Product Reviews
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The Bookends of the Christian Life (Hardcover)
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By G. Dutcher on June 6, 2009
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(Christ Fellowship Church / Senior Pastor / MD)
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A common occurrence in my pastoral ministry is reading a great book then immediately 'pushing' it on my congregation. Often such an approach has resulted badly. Either the book is too long, too academic, too much effort for my people to digest. I read The Bookends, however, and had a hunch that my church would feel differently this time. I was right! (That happens every once in a while)
Bridges and Bevington teamed up last year to write The Great Exchange- another wonderful book, but one of those books that many busy lay people will find a bit too much to bite off. But bookends is a succinct, wonderfully written little book that my church has just loved.
Their premise is simple- The Christian life must be balanced by two critical truths: 1) The Righteousness of Jesus Christ and 2) The Power Of The Holy Spirit. To put it simply: Who We Are in Christ and What We Do For Christ.
The first half of the book is devoted to the wonderful truth that Christians stand on the imputed righteousness (the right standing with God) of Jesus. This section is crystal clear and practically applied.
The second section carefully unpacks the Bible's teaching on our responsibility as believers to live out the truths of the first section- how we live in light of our right standing with God. As always, Bridges and Bevington do a wonderful job of walking the tight rope between legalism and license as they highlight the Holy Spirit's enabling power in the Christian's everyday life.
I have always appreciated Bridges' clear and thorough approach to applying doctrine to daily living. This book is a must read anyone who wants to understand the foundational truths of the Christian life. It is clear, accessible and exceptionally practical.
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The Prince's Poison Cup (Hardcover)
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By G. Dutcher on July 7, 2009
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(Christ Fellowship Church / Senior Pastor / MD)
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I'm writing this from the perspective of a father. I find it very difficult to get my hands on a book that is both child-friendly and doctrinally rich. R.C. Sproul has a unique talent in being able to bring these two things together. Believe it or not, you can actually teach your children about the foundational doctrine of propitiation (God satisfying his justice by pouring his wrath out on his Son in the place of sinners) with this excellent book. Both the story and the pictures are excellent. I highly recommend this book for parents who want to teach their children sound doctrine. |
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When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage (Paperback)
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By G. Dutcher on July 7, 2009
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(Christ Fellowship Church / Senior Pastor / MD)
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I have given pre-marriage counseling to approximately 25 couples. Some of the books I've had these young couples read have been better than others. While so many have been strong on practical application, I have almost always felt the need to supplement them with a strong dose of gospel. Usually I have just devoted a session to closing the book and spending our time going through the Scriptures to delve into the wonders of the gospel.
But the last three couples I have worked with have all read Dave Harvey's book, and I no longer need to "add a little gospel.
Let me say emphatically- it is the best book on marriage I have ever read- period! An illustration in the first chapter sufficiently captures the spirit of the whole book. Harvey talks about how often he does not fasten the top button of a his shirts in the proper hole. What's the result, the whole shirt is wrong. The analogy is brilliantly simple: God is the top button. If we get Him wrong, our marriages don't stand a chance.
Harvey wonderfully applies the centrality of God and God's gospel to marriage. It is simply outstanding. I could not give it a higher recommendation. |
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Humility: True Greatness (Hardcover)
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By G. Dutcher on July 7, 2009
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(Christ Fellowship Church / Senior Pastor / MD)
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It is rare that a book can so gracefully walk the tightrope between doctrinal precision and practical application. This book does just that. Mahaney's diagnosis of pride is 'graciously convicting." His self-effacing manner enables the reader to accept the biblical diagnosis of pride without feeling condemned and paralyzed. Quoting Isaiah 66:2 "This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word," Mahaney inspires the reader to grow in the very humility God cherishes. The book is personally challenging and wonderfully practical. His last section 'How to weaken pride and cultivate the humility' is worth the book itself. You will truly WANT to grow in humility after reading this book. |
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The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (Hardcover)
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By G. Dutcher on August 8, 2009
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(Christ Fellowship Church / Senior Pastor / MD)
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In addition to being a pastor, I have the funnest 'side-job' in the world; I teach apologetics to seniors at a classical, Christian school. While there are many excellent resources on the subject, I have never read a better book on the subject than this one.
Many people consider Keller to be a modern day C.S. Lewis, and having read The Reason For God through twice, I would like to say something that may be considered 'heresy' among the apologists of today- HE IS BETTER THAN LEWIS!
Lewis was brilliant, and like many, I have richly benefited from from his works. Lewis was not, however, a trained theologian, and some of his views on the afterlife (an open-handed posture towards the possibility of purgatory), faith alone (at times some blurring of faith and works), and the nature of Christian exclusivity (a strong openness to the potential of salvation in other relgions) make him a bit 'edgy' for the young man or woman who wants to prepare for the secular onslaught of the college campus.
Keller is a trained theologian/pastor, and it shows. His opening chapter on how to deal with the 'problems' of religion in the modern world is virtually worth the whole book itself. But the rest of the book is excellent as well.
Keller does a masterful job giving balanced attention to defending the faith against contemporary skeptical arguments on the one hand, while demonstrating the unique answers Christianity has to offer the modern world on the other. His chapter "The Clues of God" is outstanding.
Keller is clearly well read on the new atheists as is chapter on science is the best thing I've ever read on the subject. This eye for what's current in our culture makes the book especially relevant for the person who wants to be 'ready to give an answer for their hope" in this current age.
My only disappointment was (what I interpreted) as a bit of a 'soft' approach to hell. Here I saw just how shaped Keller seems to be by the great C.S. Lewis. But, again, this is a minor criticism in light of the incredible strength of this book.
I rarely say this, but The Reason For God is a must read that should be on your short list of books for the near future. |
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The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (Hardcover)
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By G. Dutcher on July 7, 2009
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(Christ Fellowship Church / Senior Pastor / MD)
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It is so hard to find a children's Bible today where God is truly the hero and central character. For whatever reason, the majority of Bibles for kids focus on what God wants us to "be and do." Sally-Lloyd Jones has done a marvelous job showing the connection of each Bible episode to the grander story of God working through history to redeem a people for Himself. The only reason I don't give it a 5 star rating is that she is at times a bit "touchy feely" in her description of God's pursuit of lost man. She approaches that great theme as more of a love story (which, of course, it is in many ways) than a rescue story. Yet that is a minor criticism in light of the excellent job she's done with this children's Bible. The illustrations are also terrific. My kids love this Bible. |
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