| Author | Message | ||
| Steve |
I thought of starting this thread a couple of months ago. However, it looks like a couple of folks got around to it on another thread. On this thread let's all list books we've read, videos/movies we've seen, other media, and write a short review of that here. I'll begin . . . _____________________________________________ The Case For Christ, by Lee Strobel Lee Strobel was an award-winning reporter for the Chicago Tribune, and an Atheist. After converting to Christ, he recreated his journey in this book. It's a wonderful encounter with hard-hitting questions to many leaders in Christian theology and apologetics. For those looking for "evidence" you will find that here. But those with a desire for a relationship with Christ will also find that in Strobel's descriptions of the Christians he meets on his journey. Available in most Christian book stores. ________________________________________________ Crosscurrents in Adventist Christology, by Eric Claude Webster An important book for Adventists and non-SDA Evangelicals to read. It provides an overview of four different trends of Christology within SDAism. However, the author only shows James White as an Arian, and doesn't paint a clear picture of the early Arianism of EGW. Four views of Adventist Christology are shown, through the writings of: Ellen G. White, Ellet Joseph Waggoner, Edward Heppenstall, and Herbert Douglass. The strong differences between men like Edward Heppenstall and Herbert Douglass is shown. Showing the flow of Christology in Adventism from EGW to Douglass seems to indicate that the Christology in Adventism is not really changing much. If Heppenstall were the most recent on the scene, that may indicate growth in a more Biblical direction. But as the volume leaves off with Herbert Douglass, I wonder if anything is really changing deep within the organization. I believe this book is important in light of a statement made many times by Walter Martin. He often said that you can be right about everything else, but be wrong on the Person, Nature and Work of Jesus Christ and be wrong enough to lose your soul for all eternity. This book is available from Andrews University press, and probably from your local Adventist Book Center. ______________________________________________ What's So Amazing About Grace?, by Philip Yancey. Although I'm not quite through this book, it has helped me become enthralled with the grace of God as revealed through Jesus. As an Adventist I had thought of Grace as just another doctrine, along with Sabbath, Creation, etc. But I'm beginning to believe, with the help of this book, that Grace is fundamental. As Yancey points out in chapter 4, Lovesick Father, C. S. Lewis wandered into a room where the unique contribution of the Christian faith was being discussed. He asked, "What's the rumpus about?" and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity's unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, "Oh, that's easy. It's grace." As Yancey clearly shows in his book, it's grace that really changes lives, not beliefs about right/wrong or "shoulds". He uses great examples from literature to show how grace, as Christ showed it, has made dramatic changes in peoples lives. It's an uplifting and thought-provoking book. ________________________________________________ Looking forward to YOUR reviews here. Steve | ||
| Lydell |
Passion for Jesus by Mike Bickle It helps to get your stupid SDA mindset of focusing on doctrine changed to one of looking at God's passionate love for us instead. Through the Valley of the Kwai by Ernst Gordon This one is an out of print book that our son found so fascinating he insisted that we read it too. It's the true story of what happened amongst the prisoners of war who were forced to build the bridge over the river Kwai. (By the way, the movie was garbage, according to the author of this one.) Mr. Gordon tells the story of the inhumanity in the prison camps. Not the inhumane way they were treated by their captors, but the inhumanity of the prisoners toward each other. Very different from any other prisoner of war book my husband has read! One day a story begins circulating in camp of something unusual that happened. One prisoner literally lays down his life for his friend by giving up his daily ration of food to feed his buddy. The prisoners begin holding debates to answer the question of "why". That turns into sessions to ask "why" there is life. And that leads to them finding God (in the process they kick the chaplins out for giving unsatisfactory canned answers). Then when they discover salvation, the entire atmosphere of the camps changes. It's really fascinating to hear his story of what he observed and how he himself was changed. Really it's a good book to see in action what has been discussed on another thread about the importance of the breathed word of God that is the real Bible behind the words on paper. Maryann, I really think you'd like this one. I'd warn you to have a kleenex box beside you. There is one particular chapter that is incredibly moving. We found the book in our local library and I know it can be gotten if you have interlibrary loan. | ||
| Susan |
The Forgotten Trinity, by James R. White (Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief) The Christian Research Journal had an article by Mr. White entitled "Loving the Trinity". I read it some months ago and recently picked up his book on the subject. This book does a great job of explaining what the Trinity is and why it matters. He also refutes cultic distortions of God. This book helped me to develop a deeper love for Him, through a better understanding of who the 3 persons of the Trinity are. James R. White has an apologetics ministry, Alpha and Omega. You can find it at www.aomin.org. FYI, the singing group Philips,Craig and Dean is made up of three Oneness Pentacostal (Non-Trinitairin) ministers. The article pointed this out and I was surprised, because our local CCM station plays their songs regularly. The Holiness of God, by R.C.Sproul I'm finding ANYTHING by him is a huge blessing to me. If you're looking for something to help you understand the attributes of God, then this is the book! It's been really rather life changing for me. Right up there with, Mere Christianity (C.S.Lewis), The Cross of Christ(John Stott), and The Cost of Discipleship(Dietrich Bonhoeffer sp?). Since reading is my hobby, I look forward to all the posts on this thread. Thanks Steve and Lydell for your recommendations! In Christ, Susan | ||
| Maryann |
The King James Controversy by James White. This book covers a lot of territory and history of the Bible and where it came from. It really does destroy the King Kames Only theory if a person reads it with their eyes open (or even cracked open a bit) and a mind that is NOT stuck in THEIR tradition or Church tradition! A must read book:):) | ||
| Maryann |
Just packing up the last of my books and saw, "More Precious Than Silver" by Joni Eareckson Tada. A great daily devotional book or just hit and miss, open and read book. | ||
| Louise |
"Healing Spiritual Abuse: How to Break Free from Bad Church Experiences" (The Biblical Answer to the Wounds of Legalism) by Ken Blue; InterVarsity Press; c. 1993. I've read a few books on spiritual abuse, cult recovery, etc. - most are based on personal experiences. Some are even discouraging because they give stories of people who can't seem to recover & others who MUST have counselling. In addition, they emphasize why people are drawn into cultic groups. These issues may need to be considered at some point, but right now I'm looking for encouragement. Ken Blue's book is special. Personal experiences are given to illustrate his points, but mainly he sticks to the Scriptures (especially Matthew 23). I rejoiced at every "Woe unto you, scribes & Pharisees, hypocrites!" The author even discusses healthy church leadership & discipline. God used this book to give me a hug & help my healing. Highly recommended. | ||
| Sherry2 |
He uses Matt. 23...how interesting. That's the very passage "Woe unto you" I quoted in my letter to request my name be removed from the church's books. How funny is that! Sounds like a good book.. |
