Complete New Book List
May 2013
Rhythms of Grace: How the Church’s Worship Tells the Story of the Gospel, by Mike Cosper. How the gospel reshapes every dimension and element of worship.
Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness, by Eric Metaxas. An encouragement to true heroism through brief biographical sketches of George Washington, Wilberforce, Bonhoeffer, Jackie Robinson, Eric Liddell, Pope John Paul II, and Charles Colson.
No Pressure, Mr. President! The Power of True Belief in a Time of Crisis, by Eric Metaxas. The message of Eric Metaxas, delivered before the president and dozens on national leaders at the 60th national prayer breakfast, calls readers to follow the steps of Wilberforce and Bonhoeffer, men who lived their faith and swam against the mainstream, instead of drifting along with it. Metaxas emphasized the difference between phony religiosity, which offends God, and real prayer, which is only possible with a living faith in a living God.
The Scriptures Testify About Me: Jesus and the Gospel in the Old Testament, edited by D.A. Carson. Contributors include Carson, Al Mohler, Tim Keller, Matt Chander, Alistair Begg, and others. .
HISTORICAL NON-FICTION: Grant’s Final Victory: Ulysses S. Grant’s Heroic Last Year, by Charles Bracelen Flood. Shortly after losing all of his wealth in a terrible 1884 swindle, ex-President and civil war hero Ulysses S. Grant learned he had terminal throat and mouth cancer. Destitute and dying, Grant began to write his memoirs in hopes of saving his family from permanent financial ruin. This was 20 years after his magnanimous demeanor toward Robert E. Lee at
Jesus is the Christ: The Messianic Testimony of the Gospels, by Michael F. Bird. Who do the Gospels say Jesus is? Some scholars claim that the title of “Messiah” in the Gospels was a late add-on, a fabricated claim, or an insignificant feature. But Bird argues that the Gospels’ messianic claims are the most significant feature of their portrayal of Jesus, and looks carefully at each Gospel account one by one to demonstrate that argument
Should We Live Forever? The Ethical Ambiguities of Aging, by Gilbert Meilaender. If through scientific progress, we are able to prevent aging, or prolong life, should we? The author argues that instead we should celebrate the gift of life, with its limits, with eager hope for the fullness of life promised by the God who died for us that we might live.
On the Old Testament, by Mark Driscoll (“A Book You’ll Actually Read” series). D.A. Carson says this is “an informed and reverent discussion of great themes”, while Craig Groeschel says it is “well worth an hour of your time”.
Not By Sight: A Fresh Look at Old Stories of Walking by Faith, by Jon Bloom. Nourishing sketches of Bible characters walking by faith. Highly recommended by John Piper.
Modest: Men and Women Clothed in the Gospel, by R.W. Glenn and Tim Challies. The authors say modesty is about freedom, not rules. What you say or do or wear is not really the point. The point is your heart, and true modesty flows from a solid grasp of the gospel.
Recovering Classic Evangelicalism: Applying the Wisdom and Vision of Carl F.H. Henry, by Gregory Alan Thornbury. Evangelicalism was once a countercultural upstart movement. Positioned between mainline denominational liberalism and reactionary fundamentalism, evangelicals saw themselves as evangelists to all of culture. Billy Graham crusades reached the masses, Francis Schaeffer was reaching artists and university students at L’Abri, and Carl F.H. Henry was reaching the intellectuals through Christianity Today. It was the dawn of “classic evangelicalism”. However, today we seem to be backpedaling quickly, as we are more theologically diffuse, culturally gun-shy and fragmented than ever. What has happened and how do we find out way back? Might the wisdom of Henry, who died in 2003, point the way?
Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved, by J.D. Greear. The author argues that reducing conversion to a prayer often grants assurance to those who shouldn’t have it, and keeps it from those who should. The sinner’s prayer can be a useful expression of repentance and faith, but it can never replace it.
Faith and Creeds: A Guide for Study and Devotion by Alister McGrath (The Heart of Christian Faith, Book 1). A fascinating guide to the “big picture” of Christianity. This first volume in a new series offers an extended reflection on the opening words of the Creeds, “I believe”.
One Thing: Developing a Passion for the Beauty of God, by Sam Storms. John Piper says, “the more I ponder the source and ground of all our lasting joy, the more convinced I become that Sam Storms is right—it’s the Beauty of God”.
Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation, by James K.A. Smith (Cultural Liturgies Vol 1).
Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, Revised and Expanded (2013), by John Piper.
Passion: How Christ’s Final Day Changes Your Every Day, by Mike McKinley.
CHRISTIAN GUIDES TO THE CLASSICS BY LELAND RYKEN: Individual brief guides in “Cliff Notes” style, to some of the classics of literature: Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter; Homer’s The Odyssey; Shakespeare’s Macbeth; Milton’s Paradise Lost.
ADULT/FAMILY DVDs: The Bible: The Epic Miniseries, produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett. The entire series televised recently on The History Channel, now in a 4 DVD set, featuring the dramatization of the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation; The Iron Lady, from the Weinstein Company. Acclaimed
ADULT FICTION: Strand of Deception, by Robin Caroll (Justice Seekers); The Survivor, by DiAnn Mills (Crime Scene-Houston #2); The Guardian, by Beverly Lewis (Home to
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