Book Blurbs: July 2022

The Plurality Principle: How to Build and Maintain a Thriving Church Leadership Team by Dave Harvey (published by Crossway, 2021). 179 pages. My growing collection of books on leadership continues to warm my heart. I appreciated this author’s emphasis on one small subject – the positive effect on the church of a plurality of leaders. Often, this subject is covered in books on eldership but maybe a chapter or less is used to cover it. I have a hard time thinking someone will need to go outside of this book to read something else about plurality leadership. My only disappointment is that I didn’t always understand how the conclusions about certain subjects came to be. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

Enjoy Your Prayer Life: Exercising Your Faith by Michael Reeves (published by 10 Publishing, 2014). 40 pages. The only criticism I have of this book is its brevity. The strength of this short book is the emphasis on prayer not being as much of an activity as it is about the One we are praying to. W. Bingham Hunter’s book on prayer (The God Who Hears) expands this theme, and I would commend that to all readers wanting to grow in prayer. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Sacred Rhetoric or A Course of Lectures on Preaching by Robert L. Dabney (published by Banner of Truth Trust, 1979). 361 pages. A book that is regularly technical might keep some readers from benefitting from the contents of this book on the mechanics of preaching. His advice on the logistics on of preaching is very insightful. His passion for preaching expositionally is refreshing. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

Meet the Puritans by Joel R. Beeke and Randall J. Pederson (published by Reformation Heritage Books, 2006). 897 pages. Loved, loved, loved this book. The book is an exhaustive collection of biographies of Puritans. At the end of each chapter is a several page annotated bibliography of the most important books each Puritan wrote. You will be introduced to more Puritans you didn’t know than be reminded of the Puritans you are familiar with. It is a page-turning adventure of reading of faithful pastors and preachers who were used of God as “pastors of the soul.” BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Heaven on Earth: Capturing Jonathan Edward’s Vision of Living in Between by Stephen J. Nichols (published by Crossway, 2006). 142 pages. This is a collection of brief commentaries, written by this author, as he shares insights of famous sermons preached by Jonathan Edwards on the eternal state and heaven. If you aren’t always understanding Edwards, I commend this book to you as a helpful resource for unpacking his theology and reason. If you like anecdotes about saints or quotables, this book is filled with those. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars

The Christian Leaders of the Last Century or England a Hundred Years Ago by J.C. Ryle (published by Charles Nolan Publishers, 2002). 394 pages. You have probably heard of George Whitefield or John Wesley. You may have heard of Augustus Toplady. But you have likely not heard of William Grimshaw, William Romaine, Daniel Rowlands, John Berridge, Henry Venn, Walker of Truro, James Hervey, and Fletcher of Madeley. These short biographies of the pastoral heroes of J.C. Ryle will inspire you, encourage you and help you see the beauty of the ordinary pastor. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars

The Rating Scale

• 1 star – Awful, awful book. I have already thrown it away and/or burned it. I may have not even finished reading the book.

• 2 stars – The only reason to keep this book is to refer to it as bad theology or to prop other books up on my shelf.

• 3 stars – Frustrating read, couldn’t find much that I enjoyed.

• 4 stars – Will do you more harm than good to read.

• 5 stars – I disagree with significant conclusions but also found agreement in areas of importance.

• 6 stars – Buy this book used. Readers will probably be divided on the value of its contents.

• 7 stars – Not sure if I found the book valuable or not. Need to process more.

• 8 stars – The main points of the book are good, but I don’t always understand how they are supported.

• 9 stars – Hardly noticeable complaints or flaws. A book I recommend for purchase.

• 10 stars – Tremendously helpful. A book that I will read multiple times in my life.