New Books–January 2012

December 1941: 31 Days That Changed America and Saved the World, by Craig Shirley. Takes readers into the moment-by-moment ordeal of a nation waking to war.

Pearl Harbor Christmas: A World at War, December 1941, by Stanley Weintraub. Centers on the days between Christmas and New Years of 1941, as a world celebrated Christmas in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, and the United States prepared to become a world power.

The Theology of Jonathan Edwards, by Michael J. McClymond and Gerald

R. McDermott. Alister McGrath calls it “comprehensive, learned and accessible—unquestionably the best starting place for anyone wanting to grapple with the ideas of America’s greatest theologian”. David Bebbington calls Edwards “one of the most creative theologians the universal church has ever produced”, and Mark Noll says this work stands out as a rare effort “to treat Edwards’ formidable theology as a whole”. Forty-five short chapters and 726 pages.

Patrick Henry: First Among Patriots, by Thomas S. Kidd. We remember Henry for his famous call to “give me liberty or give me death”. But he was also an earnest evangelical, as well as having “a pre-eminent role in the fight to limit central government power during the era of the Revolution and early republic”.

Thomas Manton: A Guided Tour of the Life and Thought of a Puritan Pastor, by Derek Cooper (Guided Tour of Church History series). Manton (1620-77) was an influential Puritan preacher and an important figure in English society. J.I. Packer says “long forgotten Manton was once a shining star in the Puritan firmament”, who deserves the renewed appreciation he receives here”.

Parade of Faith: A Biographical History of the Christian Church, by Ruth A. Tucker. An illustrated narrative history of Christianity, giving attention to the biographies of prominent figures, with additional material to amplify their relevance to Christians today.

The Grace Effect: How the Power of One Life Can Reverse the Corruption of Unbelief, by Larry Alex Taunton. When historian and apologist Taunton encountered Sasha, a golden-haired Ukrainian orphan whose life had been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovered an unlikely champion of the transforming power of grace and a courageous little girl who shamed the academic elitists of our day.

Creation and Fall/Temptation: Two Biblical Studies, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Penetrating analysis of Genesis 1-3, Adam and Eve’s fall from grace, how temptation appeared in Eve’s innocence, and the very nature of evil.

Katharina von Bora: A Reformation Life, by Rudolf K. Markwald and Marilynn Morris Markwald. Amid the tumult of Reformation Europe, this daughter of nobility and former nun became the wife of Martin Luther. She was a wife and mother, a woman of deep spirituality, and an advocate of evangelical reforms.

Contemplative Vision: A Guide to Christian Art and Prayer, by Juliet Benner. How to meditate on Christian art treasures that are rooted in a passage of Scripture.

Excellence: The Character of God and the Pursuit of Scholarly Virtue, by Andreas Kostenberger. A full-length study on the moral and spiritual requirements of being a professional, evangelical, biblical scholar.

Union with Christ: In Scripture, History, and Theology, by Robert Letham. Union with Christ is the central truth of the whole biblical teaching about salvation. The entirety of our relationship with God can be summed up in this doctrine. Yet when people ask what this union actually is, we flounder.

Union with Christ: Reframing Theology and Ministry for the Church, by J. Todd Billings. A Reformed perspective on this vital doctrine.

Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts (Vols 1 and 2), by Craig S. Keener. Craig Evans calls this “arguably the best book ever on the subject of miracles” from a variety of aspects, including history, theology, exegesis, cultural anthropology, et al. As a result, this monumental work shifts the burden of proof heavily upon skeptics.

The Ilustrated Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis, illustrated by Papas. Lewis’ classic work on spiritual warfare and temptation in an illustrated edition. A portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to “Our Father Below”. At once wildly comical, satirical, and deadly serious.

Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology, by Andreas J. Kostenberger and Richard D. Patterson. A three-dimensional account of biblical interpretation, focusing on the history, literature and theology of the Bible.

Weight of a Flame: The Passion of Olympia Morata, by Simonetta Carr (Chosen Daughters series: 16^th Century Europe). This series of historical fiction highlights the lives of ordinary women who by God’s grace accomplish great things. Olympia Morata (1726-1755) was a psalm-singer, a passionate teacher, and a pilgrim adventurer.

Why, O God? Suffering and Disability in the Bible and the Church, edited by Larry J.Walters and Roy B. Zuck. This book provides a biblical perspective on suffering and disabilities from Joni Eareckson Tada and others with disabilities, as well as from theologians and medical professionals, to help us in minister to those so afflicted.

The Lamb, by John Cross. Written for children (ages 5 and up) but enjoyable for all. Beautifully illustrated, it takes the readers on a journey through the Bible, from Creation to the Cross, explaining the central message of Scripture, and the true significance of the Lamb.

ADULT/FAMILY DVDs: Tim Tebow: Everything in Between (one of the greatest college football players of all time, now a QB for the Denver Broncos who is dominating sports news, and who has maintained a bold and uncompromising Christian testimony); Affectionately Yours, Screwtape: The Devil and C.S. Lewis (a contemporary review of C.S. Lewis’ timeless classic); Seven Days in Utopia, starring Robert Duvall and Lucas Black.

ADULT FICTION: Longing, by Karen Kingsbury (Bailey Flanigan series #3);

Lonestar Angel, by Colleen Coble (Lonestar series #4).

CHRISTIAN BIOGRAPHIES FOR YOUNG READERS SERIES: Athanasius, by Simonetta Carr (ages 7-12). Beautifully illustrated, this volume tells the story of this early church father, the bishop of Alexandria, who is remembered as the Father of Orthodoxy, defending the doctrine of the Trinity against the Arian heresy. Will bring the Nicene Creed to life for children of all ages.