Biblical Hermeneutics

This book has a lot of amazing information inside but very hard to get through...very technical. This book is more for a seminary student or someone who is looking for further education on biblical hermeneutics.

I am going to use it for a reference book when I need a reminder on issues regarding biblical interpretation but if you are a beginner, do not pick this book up before you pick up "Living By the Book" by Howard and William Hendricks. I would read that book first as it is comprehensive as well, but a much easier first edition to a library than this book.

That said, don't skip out on this book as it will give you a lot of very good insight on how to correctly interpret the word of God. It goes through not only the basics of interpretation but also looks at the different ways that the prophets, writers of the Old Testament books, apostles and Christ taught and put together their thoughts as they spoke in their day. Recommended but not for your first hermeneutical book. Link to Buy

Lights Shining in the Darkness

This small introduction is basically a cliffnotes version of these men. It is a good introduction but leaves much to be desired. I found it useful to me in being that it was good to get introduced and then also revisiting some of these men that I have learned in the past. The book is under 200 pages and covers men from Athanasius and Augustine all the way to Nettleton and Finney. I was shocked to see Finney in the book at first, but then as I read it was not a defense but a condemnation of his ways of "conversion." I would hope that people would read this book to at least see the fallacies of Finney's ways. I would recommend the book for the "cliffnotes" and easy read to introduce, but don't lean this book for a complete dissertation on the men and their theology. Link to buy

Drawn by the Father

This is actually a commentary on John 6:35-45 and is small, 63 pages, but these 63 pages are so full of exegetical content that it is hard to put down. White deviates from his other works where he will go into other arguments and point out different themes and arguments, where in this book he completely sticks to the commentary of the one great passage of John 6:35-45. There has been much discussion over this tiny passage of Scripture but in my mind Dr. White has slammed the door shut on discussion. I find absolutely no eisegesis in White's rendering of the text and he allows the text do what it should do: speak for itself. Like usual, White being very knowledgeable and fluent in Greek, allows those who are not, to completely glean from this very important text of Scripture.

Some try to say, "this text really means this" and then give no Scriptural proof of their argument, White does not fall into that trap. He masterfully guides the student and theologian alike through this text where we are finally shown the mystery of salvation by Christ Himself.

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him..." John 6:44

Pick this book up and you will get to glean exactly what Christ meant when He spoke these mysteries to man. Link to Buy

Scripture Alone

Scripture Alone by James White is different than some other books you might read on the subject. He not only exegetes from the major texts on the subject: 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21 he also uses some fictional and actual conversations that he has had with Catholics and Muslims on the subject. He not only defends the rule of only using Scripture alone for the word and works of God, but also speaks of the closed canon and answers some Islamic fallacies on the subject as well. He goes into detail also on how can we know for sure that we have the canon that God wants? Don't we need an infallible church to decided this for us, as the Catholic would contend? James White does a great job answering all these questions. As usual I enjoy how White does not escape argument apart from Scripture. He always takes you back to Scripture alone to defend Scripture alone, which is vital in our post-modern society. This is another great book by James White and one that is not just a reprint of old thoughts on these issues but in actuality a different defense and thought provoking discussion. Link to buy

The Bruised Reed

This is a great little book by Puritan Richard Sibbes. Sibbes focus is on the gravity of sin in our lives and us REALIZING and being affected by that sin. Only when we truly realize this sin and hate it are we bruised and then gathered by our Creator for His salvation. If you have ever gone through your life and asked, "How could a perfect God ever love such a worm as I?" This is a great book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhortations in this book as realizing I am not the only one that truly struggles over my sin. It is common, and has to be common in the Christian's life. Only when we struggle with sin and find hating it will we draw close the Saviour's side. This is Sibbes theses for this book, The Bruised Reed. Link to Buy

A Christian's Pocket Guide to Islam

Good overview and quick read on the subject. It is a great resource if you are just starting a study on Islam or if you need a quick review. Does not go into too much detail so that is where it is lacking but I think that was the purpose for writing this book. Really a cliffnotes version of Islam. Don't let your study stop here but it wouldn't be hurt to start here.

I recommend because it gives a fair understanding of Islam and I believe accomplished what it wanted to be. Link to buy

Reformation Sketches

If you are already a theologian in this area this is not the book for you, unless you would like a quick review. For those who would like to start to learn more about the reformation this is a great little book that will get you started in learning more about Luther and Calvin and the Canons of Dort.

The one thing I was excited about, that it wasn't as strong as I would have liked, was the confessions. I thought there was going to be a more thorough study on these. Still well worth the buy, it will be a quick read and a great review for those who are accustomed to the reformation.

The book goes through, not only Luther and Calvin but also goes through Melancthon and also goes through a subject I didn't know before, which was the 97 Theses. Link to Buy

Thought for Young Men

Amazing small "book" that should be given to any and all young men. The contents are as if JC Ryle were living today and his words are so pinpoint to admonishing our young generation.

I went through this book with a young man in my youth group and he hates to read, but by the end of our study he had so many highlighted portions it was hard to discern what WASN'T important to the young man.

JC Ryle, as usual, flows very well and his words are very poetic and well thought out. This book is not outdated so please don't think just becuase it was written in the mid 19th century that it doesn't have any value any more. Pick this up for any young man in your life. You won't be disappointed. Link to Buy

Living by the Book

This book is a great book and a must read for those who are new in the faith to understand not only how to read the Bible but how to study the word. The book goes through the steps of observation, interpretation and application in very good detail. Not only does it give you these specifics but it also has excercises as though it was an introductory class at a Bible college.

The book was actually a "fun" read for a hermeneutical book, I have used it to give to every single person that has asked, "how do I get more from my Bible study?" or "how do I study the Bible?" As I disciple them this is the book that I always make them read, so they will have a good foundation for when we get into more in depth study. Link to Buy

More Than a Carpenter

This is a great evangelistic book to give to a skeptic. It is small, compact and yet thorough read of extra biblical apologetics. I usually use this to give along with a New Testament.

More Than a Carpenter uses the theory first dreamed up by CS Lewis, namely, that Christ was either the Lord, a Liar or a Lunatic. He was either telling the entire truth and He is truly God, or Christ was just a bold face liar on what and who He claimed He was or even that He was just a looney that believed Himself to be God, just as someone would say that they were a tree.

The book then goes into manuscript evidence, archaelogical finds and the such. The only problem I have with the book, is the author. McDowell has done many fine works in apologetics but it seems as though he can rely on extra biblical proofs instead of just preaching the Gospel. I like to use this book but like I said only if it is used alongside the preaching and teaching of the word of God. I praise McDowell for his work but wish that he would reconsider his theology. Link to Buy