The Gospel and Acts in Story Form

Moody Bible Institute professor William H. Marty presents the drama and heart of the Jesus story sequentially, using all four eyewitness accounts from the New Testament.  Like his book The World of Jesus (also from Bethany House Publishers) Marty includes historical and cultural notes to enlighten the reader about practices or events that may seem strange to the modern Western mind.

This short book would make an excellent group study.  Consider it as part of a New Testament survey course for new Christians or for youth.  Dr. Marty has a gift for making the Bible and its historical context accessible to all people.

I received a free review copy of The Jesus Story from Bethany House publishers.

Book Review: Letting Go of your Limitations by Sandie Freed

Sandie Freed wants to see God’s children freed from their self-imposed limits: legalism, disappointment, pride, fear, etc. She starts with the example of Saul’s (Paul’s) life.  He was a legalist among legalists, a Pharisee. Jesus confronted him and the proud Saul became the servant Paul through a process of letting go of his past.

Freed offers the encouragement that all Christians can experience the transforming power of God in their own lives.  She reminds us that repentance means to change the way we think.  To help us along, questions for reflection appear at intervals throughout the book.  I recommend it for individual or group study.

I received a free review copy of Letting Go of yourLimitations from Chosen Books.  

Review: A Call to Resurgence

Pastor Mark Driscoll writes from experience.  He ministers in a city (Seattle) where fewer than 20% of households have children.  To someone like me who has lived in the Midwest and the South my entire life, it is hard to imagine living in such a place or ministering outside the Sunday School/look at our great nursery/married couples class models. But we all have to learn to do this if we are to experience a resurgence of the gospel ministry of Jesus Christ.

Mark helps us to understand our “tribes” (the different “flavors” of churches in America) and how we can cooperate and reach out to the unchurched.  There is a whole chapter on repentance, with a call to “…repent of both unrighteous sin and self-righteous religion.”

 

I recommend this meaty book to everyone with a stake in seeing people reached with the transforming and saving power of Jesus Christ.  Church staff, teachers, parents, single adults and mature students can all benefit from reading A Call to Resurgence.  You can also visit Mark Driscoll's website, The Resurgence for more information, ideas, and encouragement.

I received a free review copy of this book from Tyndale, the publisher.

God's Plans for Israel

Often western Christians forget that our scriptures were written from a middle-eastern perspective.  Sandra Teplinsky, a Messianic Jew, enlightens us all about the sanctity of covenant, the historical context of Bible prophecy, and God’s concept of justice.  As an attorney, Sandra is careful to back up everything she says with documentation, too.

If you have ever wondered whether Israel still matters or if God still has plan for the Jews, read this book.  Likewise, if you are concerned about the plight of the Palestinian people, you need to see Sandra’s compassion for them. While you will be grieved if you don’t already know the history of the Church’s betrayal of Israel and the many betrayals of Israel by western “allies,” the author offers hope for the future.  Learn how you can pray and minister to God’s special people.

I received a free review copy of this book from Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group. 

Look Honestly at Evangelism: From an Atheist's Perspective

While some people experience dramatic conversion experiences after a single presentation of the gospel, many do not.  All people are on a journey, and we Christians need evangelism strategies that meet people at various points along their journeys.  More than strategies, however, we need relationships.  Jim (currently a pastor) and Matt (currently an atheist) give us a picture of what such a relationship can look like in Saving Casper.

I cringed as Matt Casper related some of his experiences with those seeking to reach him with the gospel.  Many of them seemed all too eager to tell him he was going to hell, while few bothered to see Matt as a human being much like themselves.  Respect seems to be the missing ingredient in many evangelism efforts. 

When I consider how Jesus approached people, as recorded in the Bible, I don’t see Him hitting people and telling them all about the hell for which they were bound.  Yes, He taught about hell; but when we see Him with individuals, we see how He saw them as unique people.  He cared about their families, their sorrows, their illnesses--and their eternal souls.  We should follow his example.  Matt Casper points out how confusing it is for someone on the outside to look at Christians and not see them doing what even he, an atheist, knows Jesus told them to do.

Please read and share Saving Casper.  Then build some relationships with people of all beliefs.  Respect them, learn about them, and let them see Jesus in you.

I received a free review copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers.

The Ultimate in Independent Learning

Ministry in Dangerous Places

Dangerous by Caleb Bislow: A Book Review

Based on the premise that God has not called us to be safe, but to be faithful, Caleb tells exciting stories from his life as an "unusual soldier" for Jesus Christ.  He has gone on missions to some very dangerous and dark places.  He also trains others to do the same.

From page 46: "…we often equate God's "blessing" with personal safety." Yet Caleb found himself wanting a life more like William Wallace and less like Mr. Rogers.  Read the stories of people who went to minister in dark places, in dangerous places, or among despised people.  Learn that God reaches out to all those people and places.

This would be an excellent book for a group of young men or women to study together with an older, seasoned missionary or minister.  In a nation obsessed with keeping kids perfectly safe from every "danger," including non-organic food, refined sugar, and ordinary bumps and bruises, this book is a breath of fresh air.  Some risks are worth taking, especially for those of us who already have eternal life.

I received a free review copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Dragonwitch: A Book Review

I am not much of a fiction reader, but since this was supposed to appeal to those who like fantasy, I gave it a go.  The plot was interesting enough, with classic good v. evil.  I might have liked it more if there had been more suspense and ambiguity about who was good and who was evil.  Instead, I could guess the ending several chapters before I got to the end.

Regular fiction readers will probably enjoy this book,  part of the Tales of Goldstone Wood series.  

I received a free review copy of this book from Bethany House.