Book Notes-October 2010

1.  Job by John Piper (2008).  John Piper wrote an interpretive poem regarding the book of Job.  It provides a unique perspective on Job.  When combined with the excellent artwork, makes it an enlightening read. 3.5 stars.

2.  Does Grace Grow Best in Winter? by Ligon Duncan and J Nicholas Reid (2009).  The short volume by Duncan and Reid deals with the issue of suffering, particularly from the perspective of Christians.  The book, clearly developed from a series of sermons, is scripture saturated and a relatively easy read.  He was repetitive at times.  (I cannot believe this is coming from my mouth, but) I would have appreciated it more with additional practical application.  It is a quick, useful read, but I have read books about suffering in the past year that have moved me more deeply.  3 stars.

3.  If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn (2009).  This 500 page tome on evil and suffering is wide ranging, informative, and challenging.   Alcorn presents numerous personal examples and narratives that flesh out his points made about the role of suffering for the Christian.  In his treatment of the subject, he not only addresses evil and suffering per se, but apologetics, sanctification, sovereignty/free will, and a host of other topics as well.  For anyone wondering how an omnibenevolent and omnipotent God can allow evil and suffering, this book is for you.  Take time to digest the nearly 50 chapters that address the topic with excellence.  5 stars.

4.  Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton (2008).  This is apparently the first book of a trilogy that Mike Horton is writing.  The second is The Gospel-Driven Life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World and the third, which focuses on the great commission, is not yet released.  Horton issues a strong challenge to the American church, asking why the Good News has been replaced with a focus on ourselves, on mysticism, or on moralism.  He makes a strong case that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only news that matters, but that we seem to have lost sight of that in the American church.  This book is a challenging read (not technically, but cognitively) but should be read by church leaders and parishoners alike, even if you end up disagreeing with Horton at points.  4 stars

5. What Is the Gospel? (9Marks) by Greg Gilbert (2010).  This little book helps to answer what is the Gospel, what is the good news.  The author makes it clear that there is a lot of misinformation about what the gospel actually is.  This book is good for believers and nonbelievers alike.  3.5 stars.

6. The God Who Is There by Francis Schaeffer (1968).  Schaeffer was a visionary Christian in the 20th century.  He was deeply intellectual, demonstrating a more than passable knowledge of philosophy, art, music, theology, and psychology.  He was fully able to think deeply about God and man, yet he used his abilities to love people--both believers and unbelievers.  This book demonstrates the origin of despair for modern man and the answer.  Schaeffer offers not just a band-aid, but a deeply satisfying answer in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Though I felt bogged down at times early on, I am glad I persisted as I found myself nodding in assent as I continued through the latter half of the book.  4 stars.

7.  Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God by John Piper (2010).  Piper addressed the issue of the importance of the Christian mind.  He beckons us to think, to read, to engage our minds to the glory of God.  He persuasively argues against anti-intellectualism that is all too common in modern evangelicalism, yet he similarly cautions against intellectual snobbery that is grounded in pride.  His consistent appreciation for Jonathan Edwards, who linked the mind and affections, came through here strongly.  4 stars.

8.  Helping Children Understand the Gospel by Sally Michael, Jill Nelson and Bud Burk (2009).  This useful little booklet discusses how to present the gospel to our children touching, importantly, upon developmental stage.  Further, it goes through 10 devotionals to actually present the gospel.  4 stars.

9.  Why Johnny Can't Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers by T David Gordon (2009).  This interesting volume was written by a media ecologist addressing that decline of preaching in society.  He points a finger at the changes in media as a significant cause of poor preaching.  Members of society in general no longer wrestle through larger texts, instead relying upon easier forms of communication such as the telephone and internet.  Although I am not a preacher, I found this book to be an interesting perspective on one of the plagues of modern communication and persuasion.  3.5 stars