Category Archives: BOOK REVIEWS

FAVORITE READS OF 2014

My top reads from 2014 are listed below: 1. Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God – Timothy Keller (2014) I’ve read many books about prayer over the last 25 years.  This is the best by far! See my review       2. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief – John Frame Ranks alongside Wayne Grudem’sContinue reading “FAVORITE READS OF 2014”

WRATH UPON THE WICKED TO THE UTTERMOST – Jonathan Edwards (1735)

The sermon is dated May, 1735.  Jonathan Edwards makes his way into the pulpit to read his manuscript – which was his consistent habit.  The full title of the sermon is When the Wicked Shall Have Filled Up the Measure of Their Sin, Wrath Will Come Upon Them to the Uttermost.  The text that theContinue reading “WRATH UPON THE WICKED TO THE UTTERMOST – Jonathan Edwards (1735)”

THE THINGS THAT BELONG TO TRUE RELIGION – Jonathan Edwards (1751)

The text is Acts 11:12-13 which describes an episode in the life of Cornelius.  Edwards describes Cornelius as he preaches to the Mohawk indians at Stockbridge as a man who was a non-Jew, a man who came from the stock of a heathen nation; a man who came from a nation that had beaten downContinue reading “THE THINGS THAT BELONG TO TRUE RELIGION – Jonathan Edwards (1751)”

52 LITTLE LESSONS FROM LES MISERABLES – Bob Welch (2014)

Sin and salvation.  Grace and greed.  Mercy and justice.  Good and evil.  Truth and lies.  God and the rejection of God.  These are just a few of the themes that emerge in Victor Hugo’s monumental work, Les Misérables. Bob Welch, author of seventeen books has been touched by Hugo’s story and has a passion toContinue reading “52 LITTLE LESSONS FROM LES MISERABLES – Bob Welch (2014)”

SPURGEON’S CALVINISM

The seventeenth century theologians at Dort responded swiftly and decisively to the rising tide of Arminianism.  The official response came as a result of the Synod of Dort which convened in 1618-1619, over one hundred years after John Calvin’s birth in 1509.  Their response is summarized in the famous TULIP acrostic: T – Total depravityContinue reading “SPURGEON’S CALVINISM”

MASTERING GOLF’S MENTAL GAME – Michael T. Lardon (2014)

Reading an instructional book on the game of golf is a study in contrasts.  I would rather watch paint dry than reading some of these books.  On the other hand, some of these instructional books are quite inspirational and helpful.  Dr. Michael T. Lardon’s book, Mastering Golf’s Mental Game is of the later sort. TheContinue reading “MASTERING GOLF’S MENTAL GAME – Michael T. Lardon (2014)”

FEARLESS FAITH: JOHN KNOX – Steven J. Lawson (2014)

2014 marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Knox, the Protestant Reformer who risked life and limb for the sake of the gospel in Scotland and much of western Europe.  Steven Lawson retells the story in his newest work, John Knox Fearless Faith. The author guides readers though the fascinating account of Knox’s lifeContinue reading “FEARLESS FAITH: JOHN KNOX – Steven J. Lawson (2014)”

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God – Timothy Keller (2014)

Over the past twenty-five years, I have read books on prayer by the Puritans and Reformers, the Quakers and the contemplative writers, the Desert Fathers, and even some living authors who think they have something unique to contribute to the discussion. Timothy Keller’s newest work, Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God is quite frankly theContinue reading “Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God – Timothy Keller (2014)”

TAKE COMMAND – Jake Wood (2014)

“The key to relentless execution, quite simply, is the consistent and conscious choice of success over failure.  It is living your personal life and leading your professional life in a way that acknowledges that when the stakes are high, the only thing that moves the needle from failure to success is the right attitude.”  JakeContinue reading “TAKE COMMAND – Jake Wood (2014)”