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

Feast on a Good Book

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

A recommendation by someone you trust sure does help.

Because it’s somewhat tucked away on my site, you may not be aware that I do a lot of book reviewing. Visit my RPM Ministries Book Review Site for links to over 350 reviews. 

To encourage you to visit often, in today’s post I point you to a number of sources for my book reviews, plus a sampling of some of my favorite reviews.

Book Review Sites Where I Post Reviews 

1. The Biblical Counseling Coalition’s Book Review Site

Along with a dozen other reviewers, I 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.

2. The Gospel Coalition Book Review Site 

I provide biblical counseling and pastoral ministry reviews for The Gospel Coalition’s Book Review site. You can read my TGC reviews here. 

3. The Discerning Reader Book Review Site 

I provide reviews of a wide array of books at the Discerning Reader site. You can read all of my DR reviews here. 

4. Amazon Reviews

I’ve reviewed over 350 books at Amazon.com. Read my Amazon reviews here. 

Sample Some of My Favorite Book Reviews at My RPM Ministries Book Review Site

For direct access to this sampling of some of my favorite reviews posted right here at RPM Ministries, click on the title to any of the books below.

The Biblical Counseling Movement by David Powlison. 

The Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams by Heath Lambert. 

Counsel from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick. 

Counsel One Another, Comfort Those Who Grieve, and Counsel Your Flock: The Paul Tautges Trilogy. 

CrossTalk by Mike Emlet. 

Faithful Feelings by Matthew Elliott. 

Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick. 

Glory Road by Anthony Carter. 

The Heart of Addiction by Mark Shaw. 

Helpful Truths in Past Places by Mark Deckard. 

A History of Pastoral Care in America by E. Brooks Holifield. 

If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn. 

The Mystery of the Holy Spirit by R. C. Sproul. 

Out of a Far Country by Christopher Yuan. 

Putting Your Past In Its Place by Steve Viars. 

Psychology in the Spirit by John Coe and Todd Hall, Review Part One, Review Part Two, and Review Part Three. 

The Radical Disciple by John Stott. 

Resolving Everyday Conflict by Ken Sande. 

Seeing With New Eyes by David Powlison. 

A Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper. 

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. 

When Life Is Hard by James MacDonald. 

Join the Conversation

Which of these books has most impacted you? Or, which of these books do you most what to read?

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

Tags: Biblical Counseling Coalition, Book Reviews, Books, Discerning Reader, Gospel Coalition

Top 20 Sister Blogs

Yesterday I noted that this week is the One-Year Anniversary of the launch of the new RPM Ministries website. As part of “Anniversary Week,” today I’m sharing the Top Twenty Referral Sites. These sites referred the most readers, but more importantly, they are excellent sites for your life and ministry. I thank each of them for their referrals and for their ministry in my life.

1. Challies.Com: The Internet home of Christian blogger and book reviewer, Tim Challies—one of the most popular Christian bloggers in the world.

2. The Gospel Coalition: The premier site for Evangelical Christians deeply committed to renewing their faith in the gospel of Christ and to reforming ministry practices to conform fully to the Scriptures.

3. Discerning Reader: A site dedicated to reviewing Christian books (I post reviews on Discerning Reader on Christian living, biblical counseling, church history, and multi-cultural ministry).

4. CCEF: The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation—home to blogs and resources by leading biblical counselors such as David Powlison, Tim Lane, Paul Tripp, Ed Welch, and Mike Emlet.

5. Monergism: This one pleasantly surprised me coming in this high, simply because I had not realize they were linking this often and sending this many visitors. Monergism exists to equip Christians in the truth by making available the finest classic articles and resources of historical orthodoxy.

6. Everyday Christian: Your source for Christian views on the news (I post my take on topics relevant to Christian living and the news).

7. Kingdom People: The Net home of author (Holy Subversion) and blogger Trevin Wax. Among other great resources his “Trevin’s Seven” keeps you current on the best blogs each week.

8. GriefShare: An excellent ministry with resources and small group recovery ministries. My book God’s Healing for Life’s Losses is the first ever “GriefShare Presents” book.

9. Don’t Stop Believing: Mike Wittmer’s blog provides excellent, easy-to-read insights into Christian theology for everyday living.

10. Adrian Warnock: Adrian is a Christian writer, blogger, and author of Raised with Christ.

11. Phoenix Preacher:  Linking you to up-to-date Christian resources on the web.

12. Grace Dependent: The web home of Pastor Mark Kelly, a good friend, godly pastor, and skilled biblical counselor.

13. The Gospel Coalition Review: A Christian book review ministry of the Gospel Coalition (I post book reviews for them on biblical counseling topics).

14. Counseling Solutions: Rick Thomas’ site where you’ll find excellent resources for biblical counseling and Christian living.

15. Brad Hambrick: Blogs and resources from a biblical counselor with great biblical insight and practical information.

16. Wise Counsel: Phil Monroe’s site: Musings of a Christian Psychologist. Provides thought-provoking daily blogs.

17. Lucy Ann Moll: Caring biblical counselor, speaker, blogger, and writer.

18. Biblical Counseling for Women: The blog home of Julie Ganschow—an excellent biblical counselor and insightful blogger.

19. Dr. Laura Hendrickson: Laura is a psychiatrist and biblical counselor—a rare combination, and her refreshing insights are well worth applying.

20. Capital Bible Seminary: The seminary where I teach and where I launched and chaired the MA in Christian Counseling and Discipleship department.

Join the Conversation

What Christian blogs minister to you the most?

Tags: Discerning Reader, Gospel Coalition, Tim Challies, Trevin Wax

What Others Are Saying about God’s Healing for Life’s Losses

The Big Idea: Two dozen book reviewers are blogging their thoughts on my latest book God’s Healing for Life’s Losses. Below, you’ll find a link to each review, the name of their blog, plus a brief snippet of their review. Post a comment on one of their blogs by August 1, for a chance to win a free copy.

• Rick Howerton: Small Group World. http://bit.ly/aelacY

“Blindsided, Ambushed, Amazed, Inspired… the list could go on and on. When Bob asked me to read God’s Healing for Life’s Losses for his blog tour, I was honored but saw little opportunity to aid the small group community. That is, until I had finished reading this amazing manuscript. This treasure that includes multiple pages filled with questions for personal reflection is a perfect tool for dealing with personal loss as well as the training of small group leaders. Small group pastor… I would suggest you get copies of this book and spend ten weeks with your small group leaders. Some of your group leaders will finally deal with past hurt that they have chosen to deny. The rest will learn the stages and phases of grief. They will be prepared to help their group members find hope, help, and healing when grief invades his/her space. Get this book, read it yourself, and then use it to equip your leaders.”

• Mark Tubbs: Discerning Reader. http://bit.ly/bW4yl2

“So much more could be said about this book and so much could be quoted from it, but I leave it up to the reader to order a copy and delve in. Or order two copies and involve a friend in the process. Pastors, counselors, and small group leaders, this book is bound to be a source of hope for those under your care who are grieving. Not only that, but it commends itself as a teaching tool in preparing Christians to suffer in a God-honoring, biblical way.”

• Brad Hambrick: A Blog from a Counselor for the Church. http://bit.ly/9RjV1R

“God’s Healing for Life’s Losses takes on traditional thoughts about grief and loss and turns them upside down. There is refreshing honesty about the pain of loss and the permission to be real with God and others as we embrace the mourning process together. This book is biblical, personal, and healing; I highly recommend it.”

• Mark Kelly: Grace Dependent. http://bit.ly/bj3KGZ

“Exuding hope, this book becomes a wonderful resource that compassionately directs the reader to find healing for life’s losses in Christ and with Christ. I encourage you to purchase a copy of God’s Healing for Life’s Losses for your own personal journey, and perhaps, a second copy for a friend or family member going through a time of loss, suffering or grief. This book would also be a valuable tool for a support group as they work through the grieving process.”

 “Finally, one other major feature of this text makes it immensely useful: that is, the emphasis of practical application throughout the text. Each chapter concludes with several application and processing questions concerning the subject at hand. For one in the midst of present pain, these questions can serve as skillful and loving counsel of how the content can be rightly applied to one’s circumstances. This is one big reason why the book is endorsed by the ministry GriefShare, a ministry dedicated to helping those going through the pain of grief. This text will be a welcome resource for any such person, and any person dealing with pain as the result of any means of personal suffering.” 

• Julie Ganschow: Biblical Counseling for Women. http://bit.ly/bmfZrw

“From time to time I come across a book that I want to tell you about because it makes a profound impact on my life and I think it will benefit many of you. I found such a book in God’s Healing for Life’s Losses. This is a wonderful new book by Dr. Robert Kellemen and it is a book that I have personally been waiting for, for a long time.”

• Keiki Hendrix: Vessel Project. http://bit.ly/c7IFRp

“A book complete on grief, loss, and despair that encourages the reader to seek God as their source of healing. Bob Kellemen has compiled an exceptional resource in God’s Healing for Life’s Losses. A great resource written by an experienced Christian Counselor who includes personal accounts of periods of grief.”

• Leslie Wiggins: Alabamenagerie. http://bit.ly/bVd2JH

“This book surprised me. It’s small, but more helpful than most books on grief that are twice its size. In fact, its size makes it ideal for giving. Pastors, counselors, and those who often find themselves in a position to comfort others in pain, will want to use this book as a resource and as a gift for those who are hurting. I discovered a book whose message is more than just how to find healing after a loss; it’s about journeying with God through life in this broken, sin-filled world.”

• Kellie Harbaugh: Tabitha’s Team. http://bit.ly/9QUylI

“‘We live in a fallen world and it often falls on us,’ Dr. Kellemen explains in God’s Healing for Life’s Losses. This has become one of my favorite quotes. Dr. Kellemen does not assume that a couple of Scripture verses and a prayer will make everything all better. But he also doesn’t leave you empty-handed… If you like to journal, you will love the questions that are asked throughout the book as prompts for you to journal your thoughts, feelings, and ultimately your journey to healing. If you have a friend who experiencing grief or depression, this would be a great gift.”

• Cathy Bryant: Word Vessel. http://bit.ly/aiv52b

“Words really seem inadequate to express the need I see for this wonderful book by Dr. Kellemen. Packed with scriptural references, God’s Healing For Life’s Losses contrasts the world’s method of coping with loss with God’s ways. The gift-book size makes this book easy to hold and read, but it’s not a book to be skimmed through lightly or quickly. Instead it needs to be prayerfully entered and slowly digested, allowing the truths of God to sink in and soothe the soul. I highly recommend this wonderful book.”

• Sandra Peoples: Heart for Him. http://bit.ly/b1q8us 

“This concise book is packed with hope for those who are hurting. The highlight of this book for me was the explanation of ‘Biblical Sufferology’ (chart on page 10). The five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance—are contrasted with the biblical grief response—candor, complaint, cry, comfort. Kellemen writes, ‘We have two basic options. We can turn to the world’s way. Or we can follow the way of God’s Word’ (16). God’s Word is where we find hope!”

• Lucy Ann Mull: The Sisterhood of Beautiful Warriors. http://bit.ly/cM8BhI

“God’s Healing for Life’s Losses provides valuable wisdom and encouragement for women or men who suffer any life loss, including divorce, church conflict, the empty nest, death of a loved one. Easy to read, practical and uplifting. Highly recommended.”

• Greg Baily: Word for Men. http://bit.ly/cJc8tV

“I am currently ministering to two recent widows and one spouse who have just hit the reality that her husband is headed to his Creator at an accelerating speed. I am going to buy more copies of this book for them, and am talking to the local director of a Biblical counseling center and my pastor about ordering a few dozen for myself, another chaplain I know and for their ministries use also. It is that helpful and that truthful. My money will be where my mouth is.”

• Cindy Baily: Word for Women. http://bit.ly/cTx6kc

(By Greg Baily): “Dr. Kellemen has been given a unique Christian insight into ‘sufferology’ and grieving. As one who wanted to help but only seemed to have a mish-mash of secular observation about human nature and some meaty Biblical concepts I thoroughly embrace God’s Healing for Life’s Losses. The book is made very accessible because he uses case studies to outline his Biblical stages, often of himself as he suffered through a great grief in his life.”

• Angela Dockter-Harris: Dance in the Rain. http://bit.ly/aKqdrS  

“God’s Healing for Life’s Losses provides such comfort to understanding sorrow and suffering. This is a must read book for those who are hurting as well as those who minister to hurting people on a daily basis. I suggest that those in ministry have several copies on hand to share.”

• Kym Morris McNabney: Writing from the Soul. http://bit.ly/9V9PXe

“I believe this book would be an amazing tool for those stuck in suffering, and worthlessness, and despair. Those that have been struck down by addiction, or found themselves behind bars. They need to hear the good news this book has to offer. It isn’t often that I wish to be rich, but after reading this book I wish I had the funds to purchase this wonderful book for those in my life, as well as all those that cross my path that I fear are hurt, and suffering.” 

• Cornelius Jemison: My Musings from a Biblical Worldview. http://bit.ly/dkjUON

“As a beginning student in theology, I can write a theology paper about suffering and come up with clever statements that describe the process of suffering/troubles/tribulations and the implications of believers, but it’s another thing when you are hemmed in, hurting, angry, and bitter with God. After reading Dr. Robert Kellemen’s book: God’s Healing for Life’s Losses I don’t feel that way anymore. In his book he describes the biblical and personal process of healing.”

• Joe Donaldson: View from the Second Chair. http://bit.ly/bXu1oZ

“This is a book that I will recommend to my colleagues, to those who counsel and care for those who are grieving, and for all who finds themselves in need of healing from life’s losses. I found it to be well-written, thoughtful, and immensely practical.”

• John Starke: The Gospel Coalition Reviews. http://bit.ly/aQzTjg

Author Interview: “Who should read God’s Healing for Life’s Losses?”

“Sometimes the second we hear words like loss and grief, our minds focus exclusively on death and dying. God’s Healing for Life’s Losses focuses on any type of loss—from the grand loss of death, to the daily casket experiences of the loss of a job, the loss of a dream, the loss of a relationship… So anyone struggling with any life loss would benefit from reading God’s Healing.”

• Aaron Taylor: Deep Thoughts with Aaron Taylor. http://bit.ly/cIiOUk

Author Interview: “What’s the “big idea” behind God’s Healing for Life’s Losses? What would you like readers to take away from it?”

“In a biblical sentence: you can grieve with hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). God’s Healing for Life’s Losses gives readers permission to grieve and offers a pathway toward hope. I want people to see their suffering from God’s perspective without denying the reality that suffering still hurts. What would I like readers to take away? The title and subtitle say it best. I’d like readers to walk away with God’s healing hope.”

• Lynn Mosher: Heading Home. http://bit.ly/bFmkjt

Author Interview: “Why did you write God’s Healing for Life’s Losses?”

“Christians long for an approach that faces suffering honestly and engages sufferers passionately—all in the context of presenting truth biblically and relevantly. We need to be able to face life’s losses in the context of God’s healing. Jesus did. ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).” 

Join the Conversation

What resources have you found valuable in dealing with suffering, grief, and loss?

Tags: Blog Tour, Book Review, God's Healing for Life's Losses, Grief, Suffering

Mark Tubbs’ Discerning Reader Blog-Through of Soul Physicians

A Book for Every Pastor, Every Counselor, and Every Christian: Part 2, Act One

Note: Mark Tubbs, the Editor of the Discerning Reader Christian book review site, posted the following review of Soul Physicians on May 24, 2010. (For Part 1, click here).

Excerpt: In what is probably the finest biblical exposition of the creation, fall, and evil activity of Lucifer I have read thus far, Bob “puts flesh” on this pitiful but powerful creature of overweening self-love and deadly pride.

Act One: Love’s Eternity

In the opening chapter of Act One, chapter four of Bob Kellemen’s magnum opus Soul Physicians, Bob takes us behind the scenes, as it were, to behold divine love’s fountainhead: the eternal inter-relationship existing between the persons of our Triune God.

In the Prologue, which I blogged about last month, Bob set the stage for the narrative we find ourselves following in Act One by introducing us to the main characters in the history of the universe. Bob’s point in weaving this narrative, besides drawing us into a greater love for God Himself, is the practical application of biblical truth in biblical counseling. In other words, putting the implications of the gospel into practice in everyday life.

The preface to Act One, subtitled “Love’s Eternality – Community,” outlines the path taken in the next four chapters. Long before sin, long before Satan, long before us, the Trinity existed in harmonious transcendence. Here is a helpful couplet:

o In the beginning God Created

o Before the beginning God Related

I don’t care what you say (well, I do, but I like the expression), that’s a fresh and memorable way to express God’s pre-creation activity. Proposing that too many biblical counselors start off on the wrong foot by either using sin or redemption, Bob suggests “that we construct a biblical counseling method that begins before the beginning.” He goes on:

I suggest we build our model of Christian counseling on the foundation of the Triune relationship that existed before the foundations of the earth. If we are going to learn spiritual friendship, then let’s look to the ultimate Spiritual Friend and the eternal Spiritual Friendship: the Trinity.

Chapters five and six are straightforward but rich. The former mines the biblical data for God’s attributes and presents them in superlative, glowing terms. The latter introduces God’s adversary, known in this book as False Seducer. In what is probably the finest biblical exposition of the creation, fall, and evil activity of Lucifer I have read thus far, Bob “puts flesh” on this pitiful but powerful creature of overweening self-love and deadly pride.

Finally, chapter seven contrasts False Seducer’s strategies with those of God Himself. Bob is at his best when providing fresh insights into familiar biblical texts using helpful and accurate explanation and exegesis. And true to form, the adept and articulate biblical counselor that he is, Bob rounds out Act One with a real-life counseling scenario that demonstrates the theological, “theoretical” content of the previous four chapters. This is sure to become a go-to passage for any pastor or counselor who can commit its general structure to memory.

I enjoyed 99% of the material in this section of Soul Physicians. I could do without the image of the Trinity engaging in heavenly hugs and hi-fives, but this may be more a reflection on my mere thirty-something years of life than anything else. I still maintain, as I mentioned in my blog on the Prologue, that this is a book for every pastor, every counselor, and indeed, every Christian.

Buy Soul Physicians directly from Bob Kellemen here at a significant discount.

Tags: Biblical Counseling, Book Review, Discerning Reader, Mark Tubbs, Soul Physicians

Mark Tubbs’ Discerning Reader Blog-Through of Soul Physicians

A Gospel-Centric Counseling Book: Part 1: The Prologue

Note: Mark Tubbs, the Editor of the Discerning Reader Christian book review site, posted the following review of Soul Physicians on April 26, 2010.

Excerpt: “It’s easy to advocate for a text this effective, this accessible, and this gospel-centric. I’m so convinced of its helpfulness that I urge all pastors and leaders who read this blog entry to invest in a copy and spend the summer reaping its benefits, not only for their counseling ministries but for their church(es) at large.”

The Prologue

Biblical counselor Bob Kellemen of RPM Ministries has become a good friend and reviewing colleague since he joined the Discerning Reader Reviewing Team. In this BlogThru entry I’m pleased to present insights I have gleaned and knowledge I have gained from the first section of his counseling text, Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction (Revised Edition, BMH Books, 2007).

Soul Physicians is divided into six sections: prologue, first act, second act, third act, fourth act, and epilogue. If you’re wondering why the book is set up like a play, Bob explains that besides it being a useful way to divide the book’s contents, its structure mirrors the narrative of the cosmos: God’s pre-existence, our creation in His image, our betrayal and subsequent fall, His reconciliation and redemption of us, and our eventual restoration to full heavenly communion with Him.

Bob even labels his “characters” appropriate to his dramatic motif: Satan is the False Seducer; the Church is the Bride; we Christians are Romancers, Dreamers, Creators, Singers and Actors; and God, of course, is the Worthy Groom. In many authors’ hands, this set-up might come across as trite, but Bob’s sincerity and earnestness wins the day. Unpacking this narrative approach is the central aim of chapters one through three.

Paradigm-Shifting

Even earlier in the book Bob provides a four-part rubric for “infusing Biblical Counseling with Christian theology.” Thus far, it is the most paradigm-shifting ingredient in the book. Based on the premise that we need to learn how to read the Bible “with confidence that theology is God’s story [which] gives meaning to our individual and group stories,” Biblical counseling must therefore synthesize:

• An academic theology that provides us with a way of thinking about life God’s way

• An historical theology that gives a voice…to past perspectives and practices in caring for souls

• A spiritual theology of life that re-ignites our first love for Christ…and relate[s] God’s truth to human relationships

• A practical theology that equips us to deal with suffering and sin as Christ would.

Bob’s approach balances soul care, which he defines broadly as caring for the sufferer, with spiritual direction, which he describes as helping the counselee investigate and overcome his or her habituated sinful patterns. All counseling situations will comprise a mix of the two, which is a departure from the widespread “take two verses and call me in the morning” pastoral counseling approach of recent decades.

Real Life Scenarios

Practically and helpfully, Bob peppers the text with real-life scenarios and situations demonstrating his approach at work. The scenario I found particularly enlightening was that of “Pastor Bill” and the lies he was feeding himself, egged on by Satan. Compassionately embracing Bill as sufferer and sinning saint, Bob narrates how he employed a combination of all four theologies to guide Bill away from a morass of recriminatory and destructive self-talk, toward “accepting [his] acceptance in Christ.” No longer was Bill “vulnerable to the whispers and the shouts of Satan’s story.” He was now re-invested as a participating cast member in the grace narrative of the purposes of a good God.

Application helps are provided at the end of each chapter under the headings of “Caring for Your Soul: Personal Applications” and “Caring for Others: Ministry Applications.” Also available is a companion workbook, Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction. Don’t be fooled—unlike some study guides and workbooks that seem to be little more than money-grabs for publishers, this one provides just as much food for thought and meat for study as the text we are concerned with here.

Recommendation

I end this mini-review by rewinding to the very beginning of the book, where three-and-a-half pages of endorsements testify to the effectiveness of Bob’s wholistic approach to Christ-centered soul care and spiritual direction. Knowing Bob, all he had to do was simply ask for these pastors, professors, counselors, students, and ministry directors to put their thoughts in print, and they readily obliged.

As I can attest, it’s easy to advocate for a text this effective, this accessible, and this gospel-centric. I’m so convinced of its helpfulness that I urge all pastors and leaders who read this blog entry to invest in a copy and spend the summer reaping its benefits, not only for their counseling ministries but for their church(es) at large. There’s no member, young or mature spiritually, that will fail to take something away that enriches devotion to Christ.

And if you don’t believe me, stay tuned for weekly posts through the remaining five sections of Soul Physicians.

Join the Conversation

What books do you recommend for equipping in pastoral counseling, biblical counseling, lay counseling, Christian counseling, soul care, spiritual direction, and spiritual friendship?

Tags: Biblical Counseling, Book Review, Discerning Reader, Soul Physicians