2017 ECPA Book Recommendations & Give-Away! (Part 1/3)
Special Note: Nick Foss, Corey McLaughlin, and Erik Reynolds are book reviewers for ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association). Each year they are sent 15-25 books in various categories that compete for the Christian Book Award (this year all three were assigned Christian Living, in addition to Faith and Culture for Corey). Bear in mind their recommendations are not based on all books published in 2017, but only the best one’s from their respective category. Note, book awards are always given for the previous year’s books.
SELECT BOOK GIVE-AWAY!
Leave a comment describing why you would like one of these books and your name will automatically be entered to win it (only one book per person; leave comment on article page or like and comment on Facebook). Winners will be announced in the last post for this series. Note: Books with an asterisk are exempt.
Part 1 - Nick’s Recommended Titles from 2017
(summaries from amazon.com)
* [214p.] “From Atheism to Christianity: The Story of C. S. Lewis is the spiritual homecoming story of Clive Staples Lewis, a careful and thoughtful scholar who spent fifteen years journeying the long road from atheism to theism and, eventually, to Christianity. Drawing from Lewis's own writings, as well as those he sought out during his quest for spiritual understanding, From Atheism to Christianity highlights the longing, reluctance, searching, and surrender that defined these years of Lewis's life and provides answers to the questions that surround this profound character.”
* [144p.] “What is transgender and gender fluidity? What does God's Word actually say about these issues? How can the gospel be good news for someone experiencing gender dysphoria? How should churches respond? This warm, faithful and careful book helps Christians understand what the Bible says about gender identity. It will help us to engage lovingly, thoughtfully and faithfully with one of the most explosive cultural discussions of our day. If you want to learn more and love better, and are open to considering what God has to say about sex and gender, this hope-filled book is for you.”
*[240p.] “Genomic science indicates that humans descend not from an individual pair but from a large population. What does this mean for the basic claim of many Christians: that humans descend from Adam and Eve? Leading evangelical geneticist Dennis Venema and popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight combine their expertise to offer informed guidance and answers to questions pertaining to evolution, genomic science, and the historical Adam.”
[240p.] “We are witnessing an astonishing escalation in Christian persecution like we have rarely seen since the first century. Some estimate that every five minutes, a Christian is martyred for his or her faith. Countries like Egypt have experienced more Christian persecution in the last five years than in the previous six hundred years combined. And who could have missed the atrocities of ISIS in Syria, Boko Haram in Nigeria, and the continued persecution of Christians in North Korea? Johnnie knew he was witnessing a raw, first-century Christianity that his comfortable American version had shielded him from. “For the first time, I really understand my faith,” says Johnnie Moore. Now, he’s on a mission to give this same experience to others. He and his team have crisscrossed the world, recorders in hand, gathering eyewitness accounts from dozens of people who survived persecution ― and the stories of some who didn’t. Join Johnnie Moore on this compelling journey to the heart of the Christian faith.”
[240p.] “The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has a historical stain. The SBC once affirmed slavery and openly opposed and condemned abolitionists. Even though the convention repented of this sin publicly, a profound divide between the white majority and the black and brown minority still exists for many churches. The glorious gospel of Jesus Christ commands all his followers to do our part in removing racism from our midst. Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention is a powerful and practical call to sacrifice, humility, and perseverance—along with a relentless commitment to Christian unity—for the sake of the gospel and our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
[160p.] “In this handbook first published in 1890, Charles Octavius Boothe simply and beautifully lays out the basics of theology for common people. “Before the charge 'know thyself,'” Boothe wrote, “ought to come the far greater charge, 'know thy God.'” He brought the heights of academic theology down to everyday language, and he helps us do the same today. Plain Theology for Plain People shows that evangelicalism needs the wisdom and experience of African American Christians.”