Book Blurbs: November 2023

Remade: Embracing Your Complete Identity in Christ by Paul Tautges (published by P&R Publishing, 2023). 259 pages. While this book is 90 chapters (2-3 pages each), it will be best used by those looking for a daily (or weekly) devotional. Each chapter touches on a simple way that we are part of the family of Christ, and then ends with a sample prayer to apply the truths of the chapter. Tautges is one of my favorite authors, but not for his writing style or creativity. He is easy to understand, always biblical and gives memorable insights; in short, he is quotable as a biblical counselor. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards by Steven J. Lawson (published by Reformation Trust, 2008). 166 pages. One chapter of this book is a short biography of Jonathan Edwards. And the rest of the book – 9 chapters – is an exposition of his 70 resolutions that he wrote at the age of 19. I loved this book, because of it’s treatment and synopsis of those resolutions. I haven’t encountered anything like it anywhere else. I was continually encouraged and convicted by this young man’s desires to have himself poured out as a drink offering, and to see that lifestyle at such a young age. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Male and Female He Created Them: A Study on Gender, Sexuality, & Marriage by Denny Burk, Davis Closson, & Colin Smothers (published by Christian Focus, 2023). 132 pages. This 8-week (or 8 chapter) book is structured for a Sunday School class or small group Bible study. As you might guess, it is an introduction to biblical sexuality and gender. You will find that its contents rare more introductory than they are substantial. You probably won’t get all of your questions answered by the book’s authors, but I believe their purpose is simply to “get your foot on the door” on the challenges Christians face with their biblical view of sexuality and gender. Read it as an introduction and not the “end all.” BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Trinitarian Devotion of John Owen by Sinclair Ferguson (published by Ligonier Ministries, 2014). 140 pages. Of course, as you might guess, this is a biography of the Puritan John Owen. Well, it’s sort of a biography. Only a few chapters record biographical data about Owen. The rest of the book is a study in Owen’s view of the trinity. I will confess I was a bit lost a times, which is somewhat ironic since Owen himself is a challenging read. But the author of this book didn’t seem to simplify it much. So my frustration was this: I read this book hoping that I could better understand Owen, and it’s author mirrored Owen’s complexity. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

Pastoral Friendship: The Forgotten Piece to a Persevering Ministry by Michael A.G. Haykin, Brian Croft & James B. Carroll (published by Christian Focus, 2022). 149 pages. You won’t find too many books on friendship, let alone, pastoral friendships. So, because I don’t know of any other than a book on John Calvin’s spiritual network of friends, buy this book. I was disappointed in that the 2 chapters they dedicated to models of friendship in church history that they left out the most well-known: the friendship between George Whitefield and the Wesley brothers. instead, one chapter was dedicated to 2 mostly unknown figures. They could have even committed a chapter to describe the modern friendship of R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.

Christmas Thoughts: J.C. Ryle edited by Andrew Atherstone (published by Banner of Truth Trust, 2022). 118 pages. Each of the 5 chapters in this book is a Ryle sermon on a non-traditional Christmas text, but a text that could be preached during the Christmas season. Those texts are Matthew 11:28, Matthew 22:42, Ephesians 3:15, Ephesians 2:12, and II Thessalonians 2:1. These sermons begin with illustrations fit for the Christmas season, but the sermons are mostly Gospel-themed with the non-Christian in mind and the importance of putting Christ first during that time of year. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.