Typically a book review serves the purpose of helping others to decide if they should or want to read a particular book or not. This is done by reading and evaluating a given book, and summing it up in terms of how well it has been written and/or how well the author has handled the subject matter. The 4-MAT REVIEW book review system is a way of responding to readings, lectures, and life experiences that requires the learner to interact with new ideas on 4 specific levels.
Instructions
Please use the following format in preparing 4-MAT Book Reviews:
Abstract. Summarize what you have read, boiling the book down into 400–600 words (no more than 2 pages). Prove you comprehend the readings by writing a no-nonsense summary. The abstract is not a commentary or listing of topics but rather an objective summary from the reader’s viewpoint. Abstract equals “boiled down.” This section should include a minimum of 2 footnotes* to the text being reviewed. (*in text citations if you are using APA style)
Concrete Response. Get vulnerable! In no less than 250 words and no more than 1 page, relate a personal life experience that this book triggered in your memory. Relate your story in first person, describing action, and quoting exact words you remember hearing or saying. In the teaching style of Jesus, this is a do-it-yourself parable, case study, confession. You will remember almost nothing you have read unless you make this critical, personal connection. What video memory began to roll? This is your chance to tell your story and make new ideas your own.
Reflection. This is the critical thinking part of the review (not critical in the sense of negative, but in the sense of questioning). In no less than 250 words and no more than 1 page, describe what questions pop up for you in response to what you have read. Keep a rough-note sheet at hand as you read. Outsmart the author by asking better questions than he/she raised in the book. Tell how the author could have made the book better or more appealing to those in your field of service. One way to begin this section is by stating what bothered you most about the book. This is not a place to provide an endorsement or affirmation of the book.
Action. So what are you going to do about it? In 400–600 words (no less than 1 page and no more than 2 pages) provide 2 actions that describe what changes you are going to make in your life, ministry, and/or work as a result of your reading. Actions should be measurable and reveal a commitment to specific time, specific people, and identified steps. Make sure the actions are implemented between the time the review is submitted and Week 8. The Week 8 Discussion activity asks for you to reveal the results of one of your actions.
Please provide in a APA 7 style*
Examples
Abstract
Deborah Pegues offers an eloquent approach to confrontation from a scriptural standpoint. She argues for the necessity and Biblical command to approach others regarding circumstances. While not every circumstance requires confrontation, many do. She is sure to differentiate the difference between confrontation and retaliation and ensures that difference is understood.[1] The premise of the book is to properly, purposefully, and practically approach others in a Biblical way to resolve conflict.[2]
Pegues is not simply offering advice about confrontation. She is quite literally emphasizing the command by God to confront. As a result, she argues that a spiritually mature person will always be the one seeking reconciliation between those involved. Regardless of who is at fault.[3] Much of conflict resolution comes with owning a problem, rather than casting blame. Pegues considers lack of conflict ownership the act of cowards.[4] In the act of confrontation, a mature person who is seeking and initiating reconciliation must be a listener. It is shocking how a miscommunication can cause such a big conflict. Sometimes, as Pegues says, “They can simply hear that someone made a negative comment about them, and they prepare to fight.”[5]
Pegues also addresses forgiveness. Another critical part of confrontation. She mentions, “Forgiveness is not a natural response to a hurt or an offense; forgiveness requires supernatural intervention.”[6] A natural, initial reaction is to retaliate, but that temptation must be resisted.
Pegues offers helpful advice regarding approaching conflict. Understanding temperaments is a preliminary step in conflict approach and resolution. Different temperaments react and respond to circumstances quite differently. Using the P.A.C.E. offers an easy acronym to remember the types of temperaments. Pegues uses an airline model to help remember the temperaments: Passenger, Attendant, Captain, and Engineer. These descriptions are helpful tools to better understand ourselves and others.[7]
Pegues closes out the writing with helpful and practical scenarios with applicable guidelines associated with them. The restoration guidelines at the end of each group of scenarios give the reader specific advice for the scenarios which help the reader understand the confrontation and solution.
As the book closes out it is understood that confrontation has its risks. Jesus, however, was clear in His teachings to confront those who have wronged others as well as those that have realized they have wronged another. Pegues reminds, “You are not responsible for someone else’s response. You’ve planted the seed; you cannot make it grow. You’ve obeyed God; the rest is up to Him.”[8] (Word Count: 442)
Concrete Response
This book reminded me of a stressful time of my life. I was working as Assistant to the Pastor at a Church down in Georgia. The Senior Pastor was recently voted in and all of us at the church were excited. After his first year, we hosted an event with a guest preacher who was a Master Illusionist. The event was great, we had 250 visitors to our church for a gospel message and “magic show” and 6 people trusted Christ as their savior. 10 of the families that visited that event had noted that they were new military families to the area and were looking for church home. As the organizer of the event and the Outreach Director for the church, this was an amazing opportunity. Pastor had tasked me with finding prospects for him and the follow-up ministry to visit. I organized these prospects and presented them to him soon after the event with maps, information on the families, and their desire to find a church home. A week went by and the packages disappeared. I asked the pastor if they were visited and he mentioned the packages were misplaced. I recreated the packages again. A week later they still sat on his desk. I decided to confront him about it. I asked him, “Pastor, have the visits been done?” He responded, “Well, these visits aren’t the way we want to get prospects. While I am thankful they came to our event, we want to get our prospects from door knocking. We don’t know these neighborhoods and they might be dangerous.” I was shocked. I could not believe what I was hearing. I started to ask him a follow-up question, but he interrupted and repeated his statement. Without fully listening to my follow-up questions, he maintained a circle of reasoning and we were never able to come to a conclusion. Soon after, other conflicts arose, and my family and I decided to step down as our philosophies if ministry were drastically different. I could have possibly handled this differently. But I was younger then and did not know how to handle confrontation well. (Word Count: 355)
Reflection
The author does well in teaching, explaining, and applying the principles she is teaching. The more difficult of this process is found in “Speaking the Right Words.” While the sandwich approach has its merits, I wonder if there are any other approaches as well that can help in certain circumstances. Say, for example, you are new to a place and do not know enough to provide an accurate compliment. It may seem as if the person is “brown nosing” to use a compliment sandwich. This has the potential of bringing negative results to the circumstance. Simultaneously, constructive criticisms coming from the “new guy” may seem as complaining. Overall, though, the sandwich approach is often well received from those who have the reputation to be heard. Unfortunately, some leaders may not listen as they should to those who have not built a relationship of trust yet. This may not be true in all areas and is not a general truth, but it is something to consider none-the-less.
Secondly, Pegues mentions the importance of confidentiality. How should confidentiality be maintained, and to what extent? If dealing with minors, when do parents get involved, if at all in the confrontation process? How should issues with opposite gender be confronted in confidentiality? While there are specific scenarios addressed and illustrative stories and true accounts which keep the reader’s attention, it has a somewhat narrow audience. It is a little difficult for a generational gap (youth leaders confronting students) which could be addressed more directly as a help for those in student ministries. (Word Count: 258)
Bibliography
Pegues, Deborah S. Confronting Without Offending: Positive and Practical Steps to Resolving Conflict. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2009. Kindle.
Bibliography
Pegues, Deborah Smith. Confronting Without Defending. Eugene: Harvest House, 2009. https://app.wordsearchbible.com/reader.
[1] Deborah S. Pegues, Confronting Without Offending: Positive and Practical Steps to Resolving Conflict (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2009), 16, Kindle.
[2] Ibid., 18.
[3] Ibid., 21.
[4] Ibid., 71.
[5] Ibid., 96.
[6] Pegues, Confronting Without Offending, 107.
[7] Ibid., 143.
[8] Ibid., 170.
[9] Pegues, Confronting Without Offending, 15.
[10] Ibid., 82.
[11] Pegues, Confronting Without Offending, 139.
[12]. Deborah Pegues, Confronting Without Offending (Eugene: Harvest House, 2009), 13, https://app.wordsearchbible.com/reader.
[13]. Ibid, 27.
[14]. Bible Hub NIV, Exodus 14:14, https://biblehub.com/exodus/14-14.htm
[15]. Deborah Pegues, Confronting Without Offending (Eugene: Harvest House, 2009), 127, https://app.wordsearchbible.com/reader.
