July isn’t always prime time for book releases, but in this case, it has done okay for itself. Here are some of the new and notable Christian books for July, 2019. In each case, I’ve provided the publisher’s editorial description.
Disciplines of a Godly Man (Updated Edition) by R. Kent Hughes. This is a new, updated edition of a modern day classic. “No man will get anywhere in life without discipline—and growth in godliness is no exception. Seasoned pastor R. Kent Hughes’s inspiring and best-selling book Disciplines of a Godly Man—now updated with fresh references and suggested resources—is filled with godly advice aimed at helping men grow in the disciplines of prayer, integrity, marriage, leadership, worship, purity, and more. With biblical wisdom, memorable illustrations, and engaging study questions, this practical guide will empower men to take seriously the call to godliness and direct their energy toward the things that matter most.” (Buy now from Amazon or Westminster Books)
J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life by Paul Miller. “Do we have the wrong map for the Christian life? Life’s inconveniences, disappointments, and trials can leave us confused, cynical, and eventually bitter. But the apostle Paul traces out the path of dying and rising with Jesus—what Paul Miller calls the ‘J-Curve’—as the normal Christian life. The J-Curve maps the ups and downs of daily life onto the story of Jesus. It grounds our journeys not in some abstract idea but in union with Christ and his work of love. Understanding our lives in light of the J-Curve roots our hope, centers our love, and tethers our faith to Christ.” (Buy now from Amazon or Westminster Books)
How Can I Be Sure I’m a Christian?: The Satisfying Certainty of Eternal Life by Donald Whitney. This is a re-release of a book by a favorite author. “Nearly everyone wants to go to heaven when they die. Nearly everyone assumes they will go there. And yet the Bible paints a picture of the ‘road that leads to eternal life’ being found and traveled by few. Careful students of the Scriptures often find themselves wondering, How can I be sure of my salvation? Veteran Bible teacher Donald S. Whitney guides us carefully and patiently through the Bible’s teachings on salvation and eternal life—steering us clear of misplaced confidence and pointing us always toward Christ our hope. If doubts about your salvation ever disturb your peace, turn again and again to this book for refreshing clarity and confidence in the God who guides your steps.” (Buy now from Amazon)
Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues, edited by Joshua Chatraw & Karen Swallow Prior. “How should Christians approach important contemporary issues like war, race, creation care, gender, and politics? Christians in every culture are confronted with social trends and moral questions that can be difficult to navigate. But, the Bible often doesn’t speak directly to such issues. Even when it does, it can be confusing to know how best to apply the biblical teaching. In Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues authors Joshua D. Chatraw and Karen Swallow Prior first offer a broadly accessible framework for cultural engagement and then explore specific hot topics in current Western culture including: Sexuality; Gender Roles; Human Life and Reproduction Technology; Immigration and Race; Creation and Creature Care; Politics; Work; Arts; War, Weapons, and Capital Punishment. Featuring contributions from over forty top thinkers, proponents of various views on the specific topics present their approaches in their own words, providing readers an opportunity to fairly consider options.” (Buy now from Amazon)
The Promises of God: A New Edition of the Classic Devotional Based on the English Standard Version by Charles Spurgeon (revised by Tim Chester). “For over 150 years, Charles Spurgeon’s classic daily devotional on God’s promises has comforted the hearts of God’s people. For each day of the year, Spurgeon reflects on a specific promise of God from Scripture that strengthened his heart in times of severe depression and suffering. Each daily meditation testifies to the goodness, faithfulness, and power of God. In this volume, Tim Chester helps Spurgeon speak to a new generation, updating archaic words, shortening sentences, and streamlining sentence structure—all without losing Spurgeon’s passionate and pastoral voice. These devotional readings will inspire you with fresh faith in the promise-making and promise-keeping God of the Bible.” (Buy now from Amazon or Westminster Books)
Reformed Expository Bible Studies, edited by Jon Nielson. This new series of Bible study guides comes from P&R Publications and nicely complements their Reformed Expository Commentary series. The series has launched with volumes on Daniel, Galatians, and James. Here’s how they introduce them: “Studying the Bible will change your life. This is the consistent witness of Scripture and the experience of people all over the world, in every period of church history. Whether we study the Bible alone or with other Christians, it will change us from the inside out. The Reformed Expository Bible Studies provide tools for biblical transformation. Written as a companion to the Reformed Expository Commentary, this series is designed to help people study the Bible for themselves, understand its message, and apply its truths to daily life. Each study is introduced by a pastor-scholar who has written a full-length expository commentary on the same book of the Bible.” (Buy now from Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Christian’s Creed: Embracing the Apostolic Faith by Stanley Gale. “The Apostles’ Creed is the most popular summary of the Christian faith. Yet for all its simplicity, the Creed expresses profound truths about God’s redemptive work that are full of liturgical, catechetical, confessional, and missional implications. In this book, author Stanley D. Gale familiarizes modern readers with this ancient statement of belief and its demand for a faith that enlightens the mind, enflames the heart, and engages the will with the wonders of God’s saving grace.” (Buy now from Amazon or Westminster Books)
