The Life of Moses by James Montgomery Boice

The Life of Moses by James Montgomery Boice ISBN-13: 9781596387539 Hardcover: 432 pages Publisher: P & R Publishing Released: May 31, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Moses is renowned as a great lawgiver, prophet, friend of God, and deliverer of his people. The events of his life, spanning four books of the Bible, resound throughout Scripture. In this epic undertaking, James M. Boice delves into the narrative to uncover its rich meaning and gospel application to our lives today. We can learn a lot from Moses about faithfulness, prayerfulness, meekness, and good leadership we can even learn from his sins and failure! But Boice shows how we can also look beyond Moses and the Israelites to the awesome power of God and the promise of a much needed, much greater Deliverer.


My Review:
The Life of Moses is a Bible study of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy based on a sermon series given by the author. The first half focused on Exodus and the second half was divided between Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. While the author spent most of his time on the narrative portions of the text, he did summarize the laws, rituals, and such. He explained how the various sacrifices and feasts point to Jesus and how the New Testament refers back to specific verses.

In each chapter, the author took a section of verses and summarized them. He provided background context and pointed out insights. He drew out principles that apply to our lives, but he also focused on what we learn about God from those verses. When he talked about symbolism in an object or person, he focused on what the New Testament authors point out as divinely intended symbolism.

The text was easy to read but stayed focused on the text and didn't get sidetracked into entertaining stories. Overall, I felt that this was a solid study. I'd highly recommend it, especially to Christians who are unfamiliar with these books of the Bible.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Resurrection Life in a World of Suffering Edited by D. A. Carson

Resurrection Life in a World of Suffering 1 Peter Edited by D. A. Carson ISBN-13: 9781433557002 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Crossway Released: June 30, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
With contributions from popular Bible teachers such as John Piper, Jen Wilkin, D. A. Carson, and Kathleen Nielson, this collection of biblical expositions explores the book of 1 Peter and the gospel perspective it gives on our short lives. With discussion questions and sections on how to teach after each chapter, this powerful anthology of six talks not only points us to the suffering of Jesus and prepares us to live as sojourners in this world, but also equips us to dig into the texts that address these themes.


My Review:
Resurrection Life in a World of Suffering is a transcript of a series of talks on 1 Peter given at the June 2016 Gospel Coalition 3rd National Women's Conference. The speakers worked together to provide a cohesive commentary/study of 1 Peter. Their styles varied but the focus was consistent.

Each took a chunk of 1 Peter and talked about what was being communicated by Peter, provided background context, and showed how Peter connected his teachings to Old Testament passages. There were discussion questions at the end of each chapter along with an interview with that speaker on how they had developed their talk. The book was more academic in tone, though usually easy enough to understand. There's just not much filler (which I appreciate). Overall, I'd recommend this book.

Juan Sanchez's introduction provided an overview of 1 Peter. Kathleen Nielson talked on 1 Peter 1:1-12. Jen Wilkin talked on 1 Peter 1:13-2:3. Carrie Sandom talked on 1 Peter 2:4-10. Mary Willson talked on 1 Peter 2:11-3:12. D.A. Carson talked on 1 Peter 3:13-4:19. John Piper talked on 1 Peter 5:1-14.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Daniel Key by Anne Graham Lotz

The Daniel Key by Anne Graham Lotz ISBN-13: 9780310091936 Hardcover: 160 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: March 27, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
What are the secrets of a successful, steadfast, and godly faith? Daniel's faith did not waver facing those who were against him, serving new kings in power, or even confronting hungry lions. How can you have that kind of faith? Daniel made 20 intentional, key choices in his life. Those choices took him down a path to a close relationship with God and a model for godly living to all around him. Daniel’s choices can be your choices—choices such as:

The choice to trust, to obey, to pray, to worship, to repent, to live humbly, to have courage...


My Review:
The Daniel Key looks at 20 habits or actions that Daniel did that led to him being a successful, well-known man of God. The book is a hardbound, gift-type book and has a devotional format. Each chapter started with a verse (usually from Daniel) which had the characteristic focused on in that chapter. Then the author told a story--from Daniel's life or from her own or another's life--that demonstrated that characteristic. She clearly summed up the spiritual point, then provided a few questions to think about relating to that topic and a prayer asking for help in that area. She made good points. Overall, I'd recommend this book, especially for new Christians or young Christians (like teens).

The 20 keys were: faith (in God), worship, loyalty (to God), prayer partners, praying for others, praying God's word, attitude (and gratitude), listening (to God), daily prayer time, perseverance, desperate prayers, values (worth dying for), focus (on God), courage, confession (of sins to God), fasting (from things we hold tight to), humility, a personal relationship with God, and commitment (to God).


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.