Christian Book Notes

Ryken, Philip Graham.  King Solomon – The Temptations of Money, Sex, and Power.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011.  256 pp.  $16.99.  Purchase at Westminster Books for less.

Introduction

Dr. Philip Ryken currently serves as president of Wheaton College.  Before that, he was senior minister at the Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.  He has authored a number of books and is also a co-editor of one of my favorite commentary series, The Reformed Commentary Series.

Summary

This work is divided into thirteen chapters and includes a study guide.  In essence, it is a biblical look at the life of Solomon, the most wise of all men in the Bible.  Dr. Ryken follows the rise and fall of the son of David as he begins with a heart for God and is led astray by a life that looks to find joy in other areas of life.  Most importantly in the areas of sex, money, and power.

Every chapter points the reader to the failure of man to keep covenant with God.  Every chapter points to the One who was able to keep covenant with God.  Each chapter will lead you to a deeper understanding of your need for Christ.

Review

It seems as though money, sex, and power are always the main culprits behind most crime (yes, the argument can be rightfully made for pride) and this work by Dr. Ryken clearly shows that this is not a new phenomena.  On these pages, the reader will discover the necessity of trusting day by day (sometimes hour by hour) in the mercies of Christ.

While Solomon is known as the wisest man in the Bible, he did ultimately fail.  Reading King Solomon will help you to see 1) where he failed, 2) when the failure began, and 3) the means by which we can overcome failure in life.  It has been said that the best defense is a great offense.  In this case, the saying rings all the more true.  If you are aware of your lifestyle and choices, from a biblical perspective, you will be better equipped to avoid the dangerous pitfalls that accompany most everything we do in life.

Recommendation

This work will serve two purposes in your life and for that reason, I recommend it to all.  First, it will show you that there is truly nothing new under the sun (Ecc. 1:9) and that there is no temptation that is not common to man (1 Cor 10:13).  It will also equip you to deal with these inevitable sins.  For those reasons, pick up this book and be equipped.

Moore, Russell D.  Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011.  208 pp.  $14.99.  Purchase at Westminster Books for much less.

Introduction

Dr. Russell Moore is the dean of the School of Theology as well as the vice president for Academic Administration at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves as the editor of the journal Touchstone and is a preaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also authored Crossway’s The Kingdom of Christ among other books.

He has also written the paradigm-shifting work, Adopted for Life.  You can read my review of that great work here.

Summary

This resource is divided into seven chapters.  The first chapter sets the tone for the entire work and explains why temptation matters.  The second chapter warns that we should always be aware of temptation and that if we are not, we are practically dooming ourselves.  Chapters three and four look at why we would rather be fed than fathered in the sense that we shy away from being disciplined and also why our pride (see, sin) keeps us from admitting when we need help from error.

In all cases of temptation, we fight and fight and often times we lose because we are blinded by our selfish desires.  Chapter five looks at Christ in the desert and how we, apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, would rather be exalted ourselves instead of being crucified unto Christ so that we can better fight against the devil.  The sixth chapter explains why you cannot resist temptation and why you need a Helper.  The last chapter is aptly titled (Not a) Conclusion.  Here, the reader is told why the battle must rage on indefinitely this side of eternity.

Review

It seems as though Dr. Moore continues to call the saints to the obvious though not often discussed doctrines of the church.  Tempted and Tried is a much needed resource for the church today.  There is much in the way of self-loathing and pity today as many are seeing their sin as egregious before the Lord but never really getting beyond that fact except to cry out for salvation.  Russell Moore shows us how temptation is a part of our life just as it was Christ’s.  He helps us to see that the sin is not in the temptation but in our giving in to the temptation.  He further explains to us that we cannot fight against these temptations on our own.  We need Christ more than just for an entrance to salvation.  Rather, we need the power of Christ for everyday living and for the everyday battle.

If there is one critique I have on this work it is the chapters are a bit long.  I only say that because there is so much to digest that each chapter takes a few evenings to digest!  By the time you get through one chapter, you find that you want to go back and re-read the chapter in one sitting.

Recommendation

There is much for the thirsty soul in this work.  I highly recommend to all Christians Tempted and Tried.  You will certainly be a better follower of Christ and a more effective witness of his grace and mercy in your life as you learn what it means to be tempted and tried and then Who it was that faced the same temptations and trials and never gave in.  What encouragement to come to the cross daily for your sustenance!  What encouragement to live a victorious life in the power of Christ (and that is not a charismatic phrase)!

Fitzpatrick, Elyse and Jessica Thompson.  Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011.  208 pp.  $14.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $8.43.

Introduction

Elyse Fitzpatrick is an excellent writer and editor.  I have reviewed two of her previous works, both published by Crossway Books, and have thoroughly enjoyed them.  This book is a bit different in that it is a parenting resource that was co-written with her daughter, Jessica.

Summary

Divided into two parts with ten chapters, and three appendices, Elyse offers her readers a humbled, hindsight, handbook on parenting and pointing your children toward the grace of God found in the cross of Calvary.  In part one, she gives us the theological foundations of grace.  Within these four chapters, we are treated to biblical examples and reasons of for showing grace in our parenting.

In part two, the reader is implored to find the evidences of grace in daily living.  This section is comprised of six chapters and begins with a chapter on physical discipline.  In each chapter, the authors exhort the reader to continue parenting in light of the cross and to point out the grace in your child’s every day life from behavior to mercies to even the food on the table.  By the end of this section, if you have read it and wrestled with the Scriptural principles, you may find yourself viewing your neighborhood as a mission field if you do not already.

The three appendices drive further home the point of the gospel as being central to parenting.

Review

While I really enjoy reading various parenting books, I have found the latest round of books from the likes of Tedd and Paul Tripp, CJ Mahaney, etc. to be extremely helpful.  Add Elyse Fitzpatrick and her daughter to that list. What I enjoyed the most about this particular resource is the humbled hindsight offered by Elyse.  She openly admits to not getting it right all the time though she tried.

As a parent, we all understand the difficulty in maintaining our witness to our children when disciplining them.  Elyse takes on the roll of that godly Christian mom that wants to be an asset and train up the younger women (and yes, men since men will also read this resource) to be better than she was as a parent.  At the very least, be a bit more consistent.

I do wish in the chapter on discipline, they would have a been a bit less non-committal on the issue of spanking but they are adamant that spanking, if done properly, is biblical and that parents must come to their own (biblically-informed) conclusions on this matter.

Audio Review

I also was able to listen to this book from christianaudio.  I found the quality of the audio to be exceptional.  Tavia Gilbert narrated the book with great care and seemingly as a parent herself looking back on her own  years as a mother.  her emotions run the gamut along with Elyse’s writing from sorrow to joy and even singing with a beautiful voice that made me stop and listen to it again.

The only negative to the audio was once again the formatting of the files as they appear on my mp3 player.  This has always been my biggest critique of christianaudio.

Recommendation

As a father of five children ages seven and under (as of the writing of this review), I found Elyse’s exhortations, confessions, and gospel-centered message to be refreshing and encouraging.  There are days when you do not feel like you are doing a great job of parenting (and some days this is true) but Elyse and her daughter, Jessica, point the readers to the same cross that, as parents, we should be pointing our children.  I highly recommend this resource to all parents who call on the name of Christ as Lord and Savior.

Danylak, Barry.  Redeeming Singleness: How the Storyline of Scripture Affirms the Single Life.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2010.  256 pp.  $16.99.  Purchase at Westminster Books for $11.38.

Introduction

Barry is a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge.  He has a passion for ministry to single adults and teaches and speaks on the subject of biblical singleness regularly.  Singleness in the Bible and in the church today is often looked at either with disdain (God must not have favor on you if you have yet to find a spouse) or with ignorance of what the Bible says about the gift of singleness.  That is about to change on both fronts.

Summary

Divided into six chapters, Danylak offers what amounts to a biblical theology of singleness making a distinction between the Old and New Testament understandings of singleness and the importance of both testaments as regards our complete understanding of this doctrine.  Chapter one begins, naturally, in the beginning and looks at procreation as the blessing to the world it truly is.  Chapter two continues the look at marriage for covenant nation of Israel and how it was important to the ultimate “child.”  Chapter three offers the fulcrum on which the doctrine of singleness rests.  That is, the failure of the nation of Israel leading to the blessing brought to the world.

Chapter four explains the implications of marriage, and more germane to this book, the implications for singleness.  The fifth chapter studies the teachings of Christ on singleness and family while chapter six concludes this book with a discussion on the words of Paul found in 1 Corinthians 7.

Review

Admittedly, I did not know much about the doctrine of singleness other than it is a gift from God that not everyone has though we all are granted for some time in our lives either before marriage or after.  That is, until I read Redeeming Singleness.  For my mind, this was an informative read and extremely helpful as regards an ability to minister to singles as one who is married.

Barry’s heart and passion for this topic are apparent on every page.   It is obvious he has taken great care in researching and composing this resource for the advancement of the kingdom of God.  to that end, the bibliography and Scripture and Subject Indexes are extremely helpful and will be an excellent aid to the student wanting to study further in depth the biblical doctrine of singleness.

All of this points to reality that Barry Danylak’s Redeeming Singleness as the go-to resource (apart from the Bible) to begin your study on this doctrine.

Recommendation

If you are in the ministry, or are single, or know single men and women, then you will do well to acquire this book and read it and have it on hand to give to others.  While I am personally against specialized ministries (though I do engage in them) in the local church, this is certainly an area that needs to be developed for the church’s edification.  Barry has wonderfully accomplished just that in Redeeming Singleness.

The Holy Spirit. ESV Grow! Bible. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011. 1600 pp. $27.99. Purchase at Westminster for less.

Introduction

The ESV Bible does not need any introduction. I have reviewed numerous Bibles here.

You can check out this video to get a better idea of what is included in the ESV Grow! Bible.

Summary

Aside from having the complete ESV translation text of the Bible, there are many other features meant to help a young Christian (primarily in age but also perhaps in time as a believer) understand this book. For example, they have what I call an investigative box that seeks to answer one of the investigative questions of who, what, where, when, why, and how.

The 4U box offers helps on how a particular passage has meaning for the believer today. These are especially helpful in the Old Testament. The Cross Connections box points the reader from one passage found in the Bible to the cross of Christ and how it is important in our understanding of our salvation.

They also have included, though with a bit more pizazz, the articles and charts, the book introductions, the glossary, and the timelines and maps common in most every study Bible.

Review

Once again, Crossway’s team of graphic designers has hit it huge. Their eye-catching artistry really helps the boxes to pop out. Though this is a dangerous practice, the reader can just flip through and see something that they will want to stop and check out because of the artistry.

Perhaps what I appreciated the most is the collaboration that took place between two publishing houses independent of one another (to my knowledge). Many of the supplemental materials came from Concordia Publishing House (this information is found at the bottom of the title page). I make mention of this because all too often we lose sight of what is at eternal stake in the Christian publishing realm. This collaboration shows that these two publishing companies are at least willing to work together for a greater cause. This should be a lesson to all.

The notes are full of nuggets that will help the child or new believer to better understand his or her faith as he reads through the Bible. Often times, a new believer will want to begin in Genesis and lose interest in Leviticus. Children are perhaps more prone to this than adults. With the Grow! Bible the books of Leviticus and First and Second Chronicles actually become very interesting.

Recommendation

While there are many Children’s Bibles available, and I will honestly continue to buy my children the Children’s ESV Bible (I like uniformity!), I do believe the Grow! Bible warrants serious consideration for your child. There is much to like about this Bible and little to dislike. Unless you are a purist, you will thoroughly enjoy reading and studying with your child as he unpacks the many layers of our infinite God found in His word. Who knows, you may learn a thing or two along the way.

McKinley, Mike. Am I Really A Christian?. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011. 160 pp. $12.99. Purchase at Westminster for less.

Introduction

Mike McKinley, served on the pastoral staff at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC before becoming a church planter in Sterling, VA.. Mike has also written Church Planting is for Wimps (read review here). You can find out more at Am I Really A Christian?

Summary

Divided into nine chapters, the book appears to be of the negative variety. That is, however, dealt with by the author in the introduction when he answers his own question, “Is this book mean spirited?” The first seven chapters all begin with, “You are not a Christian…” They conclude with
• Just because you say that you are
• If you haven’t been born again
• Just because you like Jesus
• If you enjoy sin
• If you do not endure to the end
• If you don’t love other people
• If you love your stuff

The final two chapters are a bit more positive. Chapter eight answers the question “Can I ever really know if I am a Christian?” while chapter nine offers some help from friends. This final chapter is a very helpful summation of the entire work but will not be of much help if you have not read the work.

Review

I really enjoy Mike’s style of writing. I also enjoy his ability to hit you with a couple of head shots and then comfort you as you fall to the ground hurting. Seriously, he helps his readers to take a hard look at some very serious issues in the church, and consequently the church goer, today. By the time you finish reading this work, you will hardly be able to keep up the lie (that is, if you have been lying) any longer. It is easy for us to be deceived in a day when “everyone is a Christian” though lifestyles show the watching world a vastly different story.

No, the book is not mean spirited but it is meant to cause one to stop and really think for a moment about what we say we believe. All too often we put our faith in a decision card or a prayer we repeated at a revival (???) or evangelistic crusade instead of in Christ Jesus alone. Mike helps the reader to sort through the junk and to lay hold of the One who alone can save you from your sins.

Recommendation

I have never met a Christian who did not struggle with questioning his or her salvation. Mike’s work is much needed in the local church today. Pastors, you will want to have a copy handy to give away or lend to members of your congregation. Christian, you will want to have a copy on your shelf to read for those times when you are struggling. We are indebted to Mike McKinley for this resource.

Thorn, Joe.  Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011.  144 pp.  $10.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $7.69.

Introduction

Joe Thorn is well-known blogger through his website, JoeThorn.net.  He is the lead past (and founder) of Redeemer Fellowship in Saint Charles, Illinois.  He can be found on facebook and twitter.

Summary

Divided into forty-eight chapters and three sections, Note to Self is comprised of short little commentaries on a variety of aspects of the gospel truth.  Part one looks at the gospel and God and seeks to lay the foundation of the reality that apart from God and his grace, there is no gospel.

Part two shifts the reader’s focus from God to others.  In this part, the reader is reminded to stop pretending and judging and to honor his parents, love his wife, be forgiving, etc.  The final part takes a look at the gospel and you (the reader).  The primary discussion with your self in this section is the mortification of sin and a look at true worship.

Review

There is much good in this book.  There are so many different avenues one could take with this resource.  For example, you could use it as a 48-day devotional.  By doing that, you could focus on one note a day and be meditative with it throughout the day.  By the end of the 48 days you will more than likely find that you thought more vigorously and intentionally about the gospel and its impact on your life.

A second way this resource could be used is for family devotions.  Since each chapter begins with (most often) a lengthy passage of Scripture, Note to Self readily slots into a private or family devotional time.  Each chapter maybe takes three minutes to read but the conversation or meditation could take all night.

A third way to use this book is simply to read through it and then keep it with you and take it out whenever you need a reminder.  There are numerous little notes within this resource that it will take quite some time to exhaust any one in particular.  Chances are, they will spawn more notes (he did say the book was not exhaustive) which you can then write on the blank pages in the back of the book.

I think what I liked most about Note to Self was that it was structured according to Matthew 22:37-39.  In this passage we are told that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul.  Compare this to part one of the book (Gospel and God).  The second commandment is like the first that we are to love our neighbor as our self.  Compare this to part two of the book (Gospel and others).  The final part of the book looks at the Gospel and you – which is exactly where you should be in the pecking order of your concerns according to this passage.

I am not sure if this was intentional, but it is there and it is noteworthy.

Recommendation

Whether you use this as a devotional (private or family) or as a meditative lead or just as a book to have to give to others, you will enjoy Note to Self and find that the truth of the gospel has far reaching effects on all who call on the name of Christ.  I recommend this resource for any and all Christians who are seeking to cultivate a closer walk with their savior and want to begin taking steps to preaching the gospel to themselves on a regular basis.

Theology in Community: The Deity of Christ.  Edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011.  322 pp.  $24.99.  Purchase at Westminster Books for $16.24.

Introduction

Continuing their “Theology in Community” series, Morgan and Peterson are back with a book discussing the importance of the Deity of Jesus Christ.  The first book, Suffering and the Goodness of God was a great addition to the problem of suffering.  The second book, The Glory of God was a bit more academic in nature though just as valuable to the whole of Christendom.

Summary

Divided into ten chapters, eight different authors look at different facets of the Deity of Christ.   Most importantly, the contributors make a compelling case for the importance of the doctrine of Christ’s deity.  Stephen Nichols, in following up the introduction offers a great synopsis of the view of the deity of Jesus Christ in the church today.  This chapter sets the tone and context for the remaining nine.

Ray Ortlund looks at Christ’s Deity in the Old Testament while four chapters are spent to look at the Deity of Jesus in the New Testament.  Gerald Bray offers brief look at the church’s understanding of this doctrine through her history with Alan Gomes giving a systematic approach to the doctrine.  J. Nelson Jennings offers a suitable and compelling conclusion to the work by exhorting the belief in this doctrine as being of first importance in missions against the back drop of religious pluralism today.

Review

As I alluded to in the summary, Nichols’ chapter on the overview of the church’s view of the deity of Christ is most important.  Until one reads that chapter, they may not understand the significance of the subject at hand.  Once again, though, the work has more of an academic tone than a lay-man’s.  Nonetheless, the various papers are accessible to all Christians with perhaps a little help from a theological dictionary.

The best element of the entire book is its being rooted solidly in Scripture.  Though there are many technical terms, there are even more references to the Word of God.  That is essential to any defense of a doctrine of Christendom.  The contributors and editors are to be commended for not delving too deep into philosophical discussion and instead allowing the Word of God to speak at many points for itself.

Recommendation

This, the third book in the series, has certainly kept the high standard set forth by the first two works.  You would do well to become acquainted with this series (specifically, this work) if you are involved in the ministry.  One must be settled on the importance of the doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ if they are to have an effective ministry that glorifies God and edifies the saints.  Morgan and Peterson have given us the resource to begin the discussion of the deity of Christ today.

MacArthur, John.  Truth Endures: Landmark Sermons from 40 Years of Unleashing God’s Truth One Verse at a Time.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011.  240 pp.  $16.99.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

John MacArthur is well known as an expositor of the Scriptures at Grace Community Church. He has been heard through his radio program Grace To You for many years. He is president of the Master’s College as well as author of nearly a gazillion books.  You can read some reviews of a few of his works here.

Summary

Truth Endures offers a sampling of twelve sermons from John’s forty years of service at Grace Community Church.  Each sermon is given a brief introduction offering a context to the message.  The dates for the twelve messages are:

9 February 1969
26 December 1976
18 May 1980
5 December 1982
29 May 1983
8 June 1986
20 July 1986
26 March 1989
23 April 1995
16 September 2001
3 November 2002
6 January 2008

In many of these messages, you can discern the seeds for many of John’s books that we have grown to love.  Also, you will see how he responded to national tragedies as well as local events near his church.

Review

I have been more critical of John MacArthur’s works than any other one author I have reviewed.  This is in large part due to the fact that I have gleaned so much from his teaching ministry that I want to be cautious in just giving a “free pass” so to speak.  That being said, there is not much in the way of review or criticism needed for Truth Endures.  What you get is what you see – a sampling of sermons from one of the most well-known Christian preachers of our generation.

What is most extraordinary is that you see that his style has changed very little over the course of forty years.  He has always striven to be faithful to the text of the Bible and, for the most part, his assessments have been accurate and challenging.  Most often, the argument one may have after listening to or reading one of John MacArthur’s sermons is not with the messenger.  Rather, the argument must be taken up with the Lord.  This is something that every pastor ought to seek to attain though few do.

Recommendation

If you have been ministered to by John’s ministry in your life, then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Truth Endures.  It will be a blessing to you.  If you are not familiar with the ministry of John MacArthur, this may be the best place to start as you will see MacArthur at his strongest (in the pulpit) while getting a very good overview of the ministry of a man blessed by the Lord.

Hunt, June.  Hope for Your Heart: Finding Strength in Life’s Storms.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011.  224 pp.  $14.99.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

June Hunt is the founder of Hope for the Heart, a worldwide biblical counseling ministry.  She is also the host of the radio program Hope in the Night and Hope for the Heart.  She has authored numerous books and has recorded  a number of CD’s.

Summary

Divided into three parts over 14 chapters, June offers the only hope we can have in times of trials–Jesus Christ.  In part one, she offers the reasons for hope.  She uses the analogy of a storm at sea to show that our anchor, and there are many types of anchors, will hold us fast during the raging storms.  Part two gives us the sources of hope as found in Christ.  Sticking with the storm analogy, she shows that trusting in the Captain (the sovereignty of God) will keep us on the right course.  She also explains how the right map, i.e., the Bible, will help us to navigate our way out of the storm and to safety.  The final part offers the reader the benefits of hope.  In this section, June shows us how to reclaim the wreckage left behind in the wake of the storms.  She also shows us that we must fight to put our hope in Christ alone.

There is one word I have left out of each part and that is the word “guaranteed.”  This is a significant word to the book.  All to often we find that our hope was (or is) in vain.  We say that we are “hoping against hope.”  June explains that the only hope that we can have guaranteed is the hope found in Christ alone.  That alone is a truth worth reading.

Review

While it would be easy to get into a conversation about nouthetic vs. biblical counseling, I will not do so here.  What I will say is that while I may personally disagree with some of what June says theologically, there is nothing here that would cause me not to recommend her ministry to another in need…especially another female.  I have never read anything else by June though I have listened to her radio program a number of times and have always found myself to be blessed and encouraged in so doing.

In Hope for Your Heart, June does share biblical truth as well as many illustrations from her radio programs to show first that you are not the only one hurting.  For some reason, we like to think that no one else is experiencing or has experienced the trial or suffering we are.  For June to pull together so many stories from others is like having your own support group at your fingertips.

Another element that makes this book valuable is that it is part apologetic in nature.  June offers many external evidences for the validity of Christ as our anchor.  These facts can be cross-checked and will found to withstand the scrutiny of any doubting reader.  Finally, her analogy of the storm and anchor will resonate extremely well with her audience.

Recommendation

If you are hurting in life, pick up this book or tune into June’s radio show (link above).  If you know someone hurting in life, give them a copy of this book as a gift.  There will be some that disagree with June Hunt because she is not nouthetic.  I am in the camp of nouthetic counseling and still have recommended June Hunt’s ministry to others as I also recommend this book to you.