Showing posts with label Recommended. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recommended. Show all posts

Monday, May 4, 2015

Recommended: Walking with God through Pain and Suffering

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering
Author:Timothy Keller
Paperback:255 pages
Publisher:PVM Harvest (2013)
Language:English
ISBN:9789670341316
Price:RM32.90

Acclaimed writer and pastor Timothy Keller grapples with the age-old question: how do we deal with pain and suffering, both in our own lives and in the world around us!

The problem of suffering is for many the greatest obstacle to trusting in a good and loving God, raising the most difficult, and important, questions of our lives.

If God is love, why is there so much pain in the world?

How do we face suffering - both our own and others' with wisdom and compassion?

How do we continue to trust in a good God when faced with the deepest pain?

In his fullest and most passionately argued book since 2008's bestseller The Reason for God, New York pastor and church planter Tim Keller brings his authoritative teaching, sensitivity to contemporary culture and pastoral heart to these pressing questions, avoiding platitudes and easy answers, and instead giving guidance, encouragement and inspiration.






Walking with God through Pain and Suffering may be the most comprehensive contemporary book on the subject. And for me, that’s saying something. The book is incredibly well researched, yet it is impossibly personal. Keller has a way of taking the walking wounded by the hand and gently placing it in the Savior’s.
— Joni Eareckson Tada for The Gospel Coalition

I can’t think of a better resource for understanding suffering, enduring it with hope, and helping others whose suffering runs too deep for any word except the Word.
— Gerald L. Sittser for Christianity Today

This insightful book offers hard-earned advice on how to accept and ultimately transcend the pain... A luminous and ultimately hopeful examination of the many aspects of suffering.
— Elizabeth George, Booklist

Friday, April 24, 2015

Recommended: Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life

Author:Donald S. Whitney
Paperback:252 pages
Publisher:NavPress (1991)
Language:English
ISBN:978-1576830277
Price:RM40.95

Freedom. The Reward of Discipline.

It's not uncommon for an accomplished musician to be able to sit down in front of a new piece of music and play it through without a hitch. To make it seem easy, as if it required no effort. Yet, the "freedom" to play with such skill comes only after years of disciplined practice. 

In the same way, the freedom to grow in godliness - to naturally express Christ's Character through your own personality - is in large part dependent on a deliberate cultivation of the spiritual disciples. 

Far from being legalistic, restrictive, or binding, as they are often perceived, the spiritual disciplines are actually the means to unparalleled spiritual liberty. 

So if you'd like to embark on a lifelong quest for godliness, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life will help you on your way. Drawn from the rich heritage left us by the early church fathers, the Puritan writers, and Jesus Christ Himself, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life will guide you through carefully selected array of disciplines, including:
  • Scripture Reading 
  • Prayer
  • Worship
  • Scripture Meditation 
  • Evangelism 
  • Serving
  • Stewardship
  • Scripture Application 
  • Fasting
  • Silence & Solitude
  • Journaling
  • Learning 
By illustrating why the disciplines are important, showing how each one will help you grow in godliness, and offering practical suggestions for cultivating them on a long-term basis, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life will provide you with a refreshing opportunity to embrace life's greatest pursuit - the pursuit of holiness - through a lifelong delight in the disciplines. 

Donald S. Whitney is the associate professor of spiritual formation at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the best-selling author of Simplify Your Spiritual Life, Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, and How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian? (NavPress). Don holds a doctor of ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and is completing a doctor of theology degree with specialization in Christian spirituality from the University of South Africa. He is founder and president of the Center for Biblical Spirituality. Don lives in Kansas City, with his wife and daughter. Don's website is www.BiblicalSpirituality.org.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Recommended: "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S.Lewis

The Screwtape Letters


Author:C.S.Lewis
Paperback:209 pages
Publisher:HarperOne; Reprint edition(2001)
Language:English
ISBN:978-0060652937
Price:RM40.80

A MASTERPIECE OF SATIRE ON HELL'S LATEST NOVELIST AND HEAVEN'S UNANSWERABLE ANSWER

This classic has entertained and enlightened readers the world over with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to "Our Father Below." At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C.S. Lewis gives us the correspondence of the worldly-wise old devil to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon in charged of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging account of temptation-and triumph over it-ever written.  

CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of twentieth century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. He was a Fellow and tutor in English literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include The Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity. For more information about C.S.Lewis, visit www.cslewis.com




*Also available in Chinese*

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Recommended: "The God Who Is There" by D.A.Carson

The God Who Is There - Finding Your Place in God's Story

Author:D.A.Carson
Paperback:233 pages
Publisher:Baker Books (2010)
Language:English
ISBN:978-0801013720
Price:RM43.50

Do you really know what the Bible is about?

Most people - even most Christians - do not have a basic working knowledge of the Bible. How can we understand the story of God - and our part in it - when we're not familiar with it? In this basic introduction to faith, D.A. Carson takes you through the big story of Scripture to help you know what you believe and why you believe it. Make sure to get the companion leader's guide to help evangelistic study groups, small groups, and Sunday school classes to make the best use of this book in group settings.


The God Who Is There - Part 1. The God Who Made Everything from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

Reviews:
"Don Carson's The God Who Is There is a unique and important volume in many ways. It is neither a traditional systematic theology nor a Bible survey. It unpacks the whole biblical storyline through the lens of God's character and actions. As a ministry tool, it can be used for evangelism, since it so thoroughly lays out the doctrine of God, as Paul does on Mars Hill in Acts 17. And yet it also does what the catechisms of the Reformation churches did: give Christians a grounding in basic biblical beliefs and behavior. By all means, get this book!"
- Tim Keller, pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City

"This is a much-needed book. D. A. Carson is one of the few biblical scholars who are gifted to write simply and in a way that captivates. We live in a time when people quickly reject or accept the Bible without even knowing its con- tents. Carson does a masterful job of explaining the Scriptures so that a person who has never even opened the Bible can understand it. At the same time, those who grew up under its teaching will find valuable and obvious truths that will lead them to greater worship and appreciation of the God we serve."
- Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love

"What a wonderful resource! I love how Carson pulls together, in such an inviting way, God's story from his Word! This book is a treasure for those who want to know what the Bible says as well as those of us who have read it, taught it, and lived it for years."
- Dr. Crawford W. Loritts Jr., speaker, author, radio host, and senior pastor of Fellowship Bible Church, Roswell, GA

"I am constantly on the lookout for good books for thoughtful students about issues of faith. The pickings are usually slim. D. A. Carson's The God Who Is There offers a helpful resource I can heartily recommend. It is challenging yet respectful, thought-provoking yet accessible, faithful to the historic Christian faith yet relevant to our ever-changing world. I hope many students and faculty will give it serious consideration."
- Randy Newman, staff member, Campus Crusade for Christ; author of Questioning Evangelism and Corner Conversations

"If you've ever wanted to hear God's story, then this book is for you. If you've ever wanted to come face-to-face with the God who made, loves, and rescues you, then this book is for you. And if you've never picked up the Bible or wandered into a Christian church, then this book is especially for you."
- Sam Chan, lecturer in theology, preaching, ethics, and evangelism, Sydney Missionary and Bible College, Australia

"This may well prove to be one of the finest and most influential books D. A. Carson has written. A comprehensive apologia for the Christian faith, it is rooted in engaging exposition of major biblical texts, tracing the chronological story of God's gospel grace with rich theological insight. Skillfully related to the objections and issues raised by twenty-first-century culture, it will inspire and equip any Christian who desires to communicate Christ more effectively and can confidently be given to any inquirer seeking to discover the heart of biblical faith. It is the best book of its kind I have read in many years."
- David J. Jackman, former president, Proclamation Trust, London, England


*Also available in Chinese*

Monday, March 30, 2015

Recommended: "Recapture the Wonder" by Ravi Zacharias

Recapture the Wonder

Author:         Ravi Zacharias
Paperback:   170 pages 
Publisher:     Thomas Nelson (2003)
Language:     English
ISBN:           978-1591452768
Price:            RM 38.40 

What Is Wonder?

As children, it is the fascination with a rotating musical merry-go-round or the marvel at a jet plane surging into the skies. As adults, it is the touch of a hand that makes us wish that time would stand still or a breathtaking view of nature that grips the soul. What makes these things affect us as they do?

Our sense of wonder is a blessing from God, says author Ravi Zacharias, given so that we would be continually amazed at His beauty and creation. But for many of us, our wonder has diminished through the years, and we doubt that we’ll ever be able to experience the overwhelming sense of awe we once had as children. Our minds tell us that enhancement is childish, while our hearts yearn to rediscover this very childlike sense of wonder. So the question is, can life be in tune with reality and also be enchanting without being escapist?

In Recapture the Wonder, Ravi Zacharias helps you find the extraordinary in the ordinary. By learning to interpret life through the eyes of eternity, you can experience life as it was meant to be and find your heart’s ultimate fulfillment. 


Ravi Zacharias is president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Born in India and Cambridge educated, he has lectured in several of the world's most prominent universities, as well as in more than fifty countries. He is author of several books, including Can Man Live Without God, Cries of the Heart and Deliver Us From Evil. He and his wife, Margie, are the parents of three children.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Recommended: "JESUS + NOTHING = EVERYTHING" by Tullian Tchividjian

JESUS + NOTHING = EVERYTHING

Author:         Tullian Tchividjian
Paperback:    224 pages (hard cover)
Publisher:     Crossway (October 14, 2011)
Language:     English
ISBN:           978-1433507786
Price:            RM 48.65 (Limited stock. Please order in advance)

It’s so easy to forget what the Christian faith is all about. We struggle so much, work so hard, and fail so often that we frequently sense something in the equation of life must be missing.

Tullian Tchividjian argues that what we are missing is the gospel—a fuller, more powerful understanding of Jesus and what his finished work means for everyday life.

During a year of great turmoil, Pastor Tchividjian discovered the power of the gospel in his own life. Sharing his story of how Jesus became more real to him, Tchividjian delves deeply into the fundamentals of the faith, explaining the implications of Christ’s sufficiency—a revelation that sets us free and keeps us anchored through life’s storms.

Ultimately, Tchividjian reminds us that Jesus is the whole of the equation as he boldly proclaims that Jesus plus nothing really is everything.

About the author: 
Tullian Tchividjian (cha-vi-jin) is senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He is a visiting professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and a grandson of Billy Graham. Tullian earned his MDiv from Reformed Theological Seminary and is the author of The Kingdom of God, Do I Know God?, Unfashionable, and Surprised by Grace. When he's not reading, studying, preaching, or writing, he enjoys being with people, surfing, and relaxing with his wife of 17 years, Kim, and their three children, Gabe, Nate, and Genna.

Other Resources:

Brief videos with Tullian coincide with each chapter of Jesus+Nothing = Everything. Each video is under five minutes long and designed to supplement group discussion or individual reflection.
http://www.crossway.org/group/jesusplusnothing

Giving Thought to Gospel 'Math': Why Jesus + Nothing = Everything
October 2, 2010 by Tullian Tchividjian.
Series: 2010 National Conference

Review:
In an evangelical culture where so many of us are unaware that the gospel isn t just what we believe to save us but also what sustains us and carries us into maturity, this book hammers home the gospel s power for the believer. Whether you have been in church your whole life or recently converted, this book will fuel your affections for our great God and King.
- Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Highland Village, Texas; author, The Explicit Gospel

There s loads of talk about the gospel these days. Some people think that talking about the gospel is trendy and that after a while we ll all calm down and get over it. Oh, I hope not. I hope that the gospel and the desire to move further into the gospel will grow and grow until it transforms our sin-wearied, unbelieving, moralistic, forgetful hearts and sets us aflame for Jesus. Jesus + Nothing = Everything will remind you of the ancient yet ever-fresh truth that everything we need is found in the perfections of Christ not in ourselves, not in our reputation, our relationships or wealth or accomplishments in Christ alone. If you ve never rested in the finished work of Christ this book is for you. If you ve rested in it for decades like I have, this book is for you, too. Why? Because we forget; And, although we love Jesus, we re blind to the ways in which his work connects to our daily lives and we wonder why joy and zeal are foreign concepts to us. Buy this book. Read it. It will help you push deeper into the gospel and push the gospel message more deeply into every corner of your life. Tullian Tchividjian understands like few others how the gospel shines like a beacon of hope in times of despair. Listen to him, he ll help you love the Savior more.
- Elyse M. Fitzpatrick, counselor; speaker; author, Because He Loves Me and Comforts from the Cross

Tullian Tchividjian writes like he preaches, as a man consumed with Jesus and the life-giving power of God s grace. The message of the gospel changes everything and everyone who embraces it. This book reminds us that Jesus is not only all we need He is all we want!
- Jack Graham, pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church; former President, Southern Baptist Convention

It s so easy to forget what the Christian faith is about. We too often tell and believe religious lies that drive us to despair. I visit that dark place often because I ve been doing this religious thing for so long, have struggled so much, worked so hard, and failed so often that I fear I m becoming a cynical old preacher. Jesus + Nothing = Everything is cold, clear, refreshing water to a thirsty preacher and a dry church. If you read only one book this year, read this book. If you give a book to anybody this year, give this book. If you yearn for awakening in the church, underline this book and share what you ve learned. Then, with me, you ll rise up and call its author blessed. But more than that, you ll glorify the God who loves us this much.
- Steve Brown, Professor of Practical Theology Emeritus, Reformed Seminary, Orlando; radio teacher, Key Life --Editorial Reviews

'Many Christians today assume that the gospel just has to do with conversion, for way back when they first came to faith. They have lost the sense, well known to Christians of the past, that the gospel is for every moment of their lives. As a result, they often fall into a moralism that can be, as this book shows, just as idolatrous, self-focused, and godless as immorality. This book shows how the good news of free forgiveness in the cross of Jesus Christ is the driving energy that makes the Christian life possible. Pastor Tchividjian tells about how he himself discovered the full magnitude of God's grace in the midst of difficult times in his own ministry. He does so in a way that will bring relief, exhilaration, and freedom to struggling Christians.'
- Gene Edward Veith Jr., provost, professor of Literature, Patrick Henry College; director, Cranach Institute, Concordia Theological Seminary; columnist; author

'Tullian Tchividjian knows, by biblical study and personal experience, that the greatest dangers to the church exist inside the church not outside and the greatest of these dangers is the subtle, deceptive, and seductive self-reliance and self-sufficiency of legalism. Perhaps the greatest contribution of this book is its page after page plea to the church not to be afraid of the glorious provisions and freedoms of the grace of Jesus.'
- Paul David Tripp, President, Paul Tripp Ministries; author, What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage

'In a powerful, concise, and popular style, Tchividjian announces, explicates, defends, and contrasts the gratuitous gospel of Christ's person and work with the oft-misheld conviction of us sinners that, if we are somehow to be justified, it will have to be a matter of 'making up for' our offenses and of inward improvement. Chapter-by-chapter he argues that God s saving plan is one of grace and not one of improvement. Filled with illustrations from his life as a pastor, this is no unapproachable, academic tome. But neither, thank God, is it today's 'Evangelical silly!' Tchividjian wrestles openly with demons and their central lie in order that we truly 'get' what the Bible is really about. From every point on the compass, he contrasts 'moral renovation' with a free, one-sided rescue drenched in the blood of Jesus. Good news for everyone but especially for Christians who are worn out by trying the other way, believing the lie, somehow knowing renovation isn t working but knowing nowhere else to turn. Tchividjian is out to convince his reader that justification before God really is pure gift, is free, is by grace and through faith in Christ. . . sola'
- Rod Rosenbladt, professor of theology, Concordia University

'I had the privilege of watching this book be written well before the ink kissed the first page. That's why Tullian's title, Jesus + Nothing = Everything, couldn t be farther from cliché or formula to me. Providentially, my brother was called into an ecclesiastical whirlwind that soon became a gospel birthing room. The result hasn't been just a faithful and fresh exposition of Colossians, but a pastor and church daring to take the gospel of God s grace as seriously as possible. This is a great read, but an even greater story.'
- Scotty Smith, Pastor for Preaching, Teaching, and Worship, Christ Community Church, Franklin, Tennessee --More Editorial Reviews

'In Jesus + Nothing = Everything we get more than the gospel - the joyful gospel. Tullian not only apprehends aright the goodness of the good news, but also communicates it with a passion that is infectious.'
- Mark Galli, Senior Managing Editor, Christianity Today

'My friend Tullian is a loser. So am I. If we re honest, all of us fit that description, but the good news is that Christ came for people like us. We qualify! Under the rubric of 'Jesus plus nothing equals everything,' this accessible yet astonishingly profound book rearranges the furniture. If you re looking for hope instead of hype, please read this book.'
- Michael S. Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

'There is no one who better articulates the absolute distinctiveness of the gospel from religion than Tullian Tchvidjian. This book is filled with new insight and fresh inspiration on the oldest and most central doctrine of the church.'
- J. D. Greear, Lead Pastor, The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina

'The goal of my life is to enjoy Jesus above all else. This book has helped me to do that! Deeply theological and yet profoundly personal, Tullian takes us right into the depths of the gospel of Christ alone and causes us to wonder in amazement once again at what has been done for us because of God's great love. Read this. You'll never want or need anything more than Christ again.'
- Britt Merrick, founder, the Reality family of churches; pastor, Reality Santa Barbara

'Brace yourself for a gospel tornado! Tullian speaks from the heart to the heart, reclaiming the 'good' part of the good news in a bold and liberating fashion. To those suffering under the gravitational pull of internal as well as external legalism (a.k.a everyone), Jesus + Nothing = Everything represents the only lifeline there is - the mind-blowing, present-tense freedom of Gods justifying grace. No 'if's, 'and's or 'but's here, just the enlivening and relieving Word in all its profundity, with powerful illustrations to spare. If you know what s good for you, you'll read it over and over and over again (of course, you don t have to)!'
- David Zahl, Director, Mockingbird Ministries; editor of The Mockingbird Blog --More Editorial Reviews --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Also available in Chinese

Monday, July 21, 2014

Recommended: Knowing God, by J.I.Packer

Knowing God

Author:         J.I.Packer
Paperback:   352 pages
Publisher:      Hodder & Stoughton, 2nd edition (2013)
Language:     English
ISBN:           9780340863541
Price:            RM 36.45

KNOWING GOD is one of the most significant and popular Christian books of our time and has deepened the faith and understanding of millions of people around the world.

'Knowing God is a spiritual classic.' - John Stott

'Dr Packer says we're cruel to ourselves if we try to live in his world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it. I'm convinced we're cruel if we deny ourselves the wisdom contained in this Christian classic.' - Rico Tice

Biographical Notes:
An eminent theologian and one of the most influential evangelicals in the world today, Dr J.I. Packer is the Board of Governors' Professor of Theology at Regent College, Vancouver and a well-respected author. KNOWING GOD is perhaps his best-known work.

*Also Available in Chinese*



Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Recommended: Each for the Other by Bryan Chapell & Kathy Chapell

Each for the Other
Marriage as it's Meant to Be 

Author:         Bryan Chapell with Kathy Chapell
Paperback:   224 pages
Publisher:      Baker Books; Revised edition (August 1, 2006)
Language:     English
ISBN:           978-0801066016
Price:            RM 35.85

Building a strong marriage is tough. Yet the Bible is packed with principles on nurturing an intimate, rewarding relationship. Marriage as it was created to be means understanding God's plan for unconditional love.

In Each for the Other, Bryan Chapell and his wife, Kathy, offer an in-depth discussion of biblical truths you can apply to your marriage starting today. Together, they teach you:

  • how denying yourself can create the most rewarding relationship ever
  • what biblical headship and submission really mean--and why they're important
  • six key building blocks to help solidify your marriage and family

Whether you're engaged, newly married, or in a seasoned relationship, Each for the Other offers indispensable truths on how to sacrificially love your partner. It also includes discussion questions--perfect for individual or couple study.

"A marvelous treatment of the biblical model for and teaching on the family." - R. C. Sproul


"Wielding his biblical scalpel with careful thoroughness, Bryan Chapell cuts to the heart of selfishness, irresponsibility, and abuse that mar so many supposedly Christian marriages today. More than that, he marks out the path of self-denying love in marriage with a firm hand, and provides discussion questions to ensure that couples who have read the book have grasped its message. This exposition can do nothing but good." - J. I. Packer

Each for the Other is a refreshing and definitive look at Gods instructions to couples on how to live sacrificiallyfor each other and for their families. In a day when the world espouses a self-centered view of love, this book gives us the Bibles standards of love. It is a book that should be read by all couples seeking to know Gods plan for their marriage. -- Dennis Rainey, executive director, Family Life, Campus Crusade for Christ

Each for the Other is one of the few indispensable books on marriage. Because of its biblical precision and practical sensitivity, it is sweetly radical and bracing. Here is the landscape of marriage as it ought to be. This is a book to read, re-read, and savor; a first class achievement. -- R. Kent Hughes, senior pastor, College Church in Wheaton

As I read Each for the Other I had the sense of finding something for which I had long looked. The church is in desperate need of a teaching tool to help Gods people build marriages that reflect the reality of His grace. I think this book is that tool. Bryan combines theological precision with tender practicality and passionately presents the need for and Gods provision of grace in our marriages. This book is a must-read for every married couple and for every person considering marriage -- Susan Hunt, author, director of Women in the Church, Presbyterian Church in America

About the Author
Dr. Bryan Chapell is president and professor of practical theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Chapell was a pastor for approximately ten years before joining the faculty of Covenant Seminary, the seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), in 1985. He served the Seminary for six years as vice president for academics and dean of faculty before becoming president in 1994. He has been active in a variety of leadership roles in the PCA and in cooperative ministries with numerous other national and international Christian ministries.

Dr. Chapell is a renowned preacher, teacher, and speaker, and he is the author of many articles and numerous books, including Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus’ Name, Holiness by Grace, Christ-Centered Preaching, and many others.

While pastoring his first church, Dr. Chapell met his future wife, Kathy, who played piano for the congregation. Also an accomplished flutist and singer, Mrs. Chapell has used her gifts as a choir director for many years and often serves churches as a soloist and conference speaker. The Chapells have four children.

Also available in Chinese

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Recommended: Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller

Counterfeit Gods
When the Empty Promises of Love, Money, and Power Let You Down

Author:         Timothy Keller
Paperback:   240 pages
Publisher:      Hodder & Stoughton 2010
Language:     English
ISBN:           978-0340995082
Price:            RM 34.65

New book from the bestselling author of THE REASON FOR GOD

TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO, THE MOST DEVELOPED NATIONS IN THE WORLD WORSHIPPED IDOLS, GODS OF WOOD AND STONE. Today we may laugh at their ignorance, but the modern manifestations of idolatry are no less foolish and just as harmful to our wellbeing.

Culturally transforming and biblically grounded, COUNTERFEIT GODS is a powerful book by New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller, pondering the persistent temptation to worship what can only disappoint, and with a vital message for today's current climate of financial and social difficulty. Keller looks at the issue of idolatry throughout the Bible, from the worship of actual idols in the Old Testament to the love of money by the rich young ruler in Jesus's parable. Using these classic stories, Keller cuts through our dependence on the glittering false gods of money, sex and power to uncover the path towards trust in the real ultimate - God.

Counterfeit Gods offers much insight for shepherding local churches. Keller argues that Christians cannot understand themselves or their culture unless they discern the counterfeit gods.
— Collin Hansen, Christianity Today

Tim Keller knows how to tell a Bible story. Like The Prodigal God before it, his latest book, Counterfeit Gods is built around them. And every time I read one of those stories, I feel like I am hearing it for the first time. ...Counterfeit Gods is easily one of the best books I’ve read this year.
— Tim Challies, Author

Keller’s wisdom and biblical understanding, served up in clear, engaging writing, can help both Christians and non-Christians to identify the idols in our own hearts and replace empty promises with hope in Christ.
— World Magazine

Counterfeit Gods smashes the arrogant conclusion that violation of the first commandment was merely an ancient problem. Combining biblical theology with experienced surgery on the soul over the years in modern Manhattan... Keller’s heart diagnostics will leave us neither ignorant nor unmoved.
— David B. Garner, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary

About the Author
Dr. Timothy Keller opened Redeemer Presbyterian church in Manhattan in 1989. After receiving a doctorate in ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary in the 1970’s, Dr. Keller was a part time Professor of Practical Theology. He then formed Redeemer in New York City, where he lives with his wife, Kathy, and three sons.

Related Resources



Listen to an episode of Christ the Center entitled Counterfeit Gods. (Reformed Forum)



Also available in Chinese

Monday, June 16, 2014

Recommended: Reason for God by Timothy Keller

The Reason For God
Belief in an Age of Scepticism

Author:         Timothy Keller
Paperback:   293 pages
Publisher:      Hodder & Stoughton 2009
Language:     English
ISBN:          9780340979334
Price:            RM 34.65

An intelligent, intellectually rigorous examination of why the Christian faith still makes sense in an age of scepticism.

Why does God allow suffering in the world? 
How could a loving God send people to Hell? 
Why isn't Christianity more inclusive? 
How can one religion be "right" and the others be "wrong"?
Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?

As the pastor of an inner-city church in New York City, Timothy Keller has compiled a list of the most frequently voiced 'doubts' sceptics bring to his church, as well as the most important reasons for faith. In THE REASON FOR GOD, he addresses each doubt and explains each reason.Keller uses literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and reasoning to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth.

"Believers will rejoice in a book that carefully and patiently answers the objections of their skeptical friends and does so with grace and in a way consistent with the Bible. Skeptics will see that even their skepticism is founded on some kind of faith and will be challenged to discern those underlying beliefs. May this book convince us all that we can believe and can believe reasonably, even in this age of skepticism." - Tim Challies www.challies.com

"In this apologia for Christian faith, Keller mines material from literary classics, philosophy, anthropology and a multitude of other disciplines to make an intellectually compelling case for God. Written for sceptics and the believers who love them, the book draws on the author's encounters as founding pastor of New York's booming Redeemer Presbyterian Church." — Publishers Weekly

"Tim Keller's ministry in New York City is leading a generation of seekers and skeptics toward belief in God. I thank God for him." — Billy Graham

'This is the book I give to all my friends who are serious spiritual seekers or sceptics.'
— Rick Warren, author if The Purpose Driven Life

THE NEW YORK TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER

About the Author:
TIMOTHY KELLER was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He was first a pastor in Hopewell, Virginia. In 1989 he started Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan with his wife, Kathy, and their three sons. Today, Redeemer has more than five thousand regular attendees at five services, a host of daughter churches, and is planting churches in large cities throughout the world. He is the author of COUNTERFEIT GODS, THE PRODIGAL GOD, and the New York Times bestseller THE REASON FOR GOD.

Related Resources:


Introduction to The Reason for God from Redeemer City to City on Vimeo.

AN INTERVIEW WITH TIM KELLER 
Contributors: Justin Taylor (president and publisher at Crossway) January 19, 2008

Also available in Chinese

Recommended: The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller

The Prodigal God
Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

Author:         Timothy Keller
Paperback:   139 pages
Publisher:      Hodder & Stoughton 2008
Language:     English
ISBN:           9780340979983
Price:            RM 30.80

In The Prodigal God, New York pastor Timothy Keller uses the story of the prodigal son to shine a light on the central, beautiful message of Jesus: the gospel of grace, hope and salvation.Keller argues that the parable of the prodigal son, while Jesus' best-known parable, is also his least understood. He introduces the reader to all the characters in this timeless story, showing that it concerns not just a wayward son, but also a judgmental older brother and, most importantly, a loving father. In this challenging and inspiring book, Timothy Keller invites both faithful believers and curious outsiders to come to a new and totally life-changing understanding of the central message of the Christian faith.

“There is more than one way to run away from God and defy him. But there is only one way back: God is so prodigal in his grace that he reaches out to humble and restore and receive both. Few books unpack this theme with greater force than this slim volume from Tim Keller."
— D. A. Carson, professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“The Prodigal God is vintage Keller—biblically faithful with a fresh angularity. That is, Keller seizes a great truth and comes at it from an angle and with language that help us see it in new ways."
John Piper, Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church

“The insight that Tim Keller has about the two individuals in the story and the heart of the God who loves them both... it is not much of an overstatement to say I read that and God wrecked me afresh."
— Bill Hybels, Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church

“Religious people will find—perhaps for the first time—insights into themselves and the love of God that just might shatter any outward shell of mere religiosity on which they are depending and draw them into the presence of real light, glory, and salvation—into the presence of Jesus Christ, the Prodigal God Himself."
— Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship

About the Author 

Timothy Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary. He was pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Virginia, for 9 years before founding Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons.








Related Resources: 

Monday, April 7, 2014

Recommended: God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible / 上帝的藍圖

  • God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible

  • Author:         Vaughan Roberts 
  • Paperback:   176 pages
  • Publisher:     Inter-Varsity Press (March 20, 2009)
  • Language:    English
  • ISBN:           978-1844743704
  • Price:            RM 36.90

Sixty-six books, forty authors, written over nearly 2,000 years, in many different genres. A worldwide bestseller published in countless translations and languages. A book that has been sworn by in court, fought over, and quoted in arguments. Clearly, the Bible is no ordinary book. 

So how can we begin to read and understand it as a whole? 


In this excellent overview, Vaughan Roberts paints the big picture, showing how the different parts of the Bible fit together under the theme of the kingdom of God. He offers us tools to read it with confidence, enthusiasm and understanding. Vaughan points us to the Bible's supreme subject, Jesus Christ, and the salvation God offers through him.


*Also available in Chinese*

Monday, March 31, 2014

Know Why You Believe by Paul E. Little / 你为何要信? / Tahukah Sebabnya Anda Percaya?

In 2006, Christianity Today voted this title to be one of the top 50 books that have shaped evangelicals! Have you ever asked
  • Do science and Scripture conflict?
  • Are miracles possible?
  • Is Christian experience real?
  • Why does God allow suffering and evil?
These questions need solid answers. That's what a million people have already found in this clear and reasonable response to the toughest intellectual challenges posed to Christian belief. This edition, revised and updated by Marie Little in consultation with experts in science and archaeology, provides twenty-first-century information and offers solid ground for those who are willing to search for truth. Including a study guide for individuals or groups, the classic answerbook on Christian faith has never been better!


  • Paperback: 231 pages
  • Publisher: IVP Books (February 22, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-13: 978-0830834228
  • Price: RM38.40 nett

《你為何要信》"Know Why You Believe"(簡體)
作者:李德爾夫婦(Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Little)
譯者:詹正義、區秀芳

作者提出12個不信基督教的人經常發問的問題,他以個人的聖經研究及聖經學者的探討,配合優秀的思考能力來構思出自己的答案。他認為在某種意義上說,人不能向別人證明基督教是真實的,然而卻可以舉出好些充分的理由解釋我們為什麼要信,信主永遠比不信更符合事實。此書很適合內地知識分子的慕道者及信徒閱讀,書中有力的論點能讓他們更相信基督信仰的真實可靠。內地的知識分子對基督教愈來愈有興趣,其中有很多更對此深入研究。此書正好成為一道橋樑,把他們引到基督面前。

《你為何要信》自出版以來,已為非信徒解開信仰上的不少理性問題,亦幫助初信者認識其信仰的真確性。近年來,由於在考古學和其他科學上的發現,更能支持本書的立論,所以在本增訂版中,收羅有關資料,帶給讀者新的洞見。本書列出的十二個問題都是基督徒「原則上」一望而知的,若不是,請你盡快擁有這書。對未信朋友面對的基本信仰問題,李德爾夫婦在書中已提出一針見血的答案。正因如此,請快快送出這書。適合慕道班,初信班教材及傳福音使用。

作者: 李德爾夫婦著 (MR.&MRS.PAUL E. LITTLE)   譯者:
出版社: 證主圖書中心  出版日期:
頁數: 216  ISBN: 9789622025912 
類別: 福音佈道/福音叢書  適合對象: 適用所有人
定價: RM37.40 


Tahukah Sebabnya Anda Percaya?
Kita hidup di dunia yang semakin sofistikated serta berpendidikan. Mengetahui apa yang kita percaya tidak lagi memadai. Kita harus mengetahui sebabnya kita percaya.

  • Publisher: SU-MSIA
  • Language: Malay
  • ISBN: 9789007
  • Price: RM10