Over the last three months I have had the opportunity to read three new books. Much of this was due to the nature of housebuilding. When the day’s work is done you continually find yourself sitting in a fire-lit hut with plenty of time to read. I was able to read “Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons” by: Thabiti M. Anyabwile, “Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart” by: J.D. Greear and “Counseling the Hard Cases” Editors: Stuart Scott and Heath Lambert.
Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons
This book was written as a means to lay-out the Biblical qualifications for Elders and Deacons found in 1 Timothy 3. The book gives a call to those that aspire to, or currently hold these offices within their local church. After giving this ground work Thabiti then takes the remainder of the book to expound on each character qualification for the two offices.
As a current Deacon for Grace Bible Church in Tempe, AZ I was only re-encouraged by the character qualifications that God has called me to. It was also helpful to be reminded that the men who fulfill these offices are always to keep these qualifications in front of them. I would recommend this book to anyone who currently serves as an Elder or Deacon at their local church or aspires to either of those offices.
Book on Amazon: Link to Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons
Stop Asking Jesus Into your Heart
Although the title can seem rather course, it get’s your attention and in light of it’s contents the title makes sense. J.D. has a way of communicating that is palatable to a large spectrum of audiences. He can be very funny and shares life experiences that allow the reader to walk with him on this issue. I got his book at Shepherd’s Conference 2014 for Lorie and ironically I read it before she did.
The book’s goal is clarifying how people are saved through the gospel of Jesus Christ. He shows exegetically (explaining Scripture) why salvation does not simply come by saying a prayer alone but is made clear through a life of repentance and continued faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. He clarifies theological terms like Justification, Sanctification and Perseverance, explaining why they are important and encouraging to believers. I would recommend this book to anyone who battles with the nagging questions, “Am I saved?”, “Why do I keep sinning if I asked Jesus into my Heart?”, “Was I saved when I prayed that first prayer at 5?”.
Book on Amazon: Link to Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart
Counseling the Hard Cases
How do you counsel people facing hard psychiatric diagnosis like Schizifrania, OCD, Paralyzing Fear, Postpartum and Dissociative Identity Disorder? What about sexual abuse, anorexia, homosexuality, addictions and adultery? This book addresses these particular issues giving clarity to the methods commonly used by a Psychologist and contrasting them with Biblical Counseling.
I was very encouraged by the book for two reasons. One because Stuart Scott taught a class I watched at Grace Bible Institute on Pastoral Counseling that I loved. Two because this book does a good job introducing the audience to the power of God’s Word to counsel any issue. The reason (which is explained) is because God’s Word alone understands the sinful heart of man. This book is not as extensive as other works on the subject but it gives the audience a taste of Biblical Counseling and inspires others to pursue caring for people in the same way. Myself being a byproduct of good Biblical Counseling, I would encourage it to anyone who desires to care for those in counseling need.
Book on Amazon: Link to Counseling the Hard Cases
Recent Comments