New Books–March 2012

Complete New Book List

March 2012

The Joy of Calvinism: Knowing God’s Personal, Unconditional, Irresistible, Unbreakable Love, by Greg Forster. Sam Storms says that Calvinism has been the object of many caricatures, but “none so misguided as the notion that it is the enemy of joy”. However, he says that Forster does a “masterful job” of setting the record straight, showing how Calvinism is “drenched with joy” and accounting for the beauty and delight of the doctrines of grace.

The Gospel According to Isaiah: The Identity and Mission of the Messiah in Isaiah 53, by Darrell Bock and Mitch Glaser.

How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens, by Michael Williams. A guide to a Christ-focused reading of Scripture.

Glorious Mess: Encountering God’s Relentless Grace for Imperfect People, by Mike Howerton. In the midst of the messes we make, and no matter how far we have strayed, God’s relentless grace is always there to pull us back on course.

Loving the Way Jesus Loves, by Phil Ryken. Exposition of 1 Corinthians 13, drawing on the life and ministry of Jesus to illustrate what love is and isn’t.

The Intolerance of Tolerance, by D.A. Carson. Nothing is less intolerant than a tolerance that requires the absence of all convictions. Carson shows how tolerance, once defined as respecting others’ rights to hold differing perspectives, has morphed into a pervasive insistence that no one should hold firm convictions.

Mr. and Mrs. Madison’s War: America’s First Couple and the Second War of Independence, by Hugh Howard. The epic story of President James Madison and First Lady Dolley in dark times, as the presidential mansion and the capitol building were put to the torch by the British. The War of 1812 is the least known and least understood war in American history.

Do Historical Matters Matter to Faith? A Critical Appraisal of Modern and Postmodern Approaches to Scripture, edited by James K. Hoffmeier and Dennis R. Magary. A defense of Scripture’s historical accuracy against a culture and academy skeptical of those claims.

A Third Testament: A Modern Pilgrim Explores the Spiritual Wanderings of Augustine, Blake, Pascal, Tolstoy, Bonhoeffer, Kierkegaard, and Dostoevsky, by Malcolm Muggeridge. A tart-tongued agnostic for most of his life, Muggeridge converted to Catholicism at age 80. This collection of portraits of seven maverick thinkers is based on an acclaimed TV series.

The Genesis of Science: How the Christian Middle Ages Launched the Scientific Revolution, by James Hannam. A robust defense of a maligned age, showing how the Church was the chief sponsor of scientific research.

If God Made the Universe, Who Made God? 130 Arguments for Christian Faith, from Holman Bible Publishers. Collects 130 essays written in defense of the Christian faith, with the brief essays grouped into topics. Contributors include some of the pre-eminent apologists of our time, including Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias, J.P. Moreland, Charles Colson, Darrell Bock, William Dembski, Al Mohler, and others.

An Act of God: Answers to Tough Questions About God’s Role in Natural Disasters, by Erwin W. Lutzer.

How Do You Kill 11 Million People: Why the Truth Matters More Than You Think, by Andy Andrews. 11 million is the number of people killed by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. Andrews talks about what happens to a society when truth is absent.

Hope Transformed: A Battle Strategy for Surviving Life’s Greatest Trials, by Joy Cruse. The story of Joy and Tait Cruse’s son Connor, who was diagnosed with stage IV cancer at the age of 4, and who went to be with the Lord in July 2009 after a four-year battle. This family has connections with many CBCers.

The Vow: The True Events That Inspired the Movie, by Kim and Krickitt Carpenter with Dana Wilkerson. A devastating car wreck left wife Krickitt with a massive head injury and in a coma, but the worst was yet to come when she finally woke up with no recollection of her relationship with husband Kim and serious personality changes. This is the story of how they fell in love all over again.

Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons, by Thabiti M. Anyabwile (9Marks). The qualifications for elders and deacons are spelled out in the Bible, but actually finding leaders who fulfill the biblical qualifications can be difficult.

How Jesus Runs the Church, by Guy Prentiss Waters. Church government from a Presbyterian perspective.

Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship, and Life Together, by Mark and Grace Driscoll. Wayne Grudem says “while some sections will be controversial, this book as a whole is a wise, insightful, and biblical.

Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians, by Kenneth E. Bailey. Paul was not only Hebrew, but a well-traveled Roman citizen. These two mighty rivers of influence converge in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

Beautiful Battle: A Woman’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare, by Mary E. DeMuth.

COMMENTARIES/BIBLE STUDIES: Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches, by James R. Hamilton, Jr. (Preaching the Word series; a historic pre-mill approach); Insights on Luke, by Charles R. Swindoll (Swindoll’s New Testament Insights).

ADULT/FAMILY DVDs:; The Apostles’ Creed, from the Christian History Institute (the origin and timeless power of the Creed; featuring N.T. Wright, Alister McGrath, Mark Galli, and others); Resurrection, featuring N.T. (Tom) Wright (Wright is well known for his landmark work, The Resurrecton of the Son of God, considered the definitive work in defense of Jesus’ resurrection; filmed on location in Israel, Greece and England); Putting Amazing Back into Grace, by Michael Horton. Introduction to Reformed theology, in 4 hours of video with 20 minute chapters, based on the book of the same title. Miracle in the Woods (family drama of three generations of women united by their precious gift of love).

ADULT FICTION: In Too Deep, by Mary Connealy (Kincaid Brides #2); When the Smoke Clears, by Lynette Eason (Deadly Reunions #1); The Blue Moon Promise, by Colleen Coble (Under Texas Stars #1); Hannah Grace, Maggie Rose, and Abbie Ann, by Sharlene MacLaren (Daughters of Jacob Cane #1-3); Not This Time, by Vicki Hinze (Crossroads Crisis Center #3).

JUVENILE FICTION: Flight of the Outcasts, and Darkness Shall Fall, by Alister McGrath (The Aedyn Chronicles #2 and #3).