A Doubter's Guide to the Ten Commandments by John Dickson

A Doubter's Guide to the Ten Commandments: How, for Better or Worse, Our Ideas about the Good Life Come from Moses and Jesus by John Dickson ISBN-13: 9780310522591 Trade Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: June 7, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The Ten Commandments are perhaps some of the most well-known and vexed verses of the whole Bible. They have found their way into our art, monuments, literature, and culture—even into Richard Dawkins famed “Ten Atheist Commandments.”

In A Doubter’s Guide to the Ten Commandments, bestselling author John Dickson explores how these ten verses have changed our world and how they show us what the Good Life looks like. Whether or not one believes in the Bible, these ten ancient instructions open up a window to the Western world and on our own soul.


My Review:
A Doubter's Guide to the Ten Commandments talks about how the Ten Commandments--and Jesus' take on them in the New Testament--have deeply influenced history and Western culture. The author assumed that his reader isn't Christian and maybe not even religious, so he described the original context of each commandment, what Jesus said about the commandment, and how these ideas have affected the culture in the past and present.

The author was respectful towards those who do not share his Christian faith and used language that anyone should be able to follow (rather than "Christian-ese" or academic language). Though I knew much of this information, I still found it an interesting read and learned a few things. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the topic.


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.

Between Pain and Grace by Peterman, Schmutzer

Between Pain and Grace by Gerald W. Peterman, Andrew J. Schmutzer ISBN-13: 9780802409676 Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: June 7, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Why does suffering exist? Where is God in it? Despite how common suffering is, we still struggle to understand it, and even more, to bear through it.

Born from a popular college course on suffering, this book answers many of our critical questions, like: Is God personally involved in our pain and suffering? How should Christians handle emotions like grief and anger? What does the Bible say about issues like mental illness, sexual abuse, and betrayal?

Between Pain and Grace is useful both in the classroom and for personal reading. The authors pull together Scripture, personal experiences, and even psychological research to offer a well-rounded take on suffering.


My Review:
Between Pain and Grace provides a Biblical view of pain and suffering. It has an academic tone and appears to be aimed mostly at Christian leaders and counselors. The authors believe that God is both all-good and all-powerful. Much of the book focused on what the Bible says about the topic (either in teachings or in historical narratives).

They started by discussing pain, suffering, and the difference between them. They explored the origins of suffering as found in Genesis and discussed the verses where either God or Jesus is described as suffering. They discussed the language of lament in the Bible and urge the modern church to use laments in their services. They looked at redemptive anger (against injustice, which leads to action to make things right) and the Lord's Prayer. They talked about the role of Christians and Christian leaders regarding suffering--especially how they act toward suffering people in their church. They devote a chapter each to fractured families, sexual abuse, and mental illness.

This is probably not a book you want to hand someone in fresh, deep emotional pain, but it is a good look at the theology of suffering and how the church as a whole can better help those who are suffering.


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.

Finding God in the Hard Times by Matt & Beth Redman

Finding God in the Hard Times by Matt Redman & Beth Redman ISBN-13: 9780764215193 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Released: April 19, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
Matt and Beth Redman draw on their experiences as well as those of others, exploring how to offer praise even in the face of hardship and pain. Focusing on the psalms, many of which were written out of struggle, they show how difficult or tragic circumstances--and our choices--can propel us toward God or away from him, build up our faith or break it. Learn how to ride out the storms of life with a cry of "blessed be your name" on your lips.


My Review:
Finding God in the Hard Times explores worshiping and trusting God even during painful circumstances. Each chapter was roughly based on a phrase from the song, "Blessed Be Your Name." The authors talked about being grateful and praising God in the good times but also "when I'm found in the desert place...when the darkness closes in." They looked at lamentations in the Bible, especially those found in the psalms, and pointed out the pattern of expressing sorrow but ending with trust and praise.

They used verses and stories from the Bible and stories from their lives and their friend's lives. It's a good reminder of how Christians can respond to pain with hope and praise. I'd recommend this book to Christians going through painful circumstances who want a short, sympathetic book on the topic.


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.

Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan

Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan ISBN-13: 9781496411846 Trade Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers Released: June 7, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
At just under five feet tall, Virginia Prodan was no match for the towering 6' 10" gun-wielding assassin the Romanian government sent to her office to take her life. It was not the first time her life had been threatened--nor would it be the last.

As a young attorney under Nicolae Ceausescu's brutal communist regime, Virginia had spent her entire life searching for the truth. When she finally found it in the pages of the most forbidden book in all of Romania, Virginia accepted the divine call to defend fellow followers of Christ against unjust persecution in an otherwise ungodly land.

For this act of treason, she was kidnapped, beaten, tortured, placed under house arrest, and came within seconds of being executed under the orders of Ceausescu himself. A must-read for all generations, "Saving My Assassin" is the unforgettable account of one woman's search for truth, her defiance in the face of evil, and a surprise encounter that proves without a shadow of a doubt that nothing is impossible with God.


My Review:
Saving My Assassin is a memoir about Virginia Prodan's life in Romania. It starts in 1961 (when she was 6 years old) and ends in 1988 (plus an epilogue). It's an awesome story about God's work in Romania and how he used Virginia to make a difference.

The author talked about growing up under the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. Due to certain family circumstances, she longed to find (and defend) the truth and thought she could do this as an attorney. She described the challenges of working as an attorney and following Christ in those years. She talked about some of the cases she took defending Christians and the threats and harm she endured for doing so.

Her story gives God glory for working things together for good--even when she couldn't see it at the time. Like when she faced an assassin in her office or felt completely cut off from any friends during a house arrest. It's an amazing and encouraging story, and I had a hard time putting down. I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in what life was like in Romania under Ceausescu and to Christians seeking encouragement about taking risks when God calls you to them.


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.

Come With Me by Suzanne Eller

Come With Me by Suzanne Eller ISBN-13: 9780764218125 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: May 3, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In her warm, conversational way, Suzie Eller shows how, when you take a step away from the uncertainty, the to-do list, the busy life, the worries and excuses, you take a step toward the One who promises to delight and surprise. Who brings you deeper than you ever thought possible.

Two thousand years ago, 12 men answered the call to follow a man they hardly knew--and they were changed in ways they never imagined. Today that same invitation echoes across history, beckoning you to an adventure that will spill into every aspect of your faith and life. "Come with Me." Will you say yes?


My Review:
Come With Me is a Christian spiritual growth book. The author read through the gospels as if she was the 13th disciple and she didn't know how everything was going to turn out. As if Jesus had asked her to "Come with me. Wherever I lead. Whatever the price." As, of course, he still does.

She talked about growing in various aspects of following Jesus and going deeper in our relationship with Him. In each chapter, she looked at one of the 12 disciples. She talked about something she learned from their life and how this same thing works out in her and some of her friends' lives. For example, doing what Jesus asks because "if you say so" or when you don't feel able or worthy. To love the unlovable, give our "not enough" to God, do unnoticed service, find gratitude, live the good news, seek Jesus, and live as if everything we have is his.

The writing style was casual and encouraging. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book.


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.