Book Review: How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home by Derek Thomas

How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home by Derek Thomas is one for everyone's bookshelf. Don't borrow it - buy it. Read it, digest it, meditate on it and refer back to it often. Author Derek Thomas does a marvelous job walking his readers through "the best chapter in the Bible," Romans 8.

Perhaps nowhere else in Scripture do we have such a clear explanation of the Gospel as we find in the first chapters of Romans culminating in chapter 8. The book chapters are divided into 11 digestible chunks taken from Romans 8. Thomas weaves his way through developing a clear understanding of grace, the work of the Spirit, union with Christ, legalism, killing sin, adoption, our hope in glory and much more. We're accepted in Christ rather than in our own works. We're given an understanding of how are lives are to be lived in light of the Gospel and we see the final hope we have in the life here after.

Thomas writes in an easily understandable style meant to convey theological truth with devotional warmth. You'll enjoy this and will be edified. You'll see how, indeed, the Gospel brings us all the way home.

Busyness Kills More Christians Than....

Great discussion at Christ the Center on Kevin DeYoung's new work Crazy Busy. This little book is a great read for those whose lives, like most of us, are just too busy. DeYoung explains the balance needed to have joy in God, serve Him, and yet still be productive. Being busy, even in God's work, can have the opposite outcome than what we might expect. Jump over and a have a listen!

Busyness kills more Christians than bullets.

Book Review: "A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology." By Kelly M. Kapic

An excellent book review of A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology can be found at Rev. Scott Wright's blog, Wright Thinking. A little teaser from his summary...

With this excellent little book Dr. Kapic helps his readers avoid the strong dichotomies of what he calls theological detachment, “a view which produces a divide between spirituality and theology, between life and thought, between faith and agency. ...This is anything but a dry and dreary exercise, and one can imagine the sparkle in Dr. Kapic’s eye as he writes, “we are on an adventure.”  Yes, and God calls us “to come, to gaze at Christ, to hear his word and to respond in faith and love.”

Hurry over and read Pastor Wright's analysis of this valuable "little book." It may be just what you're looking for.

Look What's New

Hey, take a look at what's new at Crossway. Good reading indeed!

From their website, " From Heaven He Came and Sought Her stands as the first comprehensive resource on definite atonement as it examines the issue from historical, biblical, theological, and pastoral perspectives.
Offering scholarly insights for those seeking a thorough and well-researched discussion, this book will encourage charitable conversations as it winsomely defends this foundational tenet of Reformed theology."

Take a look at what else is new here.

There’s no fluff here

A good review of Jennie Allen's Anything can be found at Rachel Cooper's blog, A Jacket for All Seasons. She writes...

Jennie Allen has written a book that is filled to the brim with good doctrine, honesty, and a sincere love for Christ and His people. ...This book is full of Scripture, personal stories (hers and others), and quotes from people like A.W. Tozer and Tim Keller.  There’s no fluff here. 

Check out the whole review here and Jennie's website here.

Good Reading!

Reading Devotionally

Todd Pruitt makes some outstanding recommendations for devotional reading at his blog here. At my house we can't say enough about Todd's featured author, Nancy Guthrie and her #1 recommended book, The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament. Just about anything by Nancy Guthrie is worth a read but this devotional has a leg up on all the others. Check out Todd's other recommendations and spend some time learning and being refreshed.