12 Top Christian Book Reviewers

Yesterday in Feast On a Good Book, I asked the question,

“How do you know whether a book is worth buying and reading?”

My answer:

“A recommendation by someone you trust sure does help.”

I then linked you to my RPM Ministries Book Review site, plus provided direct links to nearly two dozen of my favorite book reviews.

What About Other Christian Book Reviewers? 

There are many excellent Christian book reviewers on the Net. So, today I’m linking you to folks whose reviews I always benefit from—even when I don’t always agree with 100% of their review.

All of these folks do much more on their blogs than review books.

By the way, “Christian book reviewers” means a Christian who reviews books from a Christian worldview. This is different from focusing on reviews of Christian books from any perspective. Ponder that one…

My Dozen Favorite Christian Book Reviewers

In alphabetical order, my 12 top Christian book reviewers…

• Thabiti Anyabwile: Articulate, courageous, informed and informing…

• Aaron Armstrong: Theologically-astute, fair, focused, challenging, stretching…

• Tim Challies: Discerning, prolific, quality and quantity, a “Berean” mindset…

• Nathaniel Claiborne: Fearless, pointed, thorough, engaging…

• Brian Croft: Pastoral…clear recommendations, a shepherd’s heart, encouraging, to the point…

• Kevin DeYoung: Robust, blending pastoral ministry and theology, well-spoken, insightful…

• Brad Hambrick: Detailed, generous, practical, focused on life change…

• David Murray: Enjoyable, comprehensive, seeing with new eyes, thinking outside the box, articulate…

• Andy Naselli: Robust, theological, cutting-edge…

• Paul Tautges: Pastoral, practical, gracious, speaking the truth in love…

• Justin Taylor: Well-spoken, focused, deep, clear, doesn’t waste words…

• Trevin Wax: Enlightening, edifiying, instructive, profound… 

Bonus Feature: My Three Favorite Christian Book Review Sites

In addition to individual book reviewers, I recommend the following three Christian book review sites (listed alphabetically).

• The Biblical Counseling Coalition’s Book Review Site: Over a dozen book reviewers provide book reviews, author interviews, and book video trailers. Visit the BCC’s Book Review Site for reviews of books related to biblical counseling, pastoral ministry, marriage, parenting, and Christian living.

• The Discerning Reader Book Review Site: Originally launched by Tim Challies and now directed by Mark Tubbs, Discerning Reader is a leader in Christian book reviews. Find out for yourself here. 

• The Gospel Coalition Book Review Site: TGCR provides robust reviews on a wide variety of topics. Read TGCR reviews here for an Evangelical Christian perspective on books in the news.

Join the Conversation

Which of these reviewers do you read and enjoy? What additional Christian book reviewers would you add to this list? Why?

RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth

Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Challies, Discerning Reader, Gospel Coalition, Reviews

Two Dozen Christian Living Blogs That You Should Bookmark

Note: You’re reading Part Three in a three part blog mini-series on recommended blogs. In Part One, I highlighted Sixteen Biblical Counseling Blogs That You Should Bookmark. In Part Two, I linked you to Sixteen Pastoral Ministry Blogs That You Should Bookmark.

As with the first two posts, I wish I could mention every excellent blog that focuses on Christian living. The Christian living blogs I regularly read have some combination of: a.) frequency of posts, b.) a self-identified focused on Christian living, growth in Christ, sanctification, etc., c.) relatively high traffic/hits, and, frankly, d.) people I know or know of.

Drum Roll, Please 

Here are the Christian living blogs that I regularly read, listed in alphabetical order. Of course, I don’t agree with everything every one of these bloggers post. Still, these blogs stretch my thinking as iron sharpens iron.

• Albert Mohler.com is, of course, Al Mohler’s blog site where he shares a biblical perspective on vital issues of our day. Don’t miss this one.

• Between Two Worlds is the blog home of Justin Taylor who posts gospel-centered wisdom for living.

• Challies.com, the home of Tim Challies, in many ways started it all when it comes to in-depth Christian blogs. This is your one-stop place for resources, links, and Christian thinking on the Christian life.

• Christ Is Deeper Still is home to Ray Ortlund’s post about strengthening our walk with Christ.

• The Covenant Eyes Blog focuses on biblical help for maintaining moral purity.

• The Desiring God Blog is the home of John Piper’s ministry focusing on exalting God by enjoying God.

• At Don’t Stop Believing, Mike Wittmer relates theology to life and current events.

• For the Love of God is a daily devotional by D. A. Carson designed to walk a person through the Bible in a year while assisting readers in discovering the riches of God’s Word.

• Head, Heart, Home is the home to David Murray’s posts focusing on a comprehensive, compassionate approach to Christian living.

• Heavenward by Pastor Scotty Smith is a unique blog—it’s a daily prayer on focused issues in the Christian life.

• At Josh Harris.com you’ll find posts from Pastor Josh Harris that help you to dig down deep in your Christian life.

• At Kevin DeYoung.com you’ll gain insight into applying truth to life from the ministry of Pastor Kevin DeYoung.

• The Kingdom People Blog by Trevin Wax provides robust resources for your Christian walk.

• The Ligonier Blog shares R. C. Sproul’s (and others’) deep insights connecting theology to life and ministry.

• The Lifeway Research Blog is hosted by Ed Stetzer with information for informed decisions about life and ministry.

• Living with Power is Lina AbuJamra’s blog home. Lina is the Women’s Ministry Director at Harvest Bible Chapel; she blogs about connecting to Christ’s resurrection power.

• Michael Hyatt.com provides insights from Michael Hyatt for Christian leaders and authors.

• Moore to the Point by Russell Moore blends a pastor’s heart and a theologian’s mind.

• Parchment and Pen is the blog home of Credo House with posts by Michael Patton and others—all relating theology to life.

• Strawberry-Rhubarb Theology is the blog home of Dane Ortlund where he focuses on reclaiming the mind for Christ.

• When your blog is recognizable by your first name, like Tullian, you know you have an abundance of readers. Pastor Tullian Tchividjian maintains a laser focus on gospel-centered living.

• View from the Cheap Seats by C. J. Mahaney provides a grace-oriented focus on Christian living. (As of this writing, C. J. has just announced a sabbatical. Whether his site will be “live” in the near future, I do not know.)

• Voices is the blog home of The Gospel Coalition where you’ll find contributions from a wide range of Christian leaders on a wide range of topics. Another “can’t miss” blog.

• In Wisdom for Life, Pastor Steve Cornell presents biblical principles for wise relating to God and others.

Join the Conversation

What additional excellent blogs do you recommend for biblical wisdom for Christian living?

Tags: Blogs, Christian Living, John Piper, Kevin DeYoung

The Best of the Best Around the Net

One of my passions is bridge-building, connecting, and highlighting other ministries and ministry resources—so that the Body of Christ is built up and Christ is magnified (Ephesians 4:15-16). My weekly post, The Best of the Best Around the Net, links you to blog posts that provide robust, rich, and relevant insights for living. Check out the following links you can trust.

Top 100 Christian Websites

Kent Shaffer at Church Relevance has posted his Spring 2010 Top 100 most influential Christian websites/blogs. He uses a series of metrics to assess which Christian blogs are the most read. Fascinating. And with links to every blog.

Beyond TULIP

TULIP is the common acronym for the “five points of Calvinism.” John Piper at Desiring God (the # 1 most influential Christian blog in the world—see above) explains that there is so much more to a Reformed/Calvinistic way of thinking about life. Read about a God-saturated, Christ-centered, and Bible-based worldview at Beyond Five Points.

How to Review a Book

As someone who has reviewed over 500 books, I’m always open to learning how to write a better review. Tim Challies is the preeminent Evangelical book reviewer. And he’s listed by Shaffer (see above) as the second most influential Christian blogger in the world. Tim posts some very helpful pointers about How to Review a Book.

Preachers Who Are Not Believers

Albert Mohler posts about a new survey on Clergy Who Do Not Believe. It’s a sad and alarming topic, but one that every Christian needs to read.

Jonathan Edwards Fans

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School has started a new project studying Puritan American Pastor Jonathan Edwards. Read about him and their work at their Jonathan Edwards Blog.

Join the Conversation

Of my Best of the Best Around the Net, which post impacted you the most? Why?

What blog posts have you read this week that you want to share with others?

Tags: Best of the Best, Challies, Mohler, Piper, Shaffer

The Best of the Best Around the Net

One of my passions is bridge-building, connecting, and highlighting other ministries and ministry resources—so that the Body of Christ is built up and Christ is magnified (Ephesians 4:15-16). My weekly post, The Best of the Best Around the Net, links you to blog posts that provide robust, rich, and relevant insights for living. Check out the following links you can trust.

Power for Preachers

My friend, Mike Pohlman, over at The Gospel Coalition, asks, “Where does the preacher’s power reside?” His post shows how and why preacher and listener can go confidently into church. Check out Power for Preachers.

A Reformation of Worship

Prolific author and blogger, R. C. Sproul, explains in Seeking a Reformation of Worship that, “The sacraments are not naked symbols. They must be clothed with the Word. Word and sacrament must go together.”

Two Ships, Two Sinkings, and Two Worldviews

Al Mohler shares a fascinating story, really two stories, with a deeply relevant moral. What explains the difference in how men responded to the sinking of the Titanic and the sinking of the Lusitania? In Women and Children First, Mohler contrasts Scripture/revelation with science/research and shows where we find our true answers in life.

The Masculine Mandate

Tim Challies, who blogs as often and as effectively as any Christian blogger, is also Evangelical Christianity’s preeminent book reviewer. In this post he reviews the new book The Masculine Mandate. Here’s his summary, which hopefully entices you to read the full blog and in turn the full book. “Well-written and presenting tough truths within such a simple grid of work and keep, this book is a very useful call for men to live out their mandate before God.”

Join the Conversation

Of the Best of the Best Around the Net, which post impacted you the most? Why? 

Tags: Challies, Mohler, Sproul, The Best of the Best, The Gospel Coalition

6 Views on Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christianity

Brian McLaren’s book, A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith, is causing quite the stir on the Net. I’ve collated links to several reviews.

Tim Challies

Tim Challies has penned a strong (speaking the truth in love) general response at his site. It’s well worth reading.

Mike Wittmer

For a detailed, point-by-point, loving, logical, and theological response, I encourage you to visit Mike Wittmer’s site. Mike has posted responses to each of Brian’s ten questions. 

*The Introduction

*Question 1: What Is the Overarching Story Line of the Bible?

*Question 2: How Should the Bible Be Understood?

*Interlude: The Defining Issue—The Creation/Fall/Redemption Narrative

*Question 3: Is God Violent?

*Question 4: Who Is Jesus and Why Is He Important?

*Question 5, Part 1: What Is the Gospel?

*Question 5, Part 2: What Is the Gospel?

*Question 6: What Do We Do about the Church?

*Question 7: Can We Find a Way to Address Human Sexuality?

*Questions 8-9: Can We Find a Better Way of Viewing the Future? and How Should Followers of Jesus Relate to People of Other Religions?

*Question 10: How Can We Translate Our Quest into Action?

Kevin DeYoung

Kevin DeYoung, over at his Gospel Coalition blog, DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed has a two-part post. He’s also updated and expanded his response to the book in PDF format.

*Christianity and McLarenism, Part 1

*Christianity and McLarenism, Part 2

*Christianity and McLarenism, in PDF.

Scot McKnight

Christianity Today has posted a review by Scot McKnight, professor at North Park University. McKnight has been relatively sympathetic to some of McLaren’s past writings. However this review states that the book is not so much revolutionary, but evolutionary. You can read it here.  

Panel from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

A panel of professors from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in this post calls the book “a fresh take on an old lie.”

You can view the video of the entire panel discussion here.

My Take (Bob Kellemen)

I’ve posted a multi-part series with a different slant on the book. What are the implications of McLaren’s ten questions for the personal ministry of the Word? Or, put another way, What is a biblical counseling and spiritual formation response to McLaren’s take on the ten questions?    

*Introduction: Brian McLaren, I Accept Your Invitation

*Overview: A Biblical Counseling Response to Brian McLaren

*Question 1: The Narrative Question

*Question 2: The Authority Question 

*Question 3: The God Question

*Question 4: The Jesus Question

*Question 5: The Gospel Question

*Question 6: The Church Question

*Question 7: The Sex Question

*Question 8: The Future Question

*Question 9: The Pluralism Question

*Question 10: The What Now Question 

*Conclusion: The Final Word and the Word After That

*Final Recap: Links

*Free Resource # 1: I’ve collated my entire blog series into a Word Document. Visit: A Conversation about Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christianity

*Free Resource # 2: I’ve interacted with some of these issues in another free Word Document. Visit: Just Where Did the Emergent Idea of Salvation Emerge From? 

Join the Conversation

What are your thoughts on McLaren’s book, Challies’ review, Wittmer’s reviews, McKnight’s review, the SBTS review, and my series?

Tags: A New Kind of Christianity, Book Review, Brian McLaren, DeYoung, Gospel Coalition, Kevin DeYoung, Mike Wittmer, Tim Challies

Interested in book reviews written by Evangelicals? Then look no further than Discerning Reader:

http://www.discerningreader.com/

“Doc. K” Writing for Them Now

Ever since I discovered the site, I’ve visited it regularly. When they read some of my reviews on Amazon, it became apparent that we were kindred spirits. So a month ago they added me to their select list of reviewers–I’m honored to play a small part.

Why They Are Unique

What I’ve always appreciated about Discerning Reader (DR) and their founder, Tim Challies, is that they are both loving and discerning. Far too many folks in the “discernment movement” are unloving and quite frankly, undiscerning. Tim and DR are not part of a “movement.” They show great wisdom and great grace as they review books from an Evangelical perspective.

About Discerning Readers

Here is what Tim Challies, the founder of Discerning Readers, says about the site. Enjoy.

Around the world some 120,000 new books are published each year. That adds up to ten thousand every month; over 300 each and every day. Americans buy over 4.5 million books every day, including many of these new titles. This adds up to over 1.5 billion books per year that are consumed within America. Yet even this totals only 35% of the books that are sold worldwide. While it might seem that television and the Internet are decreasing our love for reading, it is clear that books sell better today than at any other time in history.

As the number of books rolling of the presses increases, the discernment of Christians decreases. Local churches are finding it increasingly difficult (and tragically, increasingly unnecessary) to equip their people to discern good from bad, better from best.

We would like to help.

Discerning Reader is a site dedicated to promoting good books–books that bring honor to God. At the same time, we hope to help Christians avoid being unduly influenced by books and teachers that are not honoring to God.

We do not seek to be harsh or judgmental. Rather, we seek only to be discerning as we compare books to the written Word of God. We let the words of authors speak for themselves and simply hold the books up to the light of Scripture. In doing so, we are building a database of reviews which we feel cast a discerning light on the books that are found in Christians homes, churches and bookstores.

We invite you to browse around, to read the reviews, and to examine the features of this site. We think you will find it to be a blessing.

On behalf of the Discerning Reviewer review team,

Tim Challies