TRUTH PLUS LOVE, by Matt Brown

This is a "how to" book. It prescribes how we are to live. Matt Brown is an evangelist and an author. He is the Founder of THINK ETERNITY. It is a ministry dedicated to amplifying the Gospel every day to millions. This is done through devotionals, videos, live events, and more. Brown makes his home with his wife and children in Minnesota. Brown begins TRUTH PLUS LOVE with a Forward (written by Lee Strobel) and a Preface. Brown spreads his actual content throughout nine chapters. He wraps up his book with Acknowledgements and Notes for resources consulted for this book's content. Each Chapter begins with a cover page, which includes a Bible verse. And each chapter ends with questions fr self-reflection.

I just finished this book today. It predictably outlines how Christians reading the book should live. The author also provides specific details to make this work. The author starts with the premise that the average reader has experienced and authentic experience with the Person of Christ, not just the historical Jesus. The title can give the impression that the author will address specific matters like the "cultural issues" of abortion, gay marriage, racism, or what to do about entitlements or health care. I was glad that the author did not speak to any of these "cultural issues. I had expected that. The author's stress on how and why the Christian community have lost influence with "secular culture" and non-Christians. When the author showered that late Evangelist Billy Graham with praise near the end of this book, I found myself thinking about how a few in my family state that he lived an extravagant lifestyle. And I was thinking about his son, the Rev. Franklin Graham, and the latter's endorsement of someone who arguably who can be accurately called one of the most corrupt Presidents in American history. I'm relieved that the author did not address the hotly divisive topic of Donald Trump.

I recommend this book for every Christian, every pastor, and every Christian leader. I also recommend it for all regular and active church members.

WHEN FAITH FAILS, by Dominic Done

This book is a why-to work of nonfiction about the hard questions of Christian faith. The author, Dominick Done, begins his book by allowing having Bob Goff write the Forward for him. Then he writes his own Introduction. Dominic Done spreads the actual content of this book into three parts and eleven chapters. The he finishes with a Conclusion, Acknowledgements, Notes (to cite sources and an author bio. Each chapter begins with quotes from either the Bible or well-known thinkers. The author, Dominic Done, was born in England. He has traveled all over the word. His travels have taken him to Mexico, Hawaii, and to the Pacific Northwest in the United States. Dominick Done is the pastor of a church in Portland, Oregon.

I just got done reading this book today. It was pretty much all I expected. It is interesting, encouraging, challenging, and easy to read. I was moved by the author's story, though I didn't feel that I could relate to his seeing his family members coming to share his beliefs and commitment to Christ. Because of the topic of this book, I was not expecting any easy answers but I did expect honest impact. This book delivers on both: It gives no easy answers but has real impact. While the book is realistic and encouraging, it is also challenging. We're urged to use our doubts to pursue a deeper faith in God. But this takes time, energy, and sacrifice. It takes all we have and are. Like any Christian author, Done draws from the life of Jesus to illustrate many of his points.

I recommend this book for both Christians and non-Christians. I recommend the book for Christians. But those who are new to faith and are experiencing a "honeymoon" with God, or have it pretty good in life, may not be able to identify with much of the subject matter in this book. If they can get past some of the "God talk," non-Christians may be able to relate to the subject of this book, as can Christians who are struggling with issues or hardships in life.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review of this book.

INSIDER OUTSIDER, by Bryan Loritts

This book is part memoir and part reflections. It deals with the Christian community and race relations. The book is split into nine parts and over 38 chapters. The author, Bryan Loritts, begins his book with a Foreword. He uses John Ortberg to write this Foreword. Loritts ends his book with Acknowledgements and Notes, listing books that were used as information sources for his book. Bryan Loritts is the lead pastor of a Silicon Valley congregation. He has previously served as pastor to congregations in Memphis and Manhattan. He has written many books. He also serves as President to a nonprofit that focuses on cultivating a multi-ethnic Christian community in America.

I have found this book and fast and easy read. That, was, in a literary sense, it is. Emotionally is another matter. If it were not for my own life circumstances and for my TV viewing habits, I would find this book quite offensive. The author comes down fairly hard on white evangelicals, particularly the white evangelical church.And I can see his point. I have found my experience in the white evangelical church disconcerting and sometimes demoralizing or depressing. But, unlike the author, it was not because of my skin color. It was because of my class, political leanings, and other reasons. It is not race and ethnicity alone that contribute to feeling excluded or unwelcome or an outsider in the white evangelical church. The sad truth is, because the church is made up of imperfect people like us, there are divisions and there is segregation. But the author does a good job of proposing solutions that are practical if challenging. His biases come through in the book, but they are subtle and he seeks to be fair to "the other side."

I recommend this book for every serious, thoughtful Christian in the white evangelical church. I especially recommend it for pastors and other Christian leaders. But even secular thinkers who lean left might find this book interesting if they are open to God and things of the spirit.

I have received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my truthful review of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review of this book.