Book Review - 40 Questions on Baptism and the Lord's Supper

40 Questions on Baptism and the Lord’s Supper 

By John S. Hammett

This particular series has proven very helpful as it addresses topics of importance to any believer in the 21^st century. The present tome is no exception. It has a wealth of information on the Christian practices of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (others call the latter, Communion or The Eucharist). The author’s point of view is theologically conservative, accepting the Bible as the Word of God; which is refreshing, given the current academic trend of disbelief. The author got his Ph.D. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and therefore, the reader should not be surprised to learn he favors Baptist doctrinal stances.

            Hammett does address what others believe about baptism and the Lord’s Supper and he does it in a respectful tone and endeavoring to be fair. This is also refreshing, given the polemic nature of Christian disagreements on these and other doctrinal topics. He does not simply knock down straw men; although, I’m sure proponents of alternative views will be able to point out where Hammett has misunderstood or unintentionally misrepresented their doctrine.

            My own perspective differs from the author’s, but I can appreciate the work he put into his research. I love the format of the series and trust we will get more quality work in other areas of theology and Christian doctrine

4/5 Stars

Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.

Book Review - For the Love of God's Word

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For the Love of God’s word: An Introduction to Biblical Interpretation

By Andreas J. Köstenberger and Richard D. Patterson

Köstenberger was academically influenced by Grant Osborne and D.A. Carson, two heavy-weights in the interpretation department; that fact alone makes one expect a quality book. But Köstenberger is a scholar of the first rank on his own merit and this book ably demonstrates that fact (I apologize for not knowing enough about the co-author Richard Patterson). Written to be used as a simple textbook on Biblical interpretation, the book contains not only the essentials, but the fundamentals on the art and science of interpretation.

            The book is an abridged version of their more academic Invitation to Biblical Interpretation, but if you have never read the bigger tome, you will not think anything is missing from the abridgment. The authors have carefully distilled the fundamental content and made it more accessible. This is good news for readers that do not have much time but do need to hone in their hermeneutical skills.

            Throughout the book there are shaded boxes with a synthesis of the chapters contents and these are very helpful. They will give you outlines of steps, definitions, arguments, procedures, etc. that you can refer back to when you are done reading the book. They will serve as an excellent refresher for years to come. They also will test you on whether you understood and learned what the authors intended for each chapter in question. The examples given throughout the book are very useful and capably illustrate the hermeneutical principles being studied. There is a useful glossary at the end of the book for the technical/academic jargon used in case one is not familiar enough with it.

            For my taste, the layout of  Scott and Hays’ Grasping God’s Word is more inviting for first time students; but I would recommend the present text as a handy reference to further explore certain types of hermeneutics or if in need of exegetical examples of proper interpretation processes.

4/5 Stars

Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.

Book Review: Interpreting the Prophetic Books: An Exegetical Handbook by Gary V. Smith

The idea behind the Handbooks for Old Testament Exegesis series is an outstanding one. Short, to the point, yet scholarly and well documented. Gary V. Smith is a well-known scholar of the prophetic writings and is informed enough to write a useful handbook; and that he did. He covers the fundamentals, rather than just the essentials (see below). That is, Smith not only tells us how to interpret, but what to do with that information. Most commentaries/exegetical handbooks stop at interpretation.

PROS
• There are chapters on “Proclaiming Prophetic Texts” and “From Text to Application,” which are extremely useful in our day and age. Very few of us know how to preach from these texts without over spiritualizing them. Rather than giving God’s message, we usually end up giving our own (with the best of intentions, mind you).
• FOOTNOTES. Oh, yeah!  I love having footnotes rather than endnotes. This is a major plus for any academic work.

CONS
• The type is set in a small font; specially the Hebrew font. I had trouble reading some of the vowel markings. Not good. I understand the need to make the size of the book manageable, but please remember that 40-year-old and above also want to read scholarly books and continue studying.
• Some charts had too dark a background, which made reading the text more difficult.
• Maybe the content was a little too brief. Again, I understand the purpose behind the brevity, but at many points I was left wanting just a little more information. I would definitely love the book at double its current size.
• A little too critical of the text itself at some points. Since I believe the Bible to be completely inspired of God. Some of the current critical views do not settle well with me.

With that said. I would pick this book up first when beginning a study of the prophetic material, and work from there. It should not be the only source of information by any means, but it is a useful one.

3/5 Stars


Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry review program. The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.

Book Review: Preaching with Accuracy

Book Review:

Preaching with Accuracy: Finding Christ-Centered Big Ideas for Biblical Preaching

By Randal E. Pelton

An essential primer on Biblical preaching

I am a reader, so amassing huge amounts of research on a given subject is not as difficult for me; but as many others can attest to, it is one thing to have the information, and another knowing how to preach it so that the congregation would benefit from it.

Pelton comes to our aid with a brief, very practical book that immediately immerses one in the task of “finding Christ-centered big ideas for biblical preaching.” In an age when sermons are constructed more to impress than to inspire, to get a physical and verbal reaction rather than a soul transforming action, this book is badly needed. Sadly, it is possible that the people that need it the most, are unaware of their own need, and that is today’s preachers. Borrowing a quote from the book,

“[B]y our determined efforts to redefine ourselves in ways that are more compelling to the modern world than are faithful to Christ, we have lost not only our identity but our authority and our relevance.” (Os Guinness)

The biggest value of the book might just be the corrective of preaching what the Bible actually says, instead of the ideas of the preacher, sprinkled with a few barely related verses here and there.

If you are in any way entrusted, every week or once a year, to serve the Bread of the Word to a congregation, get this book. Work through it at your own pace. It is short and sweet. It is not the answer to every sermonic ailment, but it is a good start.

Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.

4/5 Stars

Book Review: 40 Questions About Creation and Evolution

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For those not afraid to hear real answers

 

Book Review: 40 Questions About Creation and Evolution by Kenneth D. Keathley and Mark F. Rooker

Today’s academic setting is dismissive of those that would question evolution as an established scientific fact. This is very unfortunate. If they could but give the other side a hearing, they would find beneficial information.

Most of the time the problem has been with authors that have a need to communicate on this topic to the masses that may not understand the scientific or biblical concepts behind the debate. Evolutionists dismiss anyone with a similar point of view.

I hope they give this book a chance. It is written at a more scholarly level, it contains hundreds of footnotes and it is respectful of opposing views. They engage the issues critically, biblically, and scientifically. The book has review questions at the end of each chapter, which should help the reader focus what they got out of the book in order to share with others (maybe in a series of church lectures?).

Some topics would have benefitted from illustrations to make the concepts clear; other than that, this is a much needed voice for today’s apologetic endeavors.

4/5 Stars

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an unbiased one.

Book Review: Shepherding God’s Flock

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Book Review: Shepherding God’s Flock: Biblical Leadership in the New Testament and Beyond edited by Benjamin L. Merkle and Thomas R. Schreiner

With names like Andreas Köstenberger, Bruce Ware, and Thomas Schreiner writing some of the chapters, one does not have to agree with everything they write to benefit from the meticulous research we have come to expect from their writings.

The obvious strength of the book is that they go to the Bible and attempt to extract what the New Testament has to say about leadership; and specifically to those who have made the care for souls their primary life mission.

While contemporary examples and analysis of different church bodies’ practices may be seen as helpful by some; being on the outside of such movements made the information somewhat foreign to me. While the development of the papacy may be an important historical question, I personally did not see it as a helpful chapter; the same goes for the other ecclesiastical bodies surveyed.

I was expecting more of a biblical work, but it seems that the and beyond part of the subtitle won out. Not really what I think ideal.

2/5 Stars

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an unbiased one.

Book Review: The People, The Land, and The Future of Israel

The People, The Land, and The Future of Israel: Israel and the Jewish People in the Plan of God.

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Book Review: The People, The Land, and The Future of Israel: Israel and the Jewish People in the Plan of God by Darrell L. Bock and Mitch Glaser, Editors.

Replacement Theology (the doctrine that the Church has forever replaced Israel) has been described by some as a cancer in Christian theology; this book is a scholarly attempt to bring a biblical perspective on that an other very important issues that have to do with Israel’s past, present, and future in the plan of God.

I could not recommend this book highly enough. Get it, read it, live it! It is time for the church of Christ to come to a balanced and biblical view of Israel. Too much speculation and false ideas, along with a lack of biblical understanding have twisted our Israelology and turned it into a caricature.

Will you agree with everything in the book? No. I know I didn’t. Also, as usual in a book of this type, some chapters are better written than others. Truly, though, some are gems and have done an outstanding job in the allotted space for their subject. The questions at the end of each chapter are excellent and help one benefit from the content a whole lot more than usual. Plus, the video links help one come into “conversation” with the authors. The book is worth (almost) every penny.

The one negative for me is the unfortunate use of endnotes instead of footnotes. The book is an academic treatment of the subjects; academics love FOOTNOTES (yes, that information should be at the bottom of the page, ready and immediately accessible). We have to see where they got their information, we want to read what other related information is available. We DO NOT like to hunt for that information pages later, and it is a pain having two different places in the book open at all times. PUBLISHERS: If you intend the book to be academic, please do not use endnotes. Thank you very much.

4/5

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry review program. The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.

Book Review: Blessed are the Balanced: A Seminarian’s Guide to Following Jesus in the Academy

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Book Review: Blessed are the Balanced: A Seminarian’s Guide to Following Jesus in the Academy

By Paul E. Pettit and R. Todd Mangum

Many students seeking an academic degree in theology are not blessed, like me, with a wife that constantly and lovingly reminds him that there should be a daily time when the books are put on hold in order to have some family time (or you have dismissed the importance of her gentle nagging). This book will fill that need in your life. Not only does it remind us of the need to give our minds some rest, and our hearts some nurturing in the presence of our beloved families; but most importantly, it helps us bring to mind the whole reason we are pursuing academic excellence: to glorify Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Keeping our personal relationship with God aflame with passion, as we seek to know His Word better through academic learning, is something that should not be forgotten; otherwise, we will doom our very souls.

The book engages your attention, by appealing to your keen mind (especially if you’ve already learned some Greek and Hebrew); it also gives real-life illustrations to drive a point home. The authors do not forget to remind us of the beauty of humility, and the value of having a servant’s heart.

I know you are busy, but trust me: you want to read this book. It is brief, pulls no punches, and goes directly to the point. Take it with you to a park early on Saturday, read it, and come home with a fresh perspective on your calling to the higher learning endeavor.

4/5 Stars

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an unbiased one.

Book Review: Apostle of the Last Days: The Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul by C. Marvin Pate

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­Apostle of the Last Days: The Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul by C. Marvin Pate

Book Review:

C. Marvin Pate is a well-known name in New Testament Theology, particularly in eschatology; having written and edited other books on the subject, this time he focuses his attention on Paul’s eschatology.

Pate rejects the New Perspective on Paul being advocated of late by some important Pauline theologians (e.g. N.T. Wright, Jamed D.G. Dunn) and opts for the traditional view. Because that view is highly controversial and is making big waves in contemporary Paul studies, a more detailed refutation of their basic convictions would have enriched Pate’s book.

Having in mind that Paul lived in a time where Greco-Roman culture and Jewish Theology were the “locations” where Christianity was born, Pate seeks to find a place of reconciliation between the vacuity of “realized eschatology” (a la Preterism) and the politically invested “consistent eschatology” (totally futuristic). The Bible seems to favor an “already/not yet” eschatology, especially in light of the reality of a first and second coming of Jesus. The term used to describe it is “inaugurated eschatology;” a middle-of-the-road view that takes into account both sets of Scriptures used selectively by the other two positions.

The many tables present to elucidate Pate’s views are a testament to the amount of work invested in preparing the book, although the inclusion of an annotated bibliography would have made the book immensely more valuable for Pauline research. Others will also miss an index of topics covered in the book.

A word of caution: It is somewhat problematic to use eschatology as the hermeneutical lens through which one reads Paul’s theology, and it may lead to selective use of evidence rather than an all-encompassing theological exploration of Paul’s convictions. Pate does his best to avoid this pitfall but readers may disagree on the level of his success/failure to do so.

The book packs a punch and is recommended as a decent theological primer to Pauline eschatology.

4/5 Stars

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.

Book Review: What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About

Book Review: What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus’ Bible 

Edited by Jason S. DeRouchie 

 

As most hard covers published by Kregel the book is laid out beautifully and in full color; although some shaded boxes used a font that was much too thin and small making them difficult to read.

The Preface seemed to promise a canonical approach to the text with an emphasis on Christological fulfillment; however, the expected links between the writings in the order of the Hebrew canon are missing from the analysis. Now, it may be that the editor understands “canonical” in a different way than, say, Sailhamer. The Christological work is OK, but could have been more thorough.

As Survey’s go, the book is not bad. I don’t think there’s anything ground-breaking in the volume and some authors do a better job than others. I would recommend this survey to those that are still using popular or entry-level materials like Henrietta Mears’ What the Bible is All About; I assure you, you won’t go back to it once you read this tome. For those that want something more in-depth, a good Introduction would be much more beneficial.

3/5 Stars

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.

Book Review: Ego Trip: Rediscovering Grace in a Culture of Self-Esteem

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Book Review: Ego Trip: Rediscovering Grace in a Culture of Self-Esteem

By Glynn Harrison

The culture of self-esteem has taken over America, and it is as popular as it is ineffective, according to psychiatrist Glynn Harrison. My guess would be that this book will not be a favorite of most of today’s Christian counselors who, for the most part, have swallowed the self-esteem ideology hook, line and sinker. But dismissing the book out of hand would be a huge mistake, especially for those whose calling in life is helping those that are emotionally suffering.

The author is right that the struggle for significance and self-worth in our lives is what has given the theory of self-esteem a lot of steam (no pun intended) in modern society. From the secular world to the church we are immersed in the ideology that what people need more than anything else is to feel good about themselves.

The complex research that looked for hard evidence that the gospel of self-esteem delivered on its many promises came up empty and Harrison shares the findings; among them that what the culture of self-esteem has actually increased has been selfishness and narcissism.

What our modern society needs (and, yes, our churches too) is a return to sanity in the pursuit of self-realization by giving of themselves selfishly for the good of others. For those that have read the Gospels, that sounds a lot like the message of the Carpenter from Nazareth. Could it be that the solutions that Psychologists and Psychiatrists have been looking for was in the Word of God all along?

Read Harrison’s book with an open mind (and with an open Bible); you will be blessed, and may be able to bless someone else that’s still looking for the right answers in the wrong place.

5/5 Stars

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Net Galley book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an unbiased one.

Book Review: Raising a Lady in Waiting

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Book Review: Raising a Lady in Waiting: Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Daughter Avoid a Bozo

By Jackie Kendall

Based on principles the author finds in the Book of Ruth, she helps mothers navigate the difficult waters on raising a virtuous young lady in a world filled with “Bozos.” She wants to make sure no young lady will sell herself short or be entangled with someone not deserving of her qualities.

Among the unforgettable lessons taught is the one about the “Ideal Mom—Former Prostitute” Rahab, who raised her son to be a godly example for many generations to come: Boaz. The same man who would eventually be in the genealogy of the Messiah of Israel.

The book is based on Kendall’s previous book, “Lady in Waiting” where she shares the principles she followed to find herself a “Boaz” (the virtuous “hero” in the Book of Ruth) instead of ending up with a “Bozo” for a husband.

Our young girls need this book. Youth workers need this book. Every mother needs this book. I even think every father should read this book and teach its principles to every boy.

Unfortunately, the book is written for mothers about daughters only. Also, the book could be better edited (how many times does the reader need to see the play on words, “Boaz” vs. “Bozo”? We got the point in the Preface, thank you), but the advice is timely and the strategies priceless. I recommend the book to any parent of a girl.

4/5 Stars

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Net Galley book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.

DVD Set Review: The Tabernacle — Rose Publishing

DVD Review: The Tabernacle

By Shawn Barnard, MDiv

Important Note: This review is for the 6-Session DVD and printable Leader Guide edition only. Therefore, other items in the Complete Kit For The Tabernacle DVD-based Bible Study were not available for review.

Rose Publishing is currently a leader in publishing study books that are attractive, well laid out, and very useful; most of them are truly eye-candy. It is no different with The Tabernacle 6-Session DVD.

I teach Tabernacle typology at a local Bible school; therefore, my expectations of Barnard’s teaching may be a little higher than most. Barnard is a good communicator and the multimedia features added to the lectures are very helpful in aiding further understanding. Unfortunately, the audio in the lectures is uneven (the right channel is very low and unclear); still, the images used are beautiful; I just wish they had used more of the relevant images throughout the presentations. Also, I’m not sure how I feel about some of the camera work; looking at the back of people’s heads may seem interesting to some while unnerving others.

Of course, most of the teaching was familiar to me; however, I did find one or two nuggets of gold in Barnard’s teaching. As is common with any typological teaching, I think that sometimes Shawn went beyond the Biblical evidence in some applications (e.g. the Trinity in the Tabernacle?), but overall he tries to stay grounded in Scripture. Further, I could not agree with his statement that, “Everything in Scripture points to and finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.” Most current scholars of Hermeneutics would not agree with that position. I think most of us can think of Old Testament passages that cannot point to Jesus in a typological fashion (descriptions of geographical locations, numbers, genealogies, descriptions of sinful behavior, etc.). That is not to say that Jesus is not present in the Old Testament; He certainly is present in every division of the Hebrew Bible! (See John 5:39: Luke 24:27, 44–45.)

All the video sessions come in one DVD; the second DVD contains marketing materials for the class and also a 96 page Leader’s Guide that is very nicely done and could be useful in teaching a class on the subject at your local church as it contains suggestions on group activities. Of course, the student’s would have to avail themselves of the Student’s Notes with fill-in-the-blanks elsewhere since they are not included in this package (see the Complete Kit for the Tabernacle from Rose Publishing that does include those).

Viewing all sessions takes about three hours; hardly enough time to give an adequate overview of the richness of the typology found in the descriptions of the Tabernacle plan and function. This need not be seen as a negative comment; I just wish Barnard took his time explaining each lesson in more detail; he seems to have more to share than he had time to. Maybe Rose Publishing will produce a more complete course on the subject (one also has to keep in mind that Rose has a book and other materials on the subject that can complement the DVD series). Having said that, I think the DVD study is an excellent primer on Tabernacle typology for the average church member. Get this resource. You won’t be disappointed.

4/5 Stars

Disclosure: The DVD set was received for free from the Rose Publishing book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.

Book Review: Five Steps to Breaking Free from Porn

Book Review: Five Steps to Breaking Free from Porn

You may not want to hear it, but Joe Dallas will tell it like it is; the wishy-washy ways Christians use to attempt to get over any type of sin are clearly exposed in this book. It lays the guilt where it really needs to be, asks for repentance and gives the steps that any truly repentant sinner caught by the tentacles of pornography will want to follow to be set free once and for all.

The steps seem easy at first, but they involve a level of commitment few books request from the sinner:

1. Access. Do not just purpose in your heart you will never look at porn again, break every possible avenue of access to it!

2. Accountability. Be transparent and rely on a mature Christian and your wife to keep you on the right path.

3. Awareness. Be always on the look-out. Sin is sneaky.

4. Amends. Repentance involves restitution to those your sin has harmed.

5. Anticipation. Live your life in light of eternity. How will you be remembered?

The first thing that the addict must understand is that his/her sin is grievous and that it violates God's clear commandments. Second, we must be delivered from the pride of self-sufficiency and stop kidding ourselves. We need help. We cannot overcome alone.

Anyone dealing with this problem or counseling someone who is must avail themselves of this resource. It is concise, yet Scriptural. Get it, read it, share it!

5/5 Stars

 

Disclosure: The book was received for free from NetGalley book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.

Book Review: 5 Conversations you Must Have with your Daughter by Vicki Courtney

Book Review: 5 Conversations you Must Have with your Daughter by Vicki Courtney

Parenting does not come with its own Manual, but it should. No worries, help is available in this incredibly interesting book. The author's wise approach to raising her own daughter is an inspiration in this easy to enjoy book. From the beginning she will get you interested in finding ways that you too can "loosen my grip, and ask God to tighten His."

As a father of a beautiful two-year-old I don't want her to grow, yet I know I must be prepared to make the most of the brief time the Lord has given me to help her prepare for life. The author does not sugarcoat the frustrations that will come along the way, the difficulties of being successful in having those five conversations with your daughter (over and over again), and for that I am grateful.

I, for one, appreciate the fact the book is written from a strongly biblical point of view. Who better than God to give us principles that actually work? He knows better, because He is the designer.

I recommend the book to anyone that has a daughter or is planning on having one.

4/5 Stars

 

Disclosure: The book was received for free from B&H Publishing Group through NetGalley's book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.

Book Review: Embracing Shared Ministry by Joseph H. Hellerman

Book Review: Embracing Shared Ministry: Power and Status in the Early Church and Why It Matters Today by Joseph H. Hellerman

A fresh take on how pastoral ministry was done in the early church, contrasting the contemporary senior pastor model with a multiple elders model, which, the author contends was the way pastoring was done in the first century. Furthermore, the author deals with authority abuse in churches, advocating, as a solution, for a “cruciform” type of life modeled by those in authority. He takes his clues from Paul’s letter to the Philippians in order to cast a markedly alternative vision in a truly biblical theology of leadership.

The author also compares the single pastor model to the plurality of elders one and makes a good case that the latter is, at the very least, the practice in the early church, particularly as lived out in Philippi. By giving modern day examples, biblical theology is brought into the realm of practical theology and helps the reader to ascertain the prevalent weaknesses in today’s popular pastor-as-CEO model.

It is possible that many pastors do not realize they have come to see the church as their own playing ground where they exercise supreme authority. It is possible that they honestly think that anyone not singing the pastor’s praises is a carnal individual that would be better off attending elsewhere. The book should at the very least help them think through how they do church government. Maybe they would learn a thing or two about pastoring the biblical way, and maybe other sheep will be spared the spiritual abuse that has victimized countless souls.

Every pastor, minister, elder, deacon and member of the board in the church should read this book!!!

4/5 Stars

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.

Book Review: What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur'an by James R. White

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Excellent research on a much-needed subject…

Book Review: What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur'an by James R. White

James R. White is a well-known Apologist that has held over one hundred professionally moderated debates. He is usually a good researcher and generally learns the opposing viewpoints straight from the authoritative sources. Therefore, he provides excellent first-hand accounts of what the Qur’an really teaches and what truly faithful Muslims must believe about their faith and about those that reject it.

More people need to read books like this one. Islam is not a passing fad, but it’s here to stay. It’s mandate is not to coexist with other religions but rather to bring everyone in the world under submission to Allah.

If you have been obtaining your information on Islam from the news or politicians, hold on to your seat; authoritative Islamic sources will alter your point of view on the subject after reading this book.

Is the book perfect? No, and maybe White spends a little too much time on certain hobbyhorses; but, overall, you will get your money’s worth. You cannot afford to live in the dark on this all-important topic. If you are a Christian leader, isn't it about time you spoke in an informed fashion about Islam? (And what you didn't know may surprise you).

[Kindle version only: Before purchasing, make sure the footnote links work. My version didn't and it was a hassle.]

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Net Galley book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.

4/5 Stars

Book Review: Reasons for Belief: Easy-to-Understand Answers to 10 Essential Questions by Norman L. Geisler and Patty Tunnicliffe

 

Basic Apologetics it is…

Book Review: Reasons for Belief: Easy-to-Understand Answers to 10 Essential Questions by Norman L. Geisler and Patty Tunnicliffe

An interesting basic Apologetics introduction that distills some of Geisler’s other writings on the subject in a handy way. It may be a good primer for someone new to the subject of confronting unbelief in the living God.

The authors are careful to define what important words like “resurrection” and “miracle” mean. So many times in discussing the faith with unbelievers, both sides assume they are speaking the same language when in reality they are not. It is a basic flaw that must be corrected if we are to understand each other and reach conclusions that are not only helpful but also valid; other that that, not much is new nor is the approach groundbreaking.

As with a few other books by Geisler, one has the suspicion that he just added his name to one of his student’s works so that they would sell. Of course, this is just an assumption and, in the end, should not influence one’s decision to buy a book that may be helpful. For your money, Strobel’s “The Case for…” books may be more suitable for beginners (and more complete).

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Bethany House book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.

3/5 Stars

Book Review: The 40 Most Influential Christians Who Shaped What We Believe Today by Daryl Aaron

 

Learning through easy reading…

Book Review: The 40 Most Influential Christians Who Shaped What We Believe Today by Daryl Aaron

Aaron is a good writer and does a great job at distilling the kinds of things that make a person important in the grand scheme of church history. Of course, the task of choosing only 40 such representatives is in itself a burden, I’m sure. Plus, one cannot avoid the influence of one’s own theological presuppositions along with a triumphalistic dependence on what some have termed, “The Historic Christian Church.”

The author, of course, does not share many of my theological foundations and, therefore, makes no mention of some Christians without which my own “church history” (Pentecostal) would be different. No doubt other non-Evangelicals will share a similar feeling.

In the end, the book is an interesting and informative read. Does Aaron always succeed?  No, but no one can fault him for trying to distill a lifetime into a four-page chapter. If you have five minutes to spare and would like to learn who Bonhoeffer or Arminius were, that’s all it will take to get a good introduction to these men.

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Bethany House book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.

3/5 Stars

Book Review: Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G. K. Beale

Beale produces a must-have hermeneutical tool… 

Book Review: Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G. K. Beale 

The author explores in the book the basic methodology that drove his massive Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, which he edited with D. A. Carson. Since the latter is now a classic on the subject, the publication of the Handbook is a welcome addition to an Exegete’s toolbox.

Beale tackles some interpretation issues as he seeks to clarify for the reader what hermeneutical foundations may assist one in dealing with how the New Testament writers handled the Old Testament. Although, traditionally, Bible commentators faced with a difficult passage would shield themselves behind a not so convincing stance like, “Well, the Old Testament passage does not really say that, but it was a new meaning that the Holy Ghost inspired in the New Testament writer; therefore, it is valid and is still the Word of God.” With a more informed methodology such passages can be seen in all their richness, without worrying that what the New Testament writer saw in them was not really there (because, as it turns out, it actually was).

The reader will have to pace him or herself in order to absorb the principles outlined in the book and think through some of the issues, and certainly will not agree with the author throughout, but no serious interpreter of the Scripture should do without this resource or without Carson and Beale’s Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament.

 [Kindle version only: Make sure the footnote links work and that the book can be read in Black mode (white text for night reading) before purchasing. My version didn't and it was a hassle.]

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Net Galley book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one. 

4/5 Stars

Book Review: Interpreting the Pauline Letters: An Exegetical Handbook

­Book Review: Interpreting the Pauline Letters: An Exegetical Handbook by John D. Harvey

This book is the first one in the promising series, Handbooks for New Testament Exegesis from Kregel (Other planned titles include, Interpreting Apocalyptic Literature, Interpreting the General Letters, and Interpreting the Gospels and Acts).

The book is very useful for anyone studying the Apostle Paul (and who isn’t these days?) and his writings. Beginning with an exploration of genre issues and historical background, the author then moves to analyze Paul’s theology. Further, he gives practical steps to interpret passages in Paul’s letters, as well as giving some preaching pointers.

The Chapter At A Glance and The Chapter In Review text boxes at the beginning and ending of each chapter will help undergraduate students on what to expect and also what not to miss. Several charts throughout the book make the information more intelligible as well.

The Selected Resources are nice but painfully limited. An amplified Annotated Bibliography would have been great, and in my opinion would have made this short book (under 200 pages) much more valuable.

To fully profit from the book a basic knowledge of Greek is highly encouraged, but that is to be expected: How else can one expect to do serious biblical exegesis?

The book is recommended as a decent exegetical primer to the Pauline epistles.

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.

Book Review: Charts on the Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul

Book Review: Charts on the Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul by Lars Kierspel

The Kregel Charts of the Bible series books are a valuable addition to any Bible student’s library. In this volume Kierspel does a fine job in distilling the background, writings, and theology of the apostle Paul. If you have questions on current issues like women in ministry and the New Perspective on Paul, then the book will give you a synopsis of the most important arguments. His charts on Christology are nice. The book contains 111 charts of information plus commentary on theological positions and the best scholars representing them. There’s so much information here that any Bible student will have hours of theological fun exploring its contents.

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.

Book Review: A Rabbi Looks at the Last Days

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Book Review: A Rabbi Looks at the Last Days by “Rabbi” Jonathan Bernis

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Unfortunately, I have some issues with the way the book is marketed. It announces a “Rabbi” on the front cover, but Bernis admits inside that he is not an actual Jewish Rabbi, but a self-called “Messianic Rabbi;” that is, no university or yeshiva granted him the title. Most people probably expect Bernis to be a former Jewish Rabbi converted to Christianity.

I am also a little uncomfortable with the content. In my Kindle version, at location 1161, Bernis mentions “the book of Josephus” as one of his sources; but Bible students know that Josephus wrote more than just one book. It was surprising to me that the editors didn’t catch this.

On the positive side, the book makes for an interesting read and keeps the reader engaged. Bernis’ warnings about ‘newspaper eschatologists’ and inaccurate or fabricated ‘prophecy fulfillments’ are right on the money. Too many self-proclaimed prophecy teachers are sensationalistic rather than exegetical when it comes to Bible prophecy (most leave the Bible aside to engage in countless speculations).

The book may work as an introduction to Jewish–Christian eschatology, but to learn more about prophecy from a Messianic Jew, I would probably suggest Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s The Footsteps of Messiah. Though pricey, it is a good resource.

Disclosure: The book was received for free from Net Galley book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.