I Could Read in 2007
SEPTEMBER 2007
Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion by Dale McGowan
Brief Review: Parenting Beyone Belief is a helpful book for anyone wishing to raise atheistic children. A compliation of essays by many well-known “free-thinkers,” this book covers many issues which concern parents. The content majors on encouraging kids to be free-thinkers while still equipping parents to heavily teach the atheistic views. While there is a stated position on allowing kids to think for themselves, the contributors negate the reality of this position by encouraging atheistic “indoctrination.”
Evil and the Justice of God by N.T. Wright
Brief Review: Bishop of Durham in the Church of England, N.T. Wright provides an insightful, practical, and easily understood treatment of the issues surrounding the existence of evil, the goodness of God, as well as the proper response and responsibility of mankind. This book is a helpful read for both theists and atheists alike.
AUGUST 2007
Why Churches Die by Mac Brunson and Ergun Caner
Brief Review: A pastor (Brunson) and college dean (Caner) address a number of reasons why many North American churches are failing. This book does well to diagnose and treat many church illnesses on the basis of much biblical prescription.
God is Not Great by Charles Hitchens
Brief Review: Similar to The God Delusion, God is not Great suggests that religion poisons everything. Unfortunately, Hitchens proves to be as out of touch with true biblical theism as Dawkins. On the other hand, I did find this to be a well-written work, similar to the caliber of Dawkins God Delusion.
JULY 2007
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Brief Review: Arguably the 20th century’s most influential Christian writer, C.S. Lewis sought to explain and defend the beliefs that nearly all Christians at all times hold in common. His simple yet deeply profound classic, originally delivered as a series of radio broadcasts, is a book to be thoroughly digested by believers and skeptics alike.
The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander
Brief Review: The Deliberate Church is a quick read about the many issues, concerns, and problems churches face.
APRIL 2007
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
Brief Review: C.S.Lewis, one of the most well known authors of the last 100 years, explains his spiritual journey through his early years. As a young man, Lewis grew up in a Christian single parent home, embraced an atheistic worldview, and then refuted atheism when becoming personally convinced and committed to the theistic claims of Christianity.
MARCH 2007
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
Brief Review: The God Delusion was written by the world’s foremost atheistic thinker and author. While is author is an excellent communicator, able to convey and explain difficult concepts, many of his arguments are shallow and uninformed. His basic view of theism, especially Christianity, is quite inaccurate. In spite of this, The God Delusion was a joy to engage.
Lincoln’s Melancholy by Joshua Wolf Shenk
Brief Review: Joshua Shenk is renown for his knowledge and understanding of the life of Abraham Lincoln. In this work, Shenk reveals the psychiatric perspectives on depression and suffering during the time of Lincoln’s life. Within this, he exposes the struggles, failures, and successes of Abraham Lincoln, both personally and professionally.
Why I Am a Christian by John Stott
Brief Review: John Stott, an accomplished Christian writer, explains the issues that lay at the heart of Christianity. This work is an excellent example of true Christian apologetics. Readers of this book will walk away with a better understanding of Christianity and better equipped to embrace it or reject it out of hand.
