Book Blurbs: June 2019

Is the Bible Good for Women? by Wendy Alsup (published by Multnomah, 2012). 212 pages. What a joy and encouragement to read this book! Alsup deals with “sticky” questions with clarity and conviction. Her hermeneutic of studying Scripture in its context sheds light on all the passages she references dealing with biblical womanhood. She also does a fine job reminding her readers that Scripture is filled with prescriptions and descriptions. In other words, we cannot make false assumptions about God’s view of women just because women are unfairly treated in biblical times. Those references may be a description of events and not a prescription of how God thinks. This is a strong resource that need more circulation in churches today. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Searching for Jesus by Robert J. Hutchinson (published by Thomas Nelson, 2015). 350 pages. This book is what I might call “bite size historical Jesus.” Some of the questions addressed are “Who is Jesus? Was there eyewitness testimony for all the Gospels? Have archaeologies found Jesus house? How Jewish was Jesus? Did Jesus plan His own execution?” Often, subjects like N.T. criticism or the search for the historical Jesus or textual variants might quickly be followed with a yawn. I know, I have been there. The strength of this book is that the author makes topics that fall under those categories very accessible to every Christian. The author excels in presenting confusing and technical issues about archaeology and codices in an understandable manner. Some readers might be frustrated with the frequent absence of taking a definitive view on debatable subjects, but it could be that the author wants the reader to make up his own mind. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

Dedication and Leadership by Douglas Hyde (published by University of Notre Dame Press, 1966). 158 pages. This author used to be a member of the Communist party. Now, he is a member of the Catholic church. In this insightful book, the author speaks to the logistics of how Communists train their leaders and how the church lacks the same fervency, creativity and commitment to reproduce its own. Dedication to the cause is a goal that the Communist party has mastered, and the church would do well to learn from their own mission recorded in the Bible. The readers of this book will be inspired to re-double their own efforts in making leaders, because if the Communists can do it (with a negative agenda), why can’t the Church do it (with an eternal agenda)? BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

In Trouble and In Joy by Sharon James (published by Evangelical Press, 2003). 284 pages. If you don’t know anything about Margaret Baxter (the wife of a Puritan Richard), Sarah Edwards (wife of Jonathan), Anne Steele (a single hymn writer), or Frances Ridley Havergal (another single hymn writer), this book might be a good place to start. While the author’s writing style is a little laborious at times, you will be encouraged to read of the humility of these 4 women. I would treasure having women like this in my church. You will be surprised and inspired by the lack of depending on worldly circumstances to maintain their joy. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

Risky Gospel: Abandon Fear and Build Something Awesome by Owen Strachan (published by Thomas Nelson, 2013). 228 pages. This author is my “new favorite preacher/author.” I am so encouraged by his youthful boldness for truth in the SBC. This book “puts teeth” to what it means to be Gospel-centered in your life. Too often, being Gospel-centered is just a cliché. But this author makes is tangible and accessible as he shows it in family like, the marketplace, the church, and our witness. Learn what it means to be a risky Christian. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

How to Be a Caring Christian by Warren Wiersbe (published by Back to the Bible, 1981). 100 pages. I have read a handful of books on the one-anothers, and I will not recommend any of them before this one. The author’s pastoral insight and wisdom is the highlight of this book. The author weaves his own experiences in the local church with the Scriptural teaching of how to love, serve, receive, edify, not judge, bear, forgive, submit, prefer, show hospitality and tell the truth to one another. This author is one of the under-valued authors for his gift of showing the application of every verse he touches. Buy the this book, read this book, and you will discover new ways to make other Christians better people. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Remaining Faithful in Ministry: 9 Essential Convictions for Every Pastor by John MacArthur (published by Crossway, 2019). 77 pages. If you have pastored the same church for over 50 years, you probably have something to say about faithfulness and it probably worth listening to. In this short book by Johnny Mac, he takes his readers through II Corinthians 4 to explain the significance of the New Covenant, seeing ministry as a mercy, purity of heart, preaching, results-oriented ministry, humility, suffering, courage, and having an eternal perspective. Enjoy the exposition of this chapter, weaved with the personal experience of a faithful pastor. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Concerning Church Membership by Lloyd W. Dahlquist (published by Harvest Publications, 1962). 78 pages. This is not a book about church membership, as the title suggests. In fact, only 1 chapter really covers church membership and it only really talks about the process of becoming a member. There isn’t a clear biblical defense of church membership or much explanation or why Christians should become members. In short, this book is about what the church is and that’s it. Not a helpful book. BOOK RATING: 5 out of 10 stars.

The Power of Christian Contentment by Andrew M. Davis (published by Baker, 2019). 214 pages. If you like Jeremiah Burroughs’ book on contentment, you will enjoy this modern re-visit of that Puritan classic. This author highlights the powerful prescriptions of a discontented heart from Burroughs, but with a modern twist of application and vocabulary. There is much focus on the example of Paul and his teaching. I would commend this book to any and every Christian. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Art of Turning: From Sin to Christ for a Joyfully Clear Conscience by Kevin DeYoung (published by 10Publishing, 2017). 40 pages. This short book is an introduction to the conscience. In it, you will get answers to these questions, “What is the conscience?”, “What are the different kinds of consciences can we have?”, and “How can a Christian have a clear conscience?” It is surprising how many Scripture references there are in this short book, which is a strength of DeYoung’s writing. He is always biblical and very clear. Give this book to a new believer who has never studied the conscience and I believe they will be enriched and challenged. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.