Book Blurbs: February 2018

Here are some books I had the privilege of reading this past month and some brief thoughts about each one.

#1 – The Gospel Call and True Conversion by Paul Washer (published by Reformation Heritage, 2013). If you want a book explaining the Gospel in detail, this book will be useful to you. It reads more like a series of sermons than a book that’s chapters are connected to one another. Chapters in the book take a close look at selected passages in the O.T. and N.T. My only criticism is that the writing style isn’t great and not as creative as I would prefer. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

#2 – Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp (published by Crossway, 2016). This book is not practical; this book is a philosophy of ministry for parenting. What is helpful in this book – and rarely stated in books on parenting – is how our child’s greatest needs are also our greatest needs. We are more like our children than we want to admit. I would recommend this book be read by aspiring parents, new parents, or parents looking for a refresher on why God has called them to raise children. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

#3 – Glory Road: The Journeys of 10 African-Americans into Reformed Christianity (published by Crossway, 2009). I had high hopes for this book, but was a bit disappointed. The stories of these men and their journey into Reformed faith was certainly interesting, but I wasn’t sure that their stories would compel others to take the same journey. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

#4 – Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy (published by Zondervan, 2000). The premise of this book is essentially biblical: God is more concerned about our holiness than our happiness, and that applies to marriage as well. My major criticism of this book is the emphasis on mystical Christianity, which leads to a downplaying of objective truth. Also, the chapters lack clear themes and main points. BOOK RATING: 6 out of 10 stars.

#5 – Grace from the Cross by Kyle Idleman (published by Baker Books, 2018). Just because this book is brief (76 pages) doesn’t mean it is not useful. The 7 last sayings of Jesus on the cross is the subject of the book. It’s devotional; it’s biblical; it’s evangelistic. Buy it for a non-Christian and walk through it with them. BOOK RATIING: 10 out of 10 stars.

#6 – The Resurrection and You by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell (published by Baker Books, 2017). You will find similar writing from McDowell in other books written by him; so, there isn’t much “new” in this short 61-page book. Due to its brevity, it would be a good resource to give a non-Christian who has real struggles in believing that Jesus could have rose from the dead. It is filled with evidence and plain reason. BOOK RATIING: 10 out of 10 stars.

#7 – Men Who Love Fierce Women: The Power of Servant Leadership in Your Marriage by Leroy & Kimberly Wagner (published by Moody Publishers, 2016). I wouldn’t classify this as a biblical counseling resource, even though there is Scriptural help scattered throughout. The book targets husbands who are married to women who have strong personalities and often usurp the male headship in the home that God designed for marriage. There is good practical counsel and I can see it being helpful for some couples, but I wouldn’t give it to an immature Christian who is easily swayed by secular thinking. BOOK RATIING: 7 out of 10 stars.

#8 – Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry (published by W.W. Norton and Co., 1974). As part of my 2018 reading challenge, a book on true crime was my assignment for the month of February. This book did not disappoint. While I certainly was disturbed by the evil of Charles Manson and his Hitler-like qualities he possessed over so many, you will find this book to be a very thorough treatment of the court case that put him in prison for life. If you like courtroom drama, pick this book up and read it. BOOK RATIING: 10 out of 10 stars.