I had the pleasure last year of of reading and reviewing Anthony’s book and interviewing him as well. Links to both of those blog articles are below:

• Book Review
• Interview

About the Book:
Everyone encounters conflict–whether it be with a co-worker, family member, friend, or complete stranger. And yet we all desire harmony in our relationships. Resolving Everyday Conflict is a practical, biblical, and concise guide to peacemaking in everyday life that can turn your troubled relationships into peaceful ones.

With the proven advice found in this book, authors Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson show you how to achieve not only a cease-fire but also unity and harmony. Their biblical guidance will take you beyond resolving conflicts to true, life-changing reconciliation with family, co-workers, and fellow believers.

About the Authors:
Ken Sande is president of Peacemaker Ministries and author of the bestselling The Peacemaker. He regularly conciliates business, family, and church disputes and serves as a consultant to pastors and attorneys as they work to resolve conflicts outside the courtroom. Sande conducts seminars on biblical conflict resolution and lives in Montana.

Kevin Johnson is the bestselling author or co-author of more than fifty books and Bible products. He pastors Emmaus Road Church in metro Minneapolis, where he lives with his wife, Lyn, and three growing children. Learn more at kevinjohnsonbooks.com.

Book Details:

Recommendation:
Review Date:  5/1/2012 by Shaun Tabatt
Rating:  Highly Recommended

Review:

Search for the words “Bible contradiction” on google and you will get search results that exceed six million hits. Perform that same search on Amazon.com and you will find more than two thousand books on the subject. We clearly are living at a time in history where questioning the authority and historicity of the Bible is all the rage.

What does this mean for the Christian? At a basic level, it means you will likely encounter people who do not share your view about the truthfulness and reliability of God’s word (i.e. the Bible). 1 Peter 3 suggests that the Christian needs to be ready to offer a defense for the hope that is within them, doing it with gentleness and respect. In order to offer a proper defense, every Christian should  become somewhat familiar with the the study of apologetics. When people hear the word apologetics for the first time, they will often ask what exactly it is they will be apologizing for. Don’t worry, apologetics has nothing to do with saying you’re sorry. It is actually the branch of theology concerned with offering a defense or proof for Christianity.

The team at Answers in Genesis is extremely passionate about equipping Christians with apologetics resources that will aid them in defending their faith. One of their latest resources is Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions: Volume 2, which is a follow up book to Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions: Volume 1 (Master Books, 2010). This new volume examines forty alleged Bible contradictions, twenty from the Old Testament and twenty from the New Testament.

If you’re the type of reader who tends to skip over introductory material, I strongly encourage you to take the time to read through Bodie Hodge and David Wright’s introduction. It will help you to better understand some of the types of conversations you may find yourself in with skeptics. Their goal is to help you move away from always “playing” defense in these exchanges. With the right tools and training, you’ll be ready for offense in no time.

The layout of each chapter is very straight-forward. First is the explanation of the “problem” and the relevant Bible verses. Next is the solution, which offers commentary on both sides of the issue, but ultimately gives an explanation that strives to show that the Bible is not contradictory. Each chapter comes to a close with a final section called conclusion, recapping what you learned in the problem and solutions sections in a few sentences. Some of the chapters cover a lot of ground in only a few pages, so the conclusion section does a nice job of bringing it all together, helping you to connect all the dots to ensure you have a good understanding of what you just read.

This book has something to offer Christians of all ages (teen to adult). Some of the articles do dive a bit deep, but the writing will be accessible and understandable to the average man in the pew. If you have more of an academic bent, you will find many good things here too. It’s well-reasoned articles will challenge you to think critically about your Bible and the attacks that are lodged against it. My hope is that this book will whet readers’ appetites to delve even further into the study of apologetics. Should you want to go further, you will definitely want to consider the many great apologetics titles published by Master Books.

Author Information:

Tim Chaffey is a writer for Answers in Genesis. He earned his master of arts degree in Biblical and theological studies in 2005 and began teaching at Tri-State Christian School soon after. He is currently the associate pastor of Martintown Community Church.

Mr. Bodie Hodge attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and received a B.S. and M.S. in mechanical engineering. His specialty was a subset of mechanical engineering based in advanced materials processing, particularly starting powders. Currently, Bodie is a speaker, writer, and researcher for Answers in Genesis USA. He is the author of The Fall of Satan and co-author of Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs.

Ken Ham is the president/CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis – U.S. and the highly acclaimed Creation Museum. Ken Ham is one of the most in-demand Christian speakers in North America. Ken’s emphasis is on the relevance and authority of the book of Genesis and how compromise on Genesis has opened a dangerous door regarding how the culture and church view biblical authority. His Australian accent, keen sense of humor, captivating stories, and exceptional PowerPoint illustrations have made him one of North America’s most effective Christian communicators.

Where to buy:

• Amazon: Print, E-book
• Barnes & Noble: Print , E-book
• ChristianBook:  Print, E-book

Related Media:

• Sample (Introduction & 1st chapter)
• Book Trailer

Disclaimer:
This book was provided by New Publishing Group for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

The Awesome Science series published by Master Books is hosted by 14 -year-old Noah Justice. In Explore the Grand Canyon with Noah Justice, viewers have the opportunity to tag along with Noah as he explores Grand Canyon National Park. He takes a look at the 40 layers of the Grand Canyon, offering explanations of how what we find there fits with the biblical record. Some of the key concepts that come across in the film are:

• The Grand Canyon was cut in just days, not millions of years
• Its massive layers show evidence of being laid down in less than a year
• The Biblical record can be trusted as Earth’s history book

The main views contrasted in the film are that either the Colorado river formed the Grand Canyon over millions of years or a catastrophic worldwide flood set in motion the process by which we arrived at the Grand Canyon we have today. If you follow other material published by Master Books, it’s no surprise that the film is heavily in support of the latter view. Noah gives credible support to the catastrophe view by pointing to modern day events such as the eruptions at Mt. St. Helens and a flood at Glenn Canyon Damn, which were both capable of achieving geologic features very simliar to what we find at the Grand Canyon in a very short time span.

I had the pleasure of watching this video with my kids ages 2 to 13. As far as comprehension and ability to follow the film go, I’d recommend it for kids ages 5+. If this is something you’d like to make a part of your homeschool science curriculum, you should strongly consider ordering the DVDs along with their related study guides. The Awesome Science series will be engaging and entertaining to both kids and adults. I heartily agree with my 6-year-old’s evaluation of the film. He said, “Dad, this science stuff is really awesome!”

Related Resources:

DVDs and Study Guides

DVD Trailer

Disclaimer:
This DVD was provided by Master Books for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

You can learn more about our Homeschool Road Trip from the earlier posts in the series:

• Homeschool Road Trip – Creation Museum - LINK
• Homeschool Road Trip – Creation Museum – Resource # 1 – The Answers Book for Kids, Volume 2 – LINK
• Homeschool Road Trip – Creation Museum – Resource # 2 – A is For Adam – LINK
• Homeschool Road Trip – Creation Museum – Resource # 3 – Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure – LINK

• Win an autographed copy of No Innocent Affair: Making Right the Wrong of Adultery at the Living Hope Blog.
• Win a copy of Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical on the Christian Focus Booknotes Blog.
• Win a copy of Pilgrim’s Progress on the Christian Focus 4 Kids Blog.

Title:  Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions: Volume 2
Authors: Tim Chaffey, Ken Ham & Bodie Hodge
Publisher: Master Books
Description: The Bible is accurate and without error! Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions Volume 2 offers 40 powerful explanations to prove it. There is an increasing focus in our culture on dismissing the Bible and its authority. Generations of skeptics and the religion of evolution have influenced even some Christian leaders. By highlighting supposed errors or inconsistencies in the Bible, doubt is created in the minds of believers and stumbling blocks are put up for those trying to present the Gospel. But Biblical evidence disproves the toughest of critics while bringing to light the indestructible power of God’s Word. Tim Chaffey, Ken Ham, and Bodie Hodge of Answers in Genesis highlight the answers to these debates and more.

Title:  The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy
Author: Timothy Keller
Publisher: 10Publishing
Description: ‘What are the marks of a supernaturally changed heart?’

This is one of the questions the Apostle Paul addresses as he writes to the church in Corinth. He’s not after some superficial outward tinkering, but instead a deep–rooted, life–altering change that takes place on the inside. In an age where pleasing people, puffing up your ego and building your résumé are seen as the methods to ‘make it’, the Apostle Paul calls us to find true rest in blessed self–forgetfulness.

In this short and punchy book, best–selling author Timothy Keller, shows that gospel–humility means we can stop connecting every experience, every conversation with ourselves and can thus be free from self–condemnation. A truly gospel–humble person is not a self–hating person or a self–loving person, but a self–forgetful person.

This freedom can be yours…

Title:  As One Devil to Another
Authors: Richard Platt
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers
Description: As One Devil to Another is an astonishing debut work that C. S. Lewis’s biographer and foremost Lewis authority Walter Hooper calls “a stunning achievement, the finest example of the genre of diabolical correspondence to appear since this genre was popularized by C. S. Lewis.” Enter into this chilling and diabolical tale, one that reveals the very tricks and strategies of Hell. Through a series of letters between devils created by Platt, senior devil Slashreap trains his young protégé, Scardagger, to win an individual soul away from Heaven and into their clutches. As the devils plot their way to triumph, they reveal the spiritual dangers and risks we face in today’s society. Their frighteningly accurate perspective on issues such as contemporary technology and sexual mores is interwoven with timeless matters such as the power of prayer, the purpose of suffering, and the promises held out by Heaven . . . and Hell. Destined to become a modern classic, As One Devil to Another is a brilliantly written, deeply unsettling perspective on twenty-first-century society . . . a glimpse of ourselves through the eyes of those who have embraced their underworldly existence.

This is the first major update of the Theology app. The app has been rewritten from the ground up to be even more stable and to include a whole bunch of new features. A few of the many new features include:

* You can now experience the app free from a wifi connection. You are now able to download video and/or audio-only versions of each session. Depending on the size of your phone you have the option to download over 30GB of seminary training.

* Able to remove downloaded class sessions once they’ve been experienced.

* Every session now has descriptive titles to know the content of every class.

* In the slides and workbook session you are now able to experience them at a full-screen level. Every pixel is devoted to the app.

More updates are on the way including an upcoming universal app for the iPad”

Not familiar with the Theology app. Here’s the description from iTunes:

The Theology Program is now available in an APP! You can learn all about The Theology Program by visiting www.theologyprogram.org. The program consists of 60 hours of theological training, more than 1,800 slides and more than 1,200 workbook pages. Basically an entire seminary in one app!

This is one heck of a deal at only $6.99. It’s like having a seminary-level education available anytime, anywhere on your iPhone or iPad. Highly recommend it!

Book Details:

Recommendation:
Review Date:  4/17/2012 by Shaun Tabatt
Rating:  Highly Recommended

Review:

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15, ESV)

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For lit is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:14-17, ESV)

The preceding Bible verses are those that are often referred to when people talk about the necessity of sharing your faith. With such specific direction from the New Testament, one might assume that all Christians, everywhere are sharing their faith at every turn, but is that really the case? Consider these disturbing statistics I found at Bible.org:

• Ninety-five percent of all Christians have never won a soul to Christ.
• Eighty percent of all Christians do not consistently witness for Christ.
• Less than two percent are involved in the ministry of evangelism.

The preceding statistics are from the early nineties, so I suspect the numbers may be slightly worse today. I know some of my readers would suggest that a lack of burden for sharing your faith and reaching the lost could indicate that you may not truly be a Christian. While that is certainly a possibility, it is outside of the focus of this book, which makes it outside the focus of this review. Perhaps that is a discussion we can have another time.

There are a plethora of reasons Christians will give for why they don’t share their faith. Fear of rejection, lack of confidence, and lack of training will surely rank high on the list. In Meet the Skeptic, Bill Foster strives to boost the Christian’s confidence in his / her ability to engage in conversations about their faith. One of the things that makes this book different from many other apologetics books is that it doesn’t offer rote answers for the skeptic’s objections. Bill wants to teach his readers a mental framework that will allow them to learn about and respond directly to the worldview that are behind the skeptic’s objections.

The worldviews covered in the book are spiritual, moral, scientific, and biblical. For each of these four worldviews, the book offers an overview (“In a Nutshell”), the root ideas behind it (“sample objections”), illustrations, and “red-flag words” to listen for. I read the book through the first time without the workbook, but have since had a chance to look it over. Bill throws a lot of information at you throughout the book, so I think the workbook would be a useful tool to help the reader learn the material as thoroughly as possible. There is also a leader’s guide, making this a ready-made course for a Sunday school class or small group.

I would highly recommend Meet the Skeptic to the Christian who has been looking for a tool that will allow them to be more effective in sharing their faith with unbelievers. The ideal audience for this book ranges from teen to adult. My overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Author Information:
Bill Foster teaches apologetics and Bible study to adults, college students, and teens. He has been involved in explaining and defending the biblical worldview for the last fifteen years. He holds a B.A. in English from Furman University and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art & Design. He is the owner of HigherWerks, Inc. a brand image and design firm. Bill has been married to his wife, Karla, since 1994.

Where to buy:

• Amazon: Print, E-book
• Apple: E-book
• Barnes & Noble: Print , E-book

Related Media:

• Meet the Skeptic Website – www.meettheskeptic.com
• Meet the Skeptic on Facebook – www.facebook.com/meettheskeptic
• Meet the Skeptic on Twitter – www.twitter.com/meettheskeptic
• Book Trailer

Disclaimer:
This book was provided by New Leaf Publishing Group for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.