God, What on Earth are You Doing?

Stuck in the Present

Pooping Elephants

The Battle for Hell

Ecclesiastes, Songs of Songs (Holman Old Testament Commentary, Vol. 14)

The Last Men's Book You'll Ever Need

Good Christians, Good Husbands?

FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2013

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Well, 2013 was another great year for reading.  In fact so good, I could not whittle down to the typical top ten list, so am cheating a bit with my favorite fifteen.  At the end, I will offer my top two for the year.  So in no particular order, here are my picks:

Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber.  Take a great chick flick (the kind most guys would grudgingly admit they liked), mix in great writing, candor, intellectual stimulation, spiritual insight, and humor.  Voila you have Surprised by Oxford.

Reading for Preaching by Cornelius Plantinga.  My interview with the author is coming soon.

Echoes of Eden by Jerram Barrs.  My interview with the author is coming soon.

The End of Our Exploring by Matthew Lee Anderson.  My review can be found here: 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2013/08/31/saturday-book-review-matthew-lee-anderson/

The Taming of the Shrew (reread) by Mr. Shakespeare along with commentary from Brightest Heaven of Invention by Peter J. Leithart.

Sacred Scripture, Sacred War by James P Byrd.  My interview with the author is coming soon.

College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be by Andrew Delbanco.  

Heaven on Earth by R. Alan Streett.  My interview can be found here:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2013/11/16/alan-streett-heaven-on-earth/

Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller and Katherine Leary Alsdorf.  I have read many books on “a theology of work.”  This one has fresh insights and is very well done.

Fateful Lightning by Allen C. Guelzo.  A master historian, especially on the Civil War, shows us a scholar at the height of his powers.  Much to ponder in this absorbing book.

Why Study History?  by John Fea.  My brief review is here:

http://www.twocities.org/?p=2965

The First Thanksgiving by R. Tracy McKenzie.  I am glad that McKenzie is beginning to write for the wider public.  May God bless his efforts!  My interview with the author is here:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2013/11/09/saturday-book-review-thanksgiving/

Revolutionary Summer by Joseph J. Ellis.  Years ago, I read the author’s Pulitzer-winner, Founding Brothers.  This book is similar with its great story-telling and solid scholarship.

Ravished by Beauty by Belden C. Lane.  Even if you thought you knew much about the Reformed faith, this book will surprise you.  My review can be found here:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2013/06/15/david-g-moore-i-guess-im-not-a-calvinist/

Contending for the Faith by Ralph C. Wood.  My interview can be found here:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2013/12/21/why-careful-reading-matters-to-christians/

Well, as things turn out, and it is pretty odd since I was not consciously thinking of it, my top two books are the first and last on this list: Surprised by Oxford and Contending for the Faith.

 

 

WHY STUDY HISTORY?

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In no particular order, here are four things (there are more) which I appreciate about Fea’s book:

Fea uses great illustrations to drive his points home.

Accessible, but based on solid scholarship. This is not easy to do, but Fea accomplishes it wonderfully.

There is a gracious tone, but Fea still puts the spotlight on much foolishness.

Makes clear by way of many examples that the study of history is undeniably important.

CHRISTMAS!

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The Baby Jesus swaddled and lying in the manger Stock Photo - 6806360

 

Athanasius (On the Incarnation) on how the incarnation of Jesus was just enough divine revelation to keep our heads from exploding!

 

“The Lord did not come to make a display. He came to heal and to teach suffering men. For one who wanted to make a display the thing would have been just to appear and dazzle the beholders. But for Him Who came to heal and to teach the way was not merely to dwell here, but to put Himself at the disposal of those who needed Him, and to be manifested according as they could bear it, not vitiating the value of the Divine appearing by exceeding their capacity to receive it.” 

MISINFORMATION, DISINFORMATION, AND INFORMATION

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Misinformation is bad information which is spread unintentionally.

Disinformation is bad information which is spread intentionally.

Information is usually understood as various “facts” or in other words, that which is true.

However, not all information is created equally.

How do you know when the information you are receiving is important?  It takes loads of discernment in an age where there is an explosion of information, like this little lesson on information!

THE GOSPEL OF FLATLAND

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Lindsey Scholl

Lindsey Scholl is a dear friend and an insightful thinker.  She can communicate to many audiences. Her PhD is in ancient history, but she is completing a trilogy for children which you can find out about below.

Lindsey recently penned a piece called “The Gospel of Flatland” which you can access here:

http://tcshouston.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/the-gospel-of-flatland/

Lindsey also has a trilogy of web sites:

http://www.lindseyscholl.com/

http://www.theadvocatetrilogy.com/

http://www.gooddiscourse.com/