Band of Bloggers

This year’s Band of Bloggers giveaway is the biggest yet.  12 books at over $225 in value with nearly 2,000 pages of reading.  I want to thank all the generous publishers who have donated these giveaways–Crossway, Broadman & Holman, LifeWay, Multnomah, Moody, Reformation Trust, Kregel, Reformation Heritage Books, Banner of Truth, and Founders Press.  It is our desire that Band of Bloggers would foster a great relationship between gospel-centered bloggers and the publishing companies who are seeking to network together for the purpose of providing and promoting solid evangelical literature to the wider public.

Below are the giveaways that each attender of the 2010 Band of Blogger fellowship will receive.

1.   Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals by Trevin Wax

Challenges Christians to stop privatizing their faith and begin undermining the cultural “Caesars” of our time by reclaiming the early church’s radical proclamation: “Jesus is Lord.”

Christians are too often guilty of pledging their allegiance to the influential principalities and powers of this age rather than to Christ alone. In Holy Subversion, Trevin Wax challenges such behavior by urging a return to the subversive lifestyle of the earliest Christians. Their proclamation and demonstration that “Jesus is Lord” directly opposed the Caesar worship of their day.

Today, Christians in the West must choose between Jesus and our “Caesars”: self, success, money, leisure, sex, power. What would it look like, asks Wax, if today’s church reclaimed the communal, subversive nature of the gospel, intentionally undermining all contenders for our devotion? How would the message that “Jesus is Lord” change our thinking about our jobs, our families, and our church participation? Here this gifted pastor-theologian offers help in taking our faith public, dethroning modern-day Caesars, honoring the Lordship of Christ, and understanding the church as the ultimate counterculture-an embodiment of Christ’s supremacy over all.

2.  Your Jesus Is Too Safe: Outgrowing a Drive-Thru, Feel-Good Savior by Jared Wilson

A provacative new book that calls Christians to stop making Jesus so “convenient”. Cutting through the glossy, modern perceptions of Jesus, Jared C. Wilson returns to the gospels for twelve raw, realistic portraits of Christ in this revolutionary book. Your Jesus is Too Safe offers a clear image of the historical figure of Christ in his biblical and cultural context.

Ideal for readers dissatisfied with the “Buddy Jesus” that has pervaded the evangelical landscape, Your Jesus is Too Safe provides a devotional, inspirational survey of Christ and his kingdom with a conversational style, humor, and a solid theological foundation.

Culture has introduced us to Hippie Jesus, Postcard Jesus, and Get-out-of-hell-free Jesus. There’s also Grammy Award Jesus, Therapist Jesus, Role Model Jesus, and Buddy Jesus.

3.  Welcome to a Reformed Church: A Guide for Pilgrims by Daniel Hyde

“Who are these guys?” That was the question the teenage Daniel R. Hyde posed to his father when he first encountered “Reformed” believers. With their unique beliefs and practices, these Christians didn’t fit any of the categories in his mind.

Not so many years later, Hyde is now Rev. Daniel R. Hyde, a pastor of a Reformed church. Recognizing that many are on the outside looking in, just as he once was, he wrote Welcome to a Reformed Church: A Guide for Pilgrims to explain what Reformed churches believe and why they structure their life and worship as they do.

In layman’s terms, Rev. Hyde sketches the historical roots of the Reformed churches, their scriptural and confessional basis, their key beliefs, and the ways in which those beliefs are put into practice. The result is a roadmap for those encountering the Reformed world for the first time and a primer for those who want to know more about their Reformed heritage.

4.  When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus’ Vision for Authentic Christian Community by Joseph Hellerman

Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. But as the modern cultural norm of what social scientists call “radical American individualism” extends itself, many Christians grow lax in their relational accountability to the church. Faith threatens to become an “I” not “us,” a “my God” not “our God” concern.

When the Church Was a Family calls believers back to the wisdom of the first century, examining the early Christian church from a sociohistorical perspective and applying the findings to the evangelical church in America today. With confidence, author Joseph Hellerman writes intentionally to traditional church leaders and emerging church visionaries alike, believing what is detailed here about Jesus’ original vision for authentic Christian community will deeply satisfy the relational longings of both audiences.

5.  Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt

“Do you believe that Jesus is worth abandoning everything for? Do you believe him enough to obey him and to follow him wherever he leads, even when the crowds in our culture—maybe even our churches—turn the other way?”

In Radical, David Platt invites you to encounter what Jesus actually said about being his disciple, and then obey what you have heard. He challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated a God-centered gospel to fit our human-centered preferences. With passionate storytelling and convicting biblical analysis, Platt calls into question a host of comfortable notions that are common among Christ’s followers today. Then he proposes a radical response: live the gospel in ways that are true, filled with promise, and ultimately world changing.

6.  Reaching and Teaching: A Call to Great Commission Obedience by M. David Sills

All Christians understand that Christ has commanded us to reach the lost around the world. Yet, Christ’s command is broader and deeper than simply reaching them. He has called His church to make disciples of all people groups and to teach them to observe all He commanded us. Reaching and Teaching examines this task and emphasizes the need for a thorough and balanced missiology that is obedient to it.

While evangelism and church planting are essential components of a biblical missions program, they are merely the first wave of the task to which we have been called. Reaching and Teaching surveys contemporary missions methodologies and advocates a return to the biblical task of reaching and teaching the nations for Christ’s sake. Outlining issues essential to establishing a ministry that results in discipled and trained national believers, Sills provides examples of what is left in the wake of reaching and leaving too quickly.

Whether you are a seasoned missionary, student, or newly curious about missions, Reaching and Teaching will reveal ways you can be more faithful to what Christ has called and equipped you to do.

7.  The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism by Kevin DeYoung

If there is “nothing new under the sun” then perhaps the main task now facing the Western church is not to reinvent or be relevant, but to remember. The truth of the gospel is still contained within vintage faith statements. Within creeds and catechisms we can have our faith strengthened, our knowledge broadened, and our love for Jesus deepened.

In The Good News We Almost Forgot Kevin DeYoung explores the Heidelberg Catechism and writes 52 brief chapters on what it has shown him. The Heidelberg is largely a commentary on the Apostle’s Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer and the book deals with man’s guilt, God’s grace, and believers’ gratitude. The result is a clear-headed, warm-hearted exploration of the faith, simple enough for young believers and deep enough for mature believers. As DeYoung writes, “The gospel summarized in the Heidelberg Catechism is glorious, it’s Christ gracious, it’s comfort rich, it’s Spirit strong, it’s God Sovereign, and it’s truth timeless.” Come and see how your soul can be warmed by the elegantly and logically laid out doctrine that matters most: we are great sinners and Christ is a greater Savior!

8.  Entrusted with the Gospel: Paul’s Theology in the Pastoral Epistles edited by Andreas Köstenberger

After a lengthy period during which scholars paid relatively little attention to the Pastoral Epistles, a spate of studies has suddenly appeared in print. However, except for a small number of commentaries, critical scholars have by and large neglected evangelical scholarship on these letters. To fill in this gap, this volume offers a collection of important essays written by evangelicals on 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. The book aims to inform readers of the history of scholarship on these letters and examine thoroughly Paul’s theology in the Pastoral Epistles.

Contributors include several scholars who have done previous advanced work on these letters: I. Howard Marshall (University of Aberdeen, Scotland; Recent Study in the Pastoral Epistles), Andreas Köstenberger (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary[SEBTS]; Hermeneutical and Exegetical Challenges), Terry L. Wilder (B&H Publishing Group; Authorship), F. Alan Tomlinson (Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary [MBTS]; Purpose/Stewardship), Greg Couser (Cedarville University; Doctrine of God), Daniel L. Akin (SEBTS; Christology), Ray van Neste (Union University; Cohesion and Structure of the PE), B. Paul Wolfe (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Use of Scripture), Ben Merkle (SEBTS; Ecclesiology), George Wieland (Carey Baptist College, New Zealand; Soteriology), Thor Madsen (MBTS; Ethics), and Chiao Ek Ho (East Asia School of Theology, Singapore; Missiology).

9.  Abide Practicing Kingdom Rhythms in a Consumer Culture (DVD + Book) by Jared Wilson

Bible Study. Prayer. Fasting. Service. These are just a few of the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life. While all who abide in Christ agree about the essential nature of these practices, most of us live with a sense of frustration when it comes to consistently implementing them.

Because we’re living in the middle of a consumer-driven culture, one that is constantly pushing us toward anything that’s quicker, newer, and better, it’s a constant struggle to fit these spiritual disciplines in between everything else grappling for our attention.

But Jesus has a better way.

In Abide, author Jared C. Wilson examines key sections in the Sermon on the Mount, and helps young adults see how these practices subvert the rhythms of culture so deeply ingrained in us. That subversion begins to happen when we stop striving to do a better job at Christianity and start finding the rhythm of truly being a Christian.

Tired of trying and failing? Tired of being driven by performance? Then maybe it’s time to cease striving and start abiding. Maybe it’s time to find some rhythm.

10.  “A Habitual Sight of Him”: The Christ-centered Piety of Thomas Goodwin by Joel Beeke and Mark Jones

Thomas Goodwin (1600–1680) was a faithful pastor, Westminster divine, advisor to Oliver Cromwell, and president of Magdalen College, Oxford. In this book, Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones acquaint the reader with Goodwin through an informative biographical introduction. The remainder of the book, 35 selections from across the works of Goodwin, displays Goodwin’s constant attention to Christ in his various theological engagements. You will learn much about the life and works of this influential Puritan, and perhaps, be strengthened with a habitual sight of Christ.

11. Stray Recollections, Short Articles and Public Orations of James P. Boyce by Thomas Nettles

When the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was founded in 1859, the single most influential person behind its establishment was James Petigru Boyce, the privileged first-born son of the second wife of a wealthy South Carolina entrepreneur, Ker Boyce. When the Seminary’s young life was threatened with extermination by the Civil War and the economic terrors that followed, many heroes emerged for reviving it, but, again, the one on whom it most singularly depended was Boyce.

This book comes as an effort to increase knowledge and understanding about the developing talents of Boyce and his persevering pursuit of theological education for Baptists of the South. To accomplish that, it includes some documents never before published as well as some that have been published in full and others in part.

12. A Call to Prayer by J.C. Ryle

Do you pray? This is the question Ryle puts before every reader. He shows powerfully and clearly that prayer is the means by which we obtain every blessing from God, but prayerlessness is the sure way to everlasting destruction.

With about a month away, those of you who are still debating whether or not to attending this year’s Band of Bloggers (and Gospel Coalition National Conference) might be interested in knowing that we are giving away over $120 worth of books alone at BoB with over 1700 pages of great reading material!  These books will be given only to those who register online. Here they are:

1.  Finally Alive by John Piper (DG)

When Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘You must be born again’, the devout and learned religious leader was unsure what Jesus meant. It would seem nothing has changed. Today ‘born again Christians’ fill churches that are seen as ineffectual at best, and even characterised by the ‘mosaic’ generation as ‘unchristian’.  The term ‘born again’ has been devalued both in society and in the church. Those claiming to be ‘born again’ live lives that are indistinguishable from those who don’t; they sin the same, embrace injustice the same, covert the same, do almost everything the same.  Being ‘born again’ is now defined by what people say they believe. The New Testament however defines Christians very differently.  When Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3:7), he was not sharing interesting and unimportant information. He was leading him to eternal life… If he does that for you (or if he already has), then you are (or you will be) truly, invincibly, finally alive.

2. Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different by Tullian Tchividjian (Multnomah)

“Here you will learn how we must contextualize, how we Christians should be as active in Hollywood, Wall Street, Greenwich Village, and Harvard Square (if not more) than the halls of Washington, DC. And yet, there are ringing calls to form a distinct, ‘thick’ Christian counter-culture as perhaps the ultimate witness to the presence of the future, the coming of the Kingdom.”
- Tim Keller

“It is not easy to stand athwart the tides of the culture and challenge them without sounding either terribly prissy or hopelessly out of date. How can a thoughtful Christian be genuinely contemporary while never succumbing to the merely faddish and temporary? The challenges are enormous–but they are also tied to the most elementary tenets of Christian faithfulness. Tullian Tchividjian is a helpful and engaging guide through these troubled waters.”
– D. A. Carson

“Plainly, powerfully, and pastorally, Unfashionable gives a birds-eye view of the real Christian life–Christ-centered, church-committed, kingdom-contoured, future-focused, and counter-cultural all the way. It makes for a truly nutritious read.”
– J.I. Packer

“With the right balance of reproof and encouragement, critique and construction, Unfashionable displays with succinct, vivid, and engaging clarity the relevance of the gospel over the trivialities that dominate our lives and our churches right now. The message of this book is of ultimate importance and its presentation is compelling.”
– Michael Horton

“Unfashionable gets back to the heart of the Kingdom mission and the agenda of the gospel message. Striking a balance between being ‘in’ but not ‘of’ the world is not easy. Tullian, however, clearly and convincingly shows the way by telling how we can cultivate a Gospel-centered outlook and lifestyle.”
– Ed Stetzer

3. Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them by Ed Stetzer, Richie Stanley, and Jason Hayes (B&H)

Who are the young unchurched, and how can they be reached with the good news of Jesus Christ?  In a poll result highlighted by CNN Headline News and USA Today, nearly half of nonchurchgoers between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine agreed with the statement, “Christians get on my nerves.” Now, researchers behind the larger study present Lost and Found, a blend of dynamic hard data and modern day parable that tells the real story of an unchurched generation that is actually quite spiritual and yet circumspect, open to Jesus but not the church.  As such, Lost and Found is written to the church, using often-surprising results from the copious research here to strike another nerve and break some long established assumptions about how to effectively engage the lost. Leading missiologist Ed Stetzer and his associates first offer a detailed investigation of the four younger unchurched types. With a better understanding of their unique experiences, they next clarify the importance each type places on community, depth of content, social responsibility, and making cross-generational connections in relation to spiritual matters.   Most valuably, Lost and Found finds the churches that have learned to reach unchurched young adults by paying close attention to those key markers vetted by the research. Their exciting stories will make it clear how your church can bring searching souls from this culture to authentic faith in Christ.

4. The Soul of Life: The Piety of John Calvin edited by Joel Beeke (RHB)

John Calvin is the most notable figure from the Reformed tradition. Unfortunately, he is often characterized as a stern and cerebral individual who had little concern for practical matters. However, Calvin was actually influential in promoting a profound sense of piety among early Protestantism. In “The Soul of Life”, Joel R. Beeke presents the life and ministry of Calvin with a special on emphasis Calvin’s efforts for cultivating healthy spirituality among the churches. The selections from Calvin’s own work will give readers a firsthand look at Calvin’s emphasis on godliness, and by God’s grace, will be a means for spurring on greater godliness in our day.

“By any measurement John Calvin was one of the most remarkable and influential figures in all church history. His was truly a purpose-driven ministry. As a preacher he was committed to systematic biblical exposition, as a lecturer in Scripture to careful and wise teaching, as a pastor to deep personal care as a pastor, and as an international leader, to the encouragement of other ministers. Few men today understand such a multi-dimensional life program as well as Dr. Joel Beeke, whose own ministry echoes Calvin’s in many ways. He is the ideal guide to introduce us to Calvin. And ‘The Soul of Life’ is an ideal guidebook. Read on, and you will want to read more.” —Sinclair B. Ferguson

5. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl (Zondervan)

Tired of finding yourself flat-footed and intimidated in conversations? Want to increase your confidence and skill in discussions with family, friends, and coworkers? Gregory Koukl offers practical strategies to help you stay in the driver’s seat as you maneuver comfortably and graciously in any conversation about your Christian convictions.

In a world increasingly indifferent to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to get in the driver’s seat, keeping any conversation moving with thoughtful, artful diplomacy.

You’ll learn how to maneuver comfortably and graciously through the minefields, stop challengers in their tracks, turn the tables and—most importantly—get people thinking about Jesus. Soon, your conversations will look more like diplomacy than D-Day.

Drawing on extensive experience defending Christianity in the public square, Koukl shows you how to:

- Initiate conversations effortlessly
- Present the truth clearly, cleverly, and persuasively
- Graciously and effectively expose faulty thinking
- Skillfully manage the details of dialogue
- Maintain an engaging, disarming style even under attack

Tactics provides the game plan for communicating the compelling truth about Christianity with confidence and grace.

6. The Advent of Evangelicalism: Exploring Historical Continuities by Michael Haykin & Kenneth Stewart (B&H)

David Bebbington’s 1989 book, Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s, put forth the idea that evangelical religion is the result of transatlantic revival in the 1730s, and that it took a working together attitude toward the Enlightenment rather than a contradictory one. Today, Bebbington’s thesis has gained international acceptance, and scholars from Europe and North America present a review of its primary arguments and conclusions here in The Advent of Evangelicalism.

Contributors include: David W. Bebbington, Joel R. Beeke, John Coffey, Timothy George, Crawford Gribben, Michael A. G. Haykin, Paul Helm, D. Bruce Hindmarsh, David Ceri Jones, Thomas S. Kidd, Timothy Larsen, Cameron A. MacKenzie, A. T. B. McGowan, D. Densil Morgan, Ashley Null, Ian J. Shaw, Kenneth J. Stewart, Douglas A. Sweeney, Garry J. Williams, and Brandon G. Withrow.

7. Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption in Christian Families and Churches by Russell Moore (Crossway)

A stirring call to Christian families and churches to be a people who care for orphans, not just in word, but in deed.  The gospel of Jesus Christ the good news that through Jesus we have been adopted as sons and daughters into God s family means that Christians ought to be at the forefront of the adoption of orphans in North America and around the world.  Russell D. Moore does not shy away from this call in Adopted for Life, a popular-level, practical manifesto for Christians to adopt children and to help equip other Christian families to do the same. He shows that adoption is not just about couples who want children or who want more children. It is about an entire culture within Christianity, a culture that sees adoption as part of the Great Commission mandate and as a sign of the gospel itself.  Moore, who adopted two boys from Russia and has spoken widely on the subject, writes for couples considering adoption, families who have adopted children, and pastors who wish to encourage adoption.

8. The God I Don’t Understand: Reflections on Tough Questions of Faith by Christopher J.H. Wright (Zondervan)

If we are honest, we have to admit that there are many things we don’t understand about God, especially in the face of terrible suffering and evil. Chris Wright offers reflections and encouragement from the Scriptures, so that those who are troubled by these tough questions can still sustain their faith.

If we are honest, we have to admit that there are many things we don’t understand about God. We do not have final answers to the deep problems of life, and those who say they do are probably living in some degree of delusion. There are areas of mystery in our Christian faith that lie beyond the keenest scholarship or even the most profound spiritual exercises.

For many people, these problems raise so many questions and uncertainties that faith itself becomes a struggle, and the very person and character of God are called into question.

Chris Wright encourages us to face up to the limitations of our understanding and to acknowledge the pain and grief they can often cause. But at the same time, he wants us to be able to say, like the psalmist in Psalm 73: “But that’s all right. God is ultimately in charge and I can trust him to put things right. Meanwhile, I will stay near to my God, make him my refuge, and go on telling of his deeds.”

9.  ApParent Privilege by Steve Wright and Chris Graves (InQuest)

Parents have the greatest privilege of their lives literally in front of them everyday: their children. Pointing their children to Christ, modeling faith, encouraging with words, and showing unfailing love isn t a burden. It s a privilege. Apparent Privilege will arm parents with biblical understanding and up-to-the-minute research to show them the unparalleled opportunity they have to be the primary influence of their children. It will give parents a biblical view of parenting, answer questions and concerns we all have, and help them understand how Christian parenting must become more than taking your children to church. In short, this book will equip a parent live a life where the difference is apparent.

This book is a gift to Christian parents and to all who labor in hope that the next generations will put their confidence in God. Steve understands the crucial and indispensable role that parents have in pursuing this hope and serves us well with his experience, research and Bible-saturated insight and wisdom. –David Michael, Bethlehem Baptist Church (Minneapolis, MN)

With all of the ‘clanging cymbals and resounding gongs’ Steve Wright encourages us that the language of love, grace and truth needs to be continuous and apparent from our tongues to our children. Steve is guiding dads and moms back to their God-given privilege of being voices crying in the wilderness leading our children to the Savior through His Word. I was convicted that abdication of my responsibility to teach the Word of God to my children is spiritual desertion! –Kevin Carroll, The Church of Brook Hills (Birmingham, AL)

10. Perspectives on Christian Worship: Five Views edited by J. Matthew Pinson (B&H)

Perspectives on Christian Worship presents in counterpoint form five basic common beliefs on Christian worship that have developed over the course of church history with a view toward determining which is most faithful to Scripture. Each chapter is written by a prominent person within each tradition, and each writer has the opportunity to respond to each differing view.

I want to special thanks to Crossway Books, Multnomah, Reformation Heritage Books, Desiring God, Broadman & Holman, Zondervan, and InQuest Ministries for their sponsorship of the 2009 Band of Bloggers fellowship with their book giveaways!

The last, but certainly not least(!), book we will be giving away this year is the just released book, Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists by Collin Hansen, donated by Crossway Books. Many of you may remember Collin’s article with the same title in Christianity Today, and over the past two years, he has interviewed numerous folks from across the country regarding the Reformed Resurgence in America. In the coming days, I will be interviewing Collin about his book, and the podcast will be made available here on the Band of Bloggers website.

Thank you, Crossway, for the generous contribution, participation, and partnership with the Band of Bloggers! For those interested, you can also join the conversation on Facebook in a group Crossway started, appropriately called “Young, Restless, Reformed.”

The seventh book given away, the second by Reformation Heritage Books, is Walking as He Walked by Joel Beeke.   Here is how Derek Thomas describes this book: “A Christ-centered tour de force which gets us into Christ’s servant heart and asks the pointed questions of what that means for us who are in union with Him. Deeply and affectionately pastoral, Dr. Beeke gives us a magestirial example of puritan-infused, preached prose that is as fresh as the air we breath. Like the puritan Richard Sibbes, know to his contemporaries as ‘the sweet dropper’ Dr. Beeke has a similar touch, presenting to us the confidence, richness, depth, and encouragement of the gospel.”

I am excited about this particular resource as we explore gospel application in our daily lives.  I want to express my gratefulness to Reformation Heritage Books for their continued support and generous contribution to the Band of Bloggers!