Review of Austin Fischer’s ‘Young, Restless, and No Longer Reformed’
In Young, Restless, No Longer Reformed, Austin Fischer tells his own story about why he became a Calvinist and why he left Calvinism. Because it’s written as a story, the book moves quickly and is engaging to read. It’s definitely not dry theology. And at only 109 pages, it’s not a long book. As such, […]
Renew Review: Dallas Willard’s ‘Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables Revolutionize Life with God’
In Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with God, the late Dallas Willard’s teachings on the parables of Jesus have been gathered together to serve the church today. New Testament theologian John Whittaker offers his review of Willard’s book, including a summary and its chief insights.
Review of Dallas Willard’s ‘The Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with God’
The Scandal of the Kingdom is the latest collection of Dallas Willard’s teaching on living as a disciple of Jesus. Dallas served as a professor of philosophy at the University of Southern California from 1965 until his retirement in 2012, and his writings on the spiritual life and discipleship to Jesus have left a profound […]
Review of ‘The Anxious Generation’ by Jonathan Haidt
The title of Jonathan Haidt’s new book is not remotely controversial or debatable. That Gen Z is a uniquely anxious generation is demonstrated time and time again both in anecdotal experiences and in survey data. And this book has plenty of both. In fact, one of the most helpful things about The Anxious Generation was […]
Seven Lessons from ‘The Confessions of St. Augustine’
“For Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it rest in Thee” (1.1). So begins the acclaimed memoir from St. Augustine of Hippo, the 4th Century Christian bishop and thinker. In his famous thesis statement, captured at the end of the first paragraph of his writing, Augustine succinctly applies its truth […]
Renew Review: ‘What Comes Next’ by Max Lucado
In What Happens Next: A Traveler’s Guide Through the End of the Age, popular writer Max Lucado walks through what he calls “heaven’s timeline” in order to bring the reader hope in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. New Testament theologian John Whittaker offers an overview of Lucado’s book, including its strengths and weaknesses.
Review of Richard & Christopher Hays’s ‘The Widening of God’s Mercy’
In The Widening of God’s Mercy, father and son Richard and Christopher Hays show why they believe same-sex sexual relationships and marriage ought to be fully welcomed in the church today. The present book represents a change of mind and therefore comes with much anticipation: what new data led him to reverse his earlier position? […]
What It Means to Be Protestant: A Review
Gavin Ortlund in his outstanding new book What It Means to be Protestant: The Case for an Always-Reforming Church points to three aspects of renewal. These three aspects comprise what he calls “mere Protestantism”: A renewal of the gospel, A renewal of Scripture as our final authority, and A renewal of the teachings of Scripture […]
