I’m in the happy but overwhelming position of receiving copies of many, if not most, of the new Christian books. Every month or so I like to reduce the great big pile to a much smaller pile of just the most notable new releases. Here are 10 of them for April with the publisher’s description and sometimes a personal comment as well.
The Gospel-Driven Church: Uniting Church Growth Dreams with the Metrics of Grace by Jared Wilson. I’m reading this one now and it’s top-notch. “Many evangelical churches face the problem of the open “back door”–even as new people arrive, older members are leaving, looking for something else. Combined with this problem is the discipleship deficit, the difficult truth that most evangelicals are not reaching the unchurched at the rates they think they are. In fact, many of the metrics that we often “count” in the church to highlight success really don’t tell us the full story of a church’s spiritual state. Things like attendance, decisions, dollars, and experiences can tell us something about a church, but not everything. To cultivate a spiritually healthy church we need a shift in our metrics–a “grace-shift” that prioritizes the work of God in the lives of people over numbers and dollars.” (Buy it at Amazon)
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls: Justification in Biblical, Theological, Historical, and Pastoral Perspective edited by Matthew Barrett. “Many factors contributed to the Protestant Reformation, but one of the most significant was the debate over the doctrine of justification by faith alone. In fact, Martin Luther argued that justification is the doctrine on which the church stands or falls. This comprehensive volume of 26 essays from a host of scholars explores the doctrine of justification from the lenses of history, the Bible, theology, and pastoral practice—revealing the enduring significance of this pillar of Protestant theology.” This one is massive! (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Power of Christian Contentment: Finding Deeper, Richer Christ-Centered Joy by Andrew Davis. “It may surprise modern Christians that our current problems with discontentedness are anything but new. In 1643, Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs wrote a work titled ‘The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment’ that has as much resonance in our day as it did in his. Now pastor and author Andrew M. Davis helps contemporary Christians rediscover the remarkable truths found in this largely forgotten work. With powerful new illustrations and a keen sense of all that makes modern Christians restless, Davis challenges readers to confront the sources of discontent in their lives and embrace Paul’s teaching on contentment in all circumstances. He gives special attention to maintaining contentment through poverty and prosperity, as well as in our marriages, and offers tips on teaching children how to be content in an age of smartphones and social media.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Work: Its Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation by Daniel Doriani. It seems noteworthy that D.A. Carson says this is the best book on this topic. “Whether you’re teaching children in a preschool, operating a cash register at a fast-food restaurant, or performing complex surgeries in emergency situationsyou have the power to change the world. God knows the good you do when you serve him faithfully at work, even if you don’t see it yourself. The product of twenty years of thought, Work: Its Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation ennobles and motivates men and women in their labors. Providing historical background and inspiring stories of God-honoring workers, Daniel Doriani explains the Bible’s teaching on the nature, glory, misery, and eventual restoration of work. You will learn what it means to be faithful at work, even in risky places, and what steps you can take to transform your workplace and the world through the reformation of work.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Christian Missions: A Concise, Global History by Edward L. Smither. “From the beginning, God’s mission has been carried out by people sent around the world. From Abraham to Jesus, the thread that weaves its way throughout Scripture is a God who sends his people across the world, proclaiming his kingdom. As the world has evolved, Christian mission continues to be a foundational tradition in the church. In this one-volume textbook, Edward Smither weaves together a comprehensive history of Christian mission, from the apostles to the modern church. In each era, he focuses on the people sent by God to the ends of the earth, while also describing the cultural context they encountered. Smither highlights the continuity and development across thousands of years of global mission.” (Buy it at Amazon)
Foundations of the Christian Faith: A Comprehensive & Readable Theology by James Montgomery Boice. This is a new edition of a well-loved popular-level systematic theology. “In one systematic volume, James Montgomery Boice provides a readable overview of Christian theology. Both students and pastors will benefit from this rich source that covers all the major doctrines of Christianity. With scholarly rigor and a pastor’s heart, Boice carefully opens the topics of the nature of God, the character of his natural and special revelation, the fall, and the person and work of Christ. He then goes on to consider the work of the Holy Spirit in justification and sanctification. The book closes with careful discussion of ecclesiology and eschatology.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission as Strangers in our Own Land by Elliot Clark. “Suffering and exclusion are normal in a believer’s life. At least they should be. This was certainly Jesus’s experience. And it’s the experience of countless Christians around the world today. No matter your social location or set of experiences, the biblical letter of 1 Peter wants to redefine your expectations and reinvigorate your hope. Drawing on years of ministry in a Muslim-majority nation, Elliot Clark guides us through Peter’s letter with striking insights for today. Whether we’re in positions of power or weakness, influence or marginalization, all of us are called to live and witness as exiles in a world that’s not our home. This is our job description. This is our mission. This is our opportunity. A church in exile doesn’t have to be a church in retreat.” (Buy it at Amazon)
Untangling Emotions by Alasdair Groves & Winston Smith. I’ve got teenaged girls, so emotion is a big theme around here. “Our emotions are complex. Some of us seem able to ignore our feelings, while others feel controlled by them. But most of us would admit that we don’t always know what to do with how we feel. The Bible teaches us that our emotions are an indispensable part of what makes us human—and play a crucial role in our relationships with God and others. Exploring how God designed emotions for our good, this book shows us how to properly engage with our emotions—even the more difficult ones like fear, anger, shame, guilt, and sorrow—so we can better understand what they reveal about our hearts and handle them wisely in everyday moments.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Indispensable: The Basics of Christian Belief by David Cassidy. “The Christian faith involves many different elements: a breathtaking sacrifice, an unshakable hope, a daily fight—and more. Each is critical to our salvation and essential to the shape and purpose of our daily lives. Yet some have become so familiar to us that we miss their importance … and others may not feel familiar at all. Pastor David Cassidy’s engaging look at these essentials of the Christian faith helps us to understand their disruptive power in a dark world. We’re living in an in-between time, positioned between Jesus’s death on the cross and his final return. What if we caught hold of the indispensable things and held them close?” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures For Approaching God’s Word by Matt Smethurst. “We know the Bible is important, but many of us struggle with it. We’re not biblical experts—though we may have started enough reading plans to be really familiar with Genesis. If we’re honest, the Bible often intimidates us, confuses us, and reading it doesn’t always thrill us. And yet, the Bible is where God reveals his loving character and incredible plan of redemption. In a practical and engaging manner, Matt Smethurst—managing editor of The Gospel Coalition—presents nine heart postures that will prepare you to unpack all that’s awaiting you in God’s Word.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
