The Accidental Voyage
by Douglas Bond
P&R Publishing Company
PO Box 817
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
©2005 257pp Soft Cover
The fourth book in the adventures of Mr. Pipes, Annie and Drew finds them going through Europe and finding the sources of many hymns written long ago. They do this because adventures are awesome and modern hymns are stupid. Seriously, there is no need to use the word praise 57 times in one song.
Bond’s book is fiction for younger readers and that serves not only to give them something to read, but it gives them something to read that involves Christianity and a subject that they would almost never learn about on their own: The sources of old Christian hymns. How many children do you know who would gladly look up information about old hymns? That’s right none. This book fills a necessary gap in the knowledge of their own culture and provides a welcome lack of the counter culture that will bombard them from about age two until the day they die.
The only down side I can think of in this book is that being a modern children’s adventure tale it will lack the shotgun blasts, escapes up vent shafts, car chases, and hissably nifty villains that did tend to fill the pages of adolescent fiction of the past. However it does contain good Christian values and information that your children would not look up on their own. So get your son and/or daughter this book and subversively educate them today!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Informed Consent
Informed Consent
by Sandra Glahn
David C. Cook
4050 Lee Vance View
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
©2007 342pp Soft Cover
If you only read one book about medical research, mistakes, the AIDS virus, and ethical dilemmas this year it should be Informed Consent. Why the reader might ask? You should read it because I am reviewing it is my reply. But there is more to the novel than that. Based on an extensive look at the back cover I have determined that this is a book by a Christian author that may not have every other line be, “What would Jesus do?” Now there is nothing wrong with being deeply religious or taking the law of God into account in all of your major decisions but in novel form it does get repetitive.
With this in mind, Sandra Glahn’s Informed Consent was sent to a Christian magazine to review, and the author teaches at a theological seminary, yet the entire back cover is not one long sentence about faith and Jesus. Let us look at literature as a hamburger. Christianity is the bun. Without the bun the burger loses much of its appeal and becomes a mess. Yet attempting to shove a baguette down someone’s throat will choke the eater. Mrs. Glahn appears to have produced a burger for us to enjoy. Take a bite and see if you like it. For those of you out there wondering why I have not described the plot, it is a medical drama so you probably already know the plot. That does not mean the book will not be awesome. Have faith in Jesus and the great burger of literature.
by Sandra Glahn
David C. Cook
4050 Lee Vance View
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
©2007 342pp Soft Cover
If you only read one book about medical research, mistakes, the AIDS virus, and ethical dilemmas this year it should be Informed Consent. Why the reader might ask? You should read it because I am reviewing it is my reply. But there is more to the novel than that. Based on an extensive look at the back cover I have determined that this is a book by a Christian author that may not have every other line be, “What would Jesus do?” Now there is nothing wrong with being deeply religious or taking the law of God into account in all of your major decisions but in novel form it does get repetitive.
With this in mind, Sandra Glahn’s Informed Consent was sent to a Christian magazine to review, and the author teaches at a theological seminary, yet the entire back cover is not one long sentence about faith and Jesus. Let us look at literature as a hamburger. Christianity is the bun. Without the bun the burger loses much of its appeal and becomes a mess. Yet attempting to shove a baguette down someone’s throat will choke the eater. Mrs. Glahn appears to have produced a burger for us to enjoy. Take a bite and see if you like it. For those of you out there wondering why I have not described the plot, it is a medical drama so you probably already know the plot. That does not mean the book will not be awesome. Have faith in Jesus and the great burger of literature.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Exploring The Gospel Of John: An Expository Commentary
Exploring The Gospel Of John: An Expository Commentary
by John Phillips
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©1989 401pp Hard Cover
Commentaries can be fun and enlightening! Really they can! That’s why people write so many of them. Those of you familiar with the Ironside Expository Commentaries should be in for a thrill with the Phillips Expository Commentaries. John Phillips wrote a series of commentaries on scripture back in the eighties. In the book Exploring the Gospel of John, Phillips tries to explain in depth the most confusing of the four gospels. It is not really confusing but it is a little different so certain “cough” scholars have dedicate their lives to arguing with each other over it. When was John written, who wrote it, what does it mean, and does it contradict the others are all pointless topics that get harped on in seminaries and religion classes the world over!
Dr. Phillips spent his career teaching seminary and writing. Phillips commentary series tries to navigate the sea of arguments over the Bible to come up with a scholarly and adult guide to the books in it. He tries to explain the Gospel of John from a modern perspective for modern readers. Whether this is the right or wrong way to interpret the book is irrelevant. What matters in any commentary is that it explains the topic without either talking down to or insulting the readers. That way the reader is encouraged to reread the original text. If the reader has never discovered the text than a commentary can serve as an introduction to the topic. In this area Phillips has succeeded.
by John Phillips
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©1989 401pp Hard Cover
Commentaries can be fun and enlightening! Really they can! That’s why people write so many of them. Those of you familiar with the Ironside Expository Commentaries should be in for a thrill with the Phillips Expository Commentaries. John Phillips wrote a series of commentaries on scripture back in the eighties. In the book Exploring the Gospel of John, Phillips tries to explain in depth the most confusing of the four gospels. It is not really confusing but it is a little different so certain “cough” scholars have dedicate their lives to arguing with each other over it. When was John written, who wrote it, what does it mean, and does it contradict the others are all pointless topics that get harped on in seminaries and religion classes the world over!
Dr. Phillips spent his career teaching seminary and writing. Phillips commentary series tries to navigate the sea of arguments over the Bible to come up with a scholarly and adult guide to the books in it. He tries to explain the Gospel of John from a modern perspective for modern readers. Whether this is the right or wrong way to interpret the book is irrelevant. What matters in any commentary is that it explains the topic without either talking down to or insulting the readers. That way the reader is encouraged to reread the original text. If the reader has never discovered the text than a commentary can serve as an introduction to the topic. In this area Phillips has succeeded.
Building on the Rock
Building on the Rock
by Joel R. Beeke, and Diana Kleyn
Reformation Heritage Books
2919 Leonard St., NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
©2000 157pp Soft Cover
Children like stories. Trust me they do. For this reason many children’s books have been written. The Christians are supposed to come to Jesus as little children so it is no surprise that there are vast numbers of Christian children’s stories out there. One of these books is Building on the Rock. The book is a collection of 31 stories written by two authors; Joel R. Beeke, and Diana Kleyn.
The stories are all short, easy to read, and easy to understand. The first story is about a young man who has grown bored with Christianity and goes off on a ship to find his fortune. He finds God instead and is quite embarrassed. These stories fill this fourth book in the Collection of Christian Stories for Children series. Building on the Rock is a good book for helping youngsters to understand their God and how to read. Children have to learn how to read somewhere, and while the King James Bible is a good place to hone those skills it is a little advanced for beginners.
by Joel R. Beeke, and Diana Kleyn
Reformation Heritage Books
2919 Leonard St., NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
©2000 157pp Soft Cover
Children like stories. Trust me they do. For this reason many children’s books have been written. The Christians are supposed to come to Jesus as little children so it is no surprise that there are vast numbers of Christian children’s stories out there. One of these books is Building on the Rock. The book is a collection of 31 stories written by two authors; Joel R. Beeke, and Diana Kleyn.
The stories are all short, easy to read, and easy to understand. The first story is about a young man who has grown bored with Christianity and goes off on a ship to find his fortune. He finds God instead and is quite embarrassed. These stories fill this fourth book in the Collection of Christian Stories for Children series. Building on the Rock is a good book for helping youngsters to understand their God and how to read. Children have to learn how to read somewhere, and while the King James Bible is a good place to hone those skills it is a little advanced for beginners.
A Steadfast Heart
A Steadfast Heart
by Elyse Fitzpatrick
P&R Publishing
PO Box 817
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865-0817
©2006 158pp Soft Cover
Not everything is going to go right in a person’s life. This does not mean that God does not love you. Those two sentences sum up the book A Steadfast Heart by Elyse Fitzpatrick. In her book Mrs. Fitzpatrick describes some of the problems people have, how they can lead to spiritual doubt, and how God is there to help the people. Fitzpatrick continually references Psalm 57. That is because the Psalm is about a person who has problems but knows God will help with the problems so the Psalmist will remain true to God. A Steadfast Heart is an extension of that thought put into the perspective of the modern world. For example in the introduction Fitzpatrick briefly describes a battle with her insurance company and the confusion and frustration it brought on.
The book is divided into eight chapters. The first chapters deal with crying out to God. The next few chapters are about His answering prayers. The last few are praising God for helping. This is preferable to many modern books in that Fitzpatrick identifies the problem, discusses it, and provides a conclusion. Much of modern non-fiction looks like a disjointed mess and serves to embarrass the entire English speaking world. Mrs. Fitzpatrick should be congratulated for both providing an interesting book and not poisoning our culture with more useless words. A Steadfast Heart is marketed predominantly towards women. It comes with a CD in the back so that reader can listen to some scripture readings.
by Elyse Fitzpatrick
P&R Publishing
PO Box 817
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865-0817
©2006 158pp Soft Cover
Not everything is going to go right in a person’s life. This does not mean that God does not love you. Those two sentences sum up the book A Steadfast Heart by Elyse Fitzpatrick. In her book Mrs. Fitzpatrick describes some of the problems people have, how they can lead to spiritual doubt, and how God is there to help the people. Fitzpatrick continually references Psalm 57. That is because the Psalm is about a person who has problems but knows God will help with the problems so the Psalmist will remain true to God. A Steadfast Heart is an extension of that thought put into the perspective of the modern world. For example in the introduction Fitzpatrick briefly describes a battle with her insurance company and the confusion and frustration it brought on.
The book is divided into eight chapters. The first chapters deal with crying out to God. The next few chapters are about His answering prayers. The last few are praising God for helping. This is preferable to many modern books in that Fitzpatrick identifies the problem, discusses it, and provides a conclusion. Much of modern non-fiction looks like a disjointed mess and serves to embarrass the entire English speaking world. Mrs. Fitzpatrick should be congratulated for both providing an interesting book and not poisoning our culture with more useless words. A Steadfast Heart is marketed predominantly towards women. It comes with a CD in the back so that reader can listen to some scripture readings.
Hostage Lands
Hostage Lands
by Douglas Bond
P&R Publishing
PO Box 817
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865-0817
©2006 234pp Soft Cover
There are times when an author can seem disconnected from a subject. When the book looks odd or contains information that directly contradicts things the reader knows to be true. It is highly unlikely the Douglas Bond is one of these authors. Bond begins his book Hostage Lands in a Latin class. The students are translating the Aeneid. The first few paragraphs of the book will give anyone who spent time in Latin class chills as they are catapulted back into their past. That alone was enough to make me trust this author. Nothing else that happened after that could really bother me. I guess I am trying to say that this book had a good opening.
Hostage Lands is about a bored young student in Latin class named Neil Perkins. Neil discovers an ancient manuscript and translates it. The story the manuscript tells is about the Romans in Britain during a chaotic period of history. This type of story telling has a name but I cannot remember what it is. All that matters is that this is a story within a story. The boy’s discovery of the tale of Rusticus, a Centurion who is attacked by his own people and finds hope in a Christian Celt is meant to reflect the feeling of discovery that many non-believers feel when they read and understand the Bible for the first time. That the story involves Celts fighting Romans is also good.
by Douglas Bond
P&R Publishing
PO Box 817
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865-0817
©2006 234pp Soft Cover
There are times when an author can seem disconnected from a subject. When the book looks odd or contains information that directly contradicts things the reader knows to be true. It is highly unlikely the Douglas Bond is one of these authors. Bond begins his book Hostage Lands in a Latin class. The students are translating the Aeneid. The first few paragraphs of the book will give anyone who spent time in Latin class chills as they are catapulted back into their past. That alone was enough to make me trust this author. Nothing else that happened after that could really bother me. I guess I am trying to say that this book had a good opening.
Hostage Lands is about a bored young student in Latin class named Neil Perkins. Neil discovers an ancient manuscript and translates it. The story the manuscript tells is about the Romans in Britain during a chaotic period of history. This type of story telling has a name but I cannot remember what it is. All that matters is that this is a story within a story. The boy’s discovery of the tale of Rusticus, a Centurion who is attacked by his own people and finds hope in a Christian Celt is meant to reflect the feeling of discovery that many non-believers feel when they read and understand the Bible for the first time. That the story involves Celts fighting Romans is also good.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Anonymous God
The Anonymous God
Edited by David L. Adams, and Ken Schurb
Concordia Publishing House
3358 S. Jefferson Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63118-3968
©2004 287pp Soft Cover
God and County. What is it? Is God Country? Is Country God? Find out today! The Anonymous God is a collection of essays on the subject of civil religion and American society. In other words, is the religion people practice the religion of the Bible or are they worshiping the United States and pretending it is the Christian way. The articles contained in Anonymous God claim that a good citizen must both worship the God of the Bible and pay respect to the United States. The line can blur however and Anonymous God discusses and explains this process.
Anonymous God contains eight essays on the subject of civil religion and attempts to analyze it from a historical context. The contributors, two of whom were the editors, are all university and seminary professors. These essays explore the various pillars that the United States was built upon. These pillars include the scriptures, ancient civilizations, and the influence, or lack thereof, of Deists.
The Anonymous God was written for the modern American. In a time of internal and international strife, many Americans are flocking to their nation’s banner. However, this has lead to mistaking that banner for the banner of God. This has resulted in confusion and antagonism between Christians about what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God. The Anonymous God could help shed some light on the problem.
Edited by David L. Adams, and Ken Schurb
Concordia Publishing House
3358 S. Jefferson Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63118-3968
©2004 287pp Soft Cover
God and County. What is it? Is God Country? Is Country God? Find out today! The Anonymous God is a collection of essays on the subject of civil religion and American society. In other words, is the religion people practice the religion of the Bible or are they worshiping the United States and pretending it is the Christian way. The articles contained in Anonymous God claim that a good citizen must both worship the God of the Bible and pay respect to the United States. The line can blur however and Anonymous God discusses and explains this process.
Anonymous God contains eight essays on the subject of civil religion and attempts to analyze it from a historical context. The contributors, two of whom were the editors, are all university and seminary professors. These essays explore the various pillars that the United States was built upon. These pillars include the scriptures, ancient civilizations, and the influence, or lack thereof, of Deists.
The Anonymous God was written for the modern American. In a time of internal and international strife, many Americans are flocking to their nation’s banner. However, this has lead to mistaking that banner for the banner of God. This has resulted in confusion and antagonism between Christians about what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God. The Anonymous God could help shed some light on the problem.
Be Transformed
Be Transformed
by John Murray Robinson
Rock House Way Press
PO Box 187
Brentwood, TN 37024
©2007 181pp Soft Cover
Today, entire sections of libraries and bookstores are devoted to self-help books. Such books deal with a wide variety of personal problems and unhappy readers consume them like the chocolate, liquor, and brunettes they are currently trying to be free of. The net result is that now self-help books are almost as much of a problem as drugs and the authors are little more than dealers. Be Transformed is one self-help book that tries to be different.
The back cover states that the author was a fanatical atheist until age 26. At this point he found God and discovered that many of his personal problems were just symptoms of his lack of spiritual fulfillment. In short he learned that girls and candy are good but not the whole point of existence. God and His love are the point, no matter what your old philosophy professors taught you.
Over the course of 11 chapters Murphy explains his own journey into Christianity and even touches on the subject that dare not speak its name. That subject being new Christian syndrome. An almost euphoric state of joy that comes from a superficial conversion that does not actually help with the root problems and makes the sufferer hard to be around.
Be Transformed provides honest testimony from a man who went through the entire process of living as an atheist, realizing he had a problem, finding God, realizing the he had not found God yet, and finally growing into a true and happy believer and worshipper.
by John Murray Robinson
Rock House Way Press
PO Box 187
Brentwood, TN 37024
©2007 181pp Soft Cover
Today, entire sections of libraries and bookstores are devoted to self-help books. Such books deal with a wide variety of personal problems and unhappy readers consume them like the chocolate, liquor, and brunettes they are currently trying to be free of. The net result is that now self-help books are almost as much of a problem as drugs and the authors are little more than dealers. Be Transformed is one self-help book that tries to be different.
The back cover states that the author was a fanatical atheist until age 26. At this point he found God and discovered that many of his personal problems were just symptoms of his lack of spiritual fulfillment. In short he learned that girls and candy are good but not the whole point of existence. God and His love are the point, no matter what your old philosophy professors taught you.
Over the course of 11 chapters Murphy explains his own journey into Christianity and even touches on the subject that dare not speak its name. That subject being new Christian syndrome. An almost euphoric state of joy that comes from a superficial conversion that does not actually help with the root problems and makes the sufferer hard to be around.
Be Transformed provides honest testimony from a man who went through the entire process of living as an atheist, realizing he had a problem, finding God, realizing the he had not found God yet, and finally growing into a true and happy believer and worshipper.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Flames of Rome
The Flames of Rome
by Paul L. Maier
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©1981 445pp Soft Cover
Who likes historical novels? You know, novels that are like history books except they are novels and therefore do not involve homework. Well if you do not like these books go away. For the rest of the readers Paul Maier wrote a book, back in 81, about the Emperor Nero and his relationship with Christians and fire. The book is called The Flames of Rome.
The setting is Rome, naturally. We learn from the back cover, and the book if we read it, that the main character in the story is the mayor of Rome, a Christian convert named Flavius Sabinus. The name Sabinus reminds us of the Sabines, and the Roman conquest of them. Was this man descended from the Sabines, or their conquerors? Will he help the Christians conquer Rome, or will the Roman way conquer him? Is there any relevance to his name at all? Will Nero continue acting like a nutty brat who burns people to light parties? Did you retain anything from all of those Latin classes you took? Read The Flames of Rome and find out!
The book is divided in five smaller books and even has some historical notes at the end. Paul Maier has written several other books on the history of the early church. If you read this review than you should read them as well. After all, what is the point of reading book reviews if you never look into them?
by Paul L. Maier
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©1981 445pp Soft Cover
Who likes historical novels? You know, novels that are like history books except they are novels and therefore do not involve homework. Well if you do not like these books go away. For the rest of the readers Paul Maier wrote a book, back in 81, about the Emperor Nero and his relationship with Christians and fire. The book is called The Flames of Rome.
The setting is Rome, naturally. We learn from the back cover, and the book if we read it, that the main character in the story is the mayor of Rome, a Christian convert named Flavius Sabinus. The name Sabinus reminds us of the Sabines, and the Roman conquest of them. Was this man descended from the Sabines, or their conquerors? Will he help the Christians conquer Rome, or will the Roman way conquer him? Is there any relevance to his name at all? Will Nero continue acting like a nutty brat who burns people to light parties? Did you retain anything from all of those Latin classes you took? Read The Flames of Rome and find out!
The book is divided in five smaller books and even has some historical notes at the end. Paul Maier has written several other books on the history of the early church. If you read this review than you should read them as well. After all, what is the point of reading book reviews if you never look into them?
A Charmed Life: The Spirituality of Potterworld
A Charmed Life: The Spirituality of Potterworld
by Francis Bridger
Doubleday
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
©2002 164pp Soft Cover
Doubtless anyone reading this review is aware of and currently using the Internet. If you are that hip than you must also be aware of HARRY POTTER! Yep the little wizard that made an English woman into a really rich English woman. The stories have gotten enough attention over the years that they were doubtless going to be attacked and worshipped. Many Christians have said that the books encourage witchcraft, while many of the fans, known as Potheads, have violently disagreed. As the debate became more heated and civil wars were threatened the world over, one man stepped into the fray. That man was Francis Bridger.
Bridger wrote the book A Charmed Life: the Spirituality of Potterworld from an unusual perspective. He believed that whether J.K. Rowling intended it or not the Potter books are filled with good Christian values, and that the magic is mostly there as a sales gimmick. Now many Christians like the Harry Potter books but not too many of them were going to bother writing a book about the subject. It is for this reason that A Charmed Life becomes interesting. In a world where the number of books is increasing and the quality decreasing a nice fluffy book about a harmless topic is a welcome change. A Charmed Life is divided into six chapters on the subject of Christian symbolism in Harry Potter.
by Francis Bridger
Doubleday
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
©2002 164pp Soft Cover
Doubtless anyone reading this review is aware of and currently using the Internet. If you are that hip than you must also be aware of HARRY POTTER! Yep the little wizard that made an English woman into a really rich English woman. The stories have gotten enough attention over the years that they were doubtless going to be attacked and worshipped. Many Christians have said that the books encourage witchcraft, while many of the fans, known as Potheads, have violently disagreed. As the debate became more heated and civil wars were threatened the world over, one man stepped into the fray. That man was Francis Bridger.
Bridger wrote the book A Charmed Life: the Spirituality of Potterworld from an unusual perspective. He believed that whether J.K. Rowling intended it or not the Potter books are filled with good Christian values, and that the magic is mostly there as a sales gimmick. Now many Christians like the Harry Potter books but not too many of them were going to bother writing a book about the subject. It is for this reason that A Charmed Life becomes interesting. In a world where the number of books is increasing and the quality decreasing a nice fluffy book about a harmless topic is a welcome change. A Charmed Life is divided into six chapters on the subject of Christian symbolism in Harry Potter.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Praying at Burger King
Praying at Burger King
by Richard J. Mouw
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2140 Oak Industrial Drive N.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
©2007 134pp Soft Cover
Does being a Christian upset you? Do you wish you were cool like all the other heathens? Well too bad. God has you and there’s nothing you can do about it. However, He can make your life miserable as He drags you into heaven. Yet our modern culture demands secularism at all times. Richard Mouw looks into this odd conundrum of giving God His due in public and trying to fit in with your fellow men in the book Praying at Burger King. The book is a series of vignettes about various situations in which Christians wonder if they are acting too Christian to be cool.
Praying at Burger King provides light reading and will probably be most appreciated by teenagers. This is because, ironically, Mouw chooses to wuss out very early on in the book on the same subject he claims to be trying to defend. Mouw writes that he does not complain too much about the secularization of the Christmas and Easter holidays because Christians “abused” other people with their loud celebrations of them. This guy wants God to drag him kicking and screaming into heaven. Mouw also writes that he will sometimes not pray over a meal if it makes the other people at the table nervous. I personally have never found anyone who got nervous when I prayed over a meal. It is for these two reasons that the book will appeal to teenagers. It involves cheating on the topic, light reading, and trying to look cool. This is not to say that Praying at Burger King is a bad book, far from it, but it is to say that Mouw does not stick to his guns as well as he should. Hence give it to the misunderstood 14 year old in your life.
by Richard J. Mouw
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2140 Oak Industrial Drive N.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
©2007 134pp Soft Cover
Does being a Christian upset you? Do you wish you were cool like all the other heathens? Well too bad. God has you and there’s nothing you can do about it. However, He can make your life miserable as He drags you into heaven. Yet our modern culture demands secularism at all times. Richard Mouw looks into this odd conundrum of giving God His due in public and trying to fit in with your fellow men in the book Praying at Burger King. The book is a series of vignettes about various situations in which Christians wonder if they are acting too Christian to be cool.
Praying at Burger King provides light reading and will probably be most appreciated by teenagers. This is because, ironically, Mouw chooses to wuss out very early on in the book on the same subject he claims to be trying to defend. Mouw writes that he does not complain too much about the secularization of the Christmas and Easter holidays because Christians “abused” other people with their loud celebrations of them. This guy wants God to drag him kicking and screaming into heaven. Mouw also writes that he will sometimes not pray over a meal if it makes the other people at the table nervous. I personally have never found anyone who got nervous when I prayed over a meal. It is for these two reasons that the book will appeal to teenagers. It involves cheating on the topic, light reading, and trying to look cool. This is not to say that Praying at Burger King is a bad book, far from it, but it is to say that Mouw does not stick to his guns as well as he should. Hence give it to the misunderstood 14 year old in your life.
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Son Rises: Resurrecting the Resurrection
The Son Rises: Resurrecting the Resurrection
by Robert L. Wise
Regal Books
1957 Eastman Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
©2008 234pp Hard Cover
Robert L. Wise was having a thought one day. Wise thought that much of Christianity was being compromised to try and fit in with the modern world. Such things just are not kosher.
Therefore to help stem the tideway of heresy sweeping the land he wrote some books to help explain things to people. One of these books is The Son Rises: Resurrecting the Resurrection. In this book Wise talks about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and how it is the central point of the Christian religion. After all without it no one has had sins atoned for. That would be bad. Hell burns.
Wise’s book is written to remind us that while chocolate bunnies are awesome Jesus is better, and His death for our sins is the whole point of our faith, let alone Sunday morning as the Sabbath or Easter Sunday as a holiday.
The Son Rises Is divided into four parts and 17 chapters. Part I is The Situation. Part II is The Story. Part III is The Results. Part IV is The Discovery. Each section is designed to help guide the reader through the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
A word of warning though, different Christian denominations are different.
If you are unfamiliar with the stations of the cross, which Wise brings up at the end of the book, just remember it’s a Catholic thing. All is well.
by Robert L. Wise
Regal Books
1957 Eastman Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
©2008 234pp Hard Cover
Robert L. Wise was having a thought one day. Wise thought that much of Christianity was being compromised to try and fit in with the modern world. Such things just are not kosher.
Therefore to help stem the tideway of heresy sweeping the land he wrote some books to help explain things to people. One of these books is The Son Rises: Resurrecting the Resurrection. In this book Wise talks about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and how it is the central point of the Christian religion. After all without it no one has had sins atoned for. That would be bad. Hell burns.
Wise’s book is written to remind us that while chocolate bunnies are awesome Jesus is better, and His death for our sins is the whole point of our faith, let alone Sunday morning as the Sabbath or Easter Sunday as a holiday.
The Son Rises Is divided into four parts and 17 chapters. Part I is The Situation. Part II is The Story. Part III is The Results. Part IV is The Discovery. Each section is designed to help guide the reader through the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
A word of warning though, different Christian denominations are different.
If you are unfamiliar with the stations of the cross, which Wise brings up at the end of the book, just remember it’s a Catholic thing. All is well.
Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology
Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology
by John S. Hammett
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©2005 368pp Soft Cover
Is your Baptist church just not what it used to be? Have Mega-churches and heresy got you down? Well have no fear little brothers and sisters because John S. Hammet is here. In his book Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology he explains how to deal with ecclesiological problems in our modern seemingly ecclesiology free land. Yes that last sentence makes sense if you know what ecclesiology means.
Biblical Foundations is divided in five sections that explain what the church is, who the church is, how the church is governed, what the church does, and where it is going. These sections are composed of a total of 12 chapters. Proper use and understanding of these chapters may be of help to church leaders.
Biblical Foundations should be read by confused, new, Baptist preachers who are trying to figure out the framework for their jobs. After all, the religion is the key element but if you do not understand the structure of your organization then you have no way to efficiently impart that religion or deal with church problems now do you? So raise your hands to the sky! Shout Halleluiah! Run to your car! Go to the bookstore and save your congregation today! It is easier to be a Presbyterian though. With us there is no check-list so if you screw up it is fixable because God fixes stuff.
by John S. Hammett
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©2005 368pp Soft Cover
Is your Baptist church just not what it used to be? Have Mega-churches and heresy got you down? Well have no fear little brothers and sisters because John S. Hammet is here. In his book Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology he explains how to deal with ecclesiological problems in our modern seemingly ecclesiology free land. Yes that last sentence makes sense if you know what ecclesiology means.
Biblical Foundations is divided in five sections that explain what the church is, who the church is, how the church is governed, what the church does, and where it is going. These sections are composed of a total of 12 chapters. Proper use and understanding of these chapters may be of help to church leaders.
Biblical Foundations should be read by confused, new, Baptist preachers who are trying to figure out the framework for their jobs. After all, the religion is the key element but if you do not understand the structure of your organization then you have no way to efficiently impart that religion or deal with church problems now do you? So raise your hands to the sky! Shout Halleluiah! Run to your car! Go to the bookstore and save your congregation today! It is easier to be a Presbyterian though. With us there is no check-list so if you screw up it is fixable because God fixes stuff.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Black Rood
The Black Rood
by Stephen R. Lawhead
EOS Publishing
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
©2000 437pp Hard Cover
Who likes historical fiction that focuses on fiction more than history? You do not! Then stop reading. For the rest of you, book II of the Celtic Crusades should make you want to storm castles, reconquer the Holy Land, and demand an explanation from a terrified Israeli museum curator who insists that he is not hiding holy relics. Stephen Lawhead’s The Black Rood is about a knight who does just that. This Crusader discovers that part of the true cross is somewhere in the Holy Land and it is up to him to kill people to get it and get revenge on other people for various other reasons. Sword swinging awesomeness is about to commence.
Historical fiction usually involves taking real people and events and adding fictional characters to serve as the reader’s eyes and ears during the adventure. In this book it is Duncan, Son of Murdo who the reader will be questing with.
This is the middle book in a trilogy so it is probably a good idea to read book one before you get this one. Are you done reading book one yet? Good. Read The Black Rood and learn random facts about the Crusades today! But leave the poor curators alone. They probably have not read any historical fiction themselves and will no doubt be upset if you start to hurt them for information that they cannot possibly know.
by Stephen R. Lawhead
EOS Publishing
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
©2000 437pp Hard Cover
Who likes historical fiction that focuses on fiction more than history? You do not! Then stop reading. For the rest of you, book II of the Celtic Crusades should make you want to storm castles, reconquer the Holy Land, and demand an explanation from a terrified Israeli museum curator who insists that he is not hiding holy relics. Stephen Lawhead’s The Black Rood is about a knight who does just that. This Crusader discovers that part of the true cross is somewhere in the Holy Land and it is up to him to kill people to get it and get revenge on other people for various other reasons. Sword swinging awesomeness is about to commence.
Historical fiction usually involves taking real people and events and adding fictional characters to serve as the reader’s eyes and ears during the adventure. In this book it is Duncan, Son of Murdo who the reader will be questing with.
This is the middle book in a trilogy so it is probably a good idea to read book one before you get this one. Are you done reading book one yet? Good. Read The Black Rood and learn random facts about the Crusades today! But leave the poor curators alone. They probably have not read any historical fiction themselves and will no doubt be upset if you start to hurt them for information that they cannot possibly know.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A Surprise Finish
A Surprise Finish
Lynn Kirby
Tommy Nelson
PO Box 141000
Nashville, TN 37214
©1998 120pp Soft Cover
Book Four of the Winning Edge Series finds a young woman torn between her love of God and family, and her love of figure skating. The heroine Kristin is a 13 year-old girl who loves to skate but her father might become a missionary! That could be the end of that. This is the story of a teenage girl who is just getting used to the idea of responsibility and dealing with the consequences of her actions, and the actions of those around her.
A Surprise Finish is targeted toward teenage Christian girls who are trying to cope with adolescence. The back cover reveals that the author Lynn Kirby was herself a figure skater and has a daughter who skates competitively. This makes the book only partially fictional as Kirby doubtless had made some hard decisions about what she loved and helped find answers by taking them to God in prayer. As such these books would be good for the confused young adolescent in your home; it would be good for his sister as well.
Look for these books at any Christian bookstore and maybe even some of those heathen bookstores too. You might even try used bookstores. Amazing things can be found in those places and at reasonable prices. Thorough examination of the book contained therein is required though. Sometimes the employees get confused and put the Christian teenage figure skating books in with the science fiction novels.
Lynn Kirby
Tommy Nelson
PO Box 141000
Nashville, TN 37214
©1998 120pp Soft Cover
Book Four of the Winning Edge Series finds a young woman torn between her love of God and family, and her love of figure skating. The heroine Kristin is a 13 year-old girl who loves to skate but her father might become a missionary! That could be the end of that. This is the story of a teenage girl who is just getting used to the idea of responsibility and dealing with the consequences of her actions, and the actions of those around her.
A Surprise Finish is targeted toward teenage Christian girls who are trying to cope with adolescence. The back cover reveals that the author Lynn Kirby was herself a figure skater and has a daughter who skates competitively. This makes the book only partially fictional as Kirby doubtless had made some hard decisions about what she loved and helped find answers by taking them to God in prayer. As such these books would be good for the confused young adolescent in your home; it would be good for his sister as well.
Look for these books at any Christian bookstore and maybe even some of those heathen bookstores too. You might even try used bookstores. Amazing things can be found in those places and at reasonable prices. Thorough examination of the book contained therein is required though. Sometimes the employees get confused and put the Christian teenage figure skating books in with the science fiction novels.
Pig in a Taxi & Other African Adventures
Pig in a Taxi & Other African Adventures
by Suzanne Crocker
Baker Books
PO Box 6287
Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
©2006 174pp Soft Cover
Everyone loves a good, cracked out, nonsensical African missionary story right? Well if you do not you should because they are awesome. However not everything involving missionaries is going to end with a revolution, a stolen roof, and fifteen random wild animals chasing the local tax collector. Most of the time missionaries live in a world of extreme culture shock and some Christian ministry work. Usually missionaries convert some of the people and confuse the rest.
These everyday tales of missionary life have oft been forgotten but have now been collected in Suzanne Crocker’s Pig in a Taxi & Other African Adventures. This book tells the tale of five missionary trips, the first began in 1989 and the last ended in 2005. Within Pig in a Taxi the author reveals her, and her husband’s, naivety about how missionary life would work. In the second story she mentions how even bathing, suddenly became a hardship that required careful thought. Each story is only a few pages long so this is not exactly hard reading. For those who have been missionaries this book may provide some flashbacks to those heady days. For those who are considering the call to witness to the people, Pig in a Taxi might reveal the dark secret of missionaries the world over. Teaching the gospel to people in another country is really hard. Do not let the cover fool you though. The Pig does not drive the taxi.
by Suzanne Crocker
Baker Books
PO Box 6287
Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
©2006 174pp Soft Cover
Everyone loves a good, cracked out, nonsensical African missionary story right? Well if you do not you should because they are awesome. However not everything involving missionaries is going to end with a revolution, a stolen roof, and fifteen random wild animals chasing the local tax collector. Most of the time missionaries live in a world of extreme culture shock and some Christian ministry work. Usually missionaries convert some of the people and confuse the rest.
These everyday tales of missionary life have oft been forgotten but have now been collected in Suzanne Crocker’s Pig in a Taxi & Other African Adventures. This book tells the tale of five missionary trips, the first began in 1989 and the last ended in 2005. Within Pig in a Taxi the author reveals her, and her husband’s, naivety about how missionary life would work. In the second story she mentions how even bathing, suddenly became a hardship that required careful thought. Each story is only a few pages long so this is not exactly hard reading. For those who have been missionaries this book may provide some flashbacks to those heady days. For those who are considering the call to witness to the people, Pig in a Taxi might reveal the dark secret of missionaries the world over. Teaching the gospel to people in another country is really hard. Do not let the cover fool you though. The Pig does not drive the taxi.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Acts: An Ironside Expository Commentary
Acts: An Ironside Expository Commentary
by H.A. Ironside
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©1920, 2007 367pp Hard Cover
Who loves Bible commentaries? Everyone does! That’s why H.A. Ironside wrote so many. So here for the reading pleasure of boys and girls of all ages is Acts: An Ironside Expository Commentary. This time our rascally writer has his hands full trying to cover the entire book of Acts in one volume! The commentary is 45 lectures long each one filled with valuable information on different segments of the book of Acts. In that particular book, Jesus appears just long enough to say goodbye to his followers and start them on the road to converting the whole world. So to fulfill His orders the boys pick a new disciple, Mathias, and they’re off to change the hearts of and minds of Romans and other furry animals.
For those of you already familiar with the works of H.A. Ironside it is more of the same serious commentary that you have come to expect. For those readers not familiar with him it is a serious commentary. So for the Christian who wants to study the Bible, this book can be an invaluable tool. For the Christian who is sick of “Christian novels” that look suspiciously like romance novels, Acts: An Ironside Expository Commentary is a breath of fresh air. For the Atheist who is randomly looking things up, the writings of Ironside might present the Bible in a way you never wanted. So read it and let it corrupt the innermost thoughts of that skeptical mind.
by H.A. Ironside
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©1920, 2007 367pp Hard Cover
Who loves Bible commentaries? Everyone does! That’s why H.A. Ironside wrote so many. So here for the reading pleasure of boys and girls of all ages is Acts: An Ironside Expository Commentary. This time our rascally writer has his hands full trying to cover the entire book of Acts in one volume! The commentary is 45 lectures long each one filled with valuable information on different segments of the book of Acts. In that particular book, Jesus appears just long enough to say goodbye to his followers and start them on the road to converting the whole world. So to fulfill His orders the boys pick a new disciple, Mathias, and they’re off to change the hearts of and minds of Romans and other furry animals.
For those of you already familiar with the works of H.A. Ironside it is more of the same serious commentary that you have come to expect. For those readers not familiar with him it is a serious commentary. So for the Christian who wants to study the Bible, this book can be an invaluable tool. For the Christian who is sick of “Christian novels” that look suspiciously like romance novels, Acts: An Ironside Expository Commentary is a breath of fresh air. For the Atheist who is randomly looking things up, the writings of Ironside might present the Bible in a way you never wanted. So read it and let it corrupt the innermost thoughts of that skeptical mind.
The Treasure Seekers
The Treasure Seekers
by Patricia Hickman
Bethany House Publishers
11300 Hampshire Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438
©1998 364pp Soft Cover
Ah, the romance novel. From what I was able to learn from English class, old girlfriends, buddy’s girlfriends/wives, and one episode of Remington Steele these books are filled with strange places, bawdy wenches, strong pretty boys, long pornographic sections, and evil creditors sometimes known as debt collectors. This formula has been used for generations to separate lonely girls from their money. Thus do the girls find a delightful escape and the publishing company gets money to squander on fully stocked liquor cabinets. The Treasure Seekers is not one of these books. Well it sort of is but it really is not. Figure on most of the description above but without the pornography, or the bawdiness. Sort of like a more readable version of Jane Austin’s books.
The Treasure Seekers is the fifth book in the Land of the Far Horizon series by Patricia Hickman. The novel concerns a young woman named Annie Carroway. As the book begins the heroine’s (naturally) poor widowed mother is (of course) in severe debt and so (as always) sells the family farm in England to her rich brother-in-law and moves to Australia. Upon arriving Annie finds a handsome young man in trouble with the law and they both must work together to get out of the mess they are in. The book is divided into parts. Part one is the set up. Part two people decide to get married. Part three they get married have a kid and hug; In that order. Patricia Hickman has been writing books for some time and is married to a minister.
by Patricia Hickman
Bethany House Publishers
11300 Hampshire Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438
©1998 364pp Soft Cover
Ah, the romance novel. From what I was able to learn from English class, old girlfriends, buddy’s girlfriends/wives, and one episode of Remington Steele these books are filled with strange places, bawdy wenches, strong pretty boys, long pornographic sections, and evil creditors sometimes known as debt collectors. This formula has been used for generations to separate lonely girls from their money. Thus do the girls find a delightful escape and the publishing company gets money to squander on fully stocked liquor cabinets. The Treasure Seekers is not one of these books. Well it sort of is but it really is not. Figure on most of the description above but without the pornography, or the bawdiness. Sort of like a more readable version of Jane Austin’s books.
The Treasure Seekers is the fifth book in the Land of the Far Horizon series by Patricia Hickman. The novel concerns a young woman named Annie Carroway. As the book begins the heroine’s (naturally) poor widowed mother is (of course) in severe debt and so (as always) sells the family farm in England to her rich brother-in-law and moves to Australia. Upon arriving Annie finds a handsome young man in trouble with the law and they both must work together to get out of the mess they are in. The book is divided into parts. Part one is the set up. Part two people decide to get married. Part three they get married have a kid and hug; In that order. Patricia Hickman has been writing books for some time and is married to a minister.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Trouble of Mind and the Disease of Melancholy
Trouble of Mind and the Disease of Melancholy
by Timothy Rogers
Soli Deo Gloria Ministries Inc
PO BOX 451
Morgan, PA 15064
©1658, 2002 396pp Hard Cover
The self-help book is an entity, which many would believe began in the late 20th Century. This is not the case. Timothy Rogers originally published Trouble of Mind and the Disease of Melancholy in the late17th Century. The back cover reveals that Rogers was a Puritan minister who suffered from clinical and spiritual depression. Rogers overcame these and wrote a book on the matter.
While many books focus on the author’s life, Rogers focused his book on the scriptures and used his own life as an example of how they could be applied to help someone with depression. While much of the writings of the past are ignored, or in the case of the Puritans mocked, this book has found a place in a modern world filled with people who worry too much about silly fears, such as Puritans coming to make life boring. Trouble of Mind could provide some comfort for those suffering from depression because the author had it and found relief in the word of God and taking charge of his own life without blaming his problems completely on sin or the interference of others.
Admittedly it was written over 300 years ago but the King James Bible was also translated then. If you can understand it you can definitely understand Trouble of Mind. This book is also conveniently divided into three parts and 31 chapters.
by Timothy Rogers
Soli Deo Gloria Ministries Inc
PO BOX 451
Morgan, PA 15064
©1658, 2002 396pp Hard Cover
The self-help book is an entity, which many would believe began in the late 20th Century. This is not the case. Timothy Rogers originally published Trouble of Mind and the Disease of Melancholy in the late17th Century. The back cover reveals that Rogers was a Puritan minister who suffered from clinical and spiritual depression. Rogers overcame these and wrote a book on the matter.
While many books focus on the author’s life, Rogers focused his book on the scriptures and used his own life as an example of how they could be applied to help someone with depression. While much of the writings of the past are ignored, or in the case of the Puritans mocked, this book has found a place in a modern world filled with people who worry too much about silly fears, such as Puritans coming to make life boring. Trouble of Mind could provide some comfort for those suffering from depression because the author had it and found relief in the word of God and taking charge of his own life without blaming his problems completely on sin or the interference of others.
Admittedly it was written over 300 years ago but the King James Bible was also translated then. If you can understand it you can definitely understand Trouble of Mind. This book is also conveniently divided into three parts and 31 chapters.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Damsels in Distress
Damsels in Distress: Biblical Solutions for Problems Women Face
by Martha Peace
P&R Publishing Company
PO BOX 817
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
©2006 187pp Soft Cover
A Damsel in Distress makes for a weak but popular form of alliteration. Typically used in conjunction with film and literary sources, Martha Peace instead uses it to reference real world problems that modern Christian women face. Peace’s book looks at how gals interact with each other, their families, and their internal struggles.
The book is divided into four sections and these sections subdivided into chapters. These chapters have interesting titles such as, Well isn’t it Ok if my mother told me?: Gossip and Slander. This writing style avoids dancing around the problems it seeks to address. It is as though Mrs. Peace is declaring war on politeness to get to the point.
Unlike many modern books on women, Peace’s seeks to use Biblical references and examples to help the modern Christian woman find her place in society. That place being obeying God the same way men are supposed to. In other words, to any male readers out there who are hoping for a synopsis on Buster Keaton movies and their effects on modern film you will be disappointed. This book was written by a woman for other women to read so it will probably bore men to tears. On the other hand if you have a woman in your life who is a little odd, this might be the book for her, next to the Bible of course. She will need that one as well to get the biblical references.
by Martha Peace
P&R Publishing Company
PO BOX 817
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
©2006 187pp Soft Cover
A Damsel in Distress makes for a weak but popular form of alliteration. Typically used in conjunction with film and literary sources, Martha Peace instead uses it to reference real world problems that modern Christian women face. Peace’s book looks at how gals interact with each other, their families, and their internal struggles.
The book is divided into four sections and these sections subdivided into chapters. These chapters have interesting titles such as, Well isn’t it Ok if my mother told me?: Gossip and Slander. This writing style avoids dancing around the problems it seeks to address. It is as though Mrs. Peace is declaring war on politeness to get to the point.
Unlike many modern books on women, Peace’s seeks to use Biblical references and examples to help the modern Christian woman find her place in society. That place being obeying God the same way men are supposed to. In other words, to any male readers out there who are hoping for a synopsis on Buster Keaton movies and their effects on modern film you will be disappointed. This book was written by a woman for other women to read so it will probably bore men to tears. On the other hand if you have a woman in your life who is a little odd, this might be the book for her, next to the Bible of course. She will need that one as well to get the biblical references.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Jesus Our Lord
Jesus Our Lord
by John Phillips
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©2007 299pp Soft Cover
Understanding our relationship with the Trinity in general and Jesus Christ in particular is surprisingly hard for many Christians, especially Americans. God is frequently relegated to an otherworldly grandfather, Jesus as our hippy buddy, and the Holy Ghost as the part of the Trinity who is just too hard to figure out.
People like to feel in charge of their lives and none more so than Americans. As the country that first really gave controlled anarchy a try, the United States is a nation of men and women who like to have a say in any given decision in the government. Noble classes are illegal and as such many people just do not understand that God is King no matter who you voted for. John Phillips’ book Jesus Our Lord tries to explain to modern readers that Jesus is our lord and must be obeyed. Not only that, but Phillips quite nicely tries to explain what a lord is to a society that has forcibly forgotten the concept. Not that Republican Democracy is wrong, but it serves as good temporal system of government, not a spiritual one.
Jesus Our Lord tries in 24 chapters to explain how Jesus is in charge and what that means our obligations to Him are. Examples of His office are given throughout the Bible beginning with the Old Testament prophecies of His coming. Over the course of the book Phillips gives his readers something to think about when they question biblical teachings that do not suite their own opinions.
by John Phillips
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
©2007 299pp Soft Cover
Understanding our relationship with the Trinity in general and Jesus Christ in particular is surprisingly hard for many Christians, especially Americans. God is frequently relegated to an otherworldly grandfather, Jesus as our hippy buddy, and the Holy Ghost as the part of the Trinity who is just too hard to figure out.
People like to feel in charge of their lives and none more so than Americans. As the country that first really gave controlled anarchy a try, the United States is a nation of men and women who like to have a say in any given decision in the government. Noble classes are illegal and as such many people just do not understand that God is King no matter who you voted for. John Phillips’ book Jesus Our Lord tries to explain to modern readers that Jesus is our lord and must be obeyed. Not only that, but Phillips quite nicely tries to explain what a lord is to a society that has forcibly forgotten the concept. Not that Republican Democracy is wrong, but it serves as good temporal system of government, not a spiritual one.
Jesus Our Lord tries in 24 chapters to explain how Jesus is in charge and what that means our obligations to Him are. Examples of His office are given throughout the Bible beginning with the Old Testament prophecies of His coming. Over the course of the book Phillips gives his readers something to think about when they question biblical teachings that do not suite their own opinions.
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