4 comments about Peace With God The Secret Happiness.

1. This is what it is; medecine for the ones who are constantly searching for truths in life; ones who have a wound; an empty part of them; needing that empty part to be filled. Well the wait is over. This extraordinary book soothes the spirit as it helps one to understand the Christian Religion and the Bible to a great detail in which it makes perfect sense! For those of you who have thoughts rampaging your soul, this book will connect your thoughts together; a peaceful conscience. Excellent book.



2. Rev. Billy Graham hits a homerun with this book, Peace with God. He has an aggressive writing style that won't leave you bored. This book was written for the everyday man, not just for theologians, it is informative, profound, and simple. If you are looking for a good Christian book, you can't go wrong with this classic. There is no hidden agenda, just the truth, and the truth will set you free. God Bless.



3. This is probably the best book by Billy Graham. I have read several books my Billy Graham and this one is the best!!! Very good book, one of the first christian books ive ever read.



4. Written in 1953, this is clearly Billy Graham's best book. It was penned for any person who wants to know how to have peace with God. "Peace with God" is a term that the Rev. Graham uses to refer to how a person becomes a Christian and a child of God. Becoming a Christian generally involves the following steps:
   
   1. Realizing our (mankind's) state of sinfulness and spiritual depravity and realizing we need a Savior.
   2. Repenting of our sinfulness (turning our backs on sin and the willingness to seek a new life).
   3. Learning how the death and resurrection of Jesus makes a new life (being "Born Again") possible.
   4. Accepting the sacrifice of Jesus and making him the leader and King of one's life.
   5. Beginning a new life in Christ, receiving his Holy Spirit, and living a life that is pleasing to God by loving others.
   
   Billy Graham's book is probably the single best book that explains the above process in detail. The reader learns what sin is, how God's law affects man and its implications for salvation, and what mankind can do through Christ to find a rock-solid secure salvation. People often hear how "Christ died for the sins of mankind", yet, many people do not understand what this means. Billy Graham makes this very clear chapter by chapter.
   
   This is a wonderfully written book and is gripping for the earnest person seeking peace with God. It helped me understand what the purpose of God's Law is, and what significance Christ's death has for every believer. Highly recommended. This book can change your future forever!
   
   Jim "Konedog" Koenig

3 comments about Missiology: An Introduction to the Foundations, History, and Strategies of World Missions.

1. I was able to meet Dr. Terry at a conference held by my church and found him to be a most enjoyable, approachable, and humble man. This book will be valuable to both the seminarian and layman as well. If you're preparing for missions, get this book.
   
   Being both seminary prof (Southern Baptist Theological Sem.) and missionary, his experience plus knowledge makes for a cutting edge tool to "mish" from.
   
   I heartily recommend this book.



2. Excellent source for those seeking revelant information on world missions. I recommend this text for universities as well as local church congregations who desire to learn more about missions and what I believe Christian are called to accomplish in their lifetime.



3. This book gives a very good overview of everything that has to do with Missions: the Biblical foundations, the history and different strategies used to advance God's Kingdom. All writers are having a Southern Baptist and/or IMB background, so that might make the content a little colored, but it is still worth it.
   
   It is a good book if you want to have a very broad yet thorough overview of what missiology is all about.

1 comments about A Strange Freedom.

1. I first became acquainted with the work of Howard Thurman when I found a leather-bound copy of Disciplines of the Spirit at an antique store. I was struck first by the practicality of his work, and then by the universality of his vision of spirituality and brotherhood. I am very excited to find this volume of his essays published. I hope it brings to many in 1999 and the millenium the practical, down-to-earth theology of this man who was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King

3 comments about Praying Successfully.

1. What a blessing this little book was to me! I bought my copy off a rack at Publix and thought I'd get more to give as gifts this Christmas. Spurgeon speaks plainly to the everyman in all of us. He addresses our fears and anxieties and leads us to the solution, over and over. It never gets boring, even when his conclusions are the same. The most profound of lifes problems are addressed in this little book, dealt with thoroughly and drop kicked into the dustbin. Go Chuck, go!



2. What a blessing this little book was to me! I bought my copy off a rack at Publix and thought I'd get more to give as gifts this Christmas. Spurgeon speaks plainly to the everyman in all of us. He addresses our fears and anxieties and leads us to the solution, over and over. It never gets boring, even when his conclusions are the same. The most profound of lifes problems are addressed in this little book, dealt with thoroughly and drop kicked into the dustbin. Go Chuck, go!



3. Spurgeon opened my prayer life up and it will never be the same again. I highly recommend it!!!

5 comments about Footprints Of A Pilgrim.

1. I am half way through and i just love this book. It is so beautifully written and the pictures are so wonderful to look at. The poems are so touching! I will definately be reading more Graham books!



2. Rich, simple and startlingly clear & deep, the poetry of Ruth Bell Graham speaks a heart language that lends itself alike to silent contemplation or verbal reading.
   
   This is far more than an attractive coffee-table book. It is a treasure of rich verse, beautiful language, deep insight and breathtaking honesty.
   
   An ideal gift for yourself or that special someone, this is a book that will continue to give every time it is opened. It also poses the risk of making poetry lovers from those who think all poetry is stilted and obscure.



3. Married to internationally known Reverend Billy Graham, Ruth Bell Graham has a lot to say in her own right. She shares her voice in a poetic way within the pages of "Footprints Of A Pilgrim." And what a lovely voice it is - melodic, deep, intelligent, elegant and so insightful. I had never known Mrs. Graham possessed such creative talent. Her poems are amazing and are of varied human, nature and spiritual topics, always interesting.
   
   The book itself is beautifully presented, loaded with pictures of the past of family and friends and annotated with brief glimpses into Mrs. Graham's life. It's almost like a shortened version of her interesting biography, showcasing her wonderful poetry throughout the years.
   
   "Footprints Of A Pilgrim" is the type of book I keep in my library as it can be re-read a few years from now, appreciating in age.



4. A lovely book, lovely graphics, and truly inspirting. One that you must keep and then also great gifts for special friends.



5. Ruth Bell Graham was a truly remarkable woman. I love how she told God that she would consider it an honor to serve Him with Billy Graham if God allowed it. She is a woman to be envied in her devotion to God and family and her absolute patience. Oh, how I wish I were as devoted as she was in every way.

3 comments about Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology.

1. Hammett has produced a superb work. In harmony with other historical and ecclesiological works like Mark Dever's 9 Marks of a Healthy Church, this book expands where readers wish Dever's book would have done. Hammett is also kind to some of the ecclesiological concepts in Rick Warren's Purpose-Driven Church. And in few areas where Warren's and Dever's works contrast, Hammett remains neutral. A wonderful balance of theology, church history, and suggested practices for contemporary churches, this is a must read for church leaders - clergy and laity.



2. Hammett has done the church a service with this book. He does a great job laying out the essentials of a baptist ecclesiology, interacting very fairly with contemporary issues. One thing lacking in this book is the redemptive-historical focus of the church. One can find Clowney's book on the church supplemental at this point, although Clowney is working from a Reformed perspective with a mixed nature of the church. Also, see Schreiner and Wright's new one, "Believer's Baptism."



3. This is a great book. I bought this book as apart of an Ecclesiology course Dr. Hammetts teaches. He is an expert on this topic. This is an awesome book for any minister, but I would strongly encourage any church leader to pick it up.

5 comments about Vanya. (New Leaf Library).

1. This is a book about God's faithfulness to His own in spite of suffering, persecution and death. It is about one man's relationship with the Living God, to whom he had abandonded himself totally. It's a book about what is truly important and worth clinging to when there is absolutely no other hope. I read the story of Ivan Moisyev years ago with tears, awe and humility and the memory of Ivan's story of faith, suffering and, ultimately, martyrdom for the cause of Christ still haunts me. It left behind on my soul the burning questions, "If I were faced with such terrible persecution how would I respond? Would I remain faithful to Christ to the point of death? Could I really love and forgive those who might so terribly persecute me?". All these years later I'm left with the challenge to be willing to surrender everything, including my life to God in Christ.[...]



2. This true story is testimony to the fact that miracles still occur. I was very inspired to exercise my own faith in the face of great opposition. Vanya's faith was such that he almost seemed naive to the problems of being so open as he was in a Soviet system.
   
   What a testimony!
   
   -doug



3. Vanya was a young man drafted into the Soviet Army in 1970. He had been a believer for only two years, but during that time he had internalized the Scriptures, even though he didn't even own a Bible. His first priority upon arriving in the Ukraine for Basic Training was to find a private place to pray each morning. Thus before he had been in the Army for a week he was already in trouble for his religion.
   This book chronicles, using the God's-eye view approach to telling the story, the relentless persecution that followed, culminating in his heroic death by torture for refusing to recant. Fearless before the might of the Evil Empire, Vanya was the stone upon which many stumbled and were broken, but only became more hardened to all efforts to conform him to the Soviet Ideal. Though plagued by doubts, Vanya found his faith miraculously strengthed in his darkest hours, and left behind a trail of new believers and demoralized interrogators wherever he was taken.
   
   His death accomplished what his life couldn't: the Soviet Army admitted defeat and never again applied its utmost force to a believer in hopes of turning him from the faith.



4. I loved this book; the adventure, the trials and triumphs, and the amazing ending. A fascinating story from beginning to end. It is another favorite in my personal library. A treasure!



5. Great book, must read for anyone that loves missionary type stories. Power of God is displayed in this young man's life. Fantastic.

5 comments about I May Not Get There with You: The True Martin Luther King, Jr.

1. This book was not what I expected, but enjoyed regardless. I particularly liked his idea of banning the 'I Have a Dream' speech from public media. The stories about his philandering were a bit shocking to me, but I have never read any biography of King before, so I wasn't prepared. The ocassional tangents might irk some, but understand Dyson has to take some risks and expand on ideas to make the book worth his time. Realize the civil right movement is not over. Dialogue needs to continue in written forms such as this book to make progress.
   - logan square yuppie



2. I picked up this book expecting a fresh approach and analysis of Dr. King apart from the obligatory images we're force-fed each new year. Instead, I was disappointed to find that Michael Eric Dyson made heavy use of speculation with the intent to scandalize more than to inform and enlighten. One such example includes Dyson conveying the idea that Dr. King may have engaged in orgies with many different women along with his right-hand man Ralph Abernathy. He then goes on to infer that there was talk of King and Abernathy engaging in sexual acts with each other! The author had no commentary to either support or dispel this "theory" making Dyson's retelling of the alleged incident totally irresponsible and even libelous. He just dropped the information, true or untrue, in the reader's lap to do with as the reader pleased. To that end, it is my opinion that Dyson's intent in writing this book was in no way honorable or truth-seeking, rather it was a means to convey his baseless ideas to anyone who would listen. I'm reminded of something my grandmother and mother would always say to me, "an empty wagon makes the loudest noise." Michael Eric Dyson makes a lot of noise in this book but totally lacks substance. This was an expensive tabloid.



3. I have always been fascinated with Dr. King as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. I love the work that Dr. Dyson did in writing this book, because he is authentic in talking about Dr. King the man - strengths, weaknesses and all - while exposing the myths about him. Being African-American, I can understand why many within our community woud want to scold Dr. Dyson for exposing Dr. King's dirty laundry. I, however, consider it not only essential, but relevant that we talk about the true humanity of our leaders (espcially one as esteemed as Dr. King) to avoid the danger of us elevating them as idols. It is a great reminder that God uses people (albeit flawed people) for magnificent works in a fallen world. This is a great book that I highly recommed!!



4. I agree with Dr. King's message of harmony and peace. At the same time I can appreciate Dyson's exposure of aspects of King's personal life that most authors do not address (an obvious exception is "And the Walls Came Tumbling Down"). In a very real sense it leads to questioning Dr. King's sincerity in asking others to value the character of a person and not the color of their skin. Dr. King was an admirable figure in American history; I wouldn't go as far as the author in saying he might be the most important American ever; that's a bit over the top. I've read a lot on the subject; this book is worth reading.



5. I find it very refreshing when a product of multiculturalism throws a wrench in the system and violently turns against his masters. In this provocative (though unsurprisingly silenced) work of pop scholarship college diversity program poster-child and hip hop "expert" Eric Dyson sets to work on deconstructing the white-washed image of Martin Luther King, Jr. that the American left has successfully promoted without opposition for the past four decades.
   
   But wait a minute, Martin Luther King Jr. was an American patriot, someone who was deeply devoted to the ideals of its Founding Fathers and simply wanted to tinker with a few of the more archaic aspects of American society (Jim Crow) so that everyone could at least have a fair shot at the American Dream. I must admit that up until a few months ago I was captured (more like poisoned) by this ridiculous myth, probably more so than most even. The story of King's life seemed so inspiring, who wouldn't want to believe in it?
   
   Turns out pretty much everything taught about MLK in public schools are at best half truths and all of the most hideous aspects of his life go completely unmentioned. As Dyson tells us, the truly radical aspects of King's ideology - such as his close association with the American Communist Party - are silenced specifically to keep African Americans in check. Undoubtedly, but these facts are suppressed specifically to keep suspicious whites in a state of unthinking, unquestioning silence as much as anyone else. Dyson didn't have to dig very much to uncover this information, even King's closest associates and biggest financial backers were Communists.
   
   Dyson also quotes some of King's most damaging speeches and interviews on economics that leave little doubt about what King's larger social and economic objectives actually were. "Oh, gee willickers!," the multiculturalist will scream, tearing the hair from his head, "You've got it all wrong - King only promoted the positive aspects of Communism." Well that all depends on just what you think the "positive" aspects of Communism really are. Let's see, King patently endorsed the redistribution of wealth, destruction of the military, labor's seizure of private business, abolition of private property...oh but don't worry, no Gulags!
   
   Predictably the trail of putrid scandal doesn't end there. In what has become a recurring theme amongst American leftists King possessed a voracious and positively uncontrollable appetite for cheap prostitutes. The point in mentioning this type of degenerate behavior at all is so Dyson can tie King's participation in the Civil Rights movement to the anti-objectivity counter-revolution that occurred subsequently thereafter. Here as well King was quite an active critic of the military (not JUST Vietnam), did interviews with pornographic magazines, generally did everything in his power to undermine sensible restraints wherever they existed, and ensured that a whole generation was indoctrinated into loving themselves and living for themselves only. Most important in all of these activities by King were the rumblings of what would later become known as "Affirmative Action."
   
   Dyson of course supports this development unconditionally and who could blame him, he is where he is precisely because King and his predecessors (backed by the Federal Government) were able to intimidate employers, agencies, and universities into adopting certain "hiring policies" favorable to African Americans. Noticably missing however in this book is elaboration on King's despicable intellectual dishonesty and theft (60% of his doctoral thesis at Boston University was stolen from another student) of other people's work throughout the entirety of his career.
   
   The story of "Dr." King is not an entirely uncommon one for political figures and needless to say his story is hardly inspiring. Indeed, it's typical even for the most violent political leaders to take a relatively egalitarian approach in the beginning, only to shed this facade once they start gathering steam in favor of uncompromising authoritarianism. Vladimir Lenin was an outspoken critic of the Czar and railed against the regime for its suppression of political speech, exploitation of the working class, and persecution of ethnic and religious minorities. Well, we all know how that turned out. I seriously doubt that Martin Luther King, Jr. was any different. Just as another reviewer pointed out, if he were alive today I'm sure he'd be right there with Al Sharpton and Jesse falsely accusing random college students of rape, petitioning to get O.J. Simpson reduced bail, and doing anything he possibly could to exacerbate whatever racial tensions still exist in this country.
   
   Why Dyson thinks this new version of King is great for black folks is anyone's guess, frankly I don't care. I'm just glad I don't have to listen to this hippy nonsense anymore and for that I am thankful.

5 comments about How to Preach without Notes.

1. This is a recommended text of a family member. This was recommended as a good text to use in writing both sermons and research papers. This is a pretty good text. It comes from the old school method of training Preachers. It does a good job with basic Sermonoloy and Homelitics.



2. This is a short but powerful book on the creation of sermons. The reader learns about different types of sermons, the source material for sermons, the mechanics of studying for a sermon, how to create a filing system for sermon preparation, the different appeals of sermons, 16 sermons, and much more.
   
   As a layman who gets the opportunity to speak and preach regularly this book has helped to give me teaching a training since I did not go to seminary. If you want to learn basic homiletics and read some example sermons then this is the book for you.



3. Kohler's marvelous book has been my main guide to building expository sermons since I purchased my copy in 1970. The following chapter titles are indicative of its impressive contents: The Scriptural Conception of Preaching, The Primary of Expository Preaching, The Advantages of Preaching without Notes, Homiletical Devices, The Steps to Preparing an Expository Sermon, The Analysis of the Scripture Passage, The Heart of the Sermon. Structural Components, The Way to Note Free Preaching, The Way to Perennial Freshness, The Basic Appeals of Biblical Preaching, The Minister's Vocabulary, and The Systematic Filing of Materials. A minister who uses Kohler's book to guide him in building expository sermons from the Word of God will experience an ever growing power in the pulpit.



4. The book has great contents especially the first half, because the author deals with the dynamics of preaching. I guess he says that preaching is good only when the pulpit affects the pews. I agree, I would not want to hear preaching if the speaker had no point to get across in the power of God.



5. Though a good resource for sermon preparation, I found little on how to preach without notes. The book should have been entitled "how to develop a sermon". I felt the title betrayed the contents of the book. If you are looking for a source on sermon prepartion, this is a good one. It gives little, however, on how to actually preach without notes.

5 comments about The Anabaptist Story: An Introduction to Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism.

1. Gives the historical background, foundation, and progress of the "re-baptizers" as their critics called them. The ministries of the early Anabaptist leaders are followed in detail in both Switzerland, Germany, and Holland. After a historical review of each leader's influence on the movement, the latter half of the book provides a detailed examination of these leaders' positions on matters of doctrine such as infant baptism, the trinity, pacifism, the swearing of oaths, the ban, and civil authority.

   Perhaps the most interesting sections of this book relates to the ongoing and violent persecutions which befell the early Anabaptists. Not only the dominant Catholic hierarch but their fellow Reformers made martyrs out of the early Anabaptists. The arguments and misrepresentations made against the Anabaptists by their Catholic and Protestant tormentors helps to define what these people did, in fact, believe in.

   A great book for understanding where the Mennonites, Hutterites, and other Anabaptists came from.




2. I read this book for an Anabaptist history class at a denominational school with direct lineage to the Anabapist movement. I myself did not grow up in this tradition, but have grown to love many aspects of it. This book has surely contributed to this. Estep does a great of job cutting out the fluff and writing a straight forward book on the movement. I particularly liked the last section of the book which focused on the probable Anabaptist connection to the Baptists. Since my theology leans more towards Baptist thinking, particularly the Reformed variety, this was most interesting to me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Anabaptist movement and its contributions to modern Christianity.



3. In this book, Mr. Estep provides a very interesting overview of those who led the "radical reformation" in the 16th Century. The author does an excellent job of describing the various leaders, churches, communities, and doctrines which were formulated by the "re-baptizers" during this important time in the Church's history. I really learned a lot from this book about the Anabaptists, especially in terms of their doctrine.
   
   I did have two small problems with the book. First, the author is a little too sympathetic to the Anabaptists when defending the formation of their doctrines. Of course, that is his background so this did not come as a complete surprise. Second, the author does not describe the Munster incident in much detail, if at all. It is a little irresponsible as a historian to brush over this significant event in a book about 16th Century Anabaptism.
   
   Despite these two problems - it is a good book which I recommend to anyone interested in learning more about the radical reformation. If you do not know much about this period of Church history, like me, this is a great starting point.



4. I was required to read this as part of a class on the reformation of the 16th century. this is by far the best way to start any study of anabaptist history. it is a very quick and enjoyable read. it really is an extraordinary book on the subject.



5. It's hard for us in the United States to believe that people were once attacked by so-called fellow Christians over their views on water baptism that they actually sought to back up their teachings on baptism with the Bible! However, while "death by burning" is not a choice many make today, many do attack those who seek to follow the Bible completely and who believe the Bible is the final Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21).
   
   In this work, Dr. Estep takes us through the history of the Anabaptist tradtion. Where did it start? What doctrines seperated them from other movements? Historically, who has followed in their doctrines and practices? Dr. Estep traces these paths.
   
   The book is not easy reading however. It is a study of history and not theology. While Dr. Estep does touch on theological issues, the majority of the book is on the people involved. It is the story of the anabaptist.
   
   Overall this is a solid work on the Anabaptist movement. You will see the faith of these baptism reformers who sought to take the Church back to the authority of Scripture and be baptised by immersion (Acts 2:38; 8:36-37) as a disciple of Jesus (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15-16).