Mathew B. Sims's Blog, page 13
October 22, 2013
Review: Phil Robertson with Mark Schlabach’s Happy, Happy, Happy
If you plan on purchasing HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY, consider supporting Grace for Sinners by purchasing from Amazon.8 out of 10 Stars
Author: Phil Robertson
Publisher: Howard Book
Reading Level: Leisure
I’m a fan of fan of A&E’s smash hit Duck Dynasty but I was late to the game. My mom and dad had been watching it since the beginning and had been telling me about how funny it was. I finally gave it chance about half way through last season and was hooked. Hooked mainly because of Uncle Si’s quirky...
October 18, 2013
Review: Crossway’s Gospel Transformation Bible
If you plan on purchasing ESV Gospel Transformation Bible, consider supporting Grace for Sinners by purchasing from Amazon.10 out of 10 Stars
Author: Assorted
Publisher: Crossway
Reading Level: Easy
I’m not a huge fan of study bibles. It seems they are either too academic, overly vague and therefore useless, or never seem to answer the questions I’m asking about the text. I haven’t used a study bible for my regular reading for five or six years. I find commentaries are better options when I reall...
October 17, 2013
A Household Gospel: “We died before we came here”
It’s reported that James Calvert, missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, responded to the concerns of a ship captain who said, “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages” by saying “We died before we came here.”After reading that a few weeks back, I had to let it simmer and reduce in my heart. It hit me. So much of the American culture values independence and individuality above all. Those are the Sola’s of our zeitgeist. We do not want any...
October 15, 2013
George Swinnock, “God is all good things, and every good thing”
In
The Fading of the Flesh and the Flourishing of Faith
, George Swinnock explains “God is all good things, and everything good thing.” He is our portion for, in, and above all of life.God is all good things, and every good thing. He is self-sufficient, alone-sufficient, and all-sufficient. Nothing is lacking in him--either for the soul’s protection from all evil, or for the soul’s perfection with all good. If God were your portion, you would find in him whatever your heart could desire and wh...
October 14, 2013
Review: J. Stephen Yuille’s A Hope Deferred
If you plan on purchasing A Hope Deferred, consider supporting Grace for Sinners by purchasing from Amazon.Author: J. Stephen Yuille
Publisher: Shepherd Press
Cross Focused Blog Tour
Reading Level: Easy
A Hope Deferred
is a book about theology told through the story of real life. It’s a trend I’ve seen increase over the last five years in theology books for the average Christian and it’s a positive trend in the way we teach theology.It’s a book about the Yuille’s adoption and infertility but it’s...
The Church with Sandals On
The Passover
In Exodus 12:7-13, Moses says,
“Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. In...
October 11, 2013
Review: Sarah Bessey’s Jesus Feminist
If you plan on purchasing Jesus Feminist, consider supporting Grace for Sinners by purchasing from Amazon.
7 out of 10 Stars
Author: Sarah Bessey
Publisher: Howard Books
Reading Level: Leisure
What I Loved
Sarah Bessey can flat out write. I’ve read a few things here and there on her blog. She tells a story well and writes with gusto. If you enjoy bland writing and worn over imagery than by all means don’t read Jesus Feminist. She writes so well I found myself once or twice nodding in agreement with...
October 10, 2013
New Covenant Polemics: Crumbs of Grace
Last time, we talked about the episode of Jesus calming the storm and how it was a polemic against the failure of rehearsing the gospel story as seen through the redemption of Israel through the waters. I now want to turn your attention to Mark 7:24-30:24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him an...
October 9, 2013
Review: Phil Ryken’s Kingdom, Come!
If you plan on purchasing Kingdom, Come! consider supporting Grace for Sinners by purchasing from Amazon.
8 out of 10 Stars
Author: Phil Ryken
Publisher: Crossway
Reading Level: Leisure
Kingdom, Come!
originated as a set of sermons preached at Wheaton College. There are still traces of the homiletic gold in the book, but it does well as a book too. Originating as a sermon tightened the focus of each chapter. The titles hone in on one specific point, stay focused through out, and build towards the...
October 8, 2013
Altogether Lovely in Her Mess by Renée Bates
Renée is a Texan married for a decade to her best friend Cory, the mom of three rambunctious children, Eli the Scientist, Joss the Contemplative and Jenny the glitter-sprinkled Princess. She’s a graduate of Midwestern State University, and serves at Pantego Bible Church in the high school ministry to the Glory of Christ.When I became a Christian I didn’t know a lot of stuff. I mean a lot. Like a lot, a lot. Not just “what exactly is a Nahum?” kind of stuff, but like Christian-people stuff. I...
