THE DISCIPLE MAKING CHURCH – Bill Hull

The Disciple Making Church maintains the discipling church is the normal church and that disciple making is for everyone and every church for three important reasons.  First, Christ instructed the church to take part in it.  Second, Christ modeled it and third, the New Testament disciples applied it.  The author advances the thesis that “unlessContinue reading “THE DISCIPLE MAKING CHURCH – Bill Hull”

IT IS WELL: Expositions on Substitutionary Atonement – Mark Dever and Michael Lawrence (2010)

One of my most vivid memories of my Grandfather has to do with the cross of Christ.  “I do not hear enough about the cross in sermons and in songs,” he would lament.  His complaint was valid twenty-five years ago.  And it is valid today.  In fact, his warning is even more significant today asContinue reading “IT IS WELL: Expositions on Substitutionary Atonement – Mark Dever and Michael Lawrence (2010)”

THE PRIORITY OF PREACHING – Christopher Ash (2009)

Christopher Ash has a simple goal in his book, The Priority of Preaching.  He seeks to encouraged pastors. Ash begins by stressing the authority of the preached word.  The thesis utilizes the book of Deuteronomy: “We must listen to the voice of the Christian preacher because he is the prophet in our generation as MosesContinue reading “THE PRIORITY OF PREACHING – Christopher Ash (2009)”

DUG DOWN DEEP: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters – Josh Harris (2010)

Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris uncovers the importance of understanding and embracing a solid theological framework.  It is in many ways a gracious answer to the typical post-modern response to doctrine. Harris walks the reader through a handful of important branches of systematic theology including the doctrine of God (theology proper), the doctrine ofContinue reading “DUG DOWN DEEP: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters – Josh Harris (2010)”

THE PLIGHT OF MAN AND THE POWER OF GOD – Martyn Lloyd-Jones (2009)

Although Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones went to be with the Lord in 1981, his influence continues to swell even to this day, and better yet, to a new generation of pastors. The Plight of Man and the Power of God is the fruit of five messages, originally delivered by the Doctor in Edinburgh in March, 1941. Continue reading “THE PLIGHT OF MAN AND THE POWER OF GOD – Martyn Lloyd-Jones (2009)”

CONSPIRACY OF KINDNESS – Steve Sjogren (2008)

Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren is written to motivate Christians to begin a lifestyle of evangelism.  The author promotes a fresh style of sharing one’s faith, namely servant evangelism.  Sjogren argues that “God is looking for people who are willing to participate in acts of love and kindness to those outside their present circle. Continue reading “CONSPIRACY OF KINDNESS – Steve Sjogren (2008)”

THE FORGOTTEN SPURGEON – Iain Murray (1966)

There are a few books worth reading over and over.  The Forgotten Spurgeon by Iain Murray is one of them.  Murray is quick to point out that his work is not a biography.  He does, however, seek to examine Spurgeon’s life and pastoral ministry in the context of three major controversies that ensued during hisContinue reading “THE FORGOTTEN SPURGEON – Iain Murray (1966)”

JONATHAN EDWARDS AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD – Douglas A. Sweeney (2009)

Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word by Douglas A. Sweeney is a superb overview of America’s greatest evangelical and intellectual.  Sweeney summarizes his life, pastoral ministry and theological framework. Sweeney reminds readers that Edwards opposed Arminian theology at every juncture.  For Edwards, Arminianism meant opposition to “the Reformation and its glorious doctrines ofContinue reading “JONATHAN EDWARDS AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD – Douglas A. Sweeney (2009)”

THE UNQUENCHABLE FLAME: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation – Michael Reeves (2009)

I place books on church history in two distinct categories – boring or breathtaking.  The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves is of the later sort. The Puritan, Richard Sibbes called the Reformation “that fire which all the world shall never be able to quench.”  Reeves is careful to keepContinue reading “THE UNQUENCHABLE FLAME: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation – Michael Reeves (2009)”

SCANDALOUS:The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus – D.A. Carson (2010)

Don Carson writes good books.  His new book, Scandalous is no exception.  The essays in Scandalous are the fruit of Carson’s work at the 2008 Resurgence conference at Mars Hill in Seattle. Carson recounts the story of the cross of Christ and his resurrection with the clarity and insightfulness that we have grown to expectContinue reading “SCANDALOUS:The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus – D.A. Carson (2010)”