New Books–February 2011

Complete New Book List

February, 2011

Gospel Clarity: Challenging the New Perspective on Paul, by William B. Barcley with Ligon Duncan.

Without God, Without Creed: The Origins of Unbelief in America, by James Turner. Until the middle of the 19^th century, atheism and agnosticism were viewed in western culture as bizarre aberrations. Shortly thereafter, unbelief emerged as a plausible alternative to the still dominant theism of Europe and America. How did this happen? Turner shows how it was due to well intentioned church leaders and theologians who tried to repackage Christianity to make it more palatable and “relevant” to modernism.

The History of Redemption, edited by Ronnie Smith and illustrated by Christopher Koelle. The Bible is more than a collection of stories; it is God’s personal revelation to His creation. From Genesis to Revelation, we find the metanarrative of Scripture—God’s story. Great sinners redeemed by a great Savior. The story of Redemption is presented in this beautifully illustrated book, with the only text being taken Scripture.

The Psalms as Christian Worship: A Historical Commentary, by Bruce K. Waltke and James H. Houston, with Erika Moore. Blends a verse-by-verse exposition of 13 select Psalms with a history of their interpretation in the church from the time of the apostles to the present. The result is a masterful historical-devotional commentary, in contrast to much of modern scholarship which has tended to “despiritualize” the Psalms.

Unplanned: the Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line, by Abby Johnson with Cindy Lambert. She quit her job at a Texas Planned Parenthood clinic in 2009 and crossed the line.

Don’t Call It a Comeback: The Old Faith for a New Day, by Kevin DeYoung. Articulates the essentially theological nature of evangelicalism, with contributions from Tim Challies, Justin Taylor, Russell Moore and others.

The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way, by Michael Horton. A monumental one-volume theology which is solidly evangelical and Reformed. Horton “rethinks the greatness of 17^th century Reformed theology and makes it accessible for readers today”.

Passing It On: An Autobiography with Spirit, by Susan G. Baker. Susan is the wife of former Secretary of State James Baker, III. After a difficult divorce, her subsequent marriage to James Baker brought her into the political orbits of Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and the Bush families. She passes on wisdom of how to deal with a blended family, troubled teens, a perpetually on the go husband, and a cancer diagnosis

Science, Creation, and the Bible: Reconciling Rival Theories of Origins, by Richard F. Carlson and Tremper Longman III. Physicist Carlson and biblical scholar Longman present their case for reconciling Genesis 1-2 with science. They do not hold to a young earth perspective.

“Right Reason” and the Princeton Mind: An Unorthodox Proposal, by Paul Kjoss Helsmeth. A defense of Old Princeton Calvinism (Alexander, Hodge, Warfield and Machen) against the false charge that they taught that man’s reason was unaffected by the fall.

Old Testament History of Redemption, by Franz Delitzsch. Classic lectures delivered by the famed German OT scholar in 1880, demonstrating how the OT is from beginning to end essentially about Christ, and providing insight into OT prophetic and typological references to Christ.

The Struggle to Understand Isaiah as Christian Scripture, by Brevard S. Childs. A study of the church’s endeavor throughout history to understand its scriptures, by examining the history of the interpretation of Isaiah, from Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, thru Calvin and Luther, and on up to the modern interpreters.

When the Hurt Runs Deep: Healing and Hope for Life’s Desperate Moments, by Kay Arthur.

Christianity and the Transformation of the Book: Origen, Eusebius, and the Library of Caesarea, by Anthony Gafton and Megan Williams. When early Christians began to study the Bible and to write their own history they first used scholarly methods developed at the libraries of Alexandria. But Origen and Eusebius, two scholars of Caesarea, developed new kinds of books, in which parallel columns made possible critical comparisons previously unenvisioned.

The Christ Files: How Historians Know What They Know About Jesus, by John Dickson. Uniquely among the world’s religions, the central claims of Christianity concern not just timeless spiritual truths, but tangible historical events.

“I Have Always Loved the Holy Tongue”: Isaac Casaubon, the Jews, and a Forgotten Chapter in Renaissance Scholarship, by Anthony Grafton and Joanna Weinberg. Casaubon (1559-1614) was a French Protestant Jewish Christian who due to his knowledge of Hebrew, unearthed the lost continent of Hebrew learning and added it to the well-known Renaissance revival of Latin and Greek, to the enrichment of biblical interpretation. Peter Schafer calls this “nothing short of a masterpiece”.

Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, not Food, by Lysa TerKeurst. For women who are tired of the endless diet cycle.

The Drama of Ephesians: Participating in the Triumph of God, by Timothy G. Gombis. Shows Ephesians as an invitation to participate in God’s subversive, dramatic rescue mission to redeem His broken world through Christ.

Christ Formed in You: The Power of the Gospel for Personal Change, by Brian G. Hedges. Jesus as introduced in the Gospel of Luke.

Parenting Is Your Highest Calling: and Eight Other Myths That Trap Us in Worry and Guilt, by Leslie Leyland Fields.

Rich: The Reality of Encountering Jesus, by Peter Dickson with David Gibson.

Three Views on the Rapture: Pretribulation, Prewrath, or Posttribulation, 2nd Edition, edited by Alan Hultberg. New edition with new contributors: Craig Blaising (pretrib), Alan Hultberg (prewrath), and Douglas Moo (posttrib).

Tributes to John Calvin: A Celebration of His Quincentenary, edited by David W. Hall (Calvin 500 Series).

HEREIN IS LOVE: COMMENTARY SERIES FOR CHILDREN, BY Nancy E. Granz. Genesis: A Commentary for Children; Exodus: A Commentary for Children; Leviticus: A Commentary for Children; Numbers: A Commentary for Children. It is Reformed, biblical, and practical. Recommended by D.A. Carson, Joel Beeke, Derek Thomas, and others.

400^th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KING JAMES VERSION (1611-2011): Bible: The Story of the King James Version 1611-2011, by Gordon Campbell; The People’s Bible: The Remarkable History of the King James Version, by Derek Wilson; The Legacy of the King James Bible: Celebrating 400 Years of the Most Influential English Translation, by Leland Ryken; Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language, by David Crystal.

COMMENTARIES/BIBLE STUDIES: Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, by Charles R. Swindoll (Swindoll’s NT Insights); The Message of Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah, by Gordon Bridger (The Bible Speaks Today); Longing for God in an Age of Discouragement: The Gospel According to Zechariah, by Bryan R. Gregory (The Gospel According to the Old Testament).

ADULT FICTION: Fatal Judgment, by Irene Hannon (Guardians of Justice #1);

Maid to Match, by Deeanne Gist; The Camera Never Lies, by Elizabeth Goddard (Hometown Mysteries); Nightshade, by Ronie Kendig (Discarded Heroes #1); The Crimson Cipher, by Susan Page Davis.