Book Blurbs: February 2023

The Life of D.L. Moody by A.P. Fitt (published by Moody Press, no date). 128 pages. I didn’t really learn anything new in this biography, which is a bit disappointing. Normally, that is a primary goal for me in reading books – to learn something new. And I don’t exactly consider myself a Moody-expert. Perhaps the author’s style or content was the problem. It was an interesting read of one of the world’s most important evangelists but simply not engaging enough. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

Worship: The Ultimate Priority by John MacArthur (published by Moody Press, 2012). 211 pages. This is a helpful resource on the nature, logistics, and object of worship – with the heaviest emphasis on the character of God that informs our worship. You will discover some provocative words in the appendix about modern worship songs and hear MacArthur’s case for singing hymns in the church. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts by Douglas Bond (published by Reformation Trust, 2013). 163 pages. This hymn writer was fairly unfamiliar to me. Other than knowing some of his more well-known hymns, I had little knowledge of his family history, education and writing journey. Coming away from this book, I think he a combination of C.S. Lewis imagination and John Calvin’s theology. I am sure there are other biographies of this man, but this book is the place to start. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

Kingdom Man by Tony Evans (published by Tyndale House Publishers, 2012). 235 pages. This book was a little bit too much of the “you can succeed” and “realize your destiny” kind of talk. While I appreciate the author’s desire to challenge men to grow up and “be men,” I believe there was too much cheesy language and I think he missed out on using biblical examples of “manly men” and instead used a few too many athletic references. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus by J. Mack Stiles (published by Crossway, 2014). 126 pages. The primary aim of this book is to help churches learn how to develop a culture of evangelism, and while there are helpful ideas shares, I am not sure this is the best resource for such a goal. Sometimes the thoughts from one chapter to the next seem disconnected. Of the numerous books in the 9Marks series, this may be the “weakest case” for a mark of a healthy church, even though I agree – in principle – that evangelism is a mark of a healthy church. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

A Discourse Concerning Love by Nathaniel Vincent (published by Soli Deo Gloria, 1988). 113 pages. Just because someone is a Puritan author does not mean the book will be life-changing a wonderful read. I really struggle with this book. Not so much the doctrine or application but the reasoning and main points. It reads more like ramblings about love from the N.T. This is the 1^st time I have read this author; so, I am unaware if this is a typical writing style or not. If so, I probably won’t benefit from reading him again. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

New Life in Christ: What Really Happens When You’re Born Again and Why It Matters by Steven J. Lawson (published by Baker Books, 2020). 216 pages. This is an extended commentary on John 3, which is Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. A major focus of the book is the Gospel and it’s hopeful message for those living in sin (particularly the nominal Christian or hypocrite). You will find the author’s conclusion easy to understand. I would recommend you read this book with a non-Christian, as it will give a plethora of opportunities for Gospel conversations. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Stand Firm: Living in a Post-Christian Culture by John MacArthur (published by Reformation Trust, 2020). 152 pages. A helpful tool about how to resist the cultural temptations of the evil one. Each chapter is not necessarily connected to the next one. It reads more like a collection of articles on various topics (e.g., holiness, loving others, prayer, influence, and perseverance). BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.