New Books–February 2012

Complete New Book List

February 2012

God With Us: Divine Condescension and the Attributes of God, by K. Scott Oliphint. The desire to harmonize God’s attributes with his actions has challenged laymen and scholars throughout the ages. How can God be both a wholly independent, infinite being, yet also be an interactive force in the finite plane of creation? Oliphint finds the answer in the person of Jesus Christ incarnate—the manifestation of God and the cornerstone of creation.

The Transforming Power of the Gospel, by Jerry Bridges. The biblical meaning of grace, and how it applies to your life; the necessity of basic spiritual disciplines; and the role of the Holy Spirit in both definitive and progressive sanctification.

God’s Samurai: Lead Pilot at Pearl Harbor, by Gordon W. Prange. Mitsuo Fuchida led the attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in most of the fiercest battles of the Pacific war. Reared in the vanished culture of early 20^th century Japan, he returned home as a war hero and was involved in a scandalous love affair. But then came his remarkable conversion to Christianity, followed by years of touring the world as an evangelist.

Return of the Raider: A Doolittle Raider’s Story of War and Forgiveness, by Donald M. Goldstein and Carol Aiko DeShazer Dixon. As a bombardier, Jacob DeShazer participated in the famous Doolittle raid over Japan shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. During the raid, his crew bailed out over China and were taken captive by the Japanese as POWs for over 3 years, every day facing torture and death. Jacob’s path changed when his request for a Bible was granted. He came back to the Christian faith in which he was raised, and made a vow to God that if he survived, he would return to Japan not as a warrior, but as a missionary.

Bitter Waters: America’s Forgotten Naval Mission to the Dead Sea, by David Haward Bain. Story of the US Navy’s 1848 expedition to explore and survey the Sea of Galilee, Jordan River and Dead Sea in the Holy Land.

Defending Inerrancy: Affirming the Accuracy of Scripture for a New Generation, by Norman L. Geisler and William C. Roach .The doctrine of inerrancy has been taught for a millennium, but now it is at risk.

When the Bottom Drops Out: Finding Grace in the Depths of Disappointment, by Robert Bugh. After years of counseling others through heartache and loss, pastor and ex-CBCer Rob Bugh watched his own world implode when he unexpectedly lost both his wife and his best friend to cancer within a year and a half of each other

The Cross Is Not Enough: Living as Witnesses to the Resurrection, by Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson. As crucial as it is, the cross is not the center of Christianity—the Resurrection is. The authors show how this doctrine has been understood in times past, how it compares to other world religions, and traces the themes of resurrection through movies, books, and music, and other aspects of popular culture. All in an effort to restore it to its rightful place as the basis of our hope, our worldview, and the way we live our lives every day.

G.K. Chesterton: A Biography, by Ian Ker. Chesterton (1874-1936) was a brilliant English writer (author of Father Brown mysteries), journalist, social and political thinker, satirist, and a formidable apologist for Christianity and Catholicism. This is the first comprehensive biography.

No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington, by Condoleezza Rice. Biography of one of the world’s most admired women, and former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State under the Bush Administration. Included in her memoirs are the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Why Jesus? Rediscovering His Truth in an Age of Mass Marketed Spirituality, by Ravi Zacharias.

From the Library of A.W.Tozer: Selections from Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey, compiled by James Stuart Bell. Including the writings of Augustine, Luther, Thomas a Kempis, and others.

Parenting by God’s Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace, by Joel R. Beeke.

The ESV and the English Bible Legacy, by Leland Ryken. Traces the history of the English Bible translation from Tyndale to the King James Bible, and argues that the ESV is the true heir to the classical stream.

The Triumph of Christianity: How the Jesus Movement Became the World’s Largest Religion, by Rodney Stark. Acclaimed religious and social historian at Baylor University explains how an obscure Jewish sect became the largest, most thriving religion in the world, as he moves through six historical eras, getting right to Christianity’s most pivotal and controversial moments.

Right in Their Own Eyes: The Gospel According to Judges, by George M. Schwab (The Gospel According to the Old Testament).

Mere Apologetics: How to Help Seekers and Skeptics Find Faith, by Alister E. McGrath.

Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters, by N.T Wright.

Moral Apologetics for Contemporary Christians, by Mark Coppenger.A best-selling author claims “religion poisons everything”. Are the defamers right? This book pushes back against cultural and religious critics to demonstrate that Christianity is morally superior to its competitors, as well as true.

On the Way to the Cross: 40 Days with the Church Fathers, by Thomas C. Oden and Joel C. Elowsky with Cindy Crosby. Finding your spiritual rhythm on the way to the cross, with excerpts from the teachings of the church fathers.

Pastors in the Classics: Timeless Lessons on Life and Ministry from World Literature, by Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken, and Todd Wilson. How clergy have been portrayed throughout the history of English literature—the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke’s Account of God’s Unfolding Plan, by Alan J. Thompson (New Studies in Biblical Theology). Interpretation of the book of Acts, so that Luke’s major themes may be identified and related to the book as a whole. In particular, shows that Luke intends his work to be read in light of OT promises, and the continuing reign of Christ in the inaugurated kingdom of God.

Where the Conflict Really Lies: Science, Religion and Naturalism, by Alvin Plantinga. The author, who teaches at Notre Dame and is considered the world’s leading philosopher of religion, demonstrates why none of the main reasons for thinking there is a conflict between science and theistic religion are successful.

2012, the Bible, and the End of the World, by Mark Hitchcock. There is worldwide speculation that 12/21/12 will be a day of apocalypse for the entire globe, and this speculation has been driven by the ancient Mayan calendar. Hitchcock examines this from a biblical perspective.

Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead Their Homes, by Voddie Baucham, Jr.

COMMENTARIES: Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur (MacArthur NT Commentary); Isaiah: God Saves Sinners, by Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr. (Preaching the Word); Luke, by David E. Garland (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the NT).

ADULT/FAMILY DVDs: From Vengeance to Forgiveness: Jake DeShazer’s Extraordinary Journey (see DeShazer’s story above in “Return of the Raider”); Courageous (new movie from the creators of Fireproof). The Creed: What Christians Profess, and Why It Ought to Matter, by Tim Kelleher (a documentary on the 12 articles of the Nicene Constantinopolitan Creed).

ADULT FICTION: The Shadow of Your Smile, by Susan May Warren (Deep Haven); Firethorn, by Ronie Kenig (Discarded Heroes #4); In Justice for All, by Robin Caroll (Justice Seekers).

JUVENILE BIOGRAPHY: Jacob DeShazer: Forgive Your Enemies, by Janet and Geoff Benge (WWII American bombardier who participated in the Doolittle raid over Tokyo, bailed out over China and became a Japanese POW; becoming a Christian, he vowed to return to Japan as a missionary).