This is a review of Eric Mason’s book Manhood Restored: How the Gospel makes Men Whole. We want to thank Jason Wright, MDiv student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, for doing this book review at the request of Baptist21. This book is available for purchase here.
“Another book on manhood?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to delve into another book designed to give a twelve-step plan to make me a better man for Jesus. But Eric Mason beat me to the punch, and started Manhood Restored with exactly those words. A host of books have taught men how to be “Wild at Heart,” a “Point Man,” or my personal favorite, a “Waffle.” While those books make valuable contributions to understanding Christian manhood, this book contributes in a way many others do not.
Eric Mason, often known as Emase, is the lead pastor and founder of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA. I appreciate the pastoral style of his writing and his ability to contextualize in such a way that his illustrations effectively reach his audience without a stretch.
Piper, John. Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry, Updated and Expanded Edition. Revised ed. Nashville: B&H Books, 2013, xii+308p. $14.99, paper.
Review by Shane Shaddix
I was raised in a loving Christian home where my parents taught me the grace and love of Christ at an early age. However, that did not keep me from being surrounded by the trappings of fundamentalism in the Bible-belt. While my parents and pastors taught me that we are all sinners (“bad guys”) in need of the death and resurrection of Jesus to save us and forgive us of our sins, I was surrounded by those who adhered to a form of Christianity that seemed to say Christians are the “good guys” and non-Christians are the “bad guys.” There were those who seemed to think God was impressed with them because of what they did and didn’t do, and God was mad at anyone who was different than them. Regrettably, I would find myself from time-to-time adopting this way of thinking. I would be harsh and judgmental towards those who didn’t “act like Christians.”
Review by Aaron Lumpkin
Greear, J.D. Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2013, xiv+128p., $12.99, hardback.
Have you asked Jesus into your heart? J.D. Greear has. A lot. In fact, he believes he may hold the world record for doing this. In Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart, he provides a retelling of his own journey in answering this question. If you don’t know J.D., you should, not simply because of the warm recommendations in the beginning of the book but because of his honest and forward approach to handling difficult questions that speak truth into the lives of his readers.
Recently, Baptist21 hosted a panel discussion on current topics facing the church at the 9Marks Conference at SEBTS. The panelists included: Danny Akin, Thabiti Anyabwile, Matt Chandler, Mark Dever, Tony Merida, and David Platt. The panelists discussed topics ranging from politics to baptism to church membership and more.
This clip considers the question – Is Church Membership Biblical/Necessary?
