The 4 Wills of God by Dr. Emerson Eggerishs

When we think about God, we have to realize there are things that are He  must expect of us. We like to think we are independent creatures and are self directed.
But God does have some expectations of all His creation. And especially of those He has created to be related to Him. But through an act of disobedience, we are no longer capable of  relating truthfully6.
Dr. Eggerichs postulates, using scripture, that God's will for His creation
You can look it up for yourself. Check it out. Search to see if what is being said is actually truthful. Be like a Berean. Check it out. The four passages are found in John 6:40, I Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and lastly , 1 Peter 2:13-15.
They are Believe in Jesus Christ, Abstain from Sexual Sin, Give Thanks in Everything, and Submit in Doing Right.
Simple. But hard to do without God's help. And that is why the first one is the start of the adventure.
The style of writing is easy to understand. A person can spend time reading and reviewing many times over a life time and each time find new insight.
I am sure God has more wills for mankind, but these form a start.
The development of each will is a staring point for every follower of God no matter what denomination  they identify with.
I highly recommend this book.
I was given a copy by my pastor and it was a good gift.
It has the subtitle :The Way He Directs Our Steps and Frees Us to Direct Our Own. That about sums up the purpose of the book.
It is published by the B&H Publishing group in Nashville, Tennessee, copyright 2018 and retails for $19.99.

Open to the Spirit by Scot McKnight

The Trinity is a hard subject to handle. You know. Three in one. One in three. Father. Son. Holy Spirit. Each a person. But one in essence.

Each has his own role in the Godhead. The Father creates. He begets the Son.  Begets in the same sense we beget children. The Son reveals in Human flesh. The Spirit comforts us and reveals the Son.

McKnight claims that we don’t allow ourselves to be open to the Holy Spirit as we should. Since, he contends, not many Christians understand the work of the Holy Spirit, they don’t completely know how to handle being open to Him. Thus, he has written this short 204-page book. It has the footnotes following the text and this adds thirteen more pages. He divides it into five parts.

It is easy reading and compels you to keep reading and interacting with the areas spoken of (new creation, the people, the virtues, the victory). As you read, you find yourself involving yourself in a safe non-threatening way.

In some of his illustrations used to clarify what to him are important aspects, he gets away from what is written in the Bible as the basis for our belief. He does differentiate between Pentecostals and Charismatics, but then quotes a Monica A. Coleman, professor of Constructive Theology and American religion at Claremont School of Theology in Southern California. She fellowships at an African Methodist Episcopal Church. In her book named “Bi-polar Faith: A Black Woman’s journey with Depression and Faith “, on the subject of the gift of tongues, having prayed in tongues with her friend Cynthia and a minister from a Harvard doctrinal program to each other, standing in a corner talking to each other in tongues.

That is not found in the Bible. In fact, in 1 Corinthians we are told tongues does not edify the body but is a sign for the unsaved. He slips here.

His background is Anglican with a leaning toward Anabaptist. His profession is that of a Professor of New Testament at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary at Lombard, Il. And that should be considered while reading this book.

Still, it is well done and, yes, I would say it is one I would consider looking at. It is important to be open to the Spirit

It is published by WaterBrook, Penguin Random House.. It retails for $15.99.

What You Need To Know About Bible Prophecy by Max Anders

       At last an easy to understand and follow explanation of one of the  basic doctrines of the Christian belief system.. eschatology. And not just eschatology but the subgroup of prophecy. It is laid out in twelve chapters  which can be used as discussion aids in a small group setting.

            Anders carefully presents the viewpoints that are around when it comes to the understanding of the subject of prophecy. He points out that none of the viewpoints keeps a person from heaven. They just act as grids to the understanding of what God says.

            My reaction is that Anders  walks the line between divergent views  on the meaning of prophecy in a way that allows the discussion to continue without major fist fights over small points. As he points out whether we hold to literal or symbolic  interpretation we can all agree that Jesus is coming back someday. Anyone reading this book and thinking about it will be challenged in his application of the truths. He will also be a little more understanding of those who differ in the minor points of prophecy.

            I feel the information was present in a nonjudgmental manner. I recommend it for small study groups who enjoy discussion.

        This book was given to me free by the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The viewpoints held are my own and not those of the publisher.

Tender Warrior by Stu Weber

         Strong men should also have a tender side to them. It rounds out their manliness. Being tender doesn’t take away from but adds  to a complete man. 

            In sixteen chapters Weber maps out the need for completeness. He dissects the areas into personal, family, friends  and occupation. He ends each chapter with discussion starters for small groups or individuals who are using this book  He titles these A Man Faces Himself and A Man Meets With His Friends.

 Weber shares  his life with the reader. It has been said that a good example is better than any lecture. In this area he does fine. He also uses Biblical illustrations of  how men acted in the period they lived. He attempts to show you are an example to others.

It is a highly interesting book. I found myself stopping from time to time in the reading to think through what I have just read.  And when I came to the discussion helps at the end of each chapter I spent some time going over them. This is something I don’t normally do. But he has such a style of writing that makes you want to respond.

 It has been subtitled Every Man’s Purpose- Every Woman’s Dream- Every Child’s Hope.

   I recommend this for all men and maybe their girlfriends. It is also useful for a small group study. Take your time. Don’t rush it.

A Shot of Faith by Mitch Stokes, Phd

 

This is a book we have been waiting for. It will help the Christian confront the world view of the common man. By common I mean your neighbor maybe even those who read this book.

            The going explanation for things existing is something called Evidentialism. This is the reasoning that we can only know what we see. It states that  rational beliefs require sufficient evidence Yet we have been told by science that there is not enough or sufficient evidence for the belief held by Christians that there is a God. Stokes states and proves that that is just not true.

            The view taken in this book is a philosophical one. As you read it the tone draws you along. It is if a friend were walking beside you.

            I found this a very well written and easy to follow explanation. It ends with a look at science and evil mentioned as the two straw men the atheist  uses to prove their view of the world. Stokes shows how they are on unsteady ground. We need to stand our ground and keep a dialogue going with the non-believer. We need to be able to answer his explanation with a sound reasoning. We may not be able to convince him of our view of reality, but we should not sound unlearned.

            This book should be helpful  for everyone. I liked it and found it a good introduction to apologetics.

            I received this book from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own and not those of the publisher. 

The Resignation Of Eve by Jim Henderson

  This book is a great eye opener and very thought provoking. What would happen to our churches if one week all the women decided not to show up?
   We would have a small if even existent choir. We would perhaps have no backup staff. Only the pastor and a few men. 

    Let's face it, women are the backbone of most minisrties. This book is subtritled  "What if Adam's Rib Is No Longer Willing To be The Church's Backbone?"  Henderson offers in short story form the problem and the solution. He interviewed many women in the setting up of this book. He allows them to express themselves freely.

     This book I recommend for all leaders in the church. We need to appreciate more the women we do have working in our church in what ever area.

   You may not agree with every point. You don't have to. It will stretch you if nothing else.

   It is published by Barna, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Has God Spoken? by Hank Hanegraaff

   In twenty two chapters Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man, has handled the theological area of the Bible's divine inspiration in an easy to read and understand manner. A person doesn't have to take a  seminary course to understand the doctrine.
   The book gives the reader facts that can be used in discussion with doubters, Hanegraaff gives us rules to follow as we read the Scriptures  He also includes a Bible study method called 'Legacy"we can use to read through the Bible in a years time.

    It is an enjoyable read. At times it makes one stop and think. After all, The Bible is a very important document and should be an ever present tool. This book provides the assurance needed for the "worker who does not need to be ashamed". Hanegraaff  has successfully conveyed this Biblical truth.

   It held my attention as this subject of the Bible and its veracity is important to me. A person wants to be assured that the tool he is using is the best it can be. The information presented is done in a progressive,well thought out fashion.

   I would recommend this book for the Christian as well as for the seeker.

    Booksneeze has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

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