Book Blurbs: June 2024

What Is Saving Faith? Reflections on Receiving Christ as a Treasure by John Piper(published by Crossway, 2022). 300 pages. This book is Piper’s argument for religious affections. It is an update on Jonathan Edwards’s discourse on the same subject. It is probably not a book for the non-Christian who needs to read the Gospel, unless they have a “bent” towards philosophy. It can be a bit “heady” at times, if you are not used to Piper’s style of writing. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

How Do We Glorify God? by John D Hannah(published by P&R Publishing, 2000). 44 pages. It seems like the inspiration for this booklet was Romans 11:36. I say inspiration and not exposition or Bible study. Readers might be disappointed that there is not that much application or answers to the booklet’s title, but I found it to be sufficient and leaving room for the Spirit to help us see our own personal application(s). BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer(published by Anchor Books, 1997). 333 pages. This is the story of the 1996 expedition of those who attempted to climb Mt. Everest, of whom 12 of the author’s fellow climbers died. It ended up being the deadliest climbing season in the history of Everest expeditions. I am not interested in climbing mountains, but I have been very intrigued by this story from the first time I heard it. A movie titled Everest would eventually me made from the accounts from books like this one.  BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Three Steps Forward Two Steps Back by Charles R. Swindoll(published by Word Publishing, 1997). 224 pages. This book is meant to be an encouragement to persevere. Even when we struggle in life, if we look at our life and notice some kind of progress, we must be encouraged. That is the main theme of the book as the author works through different examples of this in the O.T.  BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

Understanding Christian Theology edited by Charles R. Swindoll and Roy B. Zuck (published by Nelson Reference, 2003). 1498 pages. This is a single volume systematic theology compiled by current and former professors at Dallas Theological Seminary. It would appear to be exhaustive and accessible to most Christian readers. One unique feature is the devotional thoughts and discussion questions that appear at the end of each chapter. While I believe Grudem’s single volume is still the best systematic theology for the Christian, this could probably rank in the Top 5.  BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

On Becoming Teen Wise: Building a Relationship That Lasts a Lifetime by Garry Ezzo and Robert Bucknam (published by Multnomah Publishers, 2000). 243 pages. Very frustrating read. Hardly any Scriptural help. Practical ideas that don’t really translate to most families. Sometimes legalistic. Not a big fan of the whole love languages approach to relationship-building which seems to be at the heart of this book’s thesis.  BOOK RATING: 3 out of 10 stars.