New Books – February 2006

New Books – February 2006

Who Are You to Judge? The Dangers of Judging and Legalism, by Dave Swavely. The author says many of our interpersonal conflicts result from the sin of judging and the error of legalism. This helpful book defines judging and legalism in a biblical manner, and discusses two often-overlooked biblical commands: Do not pass judgment before the time, and do not go beyond what is written (1 Cor 4:5-6).

Reading Romans Through the Centuries: From the Early Church to Karl Barth, edited by Jeffrey Greenman and Timothy Larson. The book of Romans has been used as cannon fodder in many of the theological discussions that have divided Christendom. This new book brings together noted historians and theologians to discuss how twelve leading lights of church history (including Ambrosiaster, John Chrysostom, Augustine, Tyndale , Luther, Calvin, et al) have understood Romans. Contributors include Gerald Bray, Mark Noll, and Timothy George.

Maybe God Is Right After All, by Cynthia Heald. Learning to take the path away from the accepted wisdom of today’s culture, and to embrace the radical life of Christ.

Christian Zionism: Road-map to Armageddon, by Stephen Sizer. The author focuses on the religious dimensions of American support for Israel, tracing its roots from British premillennialism in the 19th century, to its growth as a predominantly American dispensational movement which today is pervasive within all main evangelical denominations. He concludes by examining both the geo-political implications, and the differences between covenantal and dispensational perspectives toward the church and Israel.

The View from Mount Calvary: 24 Portraits of the Cross Throughout Scripture, by John Phillips. The author looks at what the Bible has to say about the cross prehistorically and pictorially (Genesis and Leviticus), poetically (Psalms and Lamentations), prophetically (Isaiah 52-53), practically (Romans, Galatians, and Corinthians), and perennially (Revelation), as well as the portrayal in the Gospels.

The Invisible War: What Every Believer Needs to Know About Satan, Demons and Spiritual Warfare, by Chip Ingram. The Bible is clear—if you are a Christian, you are at war. Avoiding the two extremes of placing undue emphasis on Satan or completely ignoring the existence of a personal enemy, Ingram offers a balanced look at what the Bible says, based on Ephesians 6.

Prayer 101: Experiencing the Heart of God, by Warren W. Wiersbe. Bringing your prayer life to a new level, and learning how to be authentic with God.

Bible Archaeology: An Exploration of the History and Culture of Early Civilizations, by Alfred Hoerth and John McRay. Includes more than 280 full-color maps and photographs.

Learning to Pray Through the Psalms, by James W. Sire. The author chooses ten specific Psalms, and offers background information to help us read each one with deeper insight, and then use the Psalmist’s words as a guide for our own personal conversation with God.

At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry, by Steve Gallagher. Winning the number one battle that Christian men face. A comprehensive book on overcoming sexual addiction, as the author has turned the pain of his past into a path toward purity.

Timeless Witness: Classic Christian Literature Through the Ages, written and compiled by Tony Lane, who has selected extracts from 100 classics of the Christian tradition, works which have shaped Christian thought and action for two millennia. Lane introduces each author, explains the circumstances behind their writing, and then includes a representative reading. Arranged chronologically, beginning with Ignatius of Loyola, to the end of the 19th century with Spurgeon and Ryle.

Full Gospel, Fractured Minds? A Call to Use God’s Gift of the Intellect, by Rick M. Nanez. The author shows how human reason helps us understand and interpret God’s Word as well as defend the gospel, and challenges charismatics and Pentecostals to discover the power of a mind on fire to match a heart on fire. Mark Noll says the author offers “shrewd observations on the tragic consequences when churches abandon responsible intellectual effort”.

Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament, by Peter Enns. The author’s purpose is to bring an evangelical doctrine of scripture into conversation with the implications generated by some important themes in modern biblical scholarship of the Old Testament in the past 150 years.

A Jealous God: Science’s Crusade Against Religion, by Pamela R. Winnick. The author reveals the many ways science has eroded human dignity and shielded itself from scrutiny by attacking religion, becoming itself a narrow-minded system of faith that blindly pursues its own objectives.

The Resurrection of Jesus: John Dominic Crossan and N.T. Wright in Dialogue, edited by Robert B. Stewart. Two of today’s most important and popular New Testament scholars air their very different understandings of the historical reality and theological meaning of Jesus’ resurrection. Also includes other contributors such as William Lane Craig, Gary Habermas, and Craig Evans.

Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot, by Max Lucado. Discovering the uniqueness of your God-given abilities, and then living it every day.

ADULT/FAMILY DVD FROM JOHN PIPER: When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy.

AUDIO CD’S FROM JOHN PIPER: Christ and Cancer (recorded in 1980; especially relevant now that Piper has developed prostate cancer); Live to Die (we will never be Christ’s church or fulfill the great commission until we choose to take the risks that can only be explained by the resurrection of the dead); and The Echo and the Insufficiency of Hell (the fear of hell is insufficient by itself to produce true repentance).

COMMENTARIES: Acts, by Jaroslav Pelikan (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible); Isaiah-Lamentations, by Larry L. Walker (Isaiah) and Elmer A. Martens (Jeremiah and Lamentations) (Cornerstone Biblical Commentary); Ezekiel, by Mark Rooker (Holman Old Testament Commentary).

ADULT FICTION: Under the Scaffold, by Faith Cook (a historical novel about 18th century evangelicalism, including historical characters such as John Wesley, George Whitefield, and William Grimshaw of Haworth); The Justice Riders, by Chuck Norris and Ken Abraham (historical fiction taking place near the end of the Civil War).

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YOUTH/CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Tell Me About Faith, Tell Me About Eternity and Tell Me About Love, by Joel Anderson (Big Topics for Little Kids).

MORE CHILDREN’S BOOKS ON NARNIA: Edmund’s Struggle, adapted by Michael Flexer; Peter’s Destiny, by Craig Graham; Lucy’s Adventure, by Michael Flexer; and Susan’s Journey, by Alison Sage.

CHILDREN’S DVDS
Felicity: An American Girl Adventure (ages 8+).

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