New Books – October 2009

Complete New Book List

October 2009

The Gospel-Driven Life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World, by Michael Horton. Christianity doesn’t work as just a moral philosophy or code of ethics. It makes sense only when it is built upon the foundation of the Gospel.

Finding God in Ancient China, by Chan Kei Thong and Charlene L. Fu. Although China has long been considered a culture of fables, legends, and the polytheistic language of many deities, the author takes readers on a step-by-step journey through 4,000 years of ancient Chinese traditions and rituals to reach a startling conclusion: the ancient Chinese worshiped a monotheistic God whom they called Shang Di, the same God the Hebrews of the Bible worshiped as Yahweh. Os Guinness calls this a “fascinating study” of the belief in “one true God” in China’s history.

Calvin, by Bruce Gordon. A brand new biography which reviewer Sean Lucas says is a “critically sympathetic portrait that is more real to life than any other Calvin biography in print”, and one which “penetrates to the man himself”. He concludes by telling church leaders that “this is the book to give to interested church members”, as this book will help us move from seeing Calvin as the hero to seeing the “true Hero, Jesus himself, whom Calvin loved and served”.

J.I. Packer and the Evangelical Future: The Impact of His Life and Thought, edited by Timothy George. Packer is one of the most significant evangelical theologians of the last 100 years. This book features contributions by Charles Colson, Alister McGrath, Mark Dever, and others.

Dual Citizens: Worship and Life Between the Already and the Not Yet, by Jason J. Stellman. A Reformed perspective on living life as pilgrims, wayfaring strangers on the road to the their true home, but living in the meantime in a foreign land. Michael Horton says this is devotional theology that is “far richer than the standard fare”.

Jumping Through Fires: The Gripping Story of One Man’s Escape from Revolution to Redemption, by David Nasser. The author is an Iran exile and former Muslim who found God’s grace in Christ. .

The End of the Law: Mosaic Covenant in Pauline Theology, by Jason C. Meyer (NAC Studies in Bible and Theology). John Piper says that for the last 40 years of his ministry, no biblical issue has proved more recurrent or more vexing than the nature of the Mosaic law as it relates to the gospel and the new covenant”. In this book, he said that he found himself writing “yes” in the margins repeatedly.

God in Dispute: “Conversations” Among Great Christian Thinkers, by Roger E. Olson. An imaginary series of dialogues and debates among key figures throughout church history, such as Augustine and Pelagius, Calvin and Arminius, John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards, and many others.

If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil, by Randy Alcorn. What if suffering is God’s invitation to trust Him, and to hope for a better world?

The Calvin Handbook, edited by Herman J. Selderhuis. A comprehensive view of Calvin’s life, theology, the history of the reception of Calvinism, with contributions from internationally renowned scholars for every interest level.

Sermons on Genesis: Chapters 1-11, by John Calvin. Though widely known as a theologian, Calvin felt his greatest obligation was not to fellow scholars, or not even his students, but to “ordinary people—citizens of Geneva and persecuted refugees, shopkeepers and merchants—who crowded St Peter’s Church no less than ten times a fortnight to listen to his sermons in French”. And such preaching was used by God to bring spiritual renewal on an unprecedented scale to the people and nations of 16^th century Europe.

Word Pictures: Knowing God Through Story and Imagination, by Brian Godawa. The author says the Bible is logical and reasonable, but it is not merely logical and reasonable. While 30% of the Bible is made up of laws and propositional truth, the vast majority is made up of rich imagery and startling storytelling. It is in this mix of symbol, narrative, law and logic that God compels, encourages, and instructs us. And we come to know God and love Him with our whole selves.

Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our Practice, by Bryan Chapell. D.A. Carson says this book is “theologically rich” in showing how the nature of the gospel ought to shape our public services.

Another Man’s War: The True Story of One Man’s Battle to Save Children in the Sudan, by Sam Childers. The story of a former drug dealer and violent gang biker whose conversion led to a radically changed life. In 1998, he journeyed to Sudan on a medical mission to help victims terrorized by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Moved by the horrors he witnessed there, he arranged to purchase 40 acres of land right in the war zone, and set out to establish an orphanage that today protects some 300 children from the LSA.

Words from the Fire: Hearing the Voice of God in the 10 Commandments, by R. Albert Mohler, Jr. In a society prone to self-interest and resistant to the notion of authority, the 10 commandments are misunderstood or ignored. But Mohler shows how they reveal our Creator in His own words.

Sacred Waiting: Waiting on God in a World That Waits for Nothing, by David Timms. Like Abraham, Moses, and David, you will find that your best moments arise from God’s timing, not your own.

Gospel-Powered Parenting: How the Gospel Shapes and Transforms Parenting, by William P. Farley.

Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World: What On Earth Should We Do Now? by David Jeremiah. A message of hope and confidence from the priceless counsel of the Word of God.

Grace Notes: Daily Readings with a Fellow Pilgrim, by Philip Yancey. The best of Yancey’s writings in 366 daily readings.

The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God-Filled Life, by Anne Graham Lotz. The author says that as she searched for answers to her heart’s yearning and emptiness, Abraham walked out of the pages of the Bible and into her life. She found in Abraham the key: embracing a God-filled life, step by step, day by day.

Christian Apologetics Past and Present: A Primary Source Reader (Vol 1, to 1500), edited by William Edgar and K. Scott Oliphint. A collection of classic writings on Christian apologetics. Volume 1 contains pre-Reformation sources from the EarlyChurch through the Middle Ages, with writers including Justin Martyr, Origin, Chrysostom Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, and many others.

Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey, edited by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Key articles from the award-winning Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible (DTIB), providing a history of interpretation and covering major theological ideas from every book of the Old Testament.

Theological Interpretation of the New Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey, edited by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Key articles from the award-winning Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible (DTIB), providing a history of interpretation and covering major theological ideas from every book of the New Testament.

Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, by Francis Chan. New from the author of Crazy Love. Chan says that it doesn’t make sense that Almighty God would have children who are characterized by fear and insecurity, for He put His Spirit within us so that we could be known for our power. Could it be that we have forgotten the One who distinguishes us from every religion and cult in the world?

Simple Life, by Thom S. Rainer and Art Rainer. New from the authors of Simple Church. Organizing our life into four areas (Time, Relationships, Money and God), the authors show how four goals (Clarity, Movement, Alignment, and Focus) will spark an existence that is more spiritual and less harried.

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear, by Max Lucado. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats such as layoffs at work, slowdowns in the national economy, or worrisome medical reports?

Christianish: What If We’re Not Following Jesus at All? by Mark Steele. The story of one man’s journey from the in-between to a life centered on Christ.

You Were Born For This: 7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles, by Bruce Wilkinson. Instead of focusing on the nature-defying acts that God could do, this book invites you to encounter the miracles that God does do on a regular basis.

Jesus Nation: Belonging To and Becoming Part of the Greatest Nation Ever, by Joe Stowell. Are you concerned about where your nation is headed? Don’t forget that the nation stamped on your passport is not the most important one you can belong to. If Jesus is your King, then you belong to a nation that in the end will defeat evil and usher in an eternal reign of justice, righteousness, and peace.

Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey, 2nd Edition, by Craig L. Blomberg. A new edition of this highly acclaimed survey text. Considers the historical context of the Gospels, and sheds new light on often-confusing interpretations brought forth over the last two centuries.

The Establishment and Limits of Civil Government: An Exposition of Romans 13:1-7, by James M. Willson. Originally published in 1853.

The List: Figuring Out Prince Charming, the Corner Office, and Happily Ever After, by Marian Jordan. Addressed to young women who put together of list of priorities to achieve by a certain age. What happens when those world-shaped dreams don’t come true according to schedule, or fail to meet expectations?. How much better to live by a God-centered set of priorities that makes every season of life beautiful.

Get Outta My Face! By Rick Horne. How to reach angry, unmotivated teens with biblical counsel.

ADULT FICTION: Stealing Home, by Allison Pittman; The Hope of Refuge, by Cindy Woodsmall (Ada’s House); Allah’s Fire, Island Inferno and Meltdown, by Chuck Holton (Task Force Valor); The Missing, by Beverly Lewis (Seasons of Grace #2).

CHILDRENS BOOKS: Fool Moon Rising, by Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty. C.J. Mahaney calls this a “rare find: a childrens book that describes how understanding the greatness of God transforms proud hearts into humble ones.(ages 3-7); God Gave Us Love, by Lisa Tawn Bergren.

FAMILY/CHILDRENS DVDs: Minnesota Cuke and the Search of Noah’s Umbrella (VeggieTales); Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, starring Dean Jones and Lexi Johnson (family drama).

ADULT/FAMILY DVDs:The Geneva Reformer: John Calvin, by Dr. Gary Crampton. A docu-lecture taking you into the heart and mind of the great Reformer.

ADULT/FAMILY CDs: Scenes from the Life of Christ, from Ligonier Ministries. A devotional CD featuring original music composed by Tom Howard, with scripture readings of Gospel passages from Christ’s life by D.A.Carson, John Piper, John MacArthur, Alister Begg, Al Mohler and others.