Book Review: Seeing the Unseen

T.W. Hunt’s Seeing the Unseen, contains less than a hundred pages of printed material and looks more like a small companion to a much larger volume. Unfortunately no such volume exists. Yet despite its size, the author left me with much to think about after I turned the last page.

Hunt’s goal is to get his readers to grow a new awareness of God through faith mediated by prayer. At first I found the book difficult to read and enter into until I realized the philosophical bent of the author. Though he mentions various philosophies from the start, I didn’t realize he was writing on a philosophical level. I should have seen it sooner, but not being a student of philosophy, his use of arcane terms and Aristotelian concepts put the reading at a much higher level than I anticipated from a work less than a hundred pages long.

On the plus side, the work accomplished its goal in me, as I did find myself stopping and praying and pondering the things of God more so than usual (much to my admitted shame). His discussion on the Trinity is both concise and accurate, though he does get into some unnecessary and off topic speculation as to why it was the Son who became incarnate rather than the Father or the Spirit. Must we have a reason for everything?

Though I found the book enjoyable and meaningful, I wouldn’t recommend it to most people I know because of the philosophical approach is beyond what most of us read. That and the size. Concise, yes, but a list price of $9.99? I don’t know.

To buy the book, visit Amazon.com.

To read a sample chapter, visit NavPress (direct link).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Growing Kingdom Character

Growing Kingdom Character by Tom Yeakley is a Bible study handbook aimed at developing ten character qualities in leaders. The book is divided into two sections of foundational and supporting qualities. Love, integrity, humility, and servanthood make up the first set. The second set is comprised of purity, faith, patience, self control, teachability, and courage.

NavPress is well-known for quality discipleship materials, and this book is no exception. Though I find the distinction between "foundational" and "supporting" qualities a bit arbitrary, I agree that all ten are important for any Christian, leader or not.

The author laments that many times young leaders go into ministry seeking to acquire skills for leadership but lack the essential character qualities that make a good leader great. As a young leader myself, this warning resonated with me and I found the book to be quite the tool for developing character qualities so necessary for ministry.

This book would definitely aid in mentoring or small group discipleship of leaders, especially young leaders. I would recommend this book because, on top of the well-written and thorough chapters, the verse studies, prayer, and practical application points at the end of each chapter would be a great Bible study tool in and of themselves. This is definitely one book young leaders would benefit from, and anyone wanting to grow in those ten areas. The retail price is a steal!

To buy the book on Amazon, click here.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Truth that Sticks by Avery T. Willis Jr. and Mark Snowden

Truth that Sticks is an excellent primer on telling Bible stories as a primary discipleship method. It has certainly peaked my interest. Although America is a highly literate nation, people prefer to learn via other methods and means of communication than just the printed word or one-way lecturing.

I was at first concerned they were trying to downplay preaching and Bible reading, but instead Willis and Snowden highly affirm both. The sermon cannot serve as the only way people hear about Bible truths. Bible storying takes the first century methodology of Jesus and allows it to work in 21^st century hearts and minds. It actually encourages Bible reading (think of the Bereans in the book of Acts) and paying closer attention to the preached word. The book also addresses the whole discipleship process, centered on believers’ growth in spiritual maturity, which terminates with disciple-producing disciples, not merely students.

I largely minister with and to first and second generation Hispanic immigrants in the U.S., many of whom have a low literacy rate not only in English, but in Spanish as well. I’ve already begun exploring the other resources mentioned in the book and plan to begin storying in the next few weeks.  And the book was so helpful, I’m going to read it through again.

To buy the book, visit NavPress.com (direct link).

For a sample chapter, click here.

For additional reviews of the book on Amazon, click here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."