Book Review: Christianity in Crisis: The 21st Century

Title: Christianity in Crisis: The 21st Century

Author: Hank Hanegraaff

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0849900069

Almost twenty years ago, Hank Hanegraaff wrote the book Christianity in Crisis to alert the world to the cultic movement within Christianity. At the time, there were dangers enough, but with this updated version, Mr. Hanegraaff exposes newer and even more insidious leaders among this community. These men and women that are exposed for their heresy in this book are not someone that no one has ever heard, but very popular preachers.

As I read this book, I was aghast at the claims that some of these so-called prosperity preachers espoused. They have the audacity to say that God can do nothing on this earth unless someone gives Him the authority! To think that for one moment God needs our permission to do anything is simply asinine. The Almighty does NOT need my permission, and He is not some genie in a bottle that we can rub the magic lamp for Him to do as we tell Him to do!

This is a book that I would recommend to anyone who is curious to know what people are teaching today in their "crystal palaces." It exposes this men and women as the frauds that they are. These are not people following God's Word, but bastardizing it. The tragedy of it all is that many will follow these false prophets straight to hell. Wake up, America! There is only one Savior, and that is Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life. No man, woman, boy or girl will go to Heaven except they repent of their sins, and accept Him as their Savior! (John 14:1-6)

Pros: Should be used as a text book in seminaries across America.

Cons: It often reads like a text book.

Book Review: House of Dark Shadows

Title: House of dark shadows

Author: Robert Liparulo

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595544941



House of dark shadows tells the story of a family of five that move from the city to a rural town. Xander the oldest, is disappointed by this because he is an aspiring movie maker. Being fifteen years old, he believes that his world is caving in. How can he pursue his passion in such a place? Nothing ever happens in small towns, does it?

Xander and his brother, David, are about to find out just how much excitement can be found in a small town. From battling gladiators in the Roman Colosseum, to running for your life from natives and man eating tigers in the jungle, Xander and David find out that their house is not all that it appears to be...it is so much more!

In this house, you never know where the next door will take you. This not only thrills Xander, but it scares him as well. If someone from this side can go through, what about someone from the other side. And, where did those giant footprints come from? Who was the figure that he saw down the hall? What other secrets does this house hold?

Pros: Excellent book. Was really hard to put down. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Cons: None that I can think of.

Book Review: Holding Fast

Title: Holding Fast: The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy

Author: Karen James

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595551751

Holding Fast tells the story of Kelly James from the perspective of his wife, Karen. In December 2006, three men meet in Oregon near Mount Hood. There plan was very simple- to climb the mountain. Believing they had prepared for everything, they set out on their climb. They were climbing Mount Hood to prepare them for climbing Mount Everest. Little did they realize what lay in store for them at the top of this viscious mountain.

Karen James leads the reader through the ups and downs that accompanied the rescue attempts. She expresses in great detail the hope and the anguish that she, her family and the families of the two other climbers faced. She reveals the minutest of feelings and thoughts as they rushed through this horrendous ordeal.

Although you already know the outcome, you are right there with the author hoping beyond hope that a miracle will occur and the three men will be rescued. While the final result is less than hoped for (they don't survive the climb), the love that the author has for her husband comes alive on each and every page.

Pros: This is a story that will touch you deeply as it sheds light on the pain that is felt with the loss of a loved one.

Cons: For a "Christian" book, I found the somewhat liberal use of profanity to be distasteful (even if it was bleeped out).