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Book Reviews
On almost every Christian blog site you’ll find books reviews. Well to that end Covenant of Love is – unfortunately – no different, except that you are getting my two cents and not the dimes of someone else. An old man once told me, “keep a penny in your pocket and you’ll never be broke”, well I’m offering you two of them – my two cents. For what it’s worth have at it.
This page is devoted to providing you with quick access to the books I’ve reviewed with a small synopsis, beginning with the most recent reviews. If you want more just click on the link.
Let The Reviews Begin…
Jungle Warfare by Christopher A. Cunningham – As a marketing manager I can say that I did appreciate this book though, unfortunately, I don’t do well with business-style, non-theological, non-academic books. Still, Cunningham’s approach to sales in this book is unique.
Lukan Authorship of Hebrews by David Allen – Allen presents a very persuasive argument that Luke wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews. I remain a tad bit skeptical but doubt that any could form more evidence for Hebrew authorship then is presented here.
Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer – The impression in this book is that Michael Spencer (the Internet Monk) wishes to be the pastor of those who left the church. Good. But is it absolutely necessary to disrepute, lambaste, and slander formal Christian gatherings around the world at every stage in the book? (Spencer is sadly deceased.)
Inspiration and Incarnation by Peter Enns – This book will challenge you, of that I have no doubt. Enns boarders on heterodoxy and the controversy around this book brought on the writing of G.K. Beale in response.
The Lord’s Supper: 5 Views – This was a good primer on the some of the different traditions of the Lord’s supper. I found the most impressive articles to be the Catholic perspective and the Pentecostal perspective, and I was greatly disappointed with the Luther author.
Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola – despite a certain amount of apprehension going into this book, I really loved it. I found it to be rich in theology, especially that central bit we call Union with Christ, which is such a key to my own developing theology.
Jesus and the Feminists by Margaret Kostenberger – Anyone interested in the history of the feminist movement in general, or as it pertains particularly to Jesus, will find this book an enjoyable and informative read. Kostenberger is coming from a complementarian perspective.
Plan B by Pete Wilson – In plan B, pastor Pete Wilson explores the real and pastoral-sensitive issue of “life”, particularly how things never seem to go the way we planned. Good book filled with illustrations and broad enough to meet the needs of almost everyone. Unfortunately, in my mind, the theology of Plan B presented loads of unresolved tension and some inconsistencies.
Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos – Loved this book! Hilarious through and through, but never the inept. Matt is intentional and gifted with the ability of delving into deep spiritual, theological and practical issues with humor and sensitivity.
The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster – Loved/hated it. Perhaps that’s what made it so good/bad for me. I gave it a negative review because of how Foster antagonizes traditional Christianity as being “gnostic” for not taking Jesus’ words literally by becoming vagabonds. Prefers to quote Buddhist monks and pits Jesus against Paul (practice vs. doctrine).
Paul Was Not A Christian by Pamela Eisenbaum (Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Conclusion) – A challenging book from a Jewish (non-Christian) scholar on Paul. Some good insights but I feel many of her conclusions need to be rejected since her premise is that Jesus was not God, and Paul never said he was (being the good monotheistic Jew that he was).
What Does the Future Hold by Marvin Pate – A defense of Premillennialism, Pate does a really good job of caricaturing the Postmillennial and Amillennial positions (btw, that’s not a good thing), and fails to make a distinction between Historic Premillennialism and Dispensationalism, which is misleading. Negative review.
Pioneer Scholars – These are books which I found and read of scholars who seem to have broken new ground in certain areas of theology and who’s work have influenced by thoughts: Paul Among Jews and Gentiles, Christ and Time, Ordination, and Christus Victor.
Top 5 Reads of 2009 – Self explanatory: my personal top five books of 2009 (plus my favorite movie of 2009 also).
