Category: Christian

Author: Barnabas Piper
Publisher: David C. Cook
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0692-8
Pages: 176
Price: $14.99

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Jesus tells the father of a boy possessed by demons that “All things are possible to him who believes.” In distress, the father cries out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” While seemingly a paradox, this statement describes how many Christians feel about their own faith. We believe, but we know that we need help to overcome our unbelief.

Help My Unbelief meets Christians where we are today. It addresses all the places where our faith wavers and we’re not sure what we really believe. But the good news is that this is normal, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Recognizing our weak spots leads us to question and delve more deeply into scripture, and ultimately can bring us closer to God.

Our faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit. This side of Paradise, we simply won’t know all the answers. Help My Unbelief reassures us that we’re on the right path even when we doubt, and that others are struggling along with us. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Ted Dekker
Publisher: Center Street
Genre: Historical fiction / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-59995-417-2
Pages: 384
Price: $26.00

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Three years after A.D. 30, Queen Maviah has assembled the other outcasts of the desert, in an attempt to rescue her lover, Judah, and her father, the conquered king of Dumah. After Judah is restored to her, the outcasts are enraged by the capture of several of their children, including Maviah’s own adopted son, Talya. A failed battle forces Maviah to search for the prophet, Yeshua, as she hopes to learn what she should do next.

With Saba, her protector and confidante, she journeys to Bethany, where Maviah learns that Yeshua has just raised his friend, Lazarus, from the dead. As they visit with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, they witness Yeshua’s triumphant ride into Jerusalem on a donkey and his death on the cross. Defeated and crushed, they return back to the desert a day later, with no more answers than when they left. But what happens when they arrive home is so much more than they could ever expect.

Meanwhile, as Talya is imprisoned, he dreams a fantastic dream of Eden, and witnesses a serpent striking a pure lamb. There is a woman there, also, who takes the fruit offered by the serpent. Talya is convinced that the woman looks like his mother, Maviah, and that he, himself, is the lamb.

I really wanted to like A.D. 33. I wanted to experience Passion Week with Jesus, and glory in his resurrection with the others gathered in Jerusalem. But this book focuses almost exclusively on Maviah and Saba and their desert problems, and very little on Jesus himself. Even his messages are just recited as Saba either teaches them to Talya or speaks of them to Maviah. They are not brought up in any particular context, but rather as if he was simply reciting them from memory.

The Garden of Eden sequences were especially confusing to me. The Church Fathers taught that Mary is the new Eve, and Jesus, the lamb who crushes the head of the serpent. Implying that Maviah and Talya could take on those roles just felt wrong. And honestly, I would have preferred a more realistic ending, rather than a supernatural one.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Tim Chaddick
Publisher: David C. Cook
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0524-2
Pages: 176
Price: $14.99

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Jesus spent time in preparation for his ministry by praying and fasting in the desert. After 40 days, Satan came to tempt him. While most of us would probably agree that the temptation to turn stones into bread might be one we’d fall for, the other two temptations seem far less threatening. Worship Satan? No way! Jump from the top of the temple? Hmm, no, I’ll pass. But in all three temptations, Satan was attempting to divert Jesus from his mission in doing the Father’s will.

Satan still tries to tempt us today, and as surprising as it may seem, we see variations of these three in our own lives. Craving certain things to make us happy? We need to learn how to pursue them in the right way. Feel passionate about your religion? We must be careful not to misuse it and hurt others. Looking for success? Even when pursuing great religious goals, our motives may not always be pure.

It’s easy to think that good Christians don’t fall into sin. If we just read the Bible, pray and go to church, we’ll have it made. But Satan preys on those who become complacent and forget that he’s the father of lies. Jesus needed to face temptation to strengthen him for his mission. Maybe Christians also need it to strengthen their faith. And with a strong faith, we can draw others to God through our words and actions. The Truth About Lies shows you how to discern the lies you’re facing and break their hold on you. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Hugh Halter
Publisher: David C. Cook
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0653-9
Pages: 192
Price: $15.99

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How many times a day do you find yourself judging others? If you’re being as honest as Hugh Halter, it’s enough to be embarrassed about and to want to change. But doesn’t the Bible hold us accountable to point out others’ sins? Why should we keep silent when people do things that we perceive to be wrong?

As the text opens, Halter presents the following scenario: “In a small town there is only one bakery. Jesus is the baker. Two gay men walk in and ask Him to bake a cake for their wedding. Would Jesus bake the cake?” Throughout this book, Halter makes reference to the current controversy over same-sex marriage and the Christian response to this dilemma. But he takes this question much deeper when he explores the various ways Christians and the Church judge others and why we need to stop.

Jesus was the ultimate example of holy non-judgment. In Brimstone, Halter reminds us of our primary role of leading others to Jesus through our loving actions. If we study the gospels, we see that Jesus drew people to Him by the way He cared deeply about them and their problems. Studying this book will help Christians to emulate Jesus. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Hugh Halter
Publisher: David C. Cook
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-0-7814-0997-1
Pages: 224
Price: $15.99

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Jesus came to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins through His death and resurrection. But he also spent 33 years living among us – three of which are recorded in the Gospels. In those three years, He didn’t just teach us. He also showed us how to live.

Jesus was really good at drawing people to Him so they would listen to His teaching. But as Christians try to evangelize, sharing the truth with a reluctant audience, we often simply drive people away. By emulating Jesus, we can create opportunities to talk to people who might not want to hear what we have to say.

Flesh: Bringing the Incarnation Down to Earth shares some of the important things Jesus did while on earth that made Him so successful at reaching people. By becoming God in flesh, Jesus could touch us in a way the Father in Heaven couldn’t. And if we study this book that shows us what Jesus did, we can also lead others to God. Isn’t that what we’re really here for?

Reviewer: Alice Berger