Book Blurbs: March 2018

#1 – Gospel Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide edited by Cameron Cole and Jon Nielson (published by Crossway 2016). Looking for a template to writing a philosophy of youth ministry? This book is the only one you will need to read. It’s contents include the Gospel, discipleship, preaching, relationships, parents, small groups, leadership training, music, retreats and events, evangelism, the poor, and short-term missions. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

#2 – The Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges (published by NavPress, 2003). Gospel, Gospel, Gospel. This book is 16 chapters of “Gospel talk.” You will not find anything un-biblical or unclear. Bridges is always easy to understand and accessible to every level of mature Christian. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

#3 – The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs (published by Oxford University Press, 2011). Given the clever title of this book, I was super-excited to read it. But I was so disappointed in its contents. The author rambles from one section to the next. I never got any help as a reader about reading in an age of distraction, and instead had to listen to the author’s “pet peeves” about modern-day authorship, which was just opinion and not based on facts. BOOK RATING: 5 out of 10 stars.

#4 – Why Our Church Switched to the ESV by Kevin DeYoung (published by Crossway, 2011). Hear the journey of University Reformed Church from the NIV to the ESV. The 7 reasons they switched translations are basically the reasons I now preach from the ESV – especially #7. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

#5 – The Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan (published by Thomas Nelson, 2001). I was pleasantly surprised with this book. Normally, I get nervous with “how to” books based on O.T. narratives, because they tend to spiritualize the Scriptures they are referring to. This one didn’t. In fact, all 10 “rules” are soundly taught throughout Scripture. I would caution any Christian from making a practice of reading too much into historical data that we read in the Bible and coming up with your own principles that are not directly taught or common sense from the passage, but this author seems to be pretty careful. The only other critique I would give is his frequent use and citations of poor Bible translations that sacrifice precision for rhetoric (e.g., CEV, NTLT, Message, Living Bible). BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.

#6 – Biblical Church Revitalization: Solutions for Dying & Divided Churches by Brian Croft (published by Christian Focus, 2016). What a tremendous help this book was to me. As I complete my 4^th year at my current church as a Teaching Pastor, I am convinced now more than ever that our church is being revitalized. The principles in this book will serve us well going forward, and this author has the experience of being in revitalization projects. If you read this book, you will be equipped to better cast vision, persevere, establish leadership, encourage membership, build unity, and worship the Head of the Church. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

#7 – Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (published by Random House, 2010). This book (and movie) was recommended to me a few years ago, and I found it at a book sale for a few bucks. That price was undervalued! What a moving story of the perseverance of Olympian and Air Force office Louis Zamperini who was a POW in Japan and tortured beyond imagination. The only story I have ever read that comes close to the amount of torture he endured is Richard Wurmbrand. You will find this book hard to put down. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.