Review: Writers to Read: Nine Names That Belong on Your Bookshelf
Writers to Read: Nine Names That Belong on Your Bookshelf by Douglas Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve read enough from Wilson that I knew a couple of things for sure before I ever picked this book up. The first was that I wanted to read it. I like reading and I like writing. I also like reading about writing and oddly enough I’ve found I like reading about reading. I knew it would be informative and enjoyable and I was disappointed on neither front.
The second surety was that I could name at least half the authors out of the nine without looking at the list. I also knew there would be a lot of initials and some of what would be said about those authors. Before your eyes narrow, I do not write this to be self-congratulatory. The point I’m laboring like a young hand trying to lift a pallet with a 1:1 hoist to make is that given all this my enjoyment of reading this book wasn’t blunted in the least.
You will find old friends here and perhaps meet some new ones. You will get recommendations for reading with some good reasons for reading them. The last author was a pleasant surprise inclusion. My only experience heretofore with T. S. Eliot is high school literature class and I don’t foresee me renewing that acquaintance any time soon despite the recommendation. I have a certain level of appreciation for poetry, but as the yutes say, I don’t get it.
Review: Christ and the Scriptures
Christ and the Scriptures by Aldoph Saphir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good book on the inspiration of Scripture.
Review: What Jesus Demands from the World
What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a collation of the demands or commands Jesus gave in the four Gospels. It’s helpful to have the relevant passages from the Gospels brought together to fill out the whole picture of what Jesus said. Each command is a chapter so there are many chapters in this book. It could be read devotionally, a chapter a day. It is also an excellent resource to reference while studying.
Review: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Kevin DeYoung has given us a calm, level-headed approach to this subject. Though it has historically been controversial, there are some new aspects to it today. I like how DeYoung sticks to what the Bible teaches. While he does deal with some of the common objections and arguments of our day, he doesn’t delve into socio-political rhetoric. He has written a book for us to work through the relevant passages of Scripture.
He is consistently clear throughout without being angry or dismissive. He does touch on some of the current event issues but mainly sticks with what the Bible actually teaches. No matter the subject, we should always start by asking, What has God said?
Review: Critique of Modern Youth Ministry
Critique of Modern Youth Ministry by Christopher Schlect
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A brief but helpful book. The author looks at the roots and development of youth ministry to what we know it as today. Generally it’s an unquestioned institution among Christians today. Even with trainwreck after trainwreck few stop considering how it should be done and question whether it should be done at all. I’m amazed at how something that existed only so recently in history can be so ingrained in our thinking that to question it is out of the question.
The conciseness of this book means it’s easy to read in an evening and provokes thoughts that will last much longer. Much more can be said than what this book covers but the author does a good job in the space. I guess my main complaint is that it leaves you wanting more, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
