FREE/BARGAIN - Christian Interest - 2015

[Brendan Moody]

Cross-posting from the general Non-fiction thread:

Volume 2 of The Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis is $1.99 at multiple retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Volumes 1 and 3 have been discounted in the past (and volume 1 is only $3.99 at Kobo right now), but this is the first time I know of that Volume 2 has dipped below $10.

[GtrsRGr8]

How to Be a Christian in a Brave New World. by Joni Eareckson Tada; Nigel M. de S. Cameron. Rated 5 stars, but from only 4 reviews at the present time, at Amazon; rated 4.04/5.00, from 24 reviews at GoodReads. Print list price $16.99; digital list(?) price $4.99; Kindle price now $0.99. Zondervan, publisher. 222 pages. http://www.amazon.com/How-Christian-...rave+New+World.

Book Description
Stem-cell research. Cloning. Genetic engineering. Today, discoveries in biotechnology are occurring so rapidly that we can barely begin to address one ethical debate before another looms overhead. This brave new world we’ve entered is a daunting one as well, with disturbing implications for the sanctity of life and for human nature itself. How should we respond as Christians?

Drawing on an abundance of cutting-edge information and life experience, Joni Eareckson Tada and Nigel M. de S. Cameron help you think through issues no Christian can afford to ignore. As a quadriplegic who has spent three decades advocating for the disability community out of a wheelchair, Joni offers the insights of a woman intimately acquainted with suffering and struggle. Dr. Cameron shares from his vast knowledge as one of today’s foremost bioethics. Together, they offer deeply informed perspectives on such pressing issues as

Human cloning
Designer babies
Redefining human nature
Human harvesting

Here is thoughtful, passionate, and gripping reading about the world that is coming—that, indeed, is already here—and how to live out your faith with conviction in its midst.

[ATDrake]

Free from the small press specialty publisher via KDP Select @ Amazon:

The Life and Prayers of Saint Luke, another one of their mini-biographies of prominent faith figures from Wyatt North Publishing.

Nearly every detail about Luke the Evangelist's life has been the subject of heated debate. The scholars of one era have provided explanations that entirely contradict the scholars of an earlier era.

It is not as simple as a matter of religious tradition versus modern scholarship; tradition contradicts tradition, scholarship contradicts scholarship, scholarship contradicts tradition, and sometimes tradition and scholarship go hand in hand.

Despite the debate, no singular conclusion seems to be available. It does not help that more of Saint Luke's life is shrouded in darkness than is available to us, even when taking into account the most controversial suppositions about him.

That makes the quest for Saint Luke very difficult, but it is important that we try to find and to understand him nonetheless. He is, after all, a man whose work has influenced millions of people, and it is through him alone that we know several of the most popular parables of Jesus.

[GA Russell]

Our God Saves: Personal Salvation Testimonies - free
http://www.amazon.com/Our-God-Saves-...dp/B00GQFSXMU/

[GtrsRGr8]

Definitely a book for the more cerebral Mobilereaders.

The book's subject matter goes beyond Christianity, but I felt that this thread was the best place to post it.

Sacred Causes. By Michael Burleigh. Rated 4 stars, from 21 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $16.95; regular(?) digital price $11.12; Kindle price now $0.99. HarperCollins e-books, publisher. 578 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Causes-...=Sacred+Causes.

Book Description
Beginning with the chaotic post-World War I landscape, in which religious belief was one way of reordering a world knocked off its axis, Sacred Causes is a penetrating critique of how religion has often been camouflaged by politics. All the bloody regimes and movements of the twentieth century are masterfully captured here, from Stalin's Soviet Union, Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy, and Franco's Spain through to the modern scourge of terrorism. Eloquently and persuasively combining an authoritative survey of history with a timely reminder of the dangers of radical secularism, Burleigh asks why no one foresaw the religious implications of massive Third World immigration, and he deftly investigates what are now driving calls for a civic religion to counter the terrorist threats that have so shocked the West.

[GtrsRGr8]

Why the Church Needs Bioethics: A Guide to Wise Engagement with Life's Challenges. By John F. Kilner (Editor). Rated 4 1/2 stars, but from only 4 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $26.99; regular(?) digital price $14.39; Kindle price now $1.99. Zondervan/HarperCollins Publishing, publisher. 305 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Why-Church-Nee...27s+Challenges.

Book Description
In a world where incredible medical technologies are possible … does “can do” mean “should do”? Why the Church Needs Bioethics helps you understand and constructively engage bioethical challenges with the resources of Christian wisdom and ministry. Three rich and true-to-life case studies illustrate the urgency of such bioethical issues as reproductive and genetic technologies, abortion, forgoing treatment, assisted suicide, stem cell research, and human enhancement technologies. Leading Christian voices bring biblical and theological perspective to bear on the incredible medical technologies available today; mobilize useful insights from health care, law, and business; and demonstrate the powerful ways the church can make a difference through counseling, pastoral care, intercultural ministry, preaching, and education. This book equips students, church and lay leaders, and people in health-related fields with the knowledge to make faithful bioethical decisions and to help foster a world where human beings are shown respect as people created in the image of God. Contributors to Why the Church Needs Bioethics include leading Bible and theology scholars, such as D. A. Carson and Kevin Vanhoozer; leaders in the areas of preaching (Greg Scharf) and ethics (Scott Rae); and 15 other experts in the fields of biblical-theological studies, ministry, communication, business, law, healthcare, and bioethics.

[Difflugia]

I was just flipping through Christianbook's sale list and found a few interesting books for 79 cents.

Simply Jesus: His Life and Teachings in Historical Order by Woodrow Kroll
What Does God Say About That?: Politics, Race, Heaven, Hell, the Environment, Money, and Hundreds More! by Aaron Sharp
The Five Points of Calvinism: A Study Guide by Edwin Palmer

For $1.59, you can get Science's Blind Spot: The Unseen Religion of Scientific Naturalism by Cornelius G. Hunter.

[Fluribus]

Basic edition of Screwtape Letters for $3.99 at Amazon US.

I'd seen the enhanced illustrated edition on sale before, but that one is such a large download.

[GtrsRGr8]

A 93% markdown.

(Observation: For some reason "99 cents" looks cheaper than "$0.99." hahahah).

When I think of a "study guide" book, I usually think of a book that accompanies another, main book (or dvd or some other medium). The study guide will have such things as questions to answer, lists of other resources, and sometimes a little bit of extra (possibly more advanced) reading material. Don't think of this book in that way--this is a freestanding book, it doesn't accompany anything. It is a self-contained primer on the subject of the five points of Calvinism.

My posting of this book does not necessarily mean that I agree with any doctrinal positions taken in the book.

The Five Points of Calvinism: A Study Guide. By Edwin H. Palmer. Rated 4 1/2 stars, but from only 2 reviews at the present moment (the paperback edition garners 4 1/2 stars, from 14 reviews). Print list price $15.00; digital list price $15.00; Kindle price now $0.99. Baker Books, publisher. 177 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Five-Points-Ca...lvinism+palmer.

Book Description
Clear, concise, and accurate

Using the classic TULIP acronym (Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints), this primer on the five points of Calvinism is perfect for students and laypeople alike. Using the Scriptures from which they are drawn, Edwin H. Palmer analyzes each point and explains them in accessible language. Helpful discussion questions follow each chapter, making this book ideal for classes or study groups. This important resource also includes a new foreword by Michael Horton and relevant historic catechisms and confessions.

[crich70]

Free for Christians!: How to Build a Huge Collection of Christian Books --Without Ever Paying One Cent!
Amazon US

[GtrsRGr8]

My calculator says that $2.99 is an 83% markdown from the $18.99 list prices.

This book takes an "Old Earth" position. The author believes that the "days" of Genesis 1 are not 24-hour days, but are ages of time (the position is called the "Day-Age" theory). Although this position has been advocated and defended by quite a few people, I'm anxious to see what this author has to say.

My posting of this book does not mean that I necessarily agree with any exegetical, theological, or doctrinal positions taken therein.

A Biblical Case for an Old Earth. By David Snoke. Rated 4 stars, from 29 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $18.00; digital list price $18.00; Kindle price now $2.99. Baker Books, publisher. 225 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Case-...r+an+Old+Earth.

Book Description
Young-earth creationism? Naturalistic evolution? Isn't there another choice?

Yes, there is.

Respected physicist and professor Dr. David Snoke argues that the Bible does tell us about the scientific history of our world, but it does not teach that the world was created recently. He offers a compelling biblical case that the young-earth position is theologically flawed.

Drawing out the deeper themes of Scripture often lost in modern discussion, Snoke shows how the biblical texts as well as modern scientific discoveries are better explained by a day-age model. He argues that the earth is millions of years old-and created miraculously by God.

Anyone interested in how science and faith relate and what the Bible says about the age of the earth will appreciate this readable, biblically grounded explanation of old-earth creationism.

[PandathePanda]

My Near Death Experience By Louwrens Erasmus
Amazon
Amazon UK

[TrevorViking]

Originally Posted by crich70

Free for Christians!: How to Build a Huge Collection of Christian Books --Without Ever Paying One Cent!
Amazon US

Free books, except for the 99 cents for this one.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by TrevorViking

Free books, except for the 99 cents for this one.

It was free when I bought it. The price must have gone back up.

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by TrevorViking

Free books, except for the 99 cents for this one.

Originally Posted by crich70

It was free when I bought it. The price must have gone back up.

I think that TrevorViking and I must have been cut from the same piece of cloth. I sense that he will balk at paying for a book when he knows that it has been cheaper, or even free, at some previous time. Anyway, that's the way that I am.

About 95% of the text of this short (33 pages, and using large type at that) book is dedicated to listing Kindle public domain books. This in itself is not all that helpful--books like that are easy to find at Amazon.

However, this list would have tremendous value if the author has used some knowledge and experience to select the better books under each topic. I say, "if"--I have my doubts that the author has done this.

There is not much "meat" in the other 5% or so of the text, which tells how to search for free books at Amazon. This is the gist of it:
". . . . type 'Free Kindle book' and add the Christian topic you are interested in . . . . Remember, these are daily specials . . . . Now try, 'Free Kindle books' and add the last name of your favourite [sic] Christian author". Then, he gives a couple more examples of topics that you can search for.

I've said all of that to say this: there is not much in this booklet that you don't probably already know.