New Books – June 2008

A Passion for God: The Spiritual Journey of A.W. Tozer, by Lyle Dorsett. The impact of Tozer on the kingdom of God is immeasurable. His sermons touched thousands, and his books, including the

Pursuit of God and The Knowledge of the Holy, reached millions and continue to sell. Yet few really knew this quiet, intensely private, deeply spiritual man. In this new biography, Dorsett digs deeply into Tozer’s childhood, spiritual conversion, family life, and ministry. He doesn’t hide the flaws, but reveals Tozer as a man, whose one goal until his death in 1963, was to grow closer to God, regardless of the cost.

Jesus Made in America: A Cultural History from the Puritans to The Passion of the Christ, by Stephen J. Nichols. Beginning with the Puritans, Reformed author Stephen Nichols leads readers through the various cultural epochs of American history, showing at each stage how American notions of Jesus were shaped by the cultural sensibilities of the times, often with unfortunate results. As reviewer Timothy Larsen said, “Evangelicals who assume that distorted and undeveloped Christologies are only a problem among theological liberals particularly need to read this book”.

New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ, by Thomas R. Schreiner. While none of the New Testament documents claims to provide a “theology” on its own, Schreiner suggests that certain recurring themes emerge from the study of the whole. In this volume, he traces key themes as they emerge throughout the canon. Written from a decidedly Reformed and evangelical point of view.

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, by Alex and Brett Harris. A growing movement of young people is rebelling against the low expectations of today’s culture by choosing to do “hard things” for the glory of God. Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life. The authors are the younger brothers of best-selling author Joshua Harris (author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye).

The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists, by Ravi Zacharias. A response to the recent book by Sam Harris, Letter to a Christian Nation, which charged that God is nothing more than the figment of one’s imagination, and that Christians regularly practice intolerance and hatred around the globe.

AfricaBible Commentary: A One-Volume Commentary, by Tokunboh Adeyemo, General Editor; written by 70 African scholars. As Christianity’s center of gravity moves inexorably southward, Africa may soon be home to the world’s largest Christian population. And the faith of Africa is a biblical and robust faith. John R. Stott calls this volume a “publishing landmark…its foundation is biblical, its perspective is African”, enabling us to gain African insights into the Word of God.

Under the Overpass, by Mike Yankoski. A journey of faith on the streets of America. The author journeyed as a homeless man for five months in order to test his faith in God apart from the comforts he had always known.

The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier, by Tony Jones. An insider’s view of all things emergent.

Fear Not! Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective, by Ligon Duncan with J. Nicholas Reid.

Engaging the Doctrine of God: Contemporary Protestant Perspectives, edited by Bruce McCormack. Contributors include D.A. Carson (The Wrath of God), Paul Helm (John Calvin and the Hiddenness of God), Oliver Crisp (Jonathan Edwards’ God), David F. Wright (The Lamb That Was Slain), Henri Blocher (God and the Cross), N.T. Wright, et al.

Couples Who Pray: The Most Intimate Act Between A Man and a Woman, by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. Including examples of well known couples who took the 40-day prayer challenge, including Pauletta and Denzel Washington, Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford, and others.

The Atonement Debate: Papers from the LondonSymposium on the Theology of the Atonement, edited by Derek Tidball, David Hilborn, and Justin Thacker. Due to the heated public debate on the issue of the atonement, a congress was convened so that advocates of different positions could engage with each other, and over 200 attended. Included in the collection of the resulting papers are contributions from I. Howard Marshall, Chris Wright, Joel Green, and others.

The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments, by Walter Kaiser, Jr. The author proposes that there is a unifying center to the theology and message of the entire Bible that is indicated and affirmed by Scripture itself. A thoroughly revised and expanded edition of his classic Toward an Old Testament Theology.

Built Upon the Rock: Studies in the Gospel of Matthew, edited by Daniel M. Gurtner and John Nolland. Contributors include R.T. France, Donald A. Hagner, David Instone-Brewer, et al.

Things That Cannot Be Shaken: Holding Fast to Your Faith in a Relativistic World, by K. Scott Oliphint and Rod Mays.

The Story, published by Zondervan (TNIV version). Read the Bible as one seamless story from beginning to end; condensed into 31 accessible chapters, and arranged chronologically from Genesis to Revelation. Allows stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel.

Intelligent Design 101: Leading Experts Explain the Key Issues, edited by H. Wayne House. Contributors include Michael J. Behe, Phillip Johnson, J.P. Moreland, et al.

Tyndale Bible Dictionary, edited by Philip W. Comfort and Walter A. Elwell. A comprehensive guide to the people, places, and important words of the Bible.

IsraelPast and Present, by Dan Bahat. A guide to the history of the land of Israel , with plastic overlays over contemporary photos of sites in Israel, showing how those sites looked in Biblical times.

When Your Family’s Lost a Loved One: Finding Hope Together, by David and Nancy Guthrie.

What God Does When Men Lead: The Power and Potential of Regular Guys, by Bill Peel. Charles Colson says that “at a time when some are questioning the “feminization of the church”, this book shows men how to be “real men” and godly leaders.

COMMENTARIES: Matthew, by David L. Turner (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the NT); Reading Matthew: A Literary and Theological Commentary, by David E. Garland (Reading the New Testament series); Jeremiah, Lamentations, by Tremper Longman III (New International Biblical Commentary); 1 and 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ’s Sufferings, by David R. Helm (Preaching the Word).

ADULT FICTION: The Forbidden, by Beverly Lewis (The Courtship of Nellie Fisher #2); Dawn’s Light, by Terri Blackstock (Restoration #4); American Dreams #1-3, by Michael Phillips; A Lady of Hidden Intent, by Tracie Peterson (Ladies of Liberty #2); Ticket to Tomorrow, Fair Game, and A Bride So Fair, by Carol Cox (A Fair to Remember #1-3); Dear to Me, by Wanda E. Brunstetter (Brides of Webster County #3).

FAMILY DVDs: Bella, starring Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard (one of the most honored films of the year; rated PG-13); Love’s Unfolding Dream, from best selling author Janette Oke.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS: The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats: An Unlikely Royal Family Tree, by Andrew Peterson (learning the unique genealogy of Jesus Christ from Matthew 1, in song and illustrations, including a sing-along CD); Let’s Make a Joyful Noise: A Celebration of Psalm 100, by Karma Wilson (ages 4-8); Meg Follows a Dream, Janie’s Freedom, Nellie the Brave, Daria Solves a Mystery (Sisters in Time).

CHILDREN’S DVDs: The Eric Liddell Story and The John Bunyan Story (The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith).