Category Archives: Book Reviews

Book Review of How to read the Proverbs by Tremper Longman III

Rating: 8 out of 10

This short book is highly readable and well worth the time. Longman does a fantastic job of illustrating the various poetic elements that are incorporated in the Proverbs. The reader of the book will come to appreciate the rich depth of the Proverbs.Early in the book, Longman reveals the dangers in reading the Book of Proverbs with a strictly literal interpretation. The Proverbs are poetic literature and contain all the elements one would expect to find in poetry; such as, imagery and hyperbole. A literal interpretation of the Proverbs robs them of their depth. Longman also explains the Biblical Proverbs amongst other Near Eastern wisdom literature. The reader will discover while there are striking similarities between the Proverbs and other wisdom literature, there is one striking difference that sets the Biblical Proverbs apart.

I highly enjoyed reading this little book and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to study Old Testament poetry. I will be adding this book to my recommended reading list.

Book Review: Antichrist: Islam’s Awaited Messiah by Joel Richardson
Rating: 9 out of 10

Several years ago I took a class about Islam. I recall at the time being startled when learning about Islamic Eschatology (end times teaching). I couldn’t help but wonder how Muslim beliefs about the end times fit into the Christian end of the world scenarios I was more familiar with. As I learned about the coming of the Mahdi (the Islamic savior), I remember thinking there were striking similarities between the Christian Antichrist and the way the Mahdi is depicted in Islamic tradition. I briefly considered writing a work of fiction on the topic. My plan was to write a book about the Antichrist appearing on Earth in the form of the Mahdi. As it turns out, I was not the only person to have such thoughts.

Joel Richardson did not write a peace of fiction, but he did write an incredibly well researched book that compares the eschatology of Islam and Christianity. Richardson quotes the Bible, the Quaran, and other Islamic sources to compare the Mahdi with the Antichrist. He then takes his study one step further and compares the Muslim version of Jesus with the False Prophet that is depicted in the Bible. To further solidify his thesis, Richardson then compares the Biblical Jesus with the Dajjal (Islam’s Antichrist). Richardson then analyzes other aspects of Islam to see how it fits into Biblical eschatology.

I want to point out that this book is not anti-Islam. Richardson seems to have a genuine love for Muslim people and does not seem to harbor any ill-will towards Islam as a religion. His book is well researched and well written. Many people who study or write about eschatology are portrayed as “nut jobs” or “zealots,” Richardson is neither. His book is a scholarly study of the two faiths. I must say that while I enjoyed Joel Rosenberg’s Epicenter tremendously, I find that certain aspects of Richardson’s work makes more sense intellectually.

I highly recommend this book for anyone that is interested in eschatology or Islam. It is a fantastic book.

Book Review: Epicenter 2.0 by Joel Rosenberg
Publisher: Tyndale House, 2006
Rating: 9 out of 10

Joel Rosenberg was recommended to me by a fiend at church and being the Amazon.com junkie I am, I immediately checked him out. I am incredibly glad I did! In one simple word, this guy is amazing. Rosenberg has written a series of highly acclaimed political thrillers that have an uncanny way of predicting real life occurrences. I am not sure how I missed him because his books are so unnervingly prophetic that he is constantly being interviewed on television. He has conducted high level briefings for people in our government as well as other countries and has worked for such notables as Benjamin Netanyaho and Steve Forbes. In reality though, Mister Rosenberg is not a prophet. He simply reads the Bible and writes fiction stories that fit into the prophecy revealed in Scripture. His books will freak you out a little.

Epicenter is Rosenberg’s first nonfiction work. In this book, he details the meaning of such prophetic passages as Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39 and illustrates how these prophecies are playing out in the world around us. Rosenberg also spells out some of the headlines we can expect to see in the future as these prophecies come to pass. It is incredible just how knowledgeable Rosenberg is.

I’ll be honest, Bible prophecy is one of those things that I have always felt some people focus on too much. I have always preferred to know that God is in control and that He has a plan for us all. The only Bible prophecy I have ever spent much time meditating on is that Jesus will return someday. I always thought the details were best left to God. After reading this book and spending some time studying the Scriptures that Rosenberg references, I am completely convinced that God has spelled out in amazing detail the way in which He will bring about the end times. I am also further convinced that we are watching it come to pass right now. I realize that Christians have been saying the end is near for 2000 years now. I also realize that saying I believe the end is really near is liable to get me labeled as some kind of zealot of something, but I don’t really care. I can’t tell you if it will happen in my lifetime or not, but Jesus Christ is coming back … this I know for sure. Rosenberg’s work has served to convince me of this.

This book should be read by everyone. If you are a Christian, you will be very happy you have decided to believe in Scripture after reading this. If you are not a Christian, this book may very well give you reason to reconsider.

At the risk of sounding blunt and offensive, if you read this book, study the Scriptures that Rosenberg references, and then can’t admit the Bible is a special text that is inspired by God … you are a fool.

Clark

Book Review: When Bad Christians Happen to Good People by Dave Burchett
Publisher: Water Brook Press, 2002
Rating: 9 out of 10

I found this book totally by accident. I was looking for a different title at the library when I found this one. The title immediately caught my eye and I thought I would take it home and check it out. I am so glad I did! Dave Burchett’s book is one that all Christians should read. The author uses humor, and examples from his own life, to illustrate how Christians tend to work against the cause of Christ. There is a chance that his book will offend some readers, but I would suggest that those who would be offended are the ones that need to read it the most.

I will admit that there were several “a-ha” moments for me as I read this book and reflected on my own Christian walk. The most revealing was when the author discussed how a Christian should respond to current “hot” issues such as abortion, homosexuality, and prayer in schools. I don’t want to reveal too much about the book, but I will say that Mr. Burchett has caused me to totally reconsider my own response to such issues. This book is one that would bring shame on many Christians. Fortunately, the author writes with a wit that causes the reader to chuckle just before they feel the sting.

On a side note, I was shocked when the author revealed early in the book that he was from Chillicothe, Ohio (I currently live in Chilly-Town myself).  Although he currently lives in Texas, Dave Burchett should make his old home town proud. Only three times in my life have I felt compelled to contact an author of a book I was reading and this is the only time the author actually responded to my correspondence. Needless to say, I was thrilled I stumbled on this book.

I highly recommend this book for all Christians.

Clark