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. Here are some of the notable books that I’ve received in the past few weeks.
Gospel Identity, Gospel Growth, Gospel Love – A partnership between World Harvest Mission and New Growth Press brings us three studies titled Gospel Identity, Gospel Growth and Gospel Love. “Gospel Identity focuses on the transformation of Christians by the power of the gospel. This ten-session small group study guides participants (and leaders) to discover their need for Jesus, examine the blessings of their new identity in Christ, and explain how those gifts move us outward so others can also experience new life in Jesus. With user-friendly small group activities and questions rooted in Scripture, this small group study (adapted from sections of Gospel Transformation) includes a leader’s guide and is suitable for small groups and individual mentoring. Other books in the series are Gospel Growth – Book 2 and Gospel Love – Book 3. These can be used as stand-alone products.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Gospel Deeps by Jared Wilson – “While pastoring for the past fifteen years, Jared Wilson has become known in contemporary evangelicalism for his passionate, gospel-centered writing and teaching. Following Wilson’s well-received publication of Gospel Wakefulness, he writes Gospel Deeps as a ‘next step’ to establishing the need for astonishment, which begins by looking at the astonishing things God has done in and through Christ. Wilson holds up the gospel like a diamond and examines it facet by facet, demonstrating the riches of its implications. This book serves as a valuable contribution to the emerging canon of gospel-centered literature, in the spirit of John Piper’s Pleasures of God and Tim Keller’s emphasis on a ‘robust gospel,’ and continues in the glory-reveling legacy left by Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, and the like. The distinctiveness of Gospel Deeps is found in Wilson’s winsome and frequently ecstatic writing voice, as well as his unique approach to showcasing the gospel’s beauty.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Gospel’s Power & Message by Paul Washer – Here is what the publisher says about Paul Washer’s new book: “One of the greatest crimes of this generation of Christians is its neglect of the gospel, and it is from this neglect that all our other maladies spring forth. Absent from too many pulpits are the essential themes which make up the very core of the gospel the justice of God, the radical depravity of man, the blood atonement. In The Gospel’s Power and Message, Paul Washer addresses these essential elements of Christ s good news and provides a guide to help us rediscover the gospel in all its beauty, scandal, and saving power. May such a rediscovery transform your life, strengthen your proclamation, and bring the greatest glory to God.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon)
A Journey Toward Heaven by Jonathan Edwards – This new book offers a series of daily devotionals drawn from the sermons of Jonathan Edwards. “Among the vast body of Jonathan Edwards s writings characterized by rich doctrine, a clear and forceful style, a powerful depiction of God s majesty, the sinfulness of sin, and Christ s power to save are his sermons, which contain tremendous wisdom for Christian living. A Journey toward Heaven, a year s worth of daily devotionals drawn from Edwards s sermons, captures the true essence of this great preacher s words and speaks personally to readers hearts. Unlike others in church history who have little to connect them to later generations, Edwards speaks across the centuries, as this book of daily readings well reveals, to challenge, edify, and touch your heart for the glory of God as you grow in holiness and conformity to Christ.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon)
Wondrous Works of God by Starr Meade – According to Crossway, “We want our children to know the God we love and worship, but communicating abstract truths about God can sometimes be difficult. It’s good for us and for our children that God wants to be known. So he doesn’t simply tell us what he’s like; he shows us in the stories of the Bible. As the sequel to Mighty Acts of God, this volume tells 90 more stories from the Bible, beginning with the account of God creating Eve and ending with the epic visions in Revelation. Each story highlights an aspect of God’s character and includes a helpful discussion guide to help the whole family see and understand the wondrous works of God!” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
A Puritan Theology by Joel Beeke and Mark Jones. You may already have heard of this massive new work. “A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life offers a groundbreaking treatment of the Puritans teaching on most major Reformed doctrines, particularly those doctrines in which the Puritans made significant contributions. Since the late 1950s, nearly 150 Puritan authors and 700 Puritan titles have been reprinted and catalogued by Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson in their 2006 collection of mini-biographies and book reviews, titled, Meet the Puritans. However, no work until now has gathered together the threads of their teaching into a unified tapestry of systematic theology.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
