George Hunsinger, Philippians, Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible, Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2020. 232 pages. A: A solid and pleasant entry into the Brazos series of commentaries. Hunsinger works closely with the grammar of the text of Philippians, while also showing its impact on life and doctrine. In making these theological connections, Hunsinger... Continue Reading →
100 Word Book Reviews: September-October 2020
J. Todd Billings, The End of the Christian Life: How Embracing Our Mortality Frees Us to Truly Live. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2020. 240 pages. A+: Each of us will die. Pretending otherwise is bad for body and soul. Weaving together real-life narratives with poignant theological insight, Billings offers sober, christ-centered hope for mortal creatures... Continue Reading →
Review: The End of the Christian Life
J. Todd Billings, The End of the Christian Life: How Embracing Our Mortality Frees Us to Truly Live. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2020. “He won’t live to see his daughter graduate high school.” This was my first, aching thought when I heard the prognosis of J. Todd Billings’ cancer diagnosis as his student in seminary.... Continue Reading →
100 Word Book Reviews: August 2020
Sanderson, Brandon. Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009. 320 pages. B+: In this third installment of the Alcatraz series, the boy with the talent for breaking things finally leaves the Librarian-controlled Hushlands for the Free Kingdoms. However, so have the librarians. Caught between a plotting mother and indifferent father, Alcatraz... Continue Reading →
100 Word Book Reviews: July 2020
Sanderson, Brandon. The Bands of Mourning. New York: Tor Books, 2016. 447 pages. B+: The penultimate volume in the Wax & Wayne saga leaves as many questions as it answers. The individual drama of this book has a clear and decisive ending, but it understandably leaves the reader anticipating the final volume. In typical Sanderson... Continue Reading →
100 Word Book Reviews: June 2020
Sanderson, Brandon. The Hero of Ages, Tor Books: New York, 2008. 760 pages. A:. In a world of mist and ash, metals grant power. After the events at the Well of Ascension, Vin has unleashed a power that may lead to the end of the world. Vin and Elend race against the falling ash to... Continue Reading →
100 Word Book Reviews: May 2020
Pastoral Work: Engagements with the Vision of Eugene Peterson, edited by Jason Byasee and L. Roger Owens. Cascade Books: Eugene, Oregon, 2014. 206 pages. A-: While Eugene Peterson’s vision of the pastoral office has been influential to many, there has been little scholarly engagement with it. This book fills that void with a collection of... Continue Reading →
Review: Bavinck on the Christian Life
John Bolt, Bavinck on the Christian Life: Following Jesus in Faithful Service. Crossway, 2015. Herman Bavinck has greater influence than name recognition. At the turn of the twentieth century, he worked tirelessly with Dutch prime minister and theologian Abraham Kuyper to shape the movement of Neo-Calvinism. His writings have influenced more recognizable theologians such as... Continue Reading →
Review: What does the Bible really teach about Homosexuality?
DeYoung, Kevin. What does the Bible really teach about Homosexuality? Crossway, 2015. Any book dealing with sexuality and scripture is bound to be controversial. A book that claims to detail ‘what the Bible really teaches’ is sure to have its share of supporters and detractors. Despite the heated nature of the church’s conversation around human... Continue Reading →
Review: Traces of the Trinity
Peter J. Leithart, Traces of the Trinity: Signs of God in Creation and Human Experience. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2015. 165 pages. The doctrine of the Trinity has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years. Scores of books have been written, some reiterating classic Christian teaching and seeking to trace the implications of the... Continue Reading →
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