aron124's reviews from LibraryThing

A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life by J. I. Packer

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 21:59:37 -0500

aron124's review: "It's a gem, and worth reading. Especially if you are interested in Puritan Theology, and Puritan thinking."
Crossway Books (1994), Paperback, 368 pages

Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 22:03:26 -0500

aron124's review: "I enjoyed this book immensely. It is one of the better Christian books I have read for men, as it goes beyond staying away from smutty women.Not that it's important to know, however every Christian resource/sermon for men tells you to stay away from smutty women. Speaking as a man myself, it is not the only sin that men struggle with, and Kent Huhes brings those up. Kent Hughes provides insights, if not known already, about how men are lacking involvement with male friendships, church activities and community interests. It also acknowledges that spiritual diciplines is hard work. Definitely challenging."
Crossway Books (2006), Paperback, 304 pages

Leaders: Learning Leadership from Some of Christianity's Best (The Leadership Library)

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 20:03:03 -0400

aron124's review: "So far on what I have read it is better than one star. There's some wisdom in some of the interviews."
W Pub Group (1987), Hardcover, 208 pages

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:25:54 -0500

aron124's review: "It is interesting and informative, especially with the last few hundred pages."
Bantam (2008), Hardcover, 976 pages

Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 14:02:48 -0400

aron124's review: "It was a fun book to read."
Penguin (Non-Classics) (2003), Edition: Later Printing, Paperback, 498 pages

Roman House Churches for Today: A Practical Guide for Small Groups by Reta Halteman Finger

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:40:48 -0500

aron124's review: "This resource is great for a Bible study or small group. The first five chapters provide a good background to the Roman society, and in chapters 8-17, it is study on Romans itself."
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (2007), Edition: 2, Paperback, 207 pages

Be Transformed by John Robin Murphy

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:46:03 -0500

aron124's review: "Murphy writes about his experience dealing with addictive behavior. I like that the author explains that enviroment can partly affect a person's recovery or next relapse. Another thing I like Murphy is one of the few out there that feel television can be enable addictive behavior."
Rock House Way distributed by APG Sales (2007), Paperback, 181 pages

Unspeakable: Facing Up to the Challenge of Evil by Os Guinness

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:55:18 -0400

aron124's review: "Though Os Guinness is a well known Evangelical writer and speaker, this is the first book I read written by him. Overall he is a good writer and I give this book four stars. The reality that evil has been done more through non-religous causes compared to religious helped give me a better perspective on how to deal with suffering and evil."
HarperOne (2006), Paperback, 256 pages

Joy Through the Night: Biblical Resources for Suffering People (House of Prisca and Aquila) by Aida Besancon Spencer

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:37:52 -0400

aron124's review: "The authors remind people that when Job suffered,he never was given a reason to why God allows suffering. Overall, a good read. This was part of my reading for a class."
Wipf & Stock Publishers (2007), Paperback, 252 pages

Men of Mathematics by E. T. Bell

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:36:33 -0500

aron124's review: "I finally read it. As the math evolved, the more it went over my head. It's a good resource at understanding great mathematicians, yet it's better if you understand the formulas."
Touchstone (2008), Hardcover

Iraq Through A Bullet Hole: A Civilian Returns Home by Issam Jameel

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:15:12 -0500

aron124's review: "I read this way a few months ago. Nothing really stood out for me and would most likely not be a book that I would grab at the store. However, if I recall correctly, the author does help the audience understand the Iraqi culture parts of the book. I would recommend it if someone is working on a qualitative study on Iraq."
Modern History Press (2008), Paperback, 212 pages

Understanding Four Views on Baptism (Counterpoints: Church Life) by John Castelein

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:10:42 -0500

aron124's review: "This book goes beyond the immersion only and pedobaptism debate. It explains how the four theological traditoins: Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, and Christian Church and Churches of Christ, differently view the purpose of baptism."
Zondervan (2007), Paperback, 224 pages

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Revised and Updated by David D. Burns

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:39:23 -0400

aron124's review: "It's a helpful at dealing with depression and/or anxiety. Plus, some of what Burns discusses is how to avoid overgeneralization, all or nothing thinking, and perfectionism. His cure for dealing with perfectionism is striving to be average. This is a challenge for me, yet I discovered it makes life less stressful, and I feel better."
Harper (1999), Edition: Revised, Mass Market Paperback, 736 pages

Understanding Evangelical Media: The Changing Face of Christian Communication by Quentin J. Schultze

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:10:55 -0400

aron124's review: "Understanding Evangelical Media provides an overview of a variety forms of media and explains how the Evangelical movement is progressing or lacking in the media. ------ Recently, I read Understanding Evangelical Media: The Changing Face of Christian Communication. In it I ran into this sidebar essay about violence and sex. Kevin Miller thinks it's okay to watch it. Here's part of the quote: "Imagine Mel Gibson producing The Passion of David and Bathsheba with the same graphic detail he put into The Passion of the Christ. Instead of Jesus dripping sweat and groaning under the whip, King David would be perspiring and moaning as he caresses Bathsheba. Would evangelical Christians support that kind of passion? Probably not. Graphic sexuality is taboo among most American evangelicals, while British evangelicals are more troubled by graphic violence, including the hardcore brutality in Gibson's Passion. Who's right?...So should Christians encores cinematic depictions of violence or sex? I say yes to both, but only when they're cast in the full context of their consequences. Otherwise the violence or sex becomes merely entertainment." I disagree with Kevin Miller. I'd prefer to avoid content, though it seems impossible to do in American 21st century media. I understand that Christians shouldn't put their heads in the sand. Rather, interact with the world. Yet, it seems that Christians watch shows to be entertained, instead of critically thinking about the movie or television show. My hope is that if Christians watch violent or sexual movies or television shows, they do it in a way that pleases God. My question is how can that be done?"
IVP Academic (2008), Paperback, 347 pages

A History of art by Lawrence Gowing

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 07:10:05 -0400

aron124's review: "While in college, my family gave me the hefty, gargantuan, 900+ page, extensive, "A History of Art" by Gowing. Nearly a decade later, and after it has been beaten up because of so many moves, I am now reading it. So far it is has been a great read, as it provides the historical background to the objects of art. The chapters between Egyptian to Roman art give a sense of the type of world Jews during the time of the Bible and first century Christians were living in. I only wish I had read it sooner. Link: http://pakws.blogspot.com/2008/07/informative-art-book.html"

Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers by Patrick Kavanaugh

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 23:46:55 -0500

aron124's review: "It is an informative quick read. I give it three stars because there could be more depth with each composer and lacks some objectivity - though everyone who studies history does it at some level. Nevertheless, it can be helpful understanding a composer's spiritual life, which is not in some biographies."
Zondervan (1996), Paperback, 256 pages

2 Corinthians: A Letter About Reconciliation (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen Zum Neuen Testament) by Ivar Vegge

Thu, 01 May 2008 11:10:50 -0400

aron124's review: "This dissertation primarily focuses on historical background and grammatical bacground behind 2 Corinthians. I would have understood more if my Koine Greek was more fluent. Nonetheless, it is a great reference for preparing a sermon or lesson on the 2 Corinthians."

Introducing Asian Feminist Theology (Introductions in Feminist Theology) by Pui-Lan Kwok

Wed, 21 May 2008 21:33:29 -0400

aron124's review: "Although this refers to Asian feminist theology, it emphasizes Korean, feminist theology. Kwok points out that Asian, feminist theologians look at Mary, Jesus' mother, as a liberated "self-defining woman, not subjected to other human beings." (2000, p. 74) She also points out that Korean feminist theologians see Jesus as the priest of han – “a shaman who consoles the broken-hearted, heals the afflicted and restores wholeness through communication with the spirits.” (2000, p. 88) Overall, Kwok helps the western reader understand how the Asian feminist think as a whole."
Pilgrim Press (2000), Paperback, 152 pages

The Adolescent in Family Therapy: Breaking the Cycle of Conflict and Control by Joseph A. Miccuci, The ARCH

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:49:01 -0400

aron124's review: "Micucci’s family therapy approach is largely in reference to the symptomatic cycle. This approach views the child as only a symptom to a bigger problem connected to the parents. Micucci wants the parents to first identity the problem and then have the therapist and family members develop new familial patterns. Mucucci also provides examples in how he has used his therapeutic approach, such as in eating disorders, suicide, depression and psychosis. Mucucci’s examples are helpful because they give direction in how to apply the systematic cycle approach with different situations. Most of Mucucci’s approach will work in a family therapy session. However, it’s difficult for it work in an individual setting, such as a youth pastor counseling a student. That is why it would be helpful for youth pastors to learn how to work with families, and if needed to bring the whole family in to discuss certain issues or refer them to a counselor who can handle the situation. Mucucci is a great resource if going as a marriage and family therapist, yet is Borgman’s Hear My Pain is a better resource for youth pastors."
The Guilford Press (2000), Paperback, 336 pages

Right From Wrong by Josh McDowell

Tue, 13 May 2008 18:59:35 -0400

aron124's review: "Right from Wrong is primarily for Christian families who are eager to raise their children in a Christian home. However, it would be hard for me to suggest it to non-Christians parents. It seems that it is hard for non-Christian parents to teach Christian values if they do not live it out themselves. Based on my experience I remember adolescents showed little interest in what adults say. Rather a majority of teaching adolescents is through action. That is why the application section in Right from Wrong is so helpful. It can show parents how to live it out and use experiences as starting points for discussion."
Thomas Nelson (1994), Paperback, 352 pages