100 Bible Verses That Made America - A Review

100 Bible Verses

That Made America

by

Robert J Morgan

Robert J. Morgan has a history of writing books that provide helpful additions to the preacher’s library. The current book does just that as he focuses on 100 texts that shaped the people that would shape America. He begins with a sermon preached on December 21, 1511, by Antonio de Montesinos (known as “the first defender of human rights in the Americas”) on Matthew 3:3. He concludes with quotes from Barack Obama made at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 13, 2015, focusing on II Timothy 1:7, and from Donald Trump’s comments made at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 7, 2019, drawing from John 16:24.

Each entry is three to four pages in length and demonstrates the Scripture’s place in a historical context with copious documentation at the end of the book from historical records or from critical scholarship discussing the people and events mentioned in the devotional.

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Each devotional is insightful and practical. Given our current place in US history (Spring 2020), the book helps the reader appreciate the role the church and the Scripture had in our history. The book might serve as a devotional for the layperson or as sermon or teaching illustrations for the pastor or Sunday school teacher. It would also find a home in the church, the Bible School, or the Seminary, library.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

George Whitfield: Evangelist for God and Empire - A Review

George Whitfield

Evangelist for God and Empire

by

Peter Y. Choi

A Review

Coming from a Methodist background, I have often found myself intrigued by the relationship between John Wesley and George Whitfield. Later in their friendship ...  

Although George Whitefield disagreed with John Wesley on some theological matters, he was careful not to create problems in public that could be used to hinder the preaching of the gospel. When someone asked Whitefield if he thought he would see Wesley in heaven, Whitefield replied, “I fear not, for he will be so near the eternal throne and we at such a distance, we shall hardly get sight of him.” [Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, W. Wiersbe, Moody Press, 1984, p. 255. Quoted in Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press]

Though this biography touches on the relationship between the Wesleys and George Whitfield, its major focus is on Whitfield’s work of spreading the gospel in England and America and his contribution toward bringing English culture to the New World.

The work is scholarly and primarily aimed at that audience. The general reader will be less satisfied with the work, though some might be surprised. The book is readable and will be satisfying to many with an interest in English and American history or church history in general.

The author does an excellent job of preparing the reader for what is coming — both in terms of the book and in terms the book’s chapters and smaller divisions. This makes much of what follows easy to appreciate and understand.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Formula of Deception - A Review

Formula of Deception

by

Carrie Stuart Parks

A Review

Ms. Parks presents a roller coaster of a story – where determining the good, the evil, and the crazy, becomes almost as important as determining who-done-it. This reader could not put the book down.

Murphy Andersen had a mission to complete, but truth was not part of it. Her sister had disappeared, her friends were dying, and she needed to put the pieces together. Determining who to trust was as difficult for her as it was for this reader, but slowly and surely, the clouds of uncertainty begin to lift. And when they do, she must fight for her own life and the life of those she had learned to trust.

The book had it roots in Alaska’s part in WWII and the United States involvement in chemical and biological weapons in the late 1940’s through the late 1950’s. Sadly, the US government is not as innocent as our history books would have it’s citizens believe. The author has done an excellent job of weaving history and fiction together into a readable tale.

Formula of Deception is a summer or fall thriller that easily earns the reader’s attention. Some church libraries will appreciate it (though the faith component is not as strong as it is for some faith-based books), but the public library could easily find a place for this book in their collection. This book is perfect for the reader looking for a thrill ride along Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Dr. Who: The American Adventures - A Review

Dr. Who: The American Adventures

by

Justin Richards

A Review

I was looking forward to reliving some of the excitement that filled my many of my hours since I began grad school watching the great Tom Baker starring in some of the earlier Dr. Who adventures and the other actors who filled that position during the intervening years when we saw new reincarnations of this classic Sci-Fi character. Alas, this book did not renew my love of Dr. Who.

The stories were fun - but they did not resemble any of the Dr. Who adventures I have seen over the last five decades. I found myself reading a series of seven rather gentle sci-fi stories that did star The Doctor and many of his implements (i.e. the Tardis and the Sonic Screwdriver, etc.); but they failed to deliver the character or energy of the TV show. Good sci-fi, but not so much good Dr. Who. The books failed to develop the relationships that the Doctor made with the secondary characters in the show. There was no sign of a companion and none of the expected troublemakers (though the Daleks and the Cyberman (sic) were mentioned on the copyright page). The brief pictures of American history did add some value to the book; but they will provide little extra knowledge of history to the average American reader, suggesting that only a bit of research was done in preparation prior to writing each story.

I guess the bottom line is that I was a bit disappointed after making my way through this collection of stories.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.