I am in the unique and enjoyable position of receiving copies of most of the latest and greatest Christian books and I like to provide regular roundups of some of the best and brightest of the bunch. Of all the books I have received recently, here are the ones that appear most noteworthy.
Living by Revealed Truth: The Life and Pastoral Theology of Charles Haddon Spurgeon by Tom Nettles. I haven’t gotten any farther than the first couple of chapters, but already I am greatly enjoying Nettles’ work which has been over a decade in the making. Here is what the publisher says about it: “Tom Nettles has spent more than 15 years working on this magesterial biography of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the famous 19th century preacher and writer. More than merely a biography it covers his life, ministry and also provides an indepth survey of his theology.” We are long overdue for another good biography of Spurgeon and I can’t wait to make my way through this one (which in its oversized, two-column format is not travel-friendly!). (Amazon, Westminster Books)
Reformed Means Missional: Following Jesus Into the World, edited by Samuel Logan. “Christians are not on a mission for God; his church is on his mission—the mission of bringing the grace of Christ to sinners; the mission of bringing the whole world into obedience to Christ; and the mission of covering the earth with the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ Jesus. Being on God’s mission means following Jesus into the darkest places of the world to bring the good news of the total redeeming work of Christ. Leading reformed thinkers including Tim Keller, Thomas Schirrmacher, P. J. Buys, Diane Langberg, John Leonard, Basyle Tchividjian, John Freeman, and many others, demonstrate why and how the church must be on God’s mission of bringing grace, holiness, compassion, and justice to a world of sin and suffering.” (Amazon, Westminster Books)
Judges For You Tim Keller. Aileen and I went through Galatians For You together and enjoyed it thoroughly. We may well do the same with this one. “Second in a new series of expository guides to the Bible, Timothy Keller’s Judges For You walks you through the book of Judges, showing how the flawless God is at work in the most flawed situations and the most failing people. Combining a close attention to the detail of the text with Timothy Keller’s trademark gift for clear explanation and compelling insights, this resource will both engage your mind and stir your heart.” (Amazon, Westminster Books)
Confessions of a Boy-Crazy Girl: On Her Journey from Neediness to Freedom by Paula Hendricks. Admittedly, this is not a book that would typically catch my eye. However, I know Paula, having bumped into her at several conferences and events, and appreciate what she has set out to do in this book. “As she shares her journal entries and stories-the good, the bad, and the ugly-you’ll be encouraged to trust God with your love life and buckle up for the ride! Written for teen girls, Confessions of a Boy-Crazy Girl will help you on your own journey from neediness to freedom.” (Amazon)
A Life Observed: A Spiritual Biography of C.S. Lewis by Devin Brown. This is one of several new biographies of C.S. Lewis to mark the fiftieth anniversary of his death. “Lewis expert Devin Brown brings the beloved author’s story to life in a fresh, accessible, and moving biography through focusing on Lewis’s spiritual journey. Although it was clear from the start that Lewis would be a writer, it was not always clear he would become a Christian. Drawing on Lewis’s autobiographical works, books by those who knew him personally, and his apologetic and fictional writing, this book tells the inspiring story of Lewis’s journey from cynical atheist to joyous Christian and challenges readers to follow their own calling. The book allows Lewis to tell his own life story in a uniquely powerful manner while shedding light on his best-known works.” (Amazon)
And how about you? Are there some new and notable books that you’ve added to your reading list? Is there anything I’m missing?
