Wicked Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler

Wicked Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler ISBN-13: 9780310341680 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: September 22, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Booklook Bloggers.

Book Description from Goodreads:
In Wicked Women of the Bible Ann Spangler tells the stories of twenty wicked and wicked good women in greater detail. At the end of each story, Ann provides a brief section including additional historical and cultural background as well as a brief Bible study in order to enhance the book s appeal to both individuals and groups.


My Review:
The title of this book is misleading. It's a selection of 20 Bible stories that are as much about the men as the women. So Miriam's story was also about Moses and Aaron, Abigail's story focused mostly on Nabal and David, and so on. The author took about 5 pages to retell each Bible story. She switched between tenses, so she'd start off in present tense ("run"), have a few "am running" mixed in, then switch to past tense ("ran"). It found this distracting, and it felt poorly edited to me.

The author added fictional elements to "flesh out" the stories, but it was usually physical descriptions or comments like: Pharaoh made a "brainless attempt" to overtake the Israelites as they left Egypt. She also portrayed people in ways I don't agree with, like in Rahab's story: "Their husbands give her looks that tell her they are wondering what it would be like to caress her honey-gold skin" and this pleases Rahab. So we're left to believe God saved this apparently unrepentant woman simply because she had decided He was more powerful than her gods. And some details didn't need to be added, like David watched as Bathsheba "rubs a sponge across her body--caressing her face, her neck, and then her breasts."

Each story was followed by one page (or less) of information on "The Times" which told where the story is found in the Bible and about the larger historical context of the story. We're also given information on topics like harems, eunuchs, kinsmen redeemers, and such. The New Testament stories also included some cultural background information. She also included 4 or 5 questions about each story, like "What three to five words would you use to describe Abigail's character?"

I've enjoyed this author's books in the past, but I was very disappointed with this one. Frankly, you'd get as much out of reading the stories in a good study Bible. The author even referenced information from the Archaeological Study Bible, which I have and would recommend.


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 Psalm 119 Experience by John Kramp

The Psalm 119 Experience by John Kramp ISBN-13: 9780805466737 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: B&H Books Released: October 15, 2014

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In this inspiring devotional, you'll find daily encouragement for the challenges you face in life. Through five devotionals for each of the twenty-two sections in Psalm 119, you'll gain fresh insights into how God's word both challenges and consoles.

You can download twenty-two songs that were written for each section (available on iTunes). These songs will help you to memorize this entire psalm by drawing on the power of words and music to lock God's truth in your mind and heart.


My Review:
The Psalm 119 Experience is a devotional that focused on Psalm 119. It's a devotional that deepens your relationship with and devotion to God. The psalm has 22 sections, so Kramp broke his devotional into 22 chapters. Each chapter had 5 days of devotional thoughts and ended with the "song version" of that section of verses which he wrote to help memorize the words.

Each daily entry began with a verse or two from the psalm. He then dug into the meanings and insights of verses. He brought in verses from other parts of the Bible that affirm the words or that expand upon them. You get daily doses of theologically-solid truth about God and life. People who regularly read through the Bible will be reminded of important truths, while those less familiar with the Bible will see how certain important themes repeat throughout the Bible.

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys devotionals. It only took a few minutes to read a daily entry. Then, hopefully, you'll think upon the points he brought up as you go throughout your day.


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 Atheist Who Didn't Exist by Andy Bannister

The Atheist Who Didn't Exist by Andy Bannister ISBN-13: 9780857216106 Trade Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Monarch Books Released: July 27, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Christianbook.com:
Blending humor with serious thought, The Atheist Who Didnt Exist will help readers to think a little deeper about the popular claims of atheism. Whether the reader is a Christian who desires to be able to start a conversation with secular friends or simply an agnostic dissatisfied with some of the arguments that pass for serious thought, Andy Bannister shows that when it comes to the most important questions of life, we need to move beyond simplistic sound bites.


My Review:
The Atheist Who Didn't Exist is a Christian apologetics book. The purpose is to point out the problems with 'bad argument' sound bits for atheism so that Christians and Atheists can carry on a more thoughtful dialogue. The author took an atheist claim and rephrased it in another context so that it was easier to see how the argument held up. He started each chapter with a silly story that illustrated the argument in the new context, then he explained why it isn't a good argument.

I think he did a good job of showing why the arguments don't work. However, I can't use his stories to make a similar argument since he personalized them. I'd have to think a while to figure out how to explain his argument to someone else (which may be a good thing).

The author's humor won't be for everyone. It's mainly teasing about things few Americans have any stake in (like English sports teams that don't do well). However, the author sometimes went beyond silly stories and teasing. He poked fun at Dawkins, for example, not just Dawkins' bad arguments. That bothered me. Christians are supposed to be known for their loving attitudes, and I doubt Dawkins is feeling the love.

There are references to drinking alcohol and a few uses of bad language, which will turn off some Christians. Overall, I liked the method the author used to illustrate the problems with certain atheist arguments. However, I'm doubtful that the author's brand of humor would help in explaining the point to an atheist who takes those arguments seriously.


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.

5 Minutes with Jesus by Shelia Walsh

5 Minutes with Jesus by Shelia Walsh ISBN-13: 978-0-7180-3253-1 Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: August 11, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers.

Book Description from BookLook:
We balance so many things day after day-families, jobs, church, sports. Sometimes it feels like there is no time left for the most important thing: spending time with Jesus. But Sheila Walsh will help us do just that through these concise but substantial daily readings.

Each entry includes Scripture, a brief devotional thought, and a helpful takeaway. Even after just a few minutes of reading, you will have spent time with God's truth in a meaningful way, and be inspired to think on that truth and live in response to it the rest of the day.

Sheila is a master of short but profound thoughts such as "Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ," which have been retweeted time and time again. Readers will be thrilled to find these kinds of encouraging words-along with Sheila's characteristic approach of combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with Scripture. They'll be reminded of how powerful it is to be in the presence of Jesus, and how much He wants us to stay close to Him every minute of the day.


My Review:
5 Minutes with Jesus is a daily devotional that takes about 5 minutes a day. There are 50 entries. Each day's entry has about four pages. Two pages consist of a story along with the day's thought drawn from that story. The next two pages are headed by a tweet-sized summary of the day's thought and several Scriptures that support or go along with that thought.

These devotionals point out important topics based on Scripture and can get you thinking more deeply on a subject. If you usually spend 5 minutes a day (or less) focused on Jesus and Scripture, then the author covered topics that may be new and potentially life-changing. I liked how open she was about sharing things--both good and bad--from her life. I'd recommend this devotional to people who want to do a devotional-type activity each day but feel too busy. These are short enough that even busy people can find a few minutes of wait time that can be used to read this.


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.

Better by Tim Chaddick, Craig Borlase

Better: How Jesus Satisfies the Search for Meaning by Tim Chaddick & Craig Borlase ISBN-13: 9781434705235 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: Sept. 1, 2013

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
“What does it take to find satisfaction? Will I ever find something in life that’s better than this?”

Most people live a life they never would have planned. The good news is that coming to the end of their expectations means they’re on the brink of great wisdom, peace, and joy. That’s what the ancient author of Ecclesiastes helps us figure out—it is quite possible to face detours and dead-ends in life and still find more satisfaction than you ever could have imagined.

Better explores the mysteries, scandalous lines, and deep truths of Ecclesiastes and applies them to life today. Better seeks to show how the questions of the heart find their answer in the person of Jesus. Here you will find a vision of life that is neither naive nor cynical, but realistic and hopeful. Because the truth is, when God answers the questions, you finally realize what is better.


My Review:
Better is a study of Ecclesiastes. The author started by asking: what are your expectations of life, where did you get those expectations, and what if those expectations are wrong? He explored the things the Teacher in Ecclesiastes had tried to find meaning and lasting happiness and explored why they don't do so. They also looked at attitudes that don't work (like discontentment and envy) and explained how to get our focus right to find meaning and joy.

The author wrote in a casual tone and was easy to follow. He was good at bringing out the meaning of what the Teacher said and then dug deeper into it. He quoted from other books in the Bible to show how God and Jesus make sense of the things that were shown to be meaningless without God. It's written for the Christian and the non-believer who are looking for meaning and lasting joy. I'd recommend this book to those who feel discontentment with life or who wonder if this is all there is.


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 Truth about Lies by Tim Chaddick

The Truth about Lies by Tim Chaddick ISBN-13: 9781434705242 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: August 1, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from NetGalley:
The enemy is bent on enticing us to enjoy the gifts of this world while making the Giver optional or irrelevant in our quest for life. But what if in God's purposes, temptation is not merely an obstacle to overcome but an opportunity to flourish in faith? Tim Chaddick believes our greatest temptation is to act independently from God. In The Truth about Lies, Chaddick reveals how Jesus' wilderness temptations serve as a field guide for understanding our own temptations, why God allows them, and the role they play in who we will ultimately become.


My Review:
The Truth about Lies is a Christian living book. It's short but packed full of life-changing truth. Ever wonder why God allows temptation? This book showed how God uses temptation to expose what we desire the most and to build our trust relationship with Him. The author examined the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, His trial before the Sanhedrin, and more to show the lies with which Satan tempts us. He also pointed out the truth that was applied to each temptation or that can be learned from it. He also explained how to succeed when faced with temptation, and how we need to look at the root issues behind why we give in to certain temptations.

Basically, this book is about getting the correct, biblical view of temptation. This is a great, foundational book for any Christian, but I'd especially recommend it to those who are feeling discouraged regarding temptation.


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.

God's Crime Scene by J. Warner Wallace

God's Crime Scene by J. Warner Wallace ISBN-13: 9781434707840 Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: August 1, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Join J. Warner Wallace, former atheist and seasoned cold-case detective, as he tackles his most important case ... with you on the jury!

There are four ways to die, and only one of them requires an intruder. Suicides, accidental, and natural deaths can occur without any evidence from outside the room. But murders typically involve suspects external to the crime scene. If there’s evidence of an outside intruder, homicide detectives have to prepare for a chase. Intruders turn death scenes into crime scenes.

Using his expertise as a cold-case detective, J. Warner examines eight critical pieces of evidence in the “crime scene” of the universe to determine if they point to a Divine Intruder. If you have ever wondered if something (or someone) outside the natural realm created the universe and everything in it, this is the case for you.


My Review:
God's Crime Scene is an apologetic book that looks at evidence about the origins of the universe from the point of view of a cold case detective. Does the universe (including the earth, humans, and even their minds) show evidence of outside tampering or can the evidence be explained in purely naturalistic terms?

The author looked at many "lines of evidence" (cosmology, biology, etc.) as he examined the case. I felt he did an excellent job of distilling the arguments down to explanations that non-scientists can understand. He quoted people from all sides of the debate, and he presented a wide range of possible explanations in the process of finding which one best fit the evidence.

He used examples of various cases he's worked on to show how a detective examines evidence to determine if it's from an outside source and who is responsible. He then applied these methods to the evidence found in the universe. This helped to illustrate his points so I could more easily understand his reasoning.

He only examined whether there was a Divine Intruder or not and, if so, what the evidence can tell us about this intruder. He did not attempt to argue who the Divine Intruder might be. He has another book that examines the Christian Bible to see if it's trustworthy evidence, and it's a good companion book with this one. I wouldn't hesitate to give this book to anyone who is uncertain if there is a god or not. It's also a good resource for people who like to debate this sort of thing with atheists and agnostics. This book will especially appeal to those who are interested in detective work.


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.