Books That I Read in August 2015

#1 – The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness by Kevin DeYoung. As much as I love and appreciate Kevin DeYoung, I was skeptical of my own enjoyment of this book because the topic is one in which I feel that J.C. Ryle has written the magnum opus on in his book simply titled Holiness. However, DeYoung, as usual, surprised me with his insight and biblical clarity. There is no other resource I would recommend that destroys the hyper-grace movement than this one. I am better for reading this book and it get into my short list of books I read regularly. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

#2 – Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Eliot. In 1955, five men who were serving as missionaries in Ecuador were slaughtered (or martyred) for their faith by an Auca tribe. The men who gave their lives for the expansion of the Gospel to this tribe were Nate Saint, Jim Eliot, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully and Pete Fleming. Their story of mission work leading up to their reaching out to the Auca’s is what this book contains. The widow of Jim Eliot tells us from her perspective. There are some excellent photographs that have been preserved from these years in Ecuador and you will find them throughout the book. If you love biographies or missionaries, this is a must read. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

#3 – Growing True Disciples by George Barna. If only this book gave biblical strategies and not just pragmatic ideas, it might have been a helpful resource. The research date contained in the book is helpful and revealing about the contemporary thinking in the church on the subject of discipleship. Other than that, I highly doubt I will return to this book as a resource. BOOK RATING: 5 out of 10 stars.

#4 – The Quest for the Historical Adam by William VanDoodewaard. This book is a “heavy” one. It answers the question of whether the Biblical account of Adam and Eve’s creation was literal or metaphorical. The book an historical survey of the positions throughout church history (e.g., the early church, Medieval times, Reformation and Post-Reformation, 19^th-20^th centuries, modern day). The challenge to a literal interpretation to Genesis 1-2 is very prevalent even within Christian circles, but this book answers those critics. If you are not afraid of some scholarly reading, this is an excellent resource. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.