Book Reviews

Troubling Questions for Calvinist by F. LaGard Smith, Cotswold publishing and available through 21st Century Christian Publishing.

This the latest book for author F. Lagard Smith. If you have ever wondered about the teachings of Calvinism, this book is comprehensive in its critical examination of the false body of teachings known collectively as Calvinism (Total depravity, Unconditional election, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the saints). This book will help the reader be equipped to counter this doctrines that have been widely so embraced and promulgated.

In Search of a City is first and foremost an autobiography with a significant portion of the book spent on Tom’s pre-Boston days. Readers looking for a historical narrative of the ICOC should look elsewhere. That said, Tom’s unique and privileged perspective will provide the curious with much background information of years prior to the formation of the ICOC as a worldwide movement. The author’s tone is gracious and irenic. Keeping these things in mind, the reader will certainly benefit.

In Search of a City by Tom Jones, DPI

An excellent book that captures nearly two thousand years of Theology The author gives each theological development a fair assessment and explanation. If the reader perseveres he will be rewarded with a greater appreciation for theology and the doctrines that result

Dr. John Oakes has written a truly insightful and unique book. He thoroughly examines the many ways that figures, ceremonies, and events under the first covenant find their fulfillment and expression under the new covenant. This book will make the Old Testament come alive and give fresh new perspective about all those obscure rituals given in the Law --remember when you tried to read Leviticus? -- and their significance for us today. At the same time, the reader will inspired to see how God worked out the details in a way only God can! Your faith in the Bible will grow with every chapter. Also, see John's new website www.evidenceforchristianity.org.

Have you lost your Kingdom dreams? Has the worries of this life choked your desire to please God? If so, then this book is for you. Dare to Dream Again by San Diego's Jeff Chacon will inspire you to go out on the limb of faith once more.

Do you want to be serious student of the Bible? Do you want understand your Bible better? Then this book is for you. Written in an easy and understandable fashion, the authors clearly explain how to effectively study, interpret and apply the Scriptures (exegesis and hermeneutics). Every facet of Bible study is covered, including commentaries, translations, common errors, distinguishing between the different books of the Bible -e.g. historical, wisdom, prophecy and others -and much more. No reference library should be without this book.

How does God's will affect your decision-making process? Should you pray for a sign, a fleece perhaps? Should you depend on a inner feeling of peace to confirm your choice? Is success necessarily evidence that it was "God's will"? Decision making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen (2004 Multnomah Publishers, Inc.) takes a critical look at the Traditional view of determining God's will as it pertains to making decisions. Instead the author presents decision-making based upon an understanding of God's moral will and the freedom to choose wisely. While the reading might be a bit technical, it is thought provoking and worthwhile. It may even challenge your assumptions about God's will and your decisions.

Have you ever sensed something wasn't right with our world of tolerance? If so, you are not alone. A change in definition has occurred while you were sleeping. Authors Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler expose the false new tolerance that is being preached and promoted in our postmodern society, and the grave threat it poses to the unsuspecting and unprepared Christian. To counter this, the authors present the traditional understanding of tolerance as practiced by Christians based upon the Scriptures.

This book could have been a lot shorter; however, it is still worthwhile, especially to equip young campus students that will face this threat head on.

Grace. Christians proclaim it, defend it, desire it and, most importantly, need it. Yet it is as elusive a topic as ever there was one. Many books have undertaken to explain grace. However, Sam Laing has succeeded where others have fallen short. In his simple and erudite fashion, Sam explores grace not just from the biblical claims, but from its implications for the individual disciple. More specifically, Sam shares his own personal struggles and thus, leads the reader to explore how grace should impact the average disciple. Furthermore, Sam does not deal with grace as a stand alone subject, but he looks at grace from all different angles -titles like Grace and Guilt, Grace and Worry, Grace and Security are illustrative. The chapters are short, but not shallow; they are thought provoking and inspiring.