New Books – August 2005

New Books – August 2005

The Lord Our Righteousness: The Old Perspective on Paul, by Obadiah Grew (1607-1689). In this never-before reprinted work, Puritan Obadiah Grew speaks directly to the need for, and the efficiency of, the imputed righteousness of Christ. This is especially relevant now, in the light of contemporary challenges to the traditional understanding of justification within the evangelical camp.

The Glory of Heaven, by William Gearing. A Puritan classic, first published in 1673, which describes heaven not only as a place of inestimable blessedness, but such as will be increased by the absence of all evil.

The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, by Philip Doddridge (1702-1751). A classic work which has touched the hearts of many, leading to the conversion of William Wilberforce, and bringing much comfort to John Newton after his conversion. The book was actually a project given to Doddridge to write by his friend, Isaac Watts, who was too sick to write it himself.

Grace Abounding: The Life, Books, and Influence of John Bunyan, by David B. Calhoun. Tells us of the life and works of Puritan giant John Bunyan, who while in prison wrote one of the most famous and well-read books in the English language.

The Old Evangelicalism: Old Truths for a New Awakening, by Iain H. Murray. Shows how modern evangelicalism is very unlike the evangelicalism of the 18th century and of the Puritans.

Troubled Journey: A Missionary Childhood in War-Torn China, by Faith Cook. The author shares her first-hand story of the trials faced by a child of missionary parents living in China during the turbulent period of WWII and the subsequent Communist takeover.

Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God, by Noel Piper. The stories of five ordinary women—Lilias Trotter, Gladys Aylward, Esther Ahn Kim, Sarah Edwards and Helen Roseveare—who as pioneer missionaries trusted in their extraordinary God as he led them to do great things for his kingdom.

Monkey Business: The True Story of the Scopes Trial, by Marvin Olasky and John Perry. The 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, TN, was a watershed moment in American history that still defines how society views creationists and evolutionists today. But the authors say the complete true story of the proceedings has never before been told.

Majesty in Misery, Volume 1: Dark Gethsemane, by C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892). Select sermons by Spurgeon on the passion of Christ, with this first volume focusing on the dark night in the garden. Volumes 2 and 3 will focus in turn on The Judgment Hall and Calvary’s Mournful Mountain.

The Birth of Christianity: The First Twenty Years, by Paul Barnett (After Jesus Series, Vol 1). In this first volume of a new series, Barnett focuses on the first twenty years of Christian history, and shows how utterly wrong are the claims of those radical critics who have been trying to foster skepticism based on the 20-year gap between the death and resurrection of Christ and the writing of the first New Testament documents. He demonstrates that a great deal is known about this earliest period of Christianity’s development.

Philip and the Revival in Samaria, by Geoffrey Thomas. What is revival? Is it a sovereign work of God by his Spirit or merely the result of evangelistic activity on the part of zealous Christians? Is God as concerned to save a single individual as a whole city of people? This book deals with these questions and others in this study of Philip the Evangelist and the great Samaritan awakening, recorded in Acts 8.

Lady Jane Grey: Nine Day Queen of England, by Faith Cook. In the midst of the political and religious changes set off by the English Reformation, a 16-year old girl became the Queen of England for nine days before being executed. This book gives a picture of a girl with outstanding natural abilities whose strength of character and remarkable faith shine out despite the darkness that often surrounded her.

He’ll Forgive Me Anyway: The Devastating Lie of Marshmellow Grace, by Steve Halliday. The author says many Christians have gone soft in the practice of their faith. He reminds readers what amazing grace is really all about. Not merely a “ticket out of hell” to be sinfully abused and then redeemed at the last moment, grace is what inspires believers to turn from sin right now into a life of obedience.

John E. Marshall: Life and Writings, by John J. Murray. Marshall (1932-2003) came to faith and an understanding of the doctrines of grace under the ministry of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and became a leader in The Banner of Truth Trust, as well as bringing sound teaching to Eastern Europe and Russia.

Is the Reformation Over? An Evangelical Assessment of Contemporary Roman Catholicism, by Mark A. Noll and Carolyn Nystrom. A hopeful chronicle of exchanges, convergences, conflicts and even agreements of the past two decades between Catholics and conservative Evangelicals. That there has been a shift is clear. However, as one reviewer said, less clear is the reason. “Is it because of diminished Catholic identity, disintegrating evangelical theology, or the intrusions of postmodernity that incline people to be neither Protestant nor Catholic but simply religious?”

Letters from Dad: How to Leave a Legacy of Faith, Hope, and Love for Your Family, by Greg Vaughn. The author is a CBC-ex, who lives in Richardson, and is a two-time Emmy winning film producer.

If Grace Is So Amazing, Why Don’t We Like It? By Donald McCullough. Grace upsets the natural balance, turning the law of cause and effect on its head. Our instinctive reaction is to pull back from grace. Rather than recognizing our unworthiness to receive this completely undeserved gift from God, we want to believe that on balance something in ourselves merits the good that comes our way. But real Christian faith requires that we accept and embrace this radical thing called grace.

The North Face of God: Hope for the Times When God Seems Indifferent, by Ken Gire.

The Slumber of Christianity: Awakening a Passion for Heaven on Earth, by Ted Dekker.

Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church: Understanding a Movement and its Implications, by D.A. Carson. The “emerging church” movement and its leaders such as Brian McLaren and others, have generated a lot of excitement and exerted an astonishingly broad influence. Theologian Carson undertakes a mature assessment of the movement, including its theological views, detailing both the movement’s strengths and weaknesses.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life, by Joanna Weaver.

The Religions Next Door, by Marvin Olasky. What are we to make of this new religious pluralism, and can we trust the media to tell us? What we need to know about Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, and what the reporters are missing.

Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God, by Sharon Jaynes.

Scripture Alone: Exploring the Bible’s Accuracy, Authority, and Authenticity, by James R. White. A passionate introduction to the sufficiency of scripture, by the author of The Potter’s Freedom.

Exploring the Mind and Heart of the Prince of Preachers: 5,000 Illustrations, Anecdotes, Axioms, and Aphorisms, by C.H. Spurgeon, edited by Kerry James Allen. Spurgeon is the most widely read and extensively quoted preacher in Christian history. This collection of quotes and illustrations is arranged under 1,000 topical headings and makes for great devotional reading, or as illustrations for Sunday school teachers or preachers.

Spurgeon’s Sermons on the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, by C.H. Spurgeon. A collection of 48 sermons that are rich in exposition and saturated with scripture, masterfully recapturing Christ’s suffering and His everlasting victory.

The Crime of Living Cautiously: Hearing God’s Call to Adventure, by Luci Shaw. Learning to take risks at every level, in partnership with God, and finding the rich joy that awaits.

Becoming the Woman of His Dreams, by Sharon Jaynes. Seven qualities every man longs for.

The Power of Brokenness, by Don Nori. The author finds in brokenness the companion who never forgets her need of mercy, and never forgets the grace that flows on her behalf. Her mystery has eluded the intellectual and empowered the noble of heart, while her wisdom instructs the hungry of heart. But her law defies the most persistent of religious antics.

The Letters of John Newton. Newton (1725-1807) was a sailor, former slave trader, preacher, and hymn-writer, who was one of the most colorful figures in the great Evangelical Revival of the 18th century. It was through his correspondence that Newton fulfilled his distinctive work as “the letter writer par excellence of the Evangelical Revival.”

COMMENTARIES
Behold the King: A Study of Matthew, by Stanley D. Toussaint (back in print!); The Message of Leviticus, by Derek Tidball (Bible Speaks Today); How to Read Genesis, by Tremper Longman III; Walking With God: Learning Discipleship in the Psalms, by Richard D. Phillips.

ADULT FICTION
A Bride Most Begrudging, by Deeanne Gist; Just Above a Whisper, by Lori Wick (Tucker Mills Trilogy #2); Fame, by Karen Kingsbury (Firstborn #1).

ADULT AUDIOs
The Rising, by LaHaye and Jenkins (Left Behind on CD).

YOUTH BOOKS
Left Behind-The Kids, by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye (#3840).

CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Lizzie the Elephant and Ben the Beaver, by Daniela De Luca (It’s a Wild Life, Buddy series; 5 years+); A is for Ark: Noah’s Journey, by Colleen and Michael Glenn Moore.

CHILDREN’S DVDS
Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson’s Hairbrush (VeggieTales); Helen Keller (Inspiring Animated Heroes from Nest); Buzzy the Misbehaving Bee, from Max Lucado Kids (Hermie and Friends).

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