Book Blurbs: April 2024

The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes by Nancy R. Pearcey(published by Baker Books, 2023). 344 pages. What a wealth of information this book turned out to be. Filled with data and science and sound biblical truths about manhood and how our culture got to think negatively about manhood is what this book’s strength is. You will be surprised about what studies are telling us about the public’s opinions about “what makes a man”; as you might imagine, a lot of “fake news” that the media is trying to sell. If you are a man, this book is filled with hope. If you are a woman, this book is a strong case for what to pray for in the men in your life. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Necessity of Reforming the Church with a Reply to Cardinal Sadoleto by John Calvin and translated by Casey Carmichael(published by Reformation Trust, 2020). 153 pages. I had a very hard time following this book. It is supposed to be a treatise written by John Calvin appealing for further reformation in the church of the 16^th century. Sounds good, right? Well, maybe I didn’t read it carefully, but I was bored at times, and Calvin doesn’t usually bore me. BOOK RATING: 3 out of 10 stars.

The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America by Colton Hughes(published by Penguin Random House, 2024). 235 pages. This book was a page-turner. I heard this author interviewed on a nationally known talk show and just had to buy the book. You could subtitle this book: wokeism debunked, every chapter is filled with information showing the empty modern media narrative of white supremacy, the need for equity, and the irony that the antiracism movement is actually creating more racism. In fact, at one point, the author provocatively says that “racism is racisms in anti-racist clothing.” I love the honesty of this book.  BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Discovering the Glorious Gospel by Paul Washer(published by Penguin Random House, 2024). 235 pages. This is a Bible study and not a traditional book. Each lesson takes you through different themes connected to the Gospel (e.g., redemption, resurrection, adoption, etc.). Each lesson contains anywhere from 8-12 questions that often get you into Scriptures in the O.T. and N.T. My only complaint about this workbook is that sometimes the answer you might give to one question may be the same answer you give to the next five questions. A lot of repetition in this workbook. Thus, this study guide is best used with a new Christian or someone who doesn’t have a very strong understanding of soteriology.  BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business by Wayne Grudem(published by Crossway, 2003). 96 pages. Too brief. Too many questions about conducting business as a Christian that I still have. And maybe Grudem has other books or resources elsewhere that go into more depth, because I know Grudem is usually more thorough than this.  BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Elements of Preaching: The Art of Biblical Preaching – Clearly and Simply Presented by Warren Wiersbe & David Wiersbe(published by Tyndale House, 1986). 109 pages. Vintage Wiersbe. Simply, short, profoundly wise. Each sentence in each paragraph is worthy of meditation. I could see this short booklet being helpful to a group of pastors who regularly meet to discuss their own preaching and development of that gift.  BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Warnings to the Churches by J.C. Ryle(published by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2019). 173 pages. Well, nobody is perfect. Ryle is my extra-biblical hero and everything I have read from him has been great, but this book was a little harder to follow than usual. It seems to be a book cautioning the church about the danger of false teachers, but there were “rabbit rails” that didn’t always connect with the main points of each chapter.  BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Ready to Restore: The Layman’s Guide to Christian Counseling by Jay E. Adams(published by P&R, 1981). 111 pages. You will find this kind of material in Adams book in other Adams’ books (e.g., Competent to Counsel). It’s a book that teaches biblical counseling methodology. So, it was good for the refresher but not a book I really learned something I didn’t know before. I found the title a little misleading, because it seems to suggest a book on a topic like forgiveness, but I think most biblical counselors will get the reason for that choice. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

God’s Way of Holiness: Growing in Grace by Walking with God by Horatius Bonar (published by Christian Heritage, 2021). 154 pages. I am always looking for books that bring clarity to the issue of spiritual warfare and what is going on within us as Christians battling sin. With a whole chapter dedicated to explaining Romans 7, I was hopeful this book would be such a helpful resource going forward, but this book left me wanting a bit. Hard to follow the arguments. I am sure some dedicated people who follow this Scottish churchman will disagree but I don’t think the average Christian will be able to find much that is helpful or clear in this attempt to explain sanctification. BOOK RATING: 6 out of 10 stars.

How to Eat Your Bible: A Simple Approach to Learning and Loving the Word of God by Nate Pickowicz (published by Moody, 2021). 143 pages. What a great resource this is! Filled with practical tips on developing a daily discipline of reading the Bible. And it introduced to me yet another Bible-reading plan that I long to begin. I believe this book would be most helpful to young or new Christians looking for helps in becoming an avid Bible student. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (published by Beacon Press, 2006). 165 pages. This is about a Holocaust survivor who developed the idea of logotherapy, which is a system of thought referring to the pursuit of the meaning of life. This man is not a Christian, but he does have some encouraging observations about the positive benefits of suffering and “not wasting” the pains that cone to us. Towards the end of the book as he moves away from the narrative of life in the concentration camps and more on the principles of logotherapy, the reader might get a little lost in some of the psychobabble. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Blessed and Boundless God by George Swinnock (published by Reformation Heritage, 2014). 170 pages. A book for the category of theology proper. Each chapter is very brief (3-4 pages). Each chapter typically covers an attribute of God. Each chapter contains a plethora of Scriptures. You will be regularly encouraged and helped with this brief overview of who God is. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.