Books have an interesting ability to speak into our lives. Obviously, we often select works that promise insight into specific subjects with which we are grappling, but sometimes we accidentally stumble on books that almost seem to be specially written to address particular situations we are facing. This means that each new book holds unbounded promise between its pages. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed these selections over the past few months and think you might also find them interesting. With a wide range of subjects covered, we’re sure we have chosen at least one or two titles everyone will enjoy. Also, let us know what you’re reading in the comment section.
____________________
Christopher Ash, Marriage: Sex in the Service of God (Vancouver, British Columbia: Regent College, 2003), 394 pages.
Last fall I took a seminar entitled Marriage and Human Sexuality. Of the dozen or so books assigned for the course, my favorite was Christopher Ash’s Marriage. In fact, it may be my favorite book I’ve read on the topic period. Marriage is comprised of fifteen chapters: chapters 1-3 serving as introduction, chapters 4-5 exploring Biblical and theological bases for the study of marriage, chapters 6-10 considering the purposes of marriage, and chapters 11-15 examining the definition of marriage. One highlight from the book is Ash’s discussion of the purposes of marriage. Not only does he consider the procreational and relational ends of marriage, topics that many books on this subject consider. But he also explores the less-oft reviewed institutional ends of marriage, which concern the public good and witness that God intends marriage to afford to the world. Ash’s discussion of the institutional good is particularly helpful to consider in our post-Obergefell world.
—Recommended by Matthew Steven Bracey
____________________
Bruce Riley Ashford, Every Square Inch: An Introduction to Cultural Engagement for Christians (Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2015), 160 pages.
In this short volume, Bruce Ashford calls Christians to think Christianly about and to interact actively with the culture around them. The title of the book refers to Abraham Kuyper’s postulate that Christ is Lord and owner of “every square inch” of human life. Thus as Christ’s followers, we must take an active role in the time and place in which God has positioned us. Ashford helps readers consider the Christian vision for vocations, the arts, the sciences, and the public square, academia, among other things. Ashford’s work serves as a brief but nonetheless profound introduction to these concepts. With provided discussion questions and helpful bibliographies, this book would also make an excellent introduction to cultural engagement for small groups.
—Recommended by Christa Thornsbury
____________________
T. C. W. Blanning, ed., The Oxford History of Modern Europe (London: Oxford University Press, 2000), 306 pages.
After many surveys and several years of research, Roy Rosenzweig and David Thelen concluded in Presence of the Past (2000) that Americans who dislike the subject of history usually derive their ill feelings from a bad school experience. Textbooks often exacerbate such problems because they are usually dry and overtly didactic. However, works like The Oxford History of Modern Europe provide a refreshing overview of certain aspects of history in a more digestible and engaging format.
This edited work contains chapters written by a variety of authoritative scholars. Each chapter addresses a specific aspect of European history over a given period (i.e. “Military Modernization: 1789-1918”). This topical approach encourages the reader to engage old material in new ways. Each chapter is good, but T. C. W. Blanning’s analysis of the commercialization and then sacralization of art during the late 1800s stands out above the rest and alone is worth the price of the book. The extended recommended reading section that is organized by topic is an added bonus. While this book assumes a basic understanding of modern European history, it’s a great read for anyone trying to gain a better understanding of our geopolitical moment and its historic foundations.
—Recommended by Phillip T. Morgan
____________________
Philip Dixon, Nice and Hot Disputes: The Doctrine of the Trinity in the Seventeenth Century (London: T&T Clark, 2003), 252 pages.
Philip Dixon rightly argues that the seventeenth century is pivotal for a proper understanding of the development of the doctrine of the Trinity. Christians of the seventeenth century applied the principle of sola scriptura to the historical doctrine with disparate results. The conclusion of some was that the doctrine of the Trinity was not a fundamental doctrine of Christianity since the word Trinity is not used in the Bible and many of its accompanying doctrines were supposedly unclear in Scripture. Much of Dixon’s argument turns on what he sees as a transformation in the way that theologians and philosophers use the word person, which is key to Trinitarian theology. Dixon’s work sheds much light on a key and seemingly forgotten century in Christian theology.
—Recommended by Jesse Owens
____________________
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov, trans. Constance Garnett, Dover Thrift Editions (Mineola, NY: Dover, 2005), 736 pages.
Originally published in 1879-80 by the Russian Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov is one of those books you hear and see referenced repeatedly as one of the world’s great novels. I must add my assent to this general chorus of praise. In many respects, it’s a difficult book for Western readers. Not only is it long, but it’s also set in an unfamiliar culture, which requires some acclimation. However, for those who stick with it, the effort is well worth the reward. In summary, The Brothers Karamazov follows the lives of three brothers and their father, each character representing a different outlook on life. The hero is undoubtedly Alexei, representative of faith and morality. Much like Les Misérables, The Brothers Karamazov is brimming with rich spiritual imagery and themes.
—Recommended by Matthew Steven Bracey
____________________
Ross Douthat, To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2018), 256 pages.
I knew that I would read this book from the moment of its publication. It was inevitable, really. Ross Douthat, a conservative columnist for the New York Times, always makes me think, even when I occasionally disagree. At the same time, Roman Catholicism has been of great interest to me for several years because, among other reasons, I currently minister in a largely Catholic context. Naturally one cannot think about Catholicism apart from the Papacy. In this page-turner, Douthat introduces readers to Pope Francis and his vision for the church. Even for people not familiar with the ins and outs of Catholic doctrine, polity, or personalities, this book is very accessible. Douthat’s examination of Francis’s papacy helps us see how the way leaders of church bodies pull certain levers of influence, explicitly and implicitly, and in turn shape the direction of their churches. Douthat’s work will leave conservative Catholics (and probably Protestants too) deeply concerned. He himself writes from that perspective yet does so with enjoyable prose and fair-minded arguments.
—Recommended by W. Jackson Watts
____________________
John Frame, Christianity Considered: A Guide for Skeptics and Seekers (Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2018), 128 pages.
In his book Christianity Considered, John Frame offers readers an apologetic work that advocates for Christianity as a sort of intellectual radicalism. In seeking to persuade skeptics and seekers, he frames Christianity as a “new” way of thinking—one that is skeptical of the skeptics. In line with his reformed epistemology and presuppositional apologetics, Frame has produced a wonderful and concise book that postulates Christianity not as another proof but as a comprehensive way of understanding the world. His book includes chapters on morality, philosophy, and politics. This avoids well standard arguments, not that those are unhelpful. Yet Frame exchanges the traditional arguments of Christianity for a more thorough narrative. Readers familiar with apologetics may hear echoes of Lewis’s or Chesterton’s cumulative case method. I recommend this book not only for those interested in a compelling apologetic but also as a book that you might share with your unbelieving family, friends, or acquaintances.
—Recommended by Christopher Talbot
____________________
Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Disagree about Politics and Religion (New York: Pantheon, 2012), 528 pages.
Religion and politics are two areas of life often fraught with controversy, especially when they are discussed in public. So anytime I see a book, article, or conference dealing with them, I naturally gravitate toward them. In times like these, I think we need more people like Jonathan Haidt. Haidt, while not a conservative or a Christian, helps bring understanding about why people have the particular moral impulses that they do, whether they be liberal or conservative. Bringing together social psychology, anthropology, genetics, and more, Haidt tells a compelling story of how the human mind works.
Now let me hasten to add that Haidt’s account of the person is based largely on an evolutionary understanding of history. However, a careful reading of his book will yield some insights into how human beings think and behave that aren’t inconsistent with traditional Christian anthropology. As with many cultural products, we have to look for the meat and spit out the bones. For a more in-depth look at how Haidt’s work is informative for Christians today, see this post at the Gospel Coalition. For a fascinating interview with Haidt at the NPR program On Being, click here.
—Recommended by W. Jackson Watts
____________________
Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God (New York: Penguin, 2011), 330 pages.
The Kellers offer keen Biblical insight into the institution of marriage for readers of this excellent book. Though this work has less practical insight into day-to-day married life than some Christian books on marriage, it instead offers a beautiful description of God’s design for marriage and human flourishing. It confronts many of contemporary society’s mistaken ideas about marriage, particularly the mindset that casts marriage as the ultimate means of self-fulfillment. The Kellers call readers to practice selfless, sacrificial, and genuine love for their spouses. Furthermore, they deftly address issues of gender roles and singleness with godly wisdom and great care. This book is well worth your time whether you are married or single.
—Recommended by Christa Thornsbury
____________________
Patrick Schreiner, The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross, Short Studies in Biblical Theology (Wheaton: Crossway, 2018), 160 pages.
Some have argued that you can’t really know anything about Jesus unless you understand the Kingdom of God. While that may be a provocative statement, the mission of Christ and the unfolding of Scripture are entirely wrapped up in understanding what God has done, is doing, and will do through and for His Kingdom. Patrick Schreiner gives us a wonderful and concise volume that traces the theme of kingdom throughout Scripture. He surveys both the Old and the New Testaments, seeking to understand how God, as King, is establishing His Kingdom. The beauty of this book is not only in its terrific content but also in Schreiner’s ability to condense all of this material into 144 pages. For those seeking to have a fuller, more Biblical understanding of the Kingdom of God and are happy to receive it in the most digestible manner, I recommend The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross.
—Recommended by Christopher Talbot
____________________
C. H. Spurgeon, The Greatest Fight in the World (1891; repr., London: Christian Heritage, 2014), 128 pages.
Charles Spurgeon wrote The Greatest Fight in the World near the end of his life, addressing what became known as “the Downgrade Controversy.” Spurgeon realized in the late 1800s that the Bible had ceased to be the foundation of Christian preaching and theology among many of his contemporaries. Therefore, Spurgeon exhorted his readers to believe the Bible, to preach the Bible, and to contend for the gospel of Jesus Christ. As one engaged in battle, Spurgeon maintained that the Bible is our armory, our army, and our strength. There has never been a more important battle than contending for the truth of the gospel. Therefore, our words must be careful and precise, and never of “ragged passion” but “well-considered principle” (33). Spurgeon labored towards these ends for the rest of his life, and I believe this work will help equip ministers today to do the same.
I also want to encourage you to purchase this particular version of the work as it contains a marvelous introduction by the brilliant historian and theologian Tom Nettles.
—Recommended by Jesse Owens
____________________
Mary R. Wisehart, Sparks into Flame: A History of the Woman’s National Auxiliary Convention of the National Association of Free Will Baptists 1935-1985 (Nashville: Woman’s National Auxiliary Convention, 1985), 141 pages.
As William F. Davidson notes in the introduction to The Free Will Baptists in History (2001), the history of Free Will Baptists remains largely unwritten. He and Michael Pelt have provided the best general histories of Free Will Baptists, but many specific aspects of our past remain unrecorded or little read.
Mary R. Wisehart’s Sparks into Flame helps to fill that gap by detailing the founding and maturation of the women’s movement among Free Will Baptists. Beyond giving the chronological story, Wisehart also spends time explaining the mission of the movement and its administrative structure. Members of the Women Nationally Active for Christ (WNAC) will obviously find Wiseheart’s book interesting. However, its appeal extends beyond their circle to local pastors of churches with a WNAC organization and students of Free Will Baptist history.
—Recommended by Phillip T. Morgan
August 11, 2018
Thank you to all who contributed–great summaries and reviews! I’m one of those who always wanted to read Brothers Karamazov and now I think I will…not to mention John Frame’s book– as it helps me so much to read a narrative style “why believe?” book that speaks to our current culture.