New Books – December 2008

The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, by Timothy Keller. Taking his trademark intellectual approach to understanding Christianity, Keller uncovers the essential message of Jesus, locked inside his most familiar parable. Within that parable, Jesus reveals God’s prodigal grace toward both the irreligious and the moralistic.

Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism, by Joel R. Beeke. Traces the roots of Calvinism and sets forth its doctrinal distinctives, then explores how Calvinists live out their beliefs in every sphere of life. Through the examples of John Calvin himself, the Puritans, and other Calvinists of the past, this God-exalting belief is shown to be a timeless guide for Christian living.

Recovering the Reformed Confession: Our Theology, Piety and Practice, by R. Scott Clark. A reminder of the “loveliness, depth and richness of Reformed Christianity”. The author also reminds us of many aspects of the historic Reformed confessions that are either taken for granted, or which are not reflected in current practice.

We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry, by G. K. Beale. The author says the heart of the biblical understanding of idolatry is that we take on the characteristics of what we worship. Employing Isaiah 6 as his interpretative lens, he demonstrates how this understanding of idolatry permeates the whole canon, from Genesis to Revelation.

The Erosion of Inerrancy in Evangelicalism: Responding to the New Challenges to Biblical Authority, by G. K. Beale. The current challenges to inerrancy are coming from evangelicals themselves. Beale warns against abandoning our evangelical moorings, and addresses in particular the issues raised by Peter Enns’ book Inspiration and Incarnation.

The Incarnation in the Gospels, by Daniel M. Doriani, Philip Graham Ryken, and Richard D. Phillips (Reformed Expository Commentary). Sermons from Reformed authors on the incarnation of Christ as documented in the Gospel accounts.

Never Silent: How Third World Missionaries Are Now Bringing the Gospel to the US, by Thaddeus Barnum. As a result of the crisis in the international Anglican-Episcopal communion over gay ministers and a denial of Scripture, Third World bishops are now battling to save the soul of the church in America in a movement that Rick Warren says is no less than a new reformation. Highly recommended by Charles Colson and J.I. Packer.

That You May Know: Assurance of Salvation in 1 John, by Christopher D. Bass (NAC Studies in Bible & Theology). A thorough treatment of the doctrine of assurance found in 1 John. Assurance is first grounded in the work of Christ, but finds secondary and vital support in the lifestyle of the believer.

Francis Schaeffer and the Shaping of Evangelical America, by Barry Hankins. Shows how Schaeffer was more responsible than any other individual for turning American evangelicalism from introspection to looking outward, and from suspicion of the intellect to engagement with the culture.

Oprah, Miracles, and the New Earth: A Critique, by Erwin W. Lutzer. Oprah Winfrey describes herself as a “freethinking” Christian, but viewers are getting a heavy dose of New Age musings along with her acts of goodwill. Lutzer explains the themes in the bestselling books she has promoted and shows the New Age heresies.

Hired @ Home: The Christian Mother’s Guide to Working from Home, by Sarah Hamaker. Helping Christian women in all stages of life discover the opportunities and juggle the responsibilities of at-home work.

How to Be an Intellectually Fulfilled Atheist (Or Not), by William A. Dembski and Jonathan Wells. The compelling argument for Intelligent Design behind the controversial documentary, Expelled. Richard Dawkins said that Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist, but the authors show how Intelligent Design has made that logically untenable

Jesus and the Feminists: Who Do They Say That He Is, by Margaret Elizabeth Kostenberger. Surveys the entire landscape of feminist scholarship on the person of Jesus Christ, and shows how it is inconsistent with the actual texts of the Gospels. J.I. Packer says that she shows conclusively that “the attempts of a long series of scholars to find Jesus affirming women’s leadership in some way have entirely failed. “The author holds a doctorate in Theology, and teaches women’s studies at Southeastern Baptist Seminary.

Have Faith Anyway: The Vision of Habakkuk for Our Times, by Kent M. Keith. The author takes the OT prophet Habakkuk in his historical context, and makes him alive and relevant for our time.

The Heart of John Wesley’s Journal, selected and edited by Percy Livingstone Parker (A Hendrickson Classic Biography). The founder of the Methodist movement, Wesley (1703-1791) traveled throughout the United States and England to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and his influence on modern Protestantism is impossible to measure. This new edition brings together in one volume the most fascinating entries from his journal.

The Lazarus Effect: A Novel, by Ben Witherington III and Ann Witherington. Ben Witherington, a prominent NT scholar at Asbury who also holds a degree in English literature, and his wife Ann, who is a professor at Asbury, turn to fiction in a novel about an archaeologist who makes the discovery of a lifetime in Jerusalem when he finds the tomb of Lazarus.

Incarnation: The Person and Life of Christ, by Thomas F. Torrance. The author (1913-2007) is considered one of the most important Reformed theologians of his era. In this work, he presented a deeply biblical, Christ-centered and Trinitarian theology, showing that Christ’s work of revelation and reconciliation can only be understood in the light of who he is—real God and real man united in one person.

Lost Treasures of the Bible: Understanding the Bible Through Archaeological Artifacts in World Museums, by Clyde E. Fant and Mitchell G. Reddish. Photographs and detailed descriptions of more than 100 biblically significant archaeological objects housed in over 25 museums worldwide. Each entry explains that object’s relevance for understanding the Bible.

Is Christianity Good for the World? by Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson. A debate between leading atheist Hitchens (author of God Is Not Great) and Christian apologist Douglas Wilson.

Letter from a Christian Citizen, by Douglas Wilson. A response to atheist Sam Harris’s best selling book, Letter to a Christian Nation. Wilson gives a point by point response to the arguments presented by Harris..

Billy: The Untold Story of a Young Billy Graham and the Test of Faith That Almost Changed Everything, by William Paul McKay and Ken Abraham. When fellow evangelist and friend Charles Templeton denounced his faith and became an atheist, it created a crisis in the faith of young Billy Graham, and a turning point in his ministry.

Holding Fast: The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy, by Karen James. The story of the tragic climbing accident on Mt.Hood in 2006 that took the lives of Karen’s husband and his two climbing partners.

Christ and Caesar: The Gospel and the Roman Empire in the Writings of Luke and Paul, by Seyoon Kim. An exegetical study of the attitude of Paul and Luke toward the Roman imperial cult. The author critiques the current trend in NT scholarship which sees Paul as formulating his gospel in antithesis to the Roman imperial cult and ideology, and seeking to subvert the Empire.

Boxen: Childhood Chronicles Before Narnia, by C.S. Lewis and W.H. Lewis. Half a century before the publication of The Chronicles of Narnia, 8-year old C.S. Lewis along with his 11-year old brother Warnie, created another imaginary land, the kingdom of Boxen. Over the next few years, they explored the inhabitants and history of that colorful land, and this unique book collects together the Boxen stories, along with the authors’ own delightful illustrations.

The Lost History of Christianity: The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia—and How It Died, by Philip Jenkins. The untold story of the church’s first 1,000 years. The author reminds us that Christianity originated in the Near East, and during the first few centuries, its greatest centers and most prestigious churches were in Syria, Palestine, and Mesopotamia. Based on the neglected and overlooked record of developments east of the Roman Empire, the book explores significant continuities in Christian history.

The Bravehearted Gospel, by Eric Lundy. The author says once upon a time Christianity was the stuff of legends, and Christ’s loyalists were spiritual and moral revolutionaries who turned the world upside down. But over time, something has happened to that once fervent and bravehearted band who dared to be called Christians. So the author seeks to call us back to the path of courage rather than timidity, and confidence instead of paralyzing doubt.

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Jesus, edited by Nancy Guthrie. Includes 22 readings for Advent, drawing from the works and sermons of classic theologians such as Whitefield, Luther, Spurgeon and Augustine, and contemporary communicators such as John Piper, John MacArthur, Francis Schaeffer, R.C. Sproul and others.

Meet the Puritans: With a Guide to Modern Reprints, by Joel R. Beeke and Randall J. Pederson. A comprehensive overview of the entire Puritan movement and guide to the great Puritan authors, with summaries of 150 biographies and 700 books.

The Future of Atheism: Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett in Dialogue, edited by Robert B. Stewart. A dialogue between American philosopher and atheist Dennett and British evangelical theologian McGrath, with contributions from other philosophers and theologians. The articles discuss the present status of atheism, and which worldview is preferable.

Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in his Stories and Prayers, by Eugene H. Peterson. The fourth volume in Peterson’s best-selling spiritual theology series. This volume explores the conversational giftedness of Jesus in his parables and his prayers.

What In the World Is Going On: 10 Prophetic Clues You Cannot Ignore, by Dr. David Jeremiah. Examines the biggest global trends today in the light of Scripture.

New Testament Text and Translation Commentary, by Philip W. Comfort. A commentary on the original Greek text of the New Testament from the standpoint of textual criticism, showing the impact on the various English translations.

COMMENTARIES: Jude and 2 Peter, by Gene L. Green (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the NT); Mark, by Robert H. Stein (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the NT); James, by Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the NT); Psalms, Vol 3: Psalms 90-150, by John Goldingay (Baker Commentary on the OT Wisdom and Psalms).

ADULT/FAMILY DVDs: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Movie version of the C.S. Lewis classic now on DVD; Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp, from Awake Productions. A documentary about Sacred Harp singing, a haunting form of a cappella, shape-note singing with deep roots in the American south.

ADULT FICTION: Sisters of the Quilt #1-3, by Cindy Woodsmall; An Unexpected Love, by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller (Broadmoor Legacy #2).

YOUTH DVDs: Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front, and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (American Girl movies).

CHILDRENS BOOKS: Seek and Find Bible Stories, by Jose Perez Montero.

CHILDREN’S AUDIOS: Several new Adventures in Odyssey audios, in both CD and cassette formats.