the Fledgling: Book Recommendations

Showing posts with label Book Recommendations. Show all posts

When a Nation Forgets God by Erwin W. Lutzer

In Erwin W. Lutzer's book entitled When a Nation Forgets God, he expounds on 7 Lessons We Must Learn from Nazi Germany.

Namely, they are:

When God Is Separated from Government, Judgment Follows
It's Always the Economy
That Which Is Legal Might Also Be Evil
Propaganda Can Change a Nation
Parents—Not the State—Are Responsible for a Child's Training
Ordinary Heroes Can Make a Difference
We Must Exalt the Cross in the Gathering Darkness

The world, the flesh and the devil are after our minds and our children and the soul of every man, woman and child. We have a responsibility, "as sheep [of the Good Shepherd] in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." [Matthew 10:16]

We are tasked—as Christians—to answer the question, "How do we both love the people of the world and yet oppose the agenda of those who would crush the Gospel?" For, we are told to love our neighbor and to love our enemy [Matthew 5:43-48], yet to abhor evil and love good [Romans 12:9].

The power of the early church was in the Gospel not in self. "Without freedom of religion, without a media presence, and without the ability to redress the wrongs against them, the Christians discovered that the Gospel had the power to change individuals, families, and the culture."

It is now our turn.

Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word by Voddie Baucham Jr.

I recently came across the author, Voddie Baucham Jr., at a conference I attended in 2019. I am not sure if I had heard of him before then, but am so glad that I have now.

Sometimes (or maybe many times) we may shy away from sharing the gospel or interacting with others in religious conversation. It could be out of fear; afraid we may not know enough or scared of being made fun of. Or, perhaps we don't feel like wasting our time on the person or the situation.

We are reminded to:

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. [1 Pet. 3:15]

What purpose do we serve if we are not sharing (by word and deed) the message of hope with the lost world?

This book helps us understand and take serious the responsibility we have in nurturing our relationship with our Father, being sensitive to the Spirit, and having a desire to be enlightened (to know, understand, and memorize) by the Word. So that we will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ and made (or serve as) an active witness of the Truth.

As Christians, we have a responsibility:

To know our faith: by letting the Spirit teach us through reading and studying Scripture.
To share our faith: by letting the Spirit move us to impart what we've learned to others.
To defend our faith: by letting the Spirit embolden us to combat heresy and falsehoods.
To live our faith: by letting the Spirit reprove and refine us in our daily (obedient) lives.

The purpose isn't to "win" an argument, but rather to grow in our faith and to share it.

Pick up a copy, I don't think that you'll be disappointed.

Narrow Gate Narrow Way by Paul Washer

Paul Washer preached a sermon entitled or labeled "Shocking Youth Message" which can be listened to or viewed at sermonaudio.com (here). Be warned: It may (most likely) challenge your belief and practice of presenting the gospel, how one is to respond to the gospel, and whether or not we have actually entered through the Narrow Gate and are walking in the Narrow Way ourselves.

"Talk is cheap, and so is a profession of faith apart from repentance. But we live in a day when people put more stock in a once-said prayer than a life reflective of a renewed heart. Taking Matthew 7:13-27 as his text, Paul Washer reminds us of Jesus's insistence that His way is narrow, and that its travelers will bear good fruit and rest on the solid foundation of God's Word. Neglecting these warnings from Christ has left many on the broad road to destruction. Don't think you are heading to heaven if you are not following the way of the Master." (from back of book)

Check out the Narrow Gate Narrow Way and share a copy with a friend.

Faith Is For Weak People by Ray Comfort

Have you ever tried to witness—share the gospel, the good news—or have a biblical conversation with someone? Were you timid, maybe wishing you had a bit more courage or confidence? Did they—or were you afraid they may—have some questions or objections you might not know the answer to or how best to answer?

Check out this new book by Ray Comfort.

It is entitled: Faith Is For Weak People

In the book, he covers:

Responding to the Top 20 Objections to the Gospel

If God is supposed to be in control of the world, why does it seem so out of control?
What sort of God would threaten to torture people in hell forever just because they don't believe Him? (Part 1)
Part 2 (to question #2)
Why should I care about what happens after I die if you can't even prove that there's life after death?
How can you believe that God is love when there is so much suffering in the world?
Isn't the God of the Old Testament different from the God of the New Testament?
Would you sacrifice your child if God asked you to?
Aren't religions the cause of more wars and suffering than anything else in history?
If God is so loving, why won't Christians let gay people be themselves?
Are you saying that you are going to Heaven, but millions sincere Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists are going to hell because they don't believe as you do?
Why are there so many hypocrites in the church?
Why should we believe the biblical account of the creation when evolution, which is proven science, says something different?
the Bible was written by men. Don't men make mistakes?
You can't prove God exists; even if you could, if everything needs a cause, what god made God?
Unbelievers are as good as any Christian, if not better, so why aren't we good enough to get into Heaven?
What happens to those who have never heard the gospel?
Why does God allow evil?
What's so bad about other religions?
Seeing is believing. Why do I need faith? Faith is for weak people.
I can murder a hundred people, then give my heart to Jesus and go to Heaven?

The importance of this book is not simply getting an answer to these questions, but rather how to wisely respond to these and similar questions. Our ability to answer one or more of these questions—by itself—most likely will not convert the person asking. However, understanding the underlying factor(s) for one asking the question(s) and how to respond may make all the difference in reaching them for Christ. We need Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and wisdom.

Book Recommendations (Parents)

The following are some book recommendations for parents of youth/teens, which we have read or have been recommended by a reliable, trustworthy source. It may be possible that we may not agree 100% in every aspect of every book. However, if it is listed here (in alphabetical order), then we believe it holds enough value to share with the parents of our next generation.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

by Eric Metaxas

A highly informative biography of not only Dietrich Bonhoeffer, but of the mindset of the people (both Christian and non) at the time. It is a reminder of what can happen anywhere, even within the United States. There is an abridged version, but the reader will miss out on a wealth of detail.

Decisional Regeneration vs. Divine Regeneration

by James E. Adams

Have you ever wondered about your own conversion experience, or the experience of your children or others? Whether it was real or not, or why there seems to be no real change in mind, heart, or lifestyle toward Christ since? This short read has the potential to help.

Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs

by Emerson Eggerichs

Discovery of an often missed truth found in Ephesians 5:33. Husbands are to love their wives, and wives are to respect (reverence) their husbands. Helping couples stay off the "Crazy Cycle." There is also a Workbook and Love and Respect in the Family edition.

Pilgrim's Progress

by John Bunyan

Follow the journey of Pilgrim to that of Christian, and then the second part, where Christian's wife, Christiana, follows her husband. Within this classic are vivid illustrations to the spiritual warfare from lost soul to professing Christian.

Playing Judas

by Pordlaw LaRue (pordlawlarue.com)

A look at self-examination, in light of the life and death of Judas Iscariot. Do I see myself in Judas?

Radical

by David Platt

A good reminder of what the Christian walk should be about in this life. The author lays out a year long challenge to (1) pray for the entire world, (2) read through the entire Word, (3) sacrifice your money for a specific purpose, (4) spend your time in another context, and (5) commit your life to multiplying community. Something worth considering.

Spiritual Parenting

by C H Spurgeon

Parenting is more that working with molding our children in the flesh, it is spiritual in nature. "Charles Spurgeon shows how you can establish a secure, nurturing, Christ–centered home in which to grow strong, healthy, happy families."

If you have read a book worth sharing, please add it to the comments below.

Book Recommendations (Teens)

The following are some book recommendations for youth/teens, which we have read or have been recommended by a reliable, trustworthy source. It may be possible that we may not agree 100% in every aspect of every book. However, if it is listed here (in alphabetical order), then we believe it holds enough value to share with our next generation.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

by Eric Metaxas

by Alex Harris, Brett Harris, (Foreword) Chuck Norris

Overcome the low expectations that society and many adults have towards teens. Show us that you have so many ideas and talents that can be used in a positive way. You are the next generation!

I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Toward Relationships and Romance

by Joshua Harris

Don't let the title be a turn off. Whether you want to save your first kiss for marriage or believe it is okay to kiss while dating, there is some good wisdom here that could help you and your current or future relationship(s).

Pilgrim's Progress

by John Bunyan

Playing Judas

by Pordlaw LaRue (pordlawlarue.com)

A look at self-examination, in light of the life and death of Judas Iscariot. Do I see myself in Judas?

If you have read a book worth sharing, please add it to the comments below.