Nonfiction

Review of Rules of Engagement by Derek Prince (Updated and Expanded Edition)

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Genre: Spiritual Warfare/Spiritual Growth

Highly Recommended!

Firstly, Derek Prince is just excellent! I have been hearing for some time that I need to familiarize myself with his resources and I am so glad I finally did. I wish he was still around (he passed in 2003), but am amazed at how large and thriving his ministry still is!

Rules of Engagement centers on building the character of a warrior, embracing the Holy Spirit, and understanding the basics of the supernatural realm so that we can be successful in spiritual warfare. Each chapter is short, thought provoking, and set up perfectly for a personal devotion or group discussion with post chapter questions, a memory verse, and a prayer. This is not the kind of book that can be rushed through, but one that should be studied and considered one subject at a time. I’ve gleaned so much from it, specifically regarding spiritual authority and endurance, though he touches on so many topics with excellence.

Also, whereas some spiritual warfare resources focus almost exclusively on parts of the battle (deliverance ministry, or casting out demons, or specific battles with health, finances, or so on), Rules of Engagement focuses on preparing for and understanding our role in the battle, which is why I think it is so valuable. I think every Christian could benefit from this compilation of Prince’s insight.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen.

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Review of Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Recommended.

Love in Disguise is an excellent book for a lazy day of reading. It’s lighthearted with elements of mystery and romance, and is set in the charming time period of the late 1800s in a small Arizona mining community.

Unlikely heroine, Ellie Moore, becomes desperate after unexpectedly losing her job and pretends to be an older wealthier woman in order to be hired as a private detective. Although she has no undercover experience and little confidence, she creatively uses her skills in order to impress her new employer and solve the mystery of the silver thieves. But while working to undercover the mystery at hand, she also uncovers many facets of her own identity and learns to embrace her God-given identity.

This is a sweet book, with fun characters, a good amount of mystery, creative plot twists, and just enough depth. Readers who enjoy Christian fiction will find it delightful and refreshing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

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Review of Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown by Eric Blehm

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Genre: Biography/Inspirational

Highly Recommended!

Fearless is my new favorite biography. Navy SEAL Operator Adam Brown was a fascinating and inspiring person and Blehm’s writing captivates Adam’s story thoroughly and excellently. I was quickly caught up into the details and struggles of Adam’s early life, and inspired and awed by his motivation, boldness, and extreme love for God and life in his later years. Adam Brown’s progression of faith and his testimony in Jesus Christ is, in fact, a large part of his story and one of the aspects I deeply connected with.

I also enjoyed the glance into the inner workings of the Navy SEALs and was surprised by how much the author was able to publicly share regarding various missions and SEAL life. I’ve never been a part of a military community or given much thought into military life, and I felt that this book helped me to consider that part of my country in a deeper way.

This is a very action oriented story with a good amount of humor, but also a very emotional one–and I’m not a terribly emotional reader. I found that although I was prepared for Adam’s heroic death to be described at some point within the book, I couldn’t help but sob when the events unfolded. It’s a touching biography and will especially be appreciated within the Christian community.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah.

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Review of Take Back the Land: Inspiring a New Generation to Lead America by Rick Boyer

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Genre: Juvenile/Christian Life/History & Politics

Not Recommended.

This is a book for young adults–specifically Christian homeschoolers–to encourage them to take on adult responsibilities and fight for their faith and our country. I really like the premise of this book because I’m a homeschool parent with very similar views as the author. I’m hoping to have as many children as the Lord will bless us with and want them to be strong and mature in their faiths and involved in their communities. I’m also just young enough that I have often been included in prayers and encouragement for the upcoming younger generation myself, so I read this with a view as to both how it encouraged me as well as how well it would encourage my favorite teenagers.

It’s certainly not a terrible book–Boyer does include a lot of great information, and parts of it, I thought, were really good. I especially liked some of the practical things he suggests regarding how we can take action today. But overall, it seems to be written more for the homeschooling parent than the youth. I didn’t find it fun, inspiring, or motivating, and in many places I found the tone a bit negative. Was it necessary, for instance, to specifically call out Maya Angelou as a bad poet? Or is it necessary to talk so negatively about the public school system (I went to public school and am choosing to homeschool because of my experience, but still…)? It’s one thing to acknowledge how our governmental system has gone wrong, but I felt the book went overboard in focusing on the bad and the ugly versus the positive, God-centered vision of how society should function with the right involvement.

Had I been a non-believer (or even a new believer or public school advocate) who accidentally picked up this book, I would immediately have a strong negative misconception about the Christian homeschooling movement. In fact, my mom (a strong Christian who works in the public school system) started reading this when she was visiting and was so turned off by it, she didn’t make it very far. So many of the constant, small negative statements just weren’t necessary toward the whole of the book’s message and should have been edited out. I just don’t think the execution of this book was as positive as it could have been–perhaps the author is much more effective as a public speaker.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from New Leaf Publishing Group.

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Review of Implosion by Joel C. Rosenberg

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Genre: Christian Life/Politics

Recommended.

Implosion is a timely call to examine the current social, economic, and spiritual conditions of the United States, especially in the context of end time biblical prophecy, and to take action through prayer and personal revival. I’m often turned off by political books, but found this one to be clearly and respectfully written, with a balanced presentation of the facts at hand–especially in regard to the nation’s political and economic situation.

Rosenberg first presents both optimistic and pessimistic perspectives of where our nation stands (based largely on the statements of politicians from both major parties, economic advisers, and the media), then compares both scenarios to scripture to analyze whether or not the United States is mentioned as a key component in end time prophecy, and the implications of these findings. He also presents some of the basics of eschatology from a premillennial pre-tribulation perspective, spending thorough energy on the signs of the times and a chapter on the rapture. I do not agree with the pre-tribulation/silent rapture scenario, but it is the majority view of the church, and it did not prevent me from engaging with some of the other details of the book.

The second half of the book focuses on the First and Second Great Awakenings in order that the patterns of history may give us clues to whether the U.S. may experience a Third Great Awakening, and what, if anything, we can do to usher in that revival. I’ve studied a lot of church/revival history and appreciated Rosenberg’s outline of a few most noted revivalists. It especially caught my attention that the Wesley brothers were not born again until a certain point within their ministries, and that as soon as they personally received salvation on a heart level their ministries supernaturally expanded. Rosenberg makes a good case that revival of our hearts and spirits individually is necessary before the revival and transforming of a people group or nation, and his examples and exhortations are encouraging along those lines.

This is a book that can stir hearts to see the dire position we are in as a country and to have hope in God that if we individually start changing our personal spiritual atmospheres, it may just be enough to impact our communities and nation.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Tyndale Blog Network.

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Review of The Jesus Scandals by David Instone-Brewer

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Genre: History/Apologetics

Recommended.

The Jesus Scandals focuses on the scandals surrounding Jesus as a way to validate and better understand Jesus and the gospel accounts. Since the Bible was written by Jesus’ loyal followers, any negative or shocking events, teachings, or actions in scripture involving Jesus should reveal and confirm Jesus’ true opinions and actions that were widely known and, therefore, not something the disciples could easily cover up. About 30 scandalous topics are discussed varying from Jesus’ associations with particular uncouth people, to rumors that He was an alcoholic, to His teachings about Hell, and everything in between.

The book is split into three sections: scandals in Jesus’ life, scandals among Jesus’ friends, and scandals in Jesus’ teaching. Each chapter (scandal) is just a few pages long and can be read independently from the others making this an ideal book for a personal devotional study or a group Bible study.

While the author does have clear opinions throughout the book, I enjoyed that the text included room for personal thought and research. I was able to stay engaged and interested in each topic even in the few cases where my own perspectives did not quite match the bias of the author. In fact, it’s written in a way that even a mixed-faith discussion group could easily use each chapter to delve into friendly discussions or debates.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Publications.

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Review of Healing Unplugged by Bill Johnson and Randy Clark

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Genre: Spiritual Growth/Christian Living/Inspirational

Highly Recommended!

This may be the most helpful book I’ve read on healing. Pastors Bill Johnson and Randy Clark–two of the most influential leaders in healing ministry–interview each other on their personal experiences with healing and miracles.

There is no fluff in this book–they get right down to the good stuff, especially concentrating on:

  1. their backgrounds and calling into healing ministry,
  2. what they’ve learned in the area of healing and miracles,
  3. the breakthroughs they’ve experienced which have led to an increase in healing,
  4. how they’ve developed their gifts and sensitivities to the Holy Spirit, and
  5. the greatest healing and deliverance miracles they’ve experienced.

I found it so encouraging to hear the progression of growth both these men have faced. They are so humble and candid in describing their experiences–I laughed out loud many times and was constantly sharing their stories with my husband as I read. This is definitely a must read for those wanting to go deeper in healing ministry or to step into it for the first time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen Books.

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Review of Winning Balance: What I’ve Learned So Far about Love, Faith, and Living Your Dreams by Shawn Johnson

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Genre: Autobiography/Sports/Inspirational

Recommended.

Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson shares a piece of her life and experience in a very personable and encouraging way. She talks in detail about gymnastics, but also her crushes on boys, her self image and weight pressures, her time on Dancing with the Stars, her scary stalker, and the injury that nearly cost her her career. She shares many personal stories, thoughts, and poetry. This is really an inside scoop into her life, and I have to say: she has a winning personality. I love Shawn’s honesty, vulnerability, and the cheerfulness of her writing. It’s hard to read this and not become a fan.

Since I haven’t closely followed gymnastics, I searched Google and YouTube for Shawn as soon as I had started the book to see what the media was saying. Most of her press is overwhelmingly positive–and I can see why!–but Shawn’s behind-the-scenes commentary completes and responds to her image in the media confidently and gracefully. I especially appreciated Shawn’s vulnerability in discussing her struggle with weight gain after the Olympics. Regardless of where God takes her in the future, Shawn is an amazing young woman with an excellent story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Tyndale Blog Network.

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Review of The Coming Revolution: Signs from America’s Past that Signal Our Nation’s Future by Dr. Richard G. Lee

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Genre: History/Politics

Not Recommended.

I was really intrigued by the title: The Coming Revolution, but I found the book to be dull and hard to finish, especially in the opening chapters. The strong political bias was overwhelming for me and really turned me off from wanting to read more. I’m tired of the Republican versus Democrat dissensions, and did not enjoy Lee’s negativity toward liberalism (even though I’m somewhat conservative myself).

I did find some of the history kind of interesting–not engagingly interesting, but interesting enough to force myself to finish reading it. I studied at a public school and a very secular university, so the texts and perspectives the author cited were entirely new to me, despite our shared connection with Christianity. I may look further into some of his sources as I continue to develop my own perspective on America’s roots.

I was also disappointed by the lack of evidence and enthusiasm regarding a coming revolution. It seems that Lee is using this book to persuade people to start the revolution he believes is necessary, rather than predicting that a revolution is actually underway–and to me, his case wasn’t very enthralling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogging Program through booksneeze.com.

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Review of Godforsaken by Dinesh D’Souza

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Genre: Academic Theology/Apologetics

Not Recommended.

I found Godforsaken instantly engaging. I loved the cohesiveness and organization of D’Souza’s writing and the grace of his arguments. So why did I strongly dislike this book? Because his theology and worldview lack basic biblical understanding.

Before D’Souza expresses his own ideas, he argues in agreement with the atheists that the Christian concept of original sin and the events of Genesis are not enough to explain why suffering exists today. The problem with his argument is that his worldview is not the Christian one–at least, not the one I see in the Bible. His academically inspired, secular theology continues in pieces throughout the book–as well as some solid theology and truly interesting points.

I personally can’t separate God’s creation of the world from the gospel–but that aside… Even if the biblical creation account was a myth, there are elements of the story that can’t be ignored, including the transfer of the dominion of the earth. The Genesis account tells that God gave dominion of the earth to Adam and Eve, but that a fallen angel disguised as a serpent tricks the humans to give up their birthright in exchange for worldly knowledge. Satan has since been the ruler of the earth, but because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from death, Christians have authority over sin and the realms of darkness. Darkness and suffering are not yet gone, but Christians can experience the fruit of the Spirit even in the worst of physical circumstances because nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. At Jesus’s second coming, suffering will be removed from the earth altogether and God will tabernacle on a cleansed earth with those who love Him. In the meantime, evil must fully blossom before it can be removed–so we can expect suffering to increase before the second coming (and also for a corresponding revival of the Holy Spirit).

D’Souza’s ideas were interesting, but I’m unsure who his target audience is. This isn’t a book for traditional Bible believing Christians. It might be of interest to an agnostic or unsure atheist, but I couldn’t recommend any new believer becoming a Christian without a solid biblical foundation, and this isn’t it. I personally can’t see this book benefiting anyone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Tyndale Blog Network.

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