"Yet You Would Not Return To Me," [Paperback]

Michael P Melon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 2004

Book Summary The Minor Prophets wrote extensively about the role of God in national calamity in regards to chastisement. Little has been written, however, to help pastors struggle with this difficult and unpopular subject in their preaching. This work is a study focused on formulating preaching guidelines to be used when interacting with natural or national crises, using the Minor Prophets as models. The book is concerned with the questions raised by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the Evangelical response. Prior to 9/11, many Evangelical pastors and spokespersons decried the sins of America and warned of possible and even deserved judgment. When the national crisis of 9/11 occurred, however, which seems to parallel the circumstances that God used to gain the attention of an errant nation in the Bible, many Evangelicals either were silent concerning judgment or vigorously promoted patriotism and "just-war" retaliation against perceived enemies. A primary premise of the work is that there is a misunderstanding or denial of the possible chastising role of God upon the USA on 9/11.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

For decades prior to 9/11 the evangelical community preached about the moral decline of the U.S. and warned of deserved judgment. Post 9/11, however, many prominent evangelicals promoted war as a reaction to an event that had (in my opinion) all the evidence of a judgment of God? My concern was, with the promotion of war, was the church’s voice sounding more patriotic than prophetic? Did the church demonstrate any understanding of God’s possible role in national tragedy? Was allegiance to the State (nationalism) outweighing allegiance to Christ?

Since the Minor Prophets ministered during periods of great upheaval and national catastrophes, their writings seemed to be speaking to contemporary issues. The book is concerned with the theological questions raised by 9/11, the subsequent wars, and the evangelical response both in print and in the pulpit

My book is not an "end-times" prophecy book about how current events are the fulfillment of any eschatological scenario. I am vehemently opposed to such pop-theology. My concern is that much misunderstanding still exists concerning the biblical role of a prophet and the nature of prophetic speech. The Minor Prophets serve as examples to prophetic voices in the midst of national and natural calamities calling people back to covenant obedience. If we are found declaring the wrong message in light of similar catastrophic events, then even worse events await us in the future.

About the Author

DR. MICHAEL MELON has served as pastor to Southern Baptist churches in Maine and Louisiana USA. Currently he is pastor of Coliseum Place Baptist Church in the inner city of New Orleans, Louisiana. He and his family served previously as missionaries to Paraguay. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian education and his Master of Divinity degree with a major in biblical languages from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (USA). He received also his Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (USA). Michael has ministered in the Ukraine, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Haiti, and Ecuador.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Xulon Press (April 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594674922
• ISBN-13: 978-1594674921
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,657,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The judgment of God, the Minor prophets, and 9/11, August 10, 2004

By 

Saloker "sal" (Lafayette, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Yet You Would Not Return To Me," (Paperback)

Conservative theology collides with the liberal and conservative church. Melon takes the reader from the world of the biblical Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi) to the events of 9/11. Melon surveys the Minor Prophets and draws together their common elements, style, occasions, and purposes to develop a biblical understanding of the nature of prophecy and the role of a prophet in society. Using a question and answer format, Melon develops 14 "guidelines" for prophetic preaching in an age of terror. For example: "(1) Prophetic preaching reveals that one God is in control of history and is bringing history to His final conclusion. (3) The main thrust of prophetic preaching is calling people back to God. (4) Prophetic preaching reveals that God's love is punitive as well as restorative. (6) Prophetic preaching brings hope to God's people who may be terrorized. (8) Prophetic preaching exposes social injustice (both foreign and domestic) and holds national leaders accountable."
If the book were to stop there, it would be well worth the price for any pastor who desires to faithfully preach these neglected books. Melon, however, takes his guidelines and contrasts both the conservative (Charles Colson, Southern Baptists, Jerry Falwell, etc.) and liberal churches response to 9/11. He faults the liberal church for surrendering to contemporary culture. He faults the conservative church for surrendering to nationalism and patriotism. Anyone reading this book will not remain unscathed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is a true prophet among us, June 21, 2004

By 

Glen Ridge - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Yet You Would Not Return To Me," (Paperback)

Few books have caused me to reevaluate my theology as much as this one. Melon (a conservative Southern Baptist pastor) looks at the events of 9/11 and subsequent wars through the eyes of the OT Minor Prophets. Melon asks the conservative evangelical church a question, If prior to the events of 9/11, the conservative evangelical community warned that if "God did not judge the USA than He will owe Sodom and Gomorrah an apology," than why did the same church respond to the events of 9/11 by proclaiming "God didn't do this," and then promote Augustinian "Just-War" theology?
Using a question and answer format that leads the reader from the time of the Minor Prophets to current events, Melon takes the conservative church to task for not considering the judicial work of God. Was 9/11 an act of evil, an act of God, or simply the reality of living in a sin-infected world?
The intended target of the book is pastors and teachers. The goal of the book is twofold. First, to encourage pastors/teachers to consider God's judicial activity in national or natural crisis. Second, to help pastors avoid common "pitfalls" when preaching prophetically.
Melon is quick to declare that his book is not an "end-times" prophecy book about how current events are fulfillment of any eschatological scenario. This book is opposed to such "pop-theology."
Both liberal and conservative churches are taken to task. Liberal churches for surrendering to post-modern morality. Conservative churches for their extreme nationalism and marriage to George W. Bush.
Pastor's who are uncomfortable with the much of the evangelical communities' promotion of "just war" theory as a primary response to 9/11 will find this book helpful. Pastors who have promoted "just war" and Christian patriotism, along with "God and Country" celebrations in their churches in support of the war effort will be challenged biblically to reconsider their positions.
As Melon warns, if the church is found declaring the wrong message in light of 9/11, what greater catastrophes lie on the horizon?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for the faint of heart., July 30, 2004

By 

Rev. Bill Deavers "Bill" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Yet You Would Not Return To Me," (Paperback)

A friend in the ministry recommended this book to me. At first I was skeptical thinking that the book would be just another "rant" about what is wrong with the USA. Dr. Melon's book, however, is a biblical, reasoned, and well-researched treatise on God's role in national and natural tragedies.
Dr. Melon begins by surveying God's relationship to Israel in the Old Testament. From there, he moves to God's relationship to Gentile nations in the Old Testament. He concludes by making application to God's role among Gentile nations (specifically the USA) today. Dr. Melon asks and answers difficult questions such as, "For what reasons might God send judgment to a nation today? If God were to send judgment to a nation today, what would it look like? How would people respond? How might the church respond? How would political leaders respond? Do acts of God often appear to be acts of evil?"
Dr. Melon's book is useful on a number of levels. First, it is an excellent brief survey of the Hebrew Minor Prophets, their time period, and their role in Israelite society. Second, it gives pastors useful guidelines on preaching these difficult books. Third, it causes the reader to re-evaluate the possible role of God in the 9/11 events. And lastly, Dr. Melon (whose theology is thoroughly conservative) takes conservative evangelicalism to task for their promotion of civil religion, nationalism, patriotic fervor and uncritical alliance with the present Bush presidency.