Book Blurbs: January 2023

The Joy of Preaching by Phillips Brooks (published by Kregel Publications, 1989). 237 pages. This book started strong but didn’t finish quite like I had hope. When you read a book with this title, you hope to complete the book with a renewed commitment to preach and sense God’s pleasure in doing it. But that was not my experience. I found myself struggling to follow the reasoning of each chapter in the 2^nd part of the book and ended more confused that joyful. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

Social Sanity in an Insta World edited by Sarak Eekhoff Zylstra (published by The Gospel Coalition, 2022). 153 pages. Ever read a book that didn’t challenge you? Maybe you didn’t disagree with anything in the book, but the contents didn’t really lead you to advance in your sanctification or knowledge of the subject. That was my experience in reading this book. A book that included authors such as Jen Wilkin, Melissa Kruger, and Emily Jensen – whom I have benefitted from previously – didn’t really arouse my attention on the subject of social media. I suppose the most beneficial part of the book could be the last chapter where the author gives some parting counsel – similar to a list of “ten commandments for being engaged on social media. One aspect I appreciated is that the authors attempt to redeem the use of social media by Christians and didn’t just paint a doomsday picture that w should abandon that platform all together. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson by D.A. Carson (published by Crossway, 2008). 160 pages. This book was hard to find, but I got it as a Christmas gift from my mother. The book’s subject – D.A. Carson’s father – reminded me a lot about my own Dad. Both Tom Carson and my Dad would never be well-known, but questioning their effectiveness, faithfulness and giftedness would be ridiculous. Tom Carson was ordinary because God made Him ordinary and he wouldn’t have it any other way. What humility is required for such submission to such a calling. You will appreciate the story of this man’s life and ministry. The aim of a pastor is to be faithful to what God calls Him to do and measuring His “success” is not about numbers or followers but faithfulness. Tom Carson was ordinary and faithful. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Simplicity in Preaching: A Few Hints on a Great Subject by J.C. Ryle (published by Aneko Press, 2022). 29 pages. A strength of Ryle’s writing and preaching is the main subject of this book: simplicity. His specific application is to preaching and giving tips for how to speak with clarity when you address a congregation. Many readers will find this work (or more like a tract) too brief, every reader will appreciate the easy-to-understand preaching equipping class you will take by reading this book. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Theology of Jonathan Edwards by Michael J. McClymond and Gerald R. McDermott (published by Oxford University Press, 2012). 757 pages. I loved this book – even if there were sections that seemed “a little over my head.” If you want an introduction to the teachings of Jonathan Edwards and aren’t ready to read him, this is your book. Written more for the academia world, this is a thorough treatment of the doctrinal positions and influence of this global theologian. I read it cover-to-cover during a week of jury duty. So, you need some time to digest it. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Restless Faith: Holding Evangelical Beliefs in a World of Contested Labels by Richard J. Mouw (published by Brazou Press, 2019). 180 pages. Should the word “evangelical” still be used? Is it distinctive enough? My hope was that this author would answer this question, and I am not sure he did. Instead, the book is filled with speculations and commentary on certain trends in evangelicalism. But I wasn’t clear on what his opinion about using the word “evangelical.” Kind of disappointed. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry by Geoffrey Chang (published by B&H Publishing, 2022). 258 pages. I have more books on Spurgeon than any other figure in church history, but this might be my favorite. I learned many things about Spurgeon and his ministry that I never knew, which is not my typical experience when I read a 2^nd biography about someone. The author’s expertise and putting ministry in his own words was so instructive. Buy and read this book! BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Reenchanting Humanity: A Theology of Mankind by Owen Strachan (published by Mentor Press, 2019). 418 pages. Why is it that all the books that I have read on biblical anthropology are either boring or hard to follow? This book, while I appreciate the attempts at clarity, wasn’t much different than previous books I have read in this category. The following subjects are explained in light of Scripture: image, sin, work, sex, race, ethnicity, technology, justice, contingency, and Jesus Christ. But again – not thrilled about the approach(es). Nothing enchanting about the book! BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Importance of Faith in Counseling by Jay E. Adams (published by Institute for Nouthetic Studies, 2021). 73 pages. I can be too cynical and pessimistic when it comes to people’s change. I need patience with people and to learn the need for trusting God as a counselor and discipler. Thus, this book was a needed reminder. Adams helps make the “give hope” a reality for those you are counselees. Counselees respond to your hopefulness and your faith in God’s Spirit to change them. This belief system must permeate our vocabulary to those we are trying to help, and this book will show you how! BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.