Book Log: September 2009

1. John Piper. The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23, Second Edition. Written while Piper was teaching at Bethel College, this is an academic book not for the faint of heart. But the payoff is tremendous. Richard Muller’s blurb is right: “The Justification of God [is] the most compelling and forceful exposition of Romans 9:1-23 that I have ever seen.”

2. Ted Kluck. The Reason for Sports. Funny, entertaining, thought provoking. If you love sports you’ll love this book.

3. Richard Stearns. The Hole In Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer that Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World. Much to commend–compelling personal story, humble spirit, passion for those suffering and in need. But theology of the gospel, criticisms of the church, and plan for changing the world are off the mark at times. (I’m going to write a longer review on this book in the future.)

4. Jim Belcher. Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional. Orthodox in theology. Avoids and exposes the worst of the emerging movement, but I’m not sure this is genuinely a third way.

5. Cornelis P. Venema. Christ and the Future: The Bible’s Teaching About the Last Things. A wonderful resource and introduction to eschatology from an amillennial perspective. Reads like an updated Hoekema.