Books I Read in March 2010

The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University by Kevin Roose - This is not the typical book I read, but because I took an online class through Liberty last year, I found Kevin Roose's story extremely intriguing. Kevin Roose transferred from the very liberal Brown University to the very conservative Liberty University three years ago and wrote about his one-semester experience at Liberty. What is unique about this story is that Kevin is not a Christian, but he presented himself as a Christian in an attempt to truly learn what it is like to be a student in a conservative Christian environment.

You can see from my reviews that most of the books I read are Christian and cover deep topics, many from a reformed perspective. The Unlikely Disciple was a nice little break from the weightier material that I usually digest. It was also good for me to read from an author who has a totally different outlook on life.

I first noticed that The Unlikely Disciple is endorsed by a couple of guys that I strongly disagree with on some important theological matters, but despite that, I found this book to be interesting for the most part. I do want to emphasize that I find Kevin Roose's decision to lie about his identity to be morally wrong, but I am glad he was able to learn that the overwhelming majority of the people at Liberty are not the crazy fundamentalists he thought they would be. It should also be noted that Kevin and his friends are crude at times, much like the typical male who attends a secular college in America (which was me).

It is obvious that Kevin, who started writing the book when he was 19 years old, is a talented writer with a great deal of support. This book will make some ultraconservatives upset, but I am sadder than anything. Yes, I smiled and laughed at times and felt great to see Kevin grow in many ways, but Kevin failed to see that life is more than just trying to be good and having fun. I'm sure there are some reading this review and rolling their eyes, but I cannot help but feel sad. I hope one day Kevin writes a book where he tells us how his time at Liberty was a time when a seed was planted that God grew.

Faith of Our Fathers: God in Ancient China by Chan Kei Thong - I was gifted with this 330-page book a few years ago. I made it a goal to finish it this school year, and I wish I had done it sooner. If you have an interest in Chinese culture and religion, I think you will find this book to be an intriguing read. Mr. Thong sets out to prove that the earliest form of worship in China was of a monotheistic God (Shang Di), a Supreme Being that parallels our one true God. Faith of Our Fathers is divided into nine chapters, ranging from the Chinese language and sacrifices performed at the Temple of Heaven to the Mandate of Heaven and dragons. Faith of Our Fathers is thought-provoking and will provide you with a fresh perspective. It is a beautiful book that is endorsed by some big names like David Aikman, Os Guinness, and Marvin Olasky. I too recommend it.

The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn - This is the third Alcorn book I have completed, and one that takes no time to read. Recently, a colleague of mine gave away a dozen or so of The Treasure Principle, and I became interested in reading these 100 pages about giving. I do own Alcorn's Money, Possessions, and Eternity, a much larger layman's theology of stewardship, but I have had difficulty getting motivated to complete the 500 pages of mouse print. The Treasure Principle is divided into six chapters and contains six treasure principle keys...

Principle #1: God owns everything. I'm his money manager - We are merely taking care of the possessions God has lent us.

Principle #2: My heart always goes where I put God's money - Put the money you earn into eternal things like missions.

Principle #3: Heaven, not Earth, is my home - Our true homeland is a home that God is preparing for us.

Principle #4: I should live not for the dot, but for the line - The dot is our present life on Earth, but there is a line that extends from that dot that does not stop. This is eternity in Heaven, and that is what we should set our minds on.

Principle #5: Giving is the antidote to materialism - Giving reminds us that we are not to be living for the world or ourselves. We were created to give God all the glory.

Principle #6: God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving - God blesses us so we can bless others.

Fans of prosperity gospel preachers like T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, and Joel Osteen will not like this book. On the other hand, if you crave Scripture passages and illustrations told with life-changing joy, The Treasure Principle is for you. Reading this book will make you evaluate the financial decisions you are making.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-20

Finally Alive by John Piper - I did not plan on reading this book until Tim Challies, my favorite Christian blogger, listed it as one of his top nine books of 09 and said it was possibly his favorite book by Pastor Piper. The book is a 200 pager that is divided into fifteen chapters. The chapters are organized into five sections: I. What is the new birth? II. Why must we be born again? III. How does the new birth come about? IV. What are the effects of the new birth? V. How can we help others be born again? Although Finally Alive is not one of my favorite Piper books, it is a great book covering a topic that we all need to understand. Many people who call themselves Christians have not experienced a spiritual transformation. For many years, I was one of these unregenerated cultural Christians who simply wanted a ticket into Heaven. True Christians are born again and do not exalt the world and the things of the world above the gospel of Christ. Our problems and the problems of this world are heart problems. Jesus is the only way to fix this problem, and the solution is to be born again. If you want to make sure you understand what it means to be awakened to new birth, I highly recommend this simple-to-read but deep book.

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Books I Read in February 2010

Why Johnny Can't Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers by T. David Gordon - This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Professor Gordon's book covers a topic that I have not come across, and I found it fascinating and straightforward. It is clearly evident to me why all 13 Amazon reviewers of Why Johnny Can't Preach gave it five stars. Professor Gordon explains the causes of the disappointing preaching that is found in many churches across America. What I really liked about the book is that it is not simply a book for seminarians and pastors, but it is a book for all Christians. Gordon tells us how we can be more effective communicators. I would like to improve my reading, writing, and speaking skills, and Gordon provides simple and clear answers to what we do and do not need to do. If you desire to direct others toward Christ in your speech, I recommend Gordon's analysis on the state of preaching in America and how the electronic media culture affects it.

How Sermons Work by David Murray - This e-book was written for four kinds of people - seminary students, pastors, elders, and non-preachers. Most of us do not fall into the first three categories, but if you worship at a local church, you can still benefit from this quick read. This book will only help us better understand the Word of God. How Sermons Work is just 64 pages long and is divided into ten chapters: preparation, selection, interrogation, variation, introduction, organization (I and II), application (I and II), and presentation. Reading this book helped me better understand all of the work a pastor does (or should do) to prepare his sermon and what I should do if I am led to preach one Sunday morning.

The Legacy of Sovereign Joy by John Piper - After receiving The Roots of Endurance from a colleague of mine one year ago, I decided that one day I would read The Legacy of Sovereign Joy. Both of these books are part of a five-book series from John Piper called The Swans Are Not Silent. I have completed nearly a dozen Piper books, and each time I have come away having benefited tremendously. The Legacy of Sovereign Joy examines God's triumphant grace in the lives of three giants of the Christian faith - Aurelius Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Calvin. God used these men powerfully to teach his church what grace really means. Reading about these men reminded me that they certainly had their flaws and that I am to only exalt our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, these men had a white-hot passion for the sovereign joy of God, but it is God who put that in them. If you are interested in learning more about how God opened the eyes of totally depraved men, helping them to overcome their struggles to become God-glorifying men of the Word, I highly encourage you to read The Legacy of Sovereign Joy.

The Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. Wright by John Piper - I received The Future of Justification from a colleague a couple of years ago, and I finally got motivated and made a goal to finish the book this school year. This is by far the most academic of the Piper books I have read, and I had to take my time reading it. I read certain portions of the book more than once in order to gain a fuller understanding of what was being stated. Although the book was not one of the more enjoyable Piper books I have read, I realize I need to read more books like this. It covers a topic that I teach and a topic that all of us need to better understand. It is not surprising to see such a range in the reviews of this book, but I do feel that Piper is Christlike in how he responds to Wright and the `New Perspective on Paul.' Keep in mind that Pastor Piper read an 11,000-word response from Wright himself as part of the detailed critical feedback he received to improve the first draft of this book. The 240-page book is organized into eleven chapters and contains six self-standing appendices that were not written in response to the work of N.T. Wright. If you read The Future of Justification like many leading scholars have done, you will be taking a serious look at the biblical doctrines of justification and imputation.

Books I Read in January 2010

This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence by John Piper - I decided to read This Momentary Marriage because I wanted to learn how to be a better husband. Pastor Piper, my favorite author, has been married for more than forty years and knows the challenges and joys of this sacred institution. What separates This Momentary Marriage from most books on marriage is that this is not an instructional manual that gives you ten tips on how to build a stronger marriage. This Momentary Marriage is a theological look at what marriage is all about - the covenant-keeping love of Christ. During the first half of the book, I did feel that Piper repeated himself a few times, but I probably felt that way because I have had my nose in so many of his books lately. This Momentary Marriage hits on many topics such as leadership, submission, hospitality, romance, children, anger, divorce, remarriage, and to my surprise, singleness. Piper covers singleness in chapters 9-10, and it really needs to be read by not just singles, but those who are married. We tend to exalt marriage in unChristlike ways and fail to see the even greater blessings that will come to all Christians when we pass from this world. Of course, as always, Piper has scattered Scripture throughout the book. Each chapter starts off with a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Letters and Papers from Prison. This Momentary Marriage concludes with a few words of thanks, a Scripture index, a person index, a subject index, and a note on Desiring God resources. If you are married, engaged, hope to be married, or called to remain single, I highly recommend this book. It is definitely the best reading I have done on this topic.

Oswald Chambers: The Man and the Message Behind My Utmost For His Highest by D.W. Lambert - Three weeks ago, I decided to pick up this book after reading Justin Buzzard's blog on the Gospel Coalition site. The article was about Oswald Chambers and the crisis of faith we sometimes face during our twenties, and it made me want to learn more about this man of many talents. Lambert's biography is part of the Men of Faith Series produced by Bethany House Publishers in Minneapolis. This particular book is actually a revision of a concise biography called An Unbribed Soul. Oswald Chambers was published almost forty years ago, and the 120 pages will take you no time to read. You will be given a glimpse into the man and the message behind My Utmost For His Highest. My only knock against the book is the book cover. The artwork reminds me a lot of the Great Lives Series by Chuck Swindoll. The books look more like books for elementary students when that is not the case at all. Despite the cover, I would recommend this book if you are looking for a simple introduction to one of the most beloved Christian teachers of our time.

How Is Jesus Different from Other Religious Leaders? by Ralph O. Muncaster - How Is Jesus Different from Other Religious Leaders? is a 48-page booklet that I have in my classroom for my sixth graders to read. This little book is easy to read and gives you an overview of the major religious leaders of the world. The founders and leaders of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and Scientology are all examined. The book also contains 48 prophecies made about Jesus and explains how history confirms Jesus' deity. Since this is a Christian book, it ends with an explanation about how to have a personal relationship with God and what God promises to Christians. Although the information in Muncaster's book is easy enough for a middle schooler to understand, the book contains a great deal of information that most adults do not possess.

Books I Read in December 2009

Gum, Geckos, and God: A Family's Adventure in Space, Time, and Faith by James S. Spiegel - This was one of four books I bought from http://www.bookdepository.com/ for Megan this Christmas. If you live overseas, I highly recommend their site  - free international shipping folks. Professor Spiegel teaches philosophy at Taylor University, where my in-laws graduated from. The 250 pages are a fun and simple read, but topics of the utmost importance are covered. Some of the questions that Spiegel's kids ask him include: Why do some people not believe in God? Why is it hard to be good? Who gets to go to Heaven? It is not uncommon for me to start a book and finish it months later, but Gum, Geckos, and God was a book that I knocked out in a few days. Earlier portions of it made me laugh out loud, while later chapters made me really reflect on my own spiritual journey. I even read some of the conversations that Spiegel had with his children to my own girls.

The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment by Tim Challies - I was very happy to receive this book from my in-laws last month as a birthday gift. Once again, xie xie Fred and Carol. Tim Challies is my favorite blogger, and I usually visit his site every day. His first book, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, was written two years ago and has been endorsed by many Christian leaders whom I respect a great deal. A couple of those men include Pastor John MacArthur and Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment is a 200-page book that consists of ten chapters, an appendix of discernment resources, a study guide, and a Scripture index. Tim Challies tells us how to devote ourselves to developing biblical discernment. His book is extremely relevant and a clear examination of an all-important topic that needs to be addressed more.

What's the Difference?: Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible by John Piper -  I decided to read What's the Difference? primarily because I want a better understanding of what God says about myself and my wife. Like most married men, I want a stronger marriage. This short book is actually one of the chapters from a much larger book called Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Pastor Piper believes in complementarianism, which is the theological view that because men and women are different genders, we are designed for different (complementary) roles and responsibilities. We are of the same worth before God, but we do not share the same authority and responsibilities in church and family. The Bible teaches that I am to lovingly lead, protect, and provide for my wife and girls, and that my beautiful and intelligent wife is to help me in my role. If you find that archaic, you need to read this short book to complement your reading of the Book. What's the Difference? is the seventh Piper book I have completed, and I hope to complete books #8 (This Momentary Marriage) and #9 (The Future of Justification) next month.

Ephesians 5:22-32

Books I Read in November 2009

Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck - A teacher in the middle school Bible department loaned me this book earlier in the school year. Why We're Not Emergent is a critical examination of the emerging church. Regardless of what camp you fall in, I highly recommend this easy-to-understand book that covers a somewhat fluid topic. I thought reading about the popular unorthodox views of the emerging church movement might make the conservative in me scream, but the writing styles of DeYoung and Kluck are a nice balance of the worlds of academia and entertainment. The crux of this book is that Christians must know the Truth. A proper understanding of what the Bible truly says is centered on the gospel - the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is not just our buddy and a nice moral teacher; He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5), the judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42) and our great God and Savior (Titus 2:13). We must dive deep into the Word to have a biblical understanding of doctrines such as salvation by faith alone, the substitutionary atonement at the cross, and the sovereignty of God. Having a solid biblical worldview will enable us to reach out to the weary and burdened with God's love in word and deed with grace and truth.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis - For a few years, I tossed around the idea of reading this children's fantasy novel and finally took the plunge after hearing a speaker at our fellowship talk about it last month. Fiction is not my cup of tea, but if there is anyone who could give me a taste for it, C.S. Lewis would be the one. Several years ago, I read Lewis' classic, Mere Christianity, and I have had a growing interest in reading his fictional piece, The Screwtape Letters. I decided to read roughly a chapter a night to my girls, who have seen both the BBC and Disney versions of the movie. It was a little difficult for Grace, my four-year-old, to always follow the story, but Rose, my seven-year-old, enjoyed hearing about the secret land beyond the wardrobe. Upon completion of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, both Rose and Grace have expressed on one more than one occasion their disappointment that I am not continuing on with Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia, the second of seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia series. Although I do not plan on reading more fiction anytime soon, I think there is a good possibility we will continue these adventures in the land of Narnia one day.

Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney - God has done an amazing work in the life of C.J. Mahaney. Mahaney is a man who understands humility and a man who has taught me much about the cross of Christ. I highly, highly recommend watching his testimony on YouTube. Humility is the third Mahaney book I have read, and one that I just received earlier in the month. Xie xie, Fred and Carol! I have had serious problems in the area of humility, so I thought this fast read (a small book with fewer than 180 pages) could help me in the battle with my old nature. I found the last chapter, A Legacy of Greatness, to be particularly meaningful. Humility is a book that is easy to understand and contains a God-glorifying message.

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." James 4:10

A Reader's Review of The Shack by Tim Challies - The Shack is a very popular book amongst Christians and non-Christians, but I am one of many believers who find this New York Times best seller to be very unbiblical. I have read and watched some reviews of The Shack (Chuck Colson and Albert Mohler are other conservative evangelicals who have criticized The Shack), and Challies' free e-booklet continues the trend of showing me that what William P. Young writes in his book is dangerous and wrong. I realize my words here could offend and possibly surprise some, but I would encourage you to at least glance at Challies' 17-page review.

Taking Pictures With Santa

Every year at the Christmas bazaar that is hosted by the school where I work, my girls look forward to having their pictures taken with Santa Claus. Well, not every year. Grace was not very excited to see Santa when she was a one-year-old, despite the fact that I told her Santa was really my friend, Mr. Prescott. Obviously, she wasn't having it. It makes a good memory. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Books I Read in October 2009

Our Adoption in Christ: What It Means for Us and for Orphans by Dan Cruver and Jason Kovacs - Our Adoption in Christ is a short, but all-important e-book that is available for free at http://www.togetherforadoption.org. I highly recommend this gospel-centered book for all Christians. The book was written to equip believers theologically in the areas of orphan care and earthly adoption. The authors believe that an accurate theological understanding of these areas will produce strong action towards the worldwide orphan crisis. You may not be called to adopt one of the 145 million orphans in the world today (nearly 90 million in Asia), but pray about how God would want you to serve orphans - praying for them regularly, fostering, sponsoring, and/or visiting orphans, educating others about orphans, donating money and supplies to orphanages, etc. If the gospel truly is the main thing in your life, God has called you to have a heart for the fatherless. Before God spoke the universe into existence, God planned to adopt us as sons through Jesus Christ. This is a God thing, so we must help create a culture of orphan care and adoption.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." Ephesians 1:3-6.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who was caught in the planning of assassinating Adolf Hitler. Bonhoeffer was executed by the Gestapo by being hanged at the Flossenbürg Concentration Camp in 1945. He wrote The Cost of Discipleship almost 70 years ago at an age not much younger than I am. Megan read this book back in her Wheaton days, and I thought I should read it since it is considered by many to be one of the most important Christian books ever written. I zipped through Bonhoeffer's Life Together a few years ago, but I was not as motivated to complete The Cost of Discipleship. The Cost of Discipleship is an exposition of what it means to truly follow Christ, and it is not exactly light reading. The book provides us with the true meaning of grace, gives an interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and explains what is required of followers of Christ.

"Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves... the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ... Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock... It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."

Just Courage: God's Great Expedition for the Restless Christian by Gary A. Haugen - I spent over three hours listening to this free audiobook from christianaudio.com and learned a great deal about the horrors of slavery and sexual exploitation that exist in many third-world countries. Additionally, I learned a lot about Gary Haugen's organization, International Justice Mission, a Christian human rights agency that fights these and other forms of violent oppression while attempting to rekindle the social engagement of evangelical Christians. Just Courage reminded me a little of another audiobook that I recently listened to - Francis Chan's Crazy Love.* Both books have a message of breaking free from the comforts of the status quo and having an authentic faith that confronts the sins of the world with solid, even far-reaching, solutions. I find the significant amount of daily time that ICM spends in corporate prayer to be commendable, but I strongly disagree with some of the theology of the various people mentioned in the book or endorsing the book. Despite that, Just Courage reminded me that I must not just believe the words of Isaiah 1:17, but that I must be a courageous doer of the Word. "learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."

* After writing this book review, Christianity Today posted an article about Francis Chan called Crazy Passion. Through the article, I found out that Chan donates much of his book royalties (which total about half a million dollars) primarily to organizations like Haugen's International Justice Mission.

Books I Read in September 2009

Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ by John Piper - Once again, I was not disappointed by Pastor Piper. This small book by Dr. Piper should be read by any of us who wonder why there is so much suffering in the world. It is a question I have often been asked by students and others. I believe reading Spectacular Sins will not only provide you with the theologically correct answers but can also give a sense of peace in knowing that our sovereign God has the entire universe in absolute complete control. The book concludes very appropriately with a powerful prayer. "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." Genesis 50:20

The Mark of the Christian by Francis Schaeffer - The Mark of the Christian was written almost 40 years ago and has fewer than 40 pages. Despite the thinness of his book, Pastor Schaeffer presents a critical message that many people who profess to be Christians need to hear. As stated in John 13:33-35, love must be the distinguishing mark of all Christians. He who fails to love has not been truly changed by the gospel message.

The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller - Although I have listened to Tim Keller speak and have watched him in interviews, The Prodigal God is the first book I have read from the Presbyterian pastor. It was a gift from my place of employment - something they do for the teachers at the start of every year. Xie xie, admin team. Once I complete a few other books on my reading list, I hope to borrow Keller's The Reason for God from a colleague later in the school year. The Prodigal God is a small book that helped me see the Parable of the Lost Son in a new light. Although I recommend this gospel-centered book to others, I cannot justify the $19.95 list price for such a quick read. I suggest saving your money by finding a comfy chair at your local Barnes and Noble and reading the book in a couple of hours.

Reviewing Russell Moores' Adopted For Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches

Adopted For Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches by Russell D. Moore - Megan gave me this book as an anniversary gift last month after she learned I had placed it on my Amazon Wish List a few months ago. Dr. Moore is the dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and the father of two adopted boys from Russia. His book, Adopted For Life, has been strongly endorsed by many Godly men whose sites I regularly visit. These men include Tim Challies, Chuck Colson, John MacArthur, and Albert Mohler.

As the father of two girls who are not part Japanese and white bread like I am, I need to learn more about the adoption of children. Moore's book is not simply about adoption, though. It is also a book about the gospel. That makes Adopted For Life, unlike other books Megan and I have read about adoption. Although this book might be more appealing to certain kinds of people, such as the couple who are thinking about adopting or the high schooler who is trying to figure out what it means to be adopted, others would most definitely benefit from reading Adopted For Life. The nine-chapter book starts off more theological and finishes giving more practical applications; however, the entire book weaves the gospel doctrine of adoption. I highly recommend the book to all people who have been adopted into God's heavenly family.

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27