Book Blurbs: December 2021

What Every Christian Needs to Know About Social Justice by Jeffrey D. Johnson (published by Free Grace Press in 2021). 131 pages. Of the 10 or so books I have read on social justice, this wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t necessarily disagree with its contents, but I didn’t learn anything new either. It’s focus is primarily on the roots of social justice being Marxism, but I think Voddie’s book Fault Lines does a more thorough job of that historical treatment. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

Heart and Habits: How We Change For Good by Greg E. Gifford (published by Kress in 2021). 131 pages. One of the main theses of this book that I cannot totally get behind is this: habits form character. This could be partially true, but Jesus said that good trees produce good fruit. A righteous man will have righteous habits So, the opposite is also true: that character forms habits. And that premise is missing in this book. On the other hand, there are some sample worksheets in the appendices that would be helpful for counseling and/or discipleship is assisting people form healthy habits. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

Life in the Father’s House: A Member’s Guide to the Local Church by Wayne A. Mack and David Swavely (published by P&R Publishing in 1997). 211 pages. I was very encouraged to read this book. What a resource this could be for potential or new members of a church, as the authors clearly explain the role(s) of a Christian in the church, beginning with church membership, and continuing with having a right perspective of church leadership, church discipline, the roles of men and women, the worship service, using spiritual gifts, love, unity, and prayer. While there could be other topics for such a kind of book (e.g., understanding the Biblical gospel, the church ordinances, preaching and teaching, missions, etc.), I highly recommend Christians who want to be faithful to their church to read this book. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Christ-Centered Expositor: A Field Guide for Word-Driven Disciple Makers by Tony Merida (published by B&H Academic in 2016). 300 pages. This book is a tremendous resource for training lay teachers in your church. It doesn’t possess the technical training that Haddon Robinson’s book on preaching has, but it still filled with wisdom and a heavy emphasis on the “why” of preaching. I can still see it as the primary text a church would use for equipping preachers (mainly exposition).BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church by Matt Smethurst (published by Crossway in 2021). 166 pages. I’ve read a number of books on deacons and they all have equal value. This book spends a little more time on the relationships between elders and deacons and how deacons support the ministry of elders. There is also a chapter in the middle of the book – Chapter 5 – that highlights how deacons have been used in real churches as protectors of unity, supporters of pastors, and help the church complete its mission. And one other helpful chapter is in the appendix, where the author argues for female deacons; he has me re-thinking that issue. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins (published by Zondervan in 2003). 195 pages. This would be a good book to revisit every December. I assume the historical accounts are accurate, as you get the stories behind such symbols as yule logs, carols, Santa Claus, etc. Families will enjoy reading this book together. It’s not a devotional; it more trivia. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.