Dethroning Male Headship by Shirley Taylor (One Way Press)

Much has been written about the role of women in the church, especially since the Southern Baptist Convention adopted the Baptist Faith & Message 2000. In Dethroning Male Headship, Shirley Taylor outlines the history of such teachings and notes the 1988 publication of the Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood as key to understanding the issue.

She defines two primary views on woman’s position in the church and at home—egalitarianism and complementarianism. Taylor explains egalitarianism means women and men are created “equal—no buts” and have no pre-assigned “roles of authority or submission based on gender.” She indicates writers of the Danvers Statement coined the term complementarianism, meaning men and women have specific, complementary roles which “define manhood and womanhood.” For the male, that translates into authority. For the woman, it involves submission. She is declared “equal—but” and is to hold lesser positions at church and at home. Some have expanded complementarianism outside of religion and teach that men have authority over women in all situations all of the time.

Dethroning Male Headship offers a well-documented look at the results of male headship in the home, the church and society. Taylor provides numerous scriptural references, including passages not only to specific women but also to the Ten Commandments and the Apostle Paul’s teachings. Although the co-founder of the Freedom for Christian Women Coalition strongly favors egalitarianism, she challenges readers to study the issue and formulate their own views.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, first vice president

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco
 

The Reason for My Hope: Salvation by Billy Graham (Thomas Nelson)

Released to coincide with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s “My Hope” campaign, the renowned evangelist begins what may be his final book by asking readers not to give up hope. The consummate evangelist of the 20th century uses the first five chapters to lay out the gospel message methodically.

The remaining chapters deal with the unique faith—or lack of faith—of people in the 21st century. He uses the example of Facebook as proof that people regard belonging more than believing. He also talks about “faith blending,” pointing to the example of Chrislam, which mixes aspects of Christianity and Islam. He follows with the chapter “No Happy Hour in Hell,” speaking directly to a generation that generally rejects belief in a literal hell.

This book is full of personal, contemporary and historical stories to illustrate its message, and it challenges readers to think about their spiritual condition and relationship to God.

The book closes with the chapter called “My Hope.” Graham finds hope in Christ’s Second Coming. He expresses his hope that reading this book will drive readers to God’s book, where they can find eternal hope in heaven. This is a must read.

Skip Holman, minister of discipleship

Northeast Baptist Church

San Antonio

Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock (Bethany House)

Eve Marryat narrates the story of Sweet Mercy as she and grandson Sean retrieve keepsakes from the attic of Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge before the wrecking ball begins its work. Had she understood what waited them in Mercy, Ohio, she explains, she might not have been so excited about escaping St. Paul, Minn., a city of lawless gangsters, when she was a high school student.

But life in 1931 offered few choices. Her father, laid off from Ford Motor Company, accepted his almost-estranged brother’s offer to live in and help run the lodge. Eve and her mother would assist with a host of duties. However, the ideal summer vacation destination proves not so perfect.

In Mercy, the young girl experiences her first love and begins unlikely friendships with her albino step-cousin and a young unemployed man. Soon, Eve stumbles into reality when she discovers bootlegging at the service station across the road. She shares that knowledge with her father, and the two learn Uncle Cy and the lodge are not what they seem. How can she come to terms with “good” people breaking the law? And what will happen to her family if they’re discovered?

In the historical novel, Christy Award-winning author Ann Tatlock offers a realistic picture of life during the Depression and Prohibition. Her multi-faceted characters learn lessons of God’s grace as they come to realize that sometimes doing the right thing means casting aside legalism in favor of mercy. And in the end, Tatlock wisely lets Eve tell “the rest of the story.”

Kathy Robinson Hillman, first vice president

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco

Hardin-Simmons, Hail to Thee by Lawrence Webb (Connection Press)

Lawrence Webb has penned a paean to his alma mater, Hardin-Simmons University, a Baptist school on the plains of West Texas. Webb attended HSU 60 years ago, and his book provides a tidy collection of stories about events, lessons and people—mostly people—who expanded his worldview and strengthened his faith. It’s not so much a history of the school as a memoir of “an education enlightened by faith,” the university’s motto.

Hardin-Simmons, Hail to Thee “works” on at least two and a half levels. It particularly will be interesting to the students, faculty and staff who studied and worked at Hardin-Simmons in the early 1950s. It also will be a favorite of those who followed them, whose lives have intersected the school and the teachers who influenced it six decades ago.

But people who value faith-based liberal arts education also will appreciate the book. They’ll see their own campuses and recall their own experiences in the tales from this school in that time in Abilene.

Proceeds from the sale of the book support HSU’s Logsdon School of Theology.

Marv Knox, editor & publisher

Baptist Standard Publishing

Plano

The World of Jesus by William H. Marty (Bethany House Publishers)

What happened during the misnamed “400 silent years” between the Old Testament and New Testament that paved the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ on the earth? Why did most Jews dislike the Samaritans? What impact did Alexander the Great have on the biblical world? What are the origins of Hanukkah? What is the difference between a Pharisee, Sadducee and an Essene? Who were the Herodian kings, and what part did they play in the story of Jesus and the early church?

Marty’s brief volume is a less-than-200-page survey of the history between the Testaments that helps set the stage for the entrance of Jesus Christ and the New Testament era. If one can keep up with the real-life cast of characters—mostly rulers and rebels—this book is a gem for the beginning student of biblical history and for the Bible study teacher investigating the backdrop of Jesus’ life and teaching.

Greg Bowman, minister to students

First Baptist Church

Duncanville

The White Umbrella by Mary Frances Bowley (Moody Publishers)

Mary Frances Bowley understands most Americans remain unaware of sexual slave trade, or at most consider it a remote Third World problem. Twenty years ago, she similarly enjoyed a comfortable life sheltered from the reality of sexual exploitation in the United States. However, contact with one young woman in a desperate situation gave her a desire to shelter others in similar straits—offer a “white umbrella” to provide cover for sexually abused women and help them recover their purity and innocence.

That led her to found Wellspring Living, a temporary home for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and ministry to child survivors of forced prostitution and sex trafficking. Wellspring served as the inspiration and model for Refuge of Light, a ministry in East Texas that plans to provide a similar shelter.

The White Umbrella tells the heartbreaking stories of these women, whom Bowley typically refers to as “girls” regardless of their age, because they typically are emotionally stuck at the age when they were exploited sexually.

It also includes stories of volunteers who commit to making a difference in the lives of victimized young women like 16-year-old Jessica, whose nightmare of abuse began at age 10. But through the influence of loving volunteers at Wellspring, she made a discovery and a pledge: “I realized that even when I don’t know God, he knows me. … I’m determined that my life is going to be different. The end is not going to be like the beginning.”

Bowley presents a compelling challenge to Christians to step outside the “comfortable bubble” of willful ignorance about sexual exploitation and respond with God’s love to hurting young women.

Ken Camp, managing editor

Baptist Standard

Plano

Nicodemus’ Quest: Is Jesus the Messiah? by Bill Kincaid (CreateSpace)

Two leaders of the Jewish Sanhedrin defied both conventional wisdom and political expediency to remove Jesus’ body from the cross. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were prominent members of the high court that sentenced Jesus to death. Why would they risk their careers—and possibly their necks—to provide Jesus a decent burial, when even his closest followers scattered and hid? That question drives Bill Kincaid’s moving novel.

By the way, don’t get hung up on the word “novel.” Extensive biblical, historical, geographical, archaeological and linguistic research exudes from each page. Kincaid selected this novel approach—quite literally—as a creative-yet-solid mechanism for reporting key events in Jesus’ ministry, as well as his death/burial/resurrection and the launch of the church.

Kincaid has created a compelling and inventive apologetic for the Christ event. It provides a splendid opportunity to share the gospel with unbelievers who love a great story but won’t sit still for a Bible study.

Marv Knox, editor & publisher

Baptist Standard Publishing

Plano

What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur’an by James R. White (Bethany House)

Even as the Bible provides the basis for doctrine and beliefs in the truth of Christianity, the Quran is the single uniting book for the Muslim faith. In contemporary society, Christians should become more informed about the beliefs and practices of Islam, especially about Muslims’ concept of Allah as God and his prophet/messenger Mohammad.

This book offers an excellent introduction for Christians who want to be more informed about Islam than what they can learn from news reports and the Internet. James White, a well-known debater of Muslim apologists for three decades, discusses what the Quran teaches about the Torah, the Gospels, the historical Jesus, salvation, the crucifixion, the Trinity, the afterlife and translations of Scripture, as well as transmission of their sacred text and other crucial issues.

Dealing not only with historical facts but also deep theological and prophetic questions, the book is valuable for all Christians who want to communicate intelligently with their Muslim friends and neighbors. It contains a helpful glossary of terms and even a schedule for reading the Quran, since it was written over a period of 20 years but not in chronological order. Certain words are kept with Arabic spelling to help ensure Muslims know one is well-informed of their beliefs. This treatment of the Quran is a welcome resource for American Christians today.

Ed Spann, retired dean

College of Fine Arts

Dallas Baptist University
 

Finding God in the Dark by Ted Kluck & Ronnie Martin (Bethany House)

In the author’s note, Ted Kluck observes, “Everybody hurts.” Kluck and recording artist Ronnie Martin wrote Finding God in the Dark to help those who, because of their circumstances, wonder where God is. Kluck and Martin alternate writing chapters, which Martin calls “everyday stories.” Kluck insists that even when life is falling apart, “You gotta have faith.”

This work runs the gamut from the loss of a loved one, to questioning God, to personal demons such as the lack of humility, to creating God in our image by having our own “personal Jesus.” The authors advocate prayer through times of unbelief. Martin closes the book by using Genesis 3:1-15 and other examples in Scripture to remind us God still is with us.

Finding God in the Dark will appeal to admirers of Philip Yancey’s Where is God When it Hurts? Readers who are struggling spiritually or have friends or family who are will find this resource helpful.

Skip Holman, minister of discipleship

Northeast Baptist Church

San Antonio

Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission by Amy Simpson (InterVarsity Press)

A startling statistic might grab a church leader’s serious attention—about 25 percent of any community suffers from mental illness. Amy Simpson writes a powerful book from her personal experience, her study of the meaning of mental illness, and her belief churches need to rethink their care or lack of care to the mentally ill and their families.

More than one in four adults in our communities suffer with a diagnosable mental illness in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Simpson goes on to identify not only the person who is suffering, but also the family that must provide care, support and interventions when appropriate.

In America, mental illness covers rather a broad set of diagnoses. Simpson gives her readers a helpful, readable digest of mental illnesses. Well-researched and written in layman’s terms without oversimplifying, she helps bring readers up to speed about the topic and the issues.

Simpson not only is willing to share her story of growing up in a pastor’s home with a mother who was mentally ill, but also weaves into her narrative the struggles and experiences of others who are people of faith and some who are not. She provides examples of churches that could serve as models. These churches have decided to take up ministry to the mentally ill and their caregivers with the same compassion and love Christians pride themselves in giving to people whose lives are turned upside-down by tragedy or death.

Her book is insightful, compassionate and timely. It is a must read for leaders of churches.

Michael R. Chancellor, licensed professional counselor

Livingston
 

I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference by Thom S. Rainer (B&H Publishing)

The president and chief executive officer of Lifeway Christian Resources has written a concise, succinct and helpful book—six chapters and 79 pages—on the value of being a church member.

Rainer asks the reader to be a functioning church member and a unifying church member. He further asks readers not to be members who want their own personal preferences and desires, but who will pray for their church leaders and lead their families to be healthy church members. Basing church membership on 1 Corinthians 12, Rainer ends each chapter with study questions and a pledge to sign.

The book concludes with the statement that the universal and local church are not mutually exclusive. Rainer notes many of the New Testament books were written to local churches. He urges readers to consider their church membership as a gift. This book is an easy read but valuable for every church member and church leader. It would be a good resource to give to each family who become members of your church.

Skip Holman, minister of discipleship

Northeast Baptist Church

San Antonio

Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson)

When familiar authors continue to produce book after book, it is easy to convince yourself they can be ignored for up-and-coming writers. In our search for biblical teaching, however, it would be a mistake to ignore the writings of a familiar author just because he or she is a known quantity.

Max Lucado is one of those authors who should not be ignored simply because you have already read some of his books. His latest book, Grace, is another excellent example of an inspiring work that will encourage and challenge readers in their journey with Christ.

Lucado poignantly reminds readers of the greatest gift ever given by the creator to his creation—grace. Our culture demands and expects us to produce to prove our worth and our value, but Lucado reminds us God loves us not for what we produce or achieve but because we are his creation.

Lucado certainly is an author we can depend on for biblical encouragement and inspiration. He continues to deliver.

Scott Bryant, university chaplain and vice president for spiritual development

East Texas Baptist University

Marshall
 

True Jihad: Winning the Battle for Muslims by Mark S. Pfeiffer (CrossBooks)

Make no mistake. Mark Pfeiffer firmly believes Christians have a responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission—Christ’s command to make disciples of all people groups, including Muslims. But he also believes in Jesus’ Great Commandment—love for neighbor, including a Muslim neighbor. Despite the book’s militant-sounding title, its tone reflects the latter belief, along with Pfeiffer’s conviction that love compels Christians to understand people who hold different beliefs.

Pfeiffer, director of the Christian Institute of Islamic Studies at Baptist University of the Américas, wastes no words in this succinct book. He states clearly the greatest hindrances to any Christian witness to Muslims—fear and ignorance. He seeks to dispel both by providing a brief-but-thorough introduction to Muslim culture, history, beliefs and worldview in the book’s first half. The last half focuses on principles for building relationships with Muslims, such as viewing them as people beloved by God, not objects of ministry or targets for evangelism. Christians should love Muslims enough to share their faith in Christ with them—and enough to keep on being their friends even if they reject the gospel.

To a significant degree, the lessons of the last part of the book could be applied not only to relationships with Muslims, but to relationships in general.

Ken Camp, managing editor

Baptist Standard

Plano

Remodeled: Stories From a Changed Heart by Berry Simpson (Stonefoot Media)

Remodeled: Stories From a Changed Heart is the third book by Berry Simpson, author of Running with God and Retreating with God. Simpson is a deacon at First Baptist Church in Midland, and his books provide a series of stories that illustrae how to grow in Christ by seeing God in daily life.

Simpson makes an art form out of telling everyday stories. He begins Remodeled with a celebration of his wedding anniversary at the house he and his wife, Cyndi, are remodeling. He wants his stories to remind readers of their own “remodeling” stories.

Simpson puts his relationship with Christ in the middle of everything he describes, whether it’s his wife, his family, a co-worker, his grandparents or the people readers know from Scripture, such as Moses. After each story, Simpson includes questions that challenge readers to ask how they would respond to the remodeling of their lives, along with an excerpt from the New Testament book of Ephesians. This book is an easy, enjoyable and inspirational read.

Skip Holman, minister of discipleship

Northeast Baptist Church

San Antonio

DALLAS (RNS)—Producers of the latest reboot of the Superman franchise famously marketed the movie to Christian audiences. Makers of the new Lone Ranger movie, not so much.

There’s a reason for that. If Man of Steel panders to Christians, in The Lone Ranger, Christians are portrayed as unattractive, ineffectual, hateful or flat-out hypocritically evil.

Authentic Christianity takes a hit in the new Disney film The Lone Ranger starring Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp. (Photo courtesy of Disney.com)Like so much in this mess of a movie, it’s an ingredient that doesn’t make a ton of sense.

Clocking in at two-and-a-half hours, The Lone Ranger can’t decide if it’s an homage to the graphically bloody Westerns of Sam Peckinpah or the slapstick of Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles.

And yes, it needs to restate the basic facts of the origin of the Ranger, but a previous Ranger movie handled that issue in a song that only took a bit more than two-and-a-half minutes (hi-yo! hi-yo!), including that stirring section from the William Tell Overture.

Religion and spirituality

Religion and spirituality are wound through the plot of the new film. Some of it is about Christianity, and a lot of it at least appears to be about American Indian beliefs.

The Indian stuff is tossed together as what seems to be pastiche or parody. Tonto is much more of an equal partner than sidekick here.

But from the dead bird on his head to never removing his war paint to some of the “religious” elements he tosses at the Ranger, he’s anything but authentic to anyone who knows even a smidge about real Comanche beliefs and practices.

Halfway through the movie, however, we suddenly discover Tonto is no-kidding crazy, left mentally unbalanced as a boy by the slaughter of his friends and family. Even the surviving members of his tribe laugh at him. Which, supposedly, gives us in the audience license to laugh, too. Ha ha.

Christianity doesn’t come off nearly as funny.

Off-key Presbyterians

We first meet the man who will don the mask as he sits in a train car otherwise filled with annoyingly hymn-singing Presbyterians. Their musicians are crummy, and their singing is off-key.

Asked if he wants to join their prayers, the future Ranger brandishes a copy of John Locke’s Two Treatises on Government and explains, “This is my Bible.”

Attacked moments later by outlaws, the Presbyterian pastor’s attempt at a nonviolent resolution is met with a bullet to the leg. Take that, blessed peacemaker.

Later in the movie, we spot the pastor again, limping and wild-haired and all but frothing at the mouth as he screams “Heathen!” as the Ranger and Tonto ride by.

Clayton Moore (September 14, 1914 – December 28, 1999) was an American actor best known for playing the fictional western character The Lone Ranger from 1949–1951 and 1954-1957 on the television series. (RNS Photo courtesy Insomnia Cured Here via Flickr)There’s at least one more prayer in the movie—offered by the man who turns out to be the most vile villain in the story. I guess we’re supposed to understand that as irony. Later, the bad guy explains why he’s willing to slaughter so many innocents to gain power and money: “Nothing is accomplished without sacrifice.”

Which could be understood as an ironic inversion of the Christian message.

Always has been a morality play

Sectarian religion aside, the Lone Ranger always has been a morality play, upholding specific values. It takes a while for this movie’s Ranger to decide he really wants to take up the mask and mission. But when he does, he doesn’t seriously violate canon.

He defends the weak and protects the innocent. His pistols almost never run out of ammo. He can shoot the gun out of a bad guy’s hand. (The writers of Man of Steel could have taken a lesson here: Superman never kills, guys.)

Fran Striker and George Trendle created the Lone Ranger radio show in 1933. Striker was the writer and, according to the Radio Hall of Fame, was aiming for a “solemn, honest hero who was ‘the embodiment of living prayer.’”

Striker famously wrote a creed of beliefs for his character. It begins:

“I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.

“That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.

“That God put the firewood there but that every man must gather and light it himself.”

It ends with:

“In my Creator, my country, my fellow man.”

Nothing specifically Christian in any of it. But there’s nothing remotely disrespectful of any religion, either.

–Jeffrey Weiss is a Dallas-based religion writer.

Wisdom from Lyle E. Schaller: The Elder Statesman of Church Leadership edited by Warren Bird (Abingdon Press)

Since 1965, Lyle Schaller has written 55 books, with more than 2 million copies printed. Wisdom serves as a “Best of Schaller” compilation that will please fans who have not been able to read all his works, and it will introduce others to a truly phenomenal leader of leaders.

The book begins with Schaller’s inspiring personal story, to put his ministry in context. Then it tackles his bibliography by gathering his books under 25 topics that all hold relevance for today’s church. Topics include following a long-tenured pastor; introducing change; the unique strengths, strategies and leadership styles for different-sized churches; the importance of small groups; and how to know when to resign. Each chapter has a captivating and helpful vignette supplied by someone whom Schaller assisted.

The largest portion of the book, however, is rapid-fire quotes from Schaller. While the quotes provide direction to their sources for anyone wanting to do further reading, they read as gems that need no further explanation. For instance: “Eight of ten church leaders think that next year will be 1955, and if 1955 comes around again, they’ll be ready.” That’s vintage Lyle Schaller.

Karl Fickling, coordinator

Interim Church Services

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Dallas

Your Boy: Raising a Godly Son in an Ungodly World and Your Girl: Raising a Godly Daughter in an Ungodly World by Vicki Courtney (B&H Books)

Vicki Courtney’s books focus on the real-world situations women face as they care for their sons and daughters. Filled with examples from her life experience, the books offer clear encouragement and insight for parents.

While her books are filled with wisdom on parenting, she also humbly admits the conclusions she and her husband reached on how to parent are not necessarily the only God-honoring options. She recognizes parents have to work through many of the tough parenting questions for themselves in order to determine what is the best way to proceed as they strive to honor God in their parenting.

Another refreshing aspect of the books is the reality that all children are different and need different parenting. Courtney acknowledges parents may need to approach each of their children in a different manner, while keeping the same goal in mind—producing children that honor God.

Parenting is a challenging art, and women with children of all ages would benefit from these books.

Scott Bryant, university chaplain and vice president for spiritual development

East Texas Baptist University

Marshall
 

Encountering and Experiencing God Daily Journal: How God Speaks to Me compiled by Vassar “Skip” Holman (Practical Photography and Publishing)

Readers who practice journaling as a spiritual discipline will discover this notebook offers far more than a series of blank pages. Skip Holman, minister of discipleship at Northeast Baptist Church in San Antonio, has assembled a variety of resources to help guide Bible study and personal devotions. Christians who have completed the Experiencing God course by Henry Blackaby and Claude King will recognize some items, reprinted by permission—the names, titles and descriptions of God; a daily Bible reading plan; and an essay about how to keep a spiritual journal. Holman also includes a brief syllabus with suggested Bible references for discipleship training.

Journaling pages are formatted for multiple uses—prayer times, personal Bible study and sermon notes. The journal includes a separate section for recording “spiritual markers,” when a Christian encounters God and reflects on how God has been at work in his or her life. The journal offers an opportunity for Christ’s followers to keep a permanent record of their discipleship journey and track lessons learned along the way.

Ken Camp, managing editor

Baptist Standard

Plano

God’s Not Dead: Evidence for God in an Age of Uncertainty by Rice Broocks (Thomas Nelson)

Broocks, co-founder the Every Nation family of churches and senior minister of Bethel World Outreach Church in Nashville, Tenn., shares stories of skeptics who became believers in Christ, beginning with the conversion of his own brother—and it’s a great way to start the book.

Broocks realizes the skeptic reading this book will have a predetermined mindset. He provides a detailed account of questions about God’s existence from early history to current struggles with atheism. He deals with issues such as good versus evil; science versus faith; Creation; life having a purpose; the validity of God’s word; and the reality of resurrection. He also covers what he calls the “grace effect” and describes how faith brought about reform in areas such as abolition of slavery and expansion of education.

After dealing with what he calls the nine key proofs of evidence for God, Broocks encourages readers to be aware of apologetics and conversant with skeptics and atheists. His conclusion—“Seeking God”—gives readers the help necessary.

This work is well annotated and a wonderful read.

Skip Holman, minister of discipleship

Northeast Baptist Church

San Antonio 

Adoniram Judson: A Bicentennial Appreciation of the Pioneer American Missionary edited by Jason G. Duesing (B&H Publishing Group)

Last year marked the bicentennial of Ann and Adoniram Judson’s voyage to India as America’s first Protestant missionaries. Although the newlyweds sailed as Congregationalists, their Bible study at sea caused them to embrace Baptist beliefs, and a colleague of William Carey’s baptized them in Calcutta. However, the War of 1812 made U.S. citizens unwelcome by the British East India Company, and in 1813, they reached Burma (Myanmar), where Adoniram Judson served the next 37 years under American Baptists.

To commemorate the impact of the Judsons on the modern missionary movement, B&H Publishing commissioned essays for inclusion in Adoniram Judson: A Bicentennial Appreciation. The volume by eight Southern Baptist scholars divides into four sections—historical foundation, biographical presentation, missiological and theological evaluation, and homiletical interpretation. The book is well-researched and well-documented, with an extensive index. The pages convey the missionaries’ passion and perseverance as they faced unspeakable hardships, including imprisonment and death, and yet learned the language, translated the Bible, founded schools, and made and discipled converts.

Readers only somewhat familiar with Adoniram Judson’s far-reaching work or the impact of Ann Judson, who gave her life in Burma, may want to begin with the three biographical chapters. Those without any background would be well-served to read Rosalie Hall Hunt’s Bless God and Take Courage: The Judson History and Legacy (Judson Press, 2005) before tackling these more scholarly essays.

Kathy Hillman, second vice president

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco

Billy Graham and Me by Steve Posner and Amy Newmark (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing)

The subtitle says it all: “101 Inspiring Personal Stories from Presidents, Pastors, Performers and Other People Who Know Him Well.” It collects stories about how people met Billy Graham and got to know him. However, this book is much more than just a listing of notable characteristics of the well-known evangelist by a variety of people. Larry Ross, the primary spokesperson for Graham, has led out in making a valuable contribution to the life and history of this widely known preacher.

In his foreword, Ross tells his own story of meeting and working with Billy Graham. Then he discusses Graham’s life as one of humility, integrity, authenticity and leadership with love. The stories in 101 chapters that follow come from people from all walks of life and reinforce those character traits, while adding some special ones individually. The entire volume amounts to a summary of Billy Graham’s life. It serves as a supplement to Graham’s autobiography, Just as I Am, as well as The Preacher and the Presidents by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy. Billy Graham and Me is highly recommended for those who know and love Billy Graham—America’s 20th century prophet.

Ed Spann, retired dean

College of Fine Arts

Dallas Baptist University

Courageous Teens by Michael Catt with Amy Parker (B&H Publishing Group)

Michael Catt, executive producer of the films Courageous, Facing the Giants and Fireproof, has teamed with Amy Parker to write Courageous Teens. The book encourages students to develop “hearts of warriors” as they follow Christ.

The authors divide the book into four parts—courageous faith, courageous leadership, courageous priorities and courageous influence. Each begins with a short script involving a teen. Within those sections, chapters focus on individual aspects of courage. Examples include leading on all levels, being a humble hero, making choices and facing criticism. Each segment ends with a set of questions guiding the reader to “think courageously.”

Scripture and Bible characters anchor material the writers sprinkle liberally with good advice, memorable quotes and interesting stories. Some originate in the film Courageous, but others spotlight such diverse Christians as Gen. Stonewall Jackson, C.H. Spurgeon and a Navajo known as “Lady Moses.”

Viewing the film Courageous would be a good prelude to using Courageous Teens in a youth Bible study. Although the chapters may be a bit wordy for nonfiction targeted to a generation raised on sound bites, boys especially should find the book engaging.

Kathy Hillman, second vice president

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco

Let Justice Roll by Virginia Kreimeyer (iUniverse)

Texas Baptist Virginia Kreimeyer bases her second novel, Let Justice Roll, on a true story. The author writes from personal experience covering significant events as a public relations professional. She also provides the book’s beautiful cover painting.

Readers learn University of Mississippi Medical communications director Savannah Whitehall first met her husband, Tom, in the nursery at First Baptist Church. Although the two attended church and school together, they lived in different worlds. Savannah’s widowed mother barely made ends meet, while Tom’s parents moved in Jackson’s most elite social circles.

Savannah isn’t sure what disappointed her husband’s mom and dad more, their son choosing to forego a pro football contract to become a policeman or marrying beneath him. When Tom is seriously injured in a SWAT competition and slips into a coma, the Whitehalls exert their considerable power against their daughter-in-law and whoever else they deem responsible for the “accident.”

The plot twists and turns as Savannah copes with disaster and danger, both personal and professional. Yet in the midst of shattered dreams, the strong young woman relies on her faith and God’s faithfulness. This well-written, quick read will keep the reader engaged and guessing from beginning to end.

Kathy Hillman, second vice president

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco

The Way of the Wise: Simple Truths for Living Well by Kevin Leman (Revell)

Prolific author Kevin Leman’s new book is based on Proverbs 3:1-6. The introduction is key to understanding the rest of the book, and his personal testimony and the story of his early years—along with the Scripture—form the basis for its chapters.

The book offers advice for Christian growth. Humorous illustrations contain basic common-sense guidance for Christian living. I read this book aloud to my wife, a middle school reading teacher, and she gave it a hearty “Amen!”

Leman describes how a comment from a teacher provided him a much-needed “wake-up” call. He tells how he met the girl who eventually would become his wife and how she became his encourager.

Speaking of encouragement, the first chapter is titled “Words Pack a Wallop.” The book continues with attention-getting chapter titles such as “Jesus Ain’t the Big, Bad Wolf” and “Attention Wal-Mart Shoppers: Jesus has Left the Building.” The final chapter, “A Permanent Record,” emphasizes the principle of leaving a legacy. This book is an easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was blessed by it.

Skip Holman, minister of discipleship

Northeast Baptist Church

San Antonio

Handbook for Baptists: What Every Baptist (New or Longtime) Should Know, edited by Bernard M. Spooner (Christian Leadership Publishing)

Any Baptist who tells another Baptist what to do treads on dangerous ground. So, just consider this a friendly suggestion: Read this book, and put it into the hands of other Baptists.

Contributors include Phil Lineberger, pastor of Sugar Land Baptist Church and a former president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and Bill Pinson, BGCT executive director emeritus, along with Dallas Baptist University professors Royce Rose, Thomas Sanders and Michael Williams. Proceeds from the sale of the book go toward scholarship funds for ministry students at DBU.

This helpful handbook offers an easy-to-read and hard-to-forget collection of answers to important questions. The first two chapters—“What does having personal faith mean, and how does that affect my daily life?” and “Why is belonging to a local church important?”—provide a solid foundation for new believers that transcends Baptist life.

The next three chapters offer a primer on Baptist history, beliefs and practices, including a discussion of how Baptists contribute to the overall cause of Christ and how Baptists relate to other Christians. The final chapter—“Talking with children about faith, baptism and following Christ”—offers sound advice for parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers and anyone who interacts with children.

Dennis Parrott, a veteran Christian educator, wrote teaching plans for each chapter. That addition makes the book particularly well-suited for use in a small-group study, whether it’s a class for new church members or a discipleship course for longtime members who want a better understanding of what makes Baptists distinctive.

Ken Camp, managing editor

Baptist Standard

Plano

Not There Yet But Gaining On It! by Vivian C. Conrad (Tate Publishing)

Vivian Conrad provides a personal reflection of her journey with God as she comes to know and understand God’s sovereignty in the midst of life’s joys and sorrows. A family tragedy, a son’s deployment to Iraq and other experiences invite the reader to share in a deeper understanding of God’s grace as he stretches Conrad’s faith and challenges the author and the reader to know God on a deeper level.

Not There Yet But Gaining On It! will challenge Christians to go deeper with God and glimpse the bigger picture for their own spiritual journey. I would recommend this book for every Christian’s library. It will challenge you and encourage you to understand God’s sovereignty in all areas of your life.

Terry Ray

Second Baptist Church of Houston, South Campus

Pearland

The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matter by Albert Mohler (Bethany House)

Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, believes, “Christian leadership cannot be separated from passionately held beliefs.” The true leader leads and is driven by conviction, Mohler insists. This book provides a broad overview of leadership from start to finish and its components.

Mohler refers not only to what the leader does, but also to who the leader is. The book also deals with the leader’s character, credibility, moral virtues and servanthood.

Mohler highlights the functions of the leader as a reader, steward, communicator, decision maker, writer and manager. Pointing to 21st century issues, he addresses the media and what it means to be a digital leader.

The book closes with four chapters regarding the leader’s time in dealing with leadership that endures, as well as the leader’s death and legacy.

If you want a book on leadership that spans the time and functions of a leader, this is for you. Mohler does a wonderful job with the topic.

Skip Holman, minister of discipleship

Northeast Baptist Church

San Antonio