Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Except today I'm not reviewing any books because this is a special behind the scenes episode. These are the last days of December and I've decided to start a tradition. You are listening to the first ever Reading and Readers Year End Reflection episode. The Desert Shall Rejoice and Blossom like the Crocus As I look back to April this year, which is when I started this podcast, I re...
Dec 30, 2021•32 min•Ep. 28
“This greatest work of John Owen is a work of gigantic strength as well as gigantic size; and he who has mastered it is very little short … of being an erudite and accomplished theologian.” That is J.I. Packer quoting Thomas Chalmers on John Owen's Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Today I review Hebrews by John Owen. Or to be more precise the Crossway Classic Commentary ab...
Dec 26, 2021•36 min•Ep. 27
We need to pray more; we need to give more careful thought to the content of our prayers; and we need to spend more time preparing our hearts and our tongues for prayer. It is with that in mind that I offer this book. That's Pastor John MacArthur from the preface of his book, "A Year of Prayer". Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Today I review "A Year of Prayer" by John MacArthur. 258 pages. Published by Harvest Ho...
Dec 12, 2021•29 min•Ep. 26
A row of men and women stand shackled. Society sees but says it's normal. They say, "This is the natural order of things". But one old man is rallying men to fight it. To fight this modern day slavery: pornography. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Today I review "The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility" by Ray Ortlund. A Budget for Porn Porn addiction is a subject that many Christians find...
Nov 28, 2021•27 min•Ep. 25
What is truth?” Pilate asked (John 18:38), perhaps not as a serious question since he did not wait to hear Jesus’ answer. Yet his question epitomizes an age-long query that arises in the human mind and has been the object of many discussions throughout the history of philosophy. That's a quote from today's book, by Roger Nicole. And while Pilate may not have taken his own question seriously, the authors in today's collection of essays do. They all contend for the Scripture and Truth. Hi, my name...
Nov 21, 2021•35 min•Ep. 24
Psalm 91:1–6 (ESV): He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in...
Nov 07, 2021•29 min•Ep. 23
If the Church is a force of good, then how do you explain the Crusades? The Inquisitions? Today we look at a book that addresses those questions head on. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Today I review "Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History" by John Dickson. No Such Thing as an Honest Man The keyword is 'honest'. Why can't the subtitle just be "A Look at the Good and Evil of ...
Oct 31, 2021•26 min•Ep. 22
"In a day of polarization to extremes and consequent fragmentation of churches and individual lives, we need to heed his [the Apostle John's] call to hold together truth and love on the basis of God’s self-revelation throughout the Scriptures and especially in this text [the Epistles of John]." That was a prescient quote from 1988 by David Jackman in his book, "The Message of John's Letters". What revelation does the Apostle John's letters have for us? If you want to know more, don't go away. Hi...
Oct 17, 2021•34 min•Ep. 21
When was the last time you heard a sermon or read a passage and thought, "Huh! I never looked at it that way before." Today's book promises you a new set of eyes to see passages in a new light. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Today I review the Faithlife Free Book of the Month for October: "Fresh Eyes on Jesus' Parables: Discovering New Insights in Familiar Passages" by Doug Newton . 208 pages, published by David ...
Oct 10, 2021•33 min•Ep. 20
An atheist jumps off his seat and runs to his friend, "The Bible itself says, 'There is no God.' The Bible says that!" His friend, a Christian turns and smiles, "That's in Psalm 14:1. You should read the whole verse my friend for it says "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" After today's episode, we'll see that it's not just the Bible that atheist have read wrongly. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Pre...
Oct 03, 2021•33 min•Ep. 19
Many are first attracted to Christianity because of its simple message. Later, when one reads the whole Bible, that simple message becomes lost in the 66 books with its diverse authors, times, places and subject matters. It doesn't help when scholars seem motivated to highlight the diversities at the expense of what holds the Bible together. Does anything hold the Bible together? Today's book confidently answers "Yes!" Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast w...
Sep 19, 2021•33 min•Ep. 18
Pop Quiz! Can you list the Fruit of the Spirit? More importantly, do you show love, joy, peace? Are you patient, kind, and good? How strong is your desire to exercise faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? A man prayed everyday that the fruit be ripen and he was the most Christ-like person people around him knew. Stick around for a fruitful review. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. In this episode, I review Fai...
Sep 12, 2021•32 min•Ep. 17
"It was supposed to be a four day visit. It turned into a 445-day imprisonment. And if God had not intervened, he would have been there for the rest of his life." Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. For today's review, I pick a book about a Christian who was imprisoned with ISIS and lived to tell the tale. There is a reason for picking this book. Last week, I watched boys fall from planes and girls scream behind airp...
Sep 05, 2021•24 min•Ep. 16
Do you want the next best thing after the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia? The books, not the movies. You are listening to Reading and Readers, not Watching and Watchers. Are you a concerned Christian who asks whether fantasy books is right for Christians? Listen to today's book review. Hi, I'm Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month, I review Faithlife's Free Book of the Month and while waiting for the next ...
Aug 22, 2021•27 min•Ep. 15
Of the three person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is the most mysterious. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a clear Biblical way to teach on the Holy Spirit? One where people could experience the power of living in the Spirit? Keep listening. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review Faithlife's Free Book of the Month and for the month of August, the free book is "Empowered: Experience Living in the P...
Aug 08, 2021•29 min•Ep. 14
Who would you pick to win a fight? A cuddly rabbit or a cunning wolf? A fluffy bunny or a vicious hawk? The rabbit! Always pick the rabbit. That's the Truth in the world of the Green Ember. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review Faithlife's Free Book of the Month and while waiting for the next free book, I pick a book or in today's episode, nine books. Today, I review the epic tale-spinning, pack-sl...
Jul 25, 2021•26 min•Ep. 13
Do you struggle with money problems? Who doesn't? What if I told you there was a quick-fix to all your money problems? Would you be interested? Well, you shouldn't. Money problems have deep underlying causes and looking for quick-fix makes it worse. Today's book offers you not a quick fix, not a long-lasting fix, but an eternal fix. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review Faithlife's Free Book of the...
Jul 11, 2021•31 min•Ep. 12
Duty. A word that was full of meaning 200 years ago. Less so today. Can an author from 200 years ago tell us to do our duty? And tell it to today's young Christians? Find out in today's book review. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review a book from Faithlife's Free Book of the Month and while waiting for the next free book I review a book of my choice. And my choice for today is "The Young Christia...
Jun 27, 2021•30 min•Ep. 11
Are you tired of a religious life that only begins and ends on that one day in the week? Do you yearn to live out a Christian life Monday to Sunday as God had originally intended? Do you want to experience All Things New? Keep listening! Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review a book from Faithlife’s Free Book of the Month. And for the month of June that free book is All Things New: Joining God’s Sto...
Jun 13, 2021•32 min•Ep. 10
A fault line emerges in the church. Critical Race Theory is a danger to the church and society. How should Christians speak on racial justice and reconciliation? All this and more in today’s review. Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review a book from Faithlife’s Free Book of the Month. And while waiting for the free book for the month of June, I review a book of my choice. For today, make that three ...
May 30, 2021•42 min•Ep. 9
The Impossible Doctrine Can a book explain the most impossible doctrine that has confounded all Christians everywhere, the Trinity. Can a book prove that the Trinity is in the Bible? Can a book written by a Pentecostal be affirmed by a Reformed? Find out in today's book review. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review a book from Faithlife's Free Book of the Month. The free book for May is "The Trinity, ...
May 16, 2021•31 min•Ep. 8
(Edited Transcript of Podcast) Providence Starts Here John Piper drops a 752 page book titled Providence. 752 pages! This must be an author who trusts that God himself will bring readers to read this book. Readers who can commit the time to see and savor the providence of God. Are you that reader? Listen to today's review. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review a book from Faithlife’s Free Book of t...
May 02, 2021•36 min•Ep. 7
(Edited Transcript of Podcast) Behind The Scenes What is Reading and Readers? How did it come about? What goes into making a podcast? Where is this podcast going? All these questions and more answered in today's special episode. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers podcast where I review Christian books for you. Except I'm not reviewing any books today. One of my favorite things to do in terms of the movie experience is to watch the Behind The Scenes feature where the...
Apr 18, 2021•24 min•Ep. 6
Let’s Start From the Beginning Have you had the experience where someone comes to you with a problem and then you say, “Let's start from the beginning?” Well, we have a lot of problems in this life and in this world. So why don't we start from the beginning. And what can be more of a beginning than Genesis? Let’s do that with today's book Dr Johnson. He will guide us through Genesis chapter 1 - 11. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christi...
Apr 18, 2021•25 min•Ep. 5
(Edited Transcript of Podcast) Proving Atonement From 66 Books How important is the cross in the Bible? Christians would say, “Very, very, very important. The whole book is about the cross in the Bible. All 66 books point to Jesus.” “Can you prove it? Can you back up your claim that all 66 books point to Jesus?” And with today's book, the answer is yes. Hi, my name is Terence, and I'm your host for Reading and Readers Podcast, where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review Faithlif...
Apr 18, 2021•27 min•Ep. 4
(Edited Transcript of Podcast) Ethical Man Gets Tempted Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert. Because you are in Christ. That means you were there, too. And because Christ is in you, you too, can overcome temptation. Or is it? Today's book is "Tempted and Tried: Temptation and The Triumph of Christ" by Dr Russell Moore . Dr. Russell Moore is the president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Prior to his election in 2013, Moore served as the ...
Apr 18, 2021•26 min•Ep. 3
(Edited Transcript of Podcast) A book on joy leaves me joyless. I disagree with how the esteemed Dr David Jeremiah writes, but I agree with what he writes. It gives me great joy to bring you today's review. 80 years old, 80 books Today's book is "Counted it all Joy" by Dr David Jeremiah , founder and host of Turning Point for God and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church. It's a mega church of the Southern Baptist Convention that is attended by over 10,000 people a week. From Dr Jere...
Apr 18, 2021•25 min•Ep. 2
Emergent, Traditional and Deep 10 years ago, there was a war between churches. Army Emergent took arms against Fortress Traditional, or is it the other way around? Dr. Jim Belcher wrote a book calling for a ceasefire. Did it work? 10 years later, do we still care? Find out in Reading and Readers. Hi, my name is Terence, and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Every month I review FaithLife’s Free Book of the Month. In 2021, the January’s free ...
Apr 18, 2021•27 min•Ep. 1
