My 2012 Christmas Book Wish List

If you are feeling mighty generous and desire to treat me with a book or two or three...(smile), well, lo and behold, here is a short list of some of the books that I would absolutely love to have, oh and thank you both kindly and in advance.  (Frankly, I doubt anyone in cyberspace is reading this - nevertheless, I will still let down the net)

1.  "Systematic Theology" by Louis Berkhof *
2.  "A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith" by Robert Reymond
3.  "The U.S. Constitution: A Reader" by the Hillsdale College Faculty *
4.  "The Heritage Guide to the Constitution" by Edwin Meese *

5.  "The Founders' Key" by Larry Arnn *

6.  "The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture" by Rene Pach

7.  "The Challenge of Islam" by Patrick Sookhdeo

8.  "The Martyr Lamb" by F.W. Krummacher

9.  "The Christian Ministry" by Charles Bridges

10.  "The Book that Made Your World" by Vishal Mangalwadi

11.  "Paul Missionary Theologian" by Robert Reymond

12. "Soft Despotism" by Paul Rahe

13.  "Vindicating the Founders" by Thomas West  

As usual, the asterisk symbol indicates what I really, really want.  There's something about my "wanter" that I cannot seem to control.  The "strikethrough" indicates that this book has already been given to me. :-) [Thank you, Marcia darling!]

P.S. Merry Christmas! I am so thankful that above all that I am privileged to read, I have read and continue to read, the Holy Bible (KJV) which is the most beautiful and divine book any mortal can ever read.  God is good to me! 

UPDATE (03/18/13) - A friend (Abby Garcia and company) got me a fabulous book written by Vishal Mangalwadi!  I  cannot put the book down.  It is an enchanting read because it is insightful about American culture as it is about Indian culture.  Thank you, Abby, you are so thoughtful and what a surprise!  Be well.  

UPDATE (03/28/13) - Stephanie Garcia this time gave me "Paul Missionary Theologian" written by a theologian, Robert Reymond.  WOW!  What a pleasant surprise!  OKAY - - If you are a Garcia or an associate of the Garcia's (and you all know who you are)...YOU ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED to purchase any of these books for me.  Seriously,  One of the biggest issues I am facing right now is storage of thousands of books while on my deputation ministry...so NO MORE, please (smile).  You folks are very special to me.  I really appreciate your generosity (BTW, these books aren't cheap neither).  ALSO, I am staying up way to late to read them anyway - I can't put them down, these two are fantastic!  ALSO, now I have to update my "Shelfari" account - so it's creating more work on that front.  But Thank you, thank you, thank you for such love!

The Rock of our Salvation

William S. Plumer (1759-1850) was an American, Baptist, lawyer, and statesman (NH Senator and later NH Governor).  His book The Rock of our Salvation is an excellent and concise survey of the person, character, sufferings, offices, and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Some of Plumer’s interpretation of Scripture reflects a reformed view (ex. chapter 19 – Christ on the Judgment-Seat portrays a mixture of both the saints rewarded and sinners condemned).  A reformed view of Scripture is wrong because it convolutes the truth by interpreting the Bible allegorically.  Nevertheless, Plumer’s work stands as a magnificent survey of Christology.

Table of Contents:

1                     Christ All in All

2                     The Divinity of Christ

3                     The Sonship of Christ

4                     The Incarnation of Jesus

5                     The Messiahship of Jesus

6                     Christ the Mediator

7                     Christ a Prophet

8                     The Priesthood of Christ

9                     Christ a King

10                 Christ’s Humiliation

11                 General Views of the Christ’s Work

12                 Redemption by Christ

13                 The Atonement

14                 The Folly of Objecting to the Atonement

15                 Christ’s Resurrection

16                 Christ’s Ascension and Session at God’s Right Hand

17                 Christ in Heaven

18                 Christ’s Personal Absence from this World

19                 Christ on the Judgment-Seat

20                 Christ a Physician

21                 The Gentleness of Christ

22                 Christ Shall Yet Have a Glorious Reward

23                 The Gospel of Christ is Hid from Some

24                 The Sin and Danger of Not Believing in Christ

25                 The Reproach of Christ

26                 Conclusion

The edition that I read was a 2012 Kindle edition.  The Rock of our Salvation was first published in 1867.  This book is also available in hardcover.  Thus, for this review it is 414 KB of good reading. :-)

Biblical Strategies for Witness

"Biblical Strategies for Witness" by Dr. Peter Masters is a must read if you are interested in learning how to be effective in the vital area of being a personal witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.  Essentially, this book takes a closer look at how the Lord Jesus dealt with a variety of needs and types of people that need the Gospel.  The ideas presented in the book are simple but profound.  I do not want to give to much of a description about the book as to spoil the potential reader.  I have greatly benefited from this in ways like being challenged concerning becoming a personal witness, I have been reminded that the Word of God is still the best (really the only) remedy for the needs of people, I like how Dr. Masters takes a simple verse and opens up the spiritual and pastoral potential of that verse and how it directly relates to a clear Gospel presentation.  This book is both a challenging and enriching read.

Table of Contents:
1. Inspiring and Maintaining Personal Witness
2. God Really Does Use Instruments
3. Touching the Raw Nerve
4. Strategies for Different Kinds of Unbeliever
5. The Ignorant and Indifferent Person
6. The Self-Righteous Person
7. The Self-Interested Person
8. The Convinced Atheist
9. Prepared for Questions

ISBN: 1-870855-18-3
Publisher: Wakeman Trust, London (You can order this book through Christian Book Distributors here in the US)
(C) 1994, Paperback, 154 pages of provocative reading.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

"The Work of the Holy Spirit" by Octavius Winslow.  This book is an extremely well written and well thought out book on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.  It is somewhat of a tedious read, but there are blessings of Scriptures and poignant thoughts all through the book which in turn transforms this book into a rewarding read.

Contents:
The Godhead and Personality of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit A Quickner
The Spirit A Quickner
The Indwelling of the Spirit
The Sanctification of the Spirit
The Sealing of the Spirit
The Witness of the Spirit
The Spirit the Author of Prayer
The Spirit A Comforter

ISBN: 085151152X
Publisher:  Banner of Truth
(C) 2003, Paperback, 223 pages of blessed reading.