Philippians: A Biblical Study - A Review

Philippians

A Biblical Study  

by

Joyce Meyer

A Review

Joyce Meyer has prepared a nicely done devotional/Bible Study on the book of Philippians. 

This book crossed my path just as I was preparing for a group study of Philippians in my local church. I expect it will contribute to my thoughts as I prepare for each weeks study.

After a brief study of the setting and recipients of Paul’s letter, she offers 14 studies on the entire book of Philippians. Most of the studies are 4-6 pages in length though a few are much shorter. Studies include sections for reading and one or two questions requiring personal reflection. My only concern is the lack of a Scripture Index as the author often draws from verses in Philippians outside the current context as well as from the entire Bible at times.

The devotions are practical - often giving explicit instructions to follow when applying the scripture. The book could easily be used for individual study. However, because a few (very few) are shorter, the reader might want to consider combining some studies for group use. I give the book 3-1/2 stars.
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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.

1-Minute Bible Guide 180 Key Ideas - A Review

1-Minute Bible Guide
180 Key Ideas

By
George W. Knight

George Knight has written 180 devotionals focusing on 180 key theological words that are central to the Christian Faith. Though the author at no time suggests that his list is complete - the chosen terms are important to understanding the theological ideas of our faith.

The terms are not presented in any kind of theological order; instead, the author has chosen to present his list in alphabetical order.  The first five entries are:

1. Abiding
2. Abomination
3. Adoption
4. Adultery
5. Advent

The last five entries are:

176. Witness
177. The Word
178. Work
179. Worship
180. Wrath

Each entry consists of a key verse used to begin the discussion. The devotional material then follows, often incorporating additional scriptural support helping the reader to better understand the topic. Finally, most entries end with a “Learn More” section provides a number of scripture selections for the reader to look up on his or her own.

Sadly, at least in the Advanced Readers Copy I received, there is no scripture index or keyword index to find additional places a concept might be mentioned in the book or another concept that might be supported by a given scripture. Alas, no citations are provided for ideas or concepts that are discussed - making the book suitable for devotional use, but less so for the basis of scholarly word or theological studies. It is this lack of indexing and citations that makes this a 3-½ star book. 

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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.

Aging - A Review

Aging

by

Will Willimon

This is the second book I have read this Spring focusing on ministry to the senior saints in our churches. Dr. Willimon is a Bishop in the United Methodist Church and former Dean of the Chapel at Duke University. He presents a well throughout discussion of the role seniors play in the 21st century church. The book is both scholarly and readable - and clearly shows his appreciation for the elderly.

Whether the reader is directly working with an elderly population (as this reviewer has for the last 15+ years) or merely has them as a member of their congregation, the book is a must-read. It could be assigned reading for those ministering to seniors - whether just entering that age group or nearing death doorstep. It is a practical book including explaining the needs of the elderly at each stage of the aging process and practical tips on how to meet those needs.

I would recommend it sit on every pastor’s bookshelf (after being read) and in the library of every local church. Students studying social work would find this to be a supportive guide for those who are working with this population.
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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.

Hope For Each Day - A Review

Hope For Each Day 

by

Billy Graham

A Review

Hope for Each Day provides daily devotions by the most well-known evangelist of the 20^th Century. Each entry consists of brief portion of scripture (normally a part of a single verse, a brief devotion, and “takeaway” providing a short item to do in response the day’s devotion.

Though written by a near-centenarian, the devotionals are current and applicable. The particular edition I received was “large” print – but in actuality, the print is only slightly larger than that found in normal paperback books. The cover is a “deluxe”, leather-like, material. I can find no statement as to whether it is truly leather or imitation leather; regardless, it has a nice feel and looks smart.

This book would fit well on a coffee table, a bedside table, or in a pastor’s study. It would make a great gift for a believer of any age – though someone 50+ years of age would have a greater appreciation for the author’s contribution to the church.

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

Reclaiming the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation - A Review

Reclaiming the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation

by

Robert J. Morgan

A Review

Robert J. Morgan has a reputation for compiling material suitable for personal or corporate devotions. In the past these have included collections of sermons, hymn stories, and church history. This book serves a similar purpose, but also guides the reader toward developing the spiritual discipline of Biblical Meditation in his or her own life.

At one level the book is a guided look at the Biblical principle of meditation. It does this by guiding the reader through examples - both from scripture and by guiding the reader through key scripture passages. Chapters demonstrate the principles, states them explicitly, and provide opportunities for the readers to put these principles into practice.

The middle portion of the book contains suggested meditations based on each chapter. This of course requires the reader to review, again, the principles discussed in the book. Plenty of blank space is provided for the reader to make his or her own personal comments.

The book concludes by gathering the key Biblical passages used as examples throughout the book. This allows the reader to use the tools and guidelines provided throughout the book without the intrusion of the author’s commentary.

I found the authors approach helpful. Having spent much of the early years as a believer using Bible study materials developed by other publishers, this book takes that approach one step further - by using the Bible Study material to teach the reader to develop skills that can be used independently of a publisher’s pre-printed manual. Part of discipleship is teaching believers to study and apply the scriptures for themselves. This book does that well.

This reviewer would recommend this book for use as an individual’s personal study or as a unit in a small group study. It would make a handy gift for a new believer who is ready to study scripture independently. I would also recommend that it be placed on the shelves of a church library, making it available to a larger audience over time.

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

ABC’s of Christianity - A Review

ABC’s of Christianity

by

Terdema Ussery

A Review

When I first chose this book to review, I did so based solely on the title. I knew nothing about the author, I knew nothing about the book. But the title did catch my eye. I have not been disappointed.

I began the review process by trying to find out something about author. When I did a Google search of details about this author, I was surprised to find, with few exceptions, that the author’s name is most often associated with the former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. That was not very comforting - I am not a sports fan. A bit more (actually quite a bit), I discovered that the author of this book was not the former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. Instead the author is the father of the former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. The author has been married for 59 years, has three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He has served in ministry for 50+ years, beginning with an appointment to a local AME church. He now serves, while retired, as an assistant to the pastor of a local Presbyterian church in Southern California. The book I have been asked to review is the culmination of several years of leading a small Bible Study in his home.

The best way to describe The ABCs of Christianity is to compare it to an older work by another great Christian from an earlier generation - Henrietta Mears’ What the Bible Is All About. What Mears’ work did for the study of scripture, Dr. Ussery’s work is set to do for the church’s study of theology. Both books are written for a similar audience - the layperson wanting to know more about God and his word. Each major area of theology is discussed in small chunks using scripture. Though the book is thorough, it is not so deep as to scare off the average reader. Rather it prepares him or her to study more, as desired. If there is weakness, it is the lack of hints for further study - few, if any references to other theological works are presented.

The book is not only a study of theology, but also an examination of how it needs to challenge us as believers in our day to day lives. Practice is as important to this author as truth.

The book belongs in the church library, in the Sunday School curriculum, and on the layman’s reference shelf, right next to What the Bible Is All About.

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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.

Core Christrianity - A Review

Core Christianity

by

Michael Horton

Core Christianity is a brief introduction to Christian theology. Beginning with a discussion of the importance of doctrine,  it moves onto an explanation of the Trinity, the nature of God, and His promised Messiah. Two chapters out of 12 are devoted to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The author concludes by focusing on how God will bring it altogether – along with a challenge to ask what our role, our calling, will be as we wait for Christ’s return.

The book is Biblical, practical, and brief. Aimed at a lay audience or newer believers just starting their journey toward understanding God and His work. One reviewer compares it favorably to John Stott’s Basic Christianity. I would compare it to Gordon Lewis’s Decide for Yourself, except this book provides the answers.

Included are clear explanations, sidebars with additional details, and two indexes (a subject index and a Scripture index). Missing are suggested references for future study or links to other works. At just under 200 pages, this book is not as complete as the two or three volume theologies used in seminary, but for the lay person or college student it may be just the introduction needed before diving into one of the more complete works.

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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.

365 Great Moments in Bible History - A Review

365 Great Moments in Bible History -
Key Events That Affected Humanity’s Future

by

Barbour Publishing

A Review

It has been 40 years since I first entered the seminary classroom.  Part of my experience during that first year of classes was the “Bible Content Exam”.  It was required of all students; but many of us were new believers, using seminary as a way to explore our faith as well as to prepare for future careers.  In order to prepare for the exam, it was suggested that we use a Children’s Bible to familiarize ourselves with the many stories that compose the Biblical record. This book, aimed at a slightly older audience, would have served that purpose well.

The key stories of the Bible are divided into 365 readings.  Each reading consists of a reference to the passage in question, a retelling of the story (including Biblical quotations as appropriate), and a brief devotional thought.  There are about 200 stories from the Old Testament and 165 from the New Testament.  Some stories draw from both the original passage and the NT retelling of the story.  The devotionals are a mixture of thoughtful discourse and practical instruction - a blend I much enjoyed.  

Along with seminary student (this is not the intended audience) the book would serve well as an introduction to the Bible for the new Christian and as a guide for the long time believer to explore a book he or she may know “too” well.  It will open up new or forgotten passages as well as add new understanding to well-known passages.  No believer is beyond the need to grow - this book can aid in that process.

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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.