Graciousness: Tempering Truth with Love
John Crotts
RHB, 2018
This little book surprised me with its wonderful insight and careful application. Graciousness is one of those virtues that makes life pleasant for everyone around you—it will sweeten every marriage, every local church, and every relationship. I can’t recommend this highly enough. You need this one! (Just ask your spouse.)
50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith: A Guide to Understanding and Teaching Theology
Gregg R. Allison
Baker Books, 2018
This book really is what the subtitle claims—a clear introductory study of essential Christian doctrines that also provides helpful guidance for teaching others. The essence of each doctrine is explained plainly, differing views are explained fairly, and the summary outlines for the teacher are actually useful. An excellent survey of systematic theology by a seasoned and reliable theologian.
John Blanchard
Evangelical Press, 2017
John Blanchard has made the biblical teaching about hell an area of concentrated study for many years (see his full-length book here), and now he has condensed his work to a small, popular-level booklet. He covers the most important aspects in brief. It’s easily accessible, and easily read in one sitting. For anyone who needs a closer acquaintance with this sobering doctrine, this is an excellent place to begin.
Between Wittenberg and Geneva: Lutheran and Reformed Theology in Conversation
Robert Kolb and Carl R. Trueman
Baker Academic, 2017
This book is written by two theologians—one Lutheran, one Reformed—regarding points of doctrine they hold in common and on which they differ. An informed, irenic, and helpful discussion by two well-qualified spokesmen. I’m not aware of another book like this.
Prodigal Children: Hope and Help for Parents
Robert D. Jones
P&R, 2018
Christian parents whose children have grown up to forsake the faith suffer in some of the worst ways, and this little booklet addresses them with practical instruction that is genuinely helpful. There’s not a lot of help available on this score—this fills a great need and deserves to be available in churches everywhere.
