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  THE WEB MAGAZINE OF CALVARY REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

 

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B o o k  R e v i e w

04/21/09

The Punic Wars and Culture Wars: Christian Essays on History and Teaching

by Ben House
Reviewed by Byron Snapp


©2008, Covenant Media Press, 444 pp. in hardback

 

For many people today, history earlier than one’s own life is irrelevant and thus not necessary for study. Such thinking is errant. Ben House repeatedly reminds the reader of this erroneous thinking in his wide-ranging, well-written book. His reminders are not in the format of brow-beating, instead he introduces the reader to a number of his favorite historians and takes readers on a brief tour of many historical events. He brings in numerous applications for our day in addition to pointing us to God, the author of history and the One Who gives purpose to every event. He writes with hope for the future because he sees history, properly understood, undergirding such a future. (more)

B o o k  R e v i e w

04/22/09

David: Man of Prayer, Man of War

by Walter J. Chantry

Reviewed by Byron Snapp


©2007, The Banner of Truth Trust, 294 pp. in hardback

 

In God’s wisdom much of I Samuel, all of II Samuel, and the first two chapters of Kings are devoted to David’s life. Additionally, more than one-half of I Chronicles centers on this important king. God has much to teach His people by a study of David’s faithfulness and his folly.

 

The author has written a very pastoral, practical study of David’s life. He begins with Samuel’s journey to anoint David as king. In thirty-five chapters he takes us through David’s life to his death bed. Chantry not only opens up David’s life, he also makes apt applications that focus on the reader’s heart. (more)

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B o o k  R e v i e w

04/19/09

"It's Not Fair!": Finding Hope When Times Are Tough

by Wayne Mack with Deborah Howard

Reviewed by Byron Snapp


©2008, P&R Publishing, 158 pp. in paperback

 

A diligent worker loses his job. A retiree dies shortly after retiring to enjoy his grandchildren. Covenant children go off to college and reject the faith. An unexpected illness slowly drains much of a lifetime of savings. Many similar illustrations could be given that can cause Christians to verbalize this book’s title. (more)

B o o k  R e v i e w

04/20/09

Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World

Edited by C. J. Mahaney

Reviewed by Byron Snapp


©2008, Crossway Books, 191 pp. in hardback

 

As a Christian do you daily wrestle with worldliness? This book is an important reminder that you and I must. None of the contributors are opposed to our enjoying God’s creation and the material blessings He has allowed us to steward. Their concern is the wise words the inspired John wrote in I John. 2:15: “Do not love the world or anything the world.” (more)

B o o k  R e v i e w

03/27/09

The Church of Rome at the Bar of History

by William Webster
Reviewed by Byron Snapp


©1995, The Banner of Truth Trust, 244 pp., hardback.

 

Do Roman Catholic beliefs differ greatly from Protestant doctrine? This volume provides a knowledgeable and very readable answer to this question.

 

Webster begins by examining the basis for scriptural authority and then clearly shows that church tradition cannot be placed on the level of scripture. (more)

B o o k  R e v i e w

03/28/09

The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex and the Meaning of Life

by Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr.

Reviewed by Byron Snapp


©2002, Free Press, 296 pp. in paperback

 

Does God exist? These two notable thinkers, whose earthly lives partially overlapped, gave much thought to this question. They arrived at opposite answers. Their answers to this question impacted their approach and answers given to the relevant social issues covered in this insightful, well-written work.

(more)

B o o k  R e v i e w

03/25/09

Journey Through the Night

by Anne DeVries

Reviewed by Byron Snapp


©1978, Paideia Press, Available from Inheritance Publications, 4 vols. in hardback

 

Talk about bad timing! The family of Everett DeBoer was moving into a new house when they learned that the Germans were invading Holland. This was the beginning of five years of German occupation of the country. The family had an immediate problem: some of their younger children were staying with relatives elsewhere in the country. They had to race to get their children in the midst of the ongoing warfare. Would they be able to safely reach their children and return home before encountering invading soldiers? (more)

B o o k  R e v i e w

03/26/09

Letters of John Newton

Reviewed by Byron Snapp
 


©2007, The Banner of Truth Trust, 416 pp. in hardback

 

Today, hand-written letters have been replaced by e-mail messages. The time required to write letters by hand probably allowed for more thoughtful reflection and more personable expression than is often reflected in today's e-mails. Also, in bygone eras, hand-written letters were at times saved by their recipients.

 

John Newton was born early in the eighteenth century. Many readers are familiar with his life on the sea. Those days are a sharp contrast to his life as a new creature in Christ. (more)

B o o k  R e v i e w

01/09/09

The Most Reluctant Convert:
C. S. Lewis's Journey to Faith

by David C. Downing
Reviewed by Byron Snapp


©2002, InterVarsity Press, 192 pp. in hardback

 

I am always interested in the manner by which God opens the eyes of the unsaved to the reality of Christ's atoning work for them and grants them faith and repentance. Naturally I was interested in reading this author’s account of C. S. Lewis’s journey to Christianity.  (more)

B o o k  R e v i e w

01/10/09

He Who Gives Life:
The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

by Graham A. Cole

Reviewed by Byron Snapp


©2007, Crossway Books, 310 pp. with indices, in hardback

 

Perhaps the person and work of the Holy Spirit is in the background of Christian thinking and talking today because He points us to Christ and Christ’s work. The author shows throughout this book that the Spirit’s work is vital in the Christian life.  The Spirit opens our eyes to the Gospel.  (more)

 

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