by Paul Apple | Aug 21, 2023 | Book Reviews
In what sense is the kingdom of God present since His rule is active right now and in what sense does the kingdom of God await eschatological consummation? George Ladd attempts to provide some clarity to key concepts related to the Kingdom of God. He traces the OT...
by Paul Apple | Jul 13, 2020 | Book Reviews, Christian
My wife and I recently bought this book to read to our young grandchildren. It is such a simple concept that is so memorably illustrated. Without any heavy preaching, you can relate to the message that God is always good even when we don’t understand some of the hard...
by Paul Apple | Mar 5, 2020 | Book Reviews
[Originally posted 4/22/2005]This classic best seller from 25 years ago has been published in a video tape series which our church is presently using for small group studies. The basic outline and concept are easy to follow:He structures biblical commentary, thought...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
A couple of my former pastors have had this same idea of trying to develop a book (or in a broader sense a discipleship program) that revolves around a systematic analysis of the commands of Christ in the Gospels. Dr. Piper has successfully accomplished this...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
Expositor Steven Lawson provides a valuable service in giving a quick snapshot look at the expository sermon style of John Calvin. His intent is to continue this series of “long Line” Profiles on Martin Luther, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon and...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
The book title actually could be expanded to include Sharing Jesus Christ — as well as Seeing and Savoring. If someone truly sees who Jesus is with the eyes of their heart enlightened, they will savor Him and they will share Him with others. This short book of 13...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
What role does grace play in our Christian growth and sanctification? It is difficult for many believers to come to grips with the tension between divine sovereignty (election, predestination, effectual calling, irresistible grace, etc.) and human responsibility (the...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
This book is used at Hope Bible Church as a resource for the new members’ study group to give people a proper orientation to some of the fundamental priorities of a local church. Instead of seeking after personal fulfillment like the surrounding individualistic...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
Ray Stedman is one of my modern day heroes of the faith for his modeling of the plurality of elder form of church government (which speaks to his humility, love and respect towards his fellow elders) coupled with rock solid and insightful expository preaching. It was...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
The Lord must be working on me in the area of Contentment. Last week I wrote a quick blog on the topic in response to a cartoon that sparked something in me. Then this past Sunday our family heard an excellent message on the subject from Philippians 4:10-14 by George...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
Holiness has fallen on hard times in some Christian circles. Some advocates of Easy Believism maintain that there is a disconnect between: Turning to Christ for forgiveness of sins and all of the goodies of salvationAcknowledging Christ as Lord who calls us to a path...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
Gary Gilley does what many would consider to be very un-Christian: He names names and points the finger at those who are leading the market-driven church growth movement of today. But how else can one contend for the faith and warn the naãve and the undiscerning...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
Continuing in my theme on Ecclesiastes, a book I would recommend for a variety of audiences would be Chuck Swindoll’s Living on the Ragged Edge – Finding Joy in a World Gone Mad. The author writes in a popular style but bases each chapter on the text of the Book of...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
Why would someone be foolish enough to criticize the pastor of reportedly the largest church in the United States? Joel Osteen continues to grow in popularity, his messages are broadcast on TV, and now he has written a best seller Your Best Life Now. (Apparently the...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
Secular studies are finally confirming what Christians have been affirming all along: the value of stay-at-home Moms. It reminds me of the MasterCard themed commercials: the price of a nice steak dinner — $25; the price of one course at the community college — $280;...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
Richard Swartley has tackled some thorny issues in his practical companion manual to Alexander Strauch’s more exegetical study, Biblical Eldership. More and more churches are coming to theoretical agreement that the NT teaches a governance model of plurality of...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
This book is authored by my good friend Ken Peterman. Encourage Others provides a detailed biblical definition of the spiritual gift of exhortation or encouragement – an often misunderstood ability. Too many consider it a “lightweight” spiritual gift that meekly tries...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
As I looked over my prior Book Review postings, it would seem like the only books I read are those by John Piper! That is not the case … but I guess something about each of them strikes me in a sense where I am sparked to post a comment. This is a book I just...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
This book very clearly presents an alternative view on the topic of the teaching of the Lord Jesus on Divorce and Remarriage. I must acknowledge right from the beginning that Van Parunak is a personal friend and someone who shares my convictions regarding church...
by Paul Apple | Mar 4, 2020 | Book Reviews
Waltke begins by debunking all of the spurious methods of divination that creep into a Christian’s methodology for decision making. He shows that much of our fuzzy thinking has more in common with practices of paganism than with a biblical orientation to trying to...
