Criteria:
Readability: Easy to read (2/10 maybe 1/10 if the reader is already a Christian). Easy to follow with commonly understood interpretations. Length: 118 short pages. This is a very quick read (especially for the avid reader). Recommended pace: While I read this book chapter by chapter each day, this would be an easy book to read in a few sittings. Topic: The many manifestations of weakness. Prerequisites: Recommended for Christians in any stage of life or level of biblical knowledge; however I would never discourage an unbeliever from reading this book. Summary & Thoughts In his book, Weakness Is the Way, J.I. Packer gives a practical walkthrough of a narrative of Scripture that deals with the topic of weakness. With great respect to Packer and having enjoyed the book, I will admit that it was not entirely what I had expected. I came to the book with the assumption that I would be learning more about the abstract idea of weakness, but found that this book addressed much more concrete, specific examples. At times, those examples seemed sporadic and difficult to nail down in terms of how they pertain to “weakness,” however, they brought me much “food-for-thought.” Throughout the book, Packer explains 2 Corinthians in a way that gives the reader behind-the-scenes narratives between figures like Paul and Titus. He uses cross references of Scripture to help draw a fuller picture and helps to fill in the gaps of understanding so that the letter to the Corinthians is easily understood by the reader. I recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting and challenging perspective on the topic of weakness. Packer skillfully shows us ways to live in weakness that are wise and Biblical while emphasizing how these things are already built into the Christian life. Purchase: Weakness is the Way is available for purchase on Amazon. Click here for more information.
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Trusting God by Jerry BridgesCriteria: Readability: Easy, the average reader would not find any of the concepts or vocabulary too challenging to comprehend or follow. Length: 240 pages plus study materials Recommended pace: Separate readings by chapter, whether for daily, weekly, or monthly reading. Topic: Learning to trust God (the title would give this away immediately). Prerequisites: Recommended for Christians in any stage of life or level of biblical knowledge; however I would never discourage an unbeliever from reading this book. Trusting God by Jerry Bridges was exactly what I needed when I was not looking for it. In my humble opinion, Christians can never read about God’s sovereignty enough. This book deals with the complexities of the sovereignty of God while never shying away from the difficult truths--which is a feat within itself! The willingness of the author to delve into deeper waters and address difficult-to-answer questions makes the content of this reading all the more enriching for the Christian. Helpful Hint: One thing I look for when I read literature is the authority the author uses to make his or her claim. What I mean by this is, I ask questions like “Is this book based on experience, facts and data, or opinions, etc.?” As Christians, we are to take extreme care when reading sources outside of Scripture. 1 John warns us in chapter four that we are not to “believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world,” (4:1). Scripture makes many references to false teachers, even going so far as to describe them as wolves among the flock of sheep. The letter to the Colossians reads that we are to “see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ,” (2:8). So, knowing these things that God warns us about in His Word, we would be wise to look not only at the source of the books we read (the author), but also at the source of their argument and purpose for their writing. Things I appreciated:
Concluding Thoughts: This book truly became a transformative devotional in my life. It helped me to move past the “I know what I should do” phase into the “I can do what I know to do” phase. I recommend this book to every woman out there who struggles with being anxious about various things in life or sometimes questions the truth that God is love and yet controls all of our present, difficult circumstances. I would definitely put this book on your “must-read” book list! Interested in reading it for yourself? Click the link below! Done reading it? Tell me what you think in the comments or send me a comment on my "contact me" page! I understand in today’s day and age that it is not always “polite” to be exclusive. In fact, there are many things that we are not to be exclusive about--like who we share the Gospel with, or treat with the kindness of Christ! However, Scripture is very clear that we are to avoid false teachers like our lives depend on it (because they actually do)! When it comes to Truth with a capital “T,” there is not room for Fallacy. This means that I am going to be inclusive in my considerations, but exclusive in my recommendations.
There will be some books that I may recommend, however, that do not teach exactly to a “t” what I would teach. In cases like this, I will always try to be clear on my disagreements as well as try to give some information about why I disagree more specifically. What about the resources that I have many disagreements about? Is it mean to say that one would not recommend a book? No. It’s not mean at all! There are many instances in Scripture when Jesus himself would rebuke openly the Pharisees and religious leaders of his day. Even the Apostle Paul, in many of his letters found in Scripture, rebuked the false teachings as well as false teachers themselves. Obviously, there are perameters to how we rebuke false teachings/teachers. I will do my best to deal with every person as Christ has exemplified in Scripture. And if there is ever a question of my conclusions or intentions, my contact page will always be available for clarity and friendly Christian conversation. I understand that my conclusions will not always be the popular conclusions, but as I mentioned before in this letter, my accountability in all areas of my life is to God--and giving advice is not something I ever want to take lightly again. I cherish the opportunity to help you become more of the woman God desires you to be, and I would be an absolute fool to lead you on a faulty path because it makes for trendy writing. I am thankful that you would trust me in this endeavor, and my goal is that God would so transform my life through discipleship that the overflow would extend to all of your lives in the same beautiful way! Here is to a new chapter of humble beginnings… Be sure to sign up for the monthly book review at the top of the page! |
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