Christian Book Notes

The Word of Promise–NKJV New Testament audio Bible (unabridged).  Thomas Nelson, 2007.  $49.99.  Purchase at Amazon for $19.50 or less!

Introduction

While the Holy Bible needs no introduction, perhaps it would do well to explain this project in a bit more detail.

The cast of this particular audio Bible is breathtaking.  From Jim Caviezel as Jesus to Marissa Tomei as Mary Magdalene, they leave no character untouched.  Even Hank Hanegraaff makes an appearance as an angel in the book of Revelation.  The man who plays Matthew, John Heard, actually reads the gospel of Matthew.  The thematic music helps with the flow of the reading as well as the dramatization of it all.  The entire cast, both Old and New Testament, consists of over 600 people!  You can check out a highlighted list of cast members here.  You can access the website for more details here.

Critical Review

Ok, I am not going to review the Bible.  What I am going to do is offer a review of the audio as well as the cast of characters and such.

Cast

Obviously, the cast is star-studded.  Some of the actors make sense.  For example, Jim Caviezel playing Jesus makes a lot of sense with his role as Christ in The Passion of the Christ.  Hank Hanegraaff makes sense as an angel with the success of his apocalyptic series co-authored with Sigmund Brouwer.  The interplay of the various voices helps children to know that “real people” were in the Bible.  It also helps the Bible to “come alive” as it were to hear all of the different voices–it is very easy to get in a rut when reading the Bible.  This dramatized version does not allow for that to happen.

What I struggle to completely accept is Luke Perry as Judas and Stephen and John Schneider as James.  Whenever I hear them speaking, I hear Dillon of Beverly Hills 90210 and Bo Duke of the Dukes of Hazzard (I grew up with the Dukes, could’ve care less about 90210).  It is somewhat distracting to have visuals of the General Lee or bar room brawls when you are being exhorted to “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20-21). Or to think of Dillon and all of his escapades in Beverly Hills when you are listening to Stephen cry out to God to forgive those who are stoning him in Acts 7.

Audio

The original music is second to none insofar as dramatized Bibles are concerned.  Sometimes the background music takes away from the content of the story.  In the case of The Word of Promise, the background music greatly enhances the story telling.

Another quality of the audio found in The Word of Promise are the sound effects.  For example, when John the Baptist’s head is cut off in Matthew 14:10, you actually hear the sword being unsheathed, sliced through the air, down onto the chopping block and then moments later a thud.  It is quite graphic and that is a good thing.  You also can hear the people walking or the oars slapping the water as Christ and His disciples row out to sea.

Misc.

Perhaps the only other negative, in my estimation, is the break between chapters of the Bible.  It is not noticeable when the chapters in Scripture actually break along story lines, but when the chapter comes in the middle of a thought or story, it is quite annoying.  Regardless, that is easily overcome and dealt with given the quality of the production.

Recommendation

While there are some noted negatives, The Word of Promise is, without a doubt, one of the best audio Bibles I have come across.  I was blown away by the quality of the production.  I have used Max McLean for years, but my children have not found him as interesting as I have.

When playing Matthew for the kids on a drive, I found that my boys (5, 3, and 2) were enraptured by the audio.  The next day, my oldest drew the three crosses on Calvary with an earthquake (using arrows at the bottom of the picture) and storm clouds and lightening at the top because of the dramatization of the audio.  Too be honest, I didn’t even think he was listening at that point because it had already been 90 minutes or so of listening to the Bible.

I highly recommend The Word of Promise for anyone wanting to listen to an audio Bible.  You can listen to Darth Vadar read the Bible or you can listen to an entire cast of characters “live” the Bible.  The Word of Promise also makes for an excellent family worship resource as your children will undoubtedly want to listen to more!  Amazon has some seriously awesome deals on The Word of Promise from just the New Testament to the entire Holy Bible.

Piper, John.  A Sweet & Bitter Providence:  Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010.  160 pp.  $17.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $11.69.

Audiobook

Narrated by Grover Gardner.  Escondido: christianaudio Hovel.  3.8 hours.  Download–$9.98, CD–$15.98

Introduction

Seriously, John Piper needs no introduction, but perhaps the book of Ruth does. Situated right after the book of Judges and just before the establishment of the monarchy, we read of a widow and her widowed daughter-in-law. Ruth is certainly a love story through and through, but many wonder how it speaks to us today. John Piper has offered his faithful exegesis and application of the book of Ruth in his latest book, A Sweet & Bitter Providence.

Summary

A short book, this one is divided into four chapters. The first chapter discusses God’s providence in allowing life to happen to Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah. Chapter two looks at how God guided and directed the paths of Ruth and Naomi to the city of a kinsmen redeemer. And not just any kinsmen redeemer, but one who would be able to provide for Ruth.

The third chapter describes strategic righteousness. Strategic righteousness is not a man or woman manipulating life’s events so that all works out for his or her good. Rather, strategic righteousness is rooted in the hope that God is going to work all things for one’s good. Chapter four concludes with the Christ-exalting application that Piper is known for (and I praise God for that!). Here, Piper shows how we, as the redeemed of Christ, are to make Him renowned in the world just as Ruth did with Boaz.

Audio/Content Review

Grover Gardner, a common voice heard on christianaudio, reads this book extraordinarily well. I have listened to a couple of the books he has read and have found him to sometimes be out of place. I cannot figure out why exactly–other than I “hear” John Piper or Donald S. Whitney whenever I read one of their books–but his voice just does not seem quite right.

That is not to say that he does not do a good job. On the contrary, he does a wonderful job. This is probably why when you check out the list of books he has read for christianaudio, you find authors like J.I. Packer, John Piper, Donald S. Whitney, Eugene Peterson, etc. In the case of A Sweet & Bitter Providence, I could hear John Piper teaching even though it was Grover Gardner reading–if that makes any sense at all.

The content of the book is right on–especially in today’s pluralistic society. Piper takes us straight to the throne room of God to see that sex is indeed a beautiful and glorious gift. We see that while many frown on inter-racial relationships, God, in His providence, ordained it such that Christ would descend from such a relationship.

Recommendation

A Sweet & Bitter Providence offers a glorious look “behind the scenes” as it were of what God was doing in the life of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. There is much to be gleaned from this short book of the Bible. We are indebted to John Piper for offering his thoughts on this book and even more so the application of this book for our lives today.

DeYoung, Kevin. Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2009. 128 pp. $10.99. Purchase the book at Westminster for $7.69.

Audiobook

Narrated by Adam Verner. Escondido: christianaudio Hovel. 3 hours. Download–$9.98, CD–$15.98.

Introduction

A search on Amazon for books on God’s Will returns over 231,000 results.  Everyone wants to know what God’s will is for their life.  Not everyone wants to actually do God’s will for their lives.  Kevin DeYoung challenges many preconceived notions in his book Just Do Something.

Summary

In an extremely short book, Kevin DeYoung begins by smashing what many use as a crutch–trying to discern the will of God.  He states at the end of chapter one that our seeking the will of God has enabled us to postpone growing up.  He likens our seeking the will of God as asking the great Magic 8-Ball whether or not we should eat at McDonald’s or Arby’s.

There is a better way.  DeYoung explains what that is and what it looks like in the Christian’s life.  Basically, the title of the books says it all…Just do something!  Though some might think that just doing something is aimless, we are presented with the tools (think prayer and Scripture reading) to discern God’s will in your life.  It is at this point that you are able to know that you are walking in the will of God.

Audio/Content Review

Adam Verner does not read this book in a dry, formal manner.  He reads more as though he is your pastor and you are discussing the matter of seeking God’s will for your life at your local coffee shop.  I appreciated his voice inflection as well as his tempo in reading.

The content of the book was dead on.  Kevin DeYoung nails it as far as the paralysis of analysis that grips many young Christians today.  We have made an idol out of seeking God’s will and Kevin attempts to rectify this in 128 short pages.  His use of Scripture helps to elucidate his solution to the problem which in the end is a biblical solution.

Recommendation

Just Do Something is a book that needs to be read by every Christian, young and old.  The book can be read in one sitting if you have the time (say 2 1/2 hours).  It makes for an excellent study for youth groups and adult bible study groups.  Kevin DeYoung offers many morsels to chew on when it comes to discerning God’s will for one’s life.  Having the book to read is great–you will mark it up with your fountain pen.  Having the book to listen to was even more of a bonus–I felt as though I was in the middle of a conversation.  Adam Verner really makes listening to the book an enjoyable experience.

Introduction

Max McLean is President of Fellowship for the Performing Arts, narrator for the Listener’s Bible audio line, and speaker on the daily radio program Listen to the Bible which airs on over 670 radio affiliates worldwide.  You can instantly download the mp3 audio from christianaudio for $47.98 (The Pilgrim’s Progress can be downloaded separately) or you can purchase the edition which includes The Pilgrim’s Progress at Westminster Books for $44.99. The particular Classics of the Christian Faith I reviewed did not include John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Review

Max McLean has become the voice of the Bible with his Listener’s Bible in various translations. Now, he has narrated some of the most beloved sermons, speeches, and writings ever uttered in the history of Christianity. Included in the Classics of the Christian Faith set is George Whitefield’s The Method of Grace, Jonathan Edwards’ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Here I Stand the speech given by Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, and The Conversion of St. Augustine as told by Augustine himself in his biography, The Confessions of St. Augustine.

McLean’s rendition of both Luther and Augustine’s was excellent in their own right.  The additional contextual information provided by Max at the beginning of both narrations helped immensely in understanding the context of what was taking place. The narration of Edwards and Whitefield’s, however, deserves much attention.

George Whitefield was known for his ability to command an audience whenever he spoke.  He was arguably the greatest orator of his time.  Max McLean played that to the hilt as only Max can do.  The dramatic pauses and variation of speech tempo was very much appreciated.  His voice would raise to a crescendo and then fall to a whisper at just the right moment.  I was listening to this sermon while driving my car and, on a couple occasions, wanted to pull over and repent of sins as though it were the first time I had ever heard the gospel preached.  This sermon alone is worth the price of the set.  It makes an excellent resource to share with an unbeliever willing to listen.

After listening to his version of Whitefield, I thought I would have to take him to task for being too dramatic when reading Jonathan Edwards’ sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.  I was wrong.  You see, Jonathan Edwards was known for being more mundane and monotone in his sermons.  It is a known fact that he mostly read from a manuscript with little emotion (compared to George Whitefield anyway).

McLean reads Edwards with the gravity that was surely felt on that fateful day in Enfield, Connecticut July 8, 1741.  I found myself personally cringing and tensing up at the thought of what it would be like to fall into God’s hands as an unrepentant sinner.  The “forward” by R.C. Sproul was very helpful in shedding light on some mischaracterizations of Jonathan Edwards and in particular this sermon.  As it was with the Whitefield narration, this particular sermon is also worth the price of the set.  For a limited time, you can download Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God narrated by Max McLean for free from his website!  I have no idea when this offer will end so act fast!

The different reading styles were very much appreciated and noticeable from over sermon to another.  I highly recommend picking up the Classics of the Christian Faith today.

Chesterton, G.K.  Orthodoxy.  Ignatius Press, originally published in 1909.  168 pp.  $11.95.  Purchase the book at Westminster for $8.36.

Audiobook

Chesterton, G.K. narrated by Simon Vance.  Esconido: christianaudio Classics,  2006.  6 1/2 hours.  Download – $14.98, MP3 CD – $19.98, CD – $24.98.

Book Review

This was my first introduction to G.K. Chesterton other than through many quotes and allusions to his writings I have come across in many different areas of reading and learning. He writes this book almost as an autobiography where he details how he went from a state of unbelief to complete faith and trust in the one true God and His son Jesus Christ. I was very intrigued by his overt philosophical approach to destroying non-belief in the first four chapters. His talk of Elfland and the thinking maniac kept me very much wondering where this was going (and I knew the whole time!).

The final five chapters set up the Christian faith as the only set of beliefs that does not fail the test of real life. He spends much time discussing the paradoxes of the Christian faith and how they alone make sense of the world around us. His ability to reach into our minds with the nonsensical fantasy illustrations reminded me of C.S. Lewis. Even though he writes from a Roman Catholic background, there is much about Chesterton that Protestant Christians can and should admire.

Audio Review

christianaudio does a wonderful job of choosing the right narrator for a book. In this case, Simon Vance seemingly takes on the persona of G.K. Chesterton. His British accent makes you feel as though you are in a lecture hall listening to Chesterton present his apologetic for the Christian faith. He reads at a conversational level which works best with this particular book because Chesterton wrote it as a conversation piece.

Recommendation

I would recommend picking up the book before listening to the audio if this will be your introduction to G.K. Chesterton. His language is quirky given that he is from early 20th century London. If you own the book and have read it, then the audio will be a welcomed edition to your library as there is much to digest from the pen of G.K. Chesterton.

Marsden, George M. A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards.  Grand Rapids:  Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2008.  160 pp.  $15.00.  Purchase the book at Westminster books for $9.75.

Audiobook

Narrated by Grover Gardner.  Esconido:  christianaudio Hovel, 2008.  5 hours.  Download – $12.98, CD – $21.98.

This is an audio book review. Truth be told, this was the first full biography of Jonathan Edwards I have read (or had read to me as is the case). I thought the parallel between Edwards and Ben Franklin was extremely helpful given most people are more familiar with Franklin than with Edwards. Setting these two men side by side proved to be a wonderful approach to understanding how both men shaped the early United States and how they continue to shape it today.

While most people know Edwards for his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, little attention is given to it by Marsden except how it set the stage for the Second Great Awakening. His, and Franklin’s, friendship with George Whitefield helped to shed light on how a “preacher from England” could have so much influence in America–especially at this time in her early history.

It was also helpful to see how Edwards was influenced by the Puritans given he lived decades removed from their influence. Many have called Edwards a Puritan, but have questioned the validity of this given the time when Edwards preached. Marsden traces their influence through Edwards’ family and shows how it was passed on to him at an early age.

Ultimately, I was struck by Marsden’s focus on Edwards’ short-comings. He discusses his lack of administrative skills as well as his taking for granted regeneration in many of the converts from the first Great Awakening. Marsden did an excellent job of showing Edwards at his best and at his worst.

Listening to Grover Gardner read was as though I was curled up by a fire in my living room listening to stories of how God used one man in shaping the United States. He read evenly and with emotion where necessary. The quality of the audio was nice with no obvious areas of cutting and pasting. At only five hours in length, this book can be heard, in most cases, in a week’s time of travel to and from work.

A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards deserves to be read or listened to by anyone interested in 1) Christian history, 2) Reformed Christian history, or 3) American history. It can be said that Edwards impacted every area of American history during his journey on this earth. It can also be said that he is still influencing countless Christians to this day. Was he a lightning rod for conflict? Yes, but then again so was Moses. If you have not read or listened to this book, you should add it to your “read immediately” pile.

Hughes, R. Kent. Disciplines of a Godly Man. Wheaton: Crossway, 2006. 304pp. $15.99. Purchase at Westminster Books for $10.55.

Audiobook

Narrated by Wayne Shepherd. Escondido: christianaudio Hovel. 7 1/2 hours. Download – $16.98, CD – $28.98.

Introduction

R. Kent Hughes’ book Disciplines of a Godly Man has impacted countless Christian men for the kingdom of God.  Hughes is Senior Pastor Emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois and is the author of numerous books. He is also editor and contributor for the projected 50-volume Preaching the Word series, including Mark: Jesus, Servant and Savior.

Review

When was the last time you were told to sweat at what you do?  Well, Kent Hughes’s book on the spiritual disciplines is just that–a call to holy sweat.  He lays a foundation for these disciplines from 1 Timothy 4:7 where Paul tells Timothy he should train himself for godliness.  From this biblical foundation, Hughes offers seventeen different disciplines in which a Christian man must adhere to.  These include the discipline of purity and fatherhood to discipline of work and church.  He also touches on the discipline of the tongue, giving, devotion, prayer, friendship and ministry to name a few more.   In the last chapter, Hughes states that none of these can be held to legalistically as some might claim.  The entire point of these disciplines is that we are looking to become more like Christ though them.

Since I “read” this as an audiobook, and I did not have the book in front of me, this review is a bit different.  I must say that I found myself shaking my head over and over as the words being spoken struck me deep.  Just when I thought I had discovered a chapter that I would “do well in,” I quickly found out that I fell far short of the mark.  Nonetheless, I was comforted by the words of the author as he lovingly challenged me to sweat for the sake of godliness.  This will be an audiobook I will listen to on a regular basis as I am sure I will need the reminder over and over of just how much work the Christian life is this side of heaven.

For those Christian men who do not have the time to read a book like Disciplines of a Godly Man, I would highly recommend picking up an audio copy.  You will be humbled by listening to it and, Lord willing, driven more into a relationship with God your Father through the experience.