Knowing Sin by Mark Jones

 

Not much is written or spoken about sin today. The author, Puritan scholar Mark Jones, takes a look at how the Puritans understood and spoke about the power of sin and its effects.

These thoughts of the Puritans are summarized in a number of topics including the origin of sin,  temptations of sin, contagion of sin, vocabulary of sin, sorrow of sin, secrecy of sin, and manipulation of sin to name a few. No one is without sin. It affects us all. The question is not whether we struggle with sin, but rather what are we doing about sin.  The path to overcoming sin begins with knowing about sin itself and then finding the path to victory over sin with the help of God.   

This book is for anyone interested in the doctrine of sin and how the Puritans viewed sin. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

 

Literarily by Kristie Anyabwile

This book is designed to help individuals read the Bible literarily. Instead of reading the Bible as one big book, it is important to study the Bible according to the literary style that is found in each particular book, chapter or passage.

The Bible is the epic story of God revealed through various and different genres and literary styles. Chapters in the book illustrate literary styles including the law, Old Testament narratives, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, Gospels, epistles, and apocalyptic. At the end of each chapter there are questions to help transform the study of the particular genre presented in the chapter,

This is a very helpful book for anyone interested in studying the Bible. It would be appropriate for those who are new to studying the Bible as well as those who have studied the Bible for some time. There are valuable insights to be gained whatever your experience.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

Kingdom Race Theology by Tony Evans

 

Kingdom Race Theology as defined by Dr. Tony Evans is “the reconciled recognition, affirmation, and celebration of the divinely created ethnic differences through which God displays His multifaceted glory and advances His rule in history. God displays His glory through us while His people justly, righteously, and responsibly function in personal and corporate unity under the lordship of Jesus Christ.”

The importance of exercising Biblical justice is illustrated by applying God’s moral law through economic, political, social and criminal justice. Dr. Evans encourages Christians and churches to practice Kingdom Race Theology by listing actions for white Christians as well as for black Christians. He also includes a three point plan for a national impact through the church through Assembling, Addressing and Acting,

In this day of racial divide, this book addresses a biblical approach to addressing the racial tensions that exist today.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.       

 

 

The 7 Resolutions by Karl Clauson

 

How many times have you made New Year’s resolutions to break a bad habit or start a new routine only to fall short a few weeks later? Are you trying to live the Christian life on your own strength just like you are trying on your own to break a bad habit or made a decision? This book illustrates 7 resolutions you can make with God which will enable you to shed old patterns of living and live a new life in His power.

By affirming God’s way of doing things, you can radically change your life. The resolutions are Join God, Think Truth, Kill Sin, Choose Friends, Take Risks, Focus Effort, and Redeem Time. The book includes helpful application questions at the end of each chapter along with helpful online resources to use as an individual or as a group study. This is not another self-help book, but a guide to live fully in God’s power.

I highly recommend this book. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

  

50 Most Important Bible Questions by Michael Rydelink

The author, Michael Rydelink, a Moody Bible Institute professor as well as a radio host, has written a book that contains the questions about the Bible that radio listeners most often ask him as well as the answers to those questions.

The Chapters include: Questions About the Gospel and Salvation; Questions about the Bible in General; Questions about the Old Testament; Questions about Jesus the Messiah; Questions about the Jewish People; Questions about Seeming Contradictions and Mysteries and Questions About Biblical Concerns and Practices.

You can either read through the entire book which makes for informative and interesting reading or you can use this book as a resource to answer your questions or the questions someone may ask of you.  Either way it is a book you will want to keep handy as you study the Bible.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

50 Most Important Theological Terms by J. Brian Tucker and David Finkbeiner

This is a valuable resource that will help you to understand God, ourselves and what it means to follow Him. The information set forth in this book is designed to increase your knowledge in obeying God by clearing defining terms and concepts to help you grow in your Christian faith as set forth in Scripture.

The book is divided into 10 chapters: Theological Practice and Identity, The Doctrine of Revelation, The Doctrine of God, The Doctrine of Christ, The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, The Doctrine of Angels, Satan and Demons, The Doctrine of Humanity and Sin, The Doctrine of Salvation, The Doctrine of the Church, and The Doctrine of Last Things.

You may use the book as a reference book to look up a theological term you are not familiar with. You may also want to use it to study a specific doctrine of the faith or you may want to read the book straight through to survey all the major doctrines of the Christian faith. However you want to use this book, you will find that is a valuable addition to any study of the Bible and an aid to your Christian growth.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

 

 

The First Songs of Christmas by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

 

This beautiful devotional book for Christmas focuses on Luke 1 & 2. As the ancient Jews waited and watched for their Redeemer, their experiences that first Christmas are something that we sing about today. These Jews did not simply have stories to share, they had songs to sing as well.

The songs of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon as well as the angels are featured in this devotional covering the 31 days of December. This is a fresh look at the Christmas story and insight into the anthems sung will enrich your worship this Christmas season. This is a welcome additional to one’s personal devotions during the month of December.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.