Book Briefs

Gerald Hiestand and Jay Thomas, Sex, Dating, and Relationships (Crossway 2012). This is a straightforward, yet provocative little book. You’ll find a lot of practical, sane, biblical wisdom that will explode a number of our cultural assumptions about dating. If you are single or care about someone who is, you really should read this book. The result may just be a simpler, more God-honoring approach to dating than you thought possible.

Charles Murray, Coming Apart: The Story of White America, 1960-2010 (Crown Forum 2012). A much talked about new book that is well worth your time. The gist: “This book is about an evolution in American society that has taken place since November 21, 1963, leading to the formation of classes that are different in kind and in their degree of separation from anything that the nation has ever known. I will argue that the divergence into these separate classes, if it continues, will end what has made America America” (11). And don’t let the title fool you, the story Murray tells is relevant for all Americans. Whether you agree every jot of his analysis and every tittle of his prescription, you will be challenged to think more deeply about virtue, vice, segregation, culture, the elite, the working class, happiness, and the uniqueness of the American project.

Richard A. Swenson, Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives (NavPress 2004). A great book for busy, stressed out people (if only you could find the time to read it!). Swenson is a medical doctor and a Christian. He writes well, avoids extremes, and offers lots of practical advice. This book is not going to plumb the doctrinal depths (and there are a few theological missteps here and there), but overall the book is very wise and very necessary.

Mark A. Noll, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (Baker 1997). I just read this again as our staff worked through the book over several months. Noll has a terrific grasp of history and keep the narrative going with clear writing and interesting anecdotes. I like this book because of the structure, dividing church history into various turning points. On the down side: Noll’s judgments are too nuanced at times and he can be quicker to criticize Protestants than Catholics, though he mentions several times he belongs to the former not the latter.

James Bannerman, Church of Christ, Two Volumes (Volume One, Volume Two) (Solid Ground Christian Books 1868). With 900 pages on the doctrine of the church I’m sure Bannerman has thought of a lot things which never crossed your mind. The organization in these volumes is clear and logical, making a big work like this more accessible. Every Presbyterian or Reformed pastor–with easy, affordable access to these volumes–should purchase these for his library. They will be an invaluable resource.