Book Review: The Strategy of Satan by Warren Wiersbe

Understanding and Overcoming Satan’s Tactics Primer

Review by David P. Craig

 Warren Wiersbe can always be trusted to be biblical, concise, clear, and give ample practical illustrations and applications to modern life. In this short primer on Satan’s tactics and our responses to his tactics the book may be broken down in the following three ways:

First, the writer shows how Satan is the ultimate deceiver, destroyer, ruler, and accuser. In each of the first four chapters Wiersbe gives an Old Testament example in each of these four areas in order to demonstrate Satan’s target, weapon, purpose, and then tactical defenses we can use against his deceptions, evil plans, feeding our pride, and his accusations towards us.

Secondly, the middle of the book is about increasing our faith in God, and how not to give Satan a foothold in our life so as not to paralyze and immobilize us in God’s work on earth. He focuses on the positive ways we can overcome the Evil One’s tactics by trusting and obeying Christ.

Thirdly, Wiersbe gives a masterful exposition of all the armor we have been given in the battle against Satan and demons from Ephesians 6, and how Satan attacks the family, and churches as a key strategy in his arsenal of tactics.

Overall, this book is thorough, biblically sound, and very useful in its many practical applications. I highly recommend this book – especially if you have never read anything on the wiles of the Enemy and how to overcome our greatest Adversary.

*Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary, Warren Wiersbe is the author of more than 100 books. Billy Graham calls him “one of the greatest Bible expositors of our generation.” Interestingly, Warren’s earliest works had nothing to do with scriptural interpretation. His interest was in magic, and his first published title was Action with Cards (1944).

“It was sort of imbecilic for a fifteen-year-old amateur magician to have the audacity to write a book and send it to one of the nation’s leading magic houses,” Warren says. But having a total of three books published by the L.L. Ireland Magic Company—before the age of 20—gave him a surge of confidence. In later years, he applied his confidence and writing talent to the Youth for Christ (YFC) ministry.

Warren wrote many articles and guidebooks for YFC over a three-year period, but not all his manuscripts were seen by the public eye. One effort in particular, The Life I Now Live, based on Galations 2:20, was never published. The reason, Warren explains with his characteristic humor, is simple: it was “a terrible book…Whenever I want to aggravate my wife, all I have to say is, ‘I think I’ll get out that Galations 2:20 manuscript and work on it.’” Fortunately, Warren’s good manuscripts far outnumbered the “terrible” ones, and he was eventually hired by Moody Press to write three books.

The much-sought-after author then moved on to writing books for Calvary Baptist Church. It was during his ten years at Calvary that Expository Outlines on the New Testament and Expository Outlines on the Old Testament took shape. These two works later became the foundation of Warren’s widely popular Bible studies known as the Be series, featuring such titles as Be Loyal (a study on Matthew) and Be Delivered (a study on Exodus). Several of these books have been translated into Spanish.

His next avenue of ministry was Chicago’s Moody Memorial Church, where he served for seven years. He wrote nearly 20 books at Moody before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he and his wife, Betty, now live. Prior to relocating, he had been the senior pastor of Moody Church, a teacher at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a producer of the Back to the Bible radio program.

During all these years of ministry, Warren held many more posts and took part in other projects too numerous to mention. His accomplishments are extensive, and his catalog of biblical works is indeed impressive and far-reaching (many of his books have been translated into other languages). But Warren has no intention of slowing down any time soon, as he readily explains: “I don’t like it when people ask me how I’m enjoying my ‘retirement,’ because I’m still a very busy person who is not yet living on Social Security or a pension. Since my leaving Back to the Bible, at least a dozen books have been published, and the Lord willing, more are on the way.”

Wiersbe’s recent books include Your Next Miracle, The 20 Essential Qualities of a Child of God, The Bumps are What You Climb On, Classic Sermons on the Fruit of the Spirit, Classic Sermons on Jesus the Shepherd, Key Words of the Christian Life, Lonely People, A Gallery of Grace, Real Peace: Freedom and Conscience in the Christian Life, and On Being a Leader for God.

Book Review: Passages – How Reading the Bible In A Year Will Change Everything by Brian Hardin

Tremendous Motivations For Reading Your Bible Daily

 In Brian Hardin’s own words from his blog on the writing of this book, “In researching the book I discovered that 93% of professing Christians don’t have a daily relationship with the Bible.  I found that a majority of people find the Bible hard to understand.  And yet with these facts comes the startling reality that more than 200 million people in the United States alone would affirm that they believe the Bible is the Word of God and that it is the truth.  It’s an ironic disconnect that believers in Jesus think the Bible is true and contains the path to life but don’t actually learn that path by becoming intimate with Scripture.  This book was written to create a context for that path.  I wrote it to explain that the Bible is not a manual or rule book to live up to, rather, it’s a story….our story.  We can find ourselves in it’s passages.  It’s not a book of exceptions, rather, it’s a book of examples and we are invited as Walt Whitman so eloquently put it to, “contribute a verse.”

I enjoyed this book immensely. It’s fascinating to read this book and hear from Brian how he was led by the Holy Spirit to begin the Daily Audio Bible on the Internet and hear his own testimony of how reading the Bible daily has radically changed his life and the lives of millions of others around the world for the better.

If you have never read the Bible before this book will give you much added motivation for making this very enjoyable discipline a habit for life. The book contains many personal testimonies of people whose lives have been changed for the better that will inspire you to read and listen to God’s Word daily. The book also contains many resources on the Internet to help you begin the exciting journey of Bible reading. In the back of the book there are three reading plans to help you get started.

As a Pastor and Life Coach there is nothing that I can recommend more to help you in your life than to read the Bible and apply it daily. I agree and pray for you what Brian writes and prays at the end of the book, “The Bible is about becoming more like Christ. It constantly invites us to submit ourselves in obedience not to make us miserable but to change us from the inside out…May you find life in God’s Word, my friend, and may true life find you. May he make his face to shine upon you and keep you. May he lift up his countenance on you and give you peace. May the strength of God go with you. May the wisdom of God instruct you. May the hand of God protect you. May the Word of God direct you. May you be sealed in Christ this day and forevermore. Amen.”

Book Review: All In: Jerry Yang with Mark Tabb

Gripping Story From Beginning to End

 I got this book on a whim because I like Mark Tabb’s writing. I don’t claim to be a poker player or a son of a poker player (as a matter of fact – I don’t think my dad’s ever played poker). Anyway, this is a gripping story of a young boy’s life growing up near Laos and the tragedies and joy’s as his family escaped torture and persecution from the North Viet Nam Communists traveling from their small village in Laos to a refugee camp in Thailand and then to the USA. In the USA Jerry Yang tells the story of how he became the 2007 World Series Poker Champ.

There are 24 chapters in the book and Mark Tabb weaves the story of Jerry and his family’s escape and his rise as poker champion of the world. If you love good stories that end well – you will love this book. It gripped me from the beginning. The story has it all – it will grab your emotions and inspire you (it had me crying and laughing throughout). You will see how God’s providence is weaved throughout the story as well. Whether you like poker or not – you will love this book because it will restore your love for the things that have made the USA such a great country – immigrants fleeing for their lives to have opportunities, working hard, and achieving their dreams.

Jerry Yang is a tremendous role model and I think what he has done with his earnings and life since he won the 2007 championship is amazing and inspiring – not in the world of poker – but in helping other refugees like he was at one time. I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure and to inspire you to once again believe in the American Dream from someone who has shown that you can be and do anything if you put your mind to it and work hard.

Booklet Review: The Tebow Mystique by Patton Dodd

When Hard Work and Faith Go Hand in Hand

 As I write this review with Tim Tebow at the helm as quarterback of the Denver Broncos are 7-1. Almost all of these victories seem to be “miraculous” wins. It’s hard to open the sports page, turn on talk radio, go on the Internet, or watch television without hearing about the latest exploits of Tim Tebow – his faith and his wins.

According to Dodd the Tebow Mystique has two main features: “First, Tim Tebow’s unprecedented popularity; and second, his uncanny on-the-field performance.” The Tebow phenomenon seems to be based on the combination of his work ethic and character based on his faith in Jesus Christ. He has what Max Weber wrote about in how some individuals can inspire “charismatic authority” a leadership style based on integrity of character – when your walk matches your talk.

Dodd makes this excellent observation, “It’s fair to say that Tim Tebow and his siblings were raised to be character savants in the way that Tiger Woods was raised to be a sport savant and Mozart was raised to be a music savant.” All the football analysts keep expecting Tebow and the Broncos to fail, but as Tebow says, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

I for one am enjoying the spotlight on a guy who is passionate for God and helping others on and off the football field. It remains to be seen whether he will win the Super Bowl, or have successful career in the NFL. My hope is that whether Tebow wins or loses he will continue to remain a good role model and example to the myriads of young people who are looking for heroes. It’s nice for a change to see someone walking the talk, and making a difference in people’s lives on and off the field.

I believe in miracles, but I also believe that the hard work and good stewardship of and application of Tebow’s faith will help him to always win in life no matter what the score is at the end of the day. I think this is a good little booklet that shows how integrity of character and hard work in the little things pay off. It’s my hope that Tebow continues to win on the field and turn his critics into fans of hard work and the God who empowers, guides, and gives him wisdom in the face of so many obstacles. May his ilk increase!

Booklet Review: Discovering Advent by Mark D. Roberts

A Good Primer on Celebrating Advent

 I’ve been a pastor for over twenty years in primarily non-liturgical settings. In recent years I’ve become more interested in celebrating Holy Days by using some of the traditions of different denominations to enhance my personal worship of the Lord Jesus Christ (and corporate worship as well). This little book offers a good case for, and practical suggestions of how to enhance one’s worship of the coming of Christ as we celebrate the Christmas and Advent season.

Dr. Robert’s concern isn’t necessarily the various methods of how we celebrate Advent, but he argues that the main point of Advent is, “growing into a deeper, truer relationship with God. It’s sharing our yearning and hope with our community of faith. It’s getting in touch with our need for a Savior and our yearning for the kingdom of God. In Advent, by putting ourselves in the place of those who centuries ago, longed for a Messiah to set them free, we get our hearts ready to be renewed by the good news of Christmas: ‘Joy to the world, the Lord has come!’”

Mark Roberts includes the explanations of some traditions to enhance and appreciate Advent and Christmas, as well as various resources and liturgies to enhance your worship with prayers, Scripture readings, and songs. I like the tenure of this little book – he’s not dogmatic and doesn’t take anything away from whatever traditions we already celebrate – he simply gives some good reasons for and ideas of how we can enhance our celebration of Christ during December and the beginning of January.

Book Review: When Will My Life Not Suck? By Ramon Presson

How To Live and Thrive in the Real World

 Most people have thought and spoken something similar to the title of this book. I for one think the title is unfortunate because it makes the book sound more sophomoric than it actually is. However, I think that every Christian has thought or uttered the words of the title – if not the actual words – definitely with the attitude that the title conveys. It’s actually a very good book which deals with and answers a lot of the questions and struggles that Christians wrestle with living in a fallen world.

The author primarily uses the apostle’s Paul’s writing to the Philippians as a guide in helping the reader deal with scars from the past, moving from “why?” to “what next?” and going from discontent to contentment. If there is a theme that ties everything together it’s the fact that we can use everything in life that we have encountered and integrate into our lives for something good and in order to bring glory to God.

I think this book has a lot of good principles from the life of Jesus, the apostle Paul, and the author’s personal life experiences as a counselor and pastor (he is very transparent and authentic) in order to show how we can go from our default modes to a God oriented way of thinking that leads to a productive, effective, and purposeful life.

The book is very encouraging, helpful, and full of wise advice. I recommend it highly – especially for people who feel like they have been given a raw deal. It will help get you out of the doldrums and onto the right track again.

Booklet Review: Kinda Christianity by Ted Kluck and Zach Bartels

“Get Smart” Meets The Emergent Movement

 I was born in the 1960’s and wasn’t old enough or “smart” enough to enjoy the original airing of the satirical show “Get Smart.” Get Smart was a successful spoof on two very popular and successful icons of the time – James Bond and the Peter Sellers character – Inspector Clouseau. Don Adams playing secret agent 86 was both dashing and fumbling and played the role perfectly. I have the whole Get Smart series on DVD and when I am in dire need of a good laugh – I break out a disc and watch a few episodes with my teens – who love Get Smart as much (or more) than I do.

This book is a satire on the representatives of the emergent movement largely represented by Brian McLaren and his book “A New Kind of Christianity.” Much like aficionados or critics of the show “Get Smart” – you are either going to love or hate this little book. If you take James Bond, Inspector Clouseau, Brian McLaren, or those of his ilk too seriously – you will really hate this book! Well if that’s you – and I knew who you were – I’d pray that you would lighten up and learn to laugh at yourself and your heroes.

For those of you who believe in absolute truth, calling a spade a spade, and actually take a stand for something, instead of being continually banal and vague – you will love this book and laugh a lot!

My only critique of the book was that it was too short. However, like episodes of “Get Smart” – I have noticed that as much as I love watching these shows – the reality of the satires and the truths we laugh about are too serious to only make fun of. Ultimately, the sad part about this book is the reality of the truth that it conveys – a lot of people are duped by the emergent leaders that have little to stand on, and that’s why the movement – like the 60’s – will pass and die out – but leave many dazed and confused in it’s wake. God willing – the truth will be sought and found – where it’s been all along – the authoritative, inerrant, and sufficient Bible.

Ted, Frank, and Zach – thanks for the laughter amidst the chaos that is the “emergent movement.” I gave this book four stars out of five – not because I didn’t like it, but because I only give five stars to books that I will read over and over again, or are what I would consider classics that will stand the test of time. This book will not stand the test of time, because the emergent movement – like the liberal theology of the 20th century will be part of history as a passing fad in a short period of time – and the book like “Get Smart” will not be as relevant to the times – but will always be funny to those who lived through the times in which it took place. The gospel grows churches, speculation, and confusion only scatters wandering sheep.

Book Review: Life Coaching Activities & Powerful Questions by Phyllis Reardon

 Excellent Resource for Self & Life Coaching Others

I have been life coaching professionally for three years now, and I’m amazed at how many excellent resources are available for self-coaching and coaching others. This book is full of great questions, quotes, and exercises to help anyone set and achieve goals. I have given the book five stars because it is a very good resource that I will use for myself and to help others that I coach for years to come. Here are some of helpful topics covered in this resource/workbook:

What is life Coaching?

– Addresses issues related to what makes for success

Visioning Your Future Self

– Has a very helpful template called the “Wheel of life” consisting of balancing 8 life parts: family/relationships, career/work, health/fitness, personal growth, money/finances, physical environment, fun/joy, and romance.

Strategic Planning

Developing a Positive Image and Attitude

Communication

Work and Life Balance

Each section is loaded with great questions in workbook format, great insights for action, and good thought provoking quotes.

I have already used a lot of the ideas in this book in my personal life, and in coaching people in their relationships, in life balance, and goal setting. I highly recommend this workbook for anyone who wants to improve their own life, and the lives of others for the better. I will be coming to this resource again and again for years to come.

Book Review: Reflections on Words of the New Testament by W.E. Vine

Practical Application from the “Words” of God

William Edwy Vine’s (1873-1949) Expository Dictionary of the New Testament Words has been one of the most useful tools written to date to help lay people and teachers of the Bible understand the New Testament due to its organizing words according to their English translations from the Greek. Vine’s book has been used primarily as a reference tool. However, this new book contains reflections by Gregory C. Benoit on 76 different words from the New Testament – words like “Abba,” “abundance,” “baptism,” “comfort,” “glory,” “holy,” “justification,” “love,” “obey,” “reconcile,” “sin,” and more.

Gregory C. Benoit’s purpose in writing these reflections in his own words, “The author (Vine) frequently included interesting insights into word meanings, origins, and practical applications that are a treasure of a different sort, offering suggestions on how to apply God’s Word to one’s life today, unexpected glimpses of God’s character, sobering reflections on the character of mankind, and much more. The purpose of this book is to emphasize those practical aspects of Vine’s writings.”

Benoit offers in each entry much of the “meat” from Vine’s work, but he has selected words that have a bearing on your walk and worship of God. This book has been designed to enhance your personal growth and enrich your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

This book can be used as a devotional, or to help you with illustrations in teaching on different themes or passages of the Bible. If you love God’s Word, His words, and are an avid student of the Word – than you will thoroughly enjoy this book. I am only giving this book 4 stars because the one drawback is that I would have liked it to contain certain words that are missing – like “repentance,” “disciple,” and the like. Overall, a very helpful and encouraging resource for Bible students to use for life.

Book Review: Men of God edited by Trevor Archer and Tim Thornborough

Helping You in Becoming a Man of God

 The stated purpose of this book written by various British men is to answer the question: “What does it mean for modern men to know Christ?” The driving compass guiding this book resonates with a Christo-centric theology designed to “clarify the content of the gospel according to Scripture and then to explore its impact on how men should understand their identity in Christ. It is vital to understand that, without the gospel, what we do week by week in our churches, in our homes, in our leisure and in our working lives will inevitably become man-centered rather than God-centered. This is why we must always return again and again to the gospel as it is revealed in the Scriptures. Only when our lives are centered on the gospel of Christ will we be able to live for Christ.”

The rest of the chapters in the book are briefer than chapter one, all stand alone, and include a biblical section to start with containing applications, and practical case studies for the day to day realities that men face. Each chapter also provides discussion questions provided at the end of the chapter based on the Bible study – ideal for small groups, and discipleship among men (ideal for groups of two-three).

The topics dealt with in this book include men and 1) singleness; 2) marriage; 3) sex; 4) fatherhood; 5) church; 6) work; 7) witness; 8) witness; 9) discipling; 10) leisure. Some of the better-known authors (to Americans anyway) in this book include Tim Chester, David Jackman, and Vaughan Roberts.

I highly recommend this book for men and men’s ministries that have a passion for Christ-centered theology, and want their men to look, sound, and act more like Jesus and impact culture with the gospel. One of the really nice things about this book is that the chapters are short without sacrificing depth.