The best-selling author of The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference has released a new book of a similar flavor: Outliers: The Story of Success. While Outliars is getting mixed reviews, it sounds like if you found The Tipping Point interesting, you won't be disappointed with this book either. I've not read The Tipping Point, but I've heard good things from various sources. In this new title, Gladwell explores interesting (and sometimes strange) patterns behind the unparalleled success of certain groups of individuals. What do Bill Gates, the Beatles and Mozart have in … [Read more...] about Outliars (Malcolm Gladwell) – New Bestseller
Pro-Life Folks to Blame for GOP Debacle?
One line of explanation for the GOP's woes is summed up by folks like Kathleen Parker. In an op-ed piece in yesterday's NY Times, Ross Douthat explains: Pro-choice Republicans, in particular, know exactly whom to blame for their party’s showing. As Christie Whitman, the former New Jersey governor and Bush administration E.P.A. chief, explained after the election, it lost because “the party was taken hostage by ‘social fundamentalists,’ the people who base their votes on such social issues as abortion.” The conservative columnist Kathleen Parker made the same point more vividly: “The … [Read more...] about Pro-Life Folks to Blame for GOP Debacle?
Finally Alive – New Book From John Piper
Christian Focus publishers is releasing a new title by John Piper in the UK sometime after Christmas, but the book is available for pre-order now. The title is Finally Alive and the topic is “Have I been born again?" Those of us who follow Piper's sermons will recall that he gave a series of messages on this topic last year. The product description: Why is the church so ineffectual and characterised by the mosaic generation as unchristian? The term born again has been devalued both in society and in the church. Recent social studies surveys have shown that those who regard themselves as … [Read more...] about Finally Alive – New Book From John Piper
Steve Wright – ApParent Privilege
My friend Steve Wright and author of reThink has published what looks like a follow-up in some ways to his previous title (which I reviewed). Steve is an engaging, pastoral man with a passion to equip parents in training up godly children with a view toward multi-generational faithfulness. Last May I had the pleasure of interviewing Steve and meeting him when live-blogging a conference for him. Steve has an usual blend of intensity and warmth. With a mature, relational demeanor he simultaneously connects with parents and youth. If you found … [Read more...] about Steve Wright – ApParent Privilege
John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, Doxology
This incredible team of contributors brought together by Burk Parsons have assembled what looks like an outstanding introduction to the life, ministry, and heart of John Calvin. "To my knowledge there never has been a collection of authors of any edited volume under whose ministry I would rather sit than these...This a good way to meet John Calvin: in the holy hearts of humble servants of Christ. The only better way would be to read the man himself." - John Piper Contributors: Jay E. Adams, Eric J. Alexander, Thabiti Anyabwile, Thomas K. Ascol, Joel R. Beeke, Jerry Bridges, Sinclair B. … [Read more...] about John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, Doxology
Returning From Blog Hiatus
I've had a long break from posting. My wife and I had a very restful time visiting her family in northern California over Thanksgiving (discounting two brutal road trips with a few hours of heavy traffic and two children in tow). While up there I slept about 10 hours a day. Upon our return I was immediately thrown into the end of the semester push (Final Exams less than two weeks away). To my regret, I was not as enterprising as this guy who sold ads on his tests. A few odds and ends: In other news, I've been really enjoying The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression by … [Read more...] about Returning From Blog Hiatus