Beneath the Crust: 2010

1. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis (Book 3 in the Chronicles of Narnia) by CS Lewis (1952). I suppose that the inevitable release of the third movie in the Narnia series led me to read this classic. I have read most of the books in the series and I have enjoyed them. This one is no different. I particularly enjoyed the image of Aslan reclothing Eustance. 3 stars.

2. What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage by Paul David Tripp (2010). I picked up this book at a recent marriage counseling conference at the recommendation of one of the Crossway employees. He described it as the "best book on marriage that he has ever read." Tripp's book is indeed good. It follows a recent trend of certain Christian living books that are grace saturated rather than filled with a list of rules. In truth, he does provide numerous suggestions for marital enrichment and protection, but always in view of the cross of Christ. This book would be a wonderful gift for newly married couples. It would also be a wonderful gift for those married 30 years. 4 stars.

3. Comforts from the Cross: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time by Elyse Fitzpatrick (2009). I picked up this 31 day devotional because I was quite impressed with her book Counsel from the Cross. I liked this one less, though the themes were still deeply grace saturated. The author's purpose seemed to be to help her readers get outside of themselves, realize their brokenness and find their hope in the cross of Christ. 3.5 stars.

4. The Gospel-Driven Life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World by Michael Horton (2010). This book is Horton's Follow up to Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church, which I think was the stronger book. In this book, he employs the concept of a newspaper in describing how we Christians are called to share the Good News. Although this was a good book, it wasn't his strongest. I look forward to the expected third in the series focusing on the Great Commission. 4 stars.

5. Romans (St. Andrew's Expositional Commentary) by RC Sproul (2009). I looked forward to reading this book for a long time. This is an "expositional" commentary where the author works his way through the book of Romans interpreting, or expositing, the Word. I was not disappointed and this book helped me in my understanding of Romans. I look forward to working my way through other commentaries in this series as well as commentaries by different authors. 4 stars.

6. Hello, I Love You: Adventures in Adoptive Fatherhood by Ted Kluck (2010). I received this book for Christmas. I had seen the title around the Christian adoption world as particularly appropriate for adoptive fathers. Kluck presents his observations and experiences as an adoptive father of two young boys from the Ukraine. He chronicles their journey, the good and the bad. It is laugh out loud funny in many places. Somewhat uniquely, we read this book aloud as a family, a tradition I hope to continue. 4.5 stars.

7. What He Must Be: ...If He Wants to Marry My Daughter by Voddie Baucham Jr (2009). After reading Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God, an earlier book by Baucham, I was quite intrigued by this title. If that book was hard-hitting, this one was more so. Baucham has a high calling for fathers in their daughters courtships, marriages, and lives. He has very high expectations for the men who may eventually marry his daughters. As I look around the church, I see very few men who would meet this standard (including some of those who are married), which made me wonder if it is realistic. With that said, simply because there are few worthwhile candidates, it does not mean compromise is acceptable. The only reason for the 4 rating here was the somewhat out of place conclusion that did not seem to fit the rest of the book. 4 stars.

31 December 2010

Book Notes-December 2010

2010 Book List