re trusting God. Scripture, on the other hand, is full of commands and examples of Christians tangibly helping one another and that this is linked to proof of our salvation. (See John Piper’s sermon on this.)

Church: The old boys’ club
I’ve gotta be honest. Sometimes the church resembles an old boys’ club more than a family of mature, caring believers who actually live by integrity. I’ve seen ‘mature’ Christians cover up fellow Christians’ sins and paving the way for that sin to continue. They also attacked anyone who brought those sins into the light.

Take the sexual abuse of children by clergy and other church leaders, for example. Consider the lengths to which ‘mature’ Christians have gone to cover up those sins, regardless of the fact that known pedophiles were free to continue abusing children because of the community’s collective will to keep it all quiet.

Accountability: Who's it for anyway?
Often the church patriarchs and matriarchs consider themselves above accountability. Their age and status in the community gives them a kind of immunity from it.

Jesus and Paul’s clear instructions to deal with sin and conflict in the church (Matt. 5:23-24; Matt. 18:15-17, 1 Cor. 5: 11-13) are only applied to hot button sins (e.g. divorce, premarital sex, challenging ‘authority,’ etc.). These sins are loudly preached against and the people who committ them are publicly disciplined, cast out, or otherwise raked over the coals.

What about extreme sins, like when missionaries and elders and pastors rape children? No, we’re told, we must pray for those leaders and do nothing more. If we break the code of silence, we’re accused of the sin of judgmentalism, vengeance, anger and so forth.

You know in some ways, the Church is seriously screwed up. That’s why these are some of the very deep and dangerous sins I wish Bridges had covered in his otherwise stellar work.

4.5 out of 5

Overall, the book was a huge encouragement to me, in that Bridges’ gentle treatment of these common sins paints a bright, uplifting picture of what the Church can become if we simply want to. All we need is to humble ourselves—I mean totally forget our privilege, status and years of service—and decide that our lives will not be a breeding ground for these sins anymore.

No sin is respectable.

Speaking of respect, it isn’t easy taking on the attitudes of overly comfortable Christians. I respect Jerry Bridges for the courage to share this unpopular yet urgently needed message with us.

--- Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."