Lucado and R.C. and Moore, Oh My!

Here is your update on the latest reviews at Discerning Reader. We have uploaded six new reviews for you this week—reviews that come from the pens of four different reviewers and which examine books by some of the Christian world’s most popular authors. It’s a banner week!

Leslie Wiggins, who writes reviews of books that are of particular interest to women, has a courageous review of Get Out of that Pit by Beth Moore. I say “courageous” because Leslie dares to suggest that perhaps this book has some poor theology and too little focus on the cross. Read the review and see if you agree.

I have reviewed Max Lucado’s upcoming book, 3:16: The Numbers of Hope (a review I’ve also posted here). A guaranteed bestseller that is going to receive massive publicity, this book is an examination of John 3:16. Though not without its strengths, the book suffers by not defining the target audience. This leads the author to make promises that are not his to make. I have also reviewed Quiet Strength, the autobiography of Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Dungy is a Christian who is very outspoken about his faith and this biography tells his story. Finally, I’ve added a review of A Taste of Heaven by R.C. Sproul.

From Scott Lamb comes a review of Foundations of Grace, the first volume of Steve Lawson’s series (five volumes are planned) dealing with the history of Reformed theology.

And finally, Colin Adams brings a review of Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger. He says, “This is not to say there is nothing helpful in the book. … Church is never truly simple, and Simple Church over-reaches by claiming that it is "returning to God's process for making disciples." (book subtitle). Put simply? Gain insights from this book; don't build your ecclesiology on it.”

You know we’ll be back next Tuesday with more reviews…

As you know by now, Tuesdays are review days over at Discerning Reader. And this week we’ve added five new ones (written by four different reviewers) and two great author interviews. There is a book here for everyone!

I have already posted my review of When Sinners Say “I Do” at the blog, but have a very interesting interview with Dave Harvey that you’ll want to read. I also review Jesus the Evangelist by Richard Phillips, declaring it “biblical exposition at its finest.” It’s a great book and one well worth checking out.

Next up is Leslie Wiggins and her review of Hoping for Something Better, a new title for women by Nancy Guthrie. Leslie says, “I enjoyed this book. Guthrie does a good job of showing how Jesus is better and greater than the other things we women tend to hold onto. Guthrie asks thought-provoking questions for self-evaluation and thinking through the truth presented. I think most adult women will enjoy Hoping for Something Better.”

Meanwhile, Colin Adams reviews Voddie Baucham’s Family Driven Faith. He also interviews Baucham. Of the book Colin says “This apologetic approach, along with the practical suggestions at the end of each chapter, makes Family Driven Faith an excellent 'discussion starter' among parents about marking out their homes as 'God’s territory.' If we take Baucham seriously, it may also be a serious point of departure for church leaders, as they seek to think biblically about the discipleship of children. For Baucham’s central point cannot be easily parried. Scripture does call for parents to take responsibility for training their children in righteousness. The biblical vision for children is not primarily a church driven faith, but a family-driven one.”

From Paul Martin is a review of Graeme Goldsworthy’s According to Plan about which Paul says “those who love Jesus and love to ‘find the road in every text to Him’ will love this book. I highly commend it with this caveat - you will need to read it more than once!”

We’ll be back next Tuesday with more reviews!