Archive for May, 2007
Alister McGrath and Joanna Collicutt McGrath. The Dawkins Delusion? Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine. IVP, 2007. 118 pp.
World-renowned scientist Richard Dawkins writes in The God Delusion: “If this book works as I intend, religious readers who open it will be atheists when they put it down.” The volume has received wide coverage, fueled much passionate debate and caused not a little confusion.
Alister McGrath, along with his wife Joanna, are ideal to evaluate Dawkins’s ideas. Once an atheist himself, he gained a doctorate in molecular biophysics before going on to become a leading Christian theologian. He wonders how two people, who have reflected at length on substantially the same world, could possibly have come to such different conclusions about God. McGrath subjects Dawkins’s critique of faith to rigorous scrutiny. His exhilarating, meticulously argued response deals with questions such as
- Is faith intellectual nonsense?
- Are science and religion locked in a battle to the death?
- Can the roots of Christianity be explained away scientifically?
- Is Christianity simply a force for evil?
This book will be warmly received by those looking for a reliable assessment of The God Delusion and the many questions it raises—including, above all, the relevance of faith and the quest for meaning.
Authors:
Overview: IVP | Amazon | Google Books (SPCK ed.) | Wikipedia
Excerpts: TOC | Intro | Ch 1
Reviews: Amazon (SPCK ed.) | IVP
Laymen/Unknown
- Bill Muehlenberg at CultureWatch (03/07) Review
Secular
- Bryan Appleyard at NewScientist.com (03/07) Review
Extras:
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Craig Ott and Harold A. Netland, eds. Globalizing Theology: Belief and Practice in an Era of World Christianity. Baker, 2006. 384 pp.
It is no secret that globalization is one of the most powerful forces in the twenty-first century. In nearly every realm—political, economic, cultural, ethnic, and religious—traditional boundaries are disappearing and people worldwide are more interconnected than ever. Recent decades have also seen the globalization of Christianity and the accompanying shift in the center of gravity of Christianity from the West to the southern hemisphere and Asia. As these realities take deeper root, scholars, students, and church leaders must grapple with the implications for theological reflection and method, not to mention missiological practice.
It is to this set of vital and complex issues that the contributors to Globalizing Theology address themselves in this collection of original and groundbreaking essays. This international and internationally recognized group of scholars brings a multidisciplinary approach to the questions involved, including not only theological and missiological perspectives but also insights from history, sociology, ecclesiology, and anthropology. Part one examines the challenges for theology brought about by globalization. Part two focuses on methodological issues. Part three examines the implications of a global theology on various practical issues. Here is a vital text for courses in theology, missions, and cultural studies.
Authors:
- Harold A. Netland: TEDS
- Craig L. Ott: TEDS
Overview: Baker | Amazon | Google Books
Excerpts: TOC & Forward | Browse in Amazon
Reviews: Amazon | CBD | LibraryThing | Endorsements
Professors/Teachers
- Sean Michael Lucas at his blog (02/07) Review
Pastors/Church Leaders
- Jim Sawyer at Missional Explorer (01/07) Review
Laymen/Unknown
- Dave Broucek at Christianity Today (04/07) Review
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Douglas Wilson. Letter from a Christian Citizen: A Response to “Letter to a Christian Nation” by Sam Harris. American Vision, 2007. 134 pp.
Last year, Sam Harris made headlines and topped bestseller lists with his “angry and honest” Letter to a Christian Nation. At its heart, this little book was an atheist complaint against Christians: Harris pointed an accusing finger at the church, telling Christians that they weren’t as nice as they thought they were and warning fellow agnostics that the Christians were out to get them. Prominent intellectuals and anti-Christians were quick to praise this little book; as one Harvard professor wrote, “Reading Harris’ Letter to a Christian Nation was like sitting ring side, cheering the champion, yelling ‘Yes!’ at every jab.”
In response, Douglas Wilson has written his own little book: Letter from a Christian Citizen. As Gary DeMar writes in the foreword, “Douglas Wilson has taken the operating assumptions of Sam Harris seriously and has shown what life would be like if the world were consistent with atheistic assumptions.” Walking through Harris’ claims step-by-step, Wilson dismantles his arguments and demonstrates that honesty lies on the side of the Christians, not the atheists.
Author: Bio | Wikipedia | Blog and Mablog | Christ Church | Credenda Agenda
Overview: Amazon | American Vision | LettersfromaChristianCitizen.com
Excerpts: Various
Reviews: Amazon | CBD | LibraryThing | Endorsements
Laymen/Unknown
- John Wilson at ChristianityToday.com (05/07) Review
- Tim Challies at Discerning Reader (ND) Review
Extras:
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David Murrow. Why Men Hate Going to Church. Nelson, 2005. 224 pp.
It’s Sunday morning. Where are all the men? Golfing? Playing softball? Watching the tube? Mowing the lawn? Sleeping? One place you won’t find them is in church. Less than 40 percent of adults in most churches are men, and 20 to 25 percent of married churchgoing women attend without their husbands. And why are the men who do go to church so bored? Why won’t they let God change their hearts?
David Murrow’s groundbreaking new book reveals why men are the world’s largest unreached people group. With eye-opening research and a persuasive grasp on the facts, Murrow explains the problem and offers hope and encouragement to women, pastors, and men. Why Men Hate Going to Church does not call men back to the church—it calls the church back to men.
Author: TN Bio | Faithful Reader Bio | ChurchforMen
Overview: Amazon | Nelson | Google Books
Excerpts: Browse in Amazon
Reviews: Amazon | CBD | LibraryThing
Pastors/Church Leaders
- Jamie Dunlop at 9Marks (12/06) Review
- Lillian Daniel at The Christian Century (04/07) Review
Laymen/Unknown
- Marcia Ford at FaithfulReader.com (ND) Review (or at BookReporter.com Review)
- R. Aeschliman at PCACEP (03/06) Review
- BJ Bergfalk at Naked Religion (05/06) Review
- Jason at ChristianBookLounge (06/07) Review
Extras:
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John D. Witvliet. The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship: A Brief Introduction and Guide to Resources. Eerdmans, 2007. 189 pp.
In this concise yet comprehensive guide to using and praying the psalms in worship services, John Witvliet first offers summary of key biblical-theological themes related to the practice of worship, and he continues with reflections on every step in the process of preparing to use the psalms in worship, drawing on insights from writings in the history, theology, and pastoral practice of worship, liturgy, and preaching. Including patristic testimonies as “prelude” and both Reformation-era and modern testimonies as two “interludes,” the volume also offers a comprehensive list of currently available liturgical and musical resources.
Witvliet offers a first—a book designed to speak at once to both “traditional” and “contemporary” worship practices. The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship will appeal to a wide range of readers, including college and seminary students, scholars and teachers, church educators, worship leaders, musicians, and librarians.
Author: Eerdmans Bio | CICW | CTS
Overview: Amazon | Eerdmans | Google Books
Excerpts: TOC | Excerpt | Browse in Amazon | Browse in Google Books
Reviews: Amazon | CBD | LibraryThing | Endorsements
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Trevor J. Burke. Adopted into God’s Family: Exploring a Pauline Metaphor. IVP, 2006. 233 pp.
The relationship between God and his people is understood in various ways by the biblical writers, and it is arguably the apostle Paul who uses the richest vocabulary.
Unique to Paul’s writings is the term huiothesia, the process or act of being “adopted as son(s).” It occurs five times in three of his letters, where it functions as a key theological metaphor.
Trevor Burke argues that huiothesia has been misunderstood, misrepresented or neglected through scholarly preoccupation with its cultural background. He redresses the balance in this comprehensive study, which discusses metaphor theory; explores the background to huiothesia; considers the roles of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; examines the moral implications of adoption, and its relationship with honor; and concludes with the consequences for Christian believers as they live in the tension between the “now” and the “not yet” of their adoption into God’s new family.
Author: IVP Bio
Overview: IVP | Amazon | Google Books
Excerpts: TOC
Reviews: Amazon | IVP
Seminary/Ministerial Students
- Mike Aubrey at εν εφέσω (04/07) Review
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Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger. Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples. B&H, 2006. 272 pp.
The simple revolution has begun. From the design of the iPod to the uncluttered Google home page, simple ideas are changing the world.
Simple Church clearly calls for Christians to return to the simple gospel-sharing methods of Jesus. No bells or whistles required, so to speak.
Based on case studies of four hundred American churches, authors Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger prove that the process for making disciples has quite often become too complex. Simple churches are thriving, and they are doing so by taking these four ideas to heart: Clarity. Movement. Alignment. Focus.
Each idea is examined here, simply showing why it is time to simplify.
Authors:
Overview: Amazon | B&H
Excerpts: TOC & Ch 1
Reviews: Amazon | B&H | CBD | LibraryThing
Pastors/Church Leaders
- James Grieme at SharperIron (03/07): Review
- Aaron Carpenter at ShaperIron (04/07): Review
- Frank Sansone at SharperIron (03/07): Review
- Benjamin Potter at PastorBookshelf Reviews (07/07): Review
Laymen/Unknown
Extras:
- Watch Dr. Thom Rainer discuss the concepts in Simple Church:
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Robert Duncan Culver. Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical. Christian Focus, 2005. 1258 pp.
This is not a book of general interest to casual readers but it is for those who read well. There is no previous knowledge of theology demanded, but a serious intention to learn is required. Students in seminary classes, Bible colleges and mission schools will find it of great value.
This is a guide, which aims to meet minds where they are now and focus them on biblical and historical matters essential to the subjects covered in a uniquely attractive and readable way.
Subjects included are the doctrine of God, the doctrine of man as created, the doctrine of man as fallen, Christ—His person and work, the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of last things.
Author: CFP Bio | CILTPP Bio
Overview: CFP | Amazon
Excerpts: CBD
Reviews: Amazon | CFP (scroll down) | CBD | LibraryThing
Dr Culver is a veteran teacher in the classic evangelical and Reformed stream of Christian understanding, and this wide-ranging, well-directed, sharp-sighted textbook is his magnum opus. Within the group of recent conservative systematic theologies this one stands high as a demonstration of the biblical rationality of the Reformed faith. —J. I. Packer, Professor, Regent College, Canada
Here is a bold, comprehensive, and faithful systematic theology. This work is based clearly upon a biblical foundation and is marked by genuine scholarship, doctrinal clarity, and historical insight. This new Systematic Theology should be warmly received by evangelical pastors, laypersons, and students. —R. Albert Mohler Jr. President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kentucky
Extras:
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David Horton, ed. The Portable Seminary: A Master’s Level Overview in One Volume. Bethany, 2006. 784 pp.
Take your theological education to the next level without the time, expense, and formality of seminary. Discover all the major topics in a typical seminary master’s program authoritatively taught by respected professors, authors, and leaders. This introduction to a biblical studies degree is ideal for the layperson or anyone in vocational ministry who lacks the time or finances to attend classes, who lives where formal training is unavailable, or whose previous education is primarily secular. Study what you want, when you want. Also useful as a handy one-volume reference.
In The Portable Seminary you’ll study surveys of the Old and New Testaments, systematic theology, biblical languages, church history, missions, ethics, Christian education . . . and more.
The distinguished international faculty includes Robert G. Clouse, Kenneth O. Gangel, Norman L. Geisler, Julie Gorman, Alister E. McGrath, A. Scott Moreau, Mark A. Noll, Bruce L. Shelley, Robert H. Stein, Tite Tiénou, John R. W. Stott, Ravi Zacharias, . . . and many more!
Author: CBP Bio
Overview: Baker | Amazon
Excerpts: TOC | Intro (or here)
Reviews: Amazon | CBD | LibraryThing
David Horton’s Portable Seminary is a truly unique work, which I’m glad to recommend. It’s Bible survey, theology, biblical languages, hermeneutics, church history, missions, apologetics, ethics and more, all in one volume, drawing on top experts in each field. Along with its amazing coverage of essential subjects, it’s well written, concise, and contains helpful recommendations for additional study. What’s not to like? —Randy Alcorn, Bestselling Author & Director of Eternal Perspective Ministries
Extras:
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Richard J. Mouw. Praying at Burger King. Eerdmans, 2007. 144 pp.
Richard Mouw packs a lot of wisdom into a few dozen small packages. Writing in an easygoing, conversational style, Mouw here considers how the outward life of a Christian should reflect the inner workings of the Spirit.
Arranged in three sections—Living, Believing, and Church and World—the thirty-six short essays in Praying at Burger King explore simple moments in life from a spiritual viewpoint. Including columns from Mouw’s beliefnet.com work never before collected in book form, these pieces are alternately amusing, touching, and poignant. From chicken dignity to patriotism to a weeping Savior, Mouw reveals how an extraordinary God meets us in everyday life.
Ideal for group discussion or individual reflection, Praying at Burger King shows that “there is no place in all of creation that is outside the scope of God’s mercies—not even Burger King.”
Author: Eerdmans Bio | Fuller Bio | Wikipedia | Mouw’s Musings | Theopedia
Overview: Amazon | Eerdmans | Google Books
Excerpts: TOC | Browse in Amazon | Browse in Google Books
Reviews: Amazon | CBD | LibraryThing | Endorsements
Laymen/Unknown
- Mark Traphagen, Westminster Bookstore (03/07) Review
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