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

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

Review of The Mystery of the Holy Spirit

Book Details

• Author: R. C. Sproul

• Publisher: Christian Focus (2009) (156 Pages)

• Category: Christian Life, Theology: Pneumatology/Holy Spirit

• ISBN: 978-1-84550-481-6

• Retail Price: $12.99

• Reviewed By: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., www.rpmministries.org

No Footprints in the Sand

To explain his title and purpose, author R. C. Sproul begins The Mystery of the Holy Spirit by quoting Abraham Kuyper. “The Holy Spirit leaves no footprints in the sand.” The Spirit is like the wind (John 3:8)—elusive and mysterious—but nonetheless real and marvelous. Because of the Spirit’s mystery, “we are vulnerable to superstition and distortions of His person and work” (p. 8). Sproul’s purpose, therefore, is to listen carefully to Scripture as it reveals the character of God the Holy Spirit.

Though known as a deep theologian, Sproul’s writings here and elsewhere seek to combine theological precision with personal application. Thus The Mystery of the Spirit seeks to avoid undue theological technicalities, while requiring deep thought leading to a deeper spiritual life.

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

Sproul’s first four chapters provide foundational biblical teaching on the Spirit—He is personal (chapter one); He is God (chapter two); He is a Member of the Trinity (chapters three and four). The first two chapters are somewhat brief and elementary—vital, but explained primarily for the lay person. The third and fourth chapters on the Trinity are deeper—sketching the historical controversies, philosophical reasonings, and biblical teachings regarding Trinitarian theology. This makes for some uneven reading (light/heavy, basic/deep). However, it would be difficult to do otherwise given the eternal mystery of the Trinity.

What Are the Works of the Holy Spirit?

Having provided the theological foundation of the Person of the Spirit, Sproul addresses the Spirit’s works, beginning at the beginning—creation. Here we find a classic example of Sproul’s ability to relate deep truth to daily Christian living. Speaking of the Spirit’s work of completing the empty and void earth, Sproul notes:

“Even in human relationships we have a nagging sense of the threat of emptiness, which we identify with poignant loneliness. The Holy Spirit fills what is empty. He conquers the void. When His work is finished, the once lonely universe is teeming with a plethora of flora and fauna. The barren wasteland becomes a pulsating arena of life. Here we need the Holy Spirit of God as the One who fills all things” (p. 72).

He continues this connection between creation and new creation, but even more pointedly in chapter six: The New Genesis: The Holy Spirit and Regeneration. While this chapter is helpful, there are some interpretations and applications that some might take issue with. For example, Sproul takes “flesh” to be “the sin nature, the entire fallen character of man” (p. 82). Many theologians and biblical counselors would take issue with this direct connection between “flesh” and “sin nature.”

Sproul’s focus in the rest of this chapter is on the order of salvation, which he takes as regeneration and then faith. This essential Reformed doctrine is handled succinctly. No problem there. However, one would have wished for more elaboration in this chapter on the actual change that takes place at regeneration. Sproul focuses more on a change of “leadership” (from Satan to the Spirit), which is accurate as far as it goes. But he does not address the specifics of the change of orientation—that we are truly new creations in Christ, our “old man” is crucified with Christ, and an entirely new disposition (affections, mindsets, will, etc.) is imparted (we are raised with Christ to newness of life in Christ).

Because Sproul does not address our new disposition, when he develops his thoughts on sanctification, the “new nature” is not highlighted. His theology is sound, but the application loses some power by the neglect of the new creation in Christ—who is to grow progressively more like Christ. Our battle is not that of an old nature and a new nature fighting a constant equal tug of war. Progressive sanctification is one new person with the regenerated capacities to fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. It’s still a profound battle; it still recognizes that there is no glorification/perfection this side of heaven, but emphasizing the new orientation/new capacities of the new creation in Christ enlightens believers to the foundation for and the path to progressive sanctification.

Sproul’s final three chapters on the baptism of the Spirit (chapter 8), the fruit of the Spirit (chapter nine), and the Other Comforter (chapter ten) are not to be missed. Though very different in style (his discussion of the baptism of the Spirit is theologically deep while his explanation and application of the fruit of the Spirit is personally deep), these chapters address core questions asked by every believer.

His discussion of the Holy Spirit as our Paraclete—Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Encourager, Giver of consolation—has great application for biblical pastoral counseling. Are we “parakaletic counselors” who know how to bring the Spirit’s comfort, consolation, and counsel to hurting and suffering people? Like the Spirit, do we offer people both solace for their wounds and strength for the battle? Speaking of the Spirit, Sproul writes, “He is the most tender source of solace the wounded, the defeated, or the grief-stricken person can know” (p. 155). Do we offer people biblical encouragement—strength for the journey, as the Spirit does? “The promised Paraclete … will come to give us strength and assistance for the battle” (p. 155).

Well-Worth Reading

R. C. Sproul in The Mystery of the Spirit has honored the Spirit’s mystery while also respecting the Bible’s descriptions of Who the Spirit is and what ministries the Spirit performs. As an introduction to the topic that balances theology and life, The Mystery of the Spirit is well-worth reading.

Join the Conversation

What are the best books you’ve read on the Holy Spirit?

A Review Of A Heart for the Community: New Models for Urban and Suburban Ministry

Note: This review first appeared on the Discerning Reader review site.

Book Details

• Authors: John Fuder and Noel Castellanos, General Editors

• Publisher: Moody (2009) (496 Pages)

• Category: Church and Ministry, Local Church, Urban Ministry

• ISBN: 978-0-8024-9131-2

• Retail Price: $34.99 Amazon.Com Link

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., LCPC, is the Founder and CEO of RPM Ministries. Bob has pastored three churches, chaired the MA in Christian Counseling and Discipleship department at Capital Bible Seminary, and is the author of five books: Soul Physicians, Spiritual Friends, Beyond the Suffering, Sacred Friendships, and God’s Healing for Life’s Losses.

Recommended: A Heart for the Community offers a comprehensive presentation of current issues and practical models useful for anyone wishing to pastor, plant churches, or lead para-church organizations in urban and suburban settings.

A Fresh New Look

Moody Publishing and the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) joined together with general editors John Fuder and Noel Castellanos, along with nearly three dozen other authors, to produce an encyclopedic reference work for 21st century urban and suburban ministry. What started as an updated edition of A Heart for the City (Moody, 1999), became a fresh new look at emerging models for ministry in our increasingly multi-ethnic society.

This major reworking was necessitated because of titanic shifts in urban issues today—shifts that impinge upon suburban ministry. Specifically, the authors frequently address the “gentrification” of urban areas—the restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle classes, often resulting in displacement of lower-income people. Playing itself out across America, cities and suburbs alike are becoming a shifting mix of classes, cultures, and ethnic groups.

Rather than seeing this as a problem, the authors perceive “within it a Kingdom purpose for our generation.” The ministry models highlighted throughout A Heart for the Community seize upon this missional opportunity—for both urban and suburban churches.

A fundamental premise of the book is that many pastors are trained in the exegesis of Scripture but not in the exegesis of their community (ethnology). This also explains a primary strength of and the need for A Heart for the Community. It seeks to equip pastors and church planters not only with a theology of the church, but with a methodology for understanding the community surrounding any given church. They seek a “more balanced hermeneutic” in the training of ministry practitioners as they muse over the “proper mix of the biblical text with the contemporary needs of the city and its people.”

This very strength could be considered one of the weaknesses of the book. A Heart for the Community is not a theology of urban/suburban ministry. It is more a methodology of. However, since the editors (explained in personal conversation) believe that other solid theological manuals on urban/suburban ministry are available, and this book seeks to supplement those manuals, readers should not be disappointed as long as they understand this mindset.

Still, further exegesis of narratives such as Jesus’ compassion-based ministry model and of Paul’s ethnological entry into Athens (Acts 17) could have helped to balance the “exegesis of Scripture” and “exegesis of society” and would have illustrated biblical models of such ministry. In fairness, this is not to imply that the book lacks a theological grid or that it excludes any exegesis of Scripture. For instance, Castellanos develops a biblical theology of collaboration, Fuder provides a biblical basis for community analysis, and Dudenhofer shares a theology of neighborliness, just to name three examples.

An Overview

A Heart for the Community is divided into four main sections. Part 1 focuses on critical issues such as the aforementioned “Gentrification.” This section serves to provide an understanding of the paradigm shifts for the church in urban and suburban America. Part 2 highlights church-planting models. This includes anything from the hip-hop church, to the cell church, to the Latino church, to the multi-ethnic church. Part 3 shifts the focus to ministering to suburban needs, while Part 4 addresses para-church ministries in urban and suburban settings.

Each chapter, like a good encyclopedia of ministry, is filled with historical background, cultural insight, and practical methods to implement. Additionally, every chapter includes reflection questions and a recommended reading list. No one can finish A Heart for the Community and leave hungry.

The wide breadth of authors, as with any multi-authored book, lends itself to a diversity of style, background, experience, and depth. A great strength of the book derives from this diversity—numerous engaging, practical, relevant vignettes and real-life narratives illustrate the principles being shared and the points being made.

Some Evangelical readers may be surprised or “taken aback” by the inclusion of some authors from Catholic and non-Evangelical backgrounds. Additionally, while the authors evidence tremendous diversity, almost all currently minister in the greater “Chicagoland” area. Thus implications have to be extrapolated to other urban and suburban centers.

The various authors consistently eschew any one-size-fits-all approach. Wisely, they encourage pastors, church planters, and para-church leaders to minister idiosyncratically—to take the principles from their chapters and apply them to the unique congregations and communities in which they serve.

While greatly appreciating this relational emphasis, at times the constant barrage of negativity toward “programs” felt overdone. The idea of “organizing the organism” or of “ad-ministering the ministry,” or of “people-oriented strategies” seemed to be thrown out entirely. It is possible to “balance” people and programs to address the unique, complex issues of multi-ethnic urban and suburban ministries.

Final Words

My copy of A Heart for the Community is highlighted effusively. I took page after page of notes. While I would encourage all readers to “be Bereans” as they read and respond to each author, I would also urge everyone interested in modern urban and suburban ministry to read A Heart for the Community. Like any “reference work,” you’ll not likely agree with every aspect of every chapter/article. However, you will be stretched to think through a practical, pastoral theology for 21st century ministry.

Join the Discussion

What resources do you recommend for urban and suburban ministry?

Religion Press Release Highlights God’s Healing for Life’s Losses

New Book Promises Biblical Hope to the Hurting

God’s Healing for Life’s Losses, a new GriefShare book from BMH Books by counselor, author, and educator Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D., LCPC, is now off the press and available for shipping.

Subtitled How to Find Hope When You’re Hurting, the book provides real, raw, honest and hopeful conversation about suffering, loss and grief from a Christian perspective.

The author is a seminary graduate as well as a trained counselor and educator, and the text of this small, gift-sized hardback reflects a solid underpinning of biblical truth and Trinitarian theology to its practical advice and keen insights.

The book is endorsed by GriefShare, an organization which conducts Christ-centered grief support groups in thousands of communities. More information about GriefShare is available at GriefShare.org or by calling 800-395-5755.

Dr. Ian Jones, professor of psychology and counseling at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said, “If you want a thoroughly biblical and intensely honest examination of suffering from someone who has walked the path from ‘hurt to hope in Christ,’ then ‘God’s Healing for Life’s Losses’ is just the book for you.”

Steve Grissom, founder of GriefShare, says, “It’s a treasure, filled with stunning and comforting words about God’s perspective on grief.”

The author, Robert Kellemen, served more than a dozen years as Chair of the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Discipleship department at Capital Bible Seminary, where he is now professor-at-large. In his three pastoral ministries, Kellemen has ministered to hundreds of grieving parishioners. He is also founder and CEO of RPM Ministries.

God’s Healing for Life’s Losses is available wherever Christian books are sold in stores, online, or through BMH Books at www.bmhbooks.com or by calling (toll-free) 1-800-348-2756. The book’s ISBN number is 978-0-88469-270-6 and it retails for $14.99.

The author, Robert Kellemen, is available for interviews, personal appearances, speaking engagements, or book signings, and may be contacted by e-mail at bob.kellemen@gmail.com or through his website www.rpmministries.org or by phone at 219-662-8138. Media requests for review copies should be e-mailed to tdwhite@bmhbooks.com.

How to Write Fair and Balanced, Helpful and Engaging Book Reviews

I’ve been reviewing books for over a decade now. In addition to published reviews in journals and magazines, I review online for the Gospel Coalition Reviews, Discerning Reader, RPM Ministries, Everyday Christian, Amazon, CBD, Lunch, and a few more I’ve likely forgotten.

Here are a few quick thoughts on writing fair and balanced, helpful and engaging book reviews.

1. If you totally hate it, don’t review it.

I know that’s not everyone’s policy, but it is mine. You know what your Mom told you, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all…” If I think a book is all bad, I’m not going to write a review. I just don’t have the stomach to be that critical.

2. Think of the author—she or he is a person, too.

As someone who has authored five books, I know what it feels like to “birth” a book. It is one’s creation. So, when you do point out weaknesses, do so graciously, fairly. Quote the author in context. Don’t question the author’s motives (who made book reviewers God?).

3. Contact the author before and after the review.

I’ve started doing this, especially for major reviews (in terms of the significance of the book, the length of the review, where it will be posted, etc.). When I first start reading and reviewing a book, I’ll send my thoughts, impressions, and questions to the author. I’ll ask if I’m “getting it right,” and if they have any response or clarification. After the review is published, I’ll send it to the author and encourage them to engage in an ongoing conversation about the book.

4. Follow the SSWE principle.

I’ve created something of a standard book review format: SSWE. By the way, this doesn’t mean you use this like a straight-jacket. And it doesn’t mean you have these “four sections” of your review. Rather, weave these following four aspects into every review in a conversational style.

S: Summarize the Book:

Help the reader know what in the world the book is about. If the book is in a “technical” field, translate the jargon to the everyday language of the common person.

S: Strengths of the Book:

Every book (I review) has some strengths. Give snippet illustrations of those strengths and highlight how they relate to life and ministry.

W: Weaknesses of the Book:

No book is perfect. But again, when sharing weaknesses, do so fairly, graciously, kindly, and gently.

E: Engage the Book:

This is perhaps the missing ingredient in many/most book reviews. Everyone does summaries, strengths, and weaknesses. But this is not a book report for your middle school teacher. This is a book review for real people who want to know if the book is worth reading. Interact with the book. Write as if you are having a conversation with the author—stretch the author, probe, ponder. Ask questions. Wonder out loud.

Join the Conversation

What do you think makes for an excellent book review?