Christian Book Notes

Tripp, Paul David.  What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage.  Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2010.  290 pp.  $21.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $14.73.

Audio book

Narrated by Lloyd James.  Esconido: christianaudio.  10.75 hours.  Download – $14.98, CD – $24.98.

Introduction

I will allow Dr. Tripp to provide the introduction for this book:

You can also listen to Dr. Tripp on a recent FamilyLife Today broadcast series talking about this book.

Summary

Dr. Tripp reshapes the expectations of marriage with six commitments. They are as follows:

1. We will give ourselves to a regular lifestyle of confession and forgiveness.
2. We will make growth and change our daily agenda.
3. We will work together to build a sturdy bond of trust.
4. We will commit to building a relationship of love.
5. We will deal with our differences with appreciation and grace.
6. We will work to protect our marriage.

You will note that the operative phrase is “we will.” Marriage is not all give or all take. Marriage is when two sinners say “I do.” Those two sinners must now figure out how they are going to live together in a God glorifying marriage.

Review

The content of What Did You Expect is dead on.  Tripp is God-centered, Christ-exalting, and very real when it comes to dealing with the marital strife. With the entire book set up as a marriage counseling session. Each “session” points the person being counseled (the reader) as the problem in the marriage. Dr. Tripp continually points to “you” as the problem. It is easy for the counselor to tell the counselee that s/he is not at fault thus really making the problem worse.

Fortunately, Tripp nails this. By taking the focus off of the problems of the spouse, and, rightfully I might add, onto the person reading the book, Tripp effectively breaks down many barriers to counseling. After showing the reader that he is the cause of the problem, Dr. Tripp points him to Christ. That is the most important aspect of this book–Jesus Christ needs to be at the center of your marriage. Without Him, your marriage is in more trouble than you realize.

I do have one minor problem with the book (besides being aggravated that it was not written before I got married!) although it is very minor given the scope of the book. At the end of chapter 3, Tripp writes,

Reconciling your marriage begins when you begin to reconcile with God. It begins when you begin to pray this radical prayer: ‘Your kingdom come, you will be done, right here, right now in this marriage as it is in heaven.’ Good things happen as the result of that prayer!

My only concern is that this prayer might become a “magic” prayer causing the reader to become delusional thinking that just by merely reading it or saying it or repeating it, his marriage will be saved. I completely understand that Dr. Tripp does not intend for that to happen, but people have been putting their hope in prayers instead of Christ for so long that this must be cautioned against.

Audio Review

It was the best of the times and it was the worst times.

Lloyd James (not to be confused with Lloyd-Jones) became my favorite narrator with this book.  He read this book quick enough to keep your attention but slow enough to allow the words to really sink in to your mind and then heart.  His voice rose and fell when necessary and sped up with excitement when the context called for it.  I was engaged with the “voice” the entire time and felt as though I was sitting in the counselor’s room.

With that said, christianaudio needs to reformat the audio files.  In most cases, they format their downloaded files with the numbers as such: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, …20, 21, 22.  This can become problematic when you download the files to your mp3 player.  The mp3 player recognizes the order as such: 1, 10, 11, 12,….2, 20, 21, 22, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.  You can see how this can be aggravating but not horrible to deal with.

This time, however, they formatted the files as such: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven….seventeen.  It became a real pain to attempt to listen to the book since “eight” was the first file and one came towards the bottom.  Having to search for those files almost caused me not to listen to the book.  Thankfully, the content and narration was worth the effort.  If you are going to purchase the audio book, I would advise getting the CD’s instead of the download.  Still, the book is worth the struggle.

Recommendation

As I stated above, I really wish this book was available when I got married in 2002. Reading this book helped me to see some of my own problems. Now, my wife is wanting to read it. This book needs to be in every pastor’s library. If you plan on getting married, read this book. If you are already married, read this book…together. You can purchase the CD audio or the DVD presentation of the seminar as well as 10-packs of books at greatly reduced prices. Do so.

Platt, David. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2010. 240 pp. $14.99. Purchase at Westminster for $10.04.

Audiobook

Narrated by David Platt.  Esconido: christianaudio.  6 1/2 hours.  Download – $12.98, CD – $21.98.

Introduction

I purchased the actual book though I was offered the audio edition to review.  This review is rather long, but, I pray, provides some areas of conversation for all Christians to discuss what it means to be sold out for Christ.

David Platt currently serves as lead pastor at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a noted minister with a love for missions and the Spiritual Disciplines. I can recall him “preaching” at a chapel service at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where his “sermon” was his reciting Romans 1-9 and then summing up the chapters with a short five minute commentary. I can honestly say that the power of the Holy Spirit showed up that day in chapelunlike any other chapel service I have witnessed.  The essence of his message is that a radical shift in our understanding of missions and church is needed in America.

Summary

In a short, but challenging, 220 pages, Dr. David Platt takes the reader on a journey from comfort to radical abandonment. He begins by showing how Christ is the Someone worth losing everything for though we may not see it that way. He compares his experiences with churches here in America against churches in closed and third world countries.

He challenges the reader to a biblical understanding of discipleship as opposed to our programmatic understanding of teaching. If we are to fulfill what many call the Great Commission, then we need to train the next generation for such a purpose. Throughout the book, Platt offers numerous examples from his own church as members have moved from a life of luxury to a life of being sold out for the mission work assigned to each one of us as believers. The book concludes with a challenge to churches and Christians alike to take the “Radical Experiment.”

Review

I have benefited much from the preaching ministry of Dr. David Platt.  I have heard him a few times in person at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as on the Internet via iTunes.  He certainly is a devoted follower of Christ and his motives are pure insofar as I can tell.  His heart is enraptured by the awesomeness of proclaiming the gospel to the entire world.  What he has written in Radical needs to be heard by most in the American Christian churches–we have become too lax in our devotion (if you can call it that).  What follows is a critical assessment of an excellent book.  Please know that I criticize as a fellow pastor within the same denomination as Dr. Platt and therefore he is more like family than anything else.

For an excellent theological and more critical review of Radical read Kevin DeYoung’s review and dialogue with David Platt here.  While I agree with much of what DeYoung wrote, I would like to offer a couple observations myself from a slightly different perspective.  Please note that this is not critical for the sake of being critical.  These are merely observations that struck me as I read this excellent book.

First, Dr. Platt is challenging the American cultural context not with Scripture so much as he does with his experiences in various other cultural contexts.  In many ways this is comparing apples and oranges.  While I agree wholeheartedly that we must seek to understand the Bible outside our American mindset, I do not believe it is wise to compare our understanding of the faith to another country’s understanding and say that they have it right.  It must be in accordance with Scripture which David does bring into the discussion.  Regardless, we need to be careful that we do not set another culture’s practices of Christianity above ours and say that there is what we must strive for.  From his perspective, it seems the best manner in which we can better become biblical Christians in the United States is if it were to become illegal and we were forced to the underground.  (For what it’s worth, I do see this as a very viable possibility in the next 20 years or so).

Second, I honestly wonder if this book would have been written if Dr. David Platt was pastor of First Baptist Church Podunk.  There are numerous churches with congregations less than 150 who are radical in their approach to Christianity.  They sacrifice much for the kingdom knowing full well that their reward awaits them in heaven.  Platt pastors a church of over 4,000 members in a fairly affluent neighborhood of Birmingham, Al.

Given our American cultural expectations, I honestly do not believe this book would have been published without the 4,000 member congregation changing their mindset and moving from comfort and luxury for the self to the radical faith in which Platt espouses.  In other words, because it works there, we ought to take note because this is a “mega-church.”

The second point feeds into the third point which is the programmatic mindset that Platt rails against is actually a driving force behind the publishing of this book.  You can go to the book’s website and find out more about “the movement” and purchase resources and materials to help spread the word.  By the way, you can also purchase mini-booklets to give to your friends.

Finally, and this is a two-part criticism, the claims in Radical are very paradoxical.  On one hand, Platt is saying you need to sell everything for Christ while at the same time you can download his podcasts on iTunes.  Platt is telling you to sell everything for missions but, before you do, be sure to purchase these resources to better equip your congregation to do the same thing.  (For the record, I have heard him state that all proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards missions.)  Now, please don’t mistake these examples as being explicit in the book.  They are not! However, they are implicit by the mere fact that all of this is available.  As I said, it is paradoxical.

The ultimate last concern I have is that all throughout the book, Platt talks of how easy it is to become a Christian in the U.S. by walking an aisle, praying a prayer, and signing a card (I agree that these sacraments have done much harm to the church) but at the end of the book, he has a card that you can sign and date stating that, [you] “agree with the Radical claim that [you] can find satisfaction and real service to God only in abandonment to Jesus.”  There is even a line for you to sign and date your commitment to the Radical Experiment.

Audio Review

The audio of this book is actually read by David Platt himself.  This is nice in that the author is able to offer insight through his voice as to what he was thinking when he wrote the book.  Nonetheless, having heard Dr. Platt preach on a few occasions, what is read here is nothing like what he has preached in the past.  I am almost positive that I have heard chapters 1 and 2 preached from the pulpit.  As a preacher, Platt flat out “brings it” with a “thus sayeth the Lord” approach that is lost in so many pulpits today.

While it may be an unfair assessment, I believe his reading falls far short of his preaching.  This is an obvious statement to many, especially those who have preached, but is one thing I could not get past as I listened to much of the book.

Recommendation

I realize that I was fairly critical in this review, but be rest assured, this book is a must read.  You will be challenged in many of your assumptions.  There will be times when you will get angry at what David is asking you to do.  But, you will quickly realize that this anger is from your own shallow understanding of the gospel that is found in most American churches.  If you have struggled with what a more biblical approach to the Christian faith looks like, then Radical is a perfect read for you.  You will see things from a different perspective and will learn how to think outside our Americanized preconceived notions of Christianity.

Driscoll, Mark and Gerry Breshears. Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010. 464 pp. $22.99. Purchase at Westminster for $16.32.

Audiobook

Narrated by Sean Runnette.  Escondido: christianaudio Hovel.  15 hours.  Download–$16.98, CD–$20.98.

Introduction

The guys at Re:Lit (Resurgence Literature) are lighting up the book stores with a ton of recently published materials. Doctrine is perhaps the creme de la creme of what they have published to date. As with many books being published today, this, too, was first a series of sermons. You can download and listen to those sermons here.

Summary

At 436 pages of actual reading material, Doctrine is not a picnic. Divided into thirteen chapters, Driscoll and Breshears look at thirteen distinct doctrines of the Christian faith that are “the big theological themes of Scripture.” They begin by looking at the Trinity and move from there to Revelation (Bible), Creation, Image, Fall, Covenant, Incarnation, Cross, Resurrection, Church, Worship, Stewardship, and Kingdom.

In essence they discuss why these thirteen doctrines are necessary elements of one’s faith as a Christian. Without these doctrines, the person professing to be a Christian is, in effect, denying specific presuppositions made by the Scriptures.

Included at the back of the book is a valuable section entitled “Small Group Resources.” This little section is meant to drive small groups into studying the nuts and bolts of the Christian faith. The questions are not too difficult nor are they too easy. They will cause you to think and, most importantly, to interact with what the Bible says about a particular doctrine in context.

Review

Unlike most systematic theology books (Doctrine is most certainly a systematic theology book), the authors chose to start with the Trinity. Most systematics begin with the Bible since all of the material must come from the Bible. Once the doctrine of the Bible has been established, then most authors move to God and break that section down into the many facets that define God including the doctrine of the Trinity.

Again, most systematic theologies take a logical, compartmental approach to laying out their discussion and teachings. Interestingly enough, Driscoll and Breshears have approached their systematic in a far more biblical manner. They begin with the Trinity because that is where the Bible begins. “In the beginning God” (Elohim which is a plural form of El) immediately introduces the reader of the Bible to a Triune God.

Next, the authors tackle the Bible as God’s revelation to man and then move on to the rest of their doctrines as they occur in the Bible. As you look at the list above once more, you will see how this order plays out in both the Bible and in Doctrine. This is to be commended and helps the reader to remain within the framework of the Bible itself as God’s plan of salvation plays out from Genesis to Revelation.

Another element found in Doctrine is one of an apologetic nature. This perspective allows Driscoll and Breshears to argue for or against commonly held misconceptions of these essential doctrines. Unfortunately, the authors become tepid on some issues. For example, they walk a very fine line when it comes to the doctrine of Creation. They do not take a stand but only state that it is acceptable to believe one of a few different understandings. What you believe and understand about Genesis 1 and 2 will greatly determine your understanding of the rest of the Scriptures.

In most other instances, they offer reasons as to why believing certain heretical understandings of these doctrines is wrong and a denial of Christ. In many cases, they do come down and state that one must believe in _____________ if they are to be a Christian.

Audio book review

The audio book was nice. It was read at a pace that was both fast enough to keep your interest and slow enough to allow you to think about what was being said. There were a few sections where the cut/paste on the digital recording fell short of christianaudio’s usual superb standards.

What I most liked about the audiobook is that you can actually listen to a systematic theology and enjoy doing so! The audiobook is ideal for that Christian who is busy with work or raising children and does not have the time to read a book about Christian doctrines. For those seeking a deeper understanding of theology, Doctrine has quickly become one of the best places to begin insofar as audiobooks are concerned.

Recommendation

With the publishing of Doctrine by Mark Driscoll has suddenly made systematic theology both acceptable and cool. That excites me. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to begin to plumb the depths of God and what He has revealed to us through His word, the Bible. The additional audiobook makes this a double feature worth owning.

Book info: Burnham, Gracia and Dean Merrill.  In the Presence of My Enemies.  Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009.  384 pp.  $13.99.  Purchase at Amazon for $10.07 or less.

Audiobook info: Narrated by Pam Ward.  Esconido: christianaudio, 2010.  11 hours.  Download mp3 for $14.98 or less, CD for $26.98 from christianaudio.

Introduction and Summary

Gracia Burnham has a foundation dedicated to ministering to Muslims (their captors), missionary aviation, the persecuted church, and tribal missions.  That foundation is named the Martin and Gracia Burnham Foundation.

This video featuring Gracia Burnham is a fitting summary.  It is more than  nine minutes in length, but is well worth your time to watch:

Audio Book Review

The audio book was narrated by Pam Ward.  She did a fine job of telling the story with emotion.  It seemed to me; however, that Pam offered too much emotion.  She seemed really “sharp” during a few exchanges between Gracia and her captors.  Everything I have seen with Gracia talking gives me a different perspective of her personality. Gracia seems much more humble than how Pam portrayed her in voice.

Nonetheless, listening to Pam’s take on the emotional setting throughout the book definitely left you feeling intense and angry when you should have been feeling intense anger!  Having never read the book (and not being a Christian during the first half of this ordeal), I was not too familiar with the story.  Pam did an excellent job articulating the words and bringing them to life in my mind.

There is one part of Gracia’s testimony that does not sit well with me. It is when she is explaining why God would allow something like her captivity happen. In a nutshell, her answer is that sometimes God is at an impasse because of man’s free will. I cannot agree with this for that would bring into question God’s ultimate sovereignty.

Recommendation

If you are like me and have never read the book, do yourself a favor and go get it!  The faith of the Burnham’s will be a blessing to your soul.  If you are not much of  a reader, then by all means, download this book or purchase the CD’s.  Give it a good listen to and know that in so doing you will be changed for the better.

Ten Boom, Corrie.  The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom.  Bantam Books, 1984.  242 pp.  $7.99.  Purchase the book at Westminster Books. 

audiobook

Narrated by Bernadette Dunne. Esconido: christianaudio Hovel, 2007. 9.5 hours. Purchase the audio CD for $24.98 or mp3 download for $14.98 from christianaudio.

Introduction

If you have been a Christian for any length of time, then you have heard the name Corrie Ten Boom.  She is one of those women who stand head and shoulders above many of the saints for what she did.  Many know that she had something to do with Jews during World War II.  Still, as I quickly discovered, there is much people do not know or are mistaken in the details about Corrie Ten Boom.   Unfortunately, time has a way of blurring the lines between fact and folklore.

Summary

The book begins with the 100th anniversary of the family clock and watch shop and then moves back in time to when Corrie was first born and quickly offers a brief biography of her life.  During this time, we learn of the Ten Boom’s faith in Jesus Christ and how that drives everything they do.

Fast forward to World War II and we find an almost 50 year old Corrie Ten Boom working on watches and enjoying life.  As Germany invades and ultimately occupies Holland, we discover that their faith in Christ as savior and Lord of all regardless of race or gender drives them to aid the Jews being persecuted.

It is quite amazing to note that the Ten Boom family practically fell into their smuggling operations.  It is also interesting to note that they disagreed on how to handle certain ethical issues such as lying to the police (some members would and some would not) based upon their faith.

It is about a year before what would be the end of the war when the Ten Boom family is betrayed and sent off to prison and concentration camps.  It is here that we really see what a life of faith and obedience to God.  In the end, Corrie survives the camp and sets out to assist those who were impacted by the tragedy that was World War II.

Review

As I said above, it was very interesting to hear how each person handled particular ethical dilemmas.  One sister would not lie for anything which wound up costing some perhaps there lives.  Corrie, on the other hand, found that she could easily lie when it came to taking care of those God had entrusted to her.

I had never read this book before listening to the audio so I had no real idea as to what I was going to discover with each passing minute.  As I listened to Bernadette Dunne read the story of Corrie Ten Boom, I felt as though I was sitting in a living room talking with my aging grandmother about what God had accomplished in her life.  Bernadette read this story with the emotion of a woman who had lived this life.  You could feel the pain in her voice when she realized who had betrayed them.  You could hear the dejection when she was challenged by God’s grace and her selfishness.

Recommendation

If you have never read The Hiding Place, then you have missed out on one of Christendom’s greatest little treasures.  If you have not read it, then I would highly recommend you get the audio and listen to it.  You cannot listen (or, I assume, read) to this book without it changing you.  Over and over again, I was convicted by my own weaknesses when compared to the strength and faith of Corrie Ten Boom.  If you listen to this book and are not changed, then you need to make sure that you are a true, regenerate child of God.

Miller, Paul. A Praying Life. Narrated by Arthur Morey. Esconido: christianaudio Hovel, 2009. 9 hours. Download for $16.98, CD for $26.98.

Introduction

I have already reviewed A Praying Life here. This particular review is going to look at the audio book produced by christianaudio.

Obviously, the content does not change at all. Arthur Morey does a wonderful job of narrating the book. He speaks very evenly and very well paced. I had no problems keeping up with his speech. I did struggle at times with how he seemed to deadpan certain sections.

For example, I could “hear” Paul Miller chuckling at certain points when discussing his autistic daughter. Arthur, however, seemed to make it a point to remain “even” in his reading of the text. Fortunately the content is enough to keep the listener’s attention even if the style of reading was somewhat distracting at times.

Recommendation

Given the critique of Arthur Morey’s reading of this particular book, one look at what books he has read for christianaudio will tell you that he probably understands practical Christian living. If you do not have time to read a book on praying, I do highly recommend purchasing a CD or download at christianaudio for your drive time.

Mahaney, C.J. Humility: True Greatness. Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2005. 176 pp. $12.99. Purchase at Westminster for $9.22.

Audiobook

Narrated by Sean Runnette. Escondido: christianaudio Hovel.  4 hrs.  Download for $9.98, CD for $15.98.

Introduction

C.J. Mahaney leads Sovereign Grace Ministries–a church planting and sustaining mission.  He served for twenty-seven years as pastor of Covenant Life Church where Joshua Harris now serves as pastor.  (I think being bald is a pre-requisite to serve as senior pastor there!)

Summary

Divided into three parts, Mahaney packs much into such a small book.  In part one, he takes a look at both sides of the issue–humility and pride.  The second part offers an exhortation to look at the One who defines humility and gave us the greatest example of humility.  It is by the standard of Jesus Christ that we can know what true humility looks like.

In true C.J. Mahaney form, the third part offers much in the way of how to live a life of humility; in other words, the application of the exhortation.  Mahaney looks at how you should begin each day, how you should end each day and everything else in between (as well as when you are sleeping). He concludes the book with a list of suggestions on how to weaken the pride in your life and cultivate humility.  One example he does offer is to play golf!

Review (Content & Audio)

The content is dead on.  Humility is written with some strong exhortations mixed with very practical applications.  Granted, we are not all going to play golf, but what Mahaney is saying is that there are many everyday ways in which you can cultivate humility in your life without becoming a monk and secluding yourself from the rest of the world.

The audiobook was very well done as well.  This was the first time I had listened to Sean Runnette read a book from christianaudio.  He read with feeling and emotion.  It was as though he was being deeply impacted by what he was reading and wanted to relay that on to those who would be listening later.  His pace of reading and voice were both steady and strong.  The audiobook was a joy to listen to.

Recommendation

Humility is a topic that is extremely tough to write about without coming off as arrogant.  C.J. Mahaney succeeded in doing just that.  He writes with a genuine humility that is seen or heard whenever he steps into a pulpit to preach.  He comes across as one acutely aware of his sin and God’s grace which is needed today more than ever.

I would recommend to every pastor or leader in the local church that they read and discuss this book with others.  I would also recommend that any Christian read this book.  Perhaps a youth group study would be advisable on the contents of Humility.

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.