New & Notable Books

I am in the enjoyable position of receiving copies of most of the latest and greatest Christian books, and with a new year comes a whole new batch of books that qualify as notable. Here are a few of the highlights that have shown up in my mailbox recently.

Tough Topics 2: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions by Sam Storms. Between this book and the volume that preceded it (which, curiously, was published by a different publisher), Sam Storms has built quite a nice little collection of good answers to tough questions. Here is the publisher’s description: “Countless people are worried, angry, fearful and just plain confused when it comes to some of the more perplexing issues that life poses and the Bible provokes. Tough Topics 2 provides solid and scriptural answers to 25 such questions. Sam Storms seeks to tackle frustration by looking deeply, not superficially, at what Scripture says, deriving clear and persuasive explanations for these thorny matters.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon)

Hosanna, Loud Hosannas by Barbara & David Leeman. Here is a unique resource. “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna is a hymnal, it is a textbook, and it is a devotional book. 115 essential hymns that every child should sing. … This book was written for use in worship chapels at Christian Schools, children’s ministries of churches, and family worship.” Keith and Kristin Getty endorse it, saying: “We are so excited about the publication of this hymnbook for children. Our prayer is that our children will be singing theologically-rich hymns such as the ones found here long after we are gone and will continue to pass them on from generation to generation.” For more information visit studenthymnal.com. (Learn more or buy it at Amazon)

The Happy Christian: Ten Ways to Be a Joyful Believer in a Gloomy World by David Murray. “Hopelessness has invaded much of our culture, even reaching deep into the church. But while the world is awash in negativity, Christians have resources to live differently. In The Happy Christian, professor and pastor David Murray blends the best of modern science and psychology with the timeless truths of Scripture to create a solid, credible guide to positivity. The author of the acclaimed Christians Get Depressed Too, Murray exposes modern negativity’s insidious roots and presents ten perspective-changing ways to remain optimistic in a world that keeps trying to drag us down. The Happy Christian invites readers to shed negativity and become countercultural missionaries by demonstrating the positive power of the gospel in their lives.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon)

John Knox: Fearless Faith by Steve Lawson. I have enjoyed Lawson’s short biographies in the series published by Reformation Trust. This one comes from a different publisher but looks equally good. “John Knox is one of the most colourful figures in church history and his impact is still felt around the world. The real story of Knox surpasses the best fiction novels. Five hundred years after his death, Steven Lawson seeks to ignite our faith in Jesus through Knox’s story. If you think of Knox as the dull Presbyterian, prepare to think again. Let this seminal figure in the history of the Scottish Reformation inspire you to stand firm in your faith and let God impact your spiritual life.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Experiencing the Trinity: The Grace of God for the People of God by Joe Thorn. If you like Thorn’s book Note to Self, you’re likely to enjoy this one as well. “For Christians, there is only one simple yet profound answer: turn to the triune God. Born out of lessons learned during one of the most spiritually challenging periods of his life, Experiencing the Trinity by pastor Joe Thorn contains 50 down-to-earth meditations on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Overflowing with scriptural truth, pastoral wisdom, and personal honesty, this book reflects on common experiences of doubt, fear, and temptation—pointing readers to the grace that God provides and the strength that he promises.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Works of William Perkins, Volume 1, edited by Stephen Yuille. This is the start of a major reprint of Perkins’ works which have been out of print for several centuries now. The publisher says, “The Works of William Perkins fills a major gap in Reformed and Puritan theology. This modern typeset edition of the Works includes four volumes of Perkins’s expositions of Scripture, three volumes of his doctrinal and polemical treatises, and three volumes of his practical writings. … Reformation Heritage Books is excited to announce the publication of the inaugural volume of a projected ten volume set of The Works of William Perkins, often called “the father of Puritanism.” Can you imagine studying the Reformation without having access to John Calvin’s Institutes and commentaries? We believe that the printing of Perkins’s Works in modern print will revolutionize and transform Puritan studies, and be a great blessing to the church of Jesus Christ around the world.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)