Book Review: Basics For Believers by D.A. Carson

I am sure you have heard the phrase, "Let get back to basics." What that means is simply lets get back to the beginning and move forward as if we are beginning something new for the first time. For Christians, there are times where we have to get back to basics as a reminder of what Christ has done for us and how we are to live as believers in a fallen world.

D.A. Carson has a book out titled, Basics For Believers, which helps new and mature Christians to go back to basics in regards to the Christian life. Carson goes through the entire book of Philippians to teach his readers 5 principles that every Christian must live out. These chapters were originally sermons that were preached during the Word Alive conference at Skegness, England in 1994.

First, Christians are to keep the gospel first, which means keep it in the center of your life. Keep the gospel in the center of your prayer life, fellowship with other believers, and even our own aspirations. Second, we are to focus on the cross. Carson goes through the theology surrounding the cross. I love that he made the case on why "propitiation" is a word that best describes Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, which is not included in some translations of the Bible (Carson was using the NIV in this book).

Third, we are to adopt Jesus's death as a test for our outlook on life. As Christ suffered for us, we must suffer for Him and exhort those who are suffering as well while we workout our salvation with fear and trembling. Fourth, we are to emulate worthy Christian leaders, meaning we are to follow their example as they follow Jesus just as Paul told the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 11:1). Finally, we should never give up on the Christian walk. We should never give up and be people of prayer. Be people who fix our minds on things that are praiseworthy and be content in whatever situation we are facing.

This book is not a commentary on the book of Philippians but I do recommend it for anyone reading or studying Paul's letter to the church at Philippi.

Thanks Baker Books for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Invitation to Philippians by Donald R Sunukjian

The Book of Philippians is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Earlier this year, I decided to study for my own soul and found it very fulfilling. I had a few commentaries and study Bibles to assist me in my studies.

In having commentaries, you have many that take the book and break it down verse by verse while you have other that take a introductory approach to the book especially first time readers of the Bible. Donald R. Sunukjian has a series of commentaries entitled, "Biblical Preaching for the Contemporary Church." I have decided to review his commentary in the book of Philippians called, Invitations to Philippians.

Sunukjian does a great job writing about what Philippians is all about and goes through the entire book. However this commentary served more as a devotional rather than a commentary. Granted he uses illustrations to get the point across to his readers than goes to the Biblical text and teaches from them. The chapters are no relatively longer chapters but very easy to read which could be a plus for some pastors when reading commentaries.

While I will be going to this commentary from time to time in my study of Philippians whether personal or for church, I cannot say it will be the first commentary I pick up. When it says, Biblical Preaching for the Contemporary Church, it truly means a commentary for short sermons since that is what most contemporary churches do. There were some strengths to this commentary but also some weaknesses.

Thanks Weaver Book Company for letting me review this book.