In our day, critics continually and consistently launch assaults on the validity, accuracy, reliability, and sufficiency of the Bible. Their thought seems to be that if the Bible can be reduced to just simply a collection of fables and stories, then there is no need for faith, repentance, Christianity, or even Christ Himself. In his latest book, “Has God Spoken? Proof of the Bible’s Divine Inspiration”, Hank Hanegraaff has written a powerful work that leaves no room for debate that God has truly spoken through His word. His proofs enable us to not only trust the Bible, but allow it change and guide our lives.

“Has God Spoken?” is separated into four major parts. The parts are presented by using the acrostic M-A-P-S; Manuscript Copies, Archaeological Spade, Prophetic Stars, and Scripture Lights. The first part of his book utilizes the subacronym (Hanegraaff’s term) C-O-P-I-E-S.  In this section, Hanegraaff tackles the object that errors, intended and unintended, were made in the copying of the original manuscripts which lead critics to sat the Bible is in no way accurate. The second part of his book utilizes the subacronym S-P-A-D-E. Hanegraaff demonstrates how archaeological discoveries prove the existence of, and are consistent with, places described in the Bible. The third part of his book utilizes the subacronym S-T-A-R-S. In this section, Hanegraaff shows how the truthfulness and validity of biblical prophecy only further prove the Bible’s accuracy. He also demonstrates how biblical prophecy is inconsistent with divination and predictors of the future. In his final part of the book, he uses the subacronym L-I-G-H-T-S. Here the author gives the reader tools to better understand biblical interpretation.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. Although this book is written by an apologist and serves as a defense for the validity of the Bible, it is not overly scholarly. This allows it to be used by Christians in every stage of their faith walk to better understand and be prepared to give a defense of the Bible’s accuracy. One thing I noticed seemed to get in the way. Within the subacronyms there were other acronyms that Hanegraaff likely intended to be helpful in further understanding his point. At times I found these distracting. That being said, “Has god Spoken?” is a great resource and a well-written and researched work. I highly recommend.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I really enjoy the communication style of Andy Stanley. I have read many of his books and listen to his podcasts from Northpoint on a regular basis. I have his ability to communicate complex and difficult themes in a simple and practical way to be refreshing and useful. His new book, “Enemies of the Heart; Breaking Free From the Four Emotions That Control You” is no different. This book is a re-publish of Stanley’s earlier work “It Came From Within”. Stanley deals with what can be referred to as spiritual heart disease. He defines the heart not as the necessary organ that pumps blood to the rest of the body. Instead, he defines the heart as “that mysterious, wonderful, confusing part of you that enables you to love, laugh, fear, and experience life. It’s the sphere in which relationships happen.” Through the analogy of a heart patient going through the process of diagnosis and treatment, Stanley focuses on what are the four main enemies of the heart, of which the bulk of human problem can be traced back to. Stanley asserts that each of these conditions create a debt/debtor relationship in which both parties are negatively affected. The enemies as Stanley describes them are:  Guilt – “I owe you”, Anger – “You Owe Me”, Greed – “I Owe Me”, and Jealousy – “God Owes Me”.

Stanley details each of these conditions by looking at their cause and affect upon the heart of the believer. He then gives ways to practically confront each danger by what he calls “habits of the heart”, which he describes as “habits that exercise the heart and allow it to maintain the rhythm for which it was designed.” Enemies of the Heart is a quick and easy read. This being said, the truths that Stanley reveals will cause you to do some deep introspection. The discussion guide included at the end is beneficial and could be used for future small group study. Great resource. This book is well worth your time. I highly recommend.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The concept of faith is a difficult one for many to grab hold of today. The practice of actually living by faith is even harder to understand. In his latest book, “Muscular Faith, How to Strengthen Your Heart, Soul, and Mind for the Only Challenge That Matters”, Ben Patterson builds the case that it is a strong, active, and vigorous faith in Jesus Christ that pleases the Father and enables the believer to fulfill what the Hebrews writer declared by saying, “without faith it is impossible to please Him”. Patterson submits that our faith is not be passive for we serve a Go who is not passive or inactive. On the contrary, our God is a “warrior” as Patterson describes. He consistently calls for us to battle the forces that would derail our spiritual walk. God’s Word itself call the believer to “fight the good fight of faith.”

“Muscular Faith” has an easy-to-follow and common sense flow to it. Patterson begins by showing the reader that we have been called to live a life of faith and how important and active that faith should be. He then takes the reader down the road of what is at stake in our pursuit of an active and vigorous faith. I enjoyed the part of this book where Patterson describes the obstacles (such as nominal Christianity and refusing to give God permission to change us) that get in the way of a muscular faith. He concludes with tools and disciplines that help to overcome obstacles and helps to pursue a God-honoring and life-changing faith.

“Muscular Faith” is a good work. Patterson does a great job of combining scripture, quotes, and personal experiences to make his point. I found nothing in this book to the earth-shaking. Everything I read I had read before in some manner or another. All in all, a good work. I believe this book would be a good first read for new believers as they start their faith journey.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I am a fan of Mark Batterson. His previous works, SoulPrint, Wild Goose Chase and In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day area few of the book I love the most. I recently finished Batterson’s new book, “Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity”. A recent trip to Rome and an exploration of the catacombs brought Batterson face-to-face with one of the earliest Christian communities. This “rediscovery” as he calls it, of the primal beginnings of the faith changed the way he viewed Christianity. He begins by putting forth what he believes is the central problem facing the church today. His assessment is that the church is failing at the Great Commandment found in Mark 12:30, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” In his words, “We can’t afford to be merely good at the Great Commandment, we must be great at the Great Commandment”. What follows is an unpacking of the Great Commandment where he breaks the book, and the Great Commandment, down into four central elements. Those elements are: the heart of Christianity is primal compassion, the soul of Christianity is primal wonder, the mind of Christianity is primal curiosity, and the strength of Christianity is primal energy.

“Primal” is a challenge to rediscover the basic and driving forces behind the Christian faith. That most basic desire is to love Christ with all you have. This book is vintage Mark Batterson. It is written with an easy to follow style that is both addicting and challenging. I believe this book is Batterson’s most practical book to date. “Primal” is both convicting and encouraging, passionate and practical. Two chapters each are given to unpack these four elements. Batterson uses a brilliant mixture of scripture, illustration, personal experience, and outside quotations to drive his point home. If your faith has become common place and academic, this book is for you.