New Books–January 2010

Complete New Book List

January 2010

Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die, by David Crowder and Mike Hogan. Crowder is pastor of music and arts at UniversityBaptistChurch in Waco, and founder of The David Crowder Band, a Christian rock band. Hogan is a band member. This book features thoughts on the nature of the soul and of death, on kingdom reality as both now and hereafter, and on bluegrass music. The authors say that “right now we exist somewhere between here and there, and bluegrass music carries the high lonesome song of our condition in its soul.” They conclude therefore, that “to heal your broken heart, all you need is hope, community, and a little bluegrass music”.

Makers of Puritan History, by Marcus L. Loane. Biographies of two Scottish Covenanters (Alexander Henderson and Samuel Rutherford) and two English Puritans (John Bunyan and Richard Baxter) who were at the forefront of the 17^th century struggle for liberty of conscience and freedom of worship. The story of their suffering and triumph enables the reader to visualize the problems that faced the church during that turbulent period of history and the principles on which our spiritual forefathers courageously took their stand.

Voices from the Past: Puritan Devotional Readings, edited by Richard Rushing. A collection of devotional writings from over 23 Puritan writers, including John Bunyan, Thomas Brooks, John Flavel, Thomas Watson and many others. Christians owe a great debt of gratitude to those faithful pastors and preachers who continue to speak through their writings even though they have long since entered into their heavenly reward. The Puritans were masters at teaching and applying God’s Word in the Spirit’s power.

The Ulster Awakening: An Account of the 1859 Revival in Ireland, by John Weir. John Murray called this “the finest account of the last great awakening in the British Isles and it is full of relevance for the needs of the present time.” Martyn Lloyd-Jones said “the church was in a period of dryness and drought when thousands of people were converted to the Lord Jesus Christ…the churches became too small and larger ones were built, and the gospel spread in a most astounding manner”.

The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Set That Changes Everything,

by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. Al Mohler says that this book “comes from a

ministry so deeply committed to the recovery of biblical truth and the cause of the gospel

that its wisdom is invaluable.”. He advises churches to “keep a good stack on hand at all times and put it to good use”.

Life After Death: The Evidence, by Dinesh D’Souza. Drawing on the latest

discoveries in physics and neuroscience and the most likely conclusions from

anthropology and biology, the author presents a reasoned, scientifically based case for the

likelihood of life after death.

Spurgeon’s Practical Wisdom, or Plain Advice for Plain People, by Charles H. Spurgeon. This new hardcover edition combines two Spurgeon classics: John Ploughman’s Talk and John Ploughman’s Pictures, which were written by Spurgeon under the not so well disguised pseudonym of John Ploughman, a wise old country farm worker. They were written as common sense wisdom which “aimed blows at the vices of many” and tried to inculcate “those moral virtues without which men are degraded”. The books were an instant hit, selling over 600,000 copies in the author’s own lifetime.

Insights on Romans, by Charles R. Swindoll (Swindoll’s New Testament Insights series). First in a new series by Swindoll, combining rock-solid scholarship with a storyteller’s imagery and passion.

God’s People in the Wilderness: The Church in Hebrews, by O. Palmer Robertson. For the writer to the Hebrews, the Church of today finds its most proper definition in terms of the historical experience of the old covenant people of God “in the wilderness” during the days of Moses. For him, the Church is “God’s people in the wilderness”. Rooted in the redemptive experience of the old covenant people of God, this life-shaping definition will provide much-needed aid to the confused state of Christ’s church in the 21^st century.

A Simple Christmas: Twelve Stories That Celebrate the True Holiday Spirit, by Michael Huckabee. Huckabee was formerly a Baptist pastor and denominational leader as well as a past governor of the state of Arkansas. In 2008, he was a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination and currently is the host of a popular talk show on the Fox News Channel.

Small Things, Big Things: Inspiring Stories of Everyday Grace, by Michael A. Milton. The author takes you on a journey through experiences, events, relationships and private recollections—all pursuing the goal of finding God’s grace at work in everyday life.

Fame Junkies: The Hidden Truths Behind America’s Favorite Addiction, by Jake Halpern. A provocative look at the origins of celebrity worship and our culture’s insatiable appetite for gossip.

Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin. One year ago, this remarkable woman burst onto the national political stage. In this new autobiography, she tells the story of her life, her faith, and her vision for America.

Magnifying God in Christ: A Summary of New Testament Theology, by Thomas R. Schreiner.A student level digest of Schreiner’s recent and massive work, New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ in which Schreiner examined the unifying themes that emerge from a detailed reading of the New Testament canon. In this digest, the author sets forth those themes in a more accessible and concise manner.

CrossTalk: Where Life and Scripture Meet, by Michael R. Emlet. Mark Driscoll says the author combines the best of Bible-study methods, theology, and counseling to help the sufferer, the sinner, and the saint be radically transformed by Jesus.

Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Old Testament: Volumes 1-5, by John H. Walton, General Editor. Brand new five volume commentary on the OT emphasizing ancient context, social life and customs, archaeological findings, etc. Contains over 2,000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams, and charts. Written by an international team of 30 specialists in background studies.

ADULT FICTION: Gold of Kings, by Davis Bunn; Tenth Stone, by Bodie and Brock Thoene (A.D. Chronicles #10); Green, by Ted Dekker (The Circle #0); The Sound of Sleigh Bells, by Cindy Woodsmall; Healing Promises and Enduring Justice, by Amy Wallace (Defenders of Hope #2 and #3).