Book Reviews

Posted: 8/31/07

Book Reviews

How Do You Know He’s Real? by Amy Hammond Hagberg (Destiny Image Publishers)

Unable to escape the haunting question asked her daughter by another teenager, Amy Hagberg has written a very interesting book that responds to this universal question. Instead of theological arguments and apologetics, the book is filled with 34 celebrity testimonies regarding personal life experiences with God. The list of witnesses includes actors, actresses, a beauty queen, music stars of every category and athletes. An additional bonus is the author’s testimony at the beginning of the book. It alone makes the book worth reading. 

What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com.

An interesting feature found in the book is a list of 82 topics and issues we face in life. The author then lists the celebrities whose testimonies relate to that topic, such as grace: Charlie Daniels, Gloria Gaynor, Ken Hensley, Heather Powers, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Stevens and Zoro. The testimonies reveal how God’s reality was experienced in the midst of their lives while struggling with that particular battle and/or dilemma.

How Do You Know He Is Real? is an easy book to read, a book of inspiration and encouragement, a book worth giving to another, and one you are glad to own.

Randall Scott, pastor

Immanuel Baptist Church, Paris

Breaking Free by Beth Moore (B&H Books)

Many Christian women struggle with a past, which can hinder their relationship with the Lord. They desire to have a close walk with God, but obstacles are often in the way.

Best-selling author Beth Moore helps lead readers on a journey to overcome the things holding them captive in Breaking Free.

Moore holds the readers hand as they walk through the valley together toward freedom in Christ. The reader feels as though she is on this journey with a friend through the sincerity and encouragement of Moore.

The study allows readers to discover parts of themselves yearning for healing only found in the love of their Heavenly Father. Through forgiveness and strength, the shackles will be lifted and hearts will begin to mend, Moore teaches. If the reader will take an honest, in-depth look into her life, she can achieve a place of victory.

This book offers reflection, healing and growth. As the bonds holding the reader captive begin to break, God will begin to fill in the holes left behind, Moore reveals. He will fill these places with his love, and the reader will find a new confidence resting in his arms.

Rebekah Hardage, communications intern

Waco

Heroes and Villains by Mike Alsford (Baylor University Press)

Why is Superman considered a hero? Why is Darth Vader a villain? Comic book enthusiasts and sci-fi followers know the stories, but is there something more that helps define the line between icons of good and evil? In Heroes and Villains, Mike Alsford explores the philosophical backbone behind hero and villain archetypes using contemporary media.

Consider this book to be a primer on some classical philosophical concepts with Batman, Gandalf and the Borg as illustrations. Alsford tackles the literary concepts of heroism and villainy as a way of considering our society’s ethical compass. The book is not very long (158 pages), but is packed tightly with references to classical philosophers like Plato, Nietzsche and Bertrand Russell, to name a few.

For people interested in these literary and philosophical concepts, this is a good read. Just beware— Heroes and Villains is not the same as a stroll through a comic store.

Scott Higginbotham, youth minister

First Baptist Church

Lampasas