In his new work, The Book That Made Your World; How The Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization, Indian Christian Vishal Mangalwadi has written an impressive and relevant  book that I believe settles the age old question that the Bible is simply a collection of stories and fables with no value for today. The Book That Made Your World handles the Bible’s influence on the western world with solid fact, concrete reasoning, and appropriate personal testimony, when coupled together, reveal the power of the Living Word to change the face of civilization.

Mangalwadi sets out to demonstrate how the Bible has affected, and in fact influenced, many areas of lives as westerners that we may not have considered, or have been willing to accept. The author breaks the Bible’s influence into broad categories. He then gives detail, through the Bible itself, and other academic works that supports his thesis. For example, Mangalwadi demonstrates how the Bible has enabled women to find a place in society and be empowered to make a difference. He demonstrates how the early-held idea of what makes a hero has changed with the biblical demonstration  of a hero. The Bible, as the author writes, changed forever the platform  in which education was received. Other areas of biblical influences such as language, science, technology, morality, wealth, and compassion are discussed as well.

This is very interesting and long book (almost 400 pages) and at times seemed dry and purely academic. Yet, it is well worth your patience. Mangalwadi’s work is not directed solely toward those in professional ministry. This was my first reading of Vishal Mangalwadi. I want to read more of his work. The layout of this book allows it to be understood and embraced by all who want to know exactly how the Bible has influenced western civilization.  A very powerful reminder that God’s written Word is alive and active. I recommend this book highly. The Book That Made Your World would be enjoyed by historians, as well those simply curious about the Bible.

I enjoy the obscure passages in the Bible. Stories of the lesser-known’s such as Shamgar and Jabez intrigue and encourage me. Whether defeating an entire army with a simple farm implement or verbalizing a prayer that asks God to move heaven and earth, their lives demand attention. The story of Benaiah, told in 2 Samuel 23:20-21 is no different. It is the story of lion chaser. It is the story of an odds defyer. It is the story of a man who chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day, a won.

 In his book, “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day; How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars”, National Community Church pastor Mark Batterson expands and sheds light on a very obscure passage in the Old Testament. He tells the story of Benaiah, an Israelite warrior who fought Moabite warriors and killed an Egyptian warrior. In this book, Batterson deals with opportunity. Each one of us have to determine what we will do with every opportunity presented to us. Using the phrase “lion chasers’, Batterson challenges each believer to go after and seize every God-given opportunity. He clearly shows there is a difference lion tamers and lion chasers. He skillfully points out that we all face lions of some sort in our lives. These lions come in the form of life-changing decisions, career moves, and economic opportunities. He encourages the reader to jump in the pit with the lion and tackle it head on.

Batterson focuses his writing on seven lion-chasing skills needed to take advantage of every opportunity. These skills are overcoming adversity, unlearning fears, embracing uncertainty, calculating risks, seizing opportunities, defying odds, and looking foolish.

“In a Pit With a Lion on a Snow Day” is not a new book, but I believe it is one of those books that remain for a long time and make an impact for years to come. I greatly enjoyed this book. Batterson’s style of writing is balanced, clean, precise, and inspirational. He mixes scripture, ancient custom, and personal experience artfully in such a way that makes this book an easy and consuming read. The wisdom expressed in this book has the potential to be life-changing. I recommend this book to those who are dreaming God-sized dreams, yet are reluctant to climb into the snowy pit.

 The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 will be forever etched into the memory of all Americans. It was a day of tragedy, hate, loss, and outrage. It was also a day that propelled the United States into a war with an unconventional enemy. The outrage and anger that Americans felt that day fueled a desire to win the war so that events such as 9-11 never again happened on American soil. In their new book, “The Fight of Our Lives; Knowing the Enemy, Speaking the Truth, and Choosing to Win the War Against Radical Islam”, William Bennett and Seth Liebsohn suggest that America’s desire and resolve to win the war on terror is waning.

Bennett and Liebsohn have written this book to wake Americans up to the fact that we are still at war and that radical Islam is the enemy. Through detailed research, interviews, quotes from politicians, military leaders, and Islamic leaders on both sides, the authors chronicle more than ten years of terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies; including the shooting at Ft Hood, embassy bombings, the attack on the USS Cole, and many other that we see daily in the news. Bennett and Liebsohn cite, time and time again, the connection between the Islam and those perpetrating the attacks. “The Fight of our Lives” also demonstrates how US policy has shifted since 9-11. Beginning there, the leadership of our nation used the words “terrorism”, “terrorist”, and “war” openly and took a firm stance against those harbored terrorists. The authors suggest that through years of tolerance, appeasement, and political correctness, we hardly hear these words anymore. The authors write to remind Americans that terrorism has not went away.

This book is hard-hitting and to the point. It is very “in your face” about the issues of terrorism and Islam. You may not agree with every point the authors make. You will however be challenged to evaluate the facts and decide for yourself whether or not Islam is the real enemy of the United States.