Know the Heretics by Justin Holcomb

               Some of you reading this review may have grown up knowing a little bit about Protestant church history. But, many of you probably have a story similar to mine, where you knew virtually nothing. Because my life, as that of so many others, can be extremely busy, I don't have a lot of time to read massive volumes on the history of the church. And that is one of the reasons I did like the new book by Justin Holcomb called "Know the Heretics" which I received free through the book review program for bloggers, available at www.booklookbloggers.com.
               As of this post, Justin Holcomb is presently is an episcopal priest and a professor of Theology and Christian Thought at both Gordon-Cromwell Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. "Know the Heretics" is part of a series of books in the "Know" series, of which he has also contributed "Know the Creeds and Councils". As I mentioned earlier, I did not know a lot about the heretics that are often cited from church history and this book was a good,  simple, concise look into their lives and un-Christian teachings.\                   
               So if you're not familiar with the names Marcion, Arius, Pelagius and Sabellius (to name just a few) you're not alone. This book will help you to learn parts of early church history in an easy to read manner. The chapters are fairly short and highlight the major thoughts the individual advocated. Included at the end of each chapter are discussion questions and recommendations for further reading. I did find a it a little bit dry at times, but the author does his best to convey the history behind the heresy without complicating the issues as much as possible.
               From this book, I took away a few important things. One of those is that there really is nothing new under the sun. Many of the same heresies of hundreds of years ago resurface today in modern vernacular. Second, I recognized that those that don't know history can be destined to repeat it. Though this is not necessarily a subject that you'll feel inspired to read, it is needed for believers in Christian churches everywhere to know those who have tried to undermine the faith and to be equipped to defend it when the same errors arise again, even if they are clothed in modern garments.

The Trace of God by Joseph Hinman

             
              Perhaps in your life, at some point or another, whether desired or unanticipated, you may have had a supernatural encounter of a mystical, religious sort that gave you a greater awareness, or understanding of someone bigger than yourself, perhaps even God. But, maybe you tried to tell others about it, only to be met with skepticism, doubt and maybe even mockery. After all, you may have been told, 'there's no way to verify what you say took place'. Or...is there? And that is part of the facets found in Joseph Hinman's book, The Trace of God.
              I was given this book for free to read through a relative who recommended it for my blog. I had never heard of the author, because this is his first offering. But, I soon discovered he had a very impressive set of academic credentials (see his biography no Amazon for more information). I was not required to write a positive review. And, I began to delve into and finished this intelligent work of literature.
             The major premise of the book centers around the concept that mystical, religious experiences are not only real for many people, but can be verified scientifically. Using historical research data, the work of psychologists, scientists, philosophers and others, the author builds an impressive case for his arguments. In doing so, he deals with objections from others on the opposite side of the issue, including related skepticism about placebos, drugs, the issues of brain chemistry and other variables many would use to object to the validity of his conclusions.
             I liked the fact that the author took somewhat of a systematic approach to the subject and the arguments against it. Whether this related specifically to research he had done in his graduate studies I am not certain, but it appears that he uses very logical, sequential 'bullet point' type analysis in his chapters, which I enjoyed. Science is not my strong suit, so I did have some challenges with following a few items, until I closely attended to the surrounding detail. But, I was able to digest the material in small bites and flow until the end.
             The book is designed on a more academic level, so it may be challenging to you if Abraham Maslow, Richard Dawkins and other advanced thinkers are not your preference in leisurely reading. However, though the author feels some may be skeptical at taking this as an apologetic work, I found it to be a vital work in apologetics that will stimulate the mind, contribute valuable insights to the reality of a divine being existing and offer clinical proofs that will challenge even the skeptical to consider the ramifications of the results. If that sounds like something you might want to pursue further, then I encourage you to buy the book.

Greater by Steven Furtick

 

                Have you ever longed for something more? Have you ever sensed in your heart that you were born to do something you never anticipated with your life? But, have you ever settled into the routine of the comfortable and the familiar? Has life ever become so mediocre that each day seems like a complete repeat of the day before? The latter two choices are the type of lives that many people fall into. But, pastor and author Steven Furtick challenges us in his book Greater that God has something more in store for us than we ever thought was possible when we reach out to Him and allow Him to take us on our journey with Him through life.

                This book has actually been out for quite some time, but I was recently given a free copy for this review through the book review program for bloggers that can be found at  http://www.bloggingforbooks.org from the Crown Publishing Group. With the recent emphasis on featuring this selection again from the publisher, I'm glad that I had the opportunity to review the selection. As always, Steven Furtick delivers a no-nonsense challenge to his audience to not just waste their life away and not just settle for the mundane but to live the greater life that God has already designed for them to live.

                Using the life of the prophet Elisha (not to be confused with the prophet Elijah, of which he does make a distinction), Pastor Steven Furtick examines the things we can learn from this great leader whom God used mightily on the earth. He compares the prophet's adventures to the things that God wants to do through us, making the illustrations from Elisha's exploits potent pictures of the power that's available to all of us as we dare to believe for the impossible.

                 While I do not necessarily feel that this was Pastor Furtick's best work, it is still a powerful work that will challenge you to think, do and be more than you ever have before. As always, the author includes his own personal stories and confessions that make the material more relatable to those who are reading it. It's worth reading if you allow yourself to be challenged and to act on the principles he espouses. And there' seven a study guide at the end for group discussion of the material presented. You can read a sneak preview of the first chapter at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/pdf/SneakPeekGreater.pdf.

 

The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven Scott

           

             I could have ended this blog already by saying 'the title says it all'. But, for the sake of all who are reading and for the book review program bloggers at http://www.bloggingforbooks.org from the Crown Publishing Group, by whom I received this book for free, I continue. Businessman, Leader and Author Steven K. Scott has done the body of Christ, believers in Jesus a tremendous service by writing this book. It's a great resource and I will proceed to tell you why I believe that way.
             Imagine you could hear from the greatest teacher who ever lived. Suppose you were able to record his words for generations to come. How valuable would that information be to you and to others? Wouldn't you want to share it? What would happen if you could have it arranged topically? Then, whenever you had a question about a topic, you could just go right to it and find all that the teacher said about it. That is what Steven Scott has done with "The Greatest Words Ever Spoken". And it is a storehouse of wisdom for anyone who reads it/
             The book focuses on the words spoken by the greatest teacher who ever lived, namely Jesus and puts those words topically into one concise volume. There are over 200 topics and the words found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are all included. Sometimes passages do repeat from topic to topic, as more than one category often fits an individual verse, but that is to assure that you don't miss any important subject. The author does give some introductions for each major section of topics, but it really is simply a compilation of the words of Jesus, more than the author's own  words.
              I would give the book a five out of five star rating, and everyone who saw me reading it and  picked it up to browse had the same reaction "wow, this is incredible". However, when you do purchase the book, you might want to get the hardbound edition, because mine got mangled fairly quickly, since the paperback edition is rather flimsy. I also would advise you to read it topically and not cover to cover. This  will give you the most benefit out of it and I believe will make you say at many points along the way, 'these are the greatest words ever spoken.'

The New Spirit Filled Life Study Bible

       
             While God's word is unchanged throughout centuries of Christianity, the translations of it abound and choosing one that is right for you can become a challenge. Yet, even after that hurdle is conquered there can be other obstacles to face, like understanding what is meant by what is written, even if you choose a translation that best helps you to comprehend the text. And with those facts in mind, my review today centers on the "New Spirit filled Life Bible" found in the New International Version (NIV), recently released by Thomas Nelson Publishers with the editing assistance of Jack Hayford.
             For those of you already familiar with this thorough work, the majority of the contents have remained the same. For those of you who have not seen or used an edition of it before, there is a wealth of wisdom to be found inside. The notes are compiled by a variety of church leaders from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. Among the contributors are the editor, Jack Hayford, Pastors like Lloyd Ogilive, and Bible school founders like Freda Lindsey and dozens of others Christian teachers. Some teachers contribute to small articles found within the pages under the overarching banner of "Kingdom Dynamics", with topics like The Blood of the Covenant and Traits of Spiritual Leadership. While other writers add the introductions to each book of the Bible and the notes on each chapter and verse.
             The one thing that makes this Bible stand apart from several other study Bibles is that most of the contributors to the notes are from Charismatic and Pentecostal backgrounds. So, if you are from a cessationist background, you're not going to like this Bible, However, these from these particular backgrounds may enjoy it quite well. Either way, anyone can learn a lot from it's pages. I particularly like the "word wealth' sections spread randomly over key words throughout the scriptures, with their Hebrew and Greek meanings expounded upon.
             In addition to the thousands of notes on the majority of the Bible verses, you can easily spend days running all of the center column references to other verses. And another great feature is the "Truth in Action" teachings at the end of the individual books of the Bible. This ties together the major highlights of the book and gives a better understanding of not only what was said, but how to apply it to your life.
             I received this Bible for free through the book review program for bloggers, available at http://booklookbloggers.com and I was not required to write a positive review. While you won't agree with or maybe even like everyone who contributed to this study Bible, I personally have used a NJKV version of this Bible for many years and am glad it has been placed in an NIV format. This is a great study tool and can help many readers to grow in their knowledge of the Word of God.
           

Living Life Undaunted by Christine Caine

      
       Christine Caine is a popular conference speaker, author and the founder of the Acts 21 Campaign, which helps to rescue the victims of human trafficking. I have written about her book "Undaunted" previously. Now, there comes a devotional resource connected to the same concepts found in "Undaunted". Christine's newest book is titled "Living Life Undaunted" and packs quite a bit of information in it's pages. The readings pivot off many of the concepts found in the original work, allowing the reader more time to meditate and reflect on the scriptural truths that the writer presents.
       The book is a year-long devotional with 365 readings that are 1-2 pages each. Every new day begins with a scripture verse, the devotional thoughts, and a brief 'Moment of Reflection' to ask a question and exhort toward the topical goal. As a devotional it would be easy to read, though for the purpose of this blog I read considerably more than a day at a time. Divided into four sections with three months in each one, the main four subjects addressed in each quarter are 'broken', 'loved', 'empowered' and 'commissioned'. This gives a framework for what the author is attempting to convey with each allotted span.
        First, Christine Caine is a gifted writer and she communicates with humor and pointed clarity that allows for thoughtful introspection (which is another way of saying she makes you laugh and then kicks you when you least expect it to wake you up to action). Second, any page of the day's musings may be taken on it's own to use for personal edification. However, I did on several occasions find myself questioning why she would open the day with a particular scripture verse that did not seem directly connected to that day's discussion.
        Still, it was a good devotional and it's simplicity makes it easy to digest for any age group or gender, though women appear to be the main target audience in mind as the writings are presented. I received this book for free through the book review program for bloggers, available at http://booklookbloggers.com. I recommend the book for those who need encouraged, those who don't know how loved they are and those who find it hard to imagine what God can do through them...and through you and me too.

Dear Son by Dave Bruskas

           

        Fatherless sons are an at an epidemic high in both the United States and around the world. But, one topic that is not mentioned as frequently is that of sonless fathers. When you combine these two fields of study and address some of the important issues which a father should discuss with his sons, you have the material found in the book 'Dear Son', the first book written by Pastor Dave Bruskas.

        Dave Bruskas is an executive elder at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. He has decades of Pastoral experience and is married with four daughters. Dave also had a son who died in infancy. One of the unique features of 'Dear Son' is found at the beginning of each chapter. It is in that spot where the author inserts a letter of only a few pages that he writes to his son David, the child who died. These letters address the topic in the chapter by relating personal stories about their family. They serve as a brief introduction for each subject.

        Some of the subjects covered in this book include Biblical advice on how to be a son, Christian, father, citizen, husband and others. Spread throughout the pages are scriptural gleanings from the New Testament letters of 1 and 2 Timothy, with other passages as well. I liked this book and feel it is very needed as a compass for young men seeking to navigate life. However, Mars Hill Church has a consistent reputation for emphasizing scripture as primary in living, and I did not find that scripture was emphasized enough in relation to each subject. It seemed like it was added to the subjects, rather than being the focus of them.

         Again, I did like the book. And I do recommend it, but there is something you'll need to be aware of regarding the intended audience. It is written primarily to young men, in the age bracket of their teems to twenties. While the principles in the pages are true and applicable for any age group, it is the intended age bracket that will obviously benefit the most from it,. I received this book for free from the book review program for bloggers, available at www.tyndaleblognetwork.com. All young men need help in their journey through life. I hope that this book will fall into the hands of many of them, and that they will apply the Biblical principles in it's pages to be more like Jesus on their journey.