Complete New Book List
November, 2016
Gospel Women: Studies of the Named Women in the Gospels, by Richard Bauckham. Bauckham is an outstanding NT scholar who applies his encyclopedic knowledge of Judaism and its offshoot, early Jewish Christianity, to the subject of the named women in the Gospels.
The Unfinished Reformation: What Unites and Divides Catholics and Protestants After 500 Years, by Gregg Allison and Chris Castaldo. Is the Protestant Reformation finished? There are still a number of unresolved issues. The authors examine key points of unity and difference. Allison teaches Christian theology at Southern Baptist Seminary, while Castaldo is a former Roman Catholic and author of the book, Talking with Catholics About the Gospel.
A Habitual Sight of Him: the Christ-Centered Piety of Thomas Goodwin, edited and introduced by Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones (Profiles in Reformed Spirituality). Goodwin (1600-1680) was a Puritan pastor, a Westminster Divine, and president of Magdalen College, Oxford. This includes a biographical sketch, and 35 selections from his writings, showing his constant attention to Christ in his various theological convictions.
Biblical Authority After Babel: Retrieving the Solas in the Spirit of Mere Protestant Christianity, by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. A sparkling proposal for Protestant unity based on the five solas, differentiating between central gospel truths and areas where disagreement should not divide us denominationally.
The Legacy of Luther, edited by R.C. Sproul and Stephen J. Nichols. The movement that began with Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses reshaped Europe, redirected Christian history, and recovered the truth of God’s Word. 15 scholars examine Luther’s life, teaching, and enduring influence. Other contributors include Joel Beeke, Michael Horton, Sinclair Ferguson, Steven Lawson, et al.
A Reason to Live, by Joseph Carlucci Adevai. The inspiring story of David Dean’s brother, and of God’s grace. Joseph endured unspeakably severe parental abuse, leading to a life of drug abuse and dealing, and eventually a jail cell at Ryker’s Island. Yet out of the depths, God found him, and enabled him to shake his addictions and conquer his demons. Now he is senior pastor and CEO of an addiction recovery center, and retired SVP of a $25 billion company, as well as a husband and father.
Why the Reformation Still Matters, by Michael Reeves and Tim Chester. Examines 11 key questions raised by the Reformers that remain critically important for the church today.
None Like Him: 10 Different Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That’s a Good Thing), by Jen Wilkin. A unique look at God’s attributes, which begins by reminding us that our limitations are by design. We were never meant to be God. Our calling is to embrace our limits as a means of glorifying God’s limitless power. Recommended by Aimee Byrd, who says it “presses the reader to see how God’s incommunicable attributes affect our own spirituality”.
I Burned For Your Peace: Augustine’s Confessions Unpacked, by Peter Kreeft. Delves into one of the most beloved Christian classics of all times, collecting key passages and offering incisive commentary.
Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul, by Hannah Anderson. How cultivating humility–not scheduling or increased productivity—leads to true peace. By remembering who you are, and Who you aren’t, you can discover afresh your need for God and the rest that comes from belonging to Him.
Biblical Portraits of Creation: Celebrating the Maker of Heaven and Earth, by Walter R. Kaiser and Dorington G. Little. Astronomer Hugh Ross says that “the doctrine of creation hold crucial importance in the Christian theology of redemption”. This book will help Christians read key biblical passages with fresh eyes and think more biblically about creation.
Biblical Theology, Volume 1: The Common Grace Covenants, by Jeffrey J. Niehaus. Volume 1 focuses on the common grace covenants (Adamic and Noahic) while the upcoming Volume 2 will focus on the special grace covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic and New). In addition to being a biblical scholar, he is also a poet, with a PhD in English literature from Harvard, which impacts his work.
The Day the Revolution Began, by N.T. Wright. Wright believes the church has reduced the central story at the heart of the Christian faith: the death of Jesus on the cross. He says that NT writers were talking about something bigger, more dangerous, and more explosive than we imagined. They were inviting us to join a revolution that began that day on a hill outside Jerusalem.
Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel, by Kate Bowler. This is not a theological critique, but rather a history of the origins, unifying themes, and major figures of the movement. Recommended by John Fea, Mark Noll, and The Gospel Coalition.
Victory Through the Lamb: A Guide to Revelation in Plain Language, by Mark Wilson. The author has lived in Turkey for many years, is a scholar in early Christianity and biblical archaeology, and is able to bridge the gap between ancient and modern readers. Rather than trendy fashions, he emphasizes the key themes of witness, tribulation and victory, along with a focus on first century history and OT symbolism.
How I Changed My Mind About Women in Leadership: Compelling Stories from Prominent Evangelicals, edited by Alan F. Johnson. As the debate continues between complementarianism and egalitarianism, this is a collection of essays by evangelicals who changed to an egalitarian view. Contributors include I. Howard Marshall, John and Nancy Ortberg, Stan Gundry, Roger Nicole, Bill and Lynne Hybels, et al.
Dwelling in the Land: Bringing Same-Sex Attraction Under the Lordship of Christ, by Jeanette Howard. With intelligence and compassion, and as a Christian who has wrestled her whole adult life with same-sex attraction, the author explains what it means to live honestly and consistently as a Bible-believing Christian. And this book has wider application to other issues of sanctification and submission to Christ’s Lordship.
ADULT FICTION: Shadows of the Past, by Patricia Bradley (Logan Point #1).