"Given the contributors, I expected this book to be good, but it exceeds expectations. There's no weak link. Every chapter, including the introduction, brings a unique and vital perspective to a critical subject. It's impossible to overstate the power and eternal impact of our spoken and written words, for good or evil. With stylistic diversity but thematic unity, these men bring a rich, biblical, Christ-centered, interesting and immensely helpful perspective. I wholeheartedly recommend The Power of Words and the Wonder of God."
- Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven and If God is Good
"Solomon tells us, 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits' (Prov. 18:21). Words kill and words give life; they're either poison or fruit. They have massive potential for both good and evil. They have the power to either build up or tear down. The contributors to this volume understand this well, and they show, in both theologically deep and practically down-to-earth ways, how the church must be marked by redemptive speech. They show how the sweetness and strength of the gospel-the sweetness of grace, the strength of truth-should flavor everything we say. John Piper asks, 'What would the world be like-the home, the church, the school, the public square-if words were used the way Jesus used them?' Read this book and find out."
- Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church; author, Unfashionable
"A splendid book that deserves a spot on the bookshelf of every Christian communicator. Consider it a passport into the world of God-seeking, skilled wordsmiths. One insight after another-creative, practical, and drenched with wisdom."
- Max Lucado, author, You Are Special and the Wemmicks series
"Words are powerful. As the Scriptures indicate, they can create and destroy, build and burn down, save and condemn. The triune God created and upholds us by his Word, redeems us by re-narrating our lives by his gospel, and directs us by his commands so that our words become more conformed to his Word. These many facets of verbal communication-both divine and human-are displayed in one rich and enriching jewel. Faith and practice are wonderfully integrated in this collection of godly wisdom."
- Michael Horton, J. G. Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California
"Jesus Christ set the record straight when he declared that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Father. We live and die by words. Words are central to life, to communication, to meaning, and to Christian theology. This said, our relative inattentiveness to the meaning of words in the Christian church is to our shame. The contributors offer a rescue from this inattentiveness with wise words of spiritual counsel, deep words of doctrinal conviction, and saving words of the gospel. This book is urgently needed and I am most pleased to recommend this volume with a good word."
- R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"God's Word is not only the word he speaks to us; it is Jesus Christ himself, according to John 1:1-14. So God's speech is fundamental to who he is. Perhaps surprisingly for many of us, human life reflects God's word in this respect. Our words are central to our lives, as God's Word is to his. James 3:1-12 tells us that if we can control our tongues, we can control our whole lives. So we need to give a lot more thought to our language, its meaning and effects, and its relation to God's own Word. The Power of Words and the Wonder of God includes some scriptural, thoughtful essays on these subjects. I hope that it attracts many readers and much attention."
- John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary
"Read this book and you will be given a vision for your speech. You will speak less in some situations and more in others. You will be guided to speak both gently and with boldness. You will be more alert to what you say as you sing. You will say, 'Thank you, Lord, for words.' You will also say, 'Forgive me, Lord, for my casual and reckless words.' And-I thought this was a bonus-you will get to know the authors in a great Q&A."
- Edward Welch, Counselor and Faculty, Christian Counseling and Education Foundation
"This is a truly wonderful book on a timely and neglected subject. Our society is drowning in a glut of words and images; we do not need more of them. What we need is what this book can guide us to-the right kind of words used for the right ends. This collection of essays, consistently weighty in substance, makes good on the claims of the book's title: it convinces us of the power of words and instills a desire to see them used to express the wonder of God. My heart leaped many times as I read it."
- Leland Ryken, Professor of English, Wheaton College
"In a culture dominated by the abundance of text messages, tweets and status updates, we are in desperate need to have a biblical understanding of the power of words. Those who are serious about raising up the next generation of kingdom leaders will take heed to the Bible-saturated wisdom in this book and teach their staff and students to do the same. I know I will!"
- Matt Bradner, Director, Campus Outreach, Lynchburg, Virginia
