New Books–March 2010

Complete New Book List

March 2010

Churchill, by Paul Johnson. Biography of the one of most important men of the 20^th century, and one of the most complex and fascinating personalities of history. Churchill was a soldier, parliamentarian, prime minister, orator, painter, writer, husband and leader. His leadership of England in World War II in firm opposition to Hitler made a critical difference in the war. Although not written as a Christian book, this book is highly recommended by Al Mohler, who has a substantial collection of Churchill biographies in his personal library.

The Making of an Atheist: How Immorality Leads to Unbelief, by James S. Spiegel. A biblical analysis of the roots of unbelief, showing that the central issues influencing disbelief are more often a matter of commitment to moral and spiritual independence than to an objective assessment of the evidence.

The Dispensational-Covenantal Rift: The Fissuring of American Evangelical Theology from 1936-1944, by R. Todd Mangum. Explores how the fight between dispensationalists and covenant theologians started and how a unique dynamic of personalities and sociological factors inflamed it. Readers may be surprised to learn that the majority of the original protagonists on both sides were Presbyterians, that soteriology rather than eschatology was the original bone of contention between them, and that even the terminology of “dispensationalists” and “covenant theologians” originated in the 1930s disputes. Also examines how the two respective strands of fundamentalism came to identify each other as theological rivals as they each vied for position within their newly formed separatist bodies.

Roger Williams, by Edwin S. Gaustad. Williams (1603-1683) was an English Puritan clergyman who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1630, where his views on religious toleration, church-state separation, and fair treatment of Indians eventually resulted in persecution and exile. He then founded Rhode Island, and the first Baptist church in America.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God: The Jesus Edition, by Eric Metaxas. Jesus is not a four-letter word. What is there about Him that is so provocative that people yell His name when they hammer their thumbs or ding their bumpers? What makes Jesus so intriguing that we still talk about Him 2,000 years after He rocked the Sanhedrin? The author seeks to answer this question both honestly and thoughtfully, with a generous portion of levity. Tim Keller calls it a “wise, funny and disarming book”

The Secret Providence of God, by John Calvin, edited by Paul Helm. Demonstrates why the doctrine of divine sovereignty lies at the very heart of the Reformation, and why the doctrine is of such singular doctrinal, pastoral and ecclesiastical importance. First published in 1558.

Women in the World of the Earliest Christians: Illuminating

of Life, by Lynn H. Cohick. In his review of this book, Darrell Bock says that “many preconceptions exist about the role of women in the Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds at the time of Jesus. By taking us through the world of women at that time, Cohick offers a solid glimpse of first century culture—a wonderful window into the world of the New Testament that is well worth the read”.

Living as a Christan: Teachings from First Peter, by A.W. Tozer. Never before published.

Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life (Revised), by R.C. Sproul.

Scripture by Heart: Devotional Practices for Memorizing God’s Word, by Joshua Choonmin Kang. Spiritual practices that teach how to memorize Scripture, and specific help for persevering when you feel stuck.

Woman to Woman: Sharing Jesus with a Muslim Friend, by Joy Loewen. At first the author avoided Muslim women. But then she learned that many of these women are irresistibly attracted to the love of Jesus, and this sparked a 30-year journey of ministry.

Common Sense 101: Lessons from G.K Chesterton, by Dale Ahlquist. Chesterton (1874-1936) was one of the most influential English writers of the 20^th century. He wrote numerous books on a variety of themes, hundreds of columns for London newspapers, epic poetry, and detective fiction. Converting from the Anglican Church to Roman Catholicism, he was a brilliant defender of orthodox Christianity against the inroads of modernity, and his writings are still highly relevant and widely read and quoted today.

Christlike: The Pursuit of Uncomplicated Obedience, by Bill Hull. The key to the spiritual life is the cultivation of a spiritual heart, and the author says such a heart is cultivated in the simplicity of a life fixed on the words and ways of Jesus. In this book, the author seeks to help us grow intentionally in “uncomplicated obedience”.

Tea with Hezbollah: Sitting at the Enemies Table, Our Journey Through the Middle East, by Ted Dekker and Carl Medearis. A riveting account of two Americans on a hair-raising journey, undaunted by threats of personal harm, engagement with militants, or kidnapping. Combines suspenseful narrative with rich historical background, as they sat down for candid discussions with some of the most notorious figures of the Arab world.

Letters from the Land of Cancer, by Walter Wangerin, Jr. Immediately after being diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in December 2005, the author began writing a series of letters to friends and family detailing the many facets of his experiences battling the illness. This book consists mostly of those letters. Wangerin is a recipient of many national awards for his 40 books, and teaches at ValparaisoUniversity. For up to date information on his progress, visit www.walterwangerinjr.org .

The Names of God, by George W. Knight. More than 250 names and titles of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit, featuring full-color illustrations throughout.

A Better Freedom: Finding Life as Slaves of Christ, by Michael Card. Explores the biblical imagery of slavery as a metaphor for Christian discipleship. The author is a popular Christian singer/songwriter who is known for the sound theology in his songs.

The Making of Evangelicalism: From Revivalism to Politics and Beyond, by Randall Balmer. The author highlights four turning points, four critical junctures in the formation of American evangelicalism. And each of those points invites a counterfactual speculation: what if at each point evangelicals had gone another way? Might history have been different? Might evangelicals have been more faithful to the gospel they espouse if they had chosen a different course?

The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline, by Jonathan Leeman. The author says that evangelicals have pushed the question of church structure, including church membership and church discipline, into the category of nonessential and therefore nonimportant. However, he argues that church membership and discipline in fact define God’s love for the world.

Fresh Vision for the Muslim World: An Incarnational Alternative, by Mike Kuhn. After living for more than two decades in the middle east, the author wondered if there can be a fresh vision for the Muslim world, one rooted not in media hype or fear, but in the values of Christ’s kingdom.

So Long Insecurity, You’ve Been a Bad Friend to Us, by Beth Moore. The author tells women it is time to say “so long” to the insecurities that are a cultural epidemic, and asks them to join her on a quest for real, lasting, soul-deep security.

Where Is God? by Dr. John Townsend. When we encounter adversity, problems, setbacks, and suffering, looking to God first is the right direction. The author attended CBC in his earlier years.

The Death of the Grown-Up: How America’s Arrested Development is Bringing Down Western Civilization, by Diana West. The author looks at America today and says it is difficult to tell the grown-ups from the kids, as Moms who mosh and Dads who call themselves “Dude” can no longer set limits on their children. Not specifically a Christian book, but highly recommended by Christian blogger Tim Challies.

Jesus and Money: A Guide for Times of Financial Crisis, by Ben Witherington III. Examines what Jesus and his earliest followers taught about wealth and poverty, money and debt, and tithing and sacrificial giving, in order to help readers understand the proper role of money in modern Christian life.

Through Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot (Henrickson Classic Biography). New hardcover edition of the book about the event that shocked the world, changed a people, and inspired a nation. The story of Jim Elliot and the five missionaries who died as martyrs in the jungles of Ecuador.

Interpreting the Pentateuch: An Exegetical Handbook, by Peter T. Vogt (Handbooks for OT Exegesis).

COMMENTARIES: Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, by John Currid (EP Study Commentary).

ADULT/FAMILY DVDs: J.R.R. Tolkien, a BBC presentation (a fascinating portrait of the English author of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings; Tolkien was also a close friend of and influence upon C.S. Lewis).

ADULT FICTION: Eleventh Guest, by Bodie and Brock Thoene (A.D. Chronicles); Dawn’s Prelude and Mornings Refrain, by Tracie Peterson (Song of Alaska #1-2); Lonestar Sanctuary, by Colleen Coble; Double Trouble, by Susan May Warren (a PJ Sugar novel); Veiled Freedom, by I.M. Windle.

CHILDRENS BOOK: The Tallest of Smalls, by Max Lucado.