Category: Tolle Lege

Readability:  1

Length: 317

Author: Alex Chediak

I wish this book had been published before I started college and that someone had given it to me. It is the book I will give to all high school graduates, and I will recommend it to all college students as well. Alex is an “insider”, a former student who is now a professor, giving you mature wisdom from both angles. Thriving at College deals with faith, friendships, finances, family, academics, and character; every crucial area receives thorough treatment.

Each of the ten chapters deals with a common mistake made by college students. Here is the table of contents:

PART 1: COLLEGE MATTERS

• Common Mistake #1: Chucking Your Faith
• Common Mistake #2: Treating College as if It Were High School

PART 2: RELATIONSHIPS MATTER

• Common Mistake #3: Not Being Intentional
• Common Mistake #4: Distorting Dating and Romance
• Common Mistake #5: Refusing to Grow Up

PART 3: CHARACTER MATTERS

• Common Mistake #6: Being a Flake
• Common Mistake #7: Living out of Balance

PART 4: ACADEMICS MATTER

• Common Mistake #8: Being Too Passive or Too Cocky
• Common Mistake #9: Living for Grades
• Common Mistake #10: Wasting Opportunities

I made the decision to go to college almost by accident. What else was I supposed to do after high school? I was a fairly good student, but I lacked the maturity to make that really huge decision in a constructive, sensible manner. Frankly, my college years could have been better. Today, I look back on my younger self in college and wish I could have a cup of coffee with him. I wish I could give him somehard- earned advice.

That’s why I’m writing this book. I can’t take my younger self out to coffee. There’s no time machine for that. But as a college professor today, I have the chance to observe students and how they live their lives. I’m amazed at how many of them remind me of my former self. This book is, in essence, an attempt at taking you out to Starbucks and telling you what I’ve learned about the college years— and, most  important, telling you how to make your college season the best years of your life (so far). I cannot tell you how much I wish someone had told me these things when I was in college.

Readability:  1

Length: 154

Author: Paul David Tripp

This is good medicine for the soul. There is bitterness and healing in this medicine, the kind of healing that can only come from bitter medicine. Tripp writes extremely well in these 52 meditations on the 51st Psalm. As the subtitle says, Whiter than Snow is a collection of “Meditations on Sin and Mercy”. The meditations are brief, averaging around two pages, but profound. This would be a great book to read one chapter a week for a year. This might be an exercise and a resource I recommend to new Christians so that the gravity of sin and redemption settles deeply into their soul.

It would also be tempting to think that the greatest victory in David’s life was his victory over the Philistines with their mighty Goliath. Yet this story, and the psalm that goes with it, points us to the fact that the greatest victory in David’s life was not a victory of war but a victory of grace. It is amazing to watch this hardened adulterer and murderer brought to confession and repentance by the power of God’s grace. And it is incredible that he does not lose his throne and, in fact, becomes a man who is known as “a man after God’s own heart”! The greatest victory in David’s life was not a victory of David’s at all, but, rather, God’s victory of grace over the sin that had captivated David’s heart.

The character of life isn’t set in ten big moments. The character of life is set in then thousand little moments of everyday life. It’s the themes of struggles that emerge from those little moments that reveal what’s really going on in our hearts.

The older you get the more you move from being an astronaut to an archaeologist. When you’re young, you’re excitedly launching to worlds unknown. You have all of the major decisions of life before you, and you can spend your time assessing your potential and considering opportunities. It’s a time of exploration and discovery. It’s a time to go where you’ve never been before and to do what you’ve never done. It’s a time to begin to use your training and to gain experience.

But as you get older, you begin to look back at least as much as you look forward. As you look back, you tend to dig through the mound of the civilization that was your past life, looking for pottery shards of thoughts, desires, choices, actions, words, decisions, relationships, and situations. And as you do this, you can’t help but assess how you have done with what you have been given.

My sin is an act where I replace You, with something I love more.

There’s a deeper birth trauma than the physical suffering that both mother and child must endure in order for the child to be born. The deeper, more profound trauma is the devastating reality that you can’t stop yourself from giving birth to a sinner. It happens 100 percent of the time. It’s the natal disease for which there is no inoculation.

[S]isn’t an event; no, it’s a progressive movement of the heart that results in disobedient behavior.

Readability:  1

Length: 122

Author: J. Mack Stiles

This is a really rare book on evangelism, it focus is on the evangelist, hence the title, Marks of the Messenger, without obscuring or contradicting the message, that is the gospel. Other books on evangelism that focus on the evangelist tend to emphasize method or technique so as to optimize results, Mack wants to focus on faithfulness. The subtitle says it all, “Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel”. This is not a book to guilt you into evangelism, but one to glory you into evangelism.

Further Mack does not write from an ivory tower. He left the States post 9/11 to minister in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). This also means you can’t accuse Mack of being failing to be transcultural. We can all learn from him.

Finally, this thoroughly Biblical book is loaded with great stories that illustrate precious truths. It is as joyous as it is convicting to read.

[A]s evangelist we want to be people who are more concerned with our faithfulness in presenting Christ clearly that we are with results. We want to be the kind of evangelist who take people more seriously that to manipulate them into a prayer of commitment. And we want to be people who present the gospel with care, knowing spiritual lives are at stake.

There is a tendency to think that our sins are bigger than our sin – maybe because its that rare case when the plural is smaller than the singular. Sins are those individual acts of rebellion, symptoms of the bigger problem. Our sin is the biggest problem: it’s our condition or state which is in hideous rebellion toward a holy and good God. When Christians feel that sins (acts) are bigger than sin (condition), they see evangelism as an effort of moral reform rather than explaining the steps that need to take place to rip our wicked hearts and replace them with new hears – that amazing work of God that Jesus called being born again.

[I]sn’t it true that “a hungry man has no ears”? “Isn’t it ‘the gospel just to take care of their needs?”

When our missionary friend Mike McComb tried to introduce protein into the diets of the largely illiterate Guatemalan farmers, it was a masterful combination of expertise, training and strategy. He started his work toward the end of the murderous civil war. Mike faithfully shared the gospel too. And Mike noticed it was the gospel that allowed for protein to get to the people.

When the gospel was understood and accepted in villages, Mike reported, men stopped getting drunk and beating their wives. As they attended church they started to attend to their crops as well as their children’s education. Tomas, the mayor of Nebaj, told me that it was only when the gospel came to the Ixil lands that real change happened. Mike says that the preaching of the gospel did more to eliminate hunger than fish farms or crop rotation ever did. We must never forget that the gospel brings more long-term social good than any governmental program ever developed.

Readability:  2

Length: 436

Author: Mark Driscoll

I enjoyed reading Mark Driscoll’s and Gerry Breshear’s Doctrine, but I would recommend Grudem’s Systematic Theology ahead of it, for it covers much more ground while maintaining a great level of clarity and simplicity. So why recommend Doctrine? There are three reasons.

One is simple. While Doctrine is a weighty tome, 436 pages, it is still slim compared to Grudem’s at 1167 pages. So for those looking for something less through, something brief, but something that still covers all the major themes and doctrines of Scripture, Doctrine is a better choice.

Second, Doctrine uniquely traces the major themes of Scripture along the Biblical storyline. Thus systematic theology and Biblical theology are both here.

Third, and the major reason why one can profit from reading Doctrine even if they have tackled other systematic theologies is that Driscoll and Brashear’s thoroughly apply each doctrine to life.

So while this book may be too long for some and too short for others, all can profit from it.

We want the Bible in your hand, the Holy Spirit in your heart, other Christians in your life, and Jesus on your horizon, so that you can life a truly biblical life to God’s glory, your joy, and other’s good.

As a result of the fall, the descent into sin has continued unabated ever since.  A respect for authority was replaced by rebellion. A clear conscience was replaced by guilt and shame. Blessing was replaced by physical, spiritual, and eternal punishment. Viewing God as a friend to walk with was replaced by viewing him as an enemy to hide from. Trust was replaced by fear. Love was replaced by indifference and even hatred. Intimacy with God was replaced by separation from God. Freedom to obey God was replaced by enslavement to sin. Honesty was replaced with lying and deceit. Self-sacrifice was replaced by self-centeredness. Peace was replaced by restlessness. Responsibility was replaced by blaming. Authenticity was replaced by hiding.

Indeed, worship is not merely an aspect of our being but the essence of our being as God’s image bearers.  As a result, all of life is ceaseless worship.  Practically, this means that while worship does include corporate church meetings, singing songs, and liturgical forms, it is not limited by these things, defined solely as these things, or expressed only in these things, because worship never stops. Rather, we are continually giving ourselves away or pouring ourselves out for a person, cause, experience, achievement, or status.

Readability:  1

Length: 237

Author: Edward T. Welch

Do you have a problem with fear of man? If so I highly recommend Ed Welch’s When People Are Big and God Is Small. If you don’t think you have a problem with the fear of man, then I especially recommend this book. Here are some of the disguises that Welch says that the fear of man can hide behind: peer pressure, over-commitment, needing someone, self-esteem, fear of exposure, embarrassment, lying, and jealousy. Still don’t think you struggle, Welch then brings out the trump card, the one word that will make you recognize you are not immune – evangelism. Convinced?

The premise of the book is contained in the title. When we fear man, people become God-like and man becomes God-like. The solution is to fight fear with fear. We need to see God, and have a holy reverence for Him that swallows all other fears.

This is the second Welch book that I have read. With every read I walk away blessed and more thankful that God has blessed His church with him. Here is Biblical counsel, firm and tender, true and practical.

Scripture gives three basic reasons why we fear other people, and we will look at each of them in turn.

1. We fear people because they can expose and humiliate us.
2. We fear people because they can reject, ridicule, or despise us.
3. We fear people because they can attack, oppress, or threaten us.

These three reasons have one thing in common: they see people as “bigger” (that is more powerful and significant) than God, and , out of the fear that creates un us, we give other people the power and right to tell us what to feel, think, and do.

That’s the paradox of self-esteem: Low self-esteem usually means that I think too highly of myself. I’m to self-involved, I feel I deserve better than what I have. The reason I feel bad about myself is that I aspire to something more. I want just a few minutes of greatness. I am a peasant who wants to be king. When you are in the grips of low self-esteem, it’s painful, and it certainly doesn’t feel like pride. But I believe that this is the dark, quieter side of pride – thwarted pride.

Anything that erodes the fear of God will intensify the fear of man.

People are most similar to God when he is the object of their affection.

Readability:  1

Length: 262

Author: Adrian Warnock

Raised with Christ is not just a good book about the resurrection, that is enough, but it is more. It is a good book about the resurrection applied to life, or, as the subtitle puts it, “How the Resurrection Changes Everything.”

You will not find any bare theologizing about the resurrection here, this glorious truth will be applied to all of life. This is a precious, central truth, the distinguishing truth of our faith. It should make a difference in our minds, hearts, and wills. This book works toward that end.

The church did not create the resurrection stories; instead the resurrection stories created the church.

Have you ever met a wise person who seems to say very few words? Some people use many words, of which we remember very few. Others will remain silent, perhaps even while watching a debate, saying nothing at all. Then when everyone else is finished, they may add a sentence that dramatically cuts through everything that has been said. The theme of resurrection in the Bible is a bit like that wise person. We read patiently through many other subjects, and then suddenly a single phrase interjects, illuminating everything and bringing a hope that goes beyond death itself.

The credit of Jesus’ righteousness is much larger than the debt of our sin. His account had more positive approval than the negative disapproval that was due to all of us. The debt was paid, and as a result, as a righteous man and the beloved Son of God, the Father was entirely just to raise him. Jesus had turned away God’s wrath, he had destroyed sin, our guilt could now be taken away, and we could be counted righteous. If the cross was Jesus’ payment for our sins, then the resurrection marked God’s acceptance of that payment.

Readability:  1

Length: 201

Author: Sinclair Ferguson

New converts may often err by being overly fascinated with what to do now that they are a Christian, rather than thinking about what has been done to them first. Apparently we default into works even immediately after experiencing grace. Those who counsel these new converts are no help either. Sinclair Ferguson does not make this fault in The Christian Life. Here is a description life of the child of God that is unique; it is as the byline says “A Doctrinal Introduction.”

The bulk of this book deals with what has been done to us, and then turns briefly to what we then do as a result, which is really discussing God’s continuing salvation in us, finally, Ferguson turns what God will do. Here is an approach to the Christian life more concerned with God’s words and truth than our actions. This is not to say our actions are unimportant, rather it is to discover the grounds and power for Christian living. This leads to more Christian living, not less.

What then are the basic needs which are met in the message of the gospel?

(i) We need re-creation by Christ in order that the image of god, once distorted by sin, may be restored. (ii) We need deliverance from the dominion of sin in order that we may live freely for God. (iii) We need to be rescued from the power of Satan so that our lives may be given to Christ the Lord as his glad bondslaves. (iv) We need to be saved from the wrath of God so that, released from this most terrifying of all prospects, we may live the life of forgiven sinners.

We have neither claim nor right to his gracious summons, any more than the unformed mass of darkness and chaos in the primeval time could lay claim to the voice of God to bring light and form order.

Readability:  1

Length: 171

Author: Rick Horne

If you are the parent of or work with angry, difficult teenagers I highly commend Rick Horne’s Get Outta My Face! Biblical wisdom and practical experience combine to make this a most useful and God-glorifying resource. Here is how Horne opens the book:

Here’s a fact.

Angry, unmotivated, and disinterested teens, whether Christian or not, are confused, insecure, and often blind to everything except what they want right now. Their desires and actions have been corrupted and polluted by sin. That’s why they have a problem.

Here’s another fact.

Angry, unmotivated, and disinterested teens, whether Christian or not, are made in the image of God. This means that beneath their corrupted desires and actions the image of God remains. That’s the key to solving their problem.

Far from dismissing or sugar-coating sin, this approach opens wide the door to evangelizing the unsaved teen and to helping the Christian teen grow in holiness and wisdom. This book will teach you how to build a bridge to young adults on the basis of the ways in which their desires and actions reflect the image of God and the blessing of common grace.

Readability:  1

Length: 247

Author: Brett McCracken

Can cool and Christianity survive together? Brett McCracken does an excellent job answering this question in Hipster Christianity. First after giving us a definition of cool McCracken does an excellent job of journalism in tracking the origins and development of cool. Then McCracken turns to consider the sad history of Christian cool. While this initial work was fascinating in many way I most enjoyed McCracken’s theological analysis of the marrying of cool and Christianity, that is after all why he laid such extensive groundwork. For those who are annoyed or confused by the first two sections you really must read all the way through. In the end McCracken basically says that such a marriage is unholy, but then goes on to give a very nuanced explanation of how they can coexist.

Let’s think for a minute about what Christianity is and why it doesn’t make a good “product.” For one thing, products must be subject to markets, yet God is not subject to the consumer needs or wants of any market. God only and ever deals on his own terms. His grace comes from within him and is bestowed on us as he pleases. It doesn’t come when we are ready for it or when we long for it. We struggle to fathom something that can’t be purchased “on demand” in this day and age, but Christianity is one such thing. God saves at his discretion and on his watch.

Another reason why Christianity doesn’t make a good product is that it doesn’t lend itself to an easy commercial sale. Sure, there are appealing things about it, but there are also not-so-appealing things about it (um… taking up one’s cross, avoiding sin and worldliness, etc.). And although the Gospel is wonderfully simple in the sense that even a child can recognize its truth, it is also mind-blowingly complex in a way that doesn’t lend itself to thirty-second jingles. Marketing requires simplifying, cutting out all friction and obstacles to a sale, and focusing solely on the beneficial, feel-good aspects of a product. To market something is to empty it of all potentially controversial or difficult elements, which is maybe not the best method of communicating the gospel…

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=glo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0801072220&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr

Readability:  3

Length: 230

Author: Thomas Schreiner

Have you ever asked one of the following questions?

• Does the Old Testament teach that salvation is by works?
• What is the New Perspective on Paul and how should it be assessed?
• Are Gentiles under the law?
• What is the “law of Christ”?
• Do James and Paul contradict one another on justification by works?
• Is the Sabbath still required for Christians?
• Should Christians tithe?

If you have then Thomas Scheiner’s 40 Questions About Christians and Biblical Law is very helpful. This is one of the more helpful books that I have read on the relation of the law to Christians today. The format of the book is what makes it so incredibly helpful. While is it not a book that everyone may want to read all the way through, it still would be very valuable for a reference. There is also an annotated bibliography for further reading. For those troubled by the relation of the Old Testament to the New this is a helpful work.