Book Blurbs: February 2021

Preaching Without Notes by Clarence Edward Macartney (published by Abingdon Press in 1946). 186 pages. I am really confused by this book. The title suggests that it is a book about preaching without a manuscript, but only 30 pages actually cover that subject. The rest of the book is about the mechanics of preaching. And while I enjoyed being refreshed on the mechanics of preaching, I was much more interested in the subject that is reflected in the title since I am a manuscript preacher. It would have made sense if the other chapters built a foundation leading up to preaching without notes, but that is not the case in this book. Read it as a “preaching 101” kind of book and not a book about preaching without notes. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

Heresy: A History of Defending the Truth by Alister McGrath (published by HarperOne in 2009). 282 pages. This does read more like a history book than a theology book. But if you are interested in the origins and debates regarding heresies like Arianism, Gnosticism, Islam, Pelagianism, Docetism, Donatism, Valentinism, and Ebionitism, than this book is for you. You will also enjoy a detailed explanation of what a heresy is and how it gets its root – very often – from orthodoxy. This is a book that might be a little too academic for some, but if you read it slow, you will be happy you did. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

John MacArthur: Servant of the Word and Flock by Iain H. Murray (published by Banner of Truth in 2011). 246 pages. Iain Murray’s histories and biographies are usually excellent. This one was my least favorite, even though I am more familiar with MacArthur than any other individual that Murray has written about. My main criticism is this: why write a biography about a man who is still alive? And this was written 10 years ago, and MacArthur is still alive. The book seemed rushed and not as thoughtful as Murray can be. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

Money Possessions and Eternity by Randy Alcorn (published by Tyndale House in 2003). 503 pages. I love Randy Alcorn’s non-fiction. When he tackles a subject in a book, he is thorough. I can’t think of any questions to ask about money or stewardship that he doesn’t answer from a biblical perspective. This book should be required reading for every high school and college student. In fact, at my oldest son’s school, it is! In this book, Alcorn explains a variety of topics from a Christian worldview: money, materialism, tithing, giving, poverty, fund-raising, debt, saving, gambling, retirement, insurance, investing, wills, etc. What a joy it was to read this book! BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.