One of the common sentiments among readers of Tozer’s Pursuit of God is that, even though this book was first published in the 40’s, it could easily have been written today (save some of the heavy wording peppered throughout the book). To take such a classic work and read it as fresh and pertinent to the church today is in itself an amazing thing. To see its contents apply so acutely to our own situation is another. And to see that churches in our culture have not much changed in nearly a century… Well, it’s humbling. Consider the following excerpts: The whole transaction of religious conversion has been made mechanical and spiritless. Faith may now be exercised without a jar […]
Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?
This is a book review. You may download a PDF version of the book for free. Randy Alcorn is a well-known and respected author. But this book is one of his lesser-known titles. In Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions? Alcorn answers the title question with thoroughly-investigated research presented with the heart of a pastor. Before you dismiss the title because you think you know what he’s going to say, think again. Alcorn begins with basic definitions, presents a solid groundwork of evidence, quotes the pill manufacturers themselves, analyzes evidence presented to the contrary, answers questions and objections, and puts forth a number of appendices full of supplemental information. He confronts the question both scientifically and spiritually, and his […]
The Legacy Path, by Brian Haynes
“Discover intentional spiritual parenting.” The Legacy Path, by Brian Haynes, is a guide for parents who wish to pass on their faith to the next generations but who may lack the skills to do so. After building a strong foundation upon biblical views of life and success in chapters 1-4, Haynes lays out seven milestones by which we can guide our children through life. With each milestone, he gives core competencies which parents should seek to instill in their children as they approach the next milestone. Practical suggestions for faith talks and milestone celebrations are plenteous, as are the extra resources available online. As parents who fluctuate between “we’ve got this parenting thing down pat” and “we don’t have a […]
The Radical Disciple, by John Stott–audio
The Radical Disciple, by John Stott, is divided into 8 chapters covering different aspects of discipleship: non-conformity, Christ-likeness, maturity, creation-care, simplicity, balance, dependence, and death. The audio version, which was supplied to me by ChristianAudio for review, is read by Grover Gardener. In my opinion, his narration style is perfect for this type of book. Stott does a fantastic job of articulating real abandonment in the pursuit of Christ. His chapters on non-conformity, balance, and death alone made the book worth reading. The problem with listening to an audio version is that there are so many quotable sentences that I found myself wishing for a hard copy to refer back to. Because of Stott’s style, there are also sentences where […]
The Truth About Dating, Love, and Just Being Friends, by Chad Eastham
The Truth About Dating, Love, and Just Being Friends, by Chad Eastham, is the best book on teenage relationships I’ve ever read! Candid, funny, and insightful, Eastham really knows how to connect with teens–and tell them what they need to hear. A proper view of God and self and relationships is SO important during the crazy teenage years, and this book gives just that without being preachy. Eastham challeges teens to use their God-given brains, explaining that people can do things well, or they can do them poorly. Dating is no exception. As a twenty-something mother who dated well, I still wish I’d had this book as a teen! There is so much helpful, insightful information here that I had […]
Justified by Faith Alone, by R.C. Sproul
Justified by Faith Alone by R.C. Sproul is a short little book, but packed with great insight and tight logic. It is written on a pretty high level of vocabulary, so I wouldn’t recommend it to the person who is only casually interested in the subject. It is more like a college professor lecture than a devotional book written about faith. If you are looking for an academic look at the subject, you will not be disappointed. The book is written as a recap of the struggle the reformers faced with the Roman Catholic Church. Although much of the book is rooted in historical arguments, Dr. Sproul mentions many contemporary issues that stem from the distinction evangelicals have in sola […]
Transforming Church in Rural America, by Shannon O’Dell
In Transforming Church in Rural America, Shannon O’Dell describes his journey from being the pastor of a vibrant, growing metropolitan church to pastoring in a city in Arkansas with a population of 88. He details the struggles of growing a small, traditional church that says it wants change, but resists it. O’Dell relates personal anecdotes and gives advice to those who wish to see growth in their local church. When I first received this book, I was a little skeptical, because I’ve seen this type of book before: some guy was successful, and now he thinks his method will work in your church. I was pleasantly surprised, though, by several things in the book: 1) O’Dell is not as concerned […]