New Books–June 2013

Complete New Book List

June, 2013

Kingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative, by Sam Storms. Regarding the issue of Christ’s second coming, is premillennialism the only option for Christians? Pastor/scholar Storms provides the biblical rationale for amillennialism, the belief that the 1,000 years of Revelation is symbolic of the reign of Christ and His people throughout the present church age. Along the way, he looks in detail at Daniel 9, Matthew 24, and Romans 11, along with Revelation 20. He also examines the Antichrist in Revelation 13 and 17, and 2 Thessalonians 2. After graduating from DTS and while working on his doctorate at UTD, Sam Storms served as associate pastor of Believers Chapel, the church which was the seedbed from which CBC sprang!

Tough Topics: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions, by Sam Storms. Questions dealt with include: Does God ever change His mind? Are those who die in infancy saved? Does Hebrews teach that Christians can apostasize? Are Christians obligated to tithe? Did Jesus teach that we should never judge? What about those who die without ever hearing of Jesus’ name? Can a Christian be demonized? And many others.

Better Than the Beginning: Creation in Biblical Perspective, by Richard C. Barcellos. In arguing the days of creation and defending Biblical creation from the inroads of evolutionary thought, have we lost sight of the purpose of creation itself? In this new and insightful book, Joel Beeke says that Barcellos “uses the creation of the world like a giant telescope to look up at the beauty of the Creator”. Sam Waldron says the author “provides clear and penetrating insight into God’s purpose to bring the human race to a condition which is ‘better than the beginning’ (and) Christ brings the creation train derailed by Adam to its original glorious destination”. Along the way he focuses on such passages as Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16, Psalm 19:1-6, and Romans 1:20, among others.

Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards, by Kyle Strobel,

Holy War in the Bible: Christian Morality and an Old Testament Problem, edited by Heath A. Thomas, Jeremy Evans, and Paul Copan. The challenge of a seemingly genocidal God who commands ruthless warfare has bewildered Bible readers for generations.

The Theology of Augustine: An Introductory Guide to His Most Important Works, by Matthew Levering. Augustine speaks as powerfully today as he did 1,600 years ago. In this new theological study, the author focuses on seven of Augustine’s most important works.

The Intellectual World of C.S. Lewis, by Alister E. McGrath.This year marks the 50th anniversary of Lewis’ death, and this new work explores eight key aspects of Lewis’ intellectual development and importance.

Abraham Kuyper: Modern Calvinist, Christian Democrat, by James D. Bratt. Kuyper (1837-1920) was a towering figure during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries in the Netherlands, a volcano of energy and imagination in many areas of life. Mark Noll says “his life was as filled with noteworthy achievement as any single individual in modern Western history.” Among other attainments he was a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, a professor of theology, editor of a daily newspaper, founder of a university, founder of the Netherlands’ first mass-based political party, member of parliament and later prime minister of the Netherlands, and throughout his life an author on topics political, theological, cultural and devotional. The author describes Kuyper as a “comprehensive Calvinist”, as his first allegiance was to Calvinism—better, to apostolic Christianity, of which he believed “Calvinism was the purest distillation”. And it was a Calvinism that he sought to apply to all areas of life.

Sex and Money: Pleasures That Leave You Empty and Grace That Satisfies, by Paul David Tripp. Finding true joy and enduring satisfaction so that Christians can learn to live free in a world gone mad. Offers insights on cultural idolatries and God’s transforming grace.

Story Shaped Worship: Following Patterns from the Bible and History, by Robbie F. Castleman. Right worship does not require a return to the identical forms found in the early church, or later in Rome, or after that in Westminster. What it calls for is a faithful response today to the God of our salvation in light of those biblically ordered and historically informed patterns.

Crucifying Morality: The Gospel of the Beatitudes, by R.W. Glenn. C.J. Mahaney says, “if you want to experience the joy and freedom that issue from a gospel centered Sermon on the Mount, then this book is for you”.

Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole, by Eric Mason. Forewords by Matt Chandler and Tony Evans.

What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur’an, by James R. White. James White has written many highly regarded books, including The Potter’s Freedom. Al Mohler highly recommends this new book on the Qur’an, saying “it is essential that Christians understand that Christianity and Islam represent two contradictory sets of truth claims and (White) sets out the issues of truth with distinction and clarity”.

Life Essentials Study Bible, by Gene A. Getz. The first multi-media study Bible, with the text based on the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

God Redeeming His Bride: A Handbook for Church Discipline, by Robert K. Cheong.

Living the Psalms: Encouragement for the Daily Grind, by Charles R. Swindoll. Devotions based on the book of Psalms.

COMMENTARIES: Matthew, by R.C. Sproul (St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary).

BETH MOORE BIBLE STUDIES ON DVD: James: Mercy Triumphs.

ADULT/FAMILY DVDs: God of Wonders: Exploring the Wonders of Creation, Conscience, and the Glory of God, from Eternal Productions; Cosmic Origins: The Scientific Evidence for Creation, by Fr. Robert Spitzer.

AUDIO DRAMAS ON CD: Prince Caspian, by C.S. Lewis (from Focus on Family Radio Theatre). Performed by internationally acclaimed actors.

ADULT FICTION: Jennifer, by Dee Henderson (O’Malley Love Story).

THEOLOGY FOR CHILDREN: God Is All-Powerful (based on Jere 32:17) and God Is All-Good (based on Lev 19:2), by William Lane Craig. Volumes 6 and 7 in Dr. Craig’s “What Is God Like? The Attributes of God for Children” series. Craig is a professor at Talbot and prolific author in the field of Christian apologetics.