Well, ok the United States Postal Service. One of my belated Christmas presents. Every year when my family asks what I want for Christmas I always say books. Mainly because in my current position I do not have a book fund, whereas when I was a youth pastor I had one. So Christmas and birthdays are usually book bonanzas. This is what I received today.
Kingdom Triangle: Recover the Christian Mind, Renovate the Soul, Restore the Spirit’s Power
By J.P. Moreland (Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology) (Zondervan, 2007)
Product description from CBD:
Why do the personal lives of many modern Christians mirror our surrounding culture? Calling us to reclaim Christianity’s potency within Western society, Moreland offers a penetrating critique of postmodernism and naturalism—the worldviews most responsible for the church’s waning influence. Drawing lessons from the early church, he charts the way toward 21st-century restoration.
The second book I ordered is:
God & Government: An Insider’s View On The Boundaries Between Faith & Politics
By Chuck Colson (Founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries & Break Point) (Zondervan, 2007)
Product description from CBD:
Chuck Colson brings together his political experience and his Christian commitment of faith to take on the issues of church and state. Speaking plainly, clearly, and to the point, God & Government (a revised and updated edition of Kingdoms in Conflict) offers a uniquely challenging view of politics, power, and the evangelical pulpit in America. Colson tackles such issues as Christians in politics, civil disobedience, and political structures, and shows why Christians who truly understand the Kingdom of God and their role in the world are the most responsible citizens.
Discover why the church and state are kingdoms in conflict (as well as how an individual can be both a Christian and a patriot) in this provocative, practical and challenging look at the role of the church in society, the role of government in the world, and the role of Christians in each.
Last, but not least.. a Biblical studies reference work that I’ve wanted for some time now.
New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties
By Gleason L. Archer, Jr. (the late Dr. Archer last served as a Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Semitics at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)
(Zondervan, 2001)
Description provided by CBD:
Did God approve of Rahab’s lie? Why are many of the Old Testament quotes in the New Testament not literal? Does the Bible class abortion with murder? Where did Adam and Eve’s sons get their wives? Does 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 authorize divorce for desertion?
The New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties gives you informed answers and includes an eye-opening look at linguistic, cultural, numerical, relational, and other considerations. Referencing both the New International Version and the New American Standard Bible, this helpful resource makes scholarly insights accessible to everyone.
I’ll be blogging through the first two, the reference work is just a handy tool for when some folks who frequent here ask questions (and for my own personal growth too).
That bible difficulties book seems like quite the reference tool – I’d be interested in seeing their answers to some of those question they noted…all in all – good little collection to read through.
Yes it is. You should get the Bible Difficulties book – you can get it for a reasonable price online at CBD.
Shane,
I read the Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties from cover to cover, great read. My current pastor had Dr. Archer in seminary and recently we were discussing his seminary days and he told me he was a brilliant man, could speak 18 languages but could not find anything on his desk. Just thought I would share. Btw, be careful what you read of Colson, he’s not very sound.
I went to Trinity International University while Dr. Archer was at the Divinity School. The stories I heard was that when he was younger he taught himself German so he could read a book on Eygptian Hyrogriphics. He also went to church carrying a Hebrew OT and Greek NT as his study Bibles.
Not sure if that is exactly true, but there is no doubt he is a brilliant man.
What’s your take on Colson? What areas aren’t sound? I didn’t feel too wonderful about his participation in ECT, but I think his stuff on biblical worldviews is excellent. How Now Shall We Live was an excellent read.