It’s been a little while since i’ve written a post about new materials. If you check out the New Items shelf, you’ll find books, DVDs, and CDs from the last three months, but i wanted to highlight some of the newest of the new here.
Nonfiction
The Jesus Quest, by Ben Witherington III. The first quest for the historical Jesus was led by Albert Schweitzer in the early 1900s. The second was the result of the radical “demythologizing” of the New Testament by Rudolf Bultmann. But even in the wake of controversial approaches and suspicious conclusions, the desire to know Jesus as He lived in the first century is alive and well– and this book chronicles the renewed effort of what is being called The Third Quest for the Historical Jesus.
The Hospital By the River, by Dr. Catherine Hamlin. In 1959, a couple, both practicing gynecologists, left their native Australia to establish a midwifery school in Ethiopia. Over 50 years later, Catherine continues the work that she and her late husband started. She has seen four clinics established and is constantly serving and advocating for women who have suffered terribly from an injury called obstetric fistula: little-known, but catastrophically prevalent in the developing world. This is their story, and the story of the countless women they’ve helped.
Worship, Community, and the Triune God of Grace, by James B. Torrance. We believe in the Trinity as a doctrine, but does this doctrine affect our lives and worship? Torrance shows us, through Scripture and pastoral counsel, just why real trinitarian theology is the very fiber of Christian life and confession.
Learn New Testament Greek, by John H. Dobson. “Begin reading the Greek text in 10 days!” celebrates the cover of this accessible book. Its intuitive approach skips over the tedium of memorizing long lists of vocabulary and instead focuses on “principles and pointers” that help students to recognize the meaning of new words more quickly. “After seventeen short lessons, you will start reading selected passages,” says the author, and he promises that by the end of this 300-page, 52-lesson book, you’ll be able to read much of the New Testament without constant reference to a dictionary. Imagine how your understanding of Jesus’ words and Paul’s teaching will come alive when you can read it for yourself in the original Greek!
The Gaze of Love: Meditations on Art & Spiritual Transformation, by Sister Wendy Beckett. This book is full of beautiful and powerful art pieces– oils, pastels, watercolors, sculptures, and more– that span hundreds of years. From Raphael’s Madonna to Diego Rivera’s folk art to Anish Kapoor’s multi-faith approach and everything in between and beyond, Sister Wendy opens our eyes to the presence of Jesus everywhere for those who have eyes to see.
The Intergenerational Church, by Peter Menconi. This book will help you understand the differences between the generations worshipping in parallel in your church. But understanding isn’t enough. Learnt to minimize generational tension, get all the generations moving in the same direction, develop leaders from all generations, deliver or appreciate intergenerational preaching, cultivate intergenerational worship and community, stimulate intergenerational mission and outreach– and see what happens when the generations worship together, not just in parallel.
Fiction
The Sweetest Thing, by Elizabeth Musser. Just as the Great Depression collides with Perri’s well-ordered life in an Atlanta girls’ school, a unlikely friendship blooms with Dobbs, a passionately individualistic pastor’s daughter– a friendship that will be tested by jealousy, betrayal, and family secrets. Musser vividly recreates the charm of her native city amid the poverty and plenty that shaped the 1930s.
Promises to Keep, by Ann Tatlock. “A mother fleeing unspeakable danger to keep her children safe… two young girls guarding secrets in a ‘cross my heart and hope to die’ pledge… a father desperate to be reunited with his family. Promises to Keep is an inspiring tale of unimaginable courage and selfless love.”
Her Mother’s Hope, by Francine Rivers. The first book in this much-beloved author’s newest series, Her Mother’s Hope follows Marta’s desperate attempt to fulfill her mother’s dreams and prove her father wrong. She leaves home– traveling to England, Canada, and finally to California– and works hard to reach her dream of owning an inn. She desires to pass along the power of a mother’s hope to her children, but will they understand and thrive under her tough love?
Almost Heaven, by Chris Fabry. A hillbilly folk musician in small-town West Virginia has a reputation. Some say he has a heart of gold; some say he’s a little odd. Both are true– but what no-one knows is that Billy’s seemingly insignificant life is anything but. Even angels long to look into these things.
…and MORE! Check out the New Items shelf for more great titles.
That means that National Library Week is April 8-14… but OUR Library Week is April 15-21.
