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New & Notable Books

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I am in the unique and enjoyable position of receiving copies of most of the latest and greatest Christian books and I like to provide regular roundups of some of the best and brightest of the bunch. Here are some of the notable books that I’ve received in the past few weeks.

Through the Eyes of CH SpurgeonThrough the Eyes of C.H. Spurgeon compiled by Stephen McCaskell. Here’s what I wrote in my foreward to the book: “A prolific preacher and author, Spurgeon’s sermons alone fill some 63 volumes; his books and other writings fill many more than that. In Through the Eyes of C.H. Spurgeon Stephen McCaskell has compiled thousands of Spurgeon’s punchiest and most powerful quotes and has helpfully categorized them. Here the reader will find wisdom that extends from Acceptance to Work and everything in between. Here the reader will find quotes that merit thought, reflection, and attention. They are like hard candy–better savored than quickly chewed and swallowed. Read this book to generate thought and reflection. Read it to find the perfect quote for your book or sermon or blog post. Read it and I am certain you will be blessed.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon.)

Behold Our Sovereign God by Mitchell L. Chase. “The topic of divine sovereignty is weighty and often fraught with controversy. While thinking about its implications people may ask, If God is sovereign, how does it relate to our daily lives and what we see going on in the natural world? With all the sin and suffering around us, in what sense does God reign over it? What does the Bible teach about God’s rule over salvation and judgment? How is God sovereign over historical events, in particular the death of Jesus? Will his decrees for the future come to pass, or can they be thwarted? The Bible invites us to behold God’s meticulous reign over all things unto his glory. His lordship is not just general or abstract but particular and comprehensive. With transcendent wisdom and uncompromising righteousness God is bringing to pass his will in the world.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon.)

Understanding Biblical TheologyUnderstanding Biblical Theology by Edward W Klink III and Darian R. Lockett. “Understanding Biblical Theology clarifies the catch-all term ‘biblical theology,’ a movement that tries to remove the often-held dichotomy between biblical studies for the Church and as an academic pursuit. This book examines the five major schools of thought regarding biblical theology and handles each in turn, defining and giving a brief developmental history for each one, and exploring each method through the lens of one contemporary scholar who champions it. Using a spectrum between history and theology, each of five ‘types’ of biblical theology are identified as either ‘more theological’ or ‘more historical’ in concern and practice: Biblical Theology as Historical Description (James Barr) Biblical Theology as History of Redemption (D. A. Carson) Biblical Theology as Worldview-Story (N. T. Wright) Biblical Theology as Canonical Approach (Brevard Childs) Biblical Theology as Theological Construction (Francis Watson). A conclusion suggests how any student of the Bible can learn from these approaches.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books.)

Strangers Next Door by J.D. Payne. “More than ever, North America is being flooded by people from all around the world, many of them here illegally. How should the church respond to these sojourners among us? [Professor] of evangelism and church planting J. D. Payne introduces the phenomenon of migrations of peoples to Western nations and explores how the church should respond in light of the mission of God. As we understand and embrace the fact that the least-reached people groups now reside in (and continue to migrate to) Western countries, churches have unprecedented opportunites to freely share the gospel with them. This book includes practical guidelines for doing crosscultural missions and developing a global strategy of mission. It also highlights examples of churches and organizations attempting to reach, partner with, and send migrants to minister to their people. Discover how you can reach out to the strangers next door by welcoming them into God’s family.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon.)

Quest for the TrinityThe Quest for the Trinity by Stephen R. Holmes. “The doctrine of the Trinity was settled in the fourth century, and maintained, with only very minor disagreement or development, by all strands of the church–Western and Eastern, Protestant and Catholic–until the modern period. In the twentieth century, there arose a sense that the doctrine had been neglected and stood in need of recovery.nnIn , Holmes takes us on a remarkable journey through 2,000 years of the Christian doctrine of God. We witness the churchs discovery of the Trinity from the biblical testimony, its crucial patristic developments, and medieval and Reformation continuity. We are also confronted with the questioning of traditional dogma during the Enlightenment, and asked to consider anew the character of the modern Trinitarian revival.Holmess controversial conclusion is that the explosion of theological work in recent decades claiming to recapture the heart of Christian theology in fact deeply misunderstands and misappropriates the traditional doctrine of the Trinity. Yet his aim is constructive: to grasp the wisdom of the past and, ultimately, to bring a clearer understanding of the meaning of the present.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books.)

The Rest of Life by Ben Witherington. “When was the last time you heard a sermon on the theological importance of play? What do rest, eating, studying — and sex — have to do with the Kingdom of God? Strangely, although these activities together take up much of our time, they seldom receive much discussion from a biblical point of view. In The Rest of Life Ben Witherington explores these subjects in the light of biblical teaching about the Kingdom of God and the Christian hope for the future. He shows why and how all the normal activities of life should be done to the glory of God and for the edification of others. Focusing as it does on practical, everyday matters in an accessible style, this topical study is ideal for both individual reading and small-group discussion.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon.)

Grace TransformingGrace Transforming by Philip G. Ryken. “For those of us who are performance-oriented or for those who have long since thrown in the towel, a word about grace is in order. Within these pages are 9 key messages on the grace of God. These are masterful lessons, built on Scripture, edifying and applicable for all who want to experience the freedom that comes from resting on the promise of God’s unmerited favor. Helping us to understand that we are not defined by what we do—but rather by who Jesus is and what he has done, this book powerfully addresses the transforming power of grace that is essential for every Christian.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books.)


  • What Grieves the Heart of God

    What Grieves the Heart of God?

    What pleases God? What delights his heart? And what displeases God? What grieves his heart? If asked, I think most of us would assume that if we ever grieve the heart of God it will be through denying the gospel or committing a grave moral scandal. Or if we do so as a local church,…

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    A La Carte (November 18)

    A La Carte: When God does not need our service / How to forgive and move on / A devotional for depression / Can a speeding ticket change your heart? / Is it I, Lord? / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Motives Matter

    Motives matter, even (or perhaps especially) when it comes to something as very good as studying the Bible. The best motive for reading the Bible is to be transformed by it. For this to happen, we must approach our reading and studying with both confidence and humility, asking God to transform us through his Word.…

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    Weekend A La Carte (November 16)

    A La Carte: The gratitude revolution / Can a church require tithing? / Listening that hurts / Correctable mistakes when preaching and teaching / We won’t do nothing for eternity / and more.

  • Free Stuff Fridays (TGBC)

    This week’s Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by The Good Book Company. They are giving away a copy of Alistair Begg’s new advent devotional, Let Earth Receive Her King, to prepare your heart for Christmas, along with a $200 gift card for you to purchase Christmas gifts for everyone on your list.  Here are some…

  • Inventory

    The Spiritual Gift Inventory I Believe In

    In many churches, it is standard practice to have Christians take some kind of a spiritual gift inventory. Through a series of questions that probe an individual’s interests, passions, and successes, these tests claim to help people discover the ways the Holy Spirit has gifted them to better love and serve his people.