When I launched this site, one of the first things I started doing is reviewing books. There are two reasons for this:
- I love books
- I want to help you find good books that will help you grow in your faith
With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of all the reviews I’ve completed to date. Some of these books are excellent, some okay and others are ones that I’ve read to save you the trouble of doing it yourself. I hope you’ll find them helpful in your quest to read good books.
Publishers I review for include:
- Thomas Nelson
- Crossway
- Tyndale House
- Waterbrook/Multnohmah
- David C. Cook
- Zondervan
- New Growth Press
Recent reviews
As of this writing, I’m coming up on nearly 250 reviews. As you can imagine, if I showed you all of them here, that’d be a lot of scrolling. So rather than showing you everything, below you’ll find a list of my most recent reviews. Enjoy!
Sound Doctrine by Bobby Jamieson - While “doctrine” is a dirty word in some circles, there are times when I wonder if it’s become a bit of a cliché in some of ours. Many of us in the “new Calvinist/YRR/whatever-you-want-to-call-this” movement love to talk about the importance of sound doctrine and why it matters. We have systematic theologies and commentaries, apologetics [...]
Why Cities Matter by Stephen Um and Justin Buzzard - How should Christians approach cities? Some approach the city as an enemy at worst or something to be exploited at best—its resources have value, but beyond that, it’s best left alone. Others give the qualities of a city little thought whatsoever, blending into its surrounding culture, but not really engaging it in a way that [...]
I Am a Church Member by Thom S. Rainer - Why do some people make a big deal about church membership—is it all that important? Does it really make a difference whether I sign a piece of paper or not? Do I get some sort of added perk? These are the kinds of questions I’ve heard (and sometimes asked) whenever the subject of church membership [...]
Bound Together by Chris Brauns - The place of community in the Christian life seems increasingly complicated for those of us living in the West. We don’t seem to really get it. Some seem to live as though they can do life as “just me and Jesus;” that our actions impact no one but ourselves and community is a nice-to-have, rather [...]
The Boy and the Ocean by Max Lucado - If you’re a parent, you know how hard it can be to find good books for children. Kid’s books tend to swing too far into the simplistic or go so far over the reader’s heads that they lose interest. Balancing isn’t easy, especially when you’re trying to write a story for little people on a [...]
A much-needed kick in the teeth - One of the best books I read in early 2010 was Josh Harris’ Dug Down Deep. Back when I reviewed the book, I called out the last chapter, “A humble orthodoxy” as being worthy of being a book unto itself. It seems others felt the same way. Harris’ new book Humble Orthodoxy: Holding the Truth High Without Putting People [...]
Crucifying Morality by R W Glenn - I remember the first sermon series I heard on the Beatitudes, the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:2-11). The pastor spoke about every characteristic Jesus lists with great conviction—but something didn’t sit right. Every message followed the same basic pattern: each week one or two characteristics were described and then we [...]
God’s Good Design by Claire Smith - Few issues are as polarizing as what the Bible says about men and women—especially in a world shaped by second- and third-wave feminism. Feminism is part of “the cultural air we breathe”—it’s so ingrained into our society that it’s just a given. It’s the status quo, and no longer something to be questioned. This presents a [...]
Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart by JD Greear - How do you know if you’re really a Christian or not? Is there a way to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’re really saved? These are questions I’m sure we’ve all asked from time to time. But for many, there appears to be an almost fearful uncertainty about their salvation—a fear that [...]
Follow Me by David Platt - “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” Jesus told Peter, Andrew, James and John (Matt. 4:19). This call, in many ways, is shocking. These were experienced fishermen—they had jobs, families, nets ready to burst with fish thanks to a miracle performed by Jesus (Luke 5:2-11). Now they were being told by this [...]
Mapping the Origins Debate by Gerald Rau - “How did we get here?” It seems like a fairly straightforward question, yet it’s pregnant with meaning because it requires us to consider some other questions: How did the universe come start? How did life begin? How did the various kinds of life—most significantly humanity—come into being? It’s no wonder, then, that such a seemingly [...]
A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans - I’m not sure what more needs to be said about Rachel Held Evans’ A Year of Biblical Womanhood. Hundreds of reviews already appear on Amazon, dozens have been published on various blogs looking at the book from numerous angles… is there more that can really be said about it? I hope so, or this is going to [...]
Sensing Jesus by Zack Enswine - Ministry isn’t easy, if for no other reason than people are involved. Instinctively we know this, and yet it seems like we expect pastors to be somehow above the messiness that comes with being human. And our fascination with celebrity doesn’t help this tendency. We want to be everywhere, do everything, know everything… We stretch [...]
Brass Heavens by Paul Tautges - “Why won’t God answer? Is He not listening?” How many of us have asked this question, whether openly or in secret? There’s something so disconcerting when we pray earnestly, confidently, possibly desperately, and yet it seems to go unanswered. God is silent. Or so it seems. Why? Paul Tautges, in his new book, Brass Heavens, examines [...]
Book Review: Puritan Portraits by J.I. Packer - As I’ve gotten older (which sounds pretentious since I’m coming up to the ripe “old” age of 34), my appreciation for history—and especially historical figures—has increased greatly. I love learning about the people who’ve influenced movements and events, especially in the history of the Christian faith. J.I. Packer understands how important understanding these people is, [...]
Book Review: Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller - The routine is the same: get up, get ready and get to work. Our commute is a fog. Sometimes our day is, too. And many of us find ourselves wondering, “Is there really a point to all this?” It seems like work is, at best, a necessary evil. But is that how we should view work? [...]
Book Review: The Conviction to Lead by Albert Mohler - What makes a great leader? Is it a mix of charisma, character and talent? Is it just a bit of luck? If you browse the leadership section at your local bookstore, you’ll find no shortage of answers: Leadership is about influence. It’s about character. It’s about being the “alpha.” It’s about knowing your strengths. Albert [...]
Book Review: Who Do You Think You Are by Mark Driscoll - Who am I? There isn’t a person alive who hasn’t asked this question on multiple occasions and with good reason—our understanding of our identity changes directly affects how we think, speak, feel and act. It’s no wonder then the Scriptures repeatedly remind us of who we are in Christ. And yet, we seem to have a [...]
Book Review: Multiply by Francis Chan with Mark Beuving - “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” Jesus commanded as he ascended into heaven (Matt. 28:19a). This is the mission of the church and the sacred duty of everyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ. So… how do we do it? “Why is it that we see so little disciple making [...]
God Rest Ye Merry by Douglas Wilson - If there’s one thing you can always count on Douglas Wilson for, it’s writing something delightful to read. If there ar two things you can count on him for, it’s that he doesn’t shy away from being a provocateur. His new book, God Rest Ye Merry: Why Christmas is the Foundation for Everything, is yet [...]
