ChristFocus Book Club

Toward Understanding Thessalonians by Boyce W. Blackwelder

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Toward Understanding Thessalonians
by Boyce W. Blackwelder

ISBN-13: 978-1604160178
Hardcover: 164 pages
Publisher:
Reformation Publishing
Released: 1965;
September 5, 2000

Source: Borrowed from my church library.

Book Description, my take:
An introduction, translation, and commentary of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The introduction "is an attempt to reconstruct the general features of the background of Paul's communications to the church at Thessalonica, to ascertain the character of the first readers, and to see clearly the purpose which the Apostle and his co-workers had in mind when they wrote."

The "exegetical translation of First and Second Thessalonians...[follows] the Greek text edited by Professor Eberhard Nestle, fourth edition, 1904...In the translation, I have used brackets to enclose words inserted in an effort to convey deeper meanings implied by the Greek vocabulary and sentence structure."

And the commentary part is "a terse commentary based on the Greek text....no attempt was made to be exhaustive, but rather to discuss terms or passages which I felt might be of special interest to a wide range of readers."

My Review:
Toward Understanding Thessalonians is a Bible commentary on 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. The tone is scholarly and formal, especially in the commentary.

The introduction covered where Thessalonica was located, what the city was like, and details about Paul's journey and visit to Thessalonica--including details like the distances between the cities. He then covered what we know about the church established in Thessalonica and what problems Paul appears to have been writing in response to. He also discussed the authenticity, occasion, place, date, analysis, and outlined both books.

He included a translation of each letter. The commentary mainly focused on the meaning of Greek words based on their tense and placement in the sentence so we can better understand what is being said. I found it interesting and could follow his points even though I don't know anything about Greek. However, someone who has at least a basic knowledge of biblical Greek would be able to follow his arguments better. I just took it on faith that he was accurately interpreting the significance of the words, tense, and placement.

I picked up this book because I was interested in the information in the introduction--mainly details about Paul's journey and the dating of 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. I liked getting a sense of what his travels were like. The rest was also interesting, but it may have a limited audience due to the scholarly focus.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Visual Bible: Acts DVD

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Visual Bible:
Acts DVD

Runtime: 3 hours 12 minutes
Publisher: Visual International
Released: August 1, 2004

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 2
Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

DVD Description from Amazon:
The Visible Bible: Acts is a dramatization that uses the actual scriptures, word for word, from the New International Version. Journey with the physician Luke (Dean Jones) as he tells the story of the danger, struggles, and triumph that mark the birth of the Christian church. Actors: Bruce Marchiano, James Brolin, Jennifer O Neill, Dean Jones, Andre Jacobs.

My Review:
The Visual Bible: Acts DVD is a visual Bible using the 1984 New International Version translation of Acts. The dialogue and narration are directly from Acts, like an audio Bible. The costumes, settings, and actions attempt to give a visual idea of what it all might have looked like.

I was surprised that some dialogue scenes were told by Luke instead of acted out, but most scenes were acted out and perhaps it would have cost too much to act them all out.

I liked that the actors played the disciples like real people would act. Paul came across as zealous, courageous, and approachable. My appreciation of Silas and the lesser-known "missionaries" grew. Though not Hollywood quality in production value and acting, I still thought this movie was well done and I enjoyed watching it.

I bought the DVD because I plan to watch it once a year. However, you can watch the entire movie on YouTube if you like. I'd recommend this resource as an enjoyable and thought-provoking way to "read" Acts.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Watch the Movie: Acts on YouTube.

Cross-Cultural Connections by Duane Elmer

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Cross-Cultural Connections
by Duane Elmer

ISBN-13: 9780830823093
Trade Paperback: 215 pages
Publisher: IVP Academic
Released: August 29, 2002

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Experienced cross-cultural specialist Duane Elmer provides a compass for navigating through different cultures. He shows us how to avoid pitfalls and cultural faux pas, as well as how to make the most of opportunities to build cross-cultural relationships. Filled with real-life illustrations and practical exercises, this guide offers the tools needed to reduce apprehension, communicate effectively, and establish genuine trust and acceptance.

Above all, Elmer demonstrates how we can avoid being cultural imperialists and instead become authentic ambassadors for Christ. Whether you are embarking on a short-term mission trip or traveling for business or pleasure, this book is both an ideal preparation and a handy companion for your journey.

My Review:
Cross-Cultural Connections is intended for missionaries or others who want to better understand and communicate with people from other cultures--including with people in our own country. It's like a class or workbook format, but it's easy to read and understand. The author covered some differences between various cultures, gave real life examples of those differences, and explained some of the "whys" behind the differences.

The book started by explaining why we should study other cultures and how to deal with culture shock. It then discussed several different cultural values: time vs event focus, relationship vs task focus, individual vs group priority, category vs holistic thinking, roundabout or straight forward or other discussion styles, achieved or assigned status, honor/shame or guilt, and outgoing or quiet worship styles.

Though the author separated out and explained the different concepts in different chapters, many cultural behaviors seemed tied together and perhaps could have been discussed together. Still, I felt he did a good job explaining differences to look out for and preparing people for culture shock.

I liked that he noted that cultures aren't necessarily going to be one extreme or another and that individuals within a culture can be different than "the norm." Another book I've read recently on a similar topic implied that all cultures were one extreme or another, which isn't been true in my experience.

I got this book because it was suggested as "further reading" to better understand other cultures because this can also help Christians understand some things in the Bible. I do think it has helped me in that way. I'd recommend this book to those going on international trips or who otherwise would like to understand other cultures better. This is a "starter book," though, so frequent travelers who feel at home in other cultures probably won't get so much out of it.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Visual Bible: Matthew DVD

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Visual Bible: Matthew DVD

UPC: 804671519393
Runtime: 4 hours 20 minutes
Publisher: Visual International
Released: 1997

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

DVD Description from Christianbook.com:
This powerful and entertaining film is taken word for word from the text of the 1984 New International Version translation. This multimillion dollar production appeals to all ages, and it offers educational, spiritual, and entertainment value. Filmed on location in Tunisia, Morocco, and South Africa, Matthew features a cast of thousands, historically accurate costuming, and award-winning directing. The film stars Emmy award-winning actor Richard Kiley as Matthew, and introduces Bruce Marchiano as Jesus.

My Review:
The Visual Bible: Matthew DVD is a visual Bible using the 1984 New International Version translation of the gospel of Matthew. The dialogue and narration are directly from the gospel of Matthew, like an audio Bible, which means that events that Matthew didn't write about aren't shown. The costumes, settings, and actions attempt to give a visual idea of what it all might have looked like.

I liked that the actors played Jesus and the disciples like real people would act. The actor played Jesus as laughing and joyful when someone is healed, sad when people reject His message, playful when teaching (as some of his teachings contain humor!), and serious when appropriate. This is the type of Jesus that would draw crowds--the Jesus I know from the Bible. It's not perfect, but I really enjoyed watching it.

I bought the DVD because I plan to watch it once a year. However, you can watch the entire movie on YouTube if you like. I'd recommend this resource as an enjoyable and thought-provoking way to "read" Matthew.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Watch the Movie: Matthew on YouTube.

Reclaiming Love by Ajith Fernando

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:04:00 +0000

Reclaiming Love
by Ajith Fernando

ISBN-13: 978-0310492788
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: April 2, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Booksneeze.com.

Book Description from Back Cover:
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul places love at the very center of what it means to embrace life in Christ. All other spiritual gifts are worth nothing in comparison. But the love explained in those verses is nothing short of radical.

Fernando's pastoral work---in the midst of the cultural and ethnic tensions of Sri Lanka---often brought up a very real and honest question: 'Can the biblical teaching about love actually be practiced?' The answer he discovered is a resounding 'yes.' The radical love of God is not only real, but it is the key to experiencing joy in the pain and suffering of this world.

Believers must look to the Scriptures for God's teaching on the true nature of love, its divine origins, and its power for those who trust in Christ. This book offers reflections on the Bible's consistent teaching on love and shares real-life experiences of learning to love in difficult situations.

My Review:
Reclaiming Love is a Bible study on 1 Corinthians 13 and can be used as a devotional. It's written like a sermon (as in, you don't have to look anything up), and it's easy to read and understand. The author looked at each verse or group of ideas in 1 Corinthians 13, explained any Hebrew words that don't translate well into English, and brought in related Scripture to round out our understanding.

The real life examples that he used came from his life and work in Sri Lanka, but the focus was on the Bible verses rather than details about Sri Lanka. From the book description, I had thought the book would talk more about Sri Lanka in the context of 1 Corinthians 13 love being lived out.

Though not quite what I expected, I was challenge by this book and felt it helped me to better understood 1 Corinthians 13. I plan to read this book once a year as a devotional. I've taken to reading 1 Corinthians 13 each morning and asking God to live that type of love out through me. I've been surprised at the difference this has made. I'd highly recommend this insightful, important book.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt at Christianbook.com.

The Gospel of John DVD

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Gospel of John DVD

UPC: 183892000157
Runtime: 3 hours
Publisher: Casscom Media
Released: June 5, 2012

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

DVD Description from Christianbook.com:
Featuring word-for-word dialogue from the Good News Bible, this critically acclaimed presentation meticulously re-creates the tumultuous first century, bringing John's Gospel vividly to life. Stars Henry Ian Cusik as Jesus. Narrated by Christopher Plummer. Hungarian and Romanian subtitles. (PG-13). Closed-captioned. Approx. 3 hours.

My Review:
The Gospel of John DVD is a visual Bible using the Good News Bible translation of the gospel of John. The dialogue and narration are directly from gospel of John, like an audio Bible, which means that events that John didn't talk about aren't shown. The costumes, settings, and actions attempt to give a visual idea of what it all might have looked like.

There were a number of small things that I suspect are more modern Western rather than what it actually would have been like in Jesus life, but I think they did the major things very nicely. The actor played Jesus as mostly solemn and serious.

I bought the DVD because I plan to watch it once a year. However, you can watch the entire movie on YouTube if you like. I'd recommend this resource as an enjoyable and thought-provoking way to "read" John.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Watch the Movie: The Gospel of John on YouTube.

Permission Granted by Margot Starbuck

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:56:00 +0000

Permission Granted
by Margot Starbuck

ISBN-13: 9780801014932
Trade Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Baker Books
Released: March 1, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Scouring the Gospels for the Jesus who felt as uncomfortable as she did around disreputable sinners, Margot Starbuck was surprised to find no record of him there. Instead she found the kind of grace that would actually be received by those in bars, in strip clubs, and at drag queen bingo. Starbuck explains how there are no "Special Sinners" who are more deserving of contempt than others and challenges us to a radical acceptance of the ones God loves and receives.

My Review:
When I read the book description and the first chapter, I thought this book would look deeper into how Jesus interacted with those that the religious looked on as especially sinful and explore how different people are following Jesus' example. I was expecting the focus to mainly be on examples of people "doing things right," but instead it was primarily on criticizing people who are "doing things wrong."

While I'd agree that the people in her examples weren't approaching people in a very loving way, I also didn't feel comfortable with the language she used. It invited the reader to mock the people she criticized and categorize them as an "other" that aren't worthy of being understood or loved--the exact thing she'd been saying we shouldn't do to people. Near the end of the book, she talked about loving those we don't agree with yet she didn't seem to realize that she wasn't acting very loving toward certain people in the proceeding chapters. By the end of the book, I was left feeling deeply troubled by the difference between how she believes we should behave and how she was actually behaving. Will readers do as she says or what she's demonstrating by example?

The first few chapters were actually pretty good and did include looking at the gospels to see how Jesus interacted with sinners. Each chapter was on a different topic rather than building directly on each other. Most of each chapter was a modern story that illustrated her main point for that chapter. About a third of the way in, the tone of the book shifted: her arguments started to be based more on her opinions than on what Jesus did or said, and her tone toward Christians that she didn't agree with got harsher.

Thinking over how she decided Jesus would act today, I don't think Jesus really would go to a Gay Pride parade or into a strip bar or into a porn convention. To use passages she looked at: we don't see Jesus sitting down with the tax collector as he collected more money for taxes than he had to (for his own gain) to show His love. We don't see Jesus telling the Jews to not hate what the tax collector was doing or supporting laws to force people to act like they support the tax collector's behavior.

Even if Jesus would go into strip bars and porn conventions, I doubt that this is a good idea for the rest of us if for no other reason than we're more prone to give into temptation...even if we think we won't be. I was disappointed that she didn't talk more about the many ways to show God's love that don't involve putting yourself in a position of temptation.

I visit prisoners, mentor at-risk kids, and generally try to reach out to the forgotten. Showing a genuine love and concern for a person often creates a trust that opens the way to talk about Jesus and how He can make our lives whole and abundant--things that everyone wants. I appreciate that the author was trying to steer people toward showing genuine love as an effective way to reach "Sinners."

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

And the winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:14:00 +0000

It's time to announce the winner of the Fool for Books Giveaway Hop. Including Twitter entries, we had 10 entries. Using a random number generator and numbering the entrants in the order I received them, the winner is:

bn100
who won "The Light and the Glory"

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you for your address.

For those who didn't win, you can always buy a copy of these books from your favorite bookstore or see if they have them at your local library.

And the winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:44:00 +0000

It's time to announce the winner of the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop. Including Twitter entries, we had 10 entries. Using a random number generator and numbering the entrants in the order I received them, the winner is:

Ruth Hill
who won "Matthew" by Michael J. Wilkins

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you for your address.

For those who didn't win, you can always buy a copy of these books from your favorite bookstore or see if they have them at your local library.

The Attributes of God, Volume 2 by A.W. Tozer

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Attributes of God, Volume 2
by A.W. Tozer

ISBN-13: 9781600661389
Trade Paperback: 114 pages
Publisher: Wingspread Publishers
Released: February 14, 2007

Source: Bought through Christianbook.com.

Book Description from Goodreads:
What is God like? For A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), there is no question more important. In fact, Tozer's desire to know God and His fullness consumed his entire life and ministry. Originally preached as sermons at Southside Alliance Church in Chicago, this first volume of the Attributes of God examines ten attributes: God's self-existence, transcendence, eternalness, omnipotence, immutability, omniscience, wisdom, sovereignty, faithfulness, and love. A study guide is included for an in depth look at each attribute.

My Review:
The Attributes of God, Volume 2 is a sermon series/Bible study on the attributes of God. The writing style was casual and very easy to read and understand. A Bible study was included at the back of the book for those desiring to use this book as a group Bible study. The content is fully relevant to today's world.

Tozer looked to Scripture to answer "What is God like? What does God say about Himself?" He came to balanced, Bible-based conclusions. He didn't let one attribute dominate the others but viewed them as being in perfect harmony with each other. He made some excellent, thought-provoking points. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and I'd recommend it to others. Perhaps as a devotional reading?

The attributes covered in this volume were: God's self-existence, transcendence, eternalness, omnipotence, immutability, omniscience, wisdom, sovereignty, faithfulness, and love.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt at Christianbook.com (click on "Excerpt" link).

Fool for Books Giveaway Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:04:00 +0000

As a part of the Fool for Books Giveaway Hop, I'm holding a giveaway for:

The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall, David Manuel, a Christian view of American history.

This is a part of a series that looks at the hand of God in the different periods of our nation's beginnings. This book covers American history from Christopher Columbus to the election of George Washington as our first president. I read it some time ago and found interesting the historical quotes that included Christian sentiments which are usually ignored in modern, school textbooks.

This contest is for USA residents only.

To enter the giveaway:

1) You can leave a comment to this post asking to be entered. (I have comment moderation on to prevent spam comments, so don't worry if your entry comment doesn't appear immediately. It will soon.) Please also leave some way for me to contact you--or follow this blog so you can see the winner announcement.

OR

2) you can twitter me saying "Hi @ChristFocus. Enter me in the giveaway for THE LIGHT AND THE GLORY."

This giveaway ends on April 7, 2013 at midnight. The winner will be randomly selected. I'll announce the winner on April 8, 2013 on this blog.

If you entered using twitter, I'll send you a @ or DM telling you of your win and asking where to send the book. If you entered using the blog comments, you'll need to leave your e-mail address or check back to see if you won so you can e-mail me your mailing address. If the winner hasn't responded with a mailing address within four days, I reserve the right to pick a new winner.

I hope everyone has fun with this!

The blogs participating in the Fool for Books Giveaway Hop:

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:30:00 +0000

As a part of the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop, I'm holding a giveaway for your choice of one of the following books:

Pursued by Jud Wilhite. You can read my review.

Christian faith isn't blind obedience to a set of rules and regulations; it is entering into a relationship with a God who pursues us--not to punish, but to love. No matter how far someone has strayed from God, God always remains in passionate pursuit.

Studying the book of Hosea--about the prophet commanded by God to marry an unfaithful prostitute as a metaphor for God's unwavering love--Pursued compellingly illustrates God's plan for every person: to be freed to become his or her own unique self through intimate togetherness with the living, loving God.

Matthew by Michael J. Wilkins is a Bible background commentary. You can read my review.

Full of full-color photos and graphics, the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Matthew walks you verse by verse through Matthew. Things that seem mystifying, puzzling, or obscure will take on tremendous meaning when you view them in their ancient context. You'll deepen your understanding of the teachings of Jesus.

This contest is for USA & Canada residents only.

To enter the giveaway:

1) You can leave a comment to this post asking to be entered and naming which book you'd like to win. (I have comment moderation on to prevent spam comments, so don't worry if your entry comment doesn't appear immediately. It will soon.) Please also leave some way for me to contact you--or follow this blog so you can see the winner announcement.

OR

2) you can twitter me saying "Hi @ChristFocus. Enter me in the giveaway for [give the book name and author's name]."

This giveaway ends on April 5, 2013 at midnight. The winner will be randomly selected. I'll announce the winner on April 6, 2013 on this blog.

If you entered using twitter, I'll send you a @ or DM telling you of your win and asking where to send the book. If you entered using the blog comments, you'll need to leave your e-mail address or check back to see if you won so you can e-mail me your mailing address. If the winner hasn't responded with a mailing address within four days, I reserve the right to pick a new winner.

I hope everyone has fun with this!

The blogs participating in the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop:

Do we take reading for granted?

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

As a book blogger, I take books and the ability to read for granted. Don't you? Yet according to GFA, "In India alone, there are an estimated 242 million women who are unable to read—that's about half the adult women in the country."

But also...

$1 allows one woman to learn to read, write and do basic math.

Just $1 can completely change an illiterate Asian woman's life. That cup of Starbuck's coffee or that Krispy Kreme doughnut might be wonderful for a few minutes, but it sure doesn't last long. How about joining me in sharing the gift of literacy with others?

Even just a $1 makes a huge difference. But I'm hoping that, together, we can share the joy of reading with 1,000 women. Go to myGFA to donate.

(For those who are curious, the GFA Women's Literacy Program provides these classes for free to any woman in their community, including women who are not Christians.)

The Land & People Jesus Knew by J. Robert Teringo

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Land & People Jesus Knew:
A Visual Handbook on Life in First-Century Palestine
by J. Robert Teringo

ISBN-13: 9780871237972
Hardcover: 264 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: November 1, 1985

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Text and numerous illustrations present aspects of daily life in first-century Palestine as Jesus and his contemporaries might have known it.

My Review:
The Land & People Jesus Knew is a mainly-visual handbook covering many aspects of life in Palestine at the time of Jesus. Each page was full of black-and-white sketches that were historically accurate (based on the knowledge available when it was drawn) which illustrated some aspect of Jewish life. A brief paragraph or two described the information behind the illustrations.

I was pleased by the wide variety of topics discussed in the book. It covered information that I haven't found in other "daily life" books. However, it also didn't go into much depth on any topic. Overall, I found the book useful for getting a better idea of the setting that Jesus was born, lived, died (and rose) in.

Topics covered: animals and plants; landscapes and crops of various towns and regions mentioned in N.T.; what village and town life was like, types of houses most people lived in, daily routines, common houseware items, daily and common chores, foods, clothing; growing and raising grain, grapes, figs, olives, sheep; job of carpenter, potter, fisherman, baker, beekeeper, barber, banker, brickmaking, builder, butcher, cook, cheesemaker, coppersmith, dyer, fuller, gardener, herdsmen, innkeeper, quarry hewer, jailor, day laborer, merchant, smith, shoemaker, physician, stonemason, tanner, tax collector, tent maker, midwife, domestic servant, weaver, professional wailer; about Jerusalem; religious groups, holy and feast days, the temple, synagogues; the cultural customs; traders and merchants; the government system (Roman and Jewish) in Palestine; the Roman army.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Sample Page:

And the winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:35:00 +0000

It's time to announce the winner of the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop. Including Twitter entries, we had 16 entries. Using a random number generator and numbering the entrants in the order I received them, the winner is:

Daniel M
who won "The New Answers Book 1"

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you for your address.

For those who didn't win, you can always buy a copy of these books from your favorite bookstore or see if they have them at your local library.

Matthew by Michael J. Wilkins

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary:

Matthew
by Michael J. Wilkins

ISBN-13: 9780310278313
Paperback: 204 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: July 24, 2007

Source: Bought through Half.com..

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Brimming with lavish, full-color photos and graphics, the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary walks you verse by verse through books of the New Testament. Things that seem mystifying, puzzling, or obscure will take on tremendous meaning when you view them in their ancient context. You'll deepen your understanding of the teachings of Jesus.

Written in a clear, engaging style by leading evangelical contributors, it features:

Commentary based on relevant papyri, inscriptions, archaeological discoveries, and studies of Judaism, Roman culture, Hellenism, and other features of the world of the New Testament
Hundreds of full-color photographs, color illustrations, and line drawings
Copious maps, charts, and timelines
Sidebar articles and insights
'Reflections' on the Bible's relevance for 21st-century living

My Review:
Matthew is a Bible commentary on the book of Matthew with a focus on the background context for the verses. The background information was cultural, historical, and geographical and much of it was based on ancient literature and archaeological discoveries. The actual ancient sources were quoted and their relevance explained, which I liked better than the vague summaries or paraphrases that I usually come across.

The commentary moved through Matthew in order. Sidebar articles supplemented the commentary in the main text. There were many full-color, easy-to-read and -understand maps, charts, and timelines. The many full-color pictures illustrated the commentary giving an excellent idea of what a thing, place, or activity was like at the time of Jesus.

The author usually gave the information and let the reader draw their own theological conclusions, which I appreciated. Overall, I found the information useful and interesting. Though written with a slightly more scholarly tone than some lay-level background commentaries, I'd still highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the background context of Jesus' life and teachings.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt at Christianbook.com (click on the "Excerpt" link).

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:30:00 +0000

As a part of the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop, I'm holding a giveaway for your choice of one of the following books:

Renée of France by Simonetta Carr is a short biography. You can read my review.

Renée of France was a correspondent of Calvin and she loved the Reformation, but in sixteenth century Italy such a position could not be lightly held. Add in a husband (the Duke of Ferrara) who served the pope and was determined to oppose Renée, plus the complexity and intrigues of Italian society of the time, and you have all the ingredients for a gripping biography.

The New Answers Book 1 by Ken Ham is a Christian apologetics book.

The world around us provides irrefutable evidence of our Creator, but when challenged, can you defend your faith? Do you have answers to your own questions or those of your family about faith, evolution, creation, and a biblical worldview?

Learn the answers to: Is there really a God? Did God really take six days to create everything? What about evolution? Where did Cain get his wife? Was there really a Noah's ark and world-wide Flood? Does archaeology support the Bible? Was there really an ice age? Where did the races come from? And more...

This contest is for USA & Canada residents only.

To enter the giveaway:

1) You can leave a comment to this post asking to be entered and naming which book you'd like to win. (I have comment moderation on to prevent spam comments, so don't worry if your entry comment doesn't appear immediately. It will soon.) Please also leave some way for me to contact you--or follow this blog so you can see the winner announcement.

OR

2) you can twitter me saying "Hi @ChristFocus. Enter me in the giveaway for [give the book name and author's name]."

This giveaway ends on March 22, 2013 at midnight. The winner will be randomly selected. I'll announce the winner on March 23, 2013 on this blog.

If you entered using twitter, I'll send you a @ or DM telling you of your win and asking where to send the book. If you entered using the blog comments, you'll need to leave your e-mail address or check back to see if you won so you can e-mail me your mailing address. If the winner hasn't responded with a mailing address within four days, I reserve the right to pick a new winner.

I hope everyone has fun with this!

The blogs participating in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop:

The Attributes of God, Vol. 1, by A.W. Tozer

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Attributes of God, Volume 1
by A.W. Tozer

ISBN-13: 9781600661297
Trade Paperback: 110 pages
Publisher: Wingspread Publishers
Released: February 1, 2007

Source: Bought through Christianbook.com.

Book Description from Goodreads:
What is God like? For A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), there is no question more important. In fact, Tozer's desire to know God and His fullness consumed his entire life and ministry. Originally preached as sermons at Southside Alliance Church in Chicago, this first volume of the Attributes of God examines ten attributes: God's infinitude, immensity, goodness, justice, mercy, grace, omnipresence, immanence, holiness and perfection. A study guide is included for an in depth look at each attribute.

My Review:
The Attributes of God, Volume 1 is a sermon series/Bible study on the attributes of God. Tozer quoted from sources that used old English, which sometimes slowed the reading a little for me, but the main text was very easy to read and understand. A Bible study was included at the back of the book for those desiring to use this book as a group Bible study. The content is fully relevant to today's world.

Tozer looked to Scripture to answer "What is God like?" and he came to balanced, Bible-based conclusions. By balanced, I mean that he didn't let one attribute dominate the others but viewed them as being in perfect harmony with each other. He made a lot of strong comments, some of which are bound to offend some people, but probably not the type of people who would pick up this book.

Overall, I thought he made some excellent, thought-provoking points. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I'd recommend it to others...perhaps as a devotional reading?

The attributes covered in this volume were: God's infinitude, immensity, goodness, justice, mercy, grace, omnipresence, immanence, holiness and perfection.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Amazon's Look Inside.

Understanding Jesus by Stephen M. Miller

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:44:00 +0000

Understanding Jesus:
A Guide to His Life and Times
by Stephen M. Miller

ISBN-13: 9781616269142
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Released: February 1, 2013

Source: Review ebook copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
This black-and-white paperback reference is written in a casual, easy-to-read journalistic style. Miller explains the Roman world where Jesus lived, adding new insights from archaeology and ancient history.

My Review:
Understanding Jesus is a Bible reference book about the gospels. It's a detailed historical background book but also a comparative commentary on selected verses or events. It's written in a casual tone but stays focused and contained in-depth, complex information.

The author wrote this book for people who don't know much about Jesus, yet I suspect they would either find this book overwhelming or confusing. For example, his information on the difference between a bride price, a dowry, and a bride gift, the amounts typically paid for each during that time period, and the exact wording of a divorce paper was interesting to me. However, this information didn't really help me understand Jesus' life and teachings better. This depth and type of information is more something I'd recommend to those familiar with the Bible and who want to go deeper than the typical study Bible or Bible handbook.

This book also contained comparative commentary. He'd compare the views of Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and various Protestant scholars on certain verses. For example, why do the two genealogies for Jesus appear different, and why were women--and shameful women at that--included in one genealogy? Again, these were questions that those not familiar with the gospel accounts probably aren't worried about and the variety of opinions given could leave them confused instead of enlightened.

A more advanced student of the Bible might find this book useful. It's a good resource for detailed historical background information on certain topics, and I really enjoyed those sections. This information was based off of ancient literary sources and archaeological finds.

The book could also be a time saver for those who don't want to look up various commentary opinions for themselves. However, I didn't really like the commentary comparison because it came from a different starting point than I do. I would have been okay with it if it'd been presented as "we know it's true, but people have various opinions on the specifics." But I felt like the author was saying, "Here are some differing opinions as well as reasons why those opinions don't work. It's up to you to judge which opinion is true, or even to decide that Jesus or the gospel writer made a mistake."

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Illustrated Guide to Bible Customs & Curiosities by George W. Knight

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:16:00 +0000

The Illustrated Guide to Bible Customs & Curiosities
by George W. Knight

ISBN-13: 9781593107031
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books
Released: May 1, 2007

Source: Borrowed from the library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Why did Bible people wash each other's feet? What was wrong with Leah's "tender eyes"? Why were the Israelites forbidden to boil a young goat in its mother's milk? What did Jesus mean about His "yoke" being "easy"?

The Bible is full of puzzling things that an understanding of ancient times and cultures can help to explain. More than 750 clear, concise entries are included, covering every book of the Bible in order. Featuring more than 100 full-color images, this book is an excellent resource for Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, Christian school classes, and personal research.

My Review:
The Illustrated Guide to Bible Customs & Curiosities is a Bible commentary that focuses on cultural background information. This information helps readers to better understand potentially puzzling Bible passages.

It's very easy to read and a quick read. It covered the whole Bible. Each entry gave the verse being talked about in the margin and a couple paragraphs of related background information next to it in the main text under a topic heading. There were a lot of full-color photographs that helped the reader better understand the information in the text (as in, useful illustrations rather than simply "pretty pictures").

There were several times that I would have liked to know where the author got his information since I've read conflicting information elsewhere, but no source information was provided. Overall, I'd recommend this as a good resource for a beginner in the area of Bible background since it covered a lot of good, basic information.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Bible Overview by Rose Publishing

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:09:00 +0000

Bible Overview
by Rose Publishing

ISBN-13: 9781596365698
PDF or Paperback: 276 pages
Publisher: Rose Publishing
Released: October 8, 2012

Source: Review ebook copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Christianbook.com:
The Bible has 66 Books, more than 1,000 chapters, and was written by about 40 different authors. Bible Overview will help you get a grasp of each book quickly, with a 4 to 6 page explanation for each book. Includes full-color maps and time lines as well as:

Purpose: Author, setting, and date written
Outline of the book
Key themes, verses, and people
What it tells us about Jesus

My Review:
Bible Overview is a Bible reference book that gives a summary of each book of the Protestant Bible and also explains how it relates to the overall themes of the Bible--like how God interacts with mankind and mankind's need for a savior.

Overall, I found this book interesting, informative, and an easy enough read that tweens, teens, and adults could all get a lot out of it. This would make a great youth group or new believer Bible study on understanding the Bible as a whole. Rose Publishing permits making "up to 300 copies of individual pages from the book for classroom use."

Bible Overview starts with an introduction: how we got the Bible, reasons to study the Bible, and how to study the Bible. Next is an overview of the whole Old Testament. Later there's an overview of the whole New Testament, including some historical background information about the inter-testament period.

There's also an overview of each group of books (Pentateuch, historical books, poetry and wisdom books, prophetic books; gospels & acts, epistles & revelation). These explained why certain books were grouped together and also summarized the main themes, types of writing, and key people in that grouping.

Then, for each Biblical book, we told the book's purpose (a quick summary of the book and what we learn about God--and mankind--from the events in this book), where the book got its name, a chart or two summarizing important patterns or information, an outline of the major events and what chapters contain those events, who wrote the book and when (giving both traditional and "late dates"), where and when the events took place, the main themes, a few key verses, parallels and contrasts between how God related to mankind then and how God relates to Christians now, and the Jesus theme ("Christ fulfills this need").

Each chapter had a full-color timelime showing when events in that book took place and usually had a simple map showing the main locations and movements mentioned in that book. Some chapters had a list of the most significant people in that book. Full-color pictures were used as decorative chapter headings, and some other paintings and photos were sprinkled throughout the book.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt from the publisher's website.

Renée of France by Simonetta Carr

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Renée of France
by Simonetta Carr

ISBN-13: 9780852349090
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Evangelical Press
Released: January 8, 2013

Source: Review copy provided by Cross Focused Reviews.

Book Description from Amazon:
Renée of France is little known today, but this fascinating and often controversial woman was a correspondent of Calvin. She loved the Reformation, but in sixteenth century Italy such a position could not be lightly held. Add in a husband (the Duke of Ferrara) who served the pope and was determined to oppose Renée, plus the complexity and intrigues of Italian society of the time, and you have all the ingredients for a gripping biography.

My Review:
Renée of France is a biography about a noblewoman, Renée of France (1510-1575). She was a princess of France who was married to a duke of Italy, and she lived during the Protestant Reformation. She wrote to and received letters from John Calvin about some of the questions of faith that she was dealing with.

Renée used her wealth and influence to provide a refuge to Protestants while she was in Italy and, after she returned to France, during the French Wars of Religion. Still, some Protestants were concerned that she didn't seem to hold strong in her faith. She would sometimes make compromises in order to keep her lands and her freedom to act. She dealt with issues like: Is it okay to believe in private rather than make a stand in public? How much influence should a patron have over the church that they protect? Should we hate someone who persecutes members of our faith?

The biography mostly covered Renée's adult life and discussed the theological issues that Renée struggled with related to the Reformation. The book contained many quotes from John Calvin's letters to Renée.

Due to the "bitesized biographies" series title, I assumed this book was targeted at teenagers, but it's written with a scholarly tone and targeted at adults. This book is one good way for someone who knows little about the Reformation to learn about some of the theological and political issues involved. It's also an interesting look at a noblewoman caught between several strong, opposing forces and how she dealt with it.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Interview:
Link to a podcast interview with the author.

Pursued by Jud Wilhite

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:36:00 +0000

Pursued
by Jud Wilhite

ISBN-13: 9781455515462
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: FaithWords
Released: February 5, 2013

Source: Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Christian faith isn't blind obedience to a set of rules and regulations; it is entering into a relationship with a God who pursues us--not to punish, but to love.

As the leader of Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, the self-proclaimed "Sin City, U.S.A.," Jud Wilhite has seen it all. And he knows that no matter how far someone has strayed from God, God always remains in passionate pursuit.

Studying the book of Hosea--about the prophet commanded by God to marry an unfaithful prostitute as a metaphor for God's unwavering love--Pursued compellingly illustrates God's plan for every person: to be freed to become his or her own unique self through intimate togetherness with the living, loving God.

My Review:
Pursued is a study of the biblical book of Hosea to uncover the truth of God's passionate pursuit of his people. The book was written in a conversational tone and is easy to follow. It included a look at Hosea, present day examples, and how this understanding of God should impact our lives.

The book is especially for those who think that God is pursuing them with the desire to punish them. However, I think anyone--new Christian to mature Christian--can benefit from this reminder of how passionate God is about building a loving relationship with us. I'd highly recommend this book.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Words That Hurt, Words That Heal by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Words That Hurt, Words That Heal
by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin

ISBN-13: 9780688163501
Trade Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Released: August 19, 1998

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Words That Hurt, Words That Heal focuses on the words we use in public and in private, revealing their tremendous power to shape relationships. Rabbi Telushkin explains the harm in spreading gossip, rumors, or others' secrets, and how unfair anger, excessive criticism, or lying undermines true communication. By sensitizing us to subtleties of speech we may never have considered before, he shows us how to turn every exchange into an opportunity.

My Review:
Words That Hurt, Words That Heal is an ethical living book based on the teachings of Jewish rabbis (which are based on the Jewish Bible). It not only looked at what the rabbis taught, but why they taught it. The author gave examples of people whose lives were ruined or built up by words. This powerfully underscored the point being made.

The book discussed how words are powerful, how we speak about others (gossip, true but harmful comments, etc.) and how we speak to others (anger, fear, criticism, accepting rebukes, etc.) can effect relationships and lives, how words can heal, and how to apply what we've learned.

I thought this book was very thought-provoking and that the author had a good grasp of human nature--why we gossip, etc., and that people aren't going to be able to change habits overnight. I'd highly recommend this book.

If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

And the winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 17:10:00 +0000

It's time to announce the winner of the Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop. Including Twitter entries, we had 16 entries. Using a random number generator and numbering the entrants in the order I received them, the winner is:

@msakma (Karen Arrowood)
who won The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you for your address.

For those who didn't win, you can always buy a copy of this book at your favorite bookstore or perhaps at your library.