AD 33: The Year That Changed the World, by Colin Duriez. In AD 33, an obscure religious leader died a criminal’s death in a distant outpost of the Roman empire. Yet this was an event with world-changing consequences. Looking back, we can see how from the perspective of world history it was dominated by two people—a Roman and a Jew. The Roman was the Emperor Tiberius, and the Jew was Jesus, who was put to death by one of Tiberius’ minor governors, Pontius Pilate. The author shows us what the world was like in that momentous year.
The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception, by John MacArthur. Truth is under attack, and much is at stake. MacArthur deals with such issues as the pitfalls of postmodern thinking, the flaws in the Emerging Church Movement, and the importance of truth and certainty.
God’s Judgments: Interpreting History and the Christian Faith, by Steven J. Keillor. The author presents the bold thesis that divine judgment can be a fruitful category for historical investigation, and even makes the case that Christianity is rightly grasped as an interpretation of history more than a worldview or philosophy. Grounding his thesis first on a study of God’s judgments in the teaching of both the Old and New Testaments, Keillor then revisits two prominent events in U.S. history—the burning of Washington in 1814 and the Civil War—to further explore and test his interpretative principle of divine judgment.
The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World, by Stephen J. Nichols. Beyond merely summarizing Reformation history, Nichols draws us into the life and times of that era—as if the issues that inflamed an era still mattered. Sinclair Ferguson says, “here conviction is joined with courage, holiness with humor, in a wonderful medley of Christian heroes and heroines”.
Four Views of the Warning Passages in Hebrews, edited by Herbert W. Bateman IV. Can believers lose their salvation if they fall away from God’s grace? Is there no restoration for a backslidden believer? These and other questions challenge readers of the five warning passages in Hebrews. Buist Fanning presents the Classical Reformed view. The other views presented are Classical Arminian, Wesleyan Arminian, and Moderate Reformed.
The Divided States of America: What Liberals and Conservatives Are Missing in the God-and-Country Shouting Match, by Richard Land. According to the author, both sides of America’s culture wars are getting it wrong. He aims to set forth a reasonable position on the place of religion in public life.
By Faith Alone: Answering the Challenges to the Doctrine of Justification, edited by Gary L. Johnson and Guy P. Waters. A response to N.T. Wright and the New Perspectives, as well as other contemporary challenges to the doctrines of justification and imputation, with a foreword by David Wells.
Pauline Christology: An Exegetical-Theological Study, by Gordon D. Fee. A comprehensive examination of Paul’s understanding of who Christ was and is. In this insightful book, Fee examines all of the letters of the Pauline corpus in order to discover the Christology of each one, and then carefully synthesizes his exegetical work into a comprehensive exploration of the Christology of Paul.
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret of More, by Mark Buchanan. Having trouble moving from your old life into the life God wants? Buchanan unpacks 2 Peter 1:1-9 by looking first at the faith that undergirds the virtues, and then studies each one in depth.
Only One Way? Reaffirming the Exclusive Truth Claims of Christianity, edited by Richard Phillips. Guides us unerringly through the contemporary world of religious pluralism and points us to Jesus Christ alone as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Additional contributors include David Wells, D.A. Carson, Peter Jones, Phillip Ryken, and Ligon Duncan.
God’s Rivals: Why Has God Allowed Different Religions? by Gerald R. McDermott. Explores teaching from the OT and NT and reflections from a number of key theologians from the early church to suggest an answer to this perplexing question.
The Truth Comes Out, by Nancy Heche. After 25 years of marriage and five children, Nancy’s husband was diagnosed with AIDS, and his homosexual secret was discovered. Later, her youngest daughter Anne began a very public love affair with a well-known actress. During these trials, Nancy held on to what she knew of God’s promises from Scripture, and her book offers hope when someone you love is in a same-sex relationship.
Loving Your Spouse Through Prayer, by Cheri Fuller. How to pray God’s Word into your marriage.
Picturing the Gospel: Tapping the Power of the Bible’s Imagery, by Neil Livingstone. The author says that in our image-based culture, people need to visualize something to understand it, and this is true for our communication of the gospel. While we hold to only one gospel, the NT uses a wealth of dynamic, compelling images to explain the good news of Jesus. Here is a guided tour of biblical images of the gospel and shows how each offers fresh insight into God’s saving work.
The IVP Introduction to the Bible, edited by Philip S. Johnston. While it is true that anyone can pick up the Bible and read and understand it for themselves, many of the details remain fuzzy until we find out more about the historical or literary setting. This guide is aimed at reducing that fuzziness, with contributions from an international team of evangelical scholars, including Tremper Longman III, Desmond Alexander, Howard Marshall, et al.
The Culture-Wise Family, by Ted Baehr and Pat Boone. Upholding Christian values in a mass media world, and making wise choices about the mass media and entertainment you choose.
10 Things I Want My Husband to Know, by Annie Chapman. Practical suggestions for letting your husband know he is unequivocally loved.
No Other Gospel: Finding True Freedom in the Message of Galatians, by Carol J. Ruvolo. A refreshing reminder of what matters most: the gospel of grace alone.
Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples, by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger. The authors call Christians to make a clear return to the simple gospel-sharing methods of Jesus, without elaborate, multi-level outreach strategies. Based on case studies of 400 American churches, the authors show that the process for making disciples has often been made too complex, and how simple churches are thriving.
COMMENTARIES: Because the Time is Near: John MacArthur Explains the Book of Revelation; Mark, by Ronald J. Kernaghan (IVP NT Commentary); The Gospel of Luke: Christ, the Son of Man, by Mal Couch (Twenty-first Century Biblical Commentary); The Book of Romans, by Gib Martin and Larry Richards (general editor) (Smart Guide to the Bible); 1-3 John, by John MacArthur, Jr.
(MacArthur NT Commentary); James, by Daniel Doriani (Reformed Expository Commentary).
CDs BY JOHN PIPER: The Life and Labor of William Wilberforce (2 CDs).
ADULT FICTION: The Solitary Envoy, The Innocent Libertine, The Noble Fugitive, and The Night Angel, by T. Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn (Heirs of Acadia #1-4); A Tapestry of Hope, A Love Woven True, and The Pattern of Her Heart, by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller (Lights of Lowell #1-3); The Miracle, by Gilbert Morris (Singing River #3).
FAMILY DVDs: The Nativity Story, a movie drama about the birth of Christ, starring Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary and Oscar Isaac as Joseph.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS: The Lost Wagon Train and The Buffalo’s Last Stand, by Stephen Bly (Retta Barre’s Oregon Trail #1-2); 47 Beavers on the Big Blue Sea, by Phil Vischer (with song-along CD); Easter Eggs for Anya, by Virginia Kroll (a Ukrainian celebration of new life in Christ; ages 4-8).
CHILDRENS DVDs: Moe and the Big Exit: A Lesson in Followin’ Directions (Veggie Tales); Thank You God for Adventures in Imagination, by Dennis DeShazer (Boz the Bear); Sunday School Songs, Toddler Action Songs, and Preschool Songs, from Cedarmont Kids (now in DVD).
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