Growing in Holiness by R. C. Sproul

Growing in Holiness by R. C. Sproul ISBN-13: 9780801075926 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Baker Books Released: January 21st 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Christian life is a process of growing in holiness, our natural response to the good news of our redemption in Christ. This kind of growth is gradual, and obstacles are plentiful. What is the nature of our own personal involvement in the process? And how do we know if we are making progress? Drawn from the lectures of beloved theologian R. C. Sproul, Growing in Holiness explores the doctrine of sanctification, offering insightful commentary on themes such as developing perseverance, overcoming barriers to growth, cultivating love for others, exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit, and much more.


My Review:
Growing in Holiness talked about sanctification and justification. He started off with some basics, like how growing in holiness takes a lifetime. He suggested setting goals with deadlines; basically, a 'to do' list like: master the Scriptures, be more active in prayer, attend church regularly, etc., and that simply doing these "means of grace" will sanctify you and produce fruit. He talked about some struggles and obstacles that stand in the way of sanctification and how we should reflect God's character and imitate Christ. He made it clear that Christ's righteousness is what justifies us and saves us, and it's by faith in what Christ did that we are saved. He talked about how people can think they are saved when they are not and how to tell if you're saved. He talked about how God's love for us allows us to love others, the love chapter (1 Corinthians 13), and using the Fruit of the Spirit to measure our spiritual growth.

Throughout the book, he made the process of growing in holiness sound like a duty you do in gratitude and in your own strength. On only one occasion did he mention doing good works out of love for God. He also didn't discuss deepening your relationship with God, just obediently doing activities that will sanctify you along with following His commands.


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.

I Am Found by Laura Dingman

I Am Found by Laura Dingman ISBN-13: 9780802414687 Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: July 5th 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Are you tired of battling shame? Long to be truly known and deeply loved? Hesitant to show others the real you? We are all made for connection, but many of us live with walls up and hearts closed. What would it take for us to let go and stand tall and unashamed?

I Am Found guides us in just that. This six-week Bible study on shame and identity explores how we can own our stories, trust God’s affections, and relate honestly with Him and others. Each week begins with biblical teaching and is followed by five days of guided reflection. Drenched in Scripture, and allowing plenty of space to journal and savor biblical truths, I Am Found welcomes you on a personal journey of transformation through God’s Word.

Laura Dingman invites you to build your life on a beautiful, liberating truth: Jesus loves us in our weakness, but He doesn’t leave us there.


My Review:
I Am Found is a six-week Bible study. Each week had a several-page-long introduction that should count as a day, then five days of study on the theme introduced for that week, and a final section summarizing the truth and lies that we learned about that week. The overall idea is that we hid with the intent of being found as children, but we hide out of shame as adults. The author focused on our identity in Christ and some of the lies we believe and the truth that combats them.

Each week's introduction had a lot of commentary about the theme for that week and a verse to memorize that week. Each day had some commentary, some verses to read, some questions about those verses and what was discussed, and a prayer. She used several different study methods throughout the book. For example, sometimes you would read the verses four times but look at it for different things each time. Other times, you read Scripture, wrote down what observations you made about text and what stood out to you, and came up with an application for your life. I thought she brought out important, impactful points in her commentary. Overall, I'd recommend this Bible study for personal study.


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.

The Power of the Cross by Tony Evans

The Power of the Cross by Tony Evans ISBN-13: 9780802411181 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: February 2nd 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The cross is an historical event that can bring us to heaven, and a current event bringing heaven to bear on us. In The Power of the Cross, Tony Evans applies Christ’s work to life today. In three parts, he systematically and pastorally explains three aspects of the cross:

Its Person: What makes Christ unique, and how He is the center of salvation history

Its Purpose: What was accomplished on it, and how it is to be the centerpiece of our lives

Its Power: The stability and deliverance it provides in our everyday living

We wear crosses around our necks, but do we apply it to our lives? Jesus’ work holds incredible power for us. It’s time we embrace it, for God’s glory and our joy. Read The Power of the Cross to find out how.


My Review:
The Power of the Cross looked at how properly understanding what Jesus Christ did on the cross brings transformation to your life. The author started by talking about Christ and what makes him unique. He then talked about what Christ accomplished on the cross (and in his resurrection) and how this impacts how we live our life. He then talked about how understanding these things brings powerful transformation to our lives.

The author was easy to understand, and he used good analogies to help the reader to understand his points. I know some people will say that what he is teaching here is basic Christianity, but I agree with the author that many Christians don't seem to fully understand it yet. Therefore, I would highly recommend this book to any Christian. Even if you already understand, it never hurts to be reminded of these powerful, basic principles of Christianity.


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.

Keeping the Faith by Lianna Davis

Keeping the Faith by Lianna Davis ISBN-13: 9780802419316 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: Jan. 7, 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In a culture of subjectivity and "speaking your truth," we need to know how to lovingly fight for our biblically-based, truth-filled faith. That’s where Jude comes in. With a combination of humility, genuine love, and doctrinal faithfulness, the biblical writer Jude teaches you how to treasure the gifts of salvation, the faith, the Church, and—most of all—Jesus Christ. By unpacking Jude’s meaning-laden words, we can learn to keep ourselves for Christ, even as Christ is ably keeping us for Himself.

You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn as you walk verse-by-verse through this small epistle. You’ll learn why Jude uses metaphors like waterless clouds and wild waves, what was going on in Jude’s time theologically and why it matters, why the warning passages can be a deep comfort to the believer, and to appreciate new dimensions of your belonging in Christ. Get to know the oft-neglected voice of Jude, be comforted and challenged in your faith, and build community as you gather friends and study His Word together in Keeping the Faith.


My Review:
Keeping the Faith is a 6 week long Bible study on Jude. Each week had an introduction and 5 days of study. Each day would start with a verse or two from Jude and a cross reference verse from another book of the Bible that related to the same topic. The verses in Jude were not always studied in order but were topically grouped. The author then gave a prayer and provided some commentary on the verses, including useful insights and word studies to help the reader better understand the verses. Next, she included study prompts that further tied in other verses from the Bible. She concluded each day with reflection questions about what was learned and how that affects your life. I felt that the author did a very good job of explaining the verses and tying them into the rest of the New Testament. Overall, I'd highly recommend this Bible study.


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.

Created to Draw Near by Edward T. Welch

Created to Draw Near by Edward T. Welch ISBN-13: 9781433566387 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Crossway Books Released: January 7th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Many Christians prefer to keep God at a safe distance--a distant God makes fewer demands. They imagine God has rules just for the sake of obedience, missing the point that God delights in making them holy so they can draw near to him. God's plan from the beginning has been for his people to draw near to him as a kingdom of priests.

In 40 short, meditative chapters, Ed Welch traces iterations of the priestly job description from the garden of Eden to the heavenly city. Along the way, believers will discover their identity as royal priests and learn what it means that they were created to be made holy as they draw near to God.


My Review:
Created to Draw Near talked about what it means to be a priest of God, how God wants us to draw near to Him, and what He's done to allow us to draw near to Him. The author started by looking at the Garden of Eden, then talked about Moses and Mount Sinai, looked at the tabernacle and the symbolism found in the tabernacle and the priestly clothing. He looked at the sacrifices and the feasts and how Jesus is a later fulfillment of these. He explained how Jesus is our tabernacle, our high priest, the final sacrifice that allows us to draw near to God, how we are priests and saints, and other Old Testament/New Testament imagery. The author is very fond of finding symbolism in things, some of it widely accepted and some of it I've never heard before. At the end of each short chapter, there were two personal application questions. I appreciated that he used verses from and studied the Bible to make his points. I'm not sure that I agree with his repeated theme that mankind (including Adam and Eve before the Fall) were always meant to wear priestly clothing. He seems to believe that the fact that Adam and Eve were naked and didn't know it was a bad thing, and their nakedness always needed to be covered. Overall, though, I felt like he did a good job showing how Jesus fulfills the promises and symbolism found in the Old Testament.


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.