BOOK FACTS
Did you know that 120,000 new books are published each year. 10,000 every month.
1.5 billion books year year are consumed within America alone and yet even this totals only 35% of the books that are sold worldwide.
How can anyone hope to navigate the seemingly infinite number of books available and particularly those of a Christian content?
WE WANT TO HELP
This is where we would like to come in and help you.
Books written by godly men can be an encouragement to believers across the world.
For some, these books, secondary as they are to the study of God's Word, shed a clearer light on the Scriptures, and enable us to better understand some of the great doctrinal truths contained in Holy Scripture. Other books have simply been a challenge to our own thinking.
We hope to recommend books which have been read by members of Armagh Baptist Church. |
Dealing with Dawkins by John Blanchard
Evangelical Press, 2010, 82 pages.
Reviewed by Andrew Roycroft
 For many years the term ‘evolution’ was popularly identified with one man’s name: Charles Darwin. While the Victorian scientist’s reputation has by no means waned, another individual’s profile has risen at an exponential rate to take its place beside the father of this most modern of theories. I am referring, of course, to Richard Dawkins. Until his recent retirement, Dawkins served as the Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University, but his name has become more sharply identified with the ‘New Atheism’, and its strong statements about the solidity of non-faith and the shakiness of belief. His book The God Delusion has sold over 2 million copies in its English imprint, and has been in the vanguard of the ‘New Atheism’ assault on belief in the Western World.
Given the popularity and publicity which this title has attracted it can be easy for Christians to feel daunted about addressing the issues raised by such a prominent academic, and even of witnessing to individuals who have read it. Inevitably, the Christian press has not been silent, and a plethora of titles have appeared which address what Dawkins has to say about the ‘delusion’ of believing in God.
Among these volumes is John Blanchard’s excellent little book Dealing with Dawkins. Running to just 82 pages, Blanchard does not attempt to dismantle everything that Dawkins has to say in his popular publication, but rather gets to the premises which underpin his argument, and exposes the fault lines which run through them.
A number of things about this title recommend themselves to the reader. Firstly, its brevity means that even Christians who do not count themselves to be ‘readers’ can easily work their way through this material, gaining confidence that Dawkins has not presented an irrefutable case against being a Christian, and resourcing themselves to speak intelligently about why Dawkins is wrong to write as he does. Secondly, the approach which Blanchard takes in his writing is at once rigorous and gracious, strong and measured. The author is careful not to attack Dawkins at a personal level, stating that his aim is to ‘play the ball, not the man’. This is realised admirably throughout the work, with Blanchard approaching the often hostile and bitter rhetoric of Dawkins with precision and clarity, but never vitriol.
One of the key winning elements in Blanchard’s approach is his ability to depict Dawkins as adopting an extreme position, and one which many other atheists would struggle to endorse. This is helpful, as Blanchard often counters Dawkins’ arguments with those of other atheists who find themselves embarrassed by the prevalence of heat and absence of light to be found in The God Delusion. This allows Blanchard to de-personalise his approach to the subject, and also to show that Dawkins is very far short of disproving the Christian faith.
This is by no means to suggest that Blanchard wears kid gloves in his work. He is unafraid of exposing Dawkins’ facile understanding of the Bible, theology and history, and is quick to correct the grandiose statements which The God Delusion is happy to make but not substantiate. His arguments centre around dispossessing science of its overweening sense of omniscience, showing the moral implications of rejecting God, demonstrating the virtuous effect of faith in life and culture, examining the case for God, surveying the authenticity of Scripture, and holding Jesus Christ up as the One who has lived, died and risen again. This is a lot of information to pack into 82 short pages, but Blanchard manages to combine erudition with brevity, and the result is a pacy, punchy book which keeps hold of its central argument throughout.
Christians may make two uses of this book. Firstly it is a great source of encouragement to read solid apologetics such as this, and to have one’s heart warmed by the reason for belief. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Dealing with Dawkins resources individuals and churches with an excellent evangelistic text, one which is thorough enough to be convincing, and brief enough to be digested.
All in all this is a superb little book, painstakingly researched, thoughtfully phrased, methodologically accomplished, and eminently readable. I would recommend that every Christian obtain a copy, read it thoroughly, and distribute it freely.
THE MISSIONARY VISION OF THE IRISH CHURCH
– Where do we go from here? - Ian Grant
 With the decline of some evangelical churches in Northern Ireland, and Roman Catholicism in the Republic of Ireland, two sections of the Church that have punched above their weight in terms of their impact upon the mission-fields of the world, who will be the guardians of Irish missionary vision in the 21st century and beyond?
Is there a case for greater co-operation between the various evangelical mission agencies if the Irish missionary vision is to be sustained?
This book was published to coincide with the launch of iMap (Irish Mission Agencies Partnership) in March 2008 in Dublin, but is a must read by anyone who has a passion for mission and an interest in the impact Ireland has made in mission around the world since the time of Saint Patrick.
If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, then contact Pastor Ian Grant by clicking HERE
Nothing in My Hand I Bring – Ray Galea
A review from Andrew Roycroft (Peru)
 This book, published by Matthias Media/The Good Book Company is part testimony, part analysis of the Roman Catholic faith – issuing an invitation to come to Christ for anyone who reads it regardless of background.
Galea writes as something of an insider. He was brought up in a Maltese Catholic family in Australia, and had a happy upbringing. His is no spectacular story of hard hearted Catholicism or abusive priests, but one of a good childhood in a community of love and openness. However, at university Galea came into contact with the Gospel and came to saving faith in Christ alone. This left him with a problem: could he continue within the Catholic church as an evangelical believer, or would he have to face the painful process of leaving the Church in which he had been brought up? This led him to analyse the differences between his upbringing and the Truth of the Gospel to which he had come. Those meditations are set out in this book, and they make for thrilling reading.
Galea assesses the variety of Catholic belief across the world, before laying out the reasons why he had to leave the Church of his upbringing once its teaching had been held up to the light. He achieves this by looking at ‘Christ and the Mass’, ‘The Bible and the Church’, ‘The Way of Salvation’, ‘Grace’, and ‘Mary’. Each of these themes forms a chapter, and they are penetrating to read. Galea pulls no punches in his assessment of the errors of the Roman Catholic Church, but at the same time maintains a respectful, loving tone in his writing.
As someone who grew up within evangelicalism in Northern Ireland I would often hear it said from pulpits and amongst people that they hated Catholicism, but loved Catholics. As a child I was confused by this statement, as it seemed clear to me from some of the invective that was used about ‘the other side’ of the community that the love and hate ratios were out of kilter. In reality I was brought up in a situation where the communities were polarised, and where there was mutual suspicion and antagonism. The model for ‘love Catholics, hate Catholicism’ that I witnessed in those days didn’t work – and was, in its worst extreme, expressed through some of the dreadful deeds and statements which have made the Province of Northern Ireland notorious.
For me, Galea manages to achieve tremendous balance in his writing. He will not draw back from stating where, and how badly, Rome is in error; but never once does this come across as being vitriolic, resentful, or sectarian. For this reason I value the book highly, both as a means of educating evangelical believers about the teachings of the Catholic church, and as a means of reaching the hearts and minds of those who come from a Roman Catholic background.
A sample from two sections of the book will show the balance that Galea achieves:
‘The truth is, I find it hard to remain cool about Catholicism, because as a newly converted Christ-follower looking hard at my Catholic heritage, I kept running up against painful but unavoidable contradictions. At almost every point where Catholicism taught something distinctive, the effect of the teaching was to undermine the person and work of the Christ I had come to love, and wanted to honour and serve.
This upset and disturbed me. It still does’ [98].
‘One thing I’m hoping that this book hasn’t done is inspire you to corner unsuspecting Catholics and beat them around the head with your new-found insights into Catholic theology. It does us good to remember that, like Paul, we preach Christ crucified and not some anti-Catholic message. This won’t mean that these issues shouldn’t be explored – there will be a right time and place for doing just that. But if we are going to argue for “grace alone”, we should speak with grace alone as well – that is, with gentleness, respect and love’ [103].
I heartily recommend this book to all, and particularly to those within the Roman Catholic faith who have questions about the differences between what they believe and evangelical Christianity. If you fit into this category, and are living within Ireland or the UK, please send us an email via the address under the ‘Contact Us’ tab and we’ll send you a copy free of charge, and with no obligations.
‘Nothing in my Hand I Bring’ is available from the Good Book Company.
OTHER BOOKS FOR ADULTS
SUFFERING AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
EDITORS:JOHN PIPER and JUSTIN TAYLOR
PUBLISHER: Crossway
FORMAT: Paperback
I was given this book as a Christmas present by my brother who has 80% heart failure (I have 45% heart damage from a heart attack) and have just begun to read it. What a challenge! This book should be read by every Christian because it addresses one of the fundamental issues of our day, suffering.
The book starts with the word of God, feeds off the Word of God and honours the word of God throughout. If you are seeking easy answers then don't read this book, but if you are seeking answers that strengthen your spirit and leave you with the highest view of the sovereignty of God, then buy it and read.
Here is what Tim Challies (a Canadian writer has to say about the book.)
"This is not a book that deals with suffering as an abstract principle. In the introduction Justin Taylor writes, “The authors do not write as mere theoreticians, waxing eloquent about abstract themes. No, this is a book of applied theology. Its theology has been forged in the furnace of affliction.” Of the contributors, two are paralyzed, two lost parents when they were only young, two have recently suffered the death of a child and two are even now battling prostate cancer. “The point of mentioning this is not to portray them as victims or to elicit your sympathy, but rather to reiterate that they are fellow soldiers in the battle, fellow pilgrims on the journey.” They are equipped to speak about suffering because they have suffered.
While it is by no means a requirement that the book’s chapters be read in order, those who do so will first find theology and then the practical outworking of that theology. The first part of the book looks primarily at God’s sovereignty in suffering. John Piper writes the first chapter, expounding “Ten Aspects of God’s Sovereignty Over Suffering and Satan’s Hand in it.” The impetus for this book and this chapter, he writes, “comes from the ultimate reality of God as the supreme value in and above the universe.” Over against a breed of evangelicalism that is increasingly shallow and inequipped to deal with difficult subjects such as suffering, Piper presents the absolute sovereignty of God, even in this. Following Piper is Mark Talbot who seeks out the gracious hand of God in the hurts others do to us. He answers the claims of Open Theists and others who seek to diminish God’s sovereignty, showing that, while God never does evil, He does ordain evil. He is sure not to let God off the hook for His role in suffering, for God does not want to be let off the hook.
To begin the second part of the book, which focuses on God’s purposes in suffering, John Piper writes two chapters, asking why God allows suffering. He looks first at the greatest act of suffering that can or will ever occur—the death of Jesus Christ. “The death of Christ in supreme suffering is the highest, clearest, surest display of the glory of the grace of God. … Suffering is an essential part of the tapestry of the universe so that the weaving of grace can be seen for what it really is.” Or, put most plainly and simply, “the ultimate reason that suffering exists in the universe is so that Christ might display the greatness of the glory of the grace of God by suffering in himself to overcome our suffering. The suffering of the utterly innocent and infinitely holy Son of God in the place of utterly undeserving sinners to bring us to everlasting joy is the great display of the glory of God’s grace that ever was, or ever could be.” In the following chapter he asks why God appoints suffering for His people and gives the following six reasons drawn from Scripture: suffering deepens faith and holiness; suffering makes your cup increase; suffering is the price of making others bold; suffering fills up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions; suffering enforces the missionary command to go; and the supremacy of Christ is manifest in suffering.
The fifth chapter is written by Steve Saint, a man whose story has been told in venues around the world. He frames his speech around two events that caused him great suffering: the death of his father and the death of his daughter. Reflecting on these events he writes, “I don’t advocate that we look for suffering; life brings enough of it on its own. But what I do advocate is that suffering is an important prerequisite to ministering to hurting people. Christ took on our likeness and subjected himself to the suffering that plagues us.” In Christ’s willingness to suffer we see the value of suffering ourselves, for in our pain we can sympathize with others. Carl Ellis Jr. then writes about the sovereignty of God in ethnic-based suffering, encouraging Christians to demonstrate “the true meaning of ethnicity rather than imitating the world with ethnic power struggles, marginalization, and oppression. We need to glorify God by being on the vanguard of spiritual unity with ethnic diversity.”
The book’s final section focuses on God’s grace in times of suffering. David Powlison looks at how the grace of God meets us in our suffering. He structures this tender, pastoral chapter around the six stanzas of the hymn, “How Firm A Foundation.” Dustin Shramek’s contribution, entitled “Waiting for the Morning during the Long Night of Weeping” affirms the sovereignty of God even in the death of his infant son. He examines Psalm 88 which he considers the most discouraging chapter of the Bible for it is filled with pain and searching but ends without a move from pain and grief to joyful triumph. “He [the Psalmist] had not experienced the deliverance he cried out for. He was still just as discouraged then as he was when he began writing.” Shramek shows how this man’s experience was not unique and draws principles from it. The final chapter is written by Joni Eareckson Tada. She discusses a line from the film The Shawshank Redemption which says, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.” While admitting that hope can be difficult to find in tragedy, she affirms the importance of hope and shows how her life is marked with hope for the life to come.
Fool's Gold?: Discerning Truth in an Age of Error
AUTHOR: John McArthur
PUBLISHER: Crossway Books
FORMAT: Paper Back
BUY: Available £7.99
God's Word makes it clear that not everything that glitters is gold. In this uncompromising book, John MacArthur and the contributors lay a foundation for biblical discernment and use these principles to assess several current Christian trends. Readers will find honest, biblical analyses of some of today's most popular Christian books, music, and ideas. They will be equipped with a foundation for biblical discernment that will enable them to make careful distinctions in their thinking about truth.
Saved Without a Doubt: Being Sure of Your Salvation
AUTHOR: John McArthur
PUBLISHER: Victor Books
FORMAT: Paper Back
BUY: Available £7.99
With pastoral love and concern, John MacArthur carefully examines classical biblical texts affirming the forever quality of salvation, but does not ignore the troubling passages that seem to indicate otherwise.
From there he shows how those truths apply to you by presenting eleven biblical tests to help determine whether you've experienced salvation once and for all. He concludes by showing how you can match up your feelings with your faith and by taking an encouraging look at victory in the Spirit and the promise of God to help you persevere.
FOR TEENS
How To Study The Bible For Yourself - Youth Edition
AUTHOR: LAHAYE TIM
PUBLISHER: Harvest House Publishers
FORMAT: Paper Back
BUY: Available £5.99
Opening up the joy, wisdom and excitement of the Bible for teenagers.
Bestselling Christian author Tim LaHaye is eager for youth to get excited about studying Scripture.
How to Study the Bible for Yourself Youth Edition aims to help teenagers:
- understand how key verses apply to daily living
- locate the Bible's major promises and commands
- begin a lifelong habit of studying God's Word
- read through the entire Bible
- keep a spiritual diary
LaHaye's inspiring and easy-to-understand method of study will open up the joy, wisdom, and excitement of the Bible. His message that teens, on their own, can glean God's truth for their lives is empowering and life-changing.
FOR CHILDREN
My First Message
 AUTHOR: EUGENE PETERSON
PUBLISHER: Navpress
FORMAT: Hard Back
BUY: £4.99
An illustrated devotional Bible for kids with graphics drawn by Disney artists alongside text from The Message.
Much more than a storybook, it's an easy and fun way for parents to teach their children about God's Word and learn a lifelong devotional method.
A unique devotional Bible designed to encourage parent-child interaction, My First Message introduces children to God's Word through the bestselling Message Bible text, lively illustrations, short lessons, and a format that considers a small attention span.
Features include:
- A unique devotional Bible for children ages 4 to 8
- An illustrated design
- Each story designed to be read in 10-15 minutes
- Fun activities for parents and children
OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Strongholds Shaken:
 A Biblical Examination of Religious Cults and World Faiths
Author: David Legge
Publisher: Ambassador International
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
In our modern age we all come into contact with a wide variety of spiritual beliefs and religious world-views. All of us are increasingly exposed to the diversity of world religion. Perhaps you have been met by two strangers at your front door sharing their version of Christianity, or maybe you have been approached in the High Street and asked to fill in a questionnaire on your own beliefs.
Many are confused. Who is right? Where can the truth be found?
In this helpful book, David Legge sets out to discover the origins and doctrines of the major faiths and cults of our world. Providing a Bible-based critique, he shows how these belief systems are incompatible with biblical Christianity.
Learn facts that will help you share the Gospel with those of different faiths, or with those who have been deceived by misleading interpretations of the Bible: examine the historical and biblical evidence.
Basing his writings on a recent study series on cults and religions, the author revises and expands the text to provide a simple, easy to understand comparison between what the truth of the Bible says, and what cults and religions claim.
On Being a Servant of God (Revised)
- by Warren W. Wiersbe (Baker Books)
I was thrilled to discover that this small book has recently been revised and republished. It was previously published by Thomas Nelson in 1993, and sold over 25,000 copies during its four-year history. I bought my copy way back then and have reread it many times, especially when going throught difficulties in ministry.
Having met Warren personally through links with Slavic Gospel Assocition and on his visits to Ireland, I have found his insights to ministry very challenging.
"Christian ministry has never been easy, but it seems even more difficult today as society, technology, and ideas are rapidly changing. But the basic principles of Christian service haven't changed", says Warren Wiersbe. In “On Being a Servant of God”, he makes profoundly simple the basic principles of serving others in God's name, a service he calls "the greatest work in the world".
Wiersbe helps readers realize that the key to growing and maintaining their spiritual effectiveness is to build their Christian character. In a warm and conversational style, the author explains what to do and how readers can evaluate what they're doing when they pursue the service of God.
Considered by many to be a "pastor's pastor", Wiersbe is continually consulted by ministers asking for advice on various aspects of the ministry. This book shares what Wiersbe wishes he had known when he first began ministering to others. Organized into thirty short inspirational chats, it offers pastors and church leaders encouragement and insight as they grow in their own ministry.
From the Introduction:
"This book is for ministers, spelled with a small m. All of God's people are ministers; only a few are chosen to be Ministers with a capital M. . . . The fact that I write ministers with a lowercase m doesn't mean that these people are living and serving on a lower level than full-time Ministers. They aren't. All Christians ought to be serving God everywhere, no matter what their life's vocation is."
I Sold My Soul on eBay - Hemant Mehta (Waterbrook Press)
A friend in England suggested I read this book and gave me her copy. Initially I was skeptical of the title, but was soon reading avidly.
You may have read about Hemant Mehta as the "eBay Atheist" who offered to attend church for the highest bidder on his eBay auction. Well, Hemant has now written a book about his experiences visiting churches as an atheist. Even though this book was written for the American market it “fits” everywhere. Most churches these days claim to want to be friendly and try to be welcoming to outsiders, so Hemant is there to tell us whether our attempts are actually working.
I have to say that as soon as I started reading the book I could not put it down. It is engagingly written and deeply insightful about the pros and cons of Christian churches. Even as a Christian myself, there were so many times I found myself agreeing with Hemant's assessments of contemporary churches. At other times I was amused at his bewilderment at some of the stranger things that we Christians tend to do in church.
The book is actually written in three parts. The first four chapters are an introduction to Hemant, his eBay Atheist story, why he is an atheist even though he grew up as a Jain, and a couple of chapters about what atheists are and are not really like. The middle four chapters are his reviews of the 14 different churches he attended, and the last two chapters are his summary of what works, what doesn't, and what it would take to actually convert him.
The thing that I've appreciated most about Hemant's approach is that he doesn't see himself as an antagonist to people of faith. While holding true to his own convictions, he nonetheless is open to exploring other options, and especially to helping Christians become better than we currently are. For instance, in his introduction he says:
"I am an atheist, but I don't fit the common stereotype held by so many in the religious community. I am not angry with God, and I don't want to rid the world of religion. In this book, as we talk about matters of belief and nonbelief, I hope you will think of me not simply as an atheist, but rather as a person with questions about faith, an openness to evidence that might contradict my current beliefs, and a curiosity about Christianity and its message. Please don't assume I am the enemy of religious belief. I'm not trying to tear down anyone's religion, and I don't pretend to have all the answers... I'm a friendly atheist. I'm serious when I say that in this book I'm going to do my best to help improve the way churches present the Christian message."
I think that's an admirable goal and I appreciate Hemant's open and friendly spirit. After all, I share his goal of wanting to help Christians become better at actually displaying Christ's message. I think every church-going Christian that is concerned about how we really come across to outsiders ought to read this book. You'll come to respect and appreciate Hemant's advice. Definitely buy this book!
I believe Hemant Mehta's book is a must read for every Christian that cares for unchurched people. It is an easy read. He is an honest and brilliant young man who raises some legitimate and thoughtful questions about the Church. I thoroughly enjoyed his reviews of the churches he attended. When one is raised in the church it's difficult to view our liturgy and traditions through fresh eyes. His blatant, and at times humorous, critiques lend valuable insight that most church goers will appreciate.
Most churches espouse in their mission statements that they desire to reach the unchurched, but few take consistent and proactive measures to do so. I hope that "I Sold My Soul on eBay" will open dialogue between Christians and atheists for years to come. I think we all could learn from one another's perspectives.
One Size Doesn't Fit All - Gary L. McIntosh – Baker
 It has been said that, “The book to read is not the one which thinks for you, but the one which makes you think.”
For me ‘One Size Doesn’t Fit All’ is such a book. Having been in involved in Church leadership for 30 years and in full-time missionary work for twenty years, I have had the privilege on traveling widely and I am always browsing through other people’s book libraries to see what they are reading. I first came across this book while it was being read by a Polish Pastor visiting the Ireland.
Framed as a discussion between a Pastor right out of Bible College and a veteran Pastor, this book tackles the issues of how churches grow and how church size determines effective strategy for ministry. This book is an excellent study tool for Church leaderships. Some churches consist of thousands of people meeting in state-of-the-art facilities, while others include 25 believers or less worshiping in a village hall or community centre. So who's to say that a standardised church programme is going to work for everyone? Find out how to choose church programmes, activities, and growth strategies that could work in your congregation!
As a professor of pastoral ministry, Dr. McIntosh is keenly interested in assisting the Pastor and Church leadership to refine their skills. He is a church growth expert who has examined the issue from a variety of perspectives. Dr. McIntosh conducts seminars in local churches in America on the subject of church growth and pastoral leadership.
Some comments others have made:
“You will think that you were at a Bible college class on Ministry Leadership after you read and study this easy to understand book.”
“I wish that I could have had this book over 12 years ago. It would have saved me a lot of heartache and discouragement. Of all the books dealing with vision, growth, administration, etc., I would rate this book in the top 2 or 3 of all time. Every pastor needs this book especially those in small churches and new to ministry. It could reform the problem plaguing our churches of ministry longevity, real expectations and free pastors from the bondage of competition and improper focus. Praise God for this book!”
“This is a great book for pastors who want to understand the administrative differences in various size churches as well as attitudes and expectations each congregation has for its pastor and programmes. Definitely recommended reading for new pastors and seasoned veterans alike.”
“I am a new preacher, and this book has already helped me determine how a church that is the size of the church I work with operates. It is written in an easy-to-read and comprehend format, and it is full of useful information. I would highly recommend this book especially for someone who is new to the ministry. If you are struggling with trying to understand why your church operates the way it does, get this book. It will be worth your while.”
MY FAVOURITE BOOK FROM 2007 (Andrew Roycroft)
Pierced for Our Transgressions - Steve Jeffery, Mike Ovey and Andrew Sach
This volume, written in response to the controversy sparked over the doctrine of penal substitution by books from Steve Chalke and others, is my favourite read from 2007. Carolyn bought it for me as a Christmas present, and although it is a late entry, this is the finest book I have read throughout the past year (and among my top 5 reads ever). It is a remarkable text which has a number of strengths.
Firstly it is polemical without being unnecessarily divisive. Jeffrey, Ovey, and Sach handle one of the most hotly contested issues within evangelicalism in the present day, but with a degree of grace and even-handedness which is not easily or often achieved in such works. They argue passionately and fervently for the doctrine of penal substitution, and are not afraid of exposing the arguments of those who oppose it as error and blasphemy - but they do so in a way which is neither sensational nor abrasive. Where a substitutionary view of the atonement is problematic or complex they admit that it is so, and then seek to work out those complexities within a well reasoned framework.
Secondly, it is deeply theological but at the same warmly devotional. The first half of this book is occupied with making the biblical, theological, and pastoral case for penal substitution. The material in this section is so devotionally rich that it is easy to forget that you are reading a book dealing with controversial issues. The authors state on the cover of the book that their aim is to rediscover the glory of penal substitution, and this is fully realised in what they write. Last Lord's Day as I worshipped the Saviour at Communion, many of the phrases, themes and assertions of this book flooded my mind and enriched my remembrance of what Christ endured for me.
Thirdly, it is contemporary but retains a rich sense of history. Jeffrey, Ovey and Sach are bang up to date in their exegesis and in their illustrations, but write from the perspective of being deeply engaged with the statements of great Christians from the past on this theme. They trace the historical pedigree of the doctrine which is impressive, but throughout the work are allusions to the works of Augustine, Calvin and Turretin, along with Morris, Stott and Packer. There is no sense of historical arrogance in their tone, but rather they seek to take their place within the framework of historical evangelicalism.
Fourthly, it works as a readable text and as a reference work. I opted to read the book cover to cover, but one might just as helpfully use it as a 'look up' guide to the issues surrounding penal substitution. This is particularly true of the objection and response format of the second section in the book. Here the authors outline the main problems which are highlighted with the doctrine, and then answer them fully. Their responses are theologically informed and philosophically nuanced, and do not assume that responses to other issues in the book have been previously read.
Fifthly, the authors are authoritative but open. The book has its own website (here) where they engage with responses to Pierced for Our Transgressions, and handle criticisms from N.T. Wright and others. They do not wish merely to fire a shot across the bows of those with whom they differ, but rather wish readers to get on board with them, probe what they teach, and compare teaching on this issue from all angles. This lends the work a sense of reliability and credibility not often encountered in texts of this kind.
I could say more about this work, but will resist that temptation. I heartily recommend it to anyone concerned to be informed about an issue which is blasphemously threatening the heart of the gospel we believe in and preach. Jeffrey, Ovey and Sach have done the Body of Christ a tremendous service in providing her with this book - it is a sterling apologetic, a rich devotional resource, and a theological treatise easily accessible to all. May God use it for the defence of His gospel and the glory of His name for many generations to come.
Raising Children God's Way - D.M. Lloyd-Jones:
 Dr Lloyd-Jones in his balanced and exceptionally helpful exposition of Ephesians 6:1-14, shows how the gospel so wonderfully transforms the relationship between parents and children within the Christian home. These 5 remarkable sermons are drawn from the sixth volume of the Ephesians series, also published by the Trust.
Let Christ be Magnified: Calvin's Teaching for Today - J.H. Merle D'Aubigne:
 Many Christians around the world will soon celebrate the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth on the 10th July 2009. Perhaps the best way to commemorate the great Reformers birth is to remember the gospel he loved and preached. This rare little book takes us to the very heart and soul of Calvin's teaching - Jesus Christ. Quoting the Reformer's own words, the author insists: 'Let us give honour to persons who excel in the fear of God, but on condition that God remains above all - and that Christ triumphs.' Also contains a brief sketch of Calvin's life and work.
Love Rules: The Ten Commandments for the Twenty-First Century - Edited by Bonnington and Milne:
 This book conveys the vital importance of the Ten Commandments. It very clearly demonstrates the contemporary church's need to understand what the Bible teaches about the only moral standard that reveals the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and the purity of the new life in Christ. Includes a very useful guide for individual and group study.
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