The Reason For My Hope: Salvation by Dr. Billy Graham

            There is undoubtedly one thing that Dr. Billy Graham is known for and that is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the hope of salvation for all mankind. So, even though he has advanced in years, it is no shock to read through one of his most recent books and find that it centers around the very subject of salvation, and specifically the hope that is found in Jesus Christ.
            While telling the story of why Jesus came, what He did on the cross and how anyone can receive Him as the Savior of their own life, the book addresses issues that are prevalent in the day and age in which we live. From chapters entitled "Sin is in" to "There's no hope of happy hour in hell", Dr. Graham is not afraid to tackle issues that many Christian leaders would rather avoid.
             This book is also filled with many stories and illustrations. At first, I wasn't sure if it was going to contain only stories without scripture, but it quickly fills with the Biblical basis for salvation and what God's word says about hope. Jesus is our hope of salvation. And as he has done faithfully for decades, Dr. Graham explains how Jesus can be your hope too. He is not afraid to use words like sin and hell, as I mentioned earlier. And he's also not afraid to use words like judgment and repent.
             Who should read this book? Anyone who has forgotten quickly what Jesus did for them on the cross. Anyone who has lost hope in a chaotic world. Anyone who is a believer but needs to remember how good God has been to them. And, most of all, anyone who has never entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. I received this book free from the publisher through the http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. And I recommend it to those who fit the categories I have listed.

Jesus On Every Page by David Murray

           
           Much of modern day preaching has downplayed the need for the Old Testament in today's church and Christian life. Focusing on the grace and love of God, the message that is conveyed, whether directly or indirectly, is that the Old Testament was about the law and therefore is not relevant in the age of grace. But, as author David Murray explores in his book Jesus on Every Page, it could be that the Old Testament does not contain a different message or a different Gospel at all. Perhaps it actually conveys the very same message as the New Testament, that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
            David Murray is a professor in Old Testament and Theology, who Pastored in Scotland for 12 years prior to attaining his current position. The journey of understanding the Old Testament and seeing Jesus in the scriptures began many years ago for him, when he was asked to teach on Hebrew and the Old Testament at a newly formed seminary. Not knowing much of the Old Testament himself, he began to study. And the things he found, in his journey that has lasted many years, make up the contents of Jesus on Every Page.  
            Beginning with what the New Testament leaders, including Jesus, had to say about the Old Testament, the author builds a case that not only is the Gospel found in the Old Testament, but the writers of the passages actually knew that they were preaching the Gospel in their works. The second section of the book then proceeds to show in each chapter how Jesus is found throughout the Old Testament, in places like creation, the law, the appearances, the covenants and the prophets.
            I found the book to be well researched and I enjoyed reading it. If you don't care for theology, then you may not find the book to be as interesting to you. The author attempts to avoid the technical aspects of Old Testament theology, and does a good job in making the book simple. But, there are times where you may find yourself having to read a portion over two or three times to understand the scope of the writing.
              I received this book free from the publisher through the http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I do recommend this book to anyone who loves Jesus, loves the Bible and wants to know who the Bible says that Jesus is from cover to cover. Enjoy.