Tag Archives: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Parables by John MacArthur – An Excellent Read and Resource

Posted in Bible Study, Book Review, BookLook, Parables, Pastor John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson Publishers by

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Pastor John MacArthur’s latest book is Parables – The Mysteries of God’s Kingdom Revealed Through The Stories Jesus Told. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to read this book because of the solid Bible teaching it contains.

Before diving into the parables, Pastor MacArthur explains, from Matthew 13, why Jesus started teaching in parables.  He had specific truths He was trying to convey to those who had the ears to hear. It wasn’t to make it easy for the common people to understand what He was teaching. Instead, the symbolism used in the parables was to hide the truth from those who had no desire to know what Christ was saying.

Pastor MacArthur brings clarity and helps the reader understand the truths contained in these stories. Unlike allegories, not everything in a parable has significance, but there is a profound truth to be understood. In this book a parable is defined as, “an ingenious simple word picture illuminating a profound spiritual lesson.”

This book covers select parables in ten chapters, including the parables of the soils/seed, the good Samaritan, and the rich man and Lazarus. Some of the parables are only a sentence or two long, but there’s a meaning that Christ wanted His followers to understand.

In this day and age, it is important for Christians to be wise and discerning and know when a pastor or teacher is accurately teaching God’s Word. This book will help you to be equipped as you study God’s Word for yourself. One of the benefits to the reader is that you will be able to take what you’ve learned and apply it as you study the Bible and read Jesus’ parables and teachings for yourself.

I greatly appreciate Pastor John MacArthur’s high view of God and Scripture. He is thorough in his study and exposition of the Bible. He is insightful and courageous as he speaks the truth about what’s happening in our culture and in today’s churches.

I highly recommend Parables by Pastor John MacArthur. This book is a great resource for anyone who loves to read and study God’s Word and for those who are new to studying the Bible. Whether you are a new Christian or mature, you’ll want to read this book.

I would like to thank BookLook and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read Parables by John MacArthur in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Seven Women And The Secret Of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas – An Interesting and Challenging Read

Posted in Book Review, BookLook, Thomas Nelson Publishers by

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After hearing author Eric Metaxas interviewed on several radio shows talking about his latest book, Seven Women And The Secret Of Their Greatness, I wanted to read about these influential women who impacted their generation, nation and beyond.  This is the first book I’ve read by this author.

The book focuses on the lives of Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Saint Maria of Paris, Corrie ten Boom, Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa.  Eric did a lot of research and went into great detail about their lives and the culture in which they lived and the impact they made.  Other than Corrie ten Boom, I knew precious little or nothing about their lives and how they influenced the world of their day.

Eric Metaxas is a Christian who is intelligent and well-informed.  As such, I wish he had included a brief chapter telling why he selected these women.  Based on his choice of women, I don’t believe this book is apologetic in nature.

I really enjoyed the chapters on Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Corrie ten Boom and Rosa Parks.  I found my faith was encouraged, challenged and strengthened by these women of great faith and strong conviction who endured much.  I struggling reading about Joan of Arc and Saint Maria of Paris, two very unconventional women, I think in part, because I was distracted by their theology and wondered how Biblical Christianity would respond them.  I knew of Mother Teresa, but didn’t know much about her life until I read this book.

This book is not a quick read, nor a light read.  But if you like to learn history through biographies, you will like this book.  This book gives the reader an appreciation for what women in the past had to endure, without the freedoms we have in this country that people fought for and the modern conveniences we can easily take for granted.

I would like to thank BookLook and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read Seven Women by Eric Metaxas in exchange for an honest review.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

A House Divided by Robert Whitlow – A Compelling and Excellent Read

Posted in A House Divided, Book Review, BookLook, Thomas Nelson Publishers by

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I was privileged to read Robert Whitlow’s book A House Divided.  He is an excellent writer and knows how to write good fiction.  He skillfully and realistically weaves his Christian faith in to the storyline through the lives of the characters.  But he doesn’t beat you over the head with it.  Instead you see the Christian faith lived out in the lives of imperfect, hurting and broken people.

I’ll be honest with you there were times A House Divided was hard to read.  If you know an alcoholic or have seen how destructive alcoholism is you may also find this book painful to read.  Read it anyway.  There were times I found myself angry at the main character Corbin and wanted to yell at him so he would wake up and see that he was destroying his life, relationships and was endangering others.

Robert Whitlow has the ability to draw the reader in to the story from the beginning.  I found the characters very engaging and cared about them from the first page to the last, even when they weren’t so loveable.  It was interesting and challenging to see how each character, Ray, Roxy, Cindy, Billy and others, responded to Corbin and the situations and people they were involved with.  I loved seeing grace given when it was least deserved and unexpected.  I couldn’t help but wonder how I would have responded.

A House Divided is a book with characters that will stay with me.  If Robert Whitlow writes a sequel to this one I want to read it.

There are some authors whose work I want to read, whatever they write, because they are that good.  Robert Whitlow is one of those writers.  I highly recommend A House Divided by Robert Whitlow.  You will be challenged and grow as you read it.

I would like to thank the people at BookLook and Thomas Nelson Publishers for providing me a free copy of Robert Whitlow’s book, A House Divided, to read in exchange for an honest review.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

The Case of the Sin City Sister by Lynne Hinton – Mixed Emotions

Posted in Book Review, Christian Writer by

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I love a good mystery and finding a writer whose work is new to me.  That’s why I chose The Case of the Sin City Sister by Lynne Hinton.

In some respects I liked this book.  I found it interesting and thought that Lynne did a good job weaving the characters, from different times, places, and backgrounds into an intriguing storyline that takes place in New Mexico and Las Vegas.  I found myself looking forward to digging in and seeing what happened next and learning about what made the characters tick.

I appreciated that the book did not have the characters engaged in filthy language or sexual immorality.

There were some things I wish the author had handled differently since she is a Christian and has a Masters of Divinity degree.  As a Christian, when I’m reading a book by a Christian, and published by a Christian company, I hold it to a different standard than I do a secular book.  I look at the theology that’s in the book and compare it to the Bible.

In chapter one, the main character Sister Eve is speaking with Oliver, the Monk in charge of the monastery where she lives.  Eve’s been struggling to decide if she should remain a nun or return home and do the work she loves and has an affinity for, private detective work.  Oliver says to her, “If you are a true disciple, Sister, and I believe you are, then Christ lives in you.  If this is so, then the desire that is in your heart can be trusted.  It is the truth for you to live by.”  While that may be true to the degree a person is truly a Christian and obedient to Christ, that’s not complete and sound Biblical counsel regarding following our heart.

Starting on page 74 and the following pages references were made to telepathic communication, people being connected in their spirits and psychic energy.  This conversation was from a character who professed to be a believer in Jesus Christ.  The Bible is very clear and unambiguous in its condemnation psychic phenomenon.  It shouldn’t have any place in the life of a Christian.

I was puzzled by Eve’s impression of Las Vegas.  The character is a nun, someone who is supposedly sanctified.  Yet, Eve didn’t seem overly concerned or disturbed by the blatant sin that was on display in Las Vegas.  Some of her comments include, “There’s nothing that you can’t find or do or try.  It’s like anything’s possible there.”, “It was like living on stage.”, and “It’s like Disney World for grown-ups.”

There were a few references to Eve taking her rosary beads and reciting a prayer.  I think that the opportunity to model prayer, show the power of prayer and affirm that God hears and answer our prayers was missed by a long shot.

The main character Eve, seem more concerned about her sister’s physical safety rather than her eternal security.  I don’t recall any reference made to Dorisanne’s salvation nor the other characters in the book.

So why am I making such an issue of the theological concerns I raised?  Christian authors have an incredible opportunity to impact both believers and unbelievers with the Gospel message and infallible truth from the Bible.  To not take that opportunity is one thing.  But when the religious and theological references don’t line up with Scripture that’s a more serious concern.

I have a mixed review on this book.  It was well-written and had some interesting and likable characters.  It kept me guessing.  But from a Christian theological perspective I think it missed the boat.  If you choose to read this book, read it for the storyline not the theology.

I would like to thank the people at BookLook and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read The Case of the Sin City Sister by Lynne Hinton in exchange for an honest review.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.