All posts tagged Book Reviews

Little Black Books

by Hugh on October 26, 2010 in Books, Faith with No comments

I threw away my little black book when I got married… but then the Good Book Company sent me another one! That’s a joke, I never had one… but the second point is true.

I’ve just read through two of these ‘Little Black Books‘, one on the Bible and one on Suffering and Evil. They’re written by Scott Petty (from Oz), there’s currently others on Sex and on Predestination. They’re published by Mathias Media, sold by Good Book Company, and cost just £3 each – bargain!

I like these, they’re short enough to read quickly, but cover big topics well. They’re aimed at 14-20+ years… personally I think 11+ could handle these and they could rightly be used by adults as well (although some may find a bit patronising). Arguments are backed up from the Bible, with texts printed, and big words and big concepts are explained simply and clearly.

There are times when you think it’s been a bit over simplified (it’s only 50 pages) but further reading can be found in the endnotes with specific recommendations. These books fill a gap in resources for youth workers and families.

Worth getting… you can get the set of 4 for £10.

The Archer and the Arrow

by Hugh on October 8, 2010 in Books, Faith with No comments

The Archer and the Arrow is the second book in a series, following up from The Trellis and the Vine, produced by Mathias Media and authored by Philip Jensen and Paul Grimmond. In a nutshell it’s a book about the Word of God (the Bible) and how to preach it.

The basic premise comes from the illustration of an arrow and preaching is like firing one… first the shaft of the arrow is the exegesis (or the explanation / interpretation of the text), second the feathers which help the arrow to fly, these are things like historical context and theological framework, and thirdly the arrow head, the words which penetrate the hearts and minds of our hearers which is essentially the application of the gospel, through apologetics, ethics, pastoral application, and lots of other methods. It’s a very simple model, but has scope for lots of discussion and what our ‘arrows look like’.

This book would be a helpful reminder to a Pastor / Minister / Theological Student… but doesn’t really say anything you wouldn’t expect it to. But I think it could be a great resource for the occasional preacher, trainee, home group leader etc. There’s enough here to teach and train, and also be a bit of a rebuke for the regular preacher.

There were a couple of unhelpful asides concerning the role of women in ministry and Arminianism, with little explanation – not that I necessarily disagreed with what was said, but it just seemed inappropriate given the scope and audience of the book.

Definitely worth getting hold of a copy of this, I reckon it could be a very valuable resource for preaching / group leaders training in churches… see what you think…

Review: Lifted

by Hugh on April 20, 2010 in Books, Faith with No comments

Lifted – Experiencing the resurrection life, is the new book by Sam Allberry. 140 pages, published by IVP looking at 4 big implications of the Resurrection; Assurance, Transformation, Hope and Mission.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and consequently recommended it to be our Easter Focus book on our church bookstall this Easter.

Allberry brings a simple, informal style to help make weighty subjects accessible, with helpful illustrations and witty comments to keep the reader engaged! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it… often I find books hard work, when the author just talks… but in Lifted you’re gently taken through the implications of the Resurrection – and you’ll want to keep reading.

My fiancée demolished the book in one sitting as she prepared to give a youth talk on the Resurrection… her assessment was… Great book, especially chapter 3 on Christian Hope… great to be reminded, refreshed and encouraged by the hope of resurrection life to come.

It’s well worth a read - Buy it now – just �6.29!

Review: Raised with Christ

by Hugh on April 7, 2010 in Books, Faith with No comments

Raised with Christ – How the Resurrection Changes Everything… is the new book released by popular UK Christian Blogger, Adrian Warnock. Who despite making fun of my figure on at least one ocassion (pot, kettle, black), is quite a nice bloke really, and sent me a copy of his book, very nice.

It seems that in his great providence God has seen it right to raise up some folk in the Church to write for us on the subject of the Resurrection; Adrian Warnock, Sam Allberry, Tim Chester, Dan Clark and Don Carson of late. In his book Adrian sets out to put the Resurrection back on the agenda!

The book sets out in the opening chapters to provide a framework for Resurrection, looking at historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, thoughts on why we neglect the Resurrection, and looking at some Biblical background of what resurrection is, means, and occurrences of it before Jesus (great pointers to lots of OT passages). While this is probably a necessary framework to have, it is not done in sufficient detail to be convincing… ie. I wouldn’t point a sceptical friend here to examine evidence for the Resurrection. But this is not the focus of the book, rather the book gets going in the later chapters as Warnock looks at the implications of the resurrection… how it changes everything!

There’s rich material here looking at the Apostles focus on preaching the Resurrection, spelling out what it means to be united with Christ and practical application on what it looks like to be transformed in the light of the Resurrection. The book concludes with yet more practical outworkings, looking at being born again – resurrection life in the believer, revival, mission, the Spirit sent by the risen Lord (lays out some controversial issues graciously), and the hope and assurance that the Resurrection brings.

“Christians have the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead living inside them. One day that power will complete the work of saving us, but in the meantime the normal Christian life can be one in which we are very aware of the change that the resurrection brings. We are citizens of the age to come, living in a world that is dead to God. But we are not dead to him. We live to him. May God help us live in the light of that fact more each day.”

See also reviews by: Dave Bish, Phil Sweeting

Definitely worth reading, and a great resource to have when thinking about the Resurrection. Packed with helpful quotes and footnotes for further study.

Currently it’s selling for less than £10 on Amazon – buy it now!

3 New Books on The Resurrection

by Hugh on March 8, 2010 in Books, Faith with 2 Comments

Over the next few weeks leading up to Easter I’ll be reviewing 3 new books that are all about the Resurrection which seems appropriate given the time of year…

Raised with Christ, by Adrian Warnock (Crossway)
Scandalous, by Don Carson (IVP)
Lifted, by Sam Allberry (IVP)

Beginning with God

by Hugh on January 20, 2010 in Books, Faith with No comments

When I started to flick through this new book from The Good Book Company, I was excited by the thought of getting into the Bible, even though this book is aimed at families with pre-school children, it just looks great fun!

This is a new series of Bible study notes for parents to do with their children. Each session consists of an ‘appetiser’ introduction with ideas for chats and games, a main course with prayers, Bible story, and sticker time, and a snack time, a little nugget to keep kids thinking.

There’s a page at the back where you can photocopy and cut out the little snack nuggets and take them out with you during the day… I’m 24, and I think this sounds fun… in fact I might just have to start making babies (after getting married) so I can do it with my kids!!

The notes are written by Alison Mitchell and Jo Boddam Whetham, and produced by The Good Book Company. They’re just £5, which is a bargain with the stickers and fun stuff to do. You can get your hands on one of these from the 1st February… do it!

Read online sample (pdf)

Porn-Again Christian

by Hugh on January 25, 2009 in Books, Faith with 1 Comment

‘Porn-Again Christian‘ is the punningly named title of a new e-book written by Mark Driscoll and published online (for free) at The Resurgence. Driscoll doesn’t mince his words, hence the sub-title – “a frank discussion on pornography and masturbation”… and that’s what it is; real, honest words to men about the issues surrounding lust, with a grasp of both the theology and practicalities of the issue.

Because the book is very frank I won’t go into details… but there’s two focuses of the book… firstly the theology – what is lust, why do we lust, why do we sin, why do we reject God for the inferior pleasures of lust? and secondly the application of that, how practically can I avoid temptation and fight it when it comes… it covers porn, masturbation, godly sex in marriage, being a man, and some Q&A.

The book concludes with something very profound, and very disturbing. It is an interview with Ted Bundy, American serial killer who explains in an interview with a Christian leader James Dobson how experiences of soft porn started a slippery slope into more hardcore, more violent materials and then ultimately to sexual violence and murder in the real life. What’s frightening is that Bundy had a ‘normal’ upbringing… a stable family and a Christian home, but the images of pornography and the violence of films changed him. There’s also an appendix looking at the real, current effects of prostitution and sexual slavery in the world today.

“In closing, sin leads to death. Jesus died for your sin. You are in a war. Be a man. Put your sin to death.”

A Few Good Men

by Hugh on January 24, 2009 in Books, Faith with No comments

A Few Good Men is an encouraging read, designed to spur Christian men on in their faith through the example of Biblical heroes of the faith. Author, Richard Coekin (Co-Mission, London Men’s Convention) takes us to these heroes and applies the good principles of how they lived and applies it to us, here and now. He uses the following 10 examples, drawing on one particular aspect of their character:

Obedient Noah, Sacrificial Abraham, Self-disciplined Joseph, Unworldly Moses, Wholehearted Caleb, Humble Isaiah, Distinctive Daniel, Pastoral Paul, Prayerful Epaphras, and Loyal Onesiphorus.

Each chapter includes the Bible text telling the story of one of these heroes. Coekin then rewrites the story in his own words drawing out the situations and characters in the stories, helping the reader to really grasp what’s going on, after reading that you feel a lot closer to understanding the character. From this point Coekin helps us to apply the principles of godly character into our own situations; at home, at the workplace, at university etc.

The chapters conclude with some extra biblical background information on the character, and then some group discussion questions in light of the applications of the chapter. There is also a concluding 11th chapter conclusion… “Jesus: the perfect man”… Coekin finishes by showing how Jesus is the fulfilment of all these heroes and how he shows perfection in all of these godly characteristics.

The book is an enjoyable read, it’s helped greatly by Coekin’s retelling sections, they help you to understand what’s going on, each chapter is almost like a short commentary/biography on the character – very useful. The book has great story telling, great application and it’s always grounded in and directs the reader to the cross of Christ.

Having said that one of my concerns in the way the book is written is that it may come across as a little bit religious. While the book is aimed to spur Christians on, and it’s made clear that Jesus is the only perfect man, Coekin ignores the massive failures of these men, reading some chapters just made me feel a bit rubbish, I feel the book could be better if it also picked up on these men’s failures and the grace that kept them. So it was great that Coekin always took us to the cross, but I felt it needed the GRACE of God in the cross and in the lives of these men to be emphasised more.

I do highly commend it, great to read, great as a resource looking at Biblical characters, and I’m sure it would be great for a men’s group to read together and discuss. Get your copy from the Good Book Company, only £7.

Why I like the Prodigal God

by Hugh on December 31, 2008 in Books, Faith with No comments

I finally got round to finishing Tim Keller’s ‘The Prodigal God’, it’s not a long book, I’m just a slow reader and easily distracted! If you want a summary of the book, I would say… Tim Keller through the Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15) exposes how we look for hope in the world – through the emptiness of sensual living (like the younger son) or through the folly of moral obedience (like the elder son), he shows us how living in these ways cause us to be lost. But he shows us the hope of a third way, the hope of the gospel, the hope that comes only from God’s lavish grace given in Jesus.

Here’s some reasons why I like the book, other than the previous sentence:

It helps you to see things differently – particularly in exposes the true cost of bringing the younger son back and the true heart of the elder brother
There are loads of little mini Bible overviews of themes running throughout; the Father, the true elder brother, Sin, forgiveness, repentance, exile, lostness, Hope, Home, feasts
Keller does faithful exposition, practical, relevant application and Biblical overview all in the same chapter
I don’t really read novels, but it’s great for people who do… Keller seamlessly interweaves the narrative of secular novels by way of illustration into his writing
Keller’s assertions are backed up through the writings of philosophers, it’s intellectually robust

Finally I loved Keller’s concluding acknowledgement to the influence of Edmund Clowney in his ministry:

“He also taught me that it was possible to be theologically sound and completely orthodox and yet unfailing gracious – a rare and precious combination.”

This is a definite must-read, go and get it – £10 from the Good Book Company.

New Books

by Hugh on July 6, 2008 in Books, Faith with No comments

Tim Keller has a new book coming out in October called ‘The Prodigal God‘, it’s an exposition of the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Sons’ and I get the impression that like ‘Reason for God’ it will be accessible for both Christians and non-Christians alike. It’s released on the 30th and you can currently pre-order from Amazon for around �9, I’m hoping that the Good Book Company might have it in stock at a similar price nearer the time, I’ll let you know.

Here’s a short interview with Keller about the book, and a response from Keller about the use of the word ‘Prodigal’ in relation to God.

Also, Mark Driscoll has lots of books coming out this year which has prompted the launch of Resurgence Literature publishing (ReLit). The first book was Vintage Jesus, I’ve finally got round to reading that so I’ll review it soon.

The latest books out (released last week) are a series of 4 books – ‘A Book You’ll Actually Read‘ – they’re less than 100 pages on ‘The Old Testament’, ‘The New Testament’, ‘Church Leadership’ and ‘Who is God?’. These are the square shaped ones (left). At the end of July there’s a book called ‘Practical Theology for Women’ coming out by Wendy Alsup, a deacon at Mars Hill. ‘Death by Love‘ (right) is coming out at the end of September, from what I gather it is based on Driscoll’s ‘Christ on the Cross’ series and then put in to a letter format. Finally in January 2009 ‘Vintage Church‘ (middle) is being released, subtitled ‘Timeless Truths and Timely Methods’ – it’s in the style of the Vintage Jesus book and I’m guessing will be similar to the Radical Reformission, probably with more of a focus on some of his sermon series (1 Corinthians, Nehemiah) and some practical suggestions. One more thing, they’re also publishing other non-Mars-Hill books, so far just Total Church by Timmis and Chester.

$A Book You\'ll Actually Read$ Vintage Church Death by Love

Last week I picked up some books for myself at EMA – Total Church (Timmis and Chester), Why we’re not Emergent (some American guys), and The Gospel and Personal Evangelism (Dever)… will give some thoughts when I get round to reading.