Books

Books to Note

Short reviews of ‘Moral Apologetics for Contemporary Christians,’ ‘Beautiful Outlaw,’ and ‘The Accidental Revolutionary.’

Moral Apologetics for Contemporary Christians

Pushing Back Against Cultural and Religious Critics Mark Coppenger (B&H Academic)

Mark Coppenger believes Christians should not shy away from our ethical heritage when defending Christian truth claims. Instead, we should consider the ways in which a Christian ethic intersects with Christian apologetics. If true ideas bring life to society, one should expect life and culture to flourish where Christianity is embraced. Coppenger’s writing is feisty and persuasive as he argues for Christianity’s moral superiority.—Trevin Wax

Beautiful Outlaw

Experiencing the Playful, Disruptive, Extravagant Personality of Jesus John Eldredge (FaithWords)

The newest book from John Eldredge seeks to surprise readers with the powerful per-sonality of Jesus. Eldredge is at his best when describing the awe-inspiring nature of Christ’s incarnation and humility. Unfortunately, he tends to pit Christ’s immanence against God’s transcendence, as well as Jesus against the church. The end result is largely a “me and Jesus” Christianity.—Trevin Wax

The Accidental Revolutionary

George Whitefield and the Creation of America Jerome Dean Mahaffey (Baylor University Press)

Jerome Dean Mahaffey’s new biography is about a major Founding Father whose first name was George. No, not the man from the Mount Vernon, the one whose visage adorns the dollar bill, but George Whitefield, the British itinerant whose preaching propelled the First Great Awakening. Whitefield did not aim to rock the boat politically. Throughout his life, he pledged loyalty to the crown and the Church of England. But Mahaffey shows how Whitefield’s bold challenge to settled religious doctrines and hierarchies helped coax the colonies in the direction of independence.—Matt Reynolds

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Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

How to Read the Bible

My Top 5 Books For Young Adults

The Messy Business of Clean Water in Africa

Excerpt

Simply Jesus

The Green Collection: Bibles and More

News

Persecution Prompts Missions Agency to Transform

The Coach in Your Head

John Stott: Four Ways Christians Can Influence the World

Wilson's Bookmarks

News

Go Figure

The 'Big Love' Strategy

Power Washed by God

News

Catholic Hospitals Not Exempt From Contraception Rules, Hungary Severely Redefines 'Church,' & More News

Is Online Dating for Christians?

Review

What's New Is Old: 'America's New Evangelicals'

Excerpt

A Fully Biblical Liberation Theology

Survey: Frequent Bible Reading Can Turn You Liberal

News

Undoing the Famine Damage

A New Bible Battle

Review

Half the Sky Is Falling

Interview: Chai Ling on Saving China's Daughters

Editorial

Unexpected Political Hero

News

Sherwood Baptist Partners with a Black Church to Bring Racial Healing

Interview: Douglas Groothuis on Good Apologetics

Calling for Heroic Commitment

Theological Interpretation in Action

News

Passages

Review

Profiling Christians Who Have Suffered Under Chinese Communism

News

Church Drops Mortgage for Expansion

News

Online Boycotts Separate Corporations from Christian Groups

News

Should Pastors Perform Marriages for Cohabitating Couples?

News

Quotation Marks

News

Tanzanians Throng to Miracle Cure

View issue

Our Latest

High Time for an Honest Conversation about THC

Legal cannabis may be here to stay, but the Christian conversation is just getting started.

The National Guard Debate Needs a Dose of Honesty

Criticizing federal overreach while remaining silent about local failures does not serve the cause of justice.

News

Saudi Arabian Prison Frees Kenyan After ‘Blood Money’ Payout

A Christian mother relied on the Muslim practice of “diyat” to bring her son home alive.

Why Fans Trust Forrest Frank

The enormously popular Christian artist says he experienced miraculous healing. His parasocial friends say “amen.”

How a Missionary Family in Lebanon Produced an American Hero

Bill Eddy’s Arabic acumen served US interests and forged Middle East ties.

Eight Divine Names in One Glorious Passage

Hebrew terms for God appear across the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah brings them all together.

The Bulletin

Venezuelan Boat Attack, Payday Loans, and USAID Fire Sale

The Bulletin discusses the attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, predatory lending, and the destruction of items from cancelled USAID projects.

Why an Early American Missionary Family Was Beloved in Lebanon

Over five decades of multigenerational ministry, the Eddys pioneered health and educational outreach.

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