Posts Tagged Book Reviews
Another Cool Giveaway
Posted by Peter in Blogging, Book Reviews, Giveaways on July 27, 2009
The Justice Game
Bitsy Griffin (Jack of All Trades) is giving away a gift certificate for Randy Singer’s The Justice Game.
The contest runs through July 31 with the winner to be drawn on August 1. Enter by commenting on the original post. Enter a second time by posting about the contest.
You can also read her review of The Justice Game.
Good luck.
Giving Away a Free Copy of Every Man’s Bible
Posted by Peter in Bible, Bible Translations, Christianity, Giveaways on June 15, 2009
Every Man's Bible
With special thanks to Tyndale House for the extra copy, I am giving away an Every Man’s Bible for Father’s Day.
The Every Man’s Bible is described as “A Bible for Every Battle Every Man Faces.” I will be posting a thorough review later, but, for now, just enjoy.
I am giving away a hardcover, Every Man’s Bible, New Living Translation, with over 1500 pages of commentary, charts and graphs, study notes, sidebars, and a whole host of other features. This edition retails for $34.99.
To win, all you have to do is tell me in the comment section below why you, if you are a father, or any special dad in your life, needs this Bible. Be funny, be deadly serious, be honest, or be whatever, just let me know why you or the dad in your life should get this for Father’s Day.
I will take entries until noon on Friday, June 19, 2009 (CST). One entry per person, although you may comment as much as you wish. If you have a blog and post about this giveaway, I will give you an extra entry. If you blog on a service other than WordPress, please let me know of your post in the comment section below. U.S. residents or U.S. mailing addresses only please.
The winner will be selected at random and will be announced Friday in a post on this blog, and I will ask the winner to contact me via the contact form with mailing instructions. I realize that if I mail it out on Friday, this may not get to you in time for Father’s Day, but it should arrive shortly thereafter.
Buy Every Man’s Bible from Amazon
Best Bible Translation
Posted by Peter in Bible, Bible Translations, Book Reviews on June 12, 2009
…or so the search string goes.
Not as frequently as searches for Satan, but pretty frequently some eager searcher for the truth lands on my blog while searching for the:
- best bible translation
I hope said eager young searchers aren’t too sad to learn that I rather like all (or many) of the English Bible translations.
So, searchers for the best Bible translation, please feel free to check out the Bibles page for info, though I, regrettably, do not have the answer to your question.
I have also written on the subject here:
Related Reviews:
You can also shop for great Bibles and all the books reviewed here at BOB’s Bookstore.
Book Review-The King James Only Controversy
Posted by Peter in Bible, Bible Translations, Book Reviews, Christianity, God, Greek, Hebrew, New Testament, Old Testament, Theology on June 3, 2009
I want to thank Bethany House for the courtesy copy of The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust Modern Translations? (2nd ed.) by James R. White.
Book Details:
The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust Modern Translations?
James R. White
Bethany House, March 2009
ISBN 978-0-7642-0605-4
Buy The King James Only Controversy @ Amazon
I want to begin by sharing two initial thoughts. Well, actually, one thought and secondly a disclaimer. First, The King James Only Controversy is much more than a simple journalistic account of the “King James only” debate. It is a primer for the non-scholar who is, even if only casually, interested in Bible translation and the accompanying philosophies and methodologies.
Second, my only exposure to the controversy has been on the internet (other than a snide remark here or there by television preachers about “watered-down versions” ). I live in an NIV-primarily region of the country. I most frequently read the NASB, but my pastor preaches out of the NKJV, so I carry that with me on Sundays. Thus, I incline toward the author’s conclusions even before reading the book. It is a bias that I don’t think influences my review of the book, but it is a bias I want to disclose.
James R. White’s treatment of the “King James only” debate is thorough, well supported by evidence, and written so as to be easily understood by the casual observer or participant. He begins by dividing the King James only advocates into five distinct and increasingly radical camps: 1) “I like the KJV Best” (which he takes no issue with), 2) “The Textual Argument” (that the Hebrew and Greek texts used by the KJV translators are superior), 3) “Received Text Only” (that the Textus Receptus and Hebrew text utilized by the KJV translators are inerrant), 4) “The Inspired KJV Group” (who believe the KJV is itself an inspired and inerrant translation, the group White identifies as the majority of the KJV only advocates), and 5) “The KJV as New Revelation” (that the KJV is “re-inspired” and the English text is an inerrant revelation superior even to the Hebrew and Greek texts).
White then gives the reader a brief overview of translation history and the translation process, explaining textual vs. translation disputes, translation methods, textual criticism, and the ancient texts used by translators. Then, very systematically, White explains the irony of the KJV onlyists making the exact arguments that were made against the original KJV translators and against Erasmus (whose Textus Receptus was used by the KJV translators) before that. To put it in polite terms, the argument of the KJV only camp, as well as those who opposed the original King James Version (the Authorized Version everywhere except the U.S.), is an argument for traditionalism.
The heart of the book is White’s analysis of many of the verses in controversy and his defense of the various translations’ renderings. Where there are variations in the ancient manuscripts that lead to different translations, White also provides convincing explanations for the textual variants which include simple scribal error, parallel influence (a scribe’s attempt to harmonize scripture), and what White dubs “expansion of piety” (a scribes attempt to make a passage sound a little better, e.g. expanding “the Christ” to “Jesus the Christ”).
White concludes Part One of The King James Only Controversy with a chapter devoted exclusively to questions and answers. Part Two is a 30-page technical treatment of many of the issues raised in Part One for the reader who is proficient in koine Greek and familiar with ancient Biblical texts, although it is not essential for the casual reader to read and understand Part One.
In conclusion, in his effort to counter the KJV only advocates, James R. White is necessarily critical of the King James Version. However, I suspect White would be the first to say to the reader whose preference is the KJV to continue in that preference. White does not advocate for any particular translation, only for an understanding that many modern translation are equally legitimate, and, in some instances, superior to the King James Version with respect to certain translation issues. Whether your particular interest is the “King James only” debate or not, if you are at all interested in Bible translation or the history thereof, The King James Only Controversy is well worth your time.
Other Reviews of The King James Only Controversy
Related Posts:
I Want to Believe
Posted by Peter in Book Reviews, Christianity, God on May 15, 2009
Thanks to my blogging buddy Jeff (Scripture Zealot) for alerting us to Mel Lawrenz’ new book I want to Believe, and how bloggers and media types can obtain a free review copy thereof.
My review copy arrived very promptly today (in about a week).
It seems like it will be an interesting read, and it is now on my ever-increasing-to-do list.
Can God Be Trusted?
Posted by Peter in Book Reviews, God on March 4, 2009
I was excited this morning to get in the mail a copy of Can God Be Trusted: Faith and the Challenge of Evil (2nd ed.) by John G. Stackhouse, Jr., for review courtesy of Adrianna Wright at InverVarsity Press.
Admittedly, I haven’t read the 1st edition which was first published in 1998 by Oxford University Press (I wasn’t much of a believer then), but it’s one of the few books I have truly been looking forward to reading. Don’t get me wrong, I read a lot, and I like a lot of what I read, but I rarely get too excited. I’m excited about reading this though.
Other Book Reviews:
The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry Into the Old Testament
Just Courage: God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian
Do You Want to Write Book Reviews?
Posted by Peter in Blogging, Book Reviews, Cool Stuff on February 23, 2009
Attention Bloggers: If you are interested in writing book reviews for your blog, a couple of major publishing houses have established book-reviewing programs for bloggers.
Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Bloggers (BRB) and Bethany House Book Reviewers are now soliciting bloggers to write and publish book reviews on their blogs. Both also require that book reviewers write a review of each book reviewed on a major commercial website (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com, etc.).
Prospective book reviewers are required to fill out an application form and click through a confirmation email before reviewing books. As far as I can tell, the title selection is limited, but significant (there are plenty of good titles to choose from). Thomas Nelson’s BRB has a site dedicated for this program where bloggers can browse book titles. You will also receive periodic emails about products available for review.
Similarly, Bethany House Book Reviewers allows prospective book reviewers to select from several categories of interest, and the reviewer will receive periodic emails alerting them to titles available for review.
I’m sure other publishers will follow suit. If so, I will keep you posted.
Book Review-The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament
Posted by Peter in Bible, Bible Translations, Book Reviews, Christianity, Genesis, God, Israel on January 10, 2009
I want to thank Adrianna Wright at InterVarsity Press for sending me a courtesy copy of The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament by Sandra L. Richter, Ph.D.
The Epic of Eden
Book Details:
The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament
Sandra L. Richter, Ph.D.
Intervarsity Press, October 2008
ISBN 978-0-8308-2577-6
In The Epic of Eden, Sandra L. Richter, Ph.D., touches on one of Christianity’s most sensitive nerves: a lack of understanding about its origins. And in a straightforward and uncritical manner, Dr. Richter brings a bit of healing to this problem.
Dr. Richter labels the underlying problem “the dysfunctional closet syndrome.” She likens the average Christian’s understanding of the Old Testament to a disorganized closet in need of tidying; a hodgepodge of names, places, facts and figures which amount to little more than clutter. On the whole, I think Dr. Richter is correct, and I think her analogy is quite useful. For my male readers, I would suggest substituting “toolshed” for “closet” if the dysfunctional closet reference isn’t quite hitting closely enough to home. The Epic of Eden is Dr. Richter’s attempt to organize our respective closets. In her words:
My goal in writing this book, therefore, is to deal a mortal blow to the dysfunctional closet syndrome. I am convinced that the key to the problem described above is order. Until a believer is able to organize what they know about the Old Testament meaningfully, they cannot use it. An appropriate quotation whose source I have lost over the years says this: “Facts are stupid things until brought into connection with some general law.”
So my goal in this book is to provide structure. Metaphorically speaking, to pick the clothes up off the floor, get some hangers, a pole and some hooks, and help you build a closet of your very own. You already have many (possibly most) of the facts you need: I’m going to give you a place to hang them.
Dr. Richter’s solution is to organize the closet clutter into its respective Covenant cubbies: Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New. Dr. Richter does not expressly discuss an “Edenic” Covenant, although she thoroughly addresses God’s original purpose in Eden, and brings it full circle by concluding that God’s original intent for Adam is fully accomplished in Christ.
Perhaps the most enlightening section of The Epic of Eden (for me) is Dr. Richter’s detailed discussion of the concept of Covenant. The idea of “covenant” or, in modern legal language, “contract” has considerably less depth and richness today having devolved simply to mean a piece of paper outlining an agreement between parties which may or may not be kept. Yet, this is the framework most (Western) Christians have of “covenant.”
Second only to my visiting Israel is The Epic of Eden in bringing the words of the Bible to life for me, at least as regards our watered-down understanding of the immensely important Biblical and historical concepts of covenant and redemption. These concepts merit entire books of their own, but Dr. Richter does an admirable job of giving lost substance back to words in the Bible we use so casually.
Dr. Richter also does an exceptional job of putting the Bible into real space and time. The recurring Biblical timeline also helps the reader to keep events in historical context. For anyone who needs to clean their Old Testament closet, The Epic of Eden is a wonderful organizational tool.
If there is a shortcoming of The Epic of Eden it is that there is simply too much clutter to tackle. I give the author a tremendous amount of credit for the effort to organize the Old Testament closet, and I think this book is as enlightening as any I’ve read. But, rather than giving the reader a clean closet, The Epic of Eden gives the reader a system of organization, an Old Testament filing system. It’s a closet organizer, not a maid.
Also, I appreciate Dr. Richter’s attempt to bring the Old Testament and the ancient Middle East into a more modern and understandalbe light. In a note to the Introduction, Dr. Ricther writes, “The text of this book is designed for the layperson and should be easily understood by most with little assistance.” I’m not entirely sure Dr. Richter’s frame of reference isn’t a little skewed, and The Epic of Eden is certainly not dry, academic reading. It is highly readable. And enjoyable. But I would guess that on a readability test The Epic of Eden would score at an undergraduate or higher reading level. This is not to detract from the book, but to ensure the reader knows this is not light reading.
In short, read the book. Page for page, The Epic of Eden packs more punch than most books. The actual text itself is well under 250 pages and can easily be read in a few sittings. More importantly, however, is the effect The Epic of Eden will have on your Bible reading. I would guess that most people who read this blog have at one time or another heard a remarkable sermon or sermon series that changed how they read and understand the Bible. Reading this book is a lot like that, only moreso.
Scofield Study Bible – An Oldie But Goodie
Posted by Peter in Bible, Bible Translations, Book Reviews, Christianity, God, Jesus on November 6, 2008
Scofield Study Bible
I just recently acquired an Oxford University Press Scofield Study Bible (KJV). It is black bonded leather with the 1917 notes. It’s really quite lovely.
I don’t want to get into a whole debate about dispensationalist theology – I’ll leave that to others – suffice it to say, I am not a dispensationalist, although there are elements of dispensationalist theology worthy of more exploration (on my part). And, if the fact that the Scofield Study Bible is unashamedly dispensationalist causes you grief, I understand. I also understand that a lot has changed since 1917, and our understanding of history, archeology, and science are completely different than it was nearly a century ago. But I do want to share a part of what is written in the introduction.
I know most people don’t bother to read the xx or so pages of introductory material at the front of their Bibles. Translation philosophies, explanatory essays, and dreadful lists of acknowledgments are for the truly hard core.
I, however, happen to fall into this category, ask my wife. She will testify that the first thing I do when we check into a hotel room is read the over-sized hotel binder cover-to-cover. I want to know about the facilities, amenities, services, attractions, etc. (you never know when you might need an aspirin at 3 a.m., and I want to know if I will have to leave the hotel, trek down to a “gift shop,” or call for room service). The same goes for my Bibles.
On page v of my new Scofield Study Bible, there is a section of the introduction entitled “A Panoramic View of the Bible.” Without going into the whole thing, one of the sections struck me:
First. The Bible is one book. Seven great marks attest this unity. (1) From Genesis the Bible bears witness to one God. Wherever he speaks or acts he is consistent with himself, and with the total revelation concerning him. (2) The Bible forms one continuous story – the story of humanity in relation to God. (3) The Bible hazards the most unlikely predictions concerning the future, and, when the centuries have brought round the appointed time, records their fulfillment. (4) The Bible is a progressive unfolding of truth. Nothing is told all at once, and once and for all. The law is, “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn.” Without the possibility of collusion, often with centuries between, one writer of Scripture takes up an earlier revelation, adds to it, lays down the pen, and in due time another man moved by the Holy Spirit, and another, and another, add new details till the whole is complete. (5) From beginning to end the Bible testifies to one redemption. (6) From beginning to end the Bible has one great theme – the person and work of the Christ. (7) And, finally, these writers, some forty-four in number, writing through twenty centuries, have produced a perfect harmony of doctrine in progressive unfolding. This is, to every candid mind, the unanswerable proof of the Divine inspiration of the Bible (italics in original).
If there is a better, more succinct apologetic for the divine nature of scripture in print, I am unaware of it. Perhaps some of you will enlighten me. Thoughts?
Book Review – Just Courage: God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian
Posted by Peter in Book Reviews, Christianity, God on October 28, 2008
I want to thank InterVarsity Press for the courtesy copy of Just Courage: God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian by Gary A. Haugen for review.
Just Courage
Book Details:
Just Courage: God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian
Gary A. Haugen
InterVarsity Press, June 2008
ISBN 978-0-8308-3494-5
I think every Christian at one time or another is forced to ask, “Shouldn’t there be more to this Christian life?” Gary A. Haugen describes this another way, “Indeed, there comes a time in the life of every believer…where a voice inside us simply asks, Now what?” Mr. Haugen describes this phenomenon as “a voice of divine restlessness,” “a voice of sacred discontent,” and “a voice of a holy yearning for more.”
For anyone who has ever felt that “divine restlessness,” and, in particular, for those who presently have that feeling of “sacred discontent,” Just Courage might just be the holy kick in the church-pew-softened backside you need.
Haugen begins his book by recounting a relatable childhood memory about a trip to Mount Rainier with his father and older brothers. In short, Haugen laments letting fear and anxiety prevent his climbing to Camp Muir (the base camp used by summit climbers) with his father and siblings. Haugen spent the rest of the day in the visitor’s center waiting for his family to return. His father and brother had an unforgettable day and stories to tell, he did not. Haugen says he went on the trip but missed the adventure.
Haugen likens the regret of missing that adventure to the “divine restlessness” felt by many Christians. Haugen’s answer for satisfying this “voice of sacred discontent” is responding to the call of God in the struggle for justice. The justice to which Haugen is referring is not the typical 90-day sentences meted out by judges and juries to misdemeanants, but rather the international war against forced sex trafficking and slavery. Haugen maintains that the root cause of much of the suffering he and his organization encounters is violence.
Gary A. Haugen is the president and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM), a human rights organization dedicated to securing justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of oppression. Haugen notes that the body of Christ has been mobilized to address many of the symptoms (hunger, homelessness, sickness, etc.), but that the root cause is the less-familiar problem of violence. An issue the body of Christ has yet to address.
Haugen provides riveting examples of how the IJM lawyers, investigators and human rights workers battle this international problem. One of the many examples worth noting is that of Sean Linton, a lawyer at an elite national law firm who decided to test a divine paradox, “the hypothesis according to Jesus,” that you find your life when you lose it. Linton left his life as a high-powered lawyer to work for IJM. Linton, who opened IJM’s first office in the Philippines, “thought, If I can rescue one child from the unspeakable horror of forced prostitution, it would outweigh any sacrifice I could possibly make.” Linton said, “It was like math…No emotion. I did not have the faith to believe that God could somehow provide for me and that I might even find joy in it. No, I just expected to be lonely and to suffer. But I signed on to try and save that one child.”
Linton noted the four things holding him back: 1) comfort, 2) security, 3) control, and 4) success. Haugen writes, as “Jesus said, ‘If you lose your life for my sake, you will find it.’” In return, Linton got 1) adventure, 2) faith, 3) miracles, and 4) deep knowledge of Jesus. “Who among us wouldn’t want these?” Haugen asks.
In contrast to the many other reports of international injustices, Haugen goes beyond reporting on the problem and offers practical advice for the reader who wants to get involved. Just a few of the practical ways anyone can get involved:
- Sending a text or an email to get people involved.
- Obtaining a IJM Mission Training DVD to assist churches and short-term missions teams in identifying injustices.
- Becoming a IJM prayer partner.
- Partnering financially with IJM.
- Engaging Congressional Representatives on justice issues.
- Join IJM’s church mobilization staff for worldwide field offices.
Just Courage is undoubtedly one of the most thought-provoking books I have read in years. More than just thought provoking, Just Courage is faith-provoking, action-provoking, and provoking in general. I strongly encourage anyone called to the mission or justice fields to read this book. For those who aren’t called into those fields, Just Courage might stir another calling or prompt you help others who are so called.
People who should definitely read this book:
- Pastors, missionaries and missions team leaders;
- High school and college students who are internationally or missions minded;
- Law and criminal justice students and professionals and law enforcement officers;
- Sociological, psychological, and social work students and professionals;
- Educators of any kind; and
- Anyone who is bored.
The book is a quick read, approximately 150 pages, only 130 or so of which are the book’s text. The remaining pages are the appendices and acknowledgments.
If there is a criticism I have, and I’m not entirely sure that I do, but if I do it is the focus of the book. Not the subject matter, but the scope. “Justice” as a subject is highly appealing to me (as a lawyer), but others may be less attracted. I think Haugen appropriately addresses this foreseeable objection by providing a variety of methods and opportunities to get involved short of being thrust into the brothels and sweat shops of some foreign and unfamiliar land.
I not only encourage everyone to read Just Courage, but to support and participate in the International Justice Mission’s mission:
- International Justice Mission (IJM)
- IJM – Giving
- IJM – Employment
- IJM Relentless
- IJM Institute
- IJM Facebook
- IJM – Wikipedia
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