I haven’t put any book reviews on here in about five months, but I’ve added a whole lot on my personal blog. Here’s a quick summary of the books I’ve reviewed since my last post on here, with links to the full reviews for those who are interested in learning more. Lots of great books out there (I’ve only included here the ones that I recommend)!
“Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper
One of the most influential books in my life. If you want to kick-start your passionate pursuit of God, this one will do it!
Recommended for: Absolutely everyone. Read the full review.
“The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name” by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Easily the best children’s Bible I’ve seen. It presents every story as more than a story, by constantly pointing to Jesus Christ. Nate’s not quite old enough for this one, but he still loves to look at the pictures!
Recommended for: Anyone with young children or grandchildren. Read the full review.
“Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God” by J.I. Packer
Re-read this on the 50th anniversary of it’s publishing. It’s a modern classic that brilliantly deals with arguably the most difficult concept in Scripture: reconciling God’s sovereignty with man’s responsibility.
Recommended for: Anyone with a heart for seeing lost people saved… which had better be you! Read the full review.
“The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind The Lord of the Rings” by Peter Kreeft
An educational and enjoyable investigation of the philosophical worldview of J.R.R. Tolkien evidenced in his books about Middle-Earth.
Recommended for: Fans of the LOTR series. Read the full review.
“Handel’s Messiah: Comfort for God’s People” by Calvin Stapert
A professor of music from Calvin College writes about the history and significance of one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of music… and one of my personal favorites!
Recommended for: Those who love Handel’s Messiah, or music history. Read the full review.
“The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men” by Dr. Richard D. Phillips
A short but excellent book focusing on God’s calling for men at home, work, and church. Much more Scripturally sound than many other popular men’s books, such as Wild At Heart.
Recommended for: Men and the women who love them. Read the full review.
“Religion Saves (and Nine Other Misconceptions)” by Mark Driscoll
A sermon series preached by Mark Driscoll to address nine big questions collected in an online poll, expanded and edited into book form.
Recommended for: Those who have questions about things like birth control, sex, and predestination. Read the full review.
“The Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges
God tells us to “be holy as I am holy”… but how do we do that? This is one of the best attempts to answer that question. A book to read over and over.
Recommended for: All Christians. Read the full review.
“Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality” by Wesley Hill
A thought-provoking and heart-wrenching testimony of a Christian man tempted with homosexual desires, who has chosen celibate obedience to God’s Word and reliance upon the Holy Spirit to resist temptation.
Recommended for: Those with a heart for ministry to people experiencing same-sex attraction. Read the full review.
“Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling” by Andy Crouch
A very influential book about the Christian’s role in influencing culture. Lots to think about in this one… I’ll probably read it again at some point.
Recommended for: Christians who wonder how best they can make a difference in the world using the gifts God has given them. Read the full review.
“The Sword: A Novel (Chiveis Trilogy Book 1)” by Brian Litfin
The first in a new fantasy fiction series set several centuries in Earth’s future, where a supervirus and nuclear war have killed off most of the population and sent the world back to the bronze age. After hundreds of years of polytheistic religion, God’s Word is rediscovered and once again begins to turn the world upside down.
Recommended for: Fans of fantasy fiction, or those who just love a good story. Read the full review.
“The Betrayal: A Novel on John Calvin” by Douglas Bond
Another novel, this one a work of historical fiction. The story follows the life of John Calvin through the eyes of a lifelong rival. More exciting than a traditional biography, but contains many quotes from historical works by Calvin and other great Reformers.
Recommended for: Those with an interest in church history or historical fiction. Read the full review.
“The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate” by John H. Walton
A controversial book published in 2009 proposing a very non-traditional reading of the Bible’s first chapter. I can’t affirm all of the author’s conclusions, but I was fascinated by this book. I love books that make me re-think my convictions.
Recommended for: Those interested in the creation/evolution debate. Read the full review here.
“Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion” by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
A response against the dearth of anti-church books that have hit the shelves of Christian bookstores in the last decade. It is refreshing to hear a rational, honest appeal for Christians to love and actively participate in the life of Christ’s bride.
Recommended for: Anyone, but especially those who are disillusioned or disappointed with the church. Read the full review.
There have been a lot of books written recently about what should “drive” the life of a Christian. This one brings the focus back to where it must always be: the gospel of Jesus Christ, and our responsibility to proclaim it in word and deed to a world that desperately needs it.
Recommended for: Everybody; we can all use more gospel, and Horton is a wonderful teacher. Read the full review.
“Romans (St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary)” by R.C. Sproul
One of my favorite preachers writing a commentary on the best book in the Bible = a winning combination! I’ve now read the first two commentaries in this series and both have been excellent. I can’t wait to continue the series as more are published!
Recommended for: Serious students of God’s Word looking for a substantial but readable (i.e. – not too academic) commentary on the book of Romans. Read the full review.
“From the Library of A.W. Tozer: Selections from Writers Who Influences His Spiritual Journey” complied by James Stuart Bell
A unique concept. Bell has compiled a daily reader focusing on eight themes prominent in the writing os A.W. Tozer. The readings are taken from books found in Tozer’s personal library; he was known as a voracious reader of good books… no wonder I like him so much!
Recommended for: Tozer fans, and those looking for a good introduction into the writings of great authors from throughout church history. Read the full review.
“The Gospel and the Mind: Recovering and Shaping the Intellectual Life” by Bradley Green
A professor of theology from Union University traces the connection between the intellect and the Christian faith, and why institutions of learning have always followed the spread of the gospel.
Recommended for: People who are tired of hearing that Christianity must be anti-intellect. Read the full review.
Any books you’d like to recommend? Share them in the comments!
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