Complete New Book List
December, 2018
The Ten Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why We Should Obey Them, by Kevin DeYoung. Michael Horton says this “fleshes out the wisdom of our Creator and Redeemer in a way that helps us see the wisdom of our Creator and Redeemer in directing us on our pilgrim way”.
Face to Face with Jesus: Seeing Him as He Really Is, by Randy Alcorn. Brief meditations, Scripture readings, and inspirational quotes.
Superheroes Can’t Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies, by Todd Miles. The book offers a creative presentation of a robust orthodox theology by showing how historical errors about the nature of God lead away from saving faith. It connects the church’s thinking about specific theological heresies to beliefs commonly held today. Miles offers a culturally accessible vocabulary to explain seven theological errors that continue to pop up in church history. Each chapter briefly describes a popular comic-book hero, illustrates how a common heresy is embodied in that hero, identifies the error in our time, uses Scripture to debunk the error, and concludes by explaining why avoiding it is so important.
Science and the Mind of the Maker: What the Conversation Between Faith and Science Reveals About God, by Melissa Cain Travis. The author, a professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University, explains how cosmology, astronomy, biochemistry, and other disciplines strongly support what she calls “The Maker Thesis,” which explains the origin, rationality, and intricacy of nature and the human mind’s capacity to comprehend it. Recommended by Lee Strobel.
Christians in the Age of Outrage: How to Bring Our Best When the World Is At Its Worst, by Ed Stetzer. From political campaigns to social media, we exist in a culture in a perpetual state of outrage. But Stetzer offers a way out that is not only possible but a Christian imperative.
Last Call for Liberty: How America’s Genius for Freedom Has Become Its Greatest Threat, by Os Guinness. Our society’s conflicts are rooted in two rival views of freedom, one embodied in “1776” and the ideals of the American Revolution, and the other in “1789” and the ideals of the French Revolution. Once again America has become a house divided, and must make up their minds over which freedom to follow.
The Soul in Paraphrase: A Treasury of Classic Devotional Poems, edited by Leland Ryken. Literary scholar Ryken has selected 91 masterful poems that nourish heart, mind and soul, along with commentary which unpacks each poem’s meaning, artistry, and theological depth. The poems are arranged chronologically.
From Chaos to Cosmos: Creation to New Creation, by Sidney Greidanus (Short Studies in Biblical Theology). Traces the chaos to cosmos theme from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, as God is restoring his creation through Jesus Christ. A thorough yet brief (199 pages) study in an excellent series.
Fierce Marriage: Radically Pursuing Each Other In Light of Christ’s Relentless Love, by Ryan and Selena Frederick. A call to put Christ at the center of your marriage, measuring everything you do and say to each other against what Christ did for you.
Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11, by C. John Collins. Promotes a responsible conversation about how science and biblical faith relate by developing a rigorous approach to interpreting the Bible, especially those texts that come into play in science and faith discussions. Collins is a professor of OT at Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis.
The Pastor: a Memoir, by Eugene H. Peterson. A 2011 autobiography of Peterson, professor of spiritual theology at Regent College, and author of The Message, a best-selling paraphrase of the Bible, who died this past October.
The Benefit of Christ, by Juan de Valdez and Don Benedetto (Classics of Faith and Devotion), abridged and edited by James Houston, with Introduction by Leon Morris. We tend to think of the Reformation in terms of Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and England. On the other hand, we think of Italy at that time as a bastion of Roman Catholicism. But we may be surprised to learn that the ideas that propelled the Reformation such as justification by faith, were also percolating in Italy at that time. This book combines two works by two of the most prominent Italian Reformers, Juan de Valdez (Considerations, 1541) and Don Benedetto (The Benefit of Christ, Crucified, published 1543). I first read this book a number of years ago, and immensely enjoyed it. It also benefits from brief annotations in the margins by James Houston summarizing the subject of each paragraph or brief section. This book was also recently recommended in a blog article by Fred Sanders.
Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: a Practical Guide, edited by Cameron Cole and Jon Nielson. Dodgeball and abstinence training just aren’t enough. This book lays out a vision for the gospel at the center of every facet of ministry to young people. Brings together everything from evangelism to small groups, from mission trips to social justice. Recommended by Michael Horton.
Philosophy and the Christian: The Quest for Wisdom in the Light of Christ, edited by Joseph Minich (a CBC alumnus). “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” Since the first century, Christians have debated the relation between faith and reason, and between Christian doctrine and non-Christian philosophy. This volume surveys how Christians have navigated this treacherous—but unavoidable—territory throughout the history of the Christian church.
ADULT FICTION: Chosen People, by Robert Whitlow; It Had to Be You and Take a Chance on Me, by Susan May Warren (Christensen Family); Catching Christmas, by Terri Blackstock.