Rediscovering Discipleship by Robby Gallaty

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“Making Jesus’ Final Words Our First Work” reads the subtitle as it reveals the passion for discipleship that you will find between the covers of this book. I have never read a book that biblically makes the case for discipleship as well as this one. Beyond that is the practical guidelines given by one with much experience. There’s seven chapters on the why and six on the how.

Part One includes an in-depth look at how Christ made disciples. The chapter on “Thinking Like A Hebrew” is profound in its insights and one of the most powerful in the book. Then he got into the type of people Jesus discipled–blue collar, untrained, and young–and shows us there might be better candidates around us than we supposed. He also makes sure that we don’t lose sight of the goal that the disciple be transformed in the image of Christ. 

He looks at discipleship historically as well going back to Augustine. His analysis of Wesley’s effective methods will really get you thinking. His thought that a comma in the KJV did the most damage to discipleship seems overdone, but otherwise his historical insights seem hard to refute.

The second part of the book highlights what he has learned from personal experience. His way is not the only way, but his experience makes him deserve our ear. Finally, he makes a clear distinction between evangelism and discipleship. Discipleship is for believers! This work deserves the prominent place on our shelves for often use.
   

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A Lost God in a Lost World by Tinker

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Are you sad about where Christianity is in our world today? Are you sure that it is mostly run amok? Do you wonder if you have your own head on straight? Then you will likely find comfort and guidance in this volume. Its subtitle “From deception to deliverance; a plea for authentic Christianity”  tells us that much of the problem could be the kind of Christianity many of us have.

The Foreward by David Wells and the author’s Preface are succinct, powerful, and well-written descriptions. Then, to carry the case forward,  we are treated to nine expositions from Scripture that strongly make the point. It is powerful, in my judgement, to let the authoritative Scriptures make the case. Though I might disagree on a sentence or two by the author, these are excellent expositions.

I particularly enjoyed his perceptive discussion of idolatry from Isaiah 44:9-23 called “When God Is Weightless”. Pride is also grandly exposed in his examination of Ezekiel 28 (I still see Satan where he does not, but his interpretation is the perfect application). Philippians 2:5-11 made an outstanding study on Christ and the cross. When we are discussing the big picture this book tackles we must make our way by Christ and His cross. He naturally ends with expositions on the Second Coming and a need to be heavenly minded.

This book is both thought provoking and a blessing, and I recommend it.
 

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The End Of Me by Kyle Idleman

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Popular author Kyle Idleman examines the paradox of the Christian life. When Christians overlook that paradoxical nature of our faith, they inadvertently follow the world, even to its feckless results and hollow living. This book calls us back to what our culture blinds us to.

Though based loosely on the Sermon on the Mount, I would not categorize this an exposition. It strikes me as much more belonging in the Christian living section. I was picturing A. W. Tozer walking out in a hip suit and talking in modern slang. Of course, Tozer would never do that, but perhaps you get the idea.

The book is divided in parts with four chapters each. In the first part, Where Blessings Begin, he writes on brokenness, mourning, being humbled, and being authentic. Authencity is a popular concept these days, but the others are rarely spoken of. His version of authencity is far better than much of the “I am just me” that passes for authenticity  in many places. In this first part, I thought the chapter on being humbled was the best and most challenging. The more I think about it, though, I wonder if that says more about me than the book.

I underlined several lines throughout the book. For example: “But it’s so easy for me to put on a show, add a little extra, be more than I am. Every instinct I have tells me to cover my sin deeply, to stamp a big smile across my face, and to give the impression that I have all the answers. But getting to the end of me means getting over myself so the real me can experience the real life in Christ.” See what I mean?

The second part goes on, as you might imagine, to being filled with Christ after being emptied of self. It is well done throughout. I commend Mr. Idleman for writing on these that are sorely needed but run contrary to most of what we hear these days. This is a good read.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion by Wilsey

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Have you ever read about a subject that you have known for a long time that you needed to have deeply thought about, but had not? That is the experience I have had in this unique volume. I am a Christian and consider myself first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. At the same time, I am one of those old-fashioned patriotic types who can get a lump in my throat in a whole variety of patriotic settings. Mr. Wilsey forced me to reconcile some things where I had never done so before.

He clearly had a Bible first and patriotism second attitude of which I agree. I even saw the traces of that same patriotic background in his life. I could show you several sentences and paragraphs in this volume, and even some historical assessments where I could not agree, but he gave me the tools to evaluate this issue. My final conclusions were not far from his when I finished.

He distinguishes throughout the book a helpful “open exceptionalism” and a “closed exceptionalism” that conflicts with Christianity. His categories may not always divide as neatly as they do in his mind, but his point is well made.

I intend to use what I learned in this volume going forward. It’s scholarly and helpful throughout.  I know of no other book quite like it and I highly recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A Christian Looks At The ISIS Attack In Paris

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It is surreal to watch the television tonight. The attack in Paris, verified to be ISIS related, is large in scope and clearly takes us to a new level of danger in our world with its broad Islamic threat.

I have flashbacks to 9/11. People were dying at that moment and I remember when that was true on our soil. There is a huge difference even if the death toll is actually much lower in Paris. 9/11 was the days before heightened security and, of course, the cause of it. That is no longer the case.

Paris was attacked in January and was under the highest security alert possible. ISIS has become sophisticated enough to pull off a highly detailed attack now. That is bad for us all. With politicians finding controlling guns among law-abiding a bigger threat than ISIS, we can’t look to our leaders for actual leadership. In fact, our President just this morning proclaimed ISIS largely “contained”.

Another difference this time is that two of my sons are watching with me and are old enough to take it in. I can’t help but think of their future in this twisted world. A few friends on Facebook have already mentioned this scaring them. We won’t even know all the details for a while.

It seems to have come up a lot lately–a time to remind oneself that the Lord remains securely on the throne. My sons are in His hands, not mine! So I am reminding myself tonight. I am sitting here grateful for the salvation He gives and the constant watch care of me and mine. It’s good to know the Lord Jesus Christ. How about you?

Safe, but I will be praying too. Prayer will ever be better than panic. Again, how about you?

Joshua (Apollos Old Testament Commentary) by Pitkanen

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The Apollos Old Testament Commentary series continues to develop into an important, major commentary series. This entry is a 450 page contribution on the sometimes controversial book of Joshua is another worthwhile contribution. Though it might not be as in-depth as the new 2-volume set in WBC, I imagine pastors will find it more useful. Don’t misunderstand, though, as it will still be in scholarly discussions.

The first 100 pages are an Introduction. I must confess that he has uniquely organized introductory matters. He is kind almost to a fault with liberal authors, but he well shows the plausibility of conservative conclusions on issues like the text and dating. I do not think this Introduction is as good as, say, Firth on Samuel or Petterson on the last three Minor Prophets in the same series, but it is still a valuable contribution.

I loved his explanation that the NT also discusses that unbelievers are punished, and so Joshua is not out of sympathy with the rest of the Bible. After sharing that fine observation, though, he runs amok in the next 15 or so pages. He gets completely sidetracked on current political issues. I will not as a reviewer penalize him for having a different political persuasion than me, but I do highly question why he would bring it in at all.

After that diversion, he settles back in to delivering a fine commentary in the Apollos style. I recommend it as a real help in the study of Joshua.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Churchill’s Trial by Larry Arnn

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Here is a book designed to take history and teach today vital lessons. Winston Churchill and his nuanced life is the fodder for those lessons. Larry Arnn, one of the most informed scholars on Churchill, writes from the reservoir of his deep understanding of Churchill.

The book is divided in three parts: war, empire, and peace. The idea is to take what Churchill said, and to a lesser extent, did, and apply it to free government. That approach entails Churchill facing Nazism, communism, and finally socialism in his own country. Arnn views Churchill as statesmen and guide for us in these troubling days for freedom.

Churchill truly was a once-in-a-generation statesman. What he has to say is so worth listening to, is unique and enjoyable, and so Arnn often lets Churchill do the talking. Arnn succeeds in making the case for free government through the lens of Churchill’s life. He believes that Churchill was a success because we would be much worse off were it not for the contribution he made. My miss is that we a statesman like Churchill today who could as effectively make the case–it’s sorely needed.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

How To Read Job by Walton and Longman

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Here is a volume designed to help one get more out of reading the Book of Job. Scholars John Walton and Tremper Longman, both authors of larger commentaries on Job, team to make sense of what the Book of Job is means to us.

The earlier part of the book covers issues that you might find in a commentary introduction. Part 1 discusses Job as literature in four chapters. There are interesting things like the structure breakdown (check out the chart on page 21) and a discussion of tensions in Job. I felt the chapter “Is Job A Real Person?” a dud and overlooking the information that would demand him to be a real person.

Part Two gives six chapters on the characters in Job. Despite some interesting observations, the literary angle (characters as devices) was overdone. I could not follow the chapter on Satan at all.

Part Three is where the book blossoms. Explaining the retributive principle, how it could be misunderstood, and the true theological message of Job, all give us much to think about.  Trusting God is far more the point than getting answers in this life. The final part on reading Job as a Christian is not, in my judgment, as  good as the preceding theological section.

Still, I do not see how you could not be helped by reading this volume before you begin a study of Job. Whether you would agree or not with their conclusions, you would at least know well what the questions are. That is, of course, exactly what a book of this type should do.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Tough Questions about God and His Actions in the Old Testament by Walter Kaiser

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This book lives up to its title. When it says it addresses tough questions, it actually tackles the toughest questions possible to hurl at the OT. The answers are not superficial, but show the deft hand of a seasoned scholar. Walter Kaiser, writing at the twilight of his career, shows his expertise in the OT. 

The book is a jewel. I found chapters two, three, and six on ethnic cleansing, truth or deception by God, and polygamy respectively to be the most profound. He completely educated me on polygamy. I actually have a firm conclusion on polygamy unlike I had before. I imagine you will learn much you didn’t know there too.

That is not to say all chapters are equally good. I personally found chapter nine on women quite a stretch. Still, as a whole I have never seen a book just like this one.

It will help you apologetically with questioners, it will help you shore up your own thoughts, and it will help you never denigrate the OT. The OT works with the NT and never against it. God is the same in both testaments. This book is a grand reminder.

Pastors, teachers, interested Christians, and even seekers will be blessed by this volume. I would recommend it to everyone!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Pilgrim’s Regress by C. S. Lewis–New Wade Annotated Edition

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Although Lewis wrote this volume years ago, and Lewis needs no recommendation from me, this is a publishing milestone in this freshly annotated edition by David C. Downing. The Lewis volume, perhaps his toughest to penetrate, is opened up to us in such a greater way.

As for the book itself, it is an allegory in the vein of John Bunyan, yet in the style of Lewis. His Pilgrim takes quite a journey! Puritania captures legalism quite profoundly. Lewis fans will love it while new readers will enjoy taking in on.

The thing that stands out to me is how much I would have missed without Downing’s notes. I must confess that I would not have known most of what he shared had he not given this help. Downing has successfully taken a book that sounds well but would likely lose the reader and makes it more able to stand on the shelves as an equal to his other volumes. I imagine even Lewis himself would appreciate this edition.

It comes in a lovely hardback and includes original illustrations. All in all, this is a keepsake that I highly recommend.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.