As a blogger I receive a lot of free books (but, I should mention, am never paid to mention them in a blog post). Unfortunately, I can’t read most of them. Sometimes that’s just as well. But many times I’ll get books from people I like, know, and respect. Their books look helpful and I wish I could read them. But alas, we are finite creatures with finite time. And finite resources too–but you may still want to purchase one or two of these new releases. (Note: the brief descriptions are excerpted from the books themselves.)
Iain D. Campbell and Malcom Maclean (editors), The People’s Theologian, Writings in Honour of Donald Macleod (Christian Focus Publications, 2011). People hear Donald Macleod gladly. He makes little concession in his lecturing or preaching to ignorance of Biblical truth, and he makes no apology for theological language. Nevertheless, because he makes doctrine come alive, people are drawn in.
Peter Jones, One of Two, Seeing a World of Difference (Main Entry Editions, 2010). This book will help you see a world of difference–between the only two religions: worship of the creation (what this book calls One-ism) or worship of the Creator (Two-ism). Using the apostle Paul’s structure in Romans 1, Peter Jones shows why your choice affects everything you think and do.
Mike McKinley, Am I Really a Christian? (Crossway, 2011). We have been given biblical criteria to help us evaluate whether we are indeed followers of Christ. Mike McKinley shows us the importance of examining our standing with God and helps us to fearlessly ask the hard questions, ultimately allowing us to see whether we are in the faith and what exactly that entails.
Scotty Smith, Everyday Prayers, 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith (Baker Books, 2011). Each day includes a Scripture reference and an inspirational original prayer, born from moments of great faith and times of crisis. Like a modern-day book of Psalms, Everyday Prayers is a pathway to growing in grace to explore year after year.
Mark Galli, God Wins, Heaven, Hell, and Why the Good News Is Better than Love Wins (Tyndale, 2011). God Wins examines the various questions raise by the book Love Wins and what the Bible says and doesn’t say about these issues. With a small-group discussion guide featuring relevant Scripture passages, God Wins is for both individuals and groups seeking clarity concerning these crucial questions.
Tullian Tchividjian, Jesus + Nothing = Everything (Crossway, 2011). Tchividjian takes particular aim at self-righteousness. In contrast, the gospel of grace provides the only sustainable motivation for Christians. This book delves into the profound theological truths of the gospel, yet the message is intensely practical.
Rick Holland, Uneclipsing the Son (Kress Biblical Resources, 2011). This book aims to bring you face-to face with the Christ of Scripture. Clear, biblical, compelling, Holland will drive you relentlessly to the conclusion that you must give yourself to the worship of Jesus or forever stumble in the half-light of spiritual uncertainty and disaffection.
Dan Phillips, The World-Tilting Gospel, Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight (Kregel Publications, 2011). Using a whole-Bible approach to the Gospel, Phillips shows us who we really are, what kind of world we are really living in, who God really is, and what difference the Gospel really makes in our everyday lives.
Daniel J. Bennett, A Passion for the Fatherless, Developing a God-Centered Ministry to Orphans (Kregel Academic & Professional, 2011). This book exposes believers to the scriptural mandate to care for orphans, helps them understand why God has issued that imperative, and equips them, biblically and practically, to joyfully respond to that call. Each chapter includes study questions for personal reflection of small-group discussion.
