Complete New Book List
May 2009
Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds, by Chris Brauns. Helping us understand the true nature of biblical forgiveness. Blending biblical teaching with contemporary stories so that we can be set free from bitterness.
Abusing Scripture: The Consequences of Misreading the Bible, by Manfred T. Brauch. Rightly dividing the word of truth can be a difficult and contentious matter. The author helps us recognize the kinds of misreadings that have been circulating, and provides a way of dealing with the troubling issues.
The Christian on the Mount: A Treatise on Meditation, by Thomas Watson (1620-1686). Unfortunately today the word “meditation” conjures up New Age mysticism or self-contemplation. For the Puritans, it was the discipline of thinking deeply about God and His Word. As Watson said, “meditation is a holy exercise of the mind whereby we bring the truths of God to remembrance, and do seriously ponder upon them and apply them to ourselves”. This scarce work has been out of print since the early 19th century.
Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different, by Tullian Tchividjian. Packer says this is “a birds-eye view of the real Christian life—Christ-centered, church-committed, kingdom-contoured, future-focused, and counter-cultural all the way”. The author is Billy Graham’s son-in-law and the newly-appointed successor to the pulpit of D. James Kennedy at Coral Ridge Presbyterian.
Precious Blood: The Atoning Work of Christ, edited by Richard D. Phillips. At the heart of the Christian faith is the blood of Christ, and this book consists of reflections on that theme by R.C. Sproul, Philip Ryken, and others.
Evangelicals Engaging Emergent: A Discussion of the Emergent Church Movement, edited by William D. Henard and Adam W.Greenway. Contributors include Darrell Bock, Norman Geisler, Daniel Akin, and others.
Comforts from the Cross: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time, by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick. Addressed primarily to women, this book provides a wide-ranging tour of gospel truths and shows women how to apply them to their lives.
This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence, by John Piper. D.A. Carson says this book “sets marriage within the matrix of the Bible’s fundamental themes”, with God-centered and gospel-centered theology.
Velvet Steel: The Joy of Being Married to You, by John Piper. Poems written by John Piper for his wife Noel during their forty plus years together, celebrating the tenderness of covenant-keeping love.
The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible, by James K. Hoffmeier. Focusing on what the Bible has to say in its cultural context without reading modern politics into the text. Marvin Olasky says it provides “valuable perspective on national borders, guest workers, and the differences between documented aliens and foreigners in OT times”
Feelings and Faith: Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life, by Brian S. Borgman. Shows that love for God is more than feelings, but never less, and that there is a huge difference between emotionalism and God-centered emotion. As one reviewer said, “authentic faith in the indomitable goodness of God in sending Jesus Christ as our substitute and redeemer necessarily transforms our feelings”.
In the Footsteps of Paul: Experience the Journey That Changed the World, by Ken Duncan. A world renowned photographer leads us on a photographic tour of Paul’s journeys.
The Vision of His Glory: Finding Hope Through the Revelation of Jesus Christ, by Anne Graham Lotz. The author is Billy Graham’s daughter. Here she looks at the book of Revelation to gain a new understanding of the vision of Christ’s glory, and to bring clarity to the glorious pageantry and imagery of that fascinating book.
Charles Darwin’s Religious Views: From Creationist to Evolutionist, by David Herbert. A scholarly yet readable biography of one of the most significant men of our time, with an emphasis on his religious views. Contains not only an insightful account of the man himself, but also an analysis of the creation-science debate.
Imminent Domain: The Story of the Kingdom of God and Its Celebration, by Ben Witherington III. Clearly defining the kingdom in terms of God’s dominion, the author discusses both its present (“already”) and its future dimensions (“not yet”), and brings out the implications of kingdom thinking for theology, ethics, and worship.
Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will, by Kevin DeYoung. Subtitled, “How to Make a Decision without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Impressions, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.”
Flannery: A Life of Flannery O’Connor, by Brad Gooch. First major biography of one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Flannery’s short life (1925-1964) was marked by frail health from the lupus that had killed her father, and resulted in her death at the age of 39. Her fierce, sometimes comic, novels and stories reflected the darkly funny, vibrant, and theologically sophisticated woman who wrote them. Flannery once said, “my subject in fiction is the action of grace in territory held largely by the devil”.
From Age to Age: The Unfolding of Biblical Eschatology, by Keith A. Mathison. The author is dean of Ligonier Academy and works with Ligonier Ministries. Rather than focus only on the second coming and the millennium, the author traces the eschatological themes from Genesis to Revelation, and emphasizes how each book of the Bible develops these themes, including the first advent, which inaugurated the last days.
Do I know God? By Tullian Tchividjian. Finding certainty in life’s most important relationship. Packer says this is “a book to be trusted and treasured”.
Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and its Fashionable Enemies, by David Bentley Hart. Smites the peddlers of a “new atheism” that simply recycle arguments from the past, with a reminder that “no Christianity” would have meant “no West”. The author demonstrates how Christianity transformed the ancient world in ways we have forgotten, with the result that the genuinely humane values of modernity have their historic roots in Christianity.
A Shelter in the Time of Storm: Meditations on God and Trouble, by Paul David Tripp. Meditations on Psalm 27.
Perspectives on Christian Worship: Five Views, edited by J. Matthew Pinson. Of the myriad approaches to worship in Christianity today, five categories seem to be the most common, and prominent leaders within each tradition present their view. The five views are Liturgical, Traditional Evangelical, Contemporary, Blended, and Emerging.
Through His Eyes: God’s Perspective on Women in the Bible, by Jerram Barrs. Has been described as a “happy exposition of the dignity and glory God showers on women”, as revealed in case studies of some of the most prominent women in the Bible. Barrs is the founder and resident scholar at the Francis Schaeffer Institute.
The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture, by Scott Klusendorf. Charles Colson says this provides a “clear and cogent biblical rationale for the sanctity and dignity of life, born or unborn”.
The Weight of Glory: And Other Addresses, by C.S. Lewis. Considered by many to be one of Lewis’ most moving addresses. Contains a compassionate vision of Christianity with lucid and compelling discussions on faith and forgiveness.
God Is. How Christianity Explains Everything: A Reply to Christopher Hitchens’ God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, by Douglas Wilson. An energetic response to one of the most prominent of the “new atheists”.
How to Bring Your Children to Christ…& Keep Them There, by Ray Comfort. Avoiding the tragedy of false conversion.
Rethinking Retirement: Finishing Life for the Glory of Christ, by John Piper. Rather than buying into the dulling mind-set of the American dream, Piper urges us to take up God’s dream for your golden years instead.
Because God Is Real: Sixteen Questions, One Answer, by Peter J. Kreeft. Thoughtful and persuasive answers to believers, unbelievers, and skeptics.
Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the Journey, by Jonathan Morrow. A guide to the practical, intellectual and moral thickets of beginning college. J. P. Moreland says it is the “single best volume I have ever read for preparing students on how to follow Jesus and flourish as his disciple in college”.
MEDIA ITEMS FROM DR JOBE MARTIN: The Evolution of a Creationist (book and 4-part DVD series); Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution (DVD, vols I, II,III); Life’s Story (DVD 1 & 2); God of Wonders (DVD); What God Says About (DVD); The New Answers Book 2, by Ken Ham (book); Letting God Create Your Day, by Paul Bartz (book, vols 1-2); see Library for other titles.
OTHER PURITAN CLASSICS: The Holy War, by John Bunyan (subtitled The Holy War made by Shaddai upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; an allegory of spiritual warfare).
COMMENTARIES: Jeremiah: A Commentary, by Leslie C. Allen (The Old Testament Library); 2 Peter and Jude, by Robert Harvey and Philip H. Towner (IVP NT Commentary Series).
CHILDRENS AUDIO: Danger Signals (Adventures in Odyssey #36).
ADULT FICTION: A Promise for Spring, by Kim Vogel Sawyer; The Secret, by Beverly Lewis (Seasons of Grace #1).
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