For All It's Worth

True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism Edited by Tom Gilson and Carson Weitnauer http://www.amazon.com/True-Reason-Confronting-Irrationality-Atheism/dp/0825443385 The onslaught of arguments against God and his existence seems to grow every day.  Yet, we generally hear from only a few atheists in the news, namely the likes of Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and other notables public figures like Bill Maher.  These virulent men lay claim that their religion is reason and they use reason alone in debating matters of science, religion, and ethics.  But, as many have pointed out, reason is not the only tool in their arsenal.  In this new book called True Reason, edited by Tom Gilson and Carson Weitnauer, the issues surrounding rationality, the Christian faith, and the irrationality of these new atheists come to the foreground.  Gathering a host of wonderful authors, apologists, and teachers, these chapters cut right against ...

A Loving Life: In a World of Broken Relationships by Paul Miller http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Life-World-Broken-Relationships/dp/143353732X Some authors just get it.  They seem to inhabit a text for so long that what comes out in their writing is a deep wisdom that is beyond their years.  Paul Miller is one of those authors for me, and his new book called A Loving Life is a wellspring of refreshment for a weary soul.  This new book takes the book of Ruth as its guide and seeks to delineate what a loving life might mean for Ruth, Boaz, and Israel, but also for you and me.  Rather than just a straightforward commentary on the arcane features of the texture, Miller gets into the psychology of the characters and the transformative nature of love flowing out of this wonderful story. Primary to his book is the understanding and application of hesed love.  In chapter 2, Miller writes, “Sometimes hesed is translated “steadfast love.” It com...

Christian Faith in the Old Testament by Gareth Lee Cockerill http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Faith-Old-Testament-Apostles/dp/1401677355 What happens when a seasoned New Testament scholar puts to paper his study of the Bible for over thirty five years?  In effect, what he creates is a beautiful synthesis of tapping the ‘apostolic roots’ of the Old Testament.  Yet, what turns out is much different than a historical survey or an academic project but is consistent with goal of having modern Christians search and apply the Old Testament Scriptures for their present lives.  With helpful diagrams, edgy analysis, and an eye at every point to how these Scriptures are fulfilled in Christ, Gareth has put together a wonderful resource for the church. Highlights The discussion regarding the Ten Commandments was most beneficial because it brings together the meaning of Decalogue through the lens of the two Greatest Commandments.  Gareth writes, “Figure 2 s...

Revelation by Gordon D. Fee (NCCS) http://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Covenant-Commentary-Gordon-Fee/dp/1608994317 Do you remember when you received your first study Bible?  After receiving my first NIV study Bible at age 15, I quickly realized that I was not well equipped to understand all that was in this nice imitation leather covered tome.  I quickly remember perusing catalogs looking for a resource that would help me study the Bible well.  How to Study the Bible for All It’s Worth , co-authored by Gordon Fee was the man who helped me study the New Testament in its various forms well.  It is therefore, no surprise, that this commentary on the Book of Revelation is no different.  Gordon seeks to elucidate both the meaning of the book and its application while maintaining a healthy focus on the background of Revelation.  After reading this gem, I was thoroughly impressed by the way Gordon boils the meaning of Revelation into discernible ...

Revolutionary Freedom by Joey LeTourneau http://www.amazon.com/Revolutionary-Freedom-Anointed-Captives-Declaration/dp/0768438918 Taking the long winding journey through a prison, Revolutionary Freedom by Joey LeTourneau is a wild ride into the themes of sin, Satan, and finding true freedom in Christ.  Throughout the path, we meet the Warden (Satan), the Lord, Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene and Abraham.  The vivid telling of the story captures the struggle between the deceiver, temptation, and lasting freedom found in believing in Christ.  Joey’s work with Heavenly Hope Ministries has given him a profound look into broken children all around Ethiopia and a clear understanding of the prisons that these children have come from.  This book will be very well suited to those in the Charismatic movement but was also helpful for me to see the subtleties that come about in the spiritual battle. Joey is careful to see that the matter with the Christian...

Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical & Balanced Perspective by Brian Borgman & Rob Ventura http://www.heritagebooks.org/products/spiritual-warfare-a-biblical-and-balanced-perspective.html There is a spiritual battle going on in the hearts and lives of every Christian.  This battlefield is a minefield where one wrong step can lead to ruin.  Yet, there is hope. In Spiritual Warfare , Pastors Brian Borgman and Rob Ventura offer us a guide through Ephesians 6 that is compelling and ultimately practical in fighting off the wiles of the world, the flesh, and the devil.  The study here is Christ-centered, biblically faithful and chalk full of ways that Christians can learn to engage the battle effectively.  After focusing in on the city of Ephesus and its spiritual influences, the authors look at Ephesians 6:10 and the phrase ‘be strong in the Lord.’  Commenting on this they write, “Paul’s charge to “be strong” is in the passive voice in t...

Prophet on the Run: A Devotional Commentary on the Book of Jonah by Baruch Maoz http://www.amazon.com/Prophet-Run-Baruch-Maoz/dp/1936908840/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1392799993 One of the shortest books of the Bible and one of the most fascinating, the Book of Jonah is brimming over with beauty and terror, grace and judgment.  Pastor Baruch Maoz brings to us a translation and rendering of the Book of Jonah that is illuminating and chalk full of truth for every Christian.  We find Baruch pointing us to the central theme of Jonah in the introduction by writing, “The central message of the book is much needed and highly relevant to Jewish ears: Israel has no ownership over God.  He is the God of all nations.  This message anticipates the message of the New Testament – that God has taken Jews and Gentiles, set aside the differences between them, and made of the two one new people in Christ.” (11) One of the great advan...