Christian Retailing

Book Beat January 2013 Print Email
Written by Leslie Santamaria   
Friday, 14 December 2012 11:15 AM America/New_York

TheUtterReliefOfHolinessNew York Times best-selling author and director of Ransomed Heart Ministries, John Eldredge explores the freedom that comes through holiness. In The Utter Relief of Holiness: How God’s Goodness Frees Us From Everything That Plagues Us, he examines the beauty of the genuine goodness available through Christ and guides readers through the process whereby God makes us whole and holy by His love. Releasing this month from FaithWords, this hardcover retails for $19.99. 

 

ChristianityLiteChristianity Lite ($14.99, softcover), releasing this month from Passio, an imprint of Charisma House Book Group, is a wake-up call to stop drinking a watered-down gospel that has no real effect on the Christian’s daily life. Author and pastor Glen Berteau believes many Christians want more of the blessings, promises and prosperity of faith, but less of the serving, holiness and sacrifice, and shows readers how to return to a faith that makes a difference. 

 

OperationScrewtapeWritten in the tradition of the C.S. Lewis classic The Screwtape Letters, Andrew Farley’s Operation Screwtape: The Art of Spiritual War ($17.99, softcover) is a modern-day fictional narrative in which Farley, a pastor and linguist, finds a mysterious electronic device. Translating the information it contains, he discovers a worldwide spiritual conspiracy. The novel is presented as a combat manual filled with strategies of the devil against believers, providing readers with solutions to triumphing over the enemy’s schemes. It releases this month from Baker Books (Baker Publishing Group).

 

JRRTolkienJ.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend ($16.95, softcover, Lion Books/Kregel Publications) brings the legendary J.R.R. Tolkien to life and explores the deep faith that inspired and informed his work. Author Colin Duriez has written several books about Tolkien and has contributed extensively to related reference works. The biography releases this month to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit and following the December premiere of Peter Jackson’s film version of the story.

 

TheSacredSearchReleasing this month from David C. Cook is The Sacred Search ($14.99, softcover) by best-selling author Gary Thomas. Drawing from Scripture and the latest research, Thomas suggests making a wise choice for a mate is driven more by why a person gets married than who he or she marries. In a culture that encourages self-happiness, Thomas urges those considering marriage to be first committed to discovering God’s purposes for marriage and then choosing a spouse on that basis.

 

StumblingOnOpenGroundFormer manager for The Beatles’ Apple Records company, Ken Mansfield chronicles his struggles with cancer and faith in Stumbling on Open Ground: Love, God, Cancer, and Rock ‘n’ Roll ($15.99, softcover). Mansfield candidly shares his story of battling cancer, wrestling with his faith and grappling with difficult questions. Releasing this month from Thomas Nelson, the book includes Mansfield’s personal prayers as well as contributions from his wife, Connie.

 

TheGreatEvangelicalRecessionUsing his research skills as an award-winning journalist, third-generation pastor John S. Dickerson has documented the very recent decline of the evangelical church. He warns of an impending evangelical crisis in The Great Evangelical Recession: 6 Factors That Will Crash the American Church…and How to Prepare ($14.99, softcover). Dickerson sites declining membership and increasing political divisions as part of the problem, and offers bold strategies toward a better future. Baker Books (Baker Publishing Group) releases the book this month.

 

WhyIsGodSoMadAtMePat Schatzline, founder and president of Mercy Seat Ministries, uncovers and debunks the reasons many believe that God is mad at them. In Why Is God so Mad at Me? Dispelling the Lies Many People Believe ($14.99, softcover), which releases this month from Charisma House, Schatzline begins where people really are in their thoughts about God, examines 10 attributes of God’s character and aims to restore the true image of God’s extravagant love, generosity and grace.