Featured Your top three books of 2014 (other than the Bible)

Should have bought an Android.

 

Top three, 2014:

1. The Last Lion (volume I) -William Manchester
2. Maxim Gorky's autobiography
3. With the Old Breed -E.B. Sledge

 

The Bible
Seeking God to Seek a Pastor - Dr. Greg Frizzell
Questioning Evangelism - Randy Newman

 

Read several good books this year, but these three popped into my head (No particular order):

1. Fight: A Christian Case for Non-Violence by Preston Sprinkle

2. The Law of Christ by Charles Leiter

3. Tablets of Stone and the History of Redemption by John G. Reisinger

I also got what has become my go-to Bible, the HCSB Minister's Bible.

 

Lets Study Ephesians Sinclair Ferguson

Adam in the NT J P Versteeg

The Church Edmond Clowney

 

I would love to hear your thoughts on Sprinkle's book of non-violence.

 

I think it was a great book. I was already convinced of non-violence prior to reading it and it reinforced my convictions, so be aware I may be biased.

The book is essentially a brief biblical theology of violence. He defines violence as "a physical act that is intended to destroy (or injure) a victim by means that overpower the victim's consent." I think he does a good job of showing that non-violence and peace have always been the ideal and is now the command in the New Covenant. I especially liked his treatment of the book of Revelation.

I do think that he may be a bit inconsistent as at the end he lists punching or kicking an attacker in an effort to restrain them may be appropriate. He justifies it by saying that not all applications of force or pain meet the definition of violence. I'm not totally convinced on that though I do see where he is going with it.

I wish that some sections where handled in more depth, like the Objections chapter or the times he dealt with militarism and patriotism, but all in all I think the book is great.

 

How does he deal with God ordering the osrealites to kill all of their enemies then?

And God being the warrior God on behalf of His own people?

 

By understanding that he didn't command them to kill "all" their enemies, only certain enemies at one time. Also by understanding the discontinuity of the covenants and recognizing that something permitted or even commanded under the Old Covenant was not necessarily the ideal.

He devotes 3 chapters to dealing with Israel's warfare. It's good stuff. You should read it. $10 on Kindle.

 

Since you mentioned Revelation, one of the books endorsements was from Michael Gorman who wrote a book on Revelation which is absolutely amazing. Check it out if you get a chance: Reading Revelation Responsibly.

 

Sounds great. Thanks for the heads up. :thumbsup:

 

Had a BlackBerry a number of phones ago. Good for its time and aside from occasional trackball issues it worked well.

 

I have read that some are disappointed by the third volume, because of the other author (cannot remember his name and too lazy to get up and look).

I have not read his work about MacArthur. To be honest, I know little about his other writings.

 

R-i-g-h-t.... and I'd rather have a Commodore 64 over my Windows 7 PC.

I can ask my Android phone a question, while untouched in my pocket, and have it give me an audible answer. I can text or phone people using verbal commands, even while driving if I want to. I can receive and answer texts from my PC without touching my phone. I can use my phone as a GPS navigation device while driving. Use it for reading e-books. Compose texts, e-mails, and posts to internet forums using voice commands or by using one finger on the keyboard.

Can Blackberry do all this?

 

This board really needs a "like" or a "thanks" button...

 

BlackBerry:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm0gqBjDmg8

 

LOL! Is that Fred Armisen from Portlandia/Seth Myers show?

 

Rick Mercer Report. A Canadian political/comedy/variety show. Used to enjoy it when I was overnighting in CBC territory.