Book Blurbs: November 2017

Here are some books I had the privilege of reading this past month and some brief thoughts about each one.

#1 – The Briarpatch Gospel: Fearlessly Following Jesus into the Thorny Places by Shayne Wheeler (published by Tyndale House Publishers, 2013). Reading this book was as painful as walking through a briar patch. Suspect exegesis, too much culturally-driven hermeneutics, shallow Gospel, and a celebration of ambiguity lead me to NOT recommend this book for any purpose other than trying to better understand those who think much of the book. BOOK RATING: 1 out of 10 stars.

#2 – The Grand Paradox: The Messiness of Life, the Mystery of God and the Necessity of Faith by Ken Wytsma (published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2015). If your book is not endorsed by an orthodox evangelical leader, that is a “red flag.” This book is an attempt to help Christians with questions of doubt or apparent paradoxes in Scripture (e.g., humility is greatness – Philippians 2). The book has no specific direction and each chapter doesn’t seem connected in the chapters before or after it. Answers to questions cannot be found even if the questions are raised. Criticisms at the modern church are shared with no solutions. It was a frustrating read, and I won’t read it again. BOOK RATING: 3 out of 10 stars.

#3 – The Gospel According to Paul: Embracing the Good News at the Heart of Paul’s Teachings by John MacArthur (published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2017). Vintage MacArthur. Rigidly Biblical, concisely argued, and illustrations from the contemporary church. The book clearly shows the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the same Gospel preached by the apostles, by Jesus Himself, and all throughout the Bible. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

#4 – Sweethearts for a Lifetime: Making the Most of Your Marriage by Wayne A. Mack and Carol Mack (published by P&R Publishing, 2006). This would be a great resource for a small group or Sunday School class. It is thorough in its study of marriage, preparing for it, fulfilling God’s design for it, renewing it, etc. At the end of each chapter are discussion question to help you make the truths even more practical, and these questions would be of great benefit to a couple to work through together. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.