From the Library of Doug Richey
Interested in keeping up with Doug's personal reading and study? You can do so here. You may even find many of these books and resources helpful in your own daily diet.
Loeb Classical Library: Josephus: The Jewish War by Josephus (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2004) --current-- |
'Josephus, soldier, statesman, historian, was a Jew born in AD 37. . . Present at the siege of Jerusalem by Titus, he received favours from Vespasian, Titus, and even Domitian' (dust jacket) A helpful resource in understanding the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. (Doug's) |
The World's Last Night: And Other Essays by C.S. Lewis (San Diego: Harcourt, 1987) --current-- |
'In seven witty, lucid, and tough-minded essays, C.S. Lewis considers questions that challenge the faith of modern Christians.' (dust jacket) |
| Paradise Lost by John Milton (New York: Oxford University Press, 2005) --current-- |
'Paradise Lost is one of the greatest epic poems in the English language. It tells the story of the Fall of Man, a tale of immense drama and excitement, of rebellion and treachery, of innocence pitted against corruption, in which God and Satan fight a bitter battle for control of mankind's destiny. . .' (dust jacket) |
Losing Our Virtue: Why the Church Must Recover Its Moral Vision by David Wells (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999) --current-- |
'David Wells travels far and wide in the fields of cultural criticism to bring back a blunt ultimatum for contemporary evangelicals: Face up to the moral challenge of modernity or lose you integrity. The future of our tradition depends on our answer to his warning.' (Os Guinness, dust jacket) |
Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith We Defend by Ravi Zacharias (Author & General Editor) (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007) --current-- |
'More than a book of apologetics, Beyond Opinion will equip you intellectually, spiritually, and relationally "to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have."' (dust jacket) |
The Government of the Roman Empire by Barbara Levick (New York: Routledge, 2000) --completed 2/09-- |
'. . .the most up-to-date, user-friendly and cohesive collection of sources available on the subject. It will be an essential resource for all students of Roman history.' (dust jacket) |
Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament by J. Julius Scott Jr. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007) --completed 2/09-- |
'This book is written from the conviction that the Bible must be interpreted within its original grammatical and historitcal context. . . Similarly, 'historical' must include more than the recounting of the chronological sequence. Geography, cultural and sociological phenomena . . . are also part of the historical context.' (from the introduction) |
Backgrounds of Early Christianity by Everett Ferguson (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003) --completed 1/09-- |
'The book explores and unpacks the Roman, Greek, and Jewish political, social, religious, and philosophical backgrounds necessary for a good historical understanding of the New Testament and the early church.' (dust jacket) |
As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History by Jo-Ann Shelton (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998) --completed 12/08-- |
An informative resource regarding the life and times of ancient Rome. Extremely helpful in understanding New Testament backgrounds. (Doug's description) |
Fall of the Roman Republic by Plutarch (New York: Penguin Books, 1972) --completed 9/08-- |
This is a great resource for understanding the lives of six men who had a tremendous impact upon the Roman republic. Plutarch provides biographical sketches of these men along with what he considers to be the moral lesson of their lives. (Doug's description) |
The Shack by William P. Young (Newbury Park, California: Windblown Media, 2007) --completed 9/08-- |
!!!Not recommended. Dangerous theological errors are promoted with an obvious disdain for orthodox Christianity.!!! (Doug's description) |
The Roots of Endurance by John Piper (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2002) --completed 7/08-- |
This is an excelent book recounting the lives of three men who endured tremendous hardships for the cause of Christ. (Doug's description) |
Love that Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace by Gary & Betsy Ricucci (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2006) --completed 2/08-- |
'Marriage is a profound and marvelous mystery established by God for His glory - and that is for our good. So many marital relationships never reach their greatest potential because they have the fatal limitation of being focused on one another. When our focus is solely on God, our marriages have the potential to thrive and not merely survive.' (dust jacket) |
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000) --completed 2/08-- |
'This book doesn't tell how to build a better marriage - scores of books already do that. Instead, Sacred Marriage shows how your marriage can help you deepen your relationship with God. . . everything about your marriage is filled with the potential for discovering and revealing Christ's character.' (dust jacket) |
Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce by John Piper (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2006) --completed 1/08-- |
'Many are aware of Wilberforce's role in bringing an end to slavery in Great Britain, but few have taken the time to examine the beliefs and motivations that spurred him on for decades. In this concise volume, John Piper tells the story of how Wilberforce was transformed from an unbelieving, young politician in to a radically God-centered Christian . . .' (dust jacket) |
The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007) --completed 1/08-- |
'It's common to believe that great events such as death or a birth are guided by the hand of God. Yet we can easily drift into feeling that our daily lives are not sovereignly directed, but are simply the product of our own efforts. This book brims with stories that show otherwise.' (dust jacket) |
Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought by John M. Frame (Phillipsburg: P & R Publishing, 1995) --completed 1/08-- |
'The significance of Cornelius Van Til in recent Christian thought can hardly be overstated. His writings in the fields of apologetics, theology, and ethics have generated intense discussion among friends and foes alike. . . John M. Frame offers warm personal reflections on Van Til's life and a close examination of his thought . . .' (dust jacket) |
The Man Who Knew Too Much (fiction) G.K. Chesterton (Mineola, N.Y.: Dover Publications, 2003) --completed 1/08-- |
Originally written in 1922, this book provides eight accounts in the life of Horne Fisher who finds himself investigating crimes of the wealthy and socially prominent. Fisher is well equiped to do so being a member of this elite part of society. He knows far too much about the people, their ways, their relationships, and their schemes. (Doug's description) |
Building Bridges: Perspectives on Baptist Unity by David Dockery & Timothy George (Nashville: Convention Press, 2007) --completed 1/08-- |
'David S. Dockery and Timothy George have charted a wise and faithful course for Southern Baptists for the 21st Century. Their invitation to renewal is one worthy of following. I am extremely pleased and thankful for this consensus building project. I commend Building Bridges to every Southern Baptist and invite you to join us on this hope-filled, Christ-honoring journey.' (Morris Chapman, dust jacket) |
What is a Healthy Church? by Mark Dever (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007) --completed 1/08-- |
'...By following the example of New Testament authors and addressing church members from pastors to pew sitters, Dever challenges all believers to do their part in maintaining the local church. What is a Healthy Church? offers timeless truths and practical principles to help each of us fulfill our God-given roles in the body of Christ.' (dust jacket) |
The Man Who Was Thursday (fiction) by G.K. Chesterton (New York: The Modern Library, 2001 --completed 12/07-- |
Chesterton was a much loved author of C.S. Lewis and for good reason. As can be seen in this book, Chesterton was a creative and challenging author who loved to play in the land of paradox. This book was originally written in 1908. (Doug's description) |
The Intimate Marriage by R.C. Sproul (Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 2003) --completed 11/07-- |
'. . .R.C. Sproul offers this practical guide to help married couples - or those seeking to get married - develop the skills of marriage. Diligently scriptural, The Intimate Marriage shows how marriages can have an abundance of joy when grounded in the wisdom of God.' (dust jacket) |
For Men Only by Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 2006) --completed 10/07-- |
The book is useful in describing what the typical person thinks regarding various aspects of the marriage relationship. The Feldhahn's take survey results and suggest practical steps in improving marriage relationships. (Doug's description) |
Introduction to Theological German by J.D. Manton Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 1971 --completed 8/07-- read in conjunction with: Modern Theological German by Helmut W. Ziefle German for Reading Knowledge by Jannach & Korb
|
A concise and helpful resource for those interested in developing their ability to read German theological texts. (Doug's description) |
Family Driven Faith by Voddie T. Baucham Jr. (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007) --completed 7/07-- |
'Family Driven Faith equips Christian parents with the tools they need to raise children biblically in a post-Christian, anti-family society. . .God's simple command to Moses to teach the Word diligently to the children of Israel serves as the foundation of (the book).' (dust jacket) |
The Apocalypse Code by Hank Hanegraaff (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007) --completed 6/07-- |
'The Apocalypse Code is a call to understand what the Bible really says about the End Times, and why how we understand it matters so much in today's world.' (dust jacket) |
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis (SanFracisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001) --completed 4/07-- |
'In The Great Divorce C.S. Lewis again employs his formidable talent for fable and allegory. The writer, in a dream, boards a bus on a drizzly afternoon and embarks on an incredible voyage through Heaven and Hell.' (dust jacket) |
Escape from Reason by Francis Schaeffer (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1979) --completed 3/07-- |
'A penetrating analysis of trends in modern thought. Man is dead. God is dead. Life has become meaningless existence, man a cog in a machine. . . In this highly original book Dr. Schaeffer traces the way in which art and philosophy have reflected the dualism in Western thinking introduced at the time of the Renaissance. . .' (dust jacket) |
The Dead Sea Scrolls Today by James VanderKam (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1994) --completed 3/07-- |
'James VanderKam has succeeded in summarizing very lucidly the complicated story of the Dead Sea Scrolls -- their discovery, nature, chronology, literary character, and background. . .'
(dust jacket) |
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (SanFrancisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001) --completed 3/07-- |
'A masterpiece of satire, this classic has entertained and enlightened readers the world over with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life from the vantage point of Screwtape . . .' (dust jacket) |
Christian Beginnings and the Dead Sea Scrolls ed. John Collins & Craig Evans (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006) --completed 2/07-- |
'These stimulating essays will bring many readers up to date on several key issues where the Dead Sea Scrolls are important for a better understanding of the New Testament.'
(dust jacket) |
Jack: A Life of C.S. Lewis by George Sayer (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1994) --completed 2/07-- |
'This book is an ultimate account of the man who helped--and through his works, continues to help--generations hear and understand the heart of Christianity.' (dust jacket) |
Membership Matters by Chuck Lawless (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005) --completed 1/07-- |
'Filled with insightful data and anecdotal evidence, this extremely practical book will be a blessing to church leaders wanting to begin or improve membership classes for their church.' (dust jacket) |
Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C.S. Lewis (New York: Harcourt Brace & Co., 1955) --completed 1/07-- |
'An unfailingly honest and acutely perceptive observer of self, C.S. Lewis vividly recounts the spiritual journey that led him from a conventionally Christian childhood in Belfast to a youthful atheism and, finally, back to an assured Christianity.' (dust jacket) |
C.S. Lewis Remembered edited by Harry Lee Poe & Rebecca Whitten Poe (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) --completed 12/06-- |
'This work provides interesting insights from 'Jack's' former students, friends and colleagues. The reader is brought face to face with the reality that Lewis was not only influential in his writing, but also in his interaction and devotion to those he encountered personally.' (Doug's description) |
Ready for Reformation? by Tom Nettles (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2005) --completed 10/06-- |
'Southern Baptist churches are still in the midst of a reformation that began with the conservative resurgence. It continues today because reformation requires much more than the recovery of biblical authority.' (dust jacket) |
The Legacy of Francis Schaeffer Various Articles The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 6, no. 2 (Summer 2002) : 2-78. --completed 9/06-- |
'I found these articles to be encouraging and informative. God used Schaeffer in a way to help us recognize the role Christians ought to play in reaching lives and transforming culture.' (Doug's description) |
| On Christian Liberty by Martin Luther --completed 8/06-- |
'This is classic Luther. This work clearly communicates the practical implications of the doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone. Written during the tumultuous years of the Reformation, Luther explains the role of faith and works in salvation and in the life of the believer.' (Doug's description) |
| God In the Wasteland: The Reality of Truth In a World of Fading Dreams by David F. Wells (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994) --completed 7/06-- |
'Wells argues that the church is enfeebled in part because it has lost its sense of God's sovereignty and holiness. "The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today," says Wells, "is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the church. His truth is too distant, his grace is too ordinary, his judgment is too benign, his gospel is too easy, and his Christ is too common."' (dust jacket) |
| The Passion Driven Sermon by Jim Shaddix (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003) --completed 6/06-- |
'The sermon event is not about wrestling with man's perceived needs and interests, but about encountering God's Word with integrity.' (dust jacket) |
| The Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts That Shaped Our World by R.C. Sproul (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2000) --completed 5/06-- |
'The greater our familiarity with the ideas that have shaped our culture over the centuries, the greater our ability to understand --and influence-- that culture for Christ. From the ancient Greek thinkers Plato and Aristotle to the Christian philosophers Augustine and Aquinas to the molders of modern thought such as Kant and Nietszche, R.C. Sproul traces the contours of Western philosophy throughout history and demonstrates the massive consequences these ideas have had on world events, theology, the arts, and culture--as well as in our everyday lives.' (dust jacket) |
| Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing by C.J. Mahaney (Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah, 2006) --completed 5/06-- |
'"Never lay it aside. Never move on," says C.J. Mahaney, who shows you how to center every day around the life-giving reality of the gospel and how to escape the pitfalls of legalism, condemnation, and feelings-driven faith.' (dust jacket) |
William Tyndale: A Biography |
'Daniell discusses Tyndale's achievement as biblical translator and expositor . . . His book brings to life one of the great geniuses of the age.' (dust jacket) |