Featured Books

Here are some recent noteworthy additions to our library…

Made Man

If you were asked :”WHO IS JESUS?” how would you answer…

Christians hold that Jesus is fully GOD and fully MAN, but what does that actually mean ? How does that work, and does it actually matter ?

The author, CRAIG HAMILTON takes us through the incarnation of Jesus, followed by the history of the early church, grappling to understand what it means and why it matters that God becomes man.

Today, we are standing on the shoulders of all the thinking and debating, heresies and conclusions of the Councils of the Church, to affirm the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ being God in the flesh.

“He is, without qualification and without exaggeration the most Impressive Person to have ever existed.”

Take time to read and digest this book ; it is clearly written and without “theological jargon”.

The book will be on display on the Activities Room ’shelf.

Total Truth

Is religion only a private matter, or does God belong in the public arena?

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey, in examining this question, follows in the line of, and further develops, Francis Schaeffer’s How Should We Then Live and Charles Colson’s How Now Shall We Live. Both these books are in the Library.

Subtitled Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, Total Truth presents a readable and insightful challenge to evangelical Christians to understand all of society and life through a Christian (biblical) worldview rather than a secular one that some Christians have adopted. That secular worldview is limited to our culture and binds Christians, who restrict their faith to only the private sphere, leaving it at Church each Sunday.

As our worldview governs our thinking, Pearcey encourages readers to develop and apply a biblical worldview to all of life, arguing that this gives us “a biblically informed perspective on all reality,” – a Total Truth – which enables us to see things more clearly and which we can take into our daily life and the world in which we live, i.e., the public sphere. In this way, Christianity is able to challenge, redeem and renew culture.

Total Truth comprises 4 parts. Part 1 explains how to build a Christian worldview by starting at the beginning – in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth – and the Bible’s teaching that God is the only source of the whole created order, and seeing all of history through Creation, Fall, and Redemption. From here Part 2 examines Creation and science; Part 3 the decline of Christian thought over the ages; and Part 4 how to apply a Christian worldview, and integrate our faith, in all of life and daily living under the Lordship of Christ.

Pearcey shows what this Total Truth means for areas of family, business, public policy, education, arts, science, music, law, politics and Christian involvement in society. She “walk(s) you through practical, workable steps for crafting a Christian worldview in your own life and work” and applying it “to cut through the bewildering maze of ideas and ideologies we encounter in a postmodern world. The purpose …. is nothing less than to liberate Christianity from its cultural captivity, unleashing its power to transform the world.”

Pearcey believes:

“The most effective work …. is done by ordinary Christians fulfilling God’s calling to reform culture within their local spheres of influence – their families, churches, schools, neighbourhoods, workplaces, …. and civic institutions.”

Although written in 2004, Total Truth is a book highly relevant today. The foundation and explanations laid down by Pearcey are most helpful for Christians in the present day to understand that God belongs in the public arena and responds to the push to exclude the Christian faith from the public sphere.

Koorong also has Total Truth available in a Study Guide Edition (paperback and eBook) – https://www.koorong.com – which would be a practical way of reading the book and understanding its message.

They Crossed a Continent – Margaret Somerville

Battle of Australia Medal (1991) – (1912-2014) This is the story of a wartime exodus from Crocker Island to Sydney. Crocker Island is situated off the North West Coast of Arnhem Land and was home to 95 mixed Aboriginal and white blood children who were abandoned by both Aboriginal and white parents and so were then gathered from government institutions and taken into the Methodist home. They were mainly girls, who were the responsibility of missionaries Margaret Somerville and two other white women. Boys were under the care of the male Superintendent.

With the Japanese advancing the War towards the Northern Territory the priority from December 1941 was to evacuate civilians. The three white women were ordered to leave the Island but they refused opting to remain to look after the children. Darwin was bombed and eventually in April 1942 the children and the women were transported from the Island on a small ship the Larrpan to the mainland. From there followed a six week journey living off the land with small supplies of mainly flour and rice, travelling by truck and trekking through heavy bushlands. They eventually arrived at the rail link in Pine Creek (150 Km south of Darwin). From there, they travelled by cattle train to Birdum and on to Katherine by military trucks to Alice Springs. More rail journeys were made to Adelaide, Melbourne, Albury and finally arriving at Oxford Homes in Sydney.

After the war Crocker Homes was renamed Somerville Homes after Margaret and many children returned there. The facility relocated to Darwin in December 1968. Margaret had returned to Sydney in 1965 to care for her aging parents.

Footnote. While many in BCUC may likely be conversant with this amazing story of courage commitment, determination and care, for me, not coming from Australia, this epic journey was unfamiliar until I saw the book on the Church Library shelf. Recommended reading.

God’s Big Picture

 Many people have difficulty in reading and understanding the Bible, especially the Old Testament; do not give up ! The Bible: sixty-six books by forty authors, written over some 2000 years in different genres…..yet it is one story ! It is no ordinary book. How can you and I begin to read and understand the Bible as a whole ?

VAUGHAN ROBERTS by using the theme ‘The Kingdom of God’, has written a helpful book : GOD’S BIG PICTURE. The book will help you to become familiar with the Old Testament, discovering how the coming of Jesus is promised and anticipated right from Genesis – the author’s aim is to give an overview of the main storyline of the whole Bible.

You will not find this book “heavy” or “theological”; it is easy to read. Besides, each chapter can be used as a personal or group bible study, with suggested questions.

Why not borrow it and benefit ? You can find it on the display shelf in the Activities room.

God is Good for You

“GOD IS GOOD FOR YOU – a defence of Christianity in troubled times“ is a great book. It is Australian, well written, contemporary, compelling and convincing. The author GREG SHERIDAN is the Foreign Editor of “The Australian” newspaper; the well-known and much appreciated commentator on world affairs.

The book is divided into two sections, Part One : Christianity, starts with : “Believing in God is rational, atheism is an odd religious faith, and the new atheists are false prophets.” Other sections deal with “Justice” and “what did we ever get from Christianity?

Part Two : Christians record some interviews with politicians which will surprise you. Then follows : Ordinary extraordinary Christians, which is inspiring and ends with Bold minority – the future for Christians and their churches in Australia.

I cannot begin to review this great book – You must read it ! Borrow or buy it; it was published only a few weeks ago. It is relevant to each one of us ! Find it on the Foyer display unit.

“A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face”
– Edward P. Morgan

DVD : On Wings of Eagles

“On Wings of Eagles” The sequel to “Chariots of Fire”. The continuing story of former Olympic gold medalist Eric Liddell who married and returned to China to serve as a missionary in 1927. Despite the Japanese invasion of 1937 Eric refused to leave, determined to serve God. Even enduring internment and the depravity of war, Eric Liddell always held on to Hope. Note : THIS FILM has an “M” rating for violence.

DVD : JESUS THE GAME CHANGER

Jesus Christ has made an indelible mark on human history and he continues to do so through His followers. In this series of studies one comes to realise how our western democratic values originated and are built on the life and teaching of Jesus. Topics such as Equality, Forgiveness and Care challenged us as we watched the DVD, hosted by Karl Faase. Karl interviewed modern-day authors and academics from around the world, and we appreciated their comments and personal stories on these topics.  Written study notes and questions are available online. 

DVD : I Can Only Imagine

A very moving story of Bart Millard, a member of the music group Mercy Me, and the power of the Gospel. Music became Bart’s escape from the emotional and physical pain endured during his home life. Only by facing his fears and forgiving his father was he able to see hope.

DVD : CONNECT by Kirk Cameron

“CONNECT” This DVD by KIRK CAMERON is “a must-see for any parent battling through a world of social media pitfalls, benefits and boundaries”, so it reads on the box. “CONNECT” engages you in encouraging conversations and constructive dialogue to prepare you – the parent- to train children and adolescents for a life in the digital age. Guiding them in a world where un-truth are accepted as fact. Attitudes like : I have a right to be happy, or, I am my own authority, I do not need teachers, just information . With six kids, Kirk Cameron fully understands today’s parents’ dilemma, so he went to experts and what he learned will enlighten, challenge and encourage.

Just Like Jesus

MAX LUCADO’s collection of short stories under the title: JUST LIKE JESUS, challenges us to ask the question : “ Am I growing more Christlike ? “This should be the progression of all Christians…but, “how does one tell?” Max’ chapters will give some clues:

  • Loving people you are stuck with ………  a forgiving heart.
  • Hearing God’s music ………  a listening heart.
  • Finding gold in the garbage ………  a hope-filled heart.