Books, DVDs & Software
Married for God by Christopher Ash
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Killing Fields, Living Fields by Don Cormack
Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
Point Man by Steve Farrar
Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes
God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation by Andreas Köstenberger
Concise Theology by J. I. Packer
Masculine Mandate, The by Richard D. Phillips
Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce by John Piper
Fireproof (DVD)
x3watch.com software (computer software)
Married for God by Christopher Ash (IVP UK)
Overview:
A comprehensive overview of God's purposes for marriage, sex and family.
Pros:
Verycarefully laid out and thoroughly researched biblical overview. Ash ishappy to challenge current worldly views of marriage based on God'sword.
Cons:
Can be dry at times.
Highlights:
The chapter on the purpose of sex in marriage - sex as service to your spouse.
Recommended for:
Men or couples interested in thinking about marriage; individual or group study; engaged or married.
Reviewed by Bay Warburton, mkc Committee member
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Moody Press)
Overview:
AChristian psychologist's manual for understanding love, your wife andhow to better love your wife. The premise is that to feel loved, youneed to receive love in your preferred 'love language'.
Pros:
Engaging, practical, easy to understand and implement. Makes sense.
Cons:
The cover (could it be any more feminine?); can be overly simple at times.
Highlights:
This book changed my marriage - helped me understand me, my wife and our marriage, and how to make all of them better.
Recommended for:
Men (married or not); individual or couple study.
Reviewed by Bay Warburton, mkc Committee member
Killing Fields, Living Fields by Don Cormack (Christian Focus Publications)
Overview:
Anamazing and challenging history of the church in Cambodia, testifyingto God's faithfulness and the courage of his saints, especially duringthe time of Pol Pot.
Pros:
Willcause you to think about your own faith, and assess what real cost is -makes Australian Christianity look easy. A real encouragement topersevere.
Cons:
Sometimes difficult to keep track of all the various people. Confronting brutality.
Highlights:
Moments of courage of Cambodian Christians - wow.
Recommended for:
Thoseinterested in mission; those interested in seeing how God works; thosewilling to be challenged by God to live a bold Christian life.
Reviewed by Bay Warburton, mkc Committee member
Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung (Moody Press)
Overview:
Ahelpful book that looks at what the Bible says about the choices wemake.This book reminds us that God is not a mean god who leaves usguessing as to his will for our lives - he has revealed his will in thepages of the Bible, and if we trust in Jesus and obey God's commands,we cannot be outside of that perfect will.
Pros:
Atheologically sound, Biblically faithful survey of the will of God, hisprovidence and sovereignty. It is realistic, practical, but neverflippant or mocking the seriousness of the decisions Christians willface.
Cons:
DeYoungis the minister at a church across the street from Michigan StateUniversity, and if you're not an American college student then youmight find this book very.....well.....very American collegestudent-ish. But I'm sure you'll cope.
Highlights:
Iwas challenged by the thought that the reason I want to know God's willmay be because I'm a coward. Instead Christians should be more likeEsther in trusting God, even with risky, dangerous situations: "If Iperish, I perish" (4:16). For a Christian, the worst thing that canhappen (death) is actually the best thing (eternal glory with Jesus)!
Recommended for:
Anyonewho is seeking God's will for their life, especially if you think youmay be relying on other than God's revealed word. A great gift,especially for young Christian people thinking about further education,jobs, marriage, etc.
Reviewed by Chris Ashton, mkc Committee member
Point Man by Steve Farrar (Multnomah Publishers)
Overview:
Point Man is about men taking the responsibility to lead their families for Christ into the modern world.
Pros:
Extremely practical, very readable, very challenging
Cons:
Too American in places!
Highlights:
Frank talk about adultery and how to stay well clear. Great chapter on talking to your kids about sex.
Recommended for:
Men; individual study, or could be used for men's groups.
Reviewed by Bay Warburton, mkc Committee member
Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes (Good News/Crossway USA)
Overview:
A list of 'disciplines' that a godly man should be pursuing individually, as a father and as a church member.
Pros:
Very practical and challenging. Plenty of good ideas to implement.
Cons:
A tad American. The number and range of disciplines can be overwhelming (and even guilt inducing!).
Highlights:
Lots of examples and ideas to challenge one's thinking
Recommended for:
All men; individual or group study
Reviewed by Bay Warburton, mkc Committee member
God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation by Andreas Köstenberger (Good News/Crossway USA)
Overview:
It's an incredibly thorough and detailed treatment of the Bible's teaching on marriage and family. It's not an easy read, and it's not one that you can casually just flick through, but it's worth spending time on. It's a helpful book to read by yourself (whether married or single), even more so to read with your wife or fiance. Perhaps it might also lend itself to a small group context. There are questions for each chapter, which are helpful in grasping your understanding of what is being discussed.
Pros:
I loved that it was Biblical. It doesn't just quote proof texts, but actually works hard to exegete the relevant passages.
Cons:
The weakness is its size and the detail that it goes into. Probably there are people who would be overwhelmed at such a book.
Highlights:
Even though it is super thorough, Andreas Köstenberger works hard on both the Bible and theology to make it clear and very readable.
Recommended for:
Men who think that the hard work will be worth it, in having God's word brought to bear on their lives.
Reviewed by Chris Ashton, mkc Committee member
Concise Theology by J. I. Packer (Tyndale House)
Overview:
Concise Theology explains almost 100 essential theological topics in short, one- or two-page summaries summaries.
Pros:
Provides a systematic overview of evangelical theology, with dozens of Bible references on every page.
Cons:
None that come to mind.
Highlights:
You cannot read this Christ-centered book without being powerfully reminded of the gospel! Some helpful sections on predestination (p.37), angels (p.64) the two natures of Jesus Christ (p.108) and justification (p.164).
Recommended for:
Every Christian could benefit from having this book close to their Bible, but it would be an especially invaluable resource for Bible study and youth group leaders, lay preachers and those involved in discipling new- or non-believers.
Reviewed by Chris Ashton, mkc Committee member
Masculine Mandate, The by Richard D. Phillips (Ligonier)
Overview:
The writer of Ecclesiates says: "Of making many books there is no end"(12:12). He could have been speaking generally, but he may well have been speaking specifically about books Christian masculinity. In an ever expanding library of such books, this one stands out! Read it and put it into practice!
Pros:
I loved that Richard Philips doesn't try and make the Bible justify his idea of what it means to be a man, instead he starts with God's word, and seeks to apply it as the standard for Christian men.
Cons:
None.
Highlights:
Particularly helpful was the author's critique of the contemporary teaching that suggests the Christian bloke needs to be macho, into cars, drinking beer, eating beef, hunting and water sports. God's word isn't so prescriptive. In fact, it focusses on different things altogether; this book reminds us of that, and draws our attention to the Christian man's obligations as to marriage, family, work and the church.
Recommended for:
Every guy who reads this should buy a copy, possibly more than one to give away. Read it, check it against God's word, and work really hard to align your life with the latter using the former as a guide.
Reviewed by Chris Ashton, mkc Committee member
Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce by John Piper (Good News/Crossway USA)
Overview:
In a short, 76 page book, Piper provides a brief biographical sketch of the man who, under God, led the campaign to abolish slavery in the British Empire.
Pros:
This book speaks more about Wilberforce's Christian faith than anything that I have previously read on him, and clearly shows how it was his steadfast trust in the Saviour that motivated his abolition efforts.
Cons:
In a few places the book really does lack detail, but it is still a helpful overview.
Highlights:
The accounts of Wilberforce's personal evangelism is a tremendous encouragement and challenge. He spent long nights with colleagues, and even visited a convicted blasphemer in prison to urge him to repent and trust Christ.
Recommended for:
A great introduction to Wilberforce, the anti-slavery movement and the social issues that existed at the time. Anyone interested in politics or social justice will find it an enjoyable read!
Reviewed by Chris Ashton, mkc Committee member
Fireproof (DVD)
Overview:
Wrapped into a story about a fireman who is facing divorce are great reminders of the gospel as well as the value of fighting for your marriage.
Pros:
A good movie, believe it or not. Strong statements about marriage and a decent story to boot.
Cons:
Some hokey moments, but only a few
Highlights:
Powerful acting from Kirk Cameron. The relationship between Caleb and his father is challenging - can I be a father like that, concerned above all else to see his son know Jesus?
Recommended for:
A men's movie event, or just watching with your wife.
Reviewed by Bay Warburton, mkc Committee member
x3watch.com software (computer software)
Overview:
Accountability software program designed to help with your online integrity. A log of your internet browsing history is sent to your accountability partner(s) to aid encouraging, open and honest conversations.
Pros:
Sets up accountability between brothers in Christ or between husband and wife. The software is available for PC, Mac and iPhone. When you disable the software, a record of this is also sent to your accountability partner(s).
Cons:
Some sites that you "legitimately visit" may be blocked by the software but if you can be accountable to your partners then you can still visit them.
Highlights:
Creates good, tight, open and honest relationships between Christian brothers (or between a husband and wife). "It was strengthening to have to confess and repent to a close brother in Christ if we had wandered off the path." (Bevan)
Recommended for:
All who are currently tempted to look at internet pornography, or those who aren't and want remain accountable.
Reviewed by Luke Hall, mkc Coordinator (on recommendation from Bevan, North Coast NSW)